"He said to me: "It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End."" (Revelation 21:6a)

I don't know about you but I love history.  It can be Biblical history, state history, European history (like we just had on our recent trip to the United Kingdom), church history or personal history.  I just love history.  I believe it helps us to move forward if we understand, better, where we have come from and what we have done so we can move on to NEW things.

The Scripture readings today are about history and moving on to new things.  We are reminded "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live."  (Ecclesiastes 3:12)  This verse is a part of the reading about there being a "time for everything." (v. 3:1) The above verse (Rev. 21:6) is reminding us that God IS in "the Beginning and the End."  And we know, because we know the whole story AND Emmanuel, God IS with us now!  Then Jesus is reminding us to reach out, to share God's love, maybe even to try the "new" thing...."Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  (Matthew 25:40)

Yes, we CAN learn from history.  What we learn can help us to reach out, to try NEW things and to continue to encourage each other.  Something to think about.......

"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.  He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go."  Matthew 21:30

This is kind of like promise last week.  The difference is we may not "promise" we are going to do something.  We might just "say" we will.  In fact, in our own defense, it might be the reason we give for "not" doing something - right?  Or...  How often do we say, I know I do, "in a minute" but we definitely do not mean in "60 seconds"?

Moses is showing the people, again, that God IS with them.  He does what God tells him to do and gets water out of a rock "for the people to drink". (Exodus 17:6)  Paul is encouraging the Philippians to be encouraging to each other, giving "tenderness and compassion."  (Philippians 2:1)  In the Gospel reading Jesus is telling about two sons - neither of which actually did what he (the son) said he would do but one actually DID do what the father had asked. (Matthew 21:29) 

Doing what God is asking us to do, talking about how - like the Israelite people - we have known and felt God's presence helps others to be encouraged which is what Paul is encouraging.  The question is are we doing what God asked us to do?  Are we talking about feeling God's presence with us?  Something to think about..........

"But he answered one of them, "I am not being unfair to you, friend.  Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?"" (Matthew 20:13)

Promise - what do you think of?  The noun - "a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing?"  Or the verb - "assure someone that one will definitely do, give or arrange something"?  They both sound kind of alike to me - except for one small detail.  The noun is a statement of intent.  The verb is actually doing.  One sounds like a long contract with signatures required.  The other one sounds like doing, living, what we say. 

The readings today are about promises.  In Exodus we are reading about the people's reaction to being out of Egypt.  They are "grumbling" and God hears them.  God has brought them out, kept them safe and hears their grumbling. (Exodus 16:12)  Now He is continuing His promise to take care of them by feeding them. (16:13-15) In Philippians Paul is reminding believers to be living for Christ. (1:21) In the Gospel reading Jesus is telling the parable about the workers, those who worked all day vs. those who were only working a short time.  Jesus is pointing out the owner is keeping the promise between the workers and himself (the owner) to work for a day's wages. (Matthew 20:13)

We know God KEEPS God's promises.  What about us?  Do we need the written document with signatures?  Do we keep our promises?  Do we keep our promises to ourselves?  Do we keep our promises to God?  Something to think about.........

"Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."  And her daughter was healed at that moment."  (Matthew 15:28  NLT)

Have you ever tried to explain faith?  Looked up the definition?  Looked for it on Mr. Google?  I did check Mr. Google -- 1st definition: "complete trust or confidence."  The 2nd definition: "strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion."  Scripture tells us "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."  (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)  Or... I found this quote from Mahatma Gandhi - " Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into."

The Scripture readings today are about faith.  Joseph is pointing out, to his brothers, who he is and how "God did send me before you to preserve life."  (Genesis 45:5)  Romans is talking about how our "unbelief" becomes "belief" "that he might have mercy upon all."  (Romans 11:32)  And Jesus is talking to a woman about how he, Jesus, has come for the "house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) but the woman keeps calling and answering "the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the masters' table."  (15:27) Which is when Jesus tells her "Woman, you have great faith!" 

So, yes, there is "great faith" but it has taken time.  It hasn't happened as fast as we would like.  We do live in a "microwave," get it "NOW" world.  At the same time, like last week, if we want to walk on water we have to get out of the boat!  We also need to keep learning, growing and strengthening our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Something to think about..... 

""Come," he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"" (Matthew 14:29--30)

When you go for a walk what is your focus on?  How many steps your taking?  What the path you are on looks like?  The scenery around you?  I have been asked what I see when I'm walking...I tell people the path in front of me.  If you want me to look at something I come to a complete stop and look at what you are wanting me to see.  Why?  Because if I take my eyes off of where I am putting my feet I will find the crack in the sidewalk, the stick on the path, the stone or whatever there is to trip me or cause me to lose my balance.

The readings today are about how we are walking.  Romans is talking about how we are living our faith - talking about how we have felt God with us. (Romans 10:14)  The Gospel, especially, is pointing out "walking (living) our faith." We know the story.  We have thought about Peter saying something before he thinks about what he is saying.  He says he will come when Jesus calls.  He gets out of the boat.  He "walked on the water." (v. 29)  He was doing just fine until he took his eyes - his focus - off of Jesus.  "When he saw the wind" (probably the waves) he started to sink. (v. 30)  Another point to this is that "immediately" Jesus reached out his hand and saved him. (v. 31)

So....Are you following where God is calling you to go?  What is your focus on?  Something to be thinking about........

"The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."  (Matthew 14:21)

When I say "food" what do you think of?  Your favorite?  What you ate last night?  What you will NOT eat?  What about "feeding"?  How are you at feeding others?  Our mother had a special gift - she could feed however many sat down at her table.  She could do this no matter when you arrived at her table.  She did NOT pass this gift on to me - you are welcome at my table but let me know you are coming.

Today's readings are about faith and feeding/food.  Jacob's name is changed to Israel because of his faith in, and struggles with, God. (Genesis 32:28)  In Romans we are reminded of the patriarchs and the ancestry of Jesus - the Messiah.  (Romans 9:5) And Jesus is "feeding" 5,000 men (so probably closer to 10,000 people when you add in "women and children") (14:21)  But I want you to notice something...Jesus is healing (feeding) - body, teaching (feeding) - mind, fellowship (feeding) - Spirit.  The people sat on the grass and "he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."  (Matthew 14:19)  Jesus is "feeding" mind, body and Spirit.

So...my questions are - when, and where, are you feeding your Spirit?  How are you growing and strengthening your relationship with God through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit?  Yes, as Caregivers we are BUSY while things are changing and challenging.  All the more reason to make sure we are "feeding" our Spirit and strengthening our relationship with God.  Something to think about.... 

"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."  (Psalm 100:2)

Here we are at another Sunday, Sabbath, worship time but this time in the middle of the summer.  Instead of weather we now have vacations, lakes, sports, family visiting - what other reason can you give?  Although the weather can still be an issue during the summer it is more heat and humidity than snow and ice.  So we worship inside but ARE able to get to the building!  This is also a "5th Sunday" which can make a difference.  The churches I serve like to have hymn sings on the 5th Sunday -- learning the story "behind" the hymns we sing.  It is a way of worshiping, celebrating the Sabbath, learning AND praising God - especially with "joyful songs."

The reading, this morning, in Romans is about God's Spirit in us - being with us, praying for us (when we don't know how or what to say/do [Romans 8:26]), and giving us strength through all the changes happening in each of our lives.  Emmanuel, God WITH us.  Definitely a reason to "come before him with joyful songs."  A time to s-t-o-p and BE with God.

So many changes happening!  We are almost through summer(!), starting to look at fall schedules (I saw Halloween in a few stores already) and our "usual" busy schedules.  When are you taking time to stop, worship, and praise God?  When are you getting the fellowship of other believers?  Are you coming together?  Are you "making the time" to BE WITH GOD?  Something to think.......

"Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it."  (Genesis 28:18)

Reminders can be interesting things.  When we have food, in the fridge or freezer, we want to remember to take with us we put our key on said food.  We can't leave without the key so we remember the food.  Or..... when we need to remember to do something it goes on the calendar - right?  If it isn't on my calendar it probably isn't going to get done.  One of my favorite reminders is my prayer scarfs.  The prayer shawl group, at one of the churches I served, gave me the first scarf when I had to drive in BAD winter weather.  The second prayer scarf is a red one I can wear when I'm doing a memorial service -- a way to remember and honor my parents as I work with celebrating someone's life.

The readings today are about remembering and getting results.  In Genesis we know Jacob has just been wrestling and wakes up realizing "God is in this place." (v. 16)  When he gets up he places the stone "as a pillar" - a reminder. (v. 18)  In Romans we are reminded we are "children of God" (8:14) because of the Spirit.  (8:15:)  The Gospel reading has Jesus pointing out He "will tell the harvesters" what to do with the weeds and the wheat."  (Matthew 13:30)  We don't have to decide - God will.  We can remember God with us, the reminders we have, and continue to share as we learn and grow.

What reminders do you have?  Especially reminders of when you have really felt God's presence with you - guiding you and giving you strength?  Do you share, with others, what the reminder is and how God has helped in the past and is helping now?  As Caregivers we are busy, with schedules changing all the time, what "reminder" do we have of God's presence with us.  Something to think about........

"The seed that fell on the good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as has been planted."  (Matthew 13:23  NLT)

When I say, or you read, "seed" what do you think of?  How the "seeds" you planted are doing in your field or garden?  How to gather the "seeds" to plant or re-plant?  Or...what about how to take care of the "seeds" you planted?  How often, maybe even when, you need to water said "seeds"?  Or, maybe do you need to "feed" the seeds?

The readings, today, are about "seeds."  Rebekah is having twins with her "seeds." (Genesis 25:23) and Romans is reminding us how the Holy Spirit will take care of each of us - "living in us." (Romans 8:11) And Jesus is telling a story about seeds and then explaining the story in Matthew 13.  The question is are we paying attention, do we "truly hear and understand" (v. 23)  What are we doing with the "seeds" of God's Word?

What I want you to think of is a different kind of seed.  What about thinking of a "seed of an idea"?  Will you still listen to what God is saying?  Will you listen to someone else's "seed of an idea"?  As Caregivers we are VERY busy.  It seems like new things happen on a very regular basis.  Are we still open to new ideas - maybe even a new way of doing something?  Do we "truly hear" let alone "understand" what God is laying on our hearts?  Something to think about.....

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

​Do you still take naps?  I mean actually go lay down on the bed, snuggle under a blanket (quilt?), nap?  What about falling asleep in your chair?  My Dad could lay down, sometimes in bed but sometimes on the couch or in his chair, sleep for 20 minutes and be up ready to go again.  He did NOT pass on that ability.  I can also remember sending my son to "go take a nap" - or at least be in his room quiet - so I could rest.  Is this what you think of when I talk about naps?

The readings today point out the importance of "going to God."  In Genesis, the servant, Rebecca and Isaac all go to God to seek guidance.  (Genesis 24)  In Romans 8 we are reminded that the "law of the Spirit gives life."  (Romans 8:2)  But the biggest reminder is in the Gospel reading.  Jesus is reminding us to "come" to Him.  His "yoke is easy and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:30)  A yoke is for two, walking together - think of the picture we have all seen of the oxen pulling a wagon - Emmanuel, God IS with us.

Yes, we are tired and a LOT of things keep changing.  Yes, we continue to care for "our" people.  Yes, we are "weary" and in many cases "burdened." (11:28) So...are we going to God?  Are we asking for direction?  Are we letting Jesus walk WITH us?  Something to think about.........