GLOVES AND A HAT

Bill often prefaces his remarks with, “My mother would be rolling over in her grave.”  This conversation happens on Sundays and I usually agree with him.

“My mother would be rolling over in her grave,” begins hubby, “if she saw how we are dressed to go to church.”

And she probably is.  Going to church meant putting on your best dress, hose, dress shoes, a hat, and gloves.  It did not matter that she was headed to a small, rural church.  She dressed in the proper attire.  She would be shocked to see people going to church in jeans and shorts and, heaven forbid, no hat and gloves.

Then there is Sunday dinner (dinner being the noon meal, not to be confused with supper the evening meal).  Sunday dinner was meat, potatoes, and green beans, with a desert that was prepared Saturday and NOT touched until Sunday.  She would be shocked that we eat out most Sundays (eating out was a luxury back then), but would absolutely faint if she saw us eating grilled cheese and chips or a salad and left over pizza from the freezer.  Those would not be good enough for Sunday dinner.

Sunday is SUNDAY!! 

Yes, Sunday is SUNDAY and it should be a day of worship, but that worship should not be linked to anyone’s attire (I am not saying that anything goes.) or what is for Sunday dinner.  Jesus did not stop the poor woman, who gave two mites, from entering the synagogue.  I am sure many would stare at her and think she was not “properly dressed.”  We are to go before God with our best ... but the question is:  Our best what?

God does want our best.

“That’s right Mary.  I do want your best.”

You are reading over my shoulder aren’t you?  You want me to dress up for church?  You know I have never been a real dressy person.

“I do want your best, but it has nothing to do with clothes.  I want your best attitude.”

Best attitude?  I always have a good attitude.

“Really?  I want you to come to worship with the proper attitude, preferable a positive attitude.  When you come with a negative attitude, you will always leave with something to complain about.”

Positive attitude instead of negative attitude – okay.  What else?

“How about best footing?”

I need new shoes?

“No.  I want you to remember to keep your feet firmly planted on my foundation.  My foundation will make you stand strong when trials arrive.”

Is there anything else I need to bring with me on Sunday morning?

“Let me ask you a question:  Do you hear or do you listen?”

Is this a trick question?  Aren’t they the same?

“No they are not.  You often heard your mother, but did you always listen to her?  You don’t need to answer that.”

No, I do not need to.  You already know the answer.

“I want you to be the best listener.  You can hear the songs and sermon, but do you really listen?  Listening means comprehending what is heard.  A listener will comprehend.  Yes, I want you to give your best at listening.”

Do you have one more?  This blog will get really long if you give me everything I am supposed to do.

“I will give you two more.  I want you to be the best seeker.  Do you honor me by seeking my truth?  If you are the best seeker, you will find knowledge through the Word and gain wisdom.

Finally, I want you to be the best example.  It is easy to be an example for an hour or two on Sunday morning, when in the company of other believers, but what do people see when you walk out the church doors?  Are you an example of your faith on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday?  Can you stay strong clear to next Sunday?”

I have a question.

“You can ask, but the answer is no.  You cannot fulfill your “best obligation” by buying a dress, hose, heels, gloves, and a hat.”

Good to know.  And I will work on being a better example.

“Yes, especially the ..”

How about we keep the stuff I have to work on between you and me?

“Have a great day Mary.”

You too God

 RANDOM THOUGHTS

RANDOM THOUGHT ONE

The Pastor sent out the hymns to be used this Sunday and one of them I had not heard.  I listen to contemporary Christian music, but somehow missed Firm In The Faith, by John Burland.  The song can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vncrehvy2w

As the song played, I heard wonderful phrases: 

• Planted firm in the faith
• Jesus, we are yours today
• We walk side by side together

but then, I heard:

            Your Cross it bears my name

NO!!!  I do not want to hear that.  I do not want to hear that my name is on the Cross.  That would mean … that would mean Jesus ---

YES!!!  I do want to hear that.  My name is on the Cross.  Jesus loved me so much, before I was even born and before I could commit my first sin that he died and arose so I could be forgiven. 

Now doesn’t that just beat all?  Yup!  My name is on the Cross. 

RANDOM THOUGHT TWO

Our first 2022 sweet corn was put on our plates this week.  Oh, nothing like a good ole roastnear (or for you northern people:  corn on the cob), with lots of butter and salt.  One bite and the butter would be dripping down your chin.  There are those that eat from one end of the cob to the other.  Some eat round and round.  And neat freaks cut the corn off and eat it with silverware.  I feel so sorry for those folks.  They have no idea what they are missing.  Corn stuck in your teeth.  At least three napkins to keep the butter wiped off the chin.  Nope, I want a roastnear!! 

Growing up, there were four of us kids.  We would sit at the picnic table, which was set with plates, at least two sticks of butter, and salt.  Then we would wait.  Mom would come out the door with a really big pan.  She would set the pan on the table and jump back.  Hands flew into that pan as if we were starving.  Ears were quickly placed on plates and the last one to get the butter – they pouted.  My mother was a wise women and the pan of corn always contained the correct number of ears.  There would be no, “She got one more ear than I did.”  What was so great about eating at the picnic table?  The dishes were rinsed as the table was hosed off and any kernel of corn that did not end up in a tummy ended up in the grass.  Remember the butter dripping down the chin?  The hose was usually turned on us kids next.  Know what?  We didn’t care. 

 RANDOM THOUGHT THREE

Once my mind travelled back to the corn, it has stayed there.  At least for a bit.  Today I told Pastor Larry about paying bills … back in the day.  Mom would put the bill and cash in an envelope and off I would go to town.  Off to town barefooted.  I hated wearing shoes.  Anyway, off I would go to the electric company, the phone company, and wherever else she sent me.  For all of this effort, I received – drum roll – 25 cents.  Yup.. a whole quarter.  But that quarter bought a crème horn at the bakery.  Oh, the taste --- was not quite what I remembered when I tried one as an adult.  I had forgotten how overly sweet they were.  Set my tongue on edge.  Sorta like eating a Twinkie.  A treat to a four year old.  Total gross to an adult.

RANDOM THOUGHT FOUR

I was going to stop at three but I am on a roll so will add one more.  If you have heard this, sorry.  You get to hear it again.  Fast forward from that barefooted girl walking all over town to a proud owner of a driver’s license.  “Mary, would you pay bills for me.  You can drive,” my mom said.  Well, what 16 year old is going to pass up an opportunity like that?  Off to town I went.  I parked the car.  I paid the bills.  I went home.

That is when my mother asked, “Did you forget something?”  I thought, shook my head no, and said, “No.  I paid all the bills.”

It was then that my mother, bless her heart, suggested I should look in the driveway.  I walked back to town, got in the car, and drove home.

Random thoughts:  The End

Have a blessed week.

THE POWER OF WORDS

Our Sunday School class is studying a book by Don Everts, God in the Flesh.  This is at least the third time I have read this book and the second time I have used it as a study.  Why this book?  What do I find so great about it?

Let’s start with the title of this week’s blog: The Power of Words.  Words are powerful and can cause unexpected emotions, strange actions, and give hope. 

We often tell our loved ones that we love them.  But the word love is thrown around and sometimes becomes something that is barely heard.  What would be the reaction if we said: “I cherish you.” “I respect you.” “I honor you.”  Ahh, “I cherish you.” would cause a person to take note.  Cherish - a word rarely heard - will make them realize you hold them in your heart. 

Some words cause instant fear: Cancer   Accident   Hopeless   Death  These words are frightening because they are things we cannot control.  There are words which will make you breathe a sigh of relief. 

• Cancer – survivor
• Accident – they are okay
• Hopeless – the situation is changing
• Death – everlasting life 

Yes, words have power and that is why the book, God in the Flesh, is so good.  This book will help you see Jesus in new ways.  Before the class started reading the book, I asked them to describe Jesus.  They came up with 61 words.  Every word was a word you have heard before.

• Teacher, Master, Baby, Poor
• Judge, Healer, Protector, Merciful
• Counselor, Performed Miracles, Risen

The class was later asked to describe the tools Satan uses to pull us away from God:

• Hobbies, Anger, Insecurity, Addictions
• Illness, Jobs, Money, Family, Friends
• Church, Outside activities, Doubt

As we study, they are to write down new words to describe Jesus.  We are just starting this but a few new descriptive words are beginning to appear:

• Rebel, Surprising, Unifying (both his friends and enemies)
• Amazing, Different, Intense, Determined

I love the new description of Jesus as rebel and surprising!  Jesus could defend his Father’s House by clearing out the money changers and also have such compassion for a mother whose son had died that He raised her son from the dead.  He could be off praying, when everyone was looking for him so he could continue teaching, healing, and casting out demons in their town, and he would tell the disciples they were going to go somewhere else.  He was determined!  He was determined to follow HIS agenda.

What words will the class come up with during the rest of the study?  I have no idea, but my goal is to get them to see Jesus as God in the Flesh.  To picture the what, where, why, and who of his actions.  To realize the impact Jesus made and not to keep him in a box defined by the standard descriptions, but to take that box and fill it with new descriptions.  Descriptions like rebel and surprising and intense presence.

Now, back to the words you use.  Is it time to look around you and find new words?  Instead of telling someone they look nice, what could you say?  (Be specific.  To show you really see them, comment on a lovely scarf or pin or tie.)  Instead of the God created a beautiful world, what could you say?  (Thank you for the refreshing breeze.)  Instead of describing your church as friendly with a good message, what could you say?  (You would like our church, we laugh.  We laugh a lot!)

Why is this even important?  Because when you quit using the old standard words everyone uses, you have to stop and take a deeper look.  And when you take a deep look, you see your loved ones, your friends, and the world in a whole new way.  And when you take a deep look at Jesus, you find a whole new vocabulary to describe him.

This week, look beneath the surface.  Look deep.  Use new words.  You might be surprised what you find and how people react.

MERRY GO ROUND

Some people will say Carousel and some Merry-Go-Round.  Sorta like tomato .. tomahto.  Or maybe not.  Carousels only have horses, white lights, and go counter-clockwise.  Merry-Go-Rounds have horses, other animals, and fictional characters, multicolored lights, and go clockwise.  The clockwise thing is mainly in the United Kingdom and Europe which figures since they cannot decide what side of the road to drive on.  They are different unless you go to the dictionary and then Merry-Go-Round is listed under carousel which could make them one and the same.

In 1883, a carousel was set up in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.  This carousel was made in 1867 by Andrew Christian and Charles W.F. Dare Company.  The horses were hung by rods and chains and it was called a flying horse carousel.  Because they were hung, as the carousel went around, the horses flew outward.  I am not sure this would be OSHA approved today.  A little kiddie might go flying off as they reached for the brass ring with a sword.  For some unknown reason, the people who set the carousel up, slipped away and left it there.  Today it is called – drum roll – the Watch Hill Carousel.

California seems to have a number of places where the young at heart can climb aboard and go twirling around.  Griffin Park, in Los Angeles, is home to a 1935 merry-go-round built by Spillman.  This four-abreast ride has 68 horses and two chariots.  If you are on the outside, you can try for a ring.  If you grab a lead ring, you had the fun of grabbing the ring.  If you grab a gold ring, you get a free ride.  Initially, rides cost 5¢ and increased to 25¢ in 1951.  They increased again in the 1980’s to 50¢ and are $2.00 today.

Not to be outdone by California, Sandusky, Ohio has a Merry-Go-Round Museum.  Mansfield, Ohio has a carrousel (fancy way of spelling) which is the first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930’s.  All 52 figures were designed, carved, and painted by Carousel Works of Mansfield.  There are 30 horses and 22 menagerie figures, including bears, ostriches, cats, rabbits, lion, tiger, zebra, and even a mythical hippocampus.  As the Stinson Pipe Organ plays, the inside animals go 3.71 mph and the outside animals go 6.77 mph.  I have seen this carousel and it is amazing in detail.  No, I did not ride it.  Seems they must have known I was coming and it was shut down for the day. 

Am I fascinated with Merry-Go-Rounds?  Yes and no.  I love to ride them, but not fascinated to the point of searching for one on our travels.  And I know I won’t be buying one for my back yard.  They cost anywhere from $8,000 to $400,000.  So why a blog on them? 

= = = = = = = = = = = =

If you have ever been in my Sunday School class, you will know that thoughts pop into my head and no one is ever sure   where they come from.  That is exactly what happened the other day.  The thought? 

You cannot grab the brass ring if you don’t get on the merry-go-round.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.    

          Matthew 4:18-20

Simon and Andrew got on the merry-go-round.

(a certain woman with a flow of blood touched Jesus’ garment) And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 

          Mark 5:30-31, 32-34

The woman got on the merry-go-round.

(a rich young ruler who has kept the commandments) “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

          Mark 10: part of 17, 20-22

The rich young ruler did not get on the merry-go-round.

(Zacchaeus, chief tax collector, rich, and sitting in a sycamore tree)  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my good to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

          Luke 19:5-6, 7-10

Zacchaeus got on the merry-go-round.

Each of these examples made a choice.  Three were willing to reach for the brass ring and one walked away.  Three received everlasting life and one would never have his thirst quenched.

Jesus answered and said to her (the Samaritan woman), “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 

        John 4:13-14

I don’t know about you, but I chose to get on the merry-go-round.  I want to ride the tiger on the outside.  The one going 6.77 mph.  And I am going to snag that brass ring!!! 

THE CHEF’S TABLE

I do enjoy going on a cruise.  And I enjoy partaking in the Chef’s Table.  Now, I am not a fancy person.  Anyone who knows me will agree with that.  We were informed the Chef’s Table was to be changed to the third night.  When the day was changed, it meant we would be at the Chef’s Table on … oh, no … Formal Night.  I did not even take clothes for formal night.  So I put on the best I had with me and our son did the same.  Off we went for a culinary experience.

We arrived at the meeting place, enjoyed a glass of champagne, met those we would share our evening with, and made our way to the dining room.  Other diners looked as we walked past.  I could hear them thinking, “I wonder where they are going.  They must be special.”  Or they could have been thinking, “Well, ain’t they special.”

I did not get a picture of all our dinner companions, but this will give you an idea of the table and shows the young Chinese couple studying here, a family from Florida, and not pictured was a family from Puerto Rico. 

For three hours we were very special.  We were treated like royalty.  Each course and wine paring was explained.  Each wine was swirled and tasted.  Each course, photographed prior to tasting.  The mix of people was perfect and conversation flowed as if we were old friends catching up on life.

The star of the evening —- no, not the wine —- was the bread.  I have never tasted such bread.  It literally melted in my mouth.

When a bite of bread was taken, conversation stopped.  Everyone’s eyes glazed over and shoulders relaxed.  It was like ….  Exquisite! Not one person was willing to share their bread.  No ‘here have a piece of mine’ was heard.

Five courses and dessert followed.  We were served Scallop Carpaccio …

and Smoked Tomato Soup.

 Course three was Maine Lobster Salad and course four was Roasted Branzino.

 As if we were not full enough, course five was Grilled Filet Mignon with truffle potato puree, asparagus and bordelaise sauce.  I am sure the poor chef cringed when I told him I wanted mine well done.  It was delicious!!!

And then DESSERT! How do you describe perfection? Of course the dessert contained one of the best foods ever —- peanut butter.  Peanut Butter Ganache Vairhona Chocolate Mousse and Salted Caramel Gelato, with a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.

What fun to watch as the warm caramel melted the chocolate to reveal the middle.  Every bite was a sweet gift.

 Yes, for three hours, every person at the table was treated to the highest standard of culinary expertise and service.

Yes, for three hours, every person at the table was connected by conversation, food, and wine.

Yes, for three hours, every person at the table was special.  We were having an experience that would only happen once.  There would be other Chef’s Tables, on this ship and others, but the same mix of people, wine, and food would never happen again.  Absolutely, a once in a lifetime event.

As we finished and left the dining room, there were no diners to watch us.  No one to realize how special we were.  The staff was clearing tables and preparing them for the next day.  They did not realize how special we were.  They just wanted us to leave so they could finish their job.

To be a part of the Chef’s Table is a choice.  A choice we made.  A choice to be included in a unique group.  A choice to taste the best food and wine.  As we left, my thought was, “AND EVERY PERSON IN THE REST OF THE DINING ROOM HAD MISSED IT!”

————————

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Matthew 26:26-29 NIV

You have been invited to join Jesus at a very special table:  The Communion Table.

It is your choice.

Will you join Jesus at this very special table?

Or will you miss it?

 CALL ME JOB

In the Land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.  This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.  Job 1:1

God and Satan have a discussion and God allows Satan to test Job.  Now I have never understood this.  Why did God allow a blameless and upright man, who feared God and shunned evil to be so tested?  Be sure I am not blameless, have not always been upright, at times did not walk away from evil, but I do fear (trying to find wisdom) God.  Be sure that in the last seven months I have been tested and the testing will continue for a couple more. 

A number of weeks ago, I sent a message to our daughter saying:  Call me Job.

Her reply was:  You got a job?

I replied:  No.  Like Job in the Bible!

CALL ME JOB

My list of testing:

      2021

      November            I had a mammogram, it showed an abnormality, and an ultra-sound was scheduled for December

      December              I tested positive for Covid, very mild, but the ultra-sound had to be cancelled

                                Because I tested positive for Covid, my appointment to be cleared to have knee replacement surgery was also cancelled

                                    Bill tested positive for Covid – no symptoms

                                    Bill had a TIA (mini-stroke) on December 23 – blessed with no lasting effects

      2022

      January                 Finally cleared for surgery

                                    New furnace

                                    Knee replaced January 25

      February                Therapy for knee

      March                    Finished therapy for knee but was to continue exercises at home for a month

                                    Getting up from doing exercises and felt like a knife was stuck in my back

                                    Doctor diagnosed as sciatica – round of meds and an x-ray

      April                      Therapy for back

                                    Ultra-sound on my right breast – and a biopsy scheduled for June 16

                                      (I made the choice to delay because of a cruise in June)

      May                       Another round of steroids for my back and an appointment with a pain doctor – are you ready – June 27

                                    Slight tooth ache ended in a pulled tooth and appointment June 29 with specialist to see about an implant

                                    MRI on my back

      June                       Cruise, with son, grandson and his future wife and another round of steroids

                                    Biopsy – June 16

                                    Report – June 20 – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

                                    Met with cancer specialist – June 23

And finally an AMEN.  The tumor is small and, unless the final test says differently, will be removed by a lumpectomy and follow-up treatment through hormonal therapy:  A pill a day to keep the estrogen away.  The specialists do not believe any lymph nodes are involved and they also do not believe I will need chemo or radiation.  My prayer is that they are right and that the final test backs them up 100%.  I feel so blessed!!

To be determined:

      June                       27th – What can help a few problems left by the sciatica episode?

                                    29th -- What will the outcome of filling in the hole left by that pulled tooth?

      July                       Date for surgery???

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm.  He said:  “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?  Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

 

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand.  Who marked off its dimensions?  Surely you know!  Who ……. 

The LORD’s comments are in Job Chapters 38 – 40.  I love these chapters.  I can just see Job getting smaller and smaller as the LORD says, “Brace yourself…”

This is what I sent on our church’s prayer chain:

 

Dear Prayer Warriors,

I do believe I will change my name to Job.  The last seven months have included one thing after another and we had hoped we were finally seeing the end.  That is not the case.  An ultra sound and biopsy have confirmed that I have breast cancer.  We have an appointment with Parkview Cancer Institute this Thursday morning to discuss options and develop plans. 

What we need now is prayers.  Please pray that the doctors give us facts and information so we can make wise decisions.  Please pray for us to have strength and peace.  

How often do we say, “I am at the end of my rope.”?  Well, I want you to know I let go of that rope a few months back.  Decided why hang on a rope when I can allow God to hang onto me.  I have no idea what we will be told Thursday.  I do know this – God is holding us.  Family is beside us.  Friends are supporting us.  Prayers are being said.  I cannot ask for more than that. 

 

I was not there when the LORD laid the earth’s foundation, but I do know where the LORD has been for the last seven months and where he will be while my time of testing is going on.  He is holding me!  And when the testing is over, he will gently set me back onto a solid foundation. 

I don’t need to hold onto a rope.  Neither do you!  During times of trials/testing, step into the hand of God and let go of that useless rope.

If you have read to the end, thank you and sorry it got so long.

            Job

            aka Mary

 ONE WEEK OF LIVING IN A BUBBLE

Last Saturday, I returned from a cruise with our son, grandson, and future granddaughter.  This adventure began in 2019.  We planned a cruise for 2020.  It was cancelled and rescheduled for 2021.  The rescheduled cruise was cancelled and re-rescheduled for 2022.  Finally the cruise happened. 

No, Bill did not go.  Having vertigo and motion sickness means he does not set his cowboy boots on anything that rocks and sways.  Over the years, I have left him behind as I placed my feet in a plane flying over the Grand Canyon and boarded a boat for a Fjord tour in Alaska.  I went on a Mother/Son cruise and was not home for his 75th birthday.  This cruise?  Our son picked me up at 1:00 AM (yes AM), I kissed my hubby goodbye, and wished him Happy 57th Anniversary.  Yes.  Once again I abandoned him on an important day.  Never fear… he survived.

Disclaimer:  I do not have a smart phone and sadly observed that I was almost the only person not walking around with my phone glued to my hand!  I did use my iPad to check email, briefly post to my personal page and the church page on Facebook, and to message Bill so he knew I had not fallen overboard.

Of course the adventure had a few hiccups, but the best part was spending time with family and - living in a bubble.

LIVING IN A BUBBLE

Once you step on the ship, it is as if an invisible shield surrounds the ship.  No newspaper stands.  No TV’s turned to the news in the bars or common areas.  No clocks.  No left or right.  No Republicans or Democrats.  No old or young.  No black or brown or tan or white.  No arguing, except in the sports bar and that was even good natured.  Items left on a lounge chair were there when you came back.  And people held the elevator for this gray-haired, 75 year old woman using a walker.

I love to hear people’s stories.  At the Chef’s Table (Now that will be the subject of another blog.), we sat across from a young couple from China.  They are studying at the University of Connecticut.  On my left, was a family from Puerto Rico.  They are third generation morticians.  At the other end of the table was a family from Florida.  They were taking their daughter on a graduation cruise.  We spent the evening talking and sharing our stories.  We heard the couple from China talk about wanting to become US citizens so they could have the freedoms we have.  We raised our glasses as four unique families ate at the same table.

The ship’s crew is a mix of people from around the world.  Do they always get along?  I am sure they do not.  They are there to work.  It is their job and they get tired and hot and they miss their families.  BUT – for the duration of the cruise – they do everything they can to make our experience a good one and are more than willing to tell us their stories.  I talked with a man from Ukraine and saw the sadness in his eyes.  An off duty lifeguard, on our first stop at a private island, made sure I could get to the shuttle back to the ship.  I did get to the shuttle and I did get back to the ship.  I just didn’t get back before the rain – an insane amount of rain – began.  (That could also be a blog.  My story does not quite agree with the story of those who call me mother and grandma.)  I loved being called Miss Mary by our room steward.  I thanked the staff cleaning the restrooms. 

Toward the end of the cruise it hit me that the cruise ship was inside a bubble.  Yes, I encountered a couple of people who were … less than considerate of those around them … but they were the exception.  People spoke to each other regardless of the color of their skin.  No one seemed to walk a few paces away from the guy with the pony tail and a whole lot of tattoos.  No one turned to find a different table because the woman they would be sitting beside had her head covered.  No one seemed to care what anyone’s sexual orientation was.  And elevator doors were held open for a 75 year old lady using a walker.

Why can’t the world be like this?  Why does stepping off the ship smash the bubble?  Why do we leave the ship and see the color of skin?  Or walk around the woman with her head covered? Or .. or .. or .. or push the floor button before the 75 year old lady using a walker can get in the elevator?

I enjoyed being in the bubble.  I enjoyed leaving items on a lounge chair and knowing they would be there when I got back from the pool.  I enjoyed teasing young couples and striking up conversations with … anyone.  I enjoyed the look on the faces of two 20ish young men, riding in the elevator with me, when I told them about leaving my poor hubby on our anniversary.  Once out of the bubble, they probably told their friends about the crazy white lady.  I enjoyed it when a guy asked me to make sure they didn’t take his plates while he went for dessert.  I watched over his plates, his cell phone, and the wallet he left lying there. 

I enjoyed being in the bubble.  I wish the world would be more like those on the cruise who left their anger, their stereotyping, and their lack of trust in their fellow man behind.  I wish those on the cruise would have taken the feeling of community with them when they returned to reality.

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How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  Psalms 133:1 

Jesus replied:  “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40

“A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35

 

In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female.  Among us you are all equal.  That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.  Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.  Galatians 3:28-29  The Message

Yes, I want us to live in a bubble.  A bubble where we live in unity and love our neighbors.  A bubble where we love one another and everyone will know we are Jesus’ disciples.  A bubble where each can say, “I am a member of Christ’s family and no greater or less than anyone else.  I am a descendant of Abraham and therefore an heir to the Covent promises.”

 THE CRIPPLED LADY – PART 4 -- Experience this as if you were there.

LUKE 13:10-17

NKJV

The ruler of the synagogue is standing his ground.  He is glaring at Jesus.  He is waiting. 

Jesus?  How do you picture Jesus?  Is he relaxed?  Is he smiling?  Is he looking at the ruler of the synagogue or is he looking at the healed woman?

Take a deep breath.  Everyone is in place as the action continues. 

 

The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite!  Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?  So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound – think of it – for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”  Luke 13:15-16

Use your imagination again as this runs in your mind and comes to an end.

How do you picture the ruler of the synagogue and his cohorts?  What is the healed woman doing?  And don’t forget the men sitting in the cheap seats and the women – aka the multitude.

And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.  Luke 13:17

 

I bet being normal, everyday people they enjoyed watching the “high and mighty” get their comeuppance.  They rejoiced

The curtain closes as Jesus began to tell the parable of the mustard seed.

= = = = = = = = = = =

Remember, there is always a chance for the normal to go in an entirely, unexpected direction.  Look how a normal Sabbath changed a woman’s life in an unexpected way.

Thank you so much for taking this journey through Luke 13:10-17 with me.  I hope you enjoyed using your imagination and could relate to the journey the crippled woman took through life and to Jesus.  Her life was not easy.

Our lives are not easy.  We have trials.  We are tested.  Our journey is not always what we want it to be.  Jesus does not promise our journey will be easy!  The one thing He does promise is that when we – crippled by sin - walk to Him, He will always be with us.

 THE CRIPPLED LADY – PART 3 -- Experience this as if you were there.

Part two ended with a storybook ending:

HE SPOKE AND SHE WAS FREE.

HE LAID HIS HANDS ON HER AND SHE IMMEDIATELY STOOD TALL.

SHE GLORIFIED GOD.

The woman was healed.  Everyone was happy.  Or were they?

Remember, when the action is live, there is always a chance for the normal to go in an entirely, unexpected direction.  The action continues:

LUKE 13:10-17

NKJV

But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”  Luke 13:14

What do you imagine?  Do the men around Jesus look happy?  Do they surround him?  Do they have their hands out as they try to make their point?  Can you hear the indignation in their voice?

 

If this were a play, this would be the time to settle back into your seat.  The play, which had the storybook ending going for it, has taken an unexpected direction.  I mean, after all, how could anyone be upset because a woman was healed?  Where is their compassion?  How could they see this woman stand tall, give God the glory, and then cause a stink?  There is tension in the air.

The ruler of the synagogue is not upset that Jesus healed.  I guess he has a bit of a heart in there somewhere.  He is only upset because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. 

Can you see him turning to the other men and speaking?  Can you see the healed woman taking a step back?

What would happen now?  And why was the ruler of the synagogue so upset?

Background on the Sabbath:  One of the biggest sins of Israel was not keeping the Sabbath.  God had told them over and over to keep the Sabbath holy.  Jeremiah (17:21-22) was instructed by the LORD to warn them that they are to “hallow the Sabbath day” as their fathers had been commanded.  Ezekiel (20: parts of 13 and 12) states that Israel “greatly defiled My Sabbaths … My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”  Well you know how the pendulum swings one way and then way up the other way?  That is what was going on here.

Israel had gone from ignoring the Sabbath to going to the other extreme.  They added so many regulations, that instead of being a blessing, the Sabbath became a burden.  Some things that cannot be done on the Sabbath, then and now:

• Sowing, Plowing, Reaping, Gathering, Threshing, Winnowing, Sorting, etc – no farm work
• Sifting, Kneading, Baking/cooking, Spinning, Weaving, Sewing
• Writing two or more letters
• Building, Demolishing, Extinguishing
• Transferring/Transporting, Driving, Riding
• Do not use the telephone or electrical appliance

Back to the action.  Picture the ruler of the synagogue standing tall.  Shoulders back.  Facing Jesus.  Eye to eye.  Waiting.  Pointing a finger and maybe even tapping his toe.  He is very confident because he knew all the rules for the Sabbath. 

 

Do not leave your seats!  Do not go to get popcorn.  People -- this is high drama!  Talk about normal going in an entirely, unexpected direction.  The ruler of the synagogue is waiting.  He is waiting for Jesus to explain himself.  He is in the right.  There is to be NO healing on the Sabbath. 

And he waits …..