Life Goes On

I just finished writing a sermon from Matthew 8 about the faith of the Roman Centurio in Capernaum.  Here was a pagan who had more faith than the "Chosen People" who lived in the area.  Here was a man of authority approaching one over whom he was given authority by Rome.  It would have been understandable if he had demanded that Jesus heal his servant.  Instead he approached Jesus humbly. (Luke said that he didn't even come himself, but some Jews came on his behalf.)  He called Jesus "Lord", which acknowledged His position, and he even said, "You can do this with just a word and not even have to come to my house."  Jesus was amazed. He had never encountered such faith even among the Jews.  As a matter of fact He had admonished those closest to Him on several occasions for their "little faith".  However, Jesus did teach that little faith could be effective faith.  He said that one with faith as small as a mustard seed could move a tree or a mo

My wife and I have a vacation club membership that we mostly use as a meeting place with our family over holidays.  We met there the week following Christmas.  We arrived on Sunday afternoon and made arrangements for the others who were coming in later.  About 3:15 a.m. my wife got up to go to the bathroom without turning on the lights.  She fell into the shower backwards (4th fall in a month) and was in extreme pain.  I got her back into bed, and later up again to go to the bathroom.  The second time I got her back into bed, the pain was extreme, so I called 911.  Long story short, she was transported to hospital where an MRI revealed a fractured T 12 vertebrae.  A surgical procedure was planned for Wednesday.  All went well, however her pain has never completely subsided.  She had some immediate therapy that afternoon and again on Friday.  She was released from the hospital on Friday and we drove 2 hours to our home.  Now we are learning to help her get into and out of bed.  I have r

 As we continue to adjust almost daily to the new "normal" of covid 19, I'm beginning to feel like I'm in exile in a foreign land.  Increasingly our government is impinging on our "space".  Gradually our freedoms are being eroded.  If we complain, those in power only tighten the demands on us just like the Egyptian taskmasters did to the Israelites.  What can we do to change our situation? I remember attending a school board meeting once intending to speak on an issue that was on the docket.  The meeting dragged on and on, dealing with one mundane matter after the other.  When we reached 10 p.m. and they still had not opened the floor for those of us who came to speak, I realized that no matter what we might say, they had already decided what they would do.  Our input would make absolutely no difference even if we stayed long enough to voice it.  That is somewhat like the feeling I have now.  Our government, which is supposedly "of the people, by the pe

I'm noticing a disturbing trend, not only in our nation, but in our local church.  There is a leadership void and as with any void, it will be filled by those who are either not equipped to lead or who have a personal agenda to promote.  The old saying of there being "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians" which refers to everyone wanting to lead and no one willing to do the work is no longer true.  More and more people want to serve, but don't want to lead.  It reminds me a bit of Moses.  He did want to deliver the Jews from bondage, but when his first attempt ended badly, he withdrew for 40 years and then had to be drafted by God to be the leader of the Exodus.  The problem with a lack of leadership is that anarchy prevails.  That means that everyone does his own thing.  When that happens there is no synergy, and the organization is limited to the ability of the individual rather than the combined ability of the group.  Recently I have dealt with several groups whe

During the pandemic more and more of us have surrendered control of our lives to so-called "experts" in the fields of medicine, entertainment and government.  We no longer decide what we will or will not do until we have read the latest article or watched the most recent video of some "talking head" seeking to frighten us into submission.  Many have become dependent on the government to supply their financial needs rather than getting out and working.  We have become like sheep who can't determine when, where and what to eat or where to rest in safety.  The time has come for us to wake up, stand up and retake charge of our lives. The only Shepherd we should follow is the Good Shepherd, Jesus.  As we follow Him we can be assured of adequate food, safe water, right paths and life without fear.  Being a part of His flock means surrendering to His daily guidance and direction. Secular government leaders, medical "experts" and celebrities are not interested

Many people, whether committed Christians or not, have just celebrated Easter; Resurrection Day.  The question, especially for Christians is...now what?  What are you going to do differently because Christ is alive, ascended and coming again?  The first disciples had specific instructions to Go to Galilee and wait for Jesus.  Then He told them to wait for the Promise (Holy Spirit).  Then they turned the world upside down. In our case, the Holy Spirit has come.  All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  Yet our world is in chaos.  Many of our churches are declining both in impact and in membership.  For the first time in many years there are fewer church members in America than non-church members.  Many churches have become "holy huddles" for the saved rather than Lighthouses to attract and direct the lost to safe harbor in Jesus. Do you have friends or family members who are lost? Are you actively seeking to share the Gospel with them? When is the last time you told your