THE POWER OF A WORD

Power?  A single word?  How can a single word have power?  After all, it is only a word. 

Only a word?  Maybe.

IF –My goodness the word if can be a hammer.  How many times have you said, “IF I had made a different choice.”?  Then you beat yourself up, repeating over and over, “If.  If.  If.”

WHEN – The word when can be a bargaining chip.  How many times have you said, “When ‘this or that’ happens, I will __insert activity__.”  ? The when never happened so neither did the activity. 

UNQUALIFIED –The word unqualified can be a stop sign.  Have you ever had a dream?  A goal?  An idea?  Then you tell someone and they say, “You are unqualified to do that.”  The word unqualified will stop you in your tracks, take away your dream, and squash your imagination.

LATER – The word later can be an escape goat and a thief.  Later is a way of getting out of things you do not want to do.  Later is feeling good because you did not actually tell someone no.  Later robs you of missed opportunities, joys, and memories.

Do you get the idea?

Are you thinking of another kind of powerful words?

TRY – The word try is a green light!  Picture a kid holding boards and nails looking at an adult.  They declare, “I am going to build a club house.”  The adult replies, “Go ahead and try.  Give it your best shot.”  The light changes to green and boards are nailed together to make something that just might resemble a club house.  Or it might fall over as the final nail enters the board.  And if it does fall over?  Try again!

CONGRATULATIONS – The word congratulations is a pat on the back and an acknowledgement of a job well done.  How wonderful to finish a project, complete your studies, or accomplish a goal and have someone say, “Congratulations.”  Yes, congratulations gives a pat on the back and encouragement to go forward.

INTEGRITY – The word integrity is a stamp of approval.  What do you think of a man when you are told he has integrity?  When a reference states she is if the highest integrity, do you put the resume in the keep file?  The word integrity stamps a person as honest, dependable, moral and upright.

COMPASSION – The word compassion can motivate a person into action.  This powerful word can change the life of one person, one community or can be a chain reaction that could change the world.  Compassion opens our eyes, hearts, and our minds to how others live and feel.  We see their needs.  Their dreams.  Their suffering.  Their hope.  Compassion is a very powerful word.

Do you get the idea?

Are you thinking of another kind of powerful words?

FAITH – The word faith is the ability to believe what the world says is impossible.  To believe what you cannot see.  Noah had faith there was going to be a lot of rain.  Sarah had faith she would finally be a mother.  We have faith Jesus will return!  Faith is the ability to believe .. just because God said so.

GRACE – The word grace is a gift.  Grace is the difference between what we – you, me, and everyone – deserve and what we receive.  God blessed us rather than the alternative.  I don’t know about you, but I want God’s grace!  The alternative does not sound so hot – or maybe the alternative sounds too hot.  Grace is a blessing.

PEACE – The word peace calms our lives.  Peace – God’s peace – means the presence of God is always with us.  Peace – God’s peace – means we are not to be afraid.  Peace is a comfort, like wrapping your favorite blanket (aka Holy Spirit) around you and knowing you are going to be okay.

THE MOST POWERFUL WORD OF ALL (in my humble opinion)

LOVE

LOVE – I looked up the word love.  It can be a noun or a verb.  Some synonyms are cherish, treasure, value, adore, like, and zeal.  Oh, this sounds great.  Then I looked up God’s love. 

GOD’S LOVE

God’s love rejoices over us and quiets us.  God’s love is steadfast, abounding and endures forever.  (Did you get the forever part?)  God IS love.  We cannot be separated from God’s love. 

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16  KJV

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1  NIV

Power in a single word?  Love -- after all, it is only a word.  Or is it? 

Please read out loud: 

That is what I am!  A CHILD OF GOD!

LOVED FOREVER BY A GOD WHO REJOICES OVER ME!

THESE KIDS

While watching a 1941 movie, I laughed out loud and told hubby, “My gosh that sounds like me.”

It actually sounded like most people over the age of ….. say 65.  What made me laugh?  Well…

The main character – remember this was a 1941 movie --was saying how the world would never survive this generation of children.  They had…   You can fill in the rest.

In my day – you know back when you walked to school, uphill, both ways – the ruination of the world was going to be caused by Elvis wiggling his hips.  Our parents could go on for hours about shirt tails not tucked in and collars turned up and the bee hive hairdo.  Of course we were all going to lose our hearing because the music was way too loud.  “What did you say?”

News flash – every generation thinks the one coming up is lost.  Cliff Notes:

• 1790 – Romances, novels and plays have poisoned the mind and corrupted the morals of the youth
• 1816 – The waltz is an indecent, evil, foreign dance
• 1859 – Persons that engaged in chess were sedentary and not mental gladiators – they should be outside playing real games
• 1925 – Besides the devil, nothing is more dangerous to the immortal soul than film, and the beauty, exquisite clothing, lax habits and low moral standards, are becoming unconsciously appropriated by the plastic minds of American youth
• 1925 – The young folk are best described as grossly thoughtless, rude and utterly selfish
• 1993 – The difference in this generation in American history is they live so well and complain so bitterly about it
• 2001 – They have trouble making decisions….their attention span is as short as one zap of a TV dial

What made my mind wander in this direction?  A friend asked me to write a letter to her daughter for her 13th birthday and I thought, “I AM GLAD I AM NOT RAISING A 13 YEAR OLD!!”

My goodness, if generations past can survive novels and plays, the waltz, chess, movies, and Elvis, this generation will move on and complain about the next.  Fifteen years from now, this generation will not like the music of the day.  They will wonder what happened to the good movies they watched.  They will shake their heads as their teenagers rebel.  And mothers of teenagers will say, “Yes I am mean.  It happened the minute I gave birth.  Before that I was sweet.”

My take – Worry about the next generation has been going on …. like forever.  Instead of worrying about it, pray about it.  Instead of worrying about it, quit trying to make their world a copy of the world you remember and realize the next generation must change as the world changes.  (Disclaimer:  This does not mean you approve of every change.)  Instead of worrying about it, support and love the next generation. 

Instead of worrying about it, trust God. 

A couple weeks ago, I spoke at a local retirement home for their morning Chapel.  Although this is longer than I usually post, our Pastor thought this should be used as my blog, so here goes …..

I DON’T GET IT

When I began to work on my message for today, I fully intended to make it about something other than Easter.  I figured, by now, every speaker last week, this week, and maybe even next week, has or will inspire you with uplifting messages on the triumphal entry, the Last Supper and the Resurrection.  The trouble is my mind kept coming back to the same thoughts.

I can picture Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The streets lined with excited people. The palm branches.  The shouting.  Jesus being called the Son of David and that he came in the name of the Lord.

The excitement would have been electric.  The wonder.  The awe.  The hope.

So much happened between the hope and the Cross.  Matthew 21 through 25 tells us that Jesus healed many.  Jesus confused and scared the Pharisees.  He answered their questions until from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Today we sang I Love to Tell The Story because Jesus taught and told stories from the time he said, “Follow me.”  Now he only had a few days to tie it all together.  Only a few days.

And that is where I get confused.

I DO NOT GET IT.  I DO NOT UNDERSTAND

I want to ask, “”Why didn’t you walk away?”

I want to ask, “Do you have trouble sleeping?”

I want to ask, “How could you stay silent?”

WHY DIDN’T YOU WALK AWAY

When this popped into my head, I thought of two people:  Judas and Jesus.  I know why Jesus did not walk away, so I want to ask Judas.

I mean REALLY?  Judas spent time with Jesus.  He saw Jesus heal people.  He heard Jesus teach.  He knew him!  He knew him!

And yet he went to the priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”  30 pieces of silver… 30! 

I want to ask Judas, “Why didn’t you walk away?  Were you so disappointed that Jesus had no interest in overthrowing the Roman government?  Did you ever believe Jesus was the Son of God or did you only consider him a teacher?  Were you really that greedy?

I want to ask Judas, “Why didn’t you walk away?”

DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING?

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say.”

Pilate and Herod examined Jesus and found no reason to charge him.  Even Pilate’s wife warned him:  Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man…

NO REASON TO CHARGE HIM!

AN INNOCENT MAN!

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

And Pilate gave in. 

I want to ask Pilate, “Do you have trouble sleeping?  You had heard about this man and all he had done.  You knew how shady the priests and elders were.  Your own wife warned you.  But no --- you listened to those that shouted the loudest.”

I want to ask Pilate, “Do you have trouble sleeping?”

HOW COULD YOU STAY SILENT

Not liking what they were hearing, the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus crucified.

In other words, they started shouting “Give us Barabbas and Crucify Him” and the crowd picked up the chant.

But where were the disciples?  Where were the people that had called him Son of David?  Where was the man that had given Jesus a room for the Last Supper?  Where were those that had been healed?  Where were those that knew the religious officials were only out for themselves?

I want to ask all of them, “How could you stay silent?”

The crowd was joining in with the loudest voice.  Maybe if a quiet Save Him and Worship Him had built into a loud, powerful shout … maybe the chant Pilate heard would have changed.

I want to ask all of them, “How could you stay silent?”

As I finished writing this I realized God can ask me the same questions.

“Mary, I don’t get it.  Why didn’t you walk away?”

Maybe there were a few times.  I might have listened to a joke I knew was wrong.  Or stayed and listened to gossip.  Or --  but, God, I never took 30 pieces of silver so I am not like Judas.

“Each of those “few times” I was right there beside you.  I would have given you the strength you needed.  Why didn’t you walk away?” 

Because the silver I accepted was being included in a group.  Because, like Judas, I did not realize the consequences of my actions. 

Many times I should have walked away.

“Mary, I want to ask you a question.  Do you have trouble sleeping? 

We have had many talks about my Restless Leg Syndrome, so you know I have trouble sleeping.

“What about the other times?  When you wake up in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep?  The times when you remember?”

Do we have to do this?  I do not like to remember some of the wrong choices I have made but, I am not like Pilate.  I have not condemned an innocent man.

“My dear child, wisdom to make correct choices was right in front of you.  My Word -- the Bible -- could have made the difference between wise choices or choices leading to sleepless nights.”

Like Pilate, I ignored the wisdom to make wise choices.  Like Pilate, my choices have hurt people.  Have hurt me.

Many times I should have turned to the Bible before choosing one answer over another.

“Mary, how could you stay silent?  You are my voice.  Through you, people can hear the truth.” 

Me?  Silent?  Now that is something I do not hear very often.  I am very vocal.  Not that long ago I caused a lot of noise over the school project.  I speak out about political issues.  I volunteer to help children.  Silent?  Me?

“Let me think.  I seem to remember you quickly commented, on Facebook, that you would pray for a friend.  Did you?  Or did you go the next story?  I seem to remember when my name was taken in vain.  Did you speak out?  Or did you keep your feelings to yourself?  I seem to remember …  shall I continue?”

No.  Do not continue, but my silence did not cause the crowd to shout Barabbas.

“Mary, when you say you will pray and then do not, that prayer is never heard and you have lied to a friend.  When you allow my name to be taken in vain, … shall I continue?”

No. 

Many times I have been silent.

When we read the Easter Story, we assign “good guy” and “bad guy” labels.  What we need to realize is that the way we live our lives, we could receive a “bad guy” label. 

And that is the whole point of Easter.  Through the Resurrection of Jesus, our sins, our bad decisions, our failures are washed clean.  We are forgiven!

LET US PRAY

Dear Lord, help us live our lives so we can be labeled as the good guys. 

Give us the strength and courage to walk away. 

Give us wisdom, through your Word, to make wise choices.

Give us a life and a voice that is full of your truth.

But mainly, because we will fail to walk away, fail to make wise choices, and fail to speak out, we thank You, with grateful hearts, for the Easter miracle of forgiveness. 

And all God’s people said AMEN.

GETTING READY – Part 4

Scriptures from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20

Oh my gosh!

HAVE YOU HEARD?

THE TOMB IS EMPTY!

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.”

THE WOMEN

Although the Gospels differ on exactly which women and the number of women, they agree the women went to the tomb.  The women were not exactly sure how they were going to move the stone, but they were ready with spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  They were ready.  They were surprised!

I have imagined their walk to the tomb.  Words would have been spoken quietly.  Steps would occasionally hesitate.  Hearts would be remembering a gentle touch or a kind word.  Tears would be wiped from their cheeks.  And there would have been a shadow of fear.  To their surprise, there was an empty tomb.

THE ANGEL

Talk about getting ready.  I wonder if the angel rehearsed and rehearsed.  This speaking role ranked right up there with, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  Of all the messages ever delivered, this has to be at the top of the list:  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’

The angel nailed it! 

GETTING READY

This series has been titled Getting Ready, but how do you get ready for an empty tomb?  There is not one thing logical about the empty tomb. 

Getting ready means we are to follow the example Jesus set when he instructed his disciples:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Getting ready means we are to pray as Jesus did:

Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Getting ready means we must understand how Jesus suffered if we are to find our way to the empty tomb:

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,

who was crucified.  He is not here.

Getting ready for our eternal life means we are to humbly accept the gift Jesus gave us when he said:  “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” 

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

And all God’s people said, “Amen.”

GETTING READY – Part 3

Scriptures from Matthew 26 - 28

This week’s blog is about the hard stuff and I will understand if you choose to stop reading.  This is the part we skim over.  In our minds, we know what happened but, in our hearts, we can barely comprehend.  We do not want to feel or hear or …. We want to move quickly to Easter, but there is much we need to get ready for.

THE SOUNDS

What sounds do you associate with Easter?  Can you hear the silver drop into Judas’ hand?  Can you hear the crowd and priests making their way to Jesus?  Can you hear the scream of the servant, of the high priest, as his ear is cut off?  Can you hear Peter deny Jesus?  Can you hear the soldier’s staff as it strikes Jesus on the head?  Can you hear the crowd shout crucify him?  Can you hear the sound as the hammer strikes the nail?  Can you hear the cross drop into the ground?

Sounds…. Sounds we do not want to hear.  Sounds we cover up with Hosanna and blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  But there were sounds.  Jesus heard them. 

THE ACTIONS

What actions do you associate with Easter?  The disciples fled.  Jesus was arrested.  The priests accused Jesus and spit on him and hit him.  Judas hung himself.  Pilate washed his hands.  Jesus carried his own cross.  Jesus felt forsaken. 

Actions…. Actions we do not want to see.  Actions we cover up by singing He is Risen and He Lives Forever.  But there were actions.  Jesus suffered them.

THE SEALED TOMB

Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.  He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

GETTING READY

We need to get ready for Easter by not sanitizing it.  We must never forget what it cost Jesus.  Getting ready means putting out candy and decorating with cute rabbits, while the tears drop from our eyes and our body stiffens as we remember each sound Jesus heard and each action Jesus suffered.

Getting ready means we do not skip over the verses that are hard to read because …..

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; ….”

Getting ready means we do not skip over the verses that are hard to read because those verses lead to a tomb – an empty tomb.

GETTING READY – Part 2

Scriptures are from Matthew 26:36-46 unless noted

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”

PRAYING

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  Luke 22:43-44

We hear over and over that Jesus felt everything as a “human” and this scripture certainly backs that up.  What if this passage is reworded for us to pray?

My Father, I do not want ________ (cancer/illness, to be a widow/widower, to fail, to see a loved one hurt, etc.).  Please do not make me go through this but your will be done.

I must admit, my prayers go more like this:

            My Father, I know you have a plan but, really, you are going to heap this on me too?

My Father, I pray this surgery heals our daughter.  Be with the doctors and the nurses and give them skill and wisdom.

            My Father, ……………………..

Thy will be done --- where did Jesus find the strength to pray these words?  He knew the plan.  He knew what was ahead.  Thy will be done --- he prayed.  His sweat like drops of blood.  If Jesus was in anguish, …If the Son of God was overwhelmed with sorrow, how do I find the strength to use the words they will be done?

SLEEPING

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?  Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.  Rise!  Let us go!  Here comes my betrayer!”

How many miles had the disciples walked with Jesus?  How many hours had they listened as he taught?  How many times had they witnessed the lame walk and the blind see?  How many fish did they pass out to the crowds? 

Jesus asks them to sit and wait while he prays.  This seems like a simple request.  I wonder if Jesus had even begun to pray before the disciple’s eyes closed in sleep. 

I can relate to the disciples.  Many times I have fallen asleep while holding a sick child.  Many times I have fallen asleep in the middle of saying a bedtime prayer.    Yes, I can relate to the disciples.

UNDERSTANDING

Jesus woke them and said, ”…. Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.”

Can you picture the confusion as the disciples woke up?  Can you hear them mutter, “What is Jesus talking about?”  or  “Did I miss something?” 

Even minutes before Jesus was to be arrested, they did not understand. 

Do we?  Do we understand how Jesus could pray, “…thy will be done.”?  Do we understand the whole Easter story or do we want to only understand the time after the cross?

GETTING READY – Part 1

I am amazed at how long it takes to get ready to do --- to do... just about anything. 

Time to go on vacation means:  Decide where to go, make reservations, map out a route, stop the mail and the papers, pack, go to the bank, fill the gas tank, make sure you have all the kids, and depart.

Time to do spring cleaning means:  Check for cleaning supplies, go to store, decide where to begin, move all the items out of the room that do not belong there, and wait till tomorrow because, now, it is too late in the day to start.

Even an everyday chore can take time.  Time to fix a meal:  Decide what to fix, change the menu because no one else wants that, look for ingredients, change the menu again because certain items are not where they belong, finally reach for the eggs, and fix breakfast for dinner.

Time to prepare for Easter:  Look at the calendar, realize Easter is in two weeks, panic, order the ham or make reservations, go shopping, go shopping again because the perfect Easter outfit was not there the first trip, remember to go to Maundy Thursday Service but decide you can skip Good Friday Service, set the table, put the ham in the oven, spill something on the new outfit and change into the best you have (Why the best?  Because there will be people there you have not seen since last Easter.), and, finally, leave for church.

GETTING READY JESUS’ WAY

What an interesting thought.  Getting ready Jesus’ way. 

Time to prepare:  Tell the disciples again and again and again that I will be condemned to death, mocked, flogged, crucified, and raised to life.  I still have time to teach them with parables they can understand. First we have to get to Jerusalem and have the Passover.  Then my time will come.

Reading the scriptures, it struck me that Jesus spent his time making sure the disciples were prepared.  He even washed their feet.  He comforted them.

You know the way to the place where I am going.

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you

and be with you forever --- the Spirit of truth.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Portions of John 14

GETTING READY

Time to prepare for Easter:  Honestly, there is not much wrong with the way we prepare for Easter.   UNLESS – Unless we spend more time preparing for the dinner after church than we spend time:

Finding the way to Jesus

Seeing the Father through Jesus

Receiving the Spirit of truth / the Advocate / the Holy Spirit

Having hearts that are not troubled and not afraid

How do you prepare for Easter?

OH WHAT FUN

There are so many ways to have fun but one of my favorites is called:  EMBARRASS YOUR HUSBAND AND KIDS.

Over the years, I have become quite accomplished in this area.  Sadly, this game only works when they are actually embarrassed.

YOU ARE WEARING WHAT TO CHURCH

Hubby would not walk into church with me the morning I did the children’s story dressed like a clown.  He actually shrunk down into the pew when I stopped beside a totally bald man and polished his head.  (At that time, hubby still had hair so I could not polish his head.  Oh my, that would have sent him through the floor.)  The bald man, on the other hand, took it in stride.

It takes a lot for me to embarrass him now.  He even helps set up pictures when I take Norman Frog on vacation with us.  (For any that do not know, Norman is a stuffed frog that has his own Instagram account.)  He has, pretty much, gotten used to my antics and I am not sure what it would take for him to say, “Honestly, Mary.  You just had to do that didn’t you?” 

TALKING TO STRANGERS

I talk to everyone.  It does not matter if I know them.  Why miss out on a good conversation with a stranger while standing in line at the concert?  Or on the plane?  Or on a cruise?  Or at breakfast.  This used to embarrass our little boy to death!  I would hear a sigh and then the question, “DO YOU HAVE TO TALK TO EVERYONE?”

Well, not now.  He has become my clone.  Our son and I went on a cruise and I swear this kid who thought I was being “nosey” quickly knew half the people on the ship.  As we walked around, he would nod to someone and tell me they were from Canada or Texas or they worked for Amazon or some other fact about them.  No longer could I use talking to strangers to get to him.  I must figure out a new way to get under his skin.

STANDING OUT IN A CROWD

My voice can get a bit loud and, over the years, I have heard, “Mom, everyone is looking.”  Our daughter was and, still is, the easiest to embarrass.  Last Saturday though, she never even blinked.

We were in an antique store in Michigan and she saw a table she liked.  It was then that she made a mistake.  “Mom, will you guard the table while I go ask about it?”  Silly girl!  You see, I found another person who enjoys life.  This seemingly normal woman strolled by the table and I told her, “I am guarding this for my daughter.”  And – are you ready?  She said, “Oh, I should act like I want it.”  As daughter was returning, we began:  I think I like this table.  “No.  My daughter is asking about it and I am holding it for her.”  There is no sold sign.  I want this table.  “There will be a sign as soon as she gets here.”  She is not here now.  “Yes she is.  Tell her this is sold.” 

Embarrassed?  Not in the least.  She smiled at both of us, knowing it was a performance for the embarrass you daughter game.  Drat!  What fun was that?

I DO NOT KNOW THAT PERSON

The embarrass your family game can be fun but sometimes people do not want to admit they know you.  They are embarrassed.

“You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

But he denied it.  “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said. ….. Again he denied it. ….. “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Mark 14: parts of 67 -71

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you ever been embarrassed to admit you know someone?

Are you embarrassed to admit you know Jesus?

EMOTIONS

A group of six women.  Sitting around a table.  Talking.  Those words brought an image to your mind didn’t they?  To that image add a bit of food and a bit of wine.  Now you have the monthly meeting of the W W & W --- WISE WOMEN AND WINE.

The third Thursday, of almost every month, we discuss and the topics have been fantastic.  And before you scoff at this, let me assure you that 99% of the topics are serious.  We have discussed:

• What makes up a community?  (If you think this is a fluff discussion, think again.)
• The death penalty
• Other people’s pain changes our perspective (Let it sink in… tough discussion.)
• School dress codes, abortion, family, separation of church and state
• Almost every subject on ProCon.org

This month’s topic is emotions.  When “emotions” popped into my strange mind as a discussion topic, I thought, “Oh, this will be easy.”  I even printed out four questions and two discussion starters.  I WAS READY!!

Then I made the mistake of googling one simple phrase:  The Pros and Cons of Emotions.  Warning:  Never google unless you want your life to get complicated.  Suddenly a simple topic became … less simple.

One place listed 15 emotions.  Not to be outdone, another listed 57.  57?  There is even a chart showing where 14 emotions are felt in the body. 

I found a debate titled “Emotion is the basis of all decisions.”  “This should be good,” I thought.  Wrong.  I am not a dictionary!  Of course, this educated debate made me laugh, when, after all those words I had to look up, one person ended with:  So would a pilot whose plain --- yes, plain. 

After reading 12 Pros and Cons of Emotional Intelligence, I decided:

• Emotions can help or hinder decision making
• Emotions can be there when you are born or can be learned
• Emotions can be used to help people or to manipulate people

WRAP IT UP

Emotions --- what are we to do with them?  Oh my goodness!  Why did I not go here in the first place?  Silly me!  I used google when I should have used the Bible.

Jesus’ life was full of emotions.  He felt empathy, compassion, happiness, sadness, anger, love, and grief.  He wept, sighed, and groaned.  He was surprised and amazed. 

But – BUT – Jesus did not fear.  He was not anxious.  He did not worry.

Emotions:  What are we to do with them?  Read the Bible.  The answer is there. 

SPOONS, FORKS AND A HIDDEN TREAT

If you know me, you realize I am not a “fancy” person.  I wear jeans.  I do not wear the latest fashions nor carry a $3,000 purse.  My hair is my hair, complete with a stubborn cow lick.  My not so straight fingers look just like my mother’s.  They are what they are, but this means I do not have elegant nails.  Most will agree, I am pretty outspoken.  All this is okay, because all this mixes together and makes ME.

So how did I end up dining at a table like this? 

There were four forks, two spoons, and three knives.  There was a water glass and five – yes five – wine glasses.  There were two napkins rolled together – and they stood up.  I knew right away I was not at my kitchen table.

So how did I end up dining at a table like this?  We were invited to dine at the Chef’s Table.  And dine we did. 

Never fear!  I allowed my chair to be pulled back and trusted that it would be there when I sat down.  I waited for the napkin to be placed on my lap.  I listened as each course and wine pairing was explained. 

I waited for the appetizer and knew which fork to use.

The tomato soup was served and I used the correct spoon.

Two more courses were served.  We were now at four courses and four different wines.  The evening was going splendidly.  Throughout the entire meal – after each course – we knew we were getting closer to the final course:  DESSERT!  We had heard about this dessert and were looking forward to it becoming a reality.

The wine was poured and discussed.  The dessert was placed in front of us. 

  And then …..

It was worth the wait! 

:   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look!  God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”     

…showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.  The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.  The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone …jasper …sapphire …agate …emerald …onyx …ruby …chrysotile …beryl …topaz …turquoise …jacinth …amethyst.  The twelve gates were pearls.  The great street was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

Revelation 21:3-4, parts of 10-21

My goodness!  And I thought that little bit of chocolate with ice cream and caramel sauce was something to look forward to.

AT SEA

If you are reading this on Friday, March 8, your feet might be on solid ground but mine will be firmly planted on the deck of a ship.  I am sailing the high seas with our son.  There have been numerous mother/daughter adventures, but this is the first mother/son get-away. 

There were supposed to be a grandchild or two tagging along but work, school and life took that option away and we decided to sail away.  Just the two of us!  (Hubby gets queasy if he stays in the shower too long.  Not quite that bad, but he does not do boats!)

I love cruises.  Someone else cooks.  Someone else cleans the bathroom.  Someone else --- oh, someone else does everything!  It is fun to be pampered!  It is fun to see a new part of God’s world.  It is fun to spend time with someone you have loved since the moment you laid eyes on them.

Having been on a cruise before, I sorta know what to expect.  They will want to see that lovely passport picture.  They will take pictures every time you stick your head out of the room.  (They are sure you will want to purchase each and every one.)  There will be food and more food and more food and more food.  There will be noise!

But, there will be water so blue it is black.  There will be a cozy spot to read that no one else has discovered.  There will be sunsets and sunrises.  There will be excursions to islands and the experience of meeting people.  There will be laughter and there will be exhaustion. 

There will be time together – mother and son – to talk, to play games, to eat, to laugh, and to just be. 

And I am very thankful!

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

This time with our son is truly a gift – a perfect gift!  And I realize all of my adventures are gifts.  Come to think about it……EVERYTHING in my life is a gift from God.

And I am very thankful!

WISE DECISIONS

I often write down snippets when I am reading a book, watching TV or when something pops in my head.  Never know when they will come in handy.  Never know when they will end up in my blog. 

The church we attend had a very special service last Sunday and will have one as equally special this Sunday.  Because we were on vacation and not there, I can only imagine the emotions involved. 

This first snippet is my own:

Hanging onto the past till you have no future

You see, there were two churches, one block apart.  Both churches were built and provided a place of worship.  Both churches hold memories.  Both churches --- saw a decline in attendance.  Leaving behind two denominations, these churches became one fellowship --- but continued to meet in both churches. 

As it became clear that maintaining two buildings was becoming a burden instead of a blessing, this congregation bravely decided that hanging onto the past till they had no future was not an option. 

The second snippet is from the book The Giver, by Lois Lowry: 

Guide the wisdom for the present by memories of the past

Memories of the past --- Memories of the past do include the weddings, the baptisms, the funerals, the fellowship …. BUT memories of the past also include why the churches were built.  The churches were built as a place to worship God.  As a place to pray with a friend.  As a place to cry and celebrate.  As a place to prepare a meal and then join in making that meal disappear.  As a place to hear and study the Word of God. 

The memory of why these churches were built is the wisdom that guided the move for the present and into the future and united members in the decision to work hard, move forward, and continue as one strong body meeting in and maintaining only one building. 

AND NOW

Beginning this coming Sunday, a special service will move the church toward tomorrow. A church united to stand in a small community as a light to those that seek.  As a home to those that believe.  As a place to worship a loving God with song and prayer and sermons and study and, every so often, worship through fellowship over a pot of really good chili.

Urbana Yoke Parish -- You done good!!!