Matthew 14:13-21

No fast food in that day. No MacDonald's. No Hardees. Not even a Taco Bell. Jesus and a multitude in a solitary place!  It is a great clue that even when he was looking for a little solitude, when they came to him, he spent the day teaching them. And though he did not know a tithe of them personally he had compassion on them all. At evening his disciples suggested that the crowd be sent away...to find something to eat elsewhere. Were they afraid that they would be called upon to share? Jesus replied that the disciples were to feed them. The disciples then uttered what we could call the complaint of the enfeebled church, "We have here only..." We just can't." "We don't have enough." "We're too strapped" And thus the church is impoverished by its own words and lack of faith. Jesus took what they had, and it was not only enough, but more than enough. Think about it. Does it apply to individuals too? 

Light and Warmth, 

Bill

St. Patrick

Remember the great Saint Patrick.  He was a missionary and a firm believer. He escaped from slavery to lead the church.  He used the shamrock for a symbol of the Trinity...three in one.  Blessings to you this day. Bill

Genesis 22:1-14

Abraham had waited a century for the child of the promise. He was one hundred years old when Isaac was born. A great nation was to descend from Abraham. His descendants were to be as many as the sands of the sea. All of this depended upon a child. Abraham knew that God would keep his word. The child was born. He was called Isaac, meaning "laughter", because he was a joyful gift. Now Isaac was to be sacrificed. Though the emotional struggle must have been severe, Abraham would obey God, believing that the child of the promise would be spared. It was so. God provided a substitute for Isaac, a lamb. (This event was to be reflected in the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, as a substitute for all.) Abraham called the place "Yahweh Yireh," God sees, or God will provide. He named that mountain after his deliverance, not after his trial. Name your mountains after your blessings.

Light and Warmth,

Bill

Matthew 6:19-21

Many times the Bible warns us about doing things for selfish reasons. These are valid warnings. But here, in this scripture, we are told that there is a proper action we may take for ourselves. First, we are told what we are not to do. Do not store treasures that can be eaten by moths or corroded by rust. Things do not last. We all have some trophies left over from a previous stage in life. We look at them and wonder why they had such emotional power for us. They represent things done, good things maybe, yet they are just metal or plastic. Some things are not as important as we thought. Even valuable possessions can be lost through theft. But there are some things that do not wear out, cannot be lost or stolen. In the middle of busy days we need this reminder.. of the impermanence of earthly things and of the permanence of heavenly treasures. We should seek heavenly treasures for ourselves.

Blessings,

Bill

Glad we missed most of the ice and snow.  Roads okay now.

Genesis 12:1-7

Here is another call, given to Abraham centuries before the Apostles were called. The Lord spoke to Abraham and said, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Of course Abraham obeyed the voice of God. He is listed in the New Testament roll of heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11:8-10) because he made that journey. It has always been a puzzle to me how Abraham recognized the Lord's voice. There were no scriptures written, no temples of the Lord, no synagogues. In Ur, his first home, and in Haran, his second home, no one knew anything about the Lord. How did Abraham hear and recognize the voice of the true God? There were many false gods. It is a wonder that Abraham recognized the voice of the living God. We have the Bible, the Church, The risen Christ; somehow it should be easier for us to recognize God's voice. Do we hear it? Do we obey?

Blessings,

Bill

Humility is not thinking less of yourself... it is thinking of yourself less.

attributed to C. S. Lewis

Friends,  Can anyone help locate this quote?  I would like to know the source, and would appreciate your assistance.  The thought is certainly like Lewis' reflections on this life.  It is remarkable how he identifies the basic problems of this existence.  He does not skip around, does not try to act like a 'great' person, he just pointedly states the human condition.  Yes, we often think too much of ourselves; but humility does not require a lessening of self worth.  It is to focus on the Holy One, the words of scripture, and the missions to which we are called by the Savior.  What a blessing that Lewis' words endure.  Hope all is well.  Looks like we missed most of the big winter storm.  Certainly hit Southeast Missouri .. where Cheryl and I spent childhood days.

Light and Warmth,

Bill