These Shoes Were Made For Walking - Sermon

I’ve been asked to share the full sermon, so here it is in manuscript form. This is not the way it ends up when it is preached on a Sunday morning, but I hope you hear the Word God has for you!

While I was researching the scripture for this sermon I found a fascinating story about an art exhibition titled “Holy Ground”. The actual exhibit consists of shoes & stories of faith from all around the world. As part of the Holy Ground project artist Paul Hobbs collected shoes from persecuted people all around the world. Their owners’ stories are shown alongside the shoes and include a diverse group of people and represent an assortment of backgrounds – everyone from a black Zimbabwean woman writing about colonial oppression; a Pakistani man telling of being enslaved by drugs and an Indian woman speaking of being tricked into and trapped in the sex trade for 15 years. Inspired by this exhibit, other programs have also begun to display someone’s shoes and ask the individual to share their testimony of faith. As I looked at the photos of the different pairs of shoes in the Holy Ground exhibit I reflected on this passage from Luke’s Gospel and the disciples walk to Emmaus.

In this familiar scripture we encounter two of Jesus’ disciples – now we don’t know both of their names, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to be necessary to know both names. Most scholars agree that the named disciple – Cleopas was traveling with his wife, who was also a follower of Jesus and is also mentioned earlier in the scripture. What we do know is that they were leaving Jerusalem and they were getting out of town. We also know that they had left Jerusalem on the very day that the tomb was found empty – what we now know as Easter. Earlier in the scripture we remember that Mary had returned to the disciples and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. But these two – immediately, the very same day they heard the news, reacted to Jesus crucifixion and burial by leaving Jerusalem, where was their faith – their belief in what Jesus had taught them? Most likely, they were like the majority of Jews of that time, believing that the Old Testament prophesies were pointing to a military or a political messiah – savior.

As they walked along that dry, dusty road it seems that they were reflecting on their shattered hopes and broken dreams. I imagine they were disappointed and disillusioned – they had invested time, energy, and effort in someone who had promised them so much – and then he had fallen to the Roman Empire like nothing more than a common criminal. Can you imagine it – they shared meals together, made plans together, worked alongside each other – and then – it was over. And Jesus didn’t even put up a fight! He just willingly let himself be tortured and crucified. Now he was dead. All hope in him being the messiah was dead also. Now what do we do? Have you ever been in an emotional state where all of your hopes had been destroyed and you didn’t know what tomorrow would bring? Can you imagine how they felt?

In their depressed state of mind they must have been walking kind of slowly, dragging along their feet. After all, they really had no place to go, no longer had a direction for their lives. Well, this is how Jesus found them as he overtook them and began walking alongside them. Travelers along the roads during this time in history were often victims of robbers – remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? I wonder – Did the two disciples notice this stranger walking along the road or coming up behind them? Were they even aware of how far they had traveled or where they were? How often in this day and age are we reminded to be aware of our surroundings and to keep our eyes open for strangers approaching? Do you think the disciples even noticed the stranger and how long he was actually walking with them before the conversation started? Makes me think of the people we walk by and don’t even notice – the homeless, the hungry, the addicted, the hurting… – when we are so wrapped up in our own disappointments.

And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. I can just see this – the disciples had to stop to respond to this stranger. I mean – in their tracks – and looked at this stranger with their mouths open, hands on hips, and say “Where have you been? Don’t you know what happened? Don’t you realize what has happened to us? Wow! Where have you been?

Stop and think for a moment – I bet if I asked you where you were and what happened on 9/11 – you could tell me exactly where you were when you heard the news that America had been attacked. I don’t even need to say the year I am talking about – it is a date and an incident in our countries history that will not be forgotten for generations to come. But what if I asked you where you were on July 4, 1984? - - - I see a look of puzzlement on your faces – trying to remember what that date was? What significance it may have for you. Most of you don’t know exactly where you were or what you were doing. Yet for me – I can tell you to the minute where I was, what I was doing, and why it is so significant. It’s a very personal day for me and several family members, but not everyone was affected in the same way so the date does not have the same significance for all of us as 9/11 does.

This same situation occurred for many people at the time of Christ’s death in the city and surrounding areas of Jerusalem. For his disciples the events were heartbreaking, astounding, and overwhelming. For visitors and others that were in the city at the time, the events leading up to Christ’s death and even his death, held no real significance. So, it was possible that this stranger that began walking with the disciples, had no idea what had happened – I mean, sure, three criminals died on crosses the other day. So? What does that have to do with me?

“What happened?” Jesus asks.

Here it comes – the big moment – the opportunity to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection – to tell a stranger how much God loves us – that he sent his only son to die on a cross for us – and that he rose from the dead so that we may have life – and the disciples respond … “Haven’t you heard about the things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene? He was a man of God, a prophet like Moses and Jeremiah, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. But then, our high priests and leaders betrayed him. They got him sentenced to death, and then they crucified him. You know, we had our hopes – hear that HAD OUR HOPES – that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. It’s been three days now since it happened, and we just couldn’t take it anymore, being in that place – the memories, the confusion. And now, if you can believe this, some of our women – leave it to the women – have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and they couldn’t find his body. They came back with some out-of-this-world story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but – they didn’t see Jesus.”

When is the last time that you had an opportunity to share something that has happened to you and done so with such a dreary, sour look on your face that others were confused about whether it was a happy or sad situation? Imagine the look on the strangers face – on Jesus’ face – as two of his own disciples told him what had happened to him – to HIM! No wonder he replied – What a bunch of hard-hearted fools you are! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?”

And then …. Something awesome happened …

He began to teach them as they walked along the road together. Talk about a Bible study! To have the Master of the universe explaining everything that had happened from the beginning of time to the very present moment… wouldn’t you have loved to be walking in their shoes? But this was not the usual scripture stories that they had heard in temple all of their lives, no, these stories were being shared with them by someone who seemed to have actually been there when the world was created, to have really been present when Moses had wandered the desert, and to have actually inspired the prophecies for the messiah that had been written. This talking and walking took awhile. You see, just like us – in order for the Emmaus disciples to recognize the crucified and risen Lord, they first had to understand God’s vision – they had to understand His plan for salvation in the world.

Well, they finally arrived at Hotel Emmaus – where the candles are always lit – and Jesus started to walk away from his traveling companions and to continue on his journey. But, something made Cleopas say – Wait! Stay with us!

It was not uncommon to show hospitality to a stranger during that time by offering shelter, food and drink, but I kind of think that they were starting to recognize how their hearts were feeling as they walked along together and they weren’t ready to let go of that feeling. The feeling of remembrance, of familiarity, the feeling that this stranger may actually understand me!

And as they sat down at the table, the stranger who had become the invited guest, turned things around and became the host – when he picked up the bread, gave thanks, and broke it. And in that moment the disciple’s eyes were opened and they RECOGNIZED HIM! But before they could hold him, or speak another word – he vanished!

I am sure each of us has had moments like this. When we were walking the path of a family member or friend’s serious illness – and later we recall the stranger who prayed with us. Or when we have walked the road of grief – and someone sent us a message of hope. We all have momentary glimpses of Christ in our lives, but what do we do after we have seen him? For the Emmaus disciples’ , they got up – that very hour – and RAN – no more walking – they RAN – back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had seen. They had seen Jesus and he is alive!

Let me take you back to the story I told you about the art exhibition called Holy Ground and share a few stories from the people whose shoes are on display: first, there’s Rosemarie from Germany who survived Nazi Germany. Her father, a Christian, helped Jews escape until the Nazis forced him to kill himself in 1938. Rosemarie then survived the brutality of the Russians after the war, and then years later, God led her to work in the former Soviet Union to speak about God’s forgiveness. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!

Then there is John Musa Puma from Nigeria who rebelled against his family as a teenager—following a native religion instead of the family’s Christianity, stealing, drinking, and even killing. Then through an evangelist meeting, John became a Christian, quit his rebellious life, and responded to the need for an evangelist in the rural parts of Kenya. Now John has planted a church in the neighboring country of Niger in a mainly Muslim area. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!

There is also Kanta from India who used to work as a prostitute for 20 years. Now she’s a health worker helping prostitutes protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. She cares for these prostitutes when most of society treats them harshly, the hospitals not even having the time to care for them. She also has many chances to share God’s love with these women and girls who know very little love in their lives. Do you see him? Jesus – he is alive!

Just like each of these people I have had these types of moments and to share them with you, I brought a few show-and-tell examples. Maybe they will help you remember when you caught a glimpse of Jesus.

These are the shoes of my brother who was murdered fourteen years ago. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I saw Jesus in the faces and the prayers and the simple acts of kindness of the people who walked alongside us in our grief.

These are the shoes my children each wore as we had them Christened when they were infants. Now each of them is walking with Christ in his or her own way.

These are the shoes I got married in. To say that Christ has walked alongside us through the years through the friends and loved ones we have known is an understatement of truth.

And these, these are my baby shoes. How can I doubt his faithfulness on my journey of life with all the blessings that have been given to me?

And these, these are the shoes I’m wearing today as I struggle to continue to walk with Christ by my side.

We each have our own Emmaus – the place where we go to get away form our hurts, our disappointments, our pain. But, when we meet Christ in that place, we have to rest – stop what we are doing – and ask ourselves – do we continue to focus on our hopes, our dreams? or do we get up and RUN to tell others – He is alive! Jesus is alive!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

These Shoes Were Made For Walking

Sermon snippet: Have you ever believed in someone and then been disappointed and disillusioned? have you ever invested time, energy, and effort in someone who promised you so much – and then been disappointed? Can you imagine sharing meals together, making plans together, working alongside each other – and then – it’s over.

From Luke 24: 13-35

A Baby’s Lullaby

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:6-7

“Hush little baby don't you cry
Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything's gonna be all right
The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight”

Words that sound so familiar yet are slightly different. Words that bring blessed memories and thoughts of dreams that didn’t come true. Words that have the power to soothe the most broken-hearted and terrify within the same breath.

These lyrics are a new version of a classic children’s lullaby that has been sung to children across the world. I sang the lullaby to my children as I rocked them and comforted them in the middle of the night. I’m sure many of you have also, and many of you will also sing them to your grandchildren. But I find today that they have a new meaning for me.

Can you imagine this lullaby from the perspective of Joseph as he looked in wonder at his newborn son? The questions that must have raced through his mind! What about all of the fears, the doubts, the uncertainties of being privileged to be the daddy to the Son of God? And then the realization that God was being held in his arms. Talk about being awestruck with the miracle of birth, can you imagine?

And what about the young mother, Mary? After having been forced to ride a donkey for what probably felt like years in the condition of pregnancy she was in, now she would give birth in what amounted to a cave surrounded not by doctors, nurses or mid-wives, but by oxen and sheep. Then as her child, her son, was lifted up and wrapped in cloths and placed in her arms, she was able to look in to the eyes of God. What did he see, did he see the unconditional love that a mother feels for her child? Did she see His unconditional love?

As the human infant Jesus took his first breath, did he let out a cry? Did he feel the pain of separation from God the Father that we do? And I can’t help but wonder, if Mary sang him a lullaby to comfort him and reassure him -

“Hush little baby don't you cry
Mommy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything's gonna be all right
The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight”

During this time, I pray that you feel the love of your heavenly Father and that you are able to experience the awestruck wonder of a baby born in a manger in far-off Bethlehem more than two centuries ago. And maybe you can hear in the quiet stillness of the night the sound of a lullaby being sung to each of us with the voice of Our Heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas …..

~ Rev. Pat

An Event for Everyone

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." - Luke 2:8-12 (MSG)

I used to love to listen to Paul Harvey, and his "Rest of the Story" radio segments. I just love to think about the story that goes before, behind and after the tales we talk about and remember. The entire Old Testament lies as the before story - several millennia since Abram's name was changed and God promised him a blessing. His descendants knew from all the scriptures that had been written since that God would send a redeemer from their current mediocrity. I like to envision those shepherds setting up their temporary camp at the end of a busy day and after their equivalent of prime-time TV, they settled in and started to rest. Someone was watching the sheep and they would likely take turns during the night.

Have you ever tried to get teenagers to get to sleep in such a situation? If they aren't exhausted there can be a lot of giggling and chattering and the adults are repeating, "go to sleep" for the umpteenth time. Finally there is peace... The gentle sounds of the sheep and maybe the crickets...

SUDDENLY! All the lights are on and trumpets are BLARING!!!

Who wouldn't be shocked and stunned? Even having seen huge blockbuster movies we would all be amazed and speechless. Add to it the pure supernaturalness of God's glory and we are all puddles of humility.

I know they were expecting something, but they had stopped expecting it NOW.

As we run headlong into the "Christmas Season" or worse the "Holiday Season" as defined by the media and marketing gurus... DON'T STOP EXPECTING JESUS TO SHOW UP! I want to go to bed expectantly and hopefully that just as I fall asleep, Christmas will come again into my life. Better yet, into each patient moment and all year long!

Merry Christmas, Christmas people!!!

~ Roger

The Approaching Season

“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” - Luke 2: 9-10 (NKJV)

While standing in line at a local super store the other day, I overheard a lady complaining about another Christmas fast approaching. She went on to lament about how glad she would be when the season was over and how she hated standing in even longer lines and driving in increased traffic. The person she was talking too said that while her children got excited about Christmas, she was not looking forward to the extra company in her home and having to spend “all that extra money.” For just about two seconds I could almost relate to their attitude. I used to think just like they did about Christmas. My family even nicknamed me “The Grinch.” I had the ability to steal just about anyone’s Christmas Joy. Christmas was not a good time for me. But then I thought about how my attitude toward Christmas had changed. When I accepted Christ, God put a love in my heart for Christmas. This is the day we celebrate God’s greatest gift to man. The gift of his only son, Jesus!

Yes, I can relate to how a secular world feels about a holiday that over the years has become commercialized, over advertised, and even political. Retail organizations have started promoting and decorating for the Christmas shopping season way before Halloween. Many local governments will not allow decorations that depict a religious theme on their property. Society has tried to take the birth of Christ out of the very holiday that exists to celebrate that birth. The focus of Christmas has shifted from celebrating Jesus’ birth to lights, trees, gifts, Santa Claus, and more gifts. We all are involved in the secular aspects of Christmas; it’s almost impossible not to be.

So here is my challenge to you (and myself). As the Advent season approaches, commit to focusing on the real reason for the season. Read the Christmas Story found in Luke chapter 2: 1-18. If you have children read it to them. Remember the joy of your salvation and apply it to this awesome time of year. Share your joy and the Christmas Story with someone who needs joy. Your attitude about Christmas is a choice. You can choose to be joyful or not. Choose joy and share it!

Oh yeah, remember the Grinch? I’m still the Grinch in my family. The Grinch finally found the joy of Christmas, and his heart grew 3 times its normal size. That’s me!

~ Rev. Tom

Coming Home

“So he got up and went to his father.”But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20

This morning I heard a song on the radio as I was pulling into my parking space at work. It was about a man that had a message on his home phone that had been there for many years. The message was for his wayward daughter it case she called. It said something to the effect “what ever you have done, I love you, wherever you have been you can come home.” He hadn’t talked to her in many years but the song said she called and heard the message that she needed to hear.

A few minutes after hearing that song I arrived at my desk and the man next to me, who is the part-time pastor of a church, told me about a message he had just listened to from a family who had just lost a 14 year old daughter and were concerned that she was going to hell. He asked me what I thought he could tell them.

I told him about the song that I had just heard and that I think God has that message on his answering machine for all of us all of the time. That’s what Jesus came to tell us with his life and message. The prodigal son story says that clearly.

We were recently talking in Disciple 1 class about what it means to be made in the image of God. To me it means that we can love people the way God does, we don’t do that all the time, but we have the capacity when we are at our best; when we are most in touch with God. That song reflects the capacity to love as God does.

During the holiday season we all think about gathering, coming home, or remembering times when we did. Don’t miss the call of the gospel, the message from God, the reason for the season. We are welcome all the time, no matter what we have done and no matter where we have been. God loves you, and even me.

~ Rev. Dr. Scott

From Faint to Hope

Luke 21:26a “Men will faint from terror…”

Some of us travel through life seemingly without any significant hardship or pain. Our lives seem to be charmed, until something arrests our peace and security. For others, the harsh reality of life in a fallen world breaks into our lives at a young age. Such is the case with a friend of ours whose seven year old son is today (at the time of his writing) receiving his last chemotherapy.

I was one of those who seemed to lead a charmed life for almost 45 years. There were no big problems or harsh realities. Of course, I thought some things were hard, but I did not know hard. Then a plane crashed in the Everglades transporting out oldest son into eternity. I will never forget that Saturday in May over 13 years ago.

Talk about “Men will faint with terror…” I understood the kind of pain and fear to which Jesus was referring. My wife and I and our other son will never forget that horrible day and night following the crash. Finally, about 1:00am we were left alone and went to bed. No sleep. We just cried and held each other.

Finally, about 5:00am on Sunday morning I stood in the shower weeping “as those who have no hope.” Faintly at first, then more loudly and boldly I began to hear these words of truth, “God is good, all the time.” For the first time since the news of the crash, I felt the presence of God and the assurance of the Savior. It was at that moment I began to move from fainting to hope. It allowed me later that day to declare to the national media, “We are Easter People!” There is a reason for our hope and it is the Risen Christ. Hallelujah, Praise His Name!

~ Rev. Dr. Warren

Hope, where is yours?

“‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,” – Luke 21:34

We live in a time that is full of fear. We move to “safe” neighborhoods just to have prowlers on our front porches. We fear the economy and future as we never have before. America, our nation seems divided with changes we don’t know how to deal with or understand. We are experiencing 1000 year not 100 year floods; feet of snow in areas that in early fall may get an inch or 2 on occasion.

Do we really live in a time to be feared or do we allow fear to invade our thoughts and the very essence of our being? Are we falling into the enemy’s trap that stops us in our tracks? Luke 21: 25-36 describes men’s hearts failing from fear and the future.

This same passage describes a hope beyond all hope, Jesus coming in a cloud. We are told look up for our redemption draws near. Jesus was the hope for Israel at His birth, yet most of Israel missed it. During His ministry, most of Israel missed Him. He is our ever present help and hope today, yet much of our world is missing Him. He is this world’s future hope.

Are you trusting Him? Are you believing Him, not believing in him………… believing HIM, your hope and future. Can you look to Jesus and say I trust You Lord: You are my hope? Can you say, I will show the world You Lord, and Your hope by thought and deed, words only when necessary?

~ Martie

Finding hope in a hopeless World

“How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken."~ Luke 21:23, 25-26

I stood with my swollen feet rooted to the floor, my hand resting on my stomach as if my small hand could somehow protect our unborn child from the horrors my naive mind could never have imagined. My husband had called from his business trip to tell me the news, but I had run to the television and turned it on to witness this terrible thing for myself. My heart beat a little faster as I flicked on the local news channel and prayed it wasn't true. And then I watched the World Trade Centers go down again and again in the newsreel that played over and over like a skipping record that's been warped and scratched from neglect.

I felt both shock and fear as I watched as the events of September 11 continue to unfold. I called work to tell them I would not be going in that day. I wanted to be home, even if I was alone, because somehow home seemed like a safe place that was separate from the world in which I found myself suddenly living. How could this be happening? Just an hour earlier, I had all that I wanted in life... a loving husband, a steady job, a nice roof over my head and a little money in the bank. We were a happy and healthy young couple, about to become a perfect little family. And now this... this terrible event, this horrific THING, had crashed uninvited into our little bubble and changed our world into something less than perfect. There was such a precious gift growing inside of me, and as I stood in our living room glued to the t.v., I apprehensively wondered what kind of world we were bringing him into.

But despite the tragedies of life, the sun kept rising and the moon and the stars appeared in the sky each night. One month later, our baby boy (not knowing what he was getting himself into), came into this world right on time with a small cry and flailing fists. And in sending our little boy, with his ten tiny fingers and ten perfect toes, God sent me hope. Through him, God reminds me of His nearness. I was never alone, as I had believed. He was near! For who but God could send such a beautiful thing to me in a time of such anguish? And we continue be reminded of His nearness in every milestone our little boy and his sister reach.

Father, help us remember the hope you have given to each of us in the nearness of Your kingdom. Amen.

~ Terri

Busy! Busy! ... Busy?

Found these quotes that describe my life at the moment. Can you relate?

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” - Socrates ... and ...

“He who is too busy doing good finds no time to be good.” - Rabindranath Tagore

Then I began to think that maybe that wasn't what I was about, but more about how important the work I have been doing is. Then, I came across these quotes.

“If you're a preacher, you talk for a living, so even if you don't make sense, you learn to make nonsense eloquently.” - Andrew Young ...and...

“Preaching is effective as long as the preacher expects something to happen-not because of the sermon, not even because of the preacher, but because of God.” - John E. Hines

Those started me thinking again. I began to ask myself a few questions. I had to ask, aren't I working all these hours so God can say something to the people He has called me to serve? Do I trust Him enough to listen to what he says to me? Is what I am called to do what my life is for? Do I need to find a balance between what I do - my work, and who I am - my life?

“Among the works of man, which human life is rightly employed in perfecting, the first in importance surely is man himself” - John Stuart Mill ...and...

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein

In the midst of all the busy, I found my answers - to life, to purpose, to who I am. Praise God!

"He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’" ~ Luke 10:27

Me? faith? What you talkin' bout?

Recently I had a conversation with someone who said to me, "I wish I had your faith." I didn't know if I should laugh, cry, or continue to stand there with my mouth open and my jaw hanging to the ground! Me? faith? You have to be kidding? I mean, sure I recognize God in those moments when it really matters. Don't we all? But, do I have the kind of faith that matters, the kind of faith that can lead someone else to a life of fullness and hope? As I read the following piece, I realized that I have enough faith. Enough faith to offer someone else a glimpse of God's peace in the midst of today's concerns. Enough faith to share hope in a future with Christ. Enough faith to recognize that God is using me to light a step on someone else's path.

"Each of us has been given a measure of faith (faith the size of a mustard seed is sufficient), and now is the opportunity for us to commend the faith that is in us. In the words of the prayer attributed to St. Francis (Book of Common Prayer, p. 833), each of us in our small way can be an instrument of God's peace. "Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair hope; where there is darkness light; where there is sadness, joy..."

In effect, Jesus turns the disciples' request around on them. "Increase our faith," they ask, and he points out to them that they have enough already. In spite of their fears, anxieties, they have what is needed, and each of his hearers is encouraged to take their rightful place in the exercise of spiritual authority."

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.” – Luke 17: 5-6

On the Road Again ....

... just can't wait to get to get on the road again...

Did you know there are hundreds of songs that have been written about "the road"? How about the ever-popular: AC/DC – Highway to Hell? Or one from my late teen years: Bachman Turner Overdrive – Roll On Down the Highway? Most folks will remember the melancholy song by the Beatles – Long and Winding Road. The title of this post comes from a line in a song by Willie Nelson – On The Road Again. Do you remember swooning to the velvet voice of Ricky Nelson in "Travelin’ Man"?

And who can forget the ever popular ballad by Loudon Wainwright – Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road?

Most people accept and embrace the belief that life is a journey, and we see journeys as best-lived on roads. In today's modern world most communities have roads that are paved and designed for cars - not for walking. In fact, our communities have been designed to suit a lifestyle that requires the "convenience" of a car and are not able to be easily navigated on foot. As one author commented - try walking around sometime. No, communities are set up to be convenient for CARS. We've got drive-thru restaurants, drive-thru pharmacies, drive-thru convenience stores, and drive-thru car washes.

In the Bible we have a road story. It is also a story about love and a story about TRUTH. What is your story? Where are you on the road with the risen Savior? This weekend I am "on the road again" with friends and strangers building community and watching for time spent with my Lord. Hope to see you at the cross-road!


"Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem." ~ Luke 24:13