"but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."  (Romans 4:24)

Have you heard the expression "don't do as I do, do as I say"?  Have you ever used the expression?  Did you have a good reason for saying it...OR ignoring it when someone else said it to you?  I confess I not only recently heard someone saying it I agreed with the reasons they were saying it.  The person was struggling with the activities we were doing and finally started giving the directions instead of doing the activity.  The rest of us, in the group, all followed the instructions.

The readings today are about actually "doing" something.  In Genesis we see God giving Abram the covenant.  God will "be your God and the God of your descendants after you." (Genesis 17:7)  Paul is telling us, in Romans, how Abram - now Abraham - kept the covenant "that God had power to do what he had promised." (4:21) AND how it is also "for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."  The Gospel reading is Jesus talking to the Pharisees - the leaders of the church and community.  Jesus is pointing out how what is "inside you--be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you" is the "doing" of what we believe. (Luke 11:41)  

So.....  Are you doing what you say?  Are you doing what you are asking of others?  Are you "generous" with others or questioning what they are doing?  I know schedules are busy, we are tired and it is easy to question instead of do but an interesting question was given in a study I'm doing for Lent: "Do you need to resign from you post as gatekeeper and take up the new role of door holder?"  Something to think about......

"how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  (Luke 11:13b)

Do you ask questions?  I love to ask questions!  I am frequently starting conversations (like this one) with questions.  In most cases I am really trying to understand.  Or I might be trying to learn something new.  OR...... the teacher in me might​ be trying to get the person (people) I'm talking to to think.  Get them to make sure they have thought of, worked through and are ready to move on - knock on the new door. (Luke 11:9)

The readings today are about thinking through and moving on.  In Genesis we are reminded of God's promise and can think about God keeping God's promises every time we see a rainbow.  (Genesis 9:13)  Peter is reminding all of us how "this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also."  (1 Peter 3:21)  In the gospel reading Jesus is speaking to a group asking them to stop and think and remember God's gift of the Holy Spirit. (13:b)  He does it by asking questions.

So.........  Do you ask questions - maybe even of yourself?  Do you stop to think things through?  I know as Caregivers we do have a LOT of questions, sometimes, but are we thinking through and asking them?  Are we ready to "knock" on the door of the next step?  Something to think about...... 

"A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."" (Luke 9:35 emphasis mine)

How are you at listening?  Are you awake enough to do more than hear someone is talking?  After all the things happening all around us are you still listening?  Have you tuned out?  Are you as tired of all the "mumbo jumbo" as most are?  Have you wondered what it might take to make a difference?

The readings today are about listening ​and doing.  Elisha is talking to Elijah about a "double portion of spirit" just before Elijah "went up into heaven in a whirlwind."  (1 Kings 2:11)  Paul is talking to the Corinthians, and us, about shining God's light "our of darkness."  (2 Corinthians 4:6)  And it all comes together to move forward in the Gospel reading in Luke.  Jesus has taken Peter, James and John onto the mountain with him.  Several things happen while they are there but the one, right now, to pay attention to is the voice "from the cloud" saying "LISTEN TO HIM."  (9:35)

So......  Are we listening?  Are we even paying attention?  Do we hear the voice, recognize the voice, maybe even agree with the voice but our response is __________?  You can fill in the blank with any number of responses -- to busy, already doing, or even "be nice to whom!?!"   God is still speaking to each one of us, calling to us to be listening for what Jesus is saying/calling to us.  Something to think about.......

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."  (Mark 1:35)

I would like you to think for a minute...where do you go when you need QUIET?  How about when you need to think something through?  When you are trying to figure out the solution to some difficulty?  Or when you get a sudden idea of something to do? Or... an IDEA for your next project or the gift you need for a special someone?  Where do you s-t-o-p to spend time with God?  To listen for what God is saying to you?  Are they all the same place?  The same general area?

The readings, today, are about God being with us through changes, giving us strength and guidance, if we will stop to be with God.  In Isaiah we are reminded God does NOT "grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom."  (Isaiah 40:28) In 1 Corinthians Paul is pointing out the importance of following where God is leading - "I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"  (1 Corinthians 9:16)  The Gospel reading, in Mark, is how Jesus would take time to go "to a solitary place."  To be by himself, to spend time with God - "where he prayed."  (Mark 1:35)

So.... I ask again...  Where do you go for the quiet needed to be able to hear what God is saying to YOU?  I know how busy it is.  Jesus was busy also!  I know how hard, especially as Caregivers, to not only find the time but also the place to have the QUIET needed.  I also know how important it is.  Jesus took the time, regularly, to be in prayer.  We need to do so also.