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Published: 12 February 2015

Our upcoming study in Matthew 18 rehearses the story of the disciples striving over greatness and the illustration of Jesus when He brought a child to their attention. He said, "It is important to "get young again." Those of you who had an abusive childhood never want to go back to that though I am sure many of you wish you could go back to a different childhood. Those of you who had a wonderful childhood probably have days when you would like to go back. I have days like that and I actually like my life right now. I like being married, I like having children, I like my work, this church, most of the people here , and I like grandchildren and being called "Papa." I like to study, pray, fellowship and serve. But, there are days when a "blankie" and some crayons sound pretty good. Deadlines, schedules, meetings, troubles, death, strife, the evening news, breakdowns, bills and other annoyances of the "grown-up" world can really be a pain. I want to build a fort, ride bikes, play in the sand box, eat graham crackers, drink milk and not worry about cholesterol, calories and glutens. I want to play whiffle ball, jacks, checkers and Crazy 8 and not really care who wins. I want to lie down on my back in the grass on a warm summer day and watch the clouds roll by...and then take a break with cookies and milk. I want to have less concern about what other people think of me and rest in the love of my Father. I want to think about the needs of others and not my own future. I want to bless and never take advantage of anyone, anywhere at anytime. I want to live today, in this moment without anxiety about tomorrow, since tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. I want to sing and laugh and pray like no one but the Father is looking. I want to be really free from having an opinion about everything and I want to be free from contempt for anyone; free from judgment and quick to reconcile, make up and keep playing. The Kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom for children...not for the childish but for the child-like. The Kingdom of Jesus is best enjoyed by the humble, they are the greatest in His reign. Let's become young again, where is that "blankie?"

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Published: 05 February 2015

Have you ever said that to somebody? I have. Ironically, it usually has to do with something I don't know anything about. The teacher makes a suggestion, having done this thing before, and even when I trust the person, their advice seems counter-intuitive. Somehow, even though I don't know what I'm doing, I question whether the person teaching me the lesson knows what is going on! For example, I have learned virtually everything I know about fishing and hunting from somebody else. I really don't have time to learn everything the hard way so I ask people questions and eventually they invite me to a "lesson." Tom and his friends have been teaching me how to hunt water-fowl. I haven't said it as often as I have thought it but the question has passed through my mind many a time, "Are you sure about this?" It happened this past Fall on a goose hunt and I have never seen so many geese so close and had such a "blast," (pun intended). Sadly, I also have this "questioning problem" with Jesus sometimes. I have trusted my soul to Him forever but I read some of His instructions for how to do life and I want to say, "Are You sure about this?" His advice seems counter intuitive...and it is if we are comparing His teachings with many of the people giving advice today. Do we really believe Jesus knows what life is about and how to live? Will we do what He says, even when we wonder? We're the ones who don't know what we are doing! We need help! The King of Glory can be trusted and we need to do the right thing and let Him rescue us. God willing, February 8 we'll be studying a story about taxes, obedience, fishing and miraculous provision. God does know what He is doing. Will we believe Him enough to obey Him?