Love

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> "Love is patient. Love is kind. It hopes and perseveres. Nowhere on that list does it say love is perfect. Love can also annoy, run late and speak unkindly. But despite all this, it never fails…..We didn't fix all the difficulties in our relationship ..but that's ok. I've learned that what makes a relationship stronger isn't analyzing all your differences or even working through them. It's simply about showing up." (about a daughter and her father). The disciples had difficulties in their relationship with Jesus and with one another. Despite their problems they "showed up". Holy Spirit shows up for us despite our strained relationship with God. We can "show up" for one another in this crazy world.

Christmas 2017

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> We can never say of the birth of a baby, "Just another baby……" Every baby born into this world is a potential savior. The wise men and others who looked upon the baby Jesus had a strong sense of something special in this small baby. His parents were not casual and ho-um as they gazed upon their baby. We celebrate the birth of Jesus because God is saying to us He is going to do great things in the life of this baby. Through the birth of the Christ child we are called to look upon the birth of every baby as God's witness to us that there is hope for the reconciling of our broken and hurting relationships. There is hope for finding the cure of disease in the baby who becomes a physician. The is hope that this baby will grow up to be a quiet presence among people and whose influence stirs in others the motivation to be and behave better. And in the birth of Christ God says, "..behold, I am making all things new.."
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The Earth is the Lord’s

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.  We are accountable for our use of the land on top and below the surface, and all that is in our vision. We are stewards, caretakers, not willful owners. We must approach all we do with a sense of awe and respect. We inhabit our bodies for a while then we move on according to Creation's purpose. 

Love

Subject: thought

WE KNOW HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US, AND WE HAVE PUT OUR TRUST IN HIS LOVE. GOD IS LOVE, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN LOVE LIVE IN GOD AND GOD IN THEM.  -I John 4:16 NLT 

We see evidence of this in human behavior in response to need of others everyday. It happens in small and unseen ways and in large outpouring of aid.

Isaac Watts

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> "O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home!" (Psalm 90-Isaac Watts, 1674-1748) It is a deeply moving experience to hear the congregation sing this great hymn of the church. Come what may, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90:1,2) This scripture is the basis of Isaac Watts hymn. These thoughts "put the right foot forward" for beginning this day, as the winds of Irma howl.
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Journey/Faith

I can offer a commentary each morning on the state of the world and what is wrong with politics, morality, etc….but when all is said nothing changes and maybe I have revealed my ignorance. What I can do that is in keeping with my sense of call in life is speak words of encouragement, hope, love, forgiveness……None of this stops the wrong of life but it offers hope and inner light for making our way through the off beat experiences in which we find ourselves. As I share the word I feel moved to speak maybe you will overhear something that is helpful to you…..after all, my words are more confessional than didactic. —— I am on a journey that no-one  can walk but me and I walk in faith. In faith I experience unseen Presence == I pray for you in your journey!!!

Security Blankets

The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:5  Sooner or later this is all we have and all we need. Our various "security blankets" will offer some comfort but eventually become useless and we are left exposed and helpless. Our only incorruptible asset is the love of God gifted to us in our hearts to stabilize us through the chaos.