Monday's SOAP - Matthew 19:13-15

 ¹³ One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

 ¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” ¹⁵ And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

S(cripture) - Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

O(bservation) - The Kingdom belongs to those like these children.  Jesus, God's Son, the creator of the universe has time for children.  He valued them, lifted them up as the model for kingdom life.  The disciples - his press secretaries and handlers thought was a waste of his valuable time.  But Jesus' values were different - Kingdom values - where children are to be blessed and recognized as models of Kingdom citizens.  What did these children model?  We take cues from other values Jesus established.  Have time to read the passages where Jesus described the Kingdom of God?

A(pplication) - As we continue our series on Life in the Burbs specifically looking at relationships, this passage is significant.  First, it reminds us to take time for and value children.  But it is also a lesson in making sure we don't miss out on relationships that we might think of as insignificant.  Let's make sure we don't become like Jesus' "body guards." There are people that are seeking Jesus' blessing - people who don't fit the mold - don't dress right, act right, talk right, think right, humans with physical and mental disabilities . . .  Jesus says, "Don't stop them!'  Don't be an obstruction.

P(rayer) - Father, Abba, will we ever see people the way you do, even the smallest child? those with limitations? blatant "sinners?"  May I see and value those that I meet this week. Guide me into becoming like a child in the best ways you imagines.  Amen.

Friday's SOAP - Colossians 4:2-6

² Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. ³ Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. ⁴ Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. ⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

S(cripture) - Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

O(bservation) - "Live wisely."  These words are the essence of living the Kingdom life, a life of simplicity, joy, peace, patience . . .  Yet we know that we live in a culture that pulls at us frenetically.  It takes great inner and outer strength to stand up to the winds that beat against us.  And that strength does not come from us but from God.  Grace.  "Devote yourselves to prayer," Paul writes.  But what is fascinating is Paul doesn't write, "Pray for safety or that we'll make it through the day."  He's not wanting to play defense but offense!  "Pray that God will give us many opportunities . . . to speak . . . about Christ."  His chains were just another opportunity to be in mission. "Live wisely," Paul writes and with it "make the most of every opportunity."  Wise living.  Kingdom living will provide those opportunities - opportunities for gracious and attractive conversations.

A(pplication) - What chains does my culture have me wearing?  Am I focused on them or the opportunities that wearing them presents?  Which chains have I put on myself that I can remove through the grace of Christ?  This is where I need wisdom - a clear prayer life - spiritual examination.  Yesterday I wrote of the rhythm of rest.  A few days prior, we explored Solomon's time dichotomies.  Perhaps in our culture we need to know there's a time for work and a time for rest.  What part of work is just busy work and what is accomplishing lasting results?

P(rayer) - Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. - Psalm 139:23-24  Jesus, this wise, simple, Kingdom life will require that I am immersed in your will.  Open my eyes to both the personal opportunities I have daily to connect with you and the opportunities you give me to connect others to you.  Help me make the most of every opportunity.  Amen.

Thursday's SOAP - Exodus 20:8-11

⁸ “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ You have six days each week for your ordinary work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.


S(cripture) - For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

O(bservation) - I mentioned this text yesterday - the genesis of why Jesus' disciples were accused of breaking the commandments by picking grain on Saturday.  Does God need rest?  It seems like an absurd question, but the foundation of the commandment is that God rested after creating.  By definition, I would suggest that God does not need rest, but He CHOSE to rest.  And the connection of God's rest to our rest is critical.  We are created in the imago dei (the image of God).  And the "justification" for this command (v.11)  implies the imago dei - God rested so you - created in his image - should rest too.  But for humans, this is not only a choice but a need - we NEED to rest.  We need a sacred rhythm. 

A(pplication) - And that rest can be daily and/or weekly or perhaps even monthly.  I guess what I am saying is listen to Jesus' words - the Sabbath is a gift to you - not a law to beat you down.  Use this gift - you need rest!  And for some of us need more rest than others.  Find time for rest and retreat.  One more Scripture that compliments this . . . In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. - Romans 14:5  God gives us great freedom in how we rest but know we should rest - we NEED rest.  We need sacred rhythm.

P(rayer) - Abba, may your wisdom guide me into daily and weekly and monthly rest.  Vacation is not what you had in mind, but vacation can be rest or mission if your wisdom invades it.  Let me honor You with my rest and how I take care of this body you've given me.

p.s. If anyone would like to experiment with silent retreat, I have twice gone to a monastery in Virginia that is huge in my spiritual formation.  If this interests you (men or women), let's set up a time to meet.  I'd be more than willing to go back and guide you into this experience.

Wednesday's SOAP - Mark 2:23-28

²³ One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. ²⁴ But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”
 ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ²⁶ He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”
 ²⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. ²⁸ So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

S(cripture) - “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath."

O(bservation) - "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy" is the fourth of the ten commands given by God at Mount Sinai.  It was given with an explanation - God gives you six days to work hard but keep Saturday (the Jewish sabbath) free and clear.  Of course this one law needed clarification and definition.  What is work?  What is allowable and what is not? So an entire "industry" sprang up around the concept of a zero-work day - 39 categories of work with prohibitions, sub-prohibitions and allowances.  One of those prohibitions was harvesting on the Sabbath - something Jesus' disciples violated be breaking off some heads of grain for a snack.  The Sabbath police caught them in the act.  And Jesus tells them, "You got it backwards - it's not about keeping a bunch of rules to honor God and the Sabbath but about this gift of rest - one day that God has given you to renew and recharge (before weekends were invented).

A(pplication) - One of our exercises this week in the Simple Life was to track a day's worth of activities to see if they matched what we say are our priorities.  I was sharing with Michelle (my wife) last night, that I'm not sure tracking one day would be as beneficial as looking at an entire week - obviously tracking a Saturday is going to to look different than a Tuesday or any other day of the week depending on sports and evening activities.  There is to be a weekly rhythm to life - that includes work, play and rest.  The Sabbath was/is a gift from God to humanity to re-create and recharge.  Since we have so little discretionary time, we've turned it into one more day to squeeze activities into.  I guess what I am reflecting on, is that maybe we don't have much time on weekdays to focus on what is important, but Sunday (the early Christians moved worship from Saturday to Sunday - the Lord's day to honor the resurrection) is that great gift that God has given us to get our minds and bodies back on straight.  Are you living in sacred rhythm? Daily or weekly?  God gives us Sabbaths and holy days (not holidays) for a reason - feast days and rest days - time for friend and neighbors and family.  Will you make it a priority?

P(prayer) - Abba, our weeks can get pretty crazy.  Some more so than others.  We live in a world whose motto is work hard and play hard.  Help me to begin to discern where I am out of rhythm.  Yeshua, I want to align my priorities to Your will because I know there is freedom in You.  You are Lord, even over the Sabbath.  In Christ, Amen

Tuesday's SOAP - Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

¹ For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
² A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
³ A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
⁵ A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
⁶ A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
⁷ A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
⁸ A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
⁹ What do people really get for all their hard work? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. ¹¹ Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

S(cripture) - I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

O(beservation) - Solomon had it pretty good according to the world's standards - picture "lifestyles of the rich and famous" - wine, women and song . . .  As I reflect on what this got him (read all of Ecclesiastes - or at least chap 1, v 2!), I remember how Jesus said, "Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these [flowers]."  Solomon had it all and labled it "meaningless."  His beautiful poem on time has been made into a sweet song*, but when you get to the end of it (Solomon's poem), it's pretty bleak - "the burden God has placed on us all."  And what is that burden?  God's planted eternity in our hearts - a sense that there is more than this life.  Solomon in his life of duplicity saw this gift of eternity as a burden.  Wonder if this is why so many are struggling so in our culture? 

[*not coincidently, the song by the Byrds came out in 1965 - the year the Vietnam War was started and at the height of civil rights protests - talk about a country in upheaval!]

A(pplication) - I shared yesterday in a comment that everybody's mission connected to their use of (and amount of) discretionary time will be different.  Solomon seems to have understood this.  The stages of your life will determine where and how we can serve - single, dinks (dual income - no kids), families with preschoolers, school age, highschool, sports, empty nesters, retirees . . . Our mission will change as we change and our life situation changes.

But there is one thing that should never change.  One way we should never slice our time is to make most of it secular and the remainder sacred - actually any compartmentalization that sees some of our time as God time and other time not.  All time can be sacred time - if we can begin to avoid the distractions, find ways to remind ourselves our of purpose and move intentionally as missionaries.  Even with Solomon's enumerated dichotomies (how do you like those big words?), we should be able to see that there is opportunity for the sacred in both.  Go back and read and reflect on how God can be present all the "time."  Honestly, this is the essense of the simple life.  Simplicity not duplicty.  One thing.

P(rayer) - Abba, help me to make all of life sacred - meal time, play time, time with family, work time, cleaning time . . .  You want me to mediate on You and your law - day and night.  I have a long way to go.  Help me discover creative ways to stay connected to you through out my day.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Monday's SOAP - Luke 10:25-37

²⁵ One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”²⁷ The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
²⁸ “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
²⁹ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
³⁰ Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
³¹ “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ³² A Temple assistant^[b] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
³³ “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴ Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,^[c] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
³⁶ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
³⁷ The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

S(cripture) - “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

O(bservation) - A man asks Jesus how he should live to recieve life in eternity with God.  Jesus asks the man his interpretation (not opinion) of the Law and the man answers with the Shema - the great command of Israel - which sums up the whole law - love God and love neighbor.  This is not emotional love alone - but deep-seeded obedience, honor and service - love in action.  Jesus loves his answer, but the man wants clarification of his neighbor so Jesus shares the great story of the Good Samaritan.  A story with amazing twists that would have shocked his readers.  Not going to go that deep here - just want to focus on ONE THING - that a man (despised by Jews) saw a great need (a bloodied beaten Jewish victim) and rather than ignore it, met it and did more than expected.  I shared yesterday about the Good Samaritan experiment in 1973 at Princeton Seminary. (It's worth skimming just to see what questions were asked and how the researchers created their conditions.)  But what is most fascinating is that time or lack there-of was the greatest indicator of showing mercy.  Simply - when people (including us), don't have enough time, we don't stop to help.

A(pplication) - We should think and reflect on this long and hard - if our primary mission is to love and to serve and to share - how do our calendars allow for serving and loving - showing mercy.  I suspect there are needs all around us - everyday - opportunities to bring the Kingdom to earth.  Are we missing them in our busy-ness?  What needs to change if we are to be Kingdom people?  What are we to seek first?  Do you have "margin" in your life?  white space? to allow for emergencies - yours and others?  I think I know the answer.  Mine is probably like yours.

P(rayer) - Jesus, you made it pretty clear what our priority should be, but seeking to live as your followers in 21st century America seems like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.  I know what needs to give.  Teach me your ways.  Show me mercy and let me show mercy to others.  Give me wisdom to look hard at my calendar to see what must be cut in order to live the Kingdom life.  Amen

Friday's SOAP - Philippians 3:12-15

¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
 ¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.

S(cripture) - No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

O(bservation) - I focus on this one thing.  Simple.  A life of simplicity is not a bunch of quick how-tos or selling your stuff on ebay to declutter (though it helps!).  A life of simplicity focuses on the one thing.  Simplicity is internal and eternal.  We live in a world of distractions. Duplicity.  We chase after the latest thing - phone, computers, car, TV show, clothing, parenting style . . . (you fill in the blank), but in the end it leaves us unsatisfied becuase it is neither internal or eternal.  Paul's life was complicated, but his heart was filled with simplicity.  He saw heaven so clearly and this fueled how he lived on this side of it.

A(pplication) - Jesus is calling us to a new life a Kingdom life.  I wonder if 21st century America is one of the hardest places to live this life.  We live and work and play at the speed of sound.  (a great book to read is CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters to see how the Enemy works to nudge us off the path). Will I live today, focusing on the one thing - the one life - the one purpose?  Like Paul, I can't change yesterday, but I can live today allowing God to perfect me and simplify me.

P(rayer) - Abba, Today my kids are off from school.  Give me a heart that is singulalry focused on you and loving them.  Amen.

Thursday's SOAP - Matthew 6:19-21, James 1:22-27

¹⁹ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

 ²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.  ²⁶ If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

S(cripture) - Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

O(bservation) - I find it perpexing/interesting/engaging - the tension between living in the world and not being of it.  Sometimes I can be so heavenly-minded that I am of no earthly good and other times I am so earthly minded that heaven gets crowded out.  The Kingdom life is a big AND.  Heaven AND earth.  "Your will be done on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN.  The incarnation (Jesus - God in the flesh on this planet) points to the value God has for creation (particularly humans).  But our treasure is not found on this planet.  This world can corrupt me (James). Yesterday Jesus reminded us that the worries of this world choke out our fruitfulness.  And here is James saying pure religion is to look after those who cannot take care of themselves AND staying away from the values of this world.  Surveys have shown that people believe the Bible says "God takes care of those who help themselves."  This is a lie.  This is the values of this world corrupting the Kingdom.  This is the excuse that people use to not share.  But Jame's line is Occupy Wall Street before there was a Wall Street.  Many of the people in NYC don't know Jesus, but they know deep in their souls that those who have should take care of those who don't.   The Golden Rule - Do unto others . . .

A(pplication) - Well here I go again, keeping God's Word at a distance, applying it to the 99 AND the 1, when God wants me to apply it to ME.  God is calling me to refrain from greed, hoarding and looking out for "numero uno" and instead look out for those closest to God's heart - the humble and defenseless.  Since we are in a series on living simply,  how can I carve out time and resources to care for those that fall through the cracks?  My worldly side says I barely have time for me, that this will complicate not simplify my life,  But that's the lie - the "stuff" needs to go so I can find "pure and genuine." At this point, I am just starting to get to how - but even more important is an internal motivation  - I want a heart that values what God values.

P(rayer) - Abba, how entangled am I in the values of this world?  How have I bought in to the "American Dream?"  Where am I even blind to how much of a consumer I am - a consumer and not a producer?  Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth You have for me.  Place in my hands the wonderful key that will unclasp and set me free. Liberation, Jesus.  You came to set me free. Come Spirit.  Amen

Wednesday's SOAP - Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

¹ Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. ² A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. ³ He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:   “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. ⁴ As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! ⁹ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
 ¹⁸ “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: ¹⁹ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. ²⁰ The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. ²¹ But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. ²² The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. ²³ The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

S(cripture) - The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

O(bservation) - This is one of the most significant verses for the church and Christ-followers in America.  Life distractions and affluence choke out a fruitful Kingdom life.  I am amazed (but shouldn't be) at how often the Kingdom is connected to fruitfulness.  It is the first command given to Adam and Eve.  It is the life verse for our community - the Vine.  A fruitful life is a Kingdom life.  Anything less, the prophets and Jesus warn is to be gathered as dead branches and burned.  John the Baptist (yesterday) proclaimed - show you've truly repented by your fruitfulness.  The Psalmist declared (Monday) that we should be like a tree planted by a stream, yielding it's fruit in season.  And today, seed that produces a 30-60-100 fold harvest.

In all cases there is a clear contrast.  Joy for those who are fruit bearers and destruction for those who don't.  THIS SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON US.

Fruit-bearing is not an optional activity for Christ followers!

I am reminded of the African farmer (Sunday's message) who felt sorry for us because we are poor - we have God and things (the worries of this life and a lure for wealth) and he has only God.

 A(pplication) This simplicity thing is not a simple concept. It's NOT just de-cluttering and balancing the checkbook and clearing the calendar.  Christ-followers can be very busy and still use their full calendar as an opportunity for mission.  Christ-followers can still have great monetary resources, but they use it all to back and build the Kingdom of God.  The truth is, there is nothing wrong with wealth, but most of us can't handle it.  (I can hear Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men (my slant) "You can't handle the Wealth!!!!") For most of us, we are distracted by our busy lives and comforted by our wealth.  At then end of a day, reflect on how often you thought about and lived out your place in the Kingdom?  Be honest - all of life is an opportunity to live out the Kingdom - all of your days are filled with sacred opportunity.  What needs to change?

P(rayer) - Abba,
I am no longer my own, but Yours
Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You,
exalted for You or brought low for You.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine, and I am Yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen. (Wesley's Covenant Prayer)

Tuesday's SOAP - Luke 3:7-14

⁷ When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? ⁸ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ⁹ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” ¹⁰ The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
¹¹ John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
¹² Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
¹³ He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
¹⁴ “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

S(cripture) - John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

O(bservation) - Let's see - focus on "you brood of snakes!" or "What should we do?"  I've noticed when it comes to judgment - somebody else always deserved it more than me.  I am pretty good at lying to myself.  I can read this text and detach myself from it - John was talking to THOSE people who don't get it.  Those people - the brood of snakes.  But the scary thing is to think that John is just as much saying this to me (and to you).  Prove by the way you live that you have truly repented.  This isn't crocodile tears repentance - this is a change in lifestyle.

Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown on the bonfire.

pause for reflection . . . note to self - God's judgment is real.

The parameters we've placed on God's judgment has us safely away from the fire.  It's those other people who don't believe in Jesus that will be toast.  But that's not what John says.  Trees that don't produce good fruit get chpped down into firewood.

So - what is good fruit?  John says our repetance is tied to our economics.

Too many shirts? Give them away.  Have ANY food? Share it.  Getting rich off others? Be honest in the market place.  Have power? Don't abuse it. Live within your means.

Good fruit.

Bad fruit - no fruit?  hording, not being generous, stealing, not sharing, consuming more than you need, abusing = firewood.

A(pplication) - I've got a closet full of clothes to go through and a cupboard to clear out and finances to straighten out so I can share.  I don't want to be firewood.

P(rayer) - Abba, this series on LIFE! in the burbs/simplicity is not for my benefit though I know I will benefit from it.  You are calling me to simplicity so that I can be about your Kingdom work - so I can bear good fruit.  Abba, it is daunting.  I am so entangled in all the "trappings" of affluent suburban America.  I will need grace - your grace to no where to begin to untangle.  Give me wisdom, in Jesus name. Amen.

Monday's SOAP - Psalm 1

¹ Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
² But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
³ They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
⁴ But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
⁵ They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
⁶ For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

S(cripture) - "For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction."

O(bservation) - God watching over me - keeping me from destruction.  Watching events unfold on Wall Street and around the world.  There is a lot of hate, judgement, fear, violence.  God watching over me - protecting me.  I NEED to hear this today.  Oh to be a tree planted by a stream - never withering -always alive.  The Psalmist wrote of delight in the Law of the Lord. I find my delight in Jesus Christ - the Vine.  "If you remain in me, you will bear much fruit."  I feel my stress go down, my heart slow, I take a deep breath as I write these words and my eyes slightly water at the goodness and love of Jesus.  Delight.  When's the last time you've been delighted?  What causes you delight? 

A(pplication) - I can focus on all the craziness of the world or I can meditate on Jesus - all day.  I know this isn't easy.  I know a church that gave everyone an alarmm so that evry hour the alarm goes off to remind people to reconnect.  It's pracitcal and wise.  Churches used to ring bells to remind people to pray.  Monastery's still do.  Muslims do.  When I was in the middle east, it was surreal to hear the Muslim call to prayer over the loudspeakers.  So think, I'm gonna set my cell phone to beep every hour so I won't forget to meditate on Jesus - the True Vine. Nothing drawn out - just a hourly reminder of who I am and who Jesus is.

P(rayer) - Abba, bring me into a complete day with you.  a day filled with grace and may I not go through the motions in my meditations.  Amen.

Friday's SOAP - Matthew 21:28-32

²⁸ “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. ³⁰ Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. ³¹ “Which of the two obeyed his father?”
They replied, “The first.”
Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. ³² For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

S(cripture) - "Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. "

O(bservation) - Jesus has just entered Jerusalem (triumphal entry), has thrown out the money changers from the Temple, cursed a fig tree, and then has his authority and purpose questioned. He's talking to those who have just questioned him - these are the elite Jewish religious establishment.  These are people who question Jesus' family tree, his religious pedigree and education, and whether anyone from the boondocks has any right to come into Jersualem and claim a teaching position.  Jesus tells them a story about two sons and obedience - that it's not about what you say but what you do.  Then to "make freinds and influence people," he tells these elites that they're flunking out of the Kingdom of God and embezzlers and red light ladies are passing.  How did they pass while the Jewish leaders didn't?  They turned from their way of life and turned toward the lifestyle that God desires - mercy, compassion, generosity - John the Baptist's message about the right way to live. (Here's John's message.)

A(pplication) - Pretty clear that Jesus isn't too impressed with good intentions or empty promises or self-righteous religous types who miss out on the message of God because they can't get past the messenger.  And he speaks the truth.  I think we need that truth today.  Politicians needs to hear his message. And the 1%. And the 99%.  People in church need to hear the church (there are so many churches/Christians that don't give a flying leap about the poor!)  And I need to hear the truth from Jesus - because I can be as spiritually blind as the next guy.  I like to think I've got this Jesus thing figured out, but I don't.  So I need to be in Jesus, listening, learning and repenting - I need continual nudging to stay on the Kingdom path.

P(rayer) - Abba, thank you for your Son, who pointed people to the Kingdom.  And opened the door for the poor and the marginalized and the common.  May I be found among them.  I repent of stinginess and coveting and thinking more than doing.  Speak truth into my life so I can stay on the Kingdom path. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thursday's SOAP - Matthew 7:24-29

²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶ But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷ When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
 ²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

S(cripture) - (I like the NIV here) "Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them ino practice is like a wiseman who built his house on rock."

O(bservation) - Hearing and doing.  Faith without works (James).  The message is clear.  Christianity is and is more that a philosopihcal argument.  It is a way of life.  I think much of the mess the American church is in is that we have made it a belief system (The European church has alread died using this approach.).  Do you believe in Jesus?  I believe in Jesus.  But the word belief has been drained of its depth found in the greek. - The word, pisteuo, is deeper than knowledge.  It's having faith in -putting your whole trust in - Jesus.  It is so deep a belief that your whole life (not just your life after death) is founded on it.  Descartes wrote, "I think therefore I am."  Christ followers proclaim "I believe therefore I act - llive this way."

How do we act?  Well, if you've been paying attentiion to SOAP and Jesus' sermon on the mount, he spells out how we should act and live and love!  It is the Kingdom life - an invitation into a new way of living.

A(pplication) - I want people to see Christ in me by the way I treat them, how I live, what I do.  Somewhere I read "you're the only Bible some will ever read."  I want to be the Jesus that some will ever see.  And I don't want that to sound presumptious - that I am rightoues and perfect and can or would want to somehow elevate myself to Jesus' perfection.  No.  But I am part of the Body of Christ and I do have his Holy Spirit residing in me.  I have this treasure in a jar of clay. (I just read  2 Corinthians 4 - wow.)  And that is enough.

P(rayer) - Abba, what a Gift in me - a Treasure - one worth selling all that I have to attain.  Yet, the paradox is, you say all I need to do is ask - that You love to give good gifts to your children.  So I ask - more love, more power, more of You in my life.  Fill me to overflowing with Your living water and let it flow through the cracks in this jar to a thirsty world.  Amen.

Wednesday's SOAP - Matthew 7:1-14

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. ² For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

 ³ “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? ⁴ How can you think of saying to your friend,‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

 ⁶ “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

 ⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 ⁹ “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? ¹⁰ Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! ¹¹ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

 ¹² “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

 ¹³ “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

 

S(cripture) “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."

 

O(bservation) - This passage is as rich as any of Jesus' words, but I sense the Spirit nudging me toward the Golden Rule.  Does anyone even know it or practice it anymore?  I am immediately drawn to our schools and the bullying and pain of kids not treating each other well.  Rather than ten commandments on a wall, I'd rather have every kid memorize and seek to live out the rule.  I don't see how any person of any faith or any person of no faith could find fault with "do to others as you would have them do to you."  Treat people like you'd like to be treated.  There are so many hurting kids - kids from abusive homes, kids trying to figure out their sexuality, kids who don't fit in, kids who wonder if anyone cares coming into the jungle of school where you put on the good face and you tear down others so others don't tear you down.  My kids have let me into their world - more pain and struggles than I ever had to deal with in high school.  I "happened" upon a site a few days ago started by a professor at Grove City College - The Golden Rule Pledge.  I also think about the ugliness that is often happening on the internet when people can hide behind computer screens and spit out hate.  Listening to the radio this morning and the announcers asked people to call in with their pet peeves - so many pointing to the lack of etiquette in supermarkets and on our highways.  Oh I long for a world where the Golden Rule is the rule and not the exception. 

 

A(pplication) - I can't change the way others treat me, but I can change the way I treat others.  It's easy in theory.  But not so easy in practice when others don't "play fair."  But before I get too self-righteous, God is reminding me of all the times I'm tired and lazy or in pain and I fail to put the effort into doing for others.  My family knows.  So I need to start with me and then hope me rubs off on my family.

 

P(rayer) - Abba, Your desire is that not a single person on this planet perish. You desire that those who are created in your image would treat one another as if we are stamped with the "imago dei."  We miss the mark.  I miss the mark. Open my eyes today to the opportunities to put into practice your mark for humanity.  Guide me into opportunities to bless others today.  Amen.

Tuesday's SOAP - Matthew 6:9-18

⁹ Pray like this:
   Our Father in heaven,
      may your name be kept holy.
   ¹⁰ May your Kingdom come soon.
   May your will be done on earth,
      as it is in heaven.
   ¹¹ Give us today the food we need,
   ¹² and forgive us our sins,
      as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
   ¹³ And don’t let us yield to temptation,
      but rescue us from the evil one.
 ¹⁴ “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
 ¹⁶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

S(cripture) - May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

O(bservation) - Have I taken the Lord's Prayer as common - something said by rote, without contemplating the depth of what Jesus was asking us to do when we pray?   It happens, sadly.  Jesus says we should pray for the Kingdom to come in all its fullness.  And this is tied to us participating in the will of God (your will be done).  God's will.  I've heard people say, "I wish I knew God's will for my life."  as if it is some big overwhelming unknown.  I know folk are thinking about careers and who they are to marry and big stuff like that, but after so many years of ministry, I think God is just as much if not more interested in all of us following the will of God on the "everyday stuff."  Like this sermon on the mount stuff - WHEN you give.  WHEN you pray.  WHEN you fast.  And the Spirit reminds me that Paul wrote "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. Give thanks in everything for THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess 5:16-18).  I wonder if "the will of God" claim is just a subterfuge to do nothing.  At one point a lawyer comes up to Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus asks him what he thinks and the guy spouts off the commandments.  Jesus says, "You're right - do this and you will live."  Get after it.  (Nike - just do it.)  "Who ever hears these words of mine AND puts them into practice . . ."

A(pplication) - God's will is that I love others, bless others, be a joyous person, be thankful for my life and be in constant connection with Christ - pray without ceasing.  THIS IS SO HARD!  But so necessary.  I have a bad back and a bum shoulder and both of these are sucking joy from me.  May they be reminders of the pain you bore for me - on the cross.  And may that bring joy and thanksgiving.  Comb your hair, Jesus says (as if I had any).  Wash your face.  Let joy and contentment shine through even in fasting and suffering. 


P(rayer) - Abba, the Spirit led me to Paul's words this morning.  I want to spend a day - rejoicing, thanking and praying.  Give me grace to do your will today. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done one earth, in me, as it is in heaven.  Amen

Monday's SOAP - Matthew 6:1-8

 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. ² When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. ³ But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ⁴ Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
 ⁷ “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

S(cripture) - But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

O(bservation) - Jesus offers two words of wisdom concerning giving and praying.  He cautions his listeners to not be glory seekers. "Don't toot your own horn."  Some have said that this passage teaches us to not be public with our giving and our praying.  I think there is almost a whole generation that has been silent about the good that they've done.  My grandparent's generation never talked about giving or praying.  But that is not what Jesus was getting at.  Otherwise, Jesus was contradicting himself in Matthew 5:16.  Jesus was really getting at motivation - do you do good to bring glory to yourself or do you do good to bring glory to God?  BIG difference.  Don't be like hypocrites who on the outside are doing good, but on the inside are filled with pride and stone hearts.

A(pplication) - It's important to examine my heart, even when doing good.  I must recognize that God gives me grace to do good - no boasting.  No self-glory seeking.  I also need to remember that Jesus said "when."  Giving to the poor and praying are not optional - they are expected.  It's time to pray.

P(rayer) - Abba,  Guide me into humility that when I give and pray I point others to you.  I want to let my light shine.  I want to let your light reflect off me.  Amen.

Wednesday's SOAP - Matthew 5:17-30

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

[read the rest here]

S(cripture) - “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!"

O(bservation) -  In terms of religious rules and regulations, the "scribes" and Pharisees were at the head of the class.  These are Harvard, Oxford and Yale graduates of religiosity. Their prayer life and law keeping puts most of the planet to shame.  And Jesus warns us that if we don't make better grades than these elites, we WILL NEVER ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.  Soak on that for a while.  How does this jive with the amazing grace I've grown up with?  John 3:16?  Can I explain them away?  "Well Jesus was just using hyperbole to get their/our attention . . . he really didn't mean it that way."

Yeah - speaking to backwoods, redneck Galileans - after saying this Jesus said "just kidding." (read this with sarcasm).

I already shared with you on Sunday that this word "righteous" here is the greek "dikaios" which has a note of personal holiness but also a rich dose of biblical justice - making things right for the poor and marginalized - following God's will for humanity.

And to make sure Jesus' listeners understood, he talked about anger like it was murder, and lust like it was adultery and how the Kingdom is more important than eyes and hands.  Hey people - this is Jesus' first sermon!  Jesus was saying that the Ten Commandments were Kindergarten rules in the Kingdom curriculum.

A(pplication) - What do I do with this?  Really?  My first inclination is to explain it away, water it down, so that I can get a passing grade and enter the Kingdom.  I know there are other texts on grace and mercy (which I need a healthy dose of), but not here.  Jesus warned clearly that my dikaios  - living a holy life of justice is essential for entering the Kingdom of God - not a far away, float-on-clouds opportunity; but a here-and-now, make-the-world-a-better-place,  bring-heaven-to-earth life.  And so the question to ask, is how, today, will I let the light of heaven shine through the cracks of my existence?  Who would God have me bless today?  Who would God have me share with?  And not because I am some how trying to earn Heaven points with God, but because the invitation to enter the Kingdom is free but not cheap.  There is a tension in my own soul between God's grace and His call for diakois.  I have to live within that tension trusting God to work in me and on me because, I know for sure I can't enter the Kingdom under my own power.

P(rayer) - Abba, more love, more power, more of you in my life.  Let me love out of the love you shower on me.  Open my eyes to Kingdom opportunities today. Amen.

Tuesday's SOAP - Matthew 5:13-16

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

S(cripture) - In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.


O(bservation) - salt and light.  I memorized 14-16 almost 20 years ago for a class practicum on worship.  I think it has formed me and my ministry.  Do good. Live good. Shine light.  Let people notice God in you.  Why does such a simple practice become so uncommon?  Are we Christians noticed for doing good?  Are we so inconsistent that our lighting the darkness is accompanied by frequent blackouts?   Some how I think if every Christ-follower would do one good thing a day - one thing where God gets noticed through us we could change the world.  Mother Theresa said, "small things done with great love will change the world." 

A(pplication) - It shouldn't require a servant evangelism event or mission project to have us be intentional in doing good - good deeds should be woven in the very fabric of our lives.  Get's to that discussion on "Core Praxis" (you read it right?) with a call to bless others 3x per week.  Do you wake up in the morning thinking - who can I bless today?  Where can I shine Christ's light?  What would happen if you did?  What would our churches look like?  the Vine?

P(rayer) - Abba, build into us the habit that Jesus offered to all those who heard his first sermon.  Please restore our saltiness.  Open our eyes to the opportunities to bless others daily.  Abba, give me an opportunity this day to let others see Christ in me.  Amen.

Monday's SOAP - Matthew 5:1-12

1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

   3 “God blesses those who are poor

            and realize their need for him,

       for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

    4 God blesses those who mourn,

      for they will be comforted.

    5 God blesses those who are humble,

      for they will inherit the whole earth.

    6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,

      for they will be satisfied.

    7 God blesses those who are merciful,

      for they will be shown mercy.

    8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,

      for they will see God.

    9 God blesses those who work for peace,

      for they will be called the children of God.

   10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,

      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

S(cripture) - "God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

O(bservation) - The last SOAP was this same passage, but I am drawn to another verse.  I know why, but not sure how to share.  We live in a world where the standard response to "How are you?" is to say "fine."  Often that's a lie.  I'm guilty of it.  And I suspect there are a number of reasons. First, I'm a pastor and as a "leader" it's my task to set the tone for our community.  Second, I don't want to come off as a whiner - who wants to hang around a grouse?  Third, I wonder who would pay attention anyway.  Fourth I'm a Christian and well, you know, we are supposed to be shiny happy people.  Fifth, there are always people worse off than me so I should just suck it up . . .  Well, you get the point.  "Fine" is just easier.

Then Jesus comes along with this series of blessings that seem counter-intuitive.  Blessed are those who aren't shiny happy people.  And today is one of those days when I am anything but shiny and happy.  My shoulder is in pain, I'm wrestling with time and finances and things breaking.  I'm wrestling with where the Vine is headed - can we, will we break open into mission?  Does the Kingdom of God and Christ's love mean that much to us? And some of it is just the day after the big event syndrome - like Elija who a day after defeating the prophets of Baal, finds himself alone and down on a mountain and wants to die.  There is spiritual warfare - advancing the Kingdom is not without pain.

God blesses are those who mourn.


A(pplication)  – So I hunger to be comforted by the very hand of God.  And I hope by answering with something other than "fine" that others will have the courage to be honest with themselves and with God.  God is in the suffering.  Often more in the suffering than anywhere else.  God inhabits the tears of his people.

Yesterday Aleah Elder came up to me and asked "Why is God invisible?"  Wow.  I won't even begin to share the conversation to help Aleah in her quest(ion), except at the end I picked her up and hugged her and whispered in her ear that God was indeed in the hug I was giving her.  After that we went to the Benson's to pray for Art and Gloria and God was in the laying-on of hands.

God is in the tears and in the hugs and in the conversations and in the touches of the saints.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


My shoulder doesn't hurt as bad - still facing the mountains of time and money . . .

P(prayer) – Abba, Comfort all anywhere who mourn this day.  These are the words of the funeral liturgy.  Help me and the people of the Vine to be real with one another in the laughter and the tears.  Help me laugh today.  Amen.