WE MADE IT!

Good day dear friends.

There we are! We made it! On page 107 of the January, 2006 Texas Monthly. Well, we do find ourselves twice in the Bum Steer Awards, but our town is mentioned! For those of you not native to the state or who do not know about Texas Monthly or the BSA, TM is a thick monthly shopping catalogue with some articles thrown in from time to time. And the Bum Steer Awards is their way of poking fun of those missteps, misquotes, dumb moves, etc. that occurred in our fair state during the past year. The caption usually is a further slap of the content of the BSA entry. Ours reads, "We Always Said It Was Hell to Live in San Marcos." (their choice of words not mine). And the graphic is one of flames over the city limit sign and a rose growing out over the sign. The entry says, "Members of the clergy in San Marcos appealed to the U. S. Postal Service to change the city's major zip code, 78666, stating their concern that, according to the Book of Revelation, the last three digits had satanic connotations." I don't remember being a part of that delegation or meeting. The second entry is on the same page, where a photo of the two presidential Bushes and first lady Laura are shown, the little Bush and Mrs. Bush holding up the hook 'em horns hand sign and the entry reads, "Norwegian commentators expressed shock when President and Mrs. Bush flashed hook 'em signs to the University of Texas Longhorn Band during Bush's inaugural parade, because they interpreted the gesture as a satanic salute." The caption reads, "The Eyes of San Marcos Are Upon You." LOL. That's "Laughing Out Loud" for the nouveau net browsers.

I have to admit I used to tease Reverend Bill Henderson when he was senior pastor here at FUMC. He asked me to send him something and when he told me his zip code I said, "that's easy to remember, 7-8-Beast!" He laughed and said it was a good one. A former staff member would say, "7-8-Satan!"

The reference comes from an interesting chapter in a very complex and interesting book, The Book of Revelation, the closing book of our Bible. The chapter refers to a "beast" coming out of the earth. Here is that whole chapter for your reference:

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads; and on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And the dragon gave it his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have received a death-blow, but its mortal wound had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" 5 The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. It was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered. 9 Let anyone who has an ear listen: 10 If you are to be taken captive, into captivity you go; if you kill with the sword, with the sword you must be killed. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. 11 Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived; 15 and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person. Its number is six hundred sixty-six.

The beast in question has two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. It has the same authority as the first beast and it makes all of the inhabitants of earth worship the first beast who although had a mortal wound had been healed. It performs great signs even making fire come down from heaven to earth. It deceives the inhabitants of earth even making them make icons for worship of this first beast. Those who did not obey and worship this beast were killed. All had to be marked with a sign on the right hand or forehead with this mark of the number of the beast (666).

Actually, I think the 666 is the price of stamps the US Postal Service will be charging in a few years. What this message is intended to tell us varies from scholar to scholar and televangelist to televangelist. Some have referred this past to the Roman Empire and the way it dealt with believers during those reigns of emperors opposed to the Way. Others have said this is yet to come when the earth will lose all true believers to the Rapture, who are to be taken up into Heaven, leaving the marginal and nonbelievers behind who are to endure this test of obedience to God or the beast.

I personally believe the best solution is to be ready at all times to go before the Lord. You and I don't know the hour of our death and most of us want to be pleasantly surprised if not taken in our sleep. But a life lived in Christ Jesus eager to meet him in our service to others and in our dealings with others is the best and only way to live. Do I believe Jesus is coming back? Yes! When? Send me $29.95 and I'll tell you! (just joking!) No one knows, Jesus said, but after sharing that He would return He did talk about what we needed to do in the meantime: Clothe, feed, quench, visit, love, do for others (See Matthew 25-26). We've got so much to do for Jesus' sake we'll never die!

PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus to the busy-ness of my life and make me be busy for You! Let me seek to show You to others as I imitate You in my love and actions for others. I pray that You would let me see this is more important, to be in service to you and helping meet the needs of others than it is to be concerned about our zip code. Let the mark on my right hand be that of love and the mark on my forehead be that of Your knowledge and presence in my life. I pray in Your name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

HOW FORWARDS HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE!

Good day dear friends.

I have a dear friend who invented the internet. Well, he could have. He was the first person I knew who owned modern enough computer equipment to have invented the internet. It helped that his wife was the computer guru for the school district where we both lived some years back. He's a minister of the Presbyterian persuasion. So, with the latest and greatest gadgets and the money to acquire them, he soon had what had to be a 60 inch color monitor that sat directly in front of one of the first rear projection televisions hooked up to the first disc players that featured record-album sized discs. He had, I believe, The Blues Brothers and Saturday Night Fever on those discs. Keep in mind the personal computer is a relatively new thing. If you graduated from high school in the 60s or 70s, you did not have one at home waiting to help you research and write your essays and papers. I can almost bet money that this friend of mine was the first person to send me a Forward. Little did I or you know back then how these forwards would impact your life. Heck, we didn't know they would help our spiritual life!

Well, it was this friend that sent me this forward and I will just highlight the spiritual effects he mentions in this forward to me:

"As another year will shortly be a memory, my heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of you who have taken the time and trouble to send me "forwards" over the past 12 months. Thank you for making me feel safe, secure, blessed, and wealthy.

"Special thanks to whoever sent me the one about rat crap in the glue on envelopes 'cause I now have to go get a wet towel every time I need to seal an envelope.

Also, I scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason. Because of your concern, I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer drink Pepsi, or Dr Pepper, since the people who make these products are atheists who won't put "Under God" on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone might drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from, nor send packages by UPS, or FedEx, since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer answer the phone, because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan.

" no longer worry about my soul, because at last count I have 363,214 angels looking out for me.

Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

I no longer have any savings, because I gave it to a sick girl who is about to die in the hospital (for the 1,387,258th time)

I no longer have any money at all - but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special email program.

Yes, I want to thank you so much for looking out for me that I will now return the favor!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 7 minutes, a large pigeon with a wicked case of diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM (EDT) this afternoon. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of mine's next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician."

Yes, he is a pastor. And a funny one.

We sometimes treat the Bible as a forward. We can take it or leave it. Sadly, I heard (and now I'm sounding like a forward) that yesterday in a city near here some 'students' were having a "smut for smut" trade - if you brought in your Bible you would get a free men's magazine (whose name I won't honor by evening mentioning it) of the pornographic persausion. This is exactly the time of year we need such campaigns and attitudes towards the personal, love letter from God to you and me sent in the form of the baby whose birth we celebrate Sunday.

My prayer is that our attitude towards God be a special one, not only today and during this season but always. May we realize that Christmas was God's answer to our personal needs. No, it's not a plea from the widow of a multimillionaire financial officer of some obscure country who only needs your personal bank account so that she can deposit her husband's money in it; this is God saying, "I will personally deposit in your heart my love."

PRAYER: Come, God of love and share Your love with me. Let me enjoy it everyday as I realize how much You cared by sending Jesus for me. It is in his name that I pray. Amen.

Have a great day! And forward this to 144,000 (that's biblical counting) of your closest friends.....

Blessings,

e.v.

SO, WHERE'S THE SNOW?

Good day dear friends.

We thank you for your prayers. Carli arrived safely home from Granada, Spain almost on time! Her plane was delayed due to weather in London but she was on the right flight at the right time (not that there was ever any doubt! Okay, just a wee bit!) Thank you also for your prayers for my preaching at The Woodlands UMC in The Woodlands, Texas (north of that hamlet, Houston). The people there were very nice and I enjoyed visiting with my friend, Dr. Ed Robb, senior pastor of the church.

As we pray today please remember to lift up the Kingsbury family. Sally will be remembered today at 4 p.m. in New Braunfels at Oakwood Baptist Church. Please pray for her mom and dad, Leonard and Corrinda Mueller. This has been a most difficult time for them.

Devotional Thought:

Psalm 147:16 God gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. 17 He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?

We left for Galveston on Saturday afternoon. We left after hearing on Friday night the weather forecasters saying that by Monday night we would have freezing rain with the chance of snow on Tuesday! Now, most of you will remember that last year snow did come to Texas. It snowed on S. Padre Island, it snowed on Galveston island. It even snowed in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas where folks made snow angels and small snowmen. But do you remember where it did NOT snow? It did not snow here! Relatives in Houston and the Valley calling and emailing pictures of their snow days, folks here in San Marcos just smiling and grinning and saying, great, thanks, so glad to hear it... All the while thinking, where's our snow? Are we that sinful that God chose to leave us out of the snow storm? Right now most of us are saying forget snow, how about some rain?

Now I like snow. It's good to see for the first time and enjoy all that it brings, but I've lived in Denver where after a day snow loses its appeal. I remember that first snow where it actually stayed on the ground and I remember thinking this is great, I need to drive around all of Denver to see what it looks like. I got in my little four speed manual transmission powered car and decided to take a look around Denver. I drove from my apartment high atop a hill down to the first four-way stop. I thought this is so pretty! And as I'm about five yards from the stop sign applied by brakes. Now when it snows there's usually a slick surface to the streets which would be ice. And when you're doing down hill it's a good idea to start applying your brakes high atop the hill and pray that no one is at the four way stop thinking they have the right of way. I thank God no one was there to hit nor to see my small car make its way up someone's lawn. Thank God that lawn stopped the Texas-licensed plated car! Did I learn my lesson? Of course not! I wasn't married then. I didn't have the luxury of an experienced commentator reminding me of how to drive (and I do appreciate that very much, dear!) I decided it might be safer to drive on Interstate 25. So up the entrance ramp I go and I notice not too many folks taking advantage of this wonderful snow weather! Where is everyone? Don't they like snow too? Their loss, I thought! Well as this Texan approached the first overpass, the car decides to turn the Mazda into the Mad Tea Cup ride at DisneyWorld. I spun around about four or five times on that bridge and all without hitting the guardrail or falling off the bridge. Did I learn then? Yes, thank God. I said, I now know where everyone is. They're in the warmth and comfort of their own home, enjoying the snow from their window.

God is an awesome God. God has all power in all things even in nature. We sometimes don't understand how and why God works in some things but all the more reason to trust Him more. We need to realize that when we come up against something as powerful as nature we are limited beings whose trust and hope is in God and not in ourselves.

PRAYER: Thank you dear God for the gift of this precious day. Thank you for the wonderful blessings that are ours that have come from Your loving hand. Help us to enjoy this day just as it is. We do pray that those dependent on rain would find soon a relief and solution to that which they face. We pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

THE ROLE OF THE COMFORTER

Good day dear friends. Our prayers are with Mr. Houston Marney as he undergoes a heart cath this morning. Also for those facing unemployment or job changes during this holiday season. Also, for Connie Webb, former member of our church, who will visiting the city and Sights and Sounds, our city's Christmas event, was struck by a car. Reports are that she has left ICU and is doing much better than expected. Prayers for those whose loved ones are battling cancer.

Here is our study guide:

Thursday: Read Romans 8:18-27. This passage speaks of the “sufferings of this present age” which we know to mean those things addressed by Isaiah’s prophetic words. Read this passage and find what God’s message to you is found there. Read and enjoy those verses that proclaim the deliverance and freedom we find in Christ Jesus.

Here is that passage from NRSV: 8:18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

God knows our sufferings. God is with us. However you define or whatever it is that you're experiencing as a suffering, you are not alone, God is with you. In this powerful passage that I recommend in its entirety, Paul is addressing very serious sufferings by the early Church. Convinced that Christ would come back in their lifetime, many believed in Him. Yet as time passed, persecution and prosecution against the church began and many began to lose their lives and their loved ones. These were the greatest sufferings one could imagine experiencing for the sake of the Lord. Paul writes these words of personal faith because he himself had suffered (and would suffer even death) for the sake of Jesus.

This week those verses beginning with verse 26 spoke to the heart of a dear church member whose daughter is facing death because of cancer. We sometimes reach those points where we're cried out or tired out or spiritually drained, and it is precisely at those moments that God's Holy "Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." The best prayers may be those that the Holy Spirit prays for us when we think we can't pray. Paul knew that those sighs of despair and hurt were precisely what God would use to bless us in our situation.

May this Advent journey continue to bless and strength us all. May the promise and hope of He born a baby on Christmas be ours now and forever.

PRAYER: Loving God, come into my heart today. Help those who need Your presence, especially those suffering so much they can no longer pray. May the words of Paul be the comfort needed by so many, that You're there and You understand even the sighs and groans uttered by us. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

GOD OF THE OPPRESSED

Good day dear friends. Please remember Pat Dentino in prayer as she undergoes surgery here in SM at the CTMC. Also, Bonnie Blayney of San Antonio undergoing cataract surgery today; may the Lord give her patience as she won't be able to read for a few weeks (no Internet!!). Also, Walker Neighbert may be released from Children's Hospital today. He still faces about four weeks of antibiotic treatment at home. Ryan Tyler Lewis was also mentioned yesterday as having to be taken to the hospital in SA with pneumonia and asthma. It was also his mom's (Tara) birthday.

We continue our Advent Study of "What the World Nees Now is Jesus." Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: Let’s visit Psalm 9:9. What do we find there concerning the oppressed? What is God’s interest in caring for the oppressed? There are some 42 verses of God’s concern for the oppressed throughout the Bible. The “Preacher” who we call the author of Ecclessiastes writes in 4:1, words about the oppressed. Who would you consider the oppressed today? Have you personally been oppressed? How were you delivered? What role do you see God playing in delivering the oppressed? How can you share that message with others.

Here are the two passages mentioned above:

Psalm 9:9: The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Eccl 4:1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed--with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power--with no one to comfort them.

I consider oppression one of the greatest sins humans can sin. Yesterday while reading and reflecting that thought occurred to me. We face an endless debate of this sin or that sin and we worry about which sin will cause a schism in our denomination, etc., but in very real ways, we're divided by systems in place that cause the oppression of some by others. We could also debate this without end, but let me just say, God holds a special place in His heart for the oppressed. As the Psalmist said, God "is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Nellie, Caty, and I toured the Alhambra, a Moorish stronghold in Granada, Espana. During the peak days of the tourist season one can wait hours until you get inside. During the cold days of November the wait was about five minutes to purchase the tickets and walk the grounds of this amazing structure. It overlooks the city of Granada with some incredible views. It also peers out toward the Sierra Nevada, which were beautifully capped with snow when we were there. And for many years, this stronghold protected those inside. The location provided a view to see who might be coming against them. The walls provided the resistance against invading forces. And one could understand why for so long this stronghold was considered inpenetrable. The day came when the Spanish overcame it. But unlike those strongholds made by human hands, God's stronghold can never be overcome. And for those facing oppression no better place to seek comfort and hope than in the presence of God.

You and I have been oppressed in some ways and we've seen deliverance. There are those who don't yet share our hope and our call is to share that hope with them. Our message is God's message: God can set us free! God can see us through!

PRAYER: God of love and hope, thank you for being the God of the oppressed. Thank you for delivering us from those times we've either felt or truly have been oppressed. Help us to help those still in that place. Let the message of promise come to life today. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS JESUS!

Good day dear friends. We had a wonderful Lord's Day yesterday. At 11 we welcomed The Jim Cullum Band and they treated us to some wonderful Christmas music done jazz style and we were blessed. Jim is a very gracious guy who donated half of the proceeds from the sale of his CDs (actually he only recovers his cost) to the church. His presence brought back many memories of Christmases past.

At 8:30 we had our traditional service and yours truly shared an Advent message with the above title. Using the passage from Isaiah 61:1-11, we made the case for the world still having the same needs for Jesus. We also talked about God's neverending desire to be in relationship with us, desiring children, not grandchildren. I stressed how important Advent is as a time to receive Jesus as being real and our personal Lord and Savior and to stop keeping Him at arm's length as a good idea or concept. We need to keep Christ in Christmas in our hearts and homes and not be worried about retailers who have chosen not to use the word "Christmas" in their stores or ads. The real danger comes when we remove Christ from our hearts and homes. The same is true about prayer. We can still complain that we cannot pray in schools, but sadly, some kids don't pray at home.

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: For today let’s go to the Psalms. In Psalm 34:18 what do we find there? Is there a connection between what God said in yesterday’s Isaiah passage and this one? Do you think God really cares about the brokenhearted? Now let’s go to Psalm 147:3. What does it say there? I ask again, do you believe God really cares for the brokenhearted? Why do you suppose this is?

Isaiah stresses God's promise to care for all who are hurting. The first verses of chapter 61 read, "61:1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn." We hear God's concern for the brokenhearted. I asked if in 2,000 we had finally overcome heart break. The answer is no. For differing reasons we know brokenhearted people and every day brings a new crop of brokenhearted folk. Their plight is the Lord's delight. That's precisely what the Psalmist says in Psalm 34:18:

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit."

Is there a connection between Isaiah and the Psalms? Yeah. It's the same God sharing His concern. It's the God of hope and life calling for those who find themselves far from hope and living in despair to come out of that situation and back into the fullness of life. Does God really care about the brokenhearted? Yes! God knows what thoughts go through the minds of those brokenhearted. Last Wednesday morning, Rev. Del Brown shared with the United Methodist Men at our monthly breakfast about the 22 year-old grandson of one of our retired UM pastors, who because of the breakup with a girl, committed suicide. The heart break of this young man led him to do something terrible. And his actions led to the heartbreak of his parents and grandparents and all of his family. "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted." The key is knowing and claiming that. When we're at our lowest, God is at His highest, and if we take hold of Him, He will lift us up.

The second Psalm for this morning says, "He (GOD) heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds."(147:3)

Again, God cares and heals the brokenhearted. God cared so much He sent Jesus, who identified with our hurts and pains. The One who cried at graveside for His friend, is the One who comforts us when we cry for our loved ones. The One who carried our hurts and shames, is the One who can lift us up.

Let the message of Advent be your personal message from God. God is with you and will lift you up. Receive that today!

PRAYER: Loving God, bring comfort and hope to the brokenhearted. comfort those who mourn. Bring the promise of a new, better day to those who think their world has ended today. Use me to share that message. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

A SEASON OF PEACE

Good day dear friends. A cold day here in Central Texas! The high today is expected to be 38 and San Marcos schools will open today at 10 a.m. This is something we Texans are not used to! We went to Wel-Mart last night and in the 20 minutes we were inside ice had formed on our vehicle! Please stay safe.

We continue our study of Advent, All Signs Point to Jesus!

Here is our study guide for today:

Thursday: Read John 14. This is an awesome chapter of Jesus’ love for His disciples and us, especially as He has revealed to them the need for His death. Notice there is nothing final in those words of promise and hope that the Lord offers to us. Note especially Jesus’ promise to “come again” in verse 3. If your “Point A” is centered on loss and sadness because of someone’s death, let the Lord loving speak to you through these words from Jesus in this chapter. If you’re already at “Point B” please be in prayer for those who are still languishing at Point A.

Here is that passage:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. 15 "If you love me, you will keep {Other ancient authorities read [me, keep]} my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, {Or [Helper]} to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in {Or [among]} you. 18 "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them." 22 Judas (not Iscar'iot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. 25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, "I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

This was Jesus' P.E.P (Pre-Eternity Promises) talk to the disciples. Jesus had revealed to them that He was to suffer much and die and the disciples reacted much as we would; so Jesus shares the words of this chapter. If ever there was a "Point B" it's found here. Jesus covers the essential. He begins by addressing the heart. Jesus knew the heart is troubled at the loss or thought of the loss of a loved one. He then shares about His Father's house and how it has many rooms (mansions in the KJV) for those who believe in Him. Jesus mentions that this place is being prepared for us and that His desire is to have us with Him, a continuation of the invitation of God to be in relationship with us. This is the eternal relationship God desires.

This time of year is especially difficult for so many who are grieving the loss of a significant person in their life. The coming holiday of Christmas is one that most do not like having to spend alone without that loved one. We pray that God's comfort be with those who are facing the first Christmas without a spouse or parent or family member. May these words of promise from the Lord be yours.

PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit with Your comfort to all who feel the pain of the season. Come to all of us and bring to us the hope that Jesus desired to share with us. Speak to us tenderly and give us your peace. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

e.v.

ORPHAN MOMENTS

Good day dear friends.

There is much celebration in our household, even in the midst of this intestinal bug that Nellie and I share, because Caitlin was accepted to Texas Woman's University in Denton. This is answered prayer for mom and dad as we have trusted the Lord to allow for us to provide a college education for the four and this is our baby now assured that come next fall she will be leaving for Denton. (That's mixed emotion for us!) Please keep Carli in prayer as she travels to Italy for some days there, and then returns to Espana to complete her last week there.

We continue to study the Advent message of "All the Signs Point to Jesus." Advent is our spiritual journey of awakening to the hope that is ours from God as found in Jesus. If we prepare during Advent, the full message and blessing of Christmas will truly be ours.

Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: Read how God’s love for us is so awesome. The passage from Isaiah on Sunday spoke to our hearts about God’s plan through Jesus. For today, read how Jesus speaks to the needs of His disciples and us in John 14:18-19. What are your impressions on reading those words from our Lord? Do you ever fell left “orphaned?” How could God be your loving, caring parent during those times?

Here is that passage from John 14:18-19:
18 "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.

Just a reminder about Sunday's Isaiah passage, it came from Isa. 40:1-11. God's love is awesome. If you stop and think about it, it makes no sense, how God could possibly love us after some of the blunders we commit! The story of Israel with their I love you God stance one day, the Leave us alone stance the other, is enough to make you think that God would have been well within reason to either destroy or dismiss them. But the messages that we now associate with Advent tell us, God never gives up on us, for God sent Jesus. For those twelve that got to walk with Jesus and hear and witness all that Jesus could do, to hear in this 14th chapter of John that Jesus was to suffer death and to go and "prepare a place," was a terrifying moment. Jesus captured their fears well by comforting them with the words found in 18 and 19 above. "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live."

I think we've all lived an "orphan" moment when we felt completely alone and helpless and thought we had nowhere to turn. We may have cried or worried more than we should, but in the midst of that turmoil came the quiet but strong presence of the Lord to reassure us that we are not orphans, God is with us. Advent is a time that prepares us for a birth. God provided Mary as the mother, Joseph as the father, with God being for all eternity the parent that really counts. Jesus was aware of that and shared that with the twelve and in turns shares it with us.

If you're going through an orphan moment, get out of your system all that is troubling you. Nothing wrong with a good cry or a yell. Please limit it to that. Don't do anything rash. But do pray. And do trust God. Know that His word is true. Even in orphaned moments, God is there. His love, peace, strength and comfort is ours. Christmas will allow us to say no only does the Christ child have loving parents, we do too!

PRAYER: Come, loving God into our moments of despair and loneliness. Come when we feel alone and helpless and bless us with that that Your Son offered to us, a Parent of love present with us always and everywhere. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

MOVING BEYOND POINT A

Good day and welcome back! Actually you all expressed your welcome backs to us yesterday in worship and we appreciated that. We had a great trip and had we not all caught some sort of bug upon arriving here we would have been fine yesterday! For those of you who didn't know, we took a ten day vacation to London, England, and Granada, Espana. Marvelous trip! It was great seeing Carli and she should be home on the 18th. Please keep her in your prayers.

Yesterday we continued our study of Advent with a sermon entitled, "All the Signs Point to Jesus!" And Advent is that spiritual journey that allows the wonder of Christmas to made full by allowing it to "come home" into our lives. As an illustration I shared how I had missed a Boy Scout camping trip while still a grade schooler in Kingsville. This trip had taken our troop to Mathis where the boys who attended got exposed to the deliciousness of persimmons. I had only heard about persimmons through Deputy Dawg or one of those 1950s cartoons. (I justed checked and one online source says that Musky used to get in trouble for stealing persimmons from the Sheriff's tree.). My friend could not describe the persimmon with enough detail. He used words like "juicy, delicious, wonderful," and he talked about how the fruit had just squirted everywhere and run down his face onto his uniform and his jeans. And for some forty-some odd years I took his word for it. Persimmons didn't grow in my neighborhood and the little grocery store where we shopped didn't have much beyond bananas, apples and oranges. And those times I happened to be in a fancy grocery store and saw them I just left them there. But one morning while in Granada, Nellie and I ate at the hotel's breakfast buffet. We had pretty much thought breakfast in Espana was a "tostada" which is a Subway 6-inch sub sized bread cut in half and toasted. You get to put butter or jam or both on it and eat it with coffee or tea. There were other versions but we didn't know of them until later. We thought a buffet might have more "American" fare like eggs, bacon, etc. This one was like a cold cut buffet with all kinds of cold cuts and cheeses, cereal, juices, and fruit. In the fruit platter there was a huge persimmon. I thought, "If this is included in the price I will at long last discover what a persimmon tastes like!" I asked the waitress if everything on the table was included in the price of the buffet and she said it was, so onto my tray comes this huge fruit. I didn't quite know how to eat it so I cut a piece for me to see if it wouldn't ruin my teeth by biting into it. And I discovered in 2005 what my friend had known since about 1963 or so. Advent is that journey of faith that brings into our lives that which has been "out there" for so long. Advent means preparing to taste, as the Psalmist says, "that the Lord is good."

So, here is today's study guide:

Monday: Please read Matthew 3:1-6. In this passage we find what many believers call the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in yesterday’s text. Read that passage and see how the messenger in Matthew can be compared to the messenger mentioned in Isaiah. Why do you supposed God needed to foretell His people of this need in their lives? As was covered in yesterday’s sermon, God knows that in our Point A there is a need. What is at your point A?

Here is the Matthew passage: 3:1
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' " 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

We also talked about Advent being our realization that there is a Point B to our Point A's of faith. And in this passage we find what many believers hold as the fulfillment of Isaiah's text from yesterday (Isa 40:1-11). Could John the Baptist be the messenger with the message from Isaiah? Verse two declares that he is, and from verses three and four, John's dressed the part. More importantly, the coming of John as a messenger before Jesus' public ministry is important for the people to know that God has not abandoned them nor given up on them. God still desired relationship with them and in Jesus was making that invitation to them. God very much wanted people to move before their Point A's, their starting points of faith, to a realization or awakening point (Point B) for their lives.

What we find surrounding us at our Point A is what makes our journeying with God difficult. Doubt, worry, confusion, illness, fear, etc. all serve to keep us from venturing out with God. And Advent is that time that says God has, as Isaish foretold, "paid the price," and we should trust God.

What is at your Point A today? Are you standing still spiritually because of what you find surrounding you? Let God speak to you to let you know, everything's been taken care of. God has paid the price and God has made every low point high, and all the challenges of what seem to be mountains, low. It's your call!

PRAYER: Loving God, we thank you for being with us regardless of where we are. If we find ourselves stuck in a place spiritually right now, come and lovingly take us to where You would have us be. Let us not be overcome with fear and doubt about today or tomorrow but let us know all has been paid through Christ Jesus. For it is in His name that we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

SUNDAY WORSHIP AT WESLEY'S CHAPEL!

What an experience the Lord allowed us! It was a very moving and very powerful experience for the four of us! Afterwards, we visited John Wesley's home, saw the bed in which he died, saw his grave, and ran to catch a train to the airport!

OPEN WIDE THE GATES!

The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun (Paperback)
by Paul Hattaway

IT'S OUR CHOICE, NOT GOD'S!

Good day dear friends.

I'm reverting back to the standard no "rich-text" style of the last few ConCafes as I've heard from some that the full message did not make it to your mailbox. Most ConCafes, not prayer results, are archived at http://theuniversityoftheway.blogspot.com.

Here is our study guide for today:

Thursday: Let’s go to the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Look up Rev. 7:4-17. In this passage we catch a glimpse of the last “government” that of God. What are your thoughts about this governing system? Compare that with Rev. 20:10. What do you think about that “government?”

Here is that passage in NRSV:

7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel: 5 From the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6 from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed. 9 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 singing, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" 14 I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

In pure worship, there is only one political party present and that is The Kingdom of God. While we may debate what constitutes "pure" worship, let us just say when we feel God's spirit moving and we are touched at our core by knowing God's awesomeness and our need to receive God's love, that is close enough for me and most. I just returned from our fall board meeting of the trustees of Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. We were honored to be on campus for the Tuesday chapel service. And this is always a moving experience. Guests, especially those visiting the campus as prospective students are received like one would imagine receiving the winning team of the Super Bowl. I kid you not, the guests are introduced by name, asked to stand, and the applause and the whooping and yelling that follows is beyond belief. The audience, made up of faculty and students and other guests do not stop clapping and yelling until the worship leader introduces, or tries, the next guest. It's no wonder this seminary has among the highest enrollment of most US seminaries of any denomination. Then the singing in that chapel with some of the most wonderful voices on God's earth join together to praise God like no other place. We were just honored in having President Jeffery Greenway on our campus and on Sunday morning during our worship services, his voice easily dominated most of our sanctuary, but at Asbury his voice is not even heard!

Such is the image I have of the passage that we just read. In this glimpse of Heaven, John records this type of pure worship in which the citizens of Heaven join together to praise He who will be praised for all eternity. This is in radical contrast to the picture we had of the assembly in which Samuel, dejected and rejected as God's representative, heard the cries of God's people asking for a king, all the while rejecting God as their king. I hate to wonder this, but I wonder how many in Samuel's crowd are among those in John's crowd? I'm sure there are some and I believe it was those who ultimately realized that what matters eternally is where our hearts and devotion to He who will reign forever are in terms of pure worship and understanding of God's place in our lives. What are your thoughts about this governing system in place there in Heaven?

Let's look now at Rev. 20:10: "And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Not a pretty picture nor one I hope to see in person, but again, here is a governing system that has come to a terrible end. I wonder again, how many of Samuel's crowd, chose for themselves, to be in this scene? Remember it is OUR choice, not God's, to either surrender to God or to live our lives separated from Him. And it is our choice to face that consequence of our lives' choices.

How will we vote today? To seek God and to serve and worship Him with all our lives? Or are we content to vote against God and that which God offers? Sometimes it is not an easy choice and one we shouldn't make alone. Through prayer and worship attendance and fellowship with other believers we can make eternal choices that glorify God.

PRAYER: Eternal God, let my heart seek to worship You today in purity and truth. Let me make those choices and decisions that will allow You to govern my life in ways that are life-affirming and pleasing to You. I pray for those on my heart that do not yet know you. I pray for those who have asked me to pray for them and their loved ones that they may come to your saving grace. And I pray in the name of He who died for me, Jesus my Lord. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

Go and Vote!

Good day dear friends.

Note of thanks: Our sister Glenda Martin received a good report this past week. Louise Pollard, under hospice care, is responding very well to new treatment. Sally Kingsbury received a very good report as well.

Prayers for Pat Dentino, undergoing surgery today. And for our sister Billy Hardesty also having surgery today. May the Lord bless them with a great victory through these.



It's election day and that's what this message will be about. But first, here is the study guide:

Tuesday: Read 1 Samuel 8:4-20. In this passage the people make a drastic decision about their form of government. This passage shows who they were rejecting and what they were agreeing to when they made the decision. How would you have “voted” had you been present in that group during that time? TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! GO VOTE!

Here is that text in The Message version:

8:4 Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah. 5 They presented their case: "Look, you're an old man, and your sons aren't following in your footsteps. Here's what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else." 6 When Samuel heard their demand - "Give us a king to rule us!" - he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God. 7 God answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking. They are not rejecting you. They've rejected me as their King. 8 From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they've been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they're doing it to you. 9 So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they're in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they're likely to get from a king." 10 So Samuel told them, delivered God's warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king. 11 He said, "This is the way the kind of king you're talking about operates. He'll take your sons and make soldiers of them - chariotry, cavalry, infantry, 12 regimented in battalions and squadrons. He'll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. 13 He'll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks. 14 He'll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. 15 He'll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy. 16 Your prize workers and best animals he'll take for his own use. 17 He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves. 18 The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don't expect God to answer." 19 But the people wouldn't listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We will have a king to rule us! 20 Then we'll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles."



"It's the cost of doing business," one could easily say to the above passage, but you realize 1) The rejected God as their king, 2) they no longer wanted to be "an example to the nations," 3) they would pay any price. God told Samuel to tell them honestly: 1) you'll lose your sons, 2) you'll lose your daughters, 3) you'll lose your land, 4) possessions, 5) start paying taxes, 6) you yourselves will be forced to work on the king's land, 7) you'll lose your prize animals and livestock. What a price just to say, "We're like everybody else!" And sadly, they put their faith and trust in humans rather than God. Reread that last verse in this passage. "Our king will rule us, lead us, and fight our battles." What a way to vote.

How many times haven't we voted in that way as well? We vote for ourselves or our friends and without realizing it, we're voting against God himself.

Today as you cast your vote, please remember all that God has entrusted to us and let us vote in a way that glorifies God; vote compassion, vote love, vote in a way that cares for "the least of these." Pray before you vote. Familiarize yourself with all that is before us and then go and make a difference!

PRAYER: God of life, we thank you for the freedoms, precious and costly that they are, and we thank you for the right we have to vote. Let us use our vote to serve You. Let us seek to vote in a way that is compassionate, loving, and caring for the least of these. We pray in the name of He who paid the price, Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!



e.v.

How Then Shall We Vote?

Good day dear friends.

Yesterday our sermon was on the responsibility we as Christians have to vote. We studied the forms of government we find in The Bible and how we as Christians "vote" every day in terms of our obedience and faithfulness to the Lord and whether we're pleased with God or not. Ours is the responsibility to cast our votes to show compassion, love, the idea of our being a part of the Body of Christ, and to care for "the least of these."

If you're not registered to open, your priority would be to pray for those who are that they would be motivated to vote. Your second priority is to go and get registered to vote in the next election!

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: In Genesis 41:37-44, we find an interesting story of power. Read the story and see how God used this man to rule over a foreign nation. What lessons can we learn from this particular lesson of government?

Here is that passage in NRSV: Genesis 41: 37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone else like this—one in whom is the spirit of God?" 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." 42 Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharaoh put it on Joseph's hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in the chariot of his second-in-command; and they cried out in front of him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."

This is part of the Joseph story. The "key" to Joseph's success as a Hebrew in an Egyptian court is found in verse 38. Even pharoah could see there was dwelling in Joseph "the spirit of God." We know from reading all the story that God had blessed Joseph because Joseph sought God and God's direction in all the he undertook. You remember that Joseph found himself the victim of a terrible plot by his older brothers and this may have been enough for others to have given up on families and even in God but he didn't. He knew that even in the midst of this that he was suffering he needed God. And God blessed all he did, and took him from that pit where he was thrown, to a jail until he finds himself in the palace of Pharaoh. And not just any place, but the second in command to all of Pharoah.

St. Paul would have said as we read in Romans, that any style government helps the believer if the believer seeks to serve God. (Romans 13). In Joseph's case, he finds himself first as a slave sold into captivity and later as the second most powerful ruler in this government where the Pharoah ruled as sole authority over the people. Joseph never quit praying nor waiting on God.

As we prepare to see the results of this election and the issues before us, we pray that our votes, as guided by God, would serve to glorify God.

PRAYER: Lord of all life, we pray that you would bless me to a deeper understanding of who I am in the midst of where I am. Let me seek Your face and Your blessing each and every day so that in all things I would be a blessing to You and to Yours. I pray this in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

WHAT IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE?

Good day dear friends.

We continue our study of being a radioactive (radiant) Christian. Here is our study guide for today.

FYI: Lee Sowell's farewell party set for this coming Saturday has been cancelled due to her surgery and rehab. Lee is in great spirits in Room 326 at CTMC. Please continue to pray for her and her upcoming move to Oklahoma. Her daughter-in-law was coming to help coordinate the movers.

Tuesday: Look up 2 Peter 3:9 and read what is shared there. God’s concern is for who? What does God desire instead of what is destined for those who don’t know Him? How can you be a part of turning that tide around?

Here is that text from the NRSV:

3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

God's concern is for you and me. Notice what the verse says, God does not want "any to preish, but all to come to repentance." The whole point of these series of sermons has been to better equip us all to do God's will in the world. The work of God's kingdom is to bring others into it. Kingdom work is to rescue the perishing. And thank God His promise is giving us opportunities right now to give witness to our faith so that others might come along.
As was presented Sunday, our sharing our faith is part of our purpose as Christians. To bring fulfillment into our lives we must be praying about when and where and how to share our faith. It won't be easy and as we heard, it may complicate our lives, but it bring eternal dividends. To be a Christian is to be part of a long-term (eternal) investment plan. We're not in it for the short-term quick payoff. We're dealing with seed planting and God nurturing business. We must possess the faith and patience of farmers with the dedication and love of avid fishermen and the optimism of hardened golfers.

PRAYER: God of eternal reward, equip me now to serve You. Let Your Holy Spirit guide me to a better understanding of the how and when I should open my mouth. Let my heart be open right now to share now. I ask this in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!



e.v.

SALT AND LIGHT

Good day dear friends.

The report is that our sister Lee Sowell is in good spirits and recovering well from emergency knee surgery at CTMC (Rm 326). Pray for her complete recovery.

We spoke on "Being a Radioactive Christian" yesterday in terms of radiating our faith to others. Now more than ever the world has shown that folks are looking for spiritual answers except they're going in the wrong direction. Many are choosing Eastern religions, some are going to the occult, some to Satanism, others to things that offer spiritual "answers." While we as Christians respect their right to choose, we also have something to share given the right opportunity and setting. And the best way is simply by living out our faith in an attractive way.

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: For today read the passage in Matthew from The Sermon on the Mount that talks about us being “salt” and “light.” (Matthew 5:13-16). What are your thoughts on what Jesus meant about our being both of these things? List as many uses of salt as you can. List as many uses for light as you can. Now apply these to your spiritual life.

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.



Salt. Yesterday our children's ministry coordinator shared the children's sermon and she played a match game. Using the kids' imaginations she asked to think of something that "went" with whatever she would show. She pulled out a jar of peanut butter and of course several yelled out "jelly!" The next item was a Morton's salt container and the first little boy closest to her yelled, "pepper!" What household in our country doesn't have one of those salt containers? Yes, there are some where medical reasons have prompted doctors to tell so many of us no more salt and so there are no salt shakers on our tables. Most will say, "there's enough salt in foods, especially processed food, just enjoy that." If you've ever cooked a meal and have forgotten the salt you know that you might as well toss out the meal because sprinkling salt on a meal that should have had salt is not the same thing. I remember my first attempt to impress my bride I made supper and I thought I would show her how good I could make carne guisada and I put in the comino (cumin), pepper, onion, some garlic. And I forgot the salt. Wrong.

Jesus spoke to a crowd that knew the purposes of salt with flavor being one of them. A Christian who lives her/his life in a positive manner brings flavor to life. There is joy and excitement and folks around the Christian are usually blessed. Jesus also spoke to a crowd that knew salt was the preservative of the day. Until refrigeration became a household item, meats and other things were coated with salt to preserve those food stuffs until they could be cooked. A Christian grounded in his/her faith lives their life in a way that preserves the goodness of Christ's teachings; others will want to know more. And lastly, salt was used as insulation. Using the ovens of the day salt was poured around the oven to help make the heat uniform and allow for breads and other items baked in the oven to cook better. Once the salt lost its purpose it was tossed out. Our faith can be the proper insulation to situations where without it we would lose hope or perish.

Light? Light brings vision and clarity in situations where it is needed. Without light we can't see what we're doing and we may lose our way.

How can you apply these to your daily life? Being a radiant Christian is a positive thing. If we share Christ's love with others just by our living we don't need words. But we should be open to opportunities where we could share a word of hope or peace and offer words of invitation to folks that we know need them.

Reflect on your life and how best you can be salt and light to others.

PRAYER: Lord, please share with me today how I can best serve You. Let me be truly salt and light to a world needing flavor and direction. I pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.



Have a great and blessed day!



e.v.

GOD IS THE GIVER OF ALL GIFTS

Good day dear friends. Okay, our congratulations to the White Sox and prayers for the Astros. They did make it to the World Series and that was a first. On to basketball...

Our prayers of comfort for the family of Ted Lowman, brother of Al, who died in Houston. His service will be on Friday at 2 p.m. here at First UMC.

Our thanks and prayers for Dr. Jeffery Greenway and his ministry. We were richly blessed by his messages during the Sowell Lectures. May the Lord continue to bless him and his family and the seminary.

He spoke on our spiritual gifts and how this is the generation that could see a revival like no other generation or to put it in his words, "for the first time in 1,700 years." He spoke of his belief that the scriptural curtain was going to be moved back and allow us to see and understand things like no other generation. One of the texts for one of his messages came from 1 Corinthians 12. Here is that passage:

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

I loved Dr. Greenway's illustration of Christmas morning at his house. Jeff and Beth have three children and to stretch their Christmas experience they place just a few gifts under the tree and then leave notes on the tree with clues on how to find their other gifts. This makes Christmas morning last three to four hours. Once all are gathered, they view (and compare) gifts. Sometimes the counting of notes makes them wonder why one child got more notes than the other. The parents will explain they all got the same monetary amount in gifts, it just worked out differently in terms of the quantity of gifts.

God is the giver of all gifts. God has given you a special gift, maybe more. Do you know what it is and how to use it? It may not be one of the ones listed above, but it still is a valuable gift worthy to be used in God's work. Keep in mind God has given you and me these gifts for the common good. The key is the connection one has with God and how we seek to stay connected and stay effective for the work of God. Through daily prayer and Bible study one learns more and is strengthened more to do the things God would have us do.

Don't fall for the thinking that comes that tells you, "You have no gifts." You do. Don't fall for believing that your gift isn't as "good" as someone else's. It is. And certainly don't fall for believing that God can't use you, God can and will!

Discover your gift. Display your gift. Deliver with your gift!

PRAYER: God of all gifts, I thank you for the spiritual gift you have shared with me. I pray that today I would discover more fully what it is you can do with my life to bless Your people. Let me not be led down the path of doubt and temptation thinking I am of no value to you, because You have said otherwise. I love You and I seek to serve You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

LIFE IN ABUNDANCE IS OURS!

Good day dear friends, OH, WHAT A FEELING! You will pardon my ranting and raving but you have to feel for the boy who in 1965 moved from Kingsville to Houston. I was among those first to see a baseball game played indoors at the 8th Wonder of the World! Right next door was still standing an equally impressive Colt .45 Stadium (kiddies, that was the name of the Houston team before they became the Astros). So, thank you God for the pennant; off to the big dance, let's win it all!

Our continued prayers for those of the church family who are ill. Pastor Leslie and I visited with Louise Pollard who is now under hospice care. Of the six new members we received Sunday, one is a resident at Care Inn of San Marcos, Evelyn Vroman whom we received by way of transfer from Cleveland, TN.

We continue our study of What We Have to Offer through our faith and we receive this as our study guide for today:

Thursday: Read again John 10:10. What does Jesus promise to do for us? What is the greatest part of that blessing for you and your life? I love the part where Jesus shows His strength over what Satan offers and says, He has come to bring us life and that how? Abundantly! Abundant life is ours if we allow Jesus to share it with us.

Here is that text in the NRSV:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Jesus' promise is to bring us life, with a capital L. His mission from God was to renew the relationship between God and God's creation. God used His Son to bring us new understandings of God's love and purpose for our lives. For too long the established religion was more about ritual and tradition and upholding those than it was about reaching people and sharing with them words of life. How easy it was for Jesus to say, "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy." (v. 10). A life lived outside of God falls easily into these three categories: Fullness of life has been stolen from you; if you stay away you will die spiritually then eternally; and everything else that could have been used for good falls into disarray and is destroyed.

Have you stopped recently to consider the difference between living and living in abundance? It's about the same as eating versus feasting. There are some meals meant just to be eaten; then there are those which are made for us to feast. It's like having a Thanksgiving meal every meal. It's the same with living versus living in abundance. It is knowing and accepting God is with us and we live our lives with that sense of rich blessing upon our lives. It gives us a new attitude, a new perspective, a new joy towards life even in the midst of whatever it is we face. Sometimes, if we look up, we can see over our problems and challenges, to the hope and peace that Christ meant to share with you and me.

PRAYER: Gracious God of abundant life, come now to my heart and place in it that life that Jesus promised. Help me to see beyond the pain and problems of right now to the peace and hope that is mine once I take You by the hand and walk with You. Thank you for all the blessings that are mine that have come from Your hand. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

HOUSTON, WE GOT A PENNANT!!

What a sweet headline to read in the online edition of the Houston Chronicle! Since 1965 I've been waiting, some of you longer. For the first time in their 44 year history, the Houston Astros are going to the big dance!! Yes, I cried some tears, this was LONG overdue! Much celebrating in my heart going on right now! I told the staff this morning the 'Stros were going to "pound the Cards, 17-1" I was close! Off by 12, but I'll take it!!!!

THE HOUSTON ASTROS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!

HOW TO BEST SHARE YOUR FAITH? PRAY ABOUT IT!

Good day dear friends. Dolly White underwent successful hip surgery
in San Antonio, let us thank the Lord for that. We continue to pray
for Louise Pollard whose breathing has changed and is now going into
hospice care at Hays Nursing Home.

For the family of Rev. Jose Velasquez, a retired Rio Grande Conference
pastor from San Antonio. A second career local pastor, he served as
Lay Leader at one of Bishop Martinez' first churches. Pray for his
family and for his funeral which is today.

Here is our study guide:

Wednesday: For our day of prayer and purpose, ask God for direction
on how to best share your faith with someone. I know you have someone
in mind for God may have placed that person there. How could your
life (actions, words) give evidence of your faith in Jesus Christ?
What special action of kindness could you do to bring attention or an
opportunity for you to share your faith?

CHECKLIST FOR PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Good day dear friends.

Let us be in prayer for Dolly White (Darryl's mom) undergoing hip surgery in San Antonio at the Nix Hospital. Also, for the Board of Ordained Ministry of our conference meeting at Mt. Wesley in Kerrville. And for the Astros. Lord, is it too much to ask?? I've only been a fan since 1964...

We continue our study of evangelism and what it is that we have to offer. Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: Read again the Romans 12 passage. Make this a checklist of what Paul is saying is ours if we commit our lives to Jesus Christ. Which ones are easy to check as those things we’re currently doing? Which ones have we left unchecked? What should we do about it?

Here is the Romans 12 passage: 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Here is your checklist, please check those that are true in your life. No check means a NO response.

( ) Is my love genuine?
( ) Do I hate evil?
( ) Do I hold fast to what is good?
( ) Do I love others?
( ) Am I outdoing others in showing honor?
( ) Is my zeal (enthusiasm) lagging?
( ) Is my spirit ardent (i.e. do I "burn" for the things of God?)
( ) Am I serving the Lord?
( ) Do I rejoice in hope? (Astros aside)
( ) Am I patient in suffering? (Okay, Astros included)
( ) Do I persevere in prayer?
( ) Do I give to the needs of the saints (church, needy)
( ) Do I show hospitality to strangers?
( ) Do I bless those who persecute me?
( ) Do I refrain from cursing those who curse me? (Fingers included)
( ) Do I rejoice with those who rejoice?
( ) Do I weep with those who weep?
( ) Do I live in harmony with everyone (family included)?
( ) Do I think I'm better than others?
( ) Am I aware of those I think are beneath me?
( ) Do I think I know more than everyone else?
( ) Do I seek revenge (repay evil for evil)?
( ) Do I share water with the thirsty?
( ) Do I help feed the hungry?
( ) Do I seek to overcome evil with good?

What a checklist! It might profit us more to print this out and have it somewhere where it will remind us that as Christians we know a better way to live. That list above shows things that the world is not used to seeing. It reflects a lifestyle not seen in most competitive settings. It also reflects a life lived in prayer asking God to help us because left to ourselves we do the opposite of most of the things on that list.

PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus into my heart and fill it with Your love. Let me be the person that I've been called to be when I said yes to you. I can't do it alone. I need You. So I will trust You and walk with You this day. I pray in Your name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

GOD CAN USE YOU NOW!

Good day dear friends. We had a wonderful time in worship yesterday
talking about "What We Have to Offer," a sermon on evangelism and
how it is we do have exactly what the world needs: The merciful
love of God through Christ Jesus. Our primary text was John 10:7-10
and as we see in our study guide for today, Matthew 28:19-20.

We had Coffee with the Pastor and we welcomed six new members!
We're excited for our church and we ask your prayers for these
members.

Monday: Reread the Matthew passage from yesterday. What in
that “Great Commission” sticks out to you upon this first reading of
the day? Read it a second time and see if you see or sense
something else for your life. Where is God calling you to serve Him
right this minute? Are you able? Are you afraid? Read the verses
again one last time. Notice what Jesus promises at the very end.
Claim this for your life!

This is the Matthew passage:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

To be commissioned means to be recognized and authorized to carry
out a particular work. For us as believers to have received the
Great Commission means we have marching orders to go and do as the
Lord said. The key word is the very first one: go. The New
Testament is filled with God calling folks and telling them to go.
Go is an action word. It means what it says, for us to not sit
around and wonder if indeed we were called or if God indeed intented
for it to be us that He called, it means go! Jesus gave this
initial order to the twelve but it is one we continue to receive as
our own, to share the good news of God's love through Christ with
all the world. The commission says we are to go to "all nations,"
not just ours or those who are allies with us, but ALL nations. We
are to offer them God's forgiveness as referenced in the "baptizing"
part of the commission, and we're to do it in the name of the triune
God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Ours is to be a teaching ministry as well. All that God offered us
through Christ is to be taught, and one of the greatest teachings is
that we find in verse 20: "I am with you always, to the end of the
age."

We stressed in the sermon that our call is to begin right now in
whatever setting we find God using us. We don't have to wait for a
mission trip or a service project; God can use us now. The person
sitting next to us in work or down the hall from our office, or
maybe next to us on the couch may be the person God has called us to
bring a word of hope and love. We start now!

How? Just by sharing what God has done for you. It doesn't require
an elaborate sermon or a fancy prayer, just a simple word of
sharing; "This is what helped me" or "this is what God did for me."

God is with you. We can do all things through Him who gives us
strength!

PRAYER: Use me now, dear God with those Whom you place in my path.
Let me share Your love and hope in a way that serves You. I pray in
the name of He Who gave Himself to us, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

WALKING IN THE PATH OF LIGHT

Good day dear friends.

We ask for prayer for our sister Billy Hardesty. She has the results of her biopsy and may face surgery soon. She will know by Friday the course her doctors want to take.

Pray today for our brother Jason Scull who is one of three finalists to do the LBJ sculpture for the university. We know that Jason would do a great job for Texas State.

We continue to study "This Little Light of Mine." Here is the study guide for today:

Thursday: Luke 1:67-80, in this Christmas story, a servant of the Lord makes a declaration about Jesus. Please read that passage and see what the servant had to say about Jesus being light. How is this still true for us today? Can we reflect or be the light as Jesus intended?

Here is that passage from NRSV:

67 And his father Zechari'ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

To know and love Jesus is to walk in light. To seek to do His will is to seek to do the things of light. Before we knew Jesus we were the ones mentioned in verse 79. We sat "in darkness and in the shadow of death." We needed to be pulled out of there. We needed someone to guide "our feet into the way of peace." There is nothing that we need more than what Jesus offers to us. To know we are loved by God enough to receive mercy for our sinfulness and to know our path is well lit is awesome. To be walking in the way of peace is to walk with that assurance that we're covered by God and that makes for our lives to be peaceful.

Yesterday at our Rotary meeting, one of our members set up a Christmas tree, pulled out some gifts from the bags he had brought in, and one of the gifts was a beautiful ceramic musical Christmas tree that played some songs of the season. Yes, it's only October but it was meant to get the club thinking about our Christmas Gala and the good that comes from that fundraiser. But it got me thinking about Who Christmas is about, Jesus. Jesus makes everyday like Christmas. After all, God shared with us the greatest gift: He who would be born to lead us in the way of peace and pay with his own life the price that would lead us out of darkness and out of the shadow of death.

PRAYER: Come, Lord of light and life into my heart today. Let the feeling in my heart be that of Christmas. Thank you for all you do and will continue to do. Let my life reflect Your light to bring blessings to others. I pray in Your name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

DIVINE RISK

Good day dear friends.

We continue our study of "This Little Light of Mine."

Here is our study guide for today:

Tuesday: To be a light of the world means to be a blessing to others so that they will know about God. Please read Genesis 12:2-3. This is the initial call from God to the father of the faith, Abraham, and how he and his wife Sarah, were to be “a blessing” to “all peoples of earth.” How is your life being a blessing right now? How could you be more of a blessing? Is this where God is calling you to serve?

Genesis 12:2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

That initial call from God to Abraham and Sarah was a difficult one. It was an invitation to leave everything familiar and comfortable behind. It was to leave behind family, friends, loved ones. It was to take a divine risk. Yet, God was up front in sharing what would come of this risk. We just read it in the above verses: "great nation," "bless you," "great name," "you will be a blessing," "bless the ones who bless you and curse the ones who curse you," "all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

God knew that through obedient living, these two and those whom they would influence, would bring a blessing from God. To know and trust and have a relationship with God, is the blessing. And to raise up a family, then a community, finally a nation with that knowledge would be a world blessing.

God still calls us to take divine risks. Each day we're alive we are presented with opportunities to trust God and to take a risk in sharing a blessing. We're still called to be a blessing to those around us. Are we doing that?

Most times it doesn't take that much, it just takes trusting God when we take those divine risks. God will share with us exactly what we need to be a blessing.

Listen to God's call. Be ready to say yes.

PRAYER: God of blessing, bless my life in a way that I cannot help but be a blessing for you. Help me take a divine risk today. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE!

Good day every one.

We were so blessed yesterday in our two traditional services. Our children took part in our annual Children's Sabbath. They took over the entire service and did a great job. All the children shone by their participation, which was great given that our topic for that Sunday was "This Little Light of Mine." The text came from Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

Here is our study guide for today:

Monday: Jesus knew that knowing the relationship God offers us is too good a thing to hide. He spoke of those who are in relationship to God to be the light of the world. Reread Matthew 5:14-16 and see what Jesus is talking about. As we start to speak of evangelism and the sharing of our faith, stop to ponder exactly what we have to offer others, especially those in the dark. We can’t be quiet about the Light of the world!

The text comes in the setting known as The Sermon on the Mount. In it Jesus shared revolutionary new ways of living that fulfilled the law. Jesus spoke of God's love and entering into relationship with God and others in new and exciting ways. He spoke of how to deal with one another in ways some have termed, "upside down living." In this particular passage Jesus is offering hope, not just to the listener, but to the world. Jesus is saying, with your lives lived in a positive manner before God you will shine, you will stand out and you will be an invitation for others to follow. Remember that this comes after Jesus shares the first steps of a hopeful faith, those first verses we know as the Beatitudes.

For us today, to live as Christians, is to live a life different from others who don't know Christ's love. To live a Christian life is not a privilege of cutting lines, or getting special deals; it is a life of responsiblity. We are called to serve others and put others ahead of us. It is to share God's love even with those who don't love us or even anyone back. To be a Christian is to reflect Christ. In today's Upper Room devotional (www.upperroom.org/devotional) the writer shares his aha reaction to the discovery that his postal carrier was a Christian. He said he should have known that the way his postal carrier treated and cared for others was based on this love between him and God.

Can it be said about us that we have that love? Can our carrying the love of Christ be compared to light in this world? Have those walking in darkness seen the light of Christ that we are living?

PRAYER: God of love and light, come and help me be the light for others. Let my life be a blessing of direction for those lost. I can't do it alone, I need You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blesse day!

e.v.

JACK VALVERDE

It's been a rough month at our house. As I posted back in September, on the 19th, our cat Toby died, and this past Friday, the 7th of October, Jack joined Toby in eternal rest.

We'd had Jack since he was a baby. He was one of two up for adoption, his sister, Jill, had already been taken, and Jack with his huge beautiful eyes won our hearts. We'll never forget taking him to the vet and the vet telling us, "with male cats, once they're fixed they have have to stay active or otherwise they'll grow up really big!" And he did. He amazed all who would come to our house. They would all say how big he was (he got up to 27 lbs.) and how beautiful he was. He was very photogenic and loved posing for pictures.



Mister Jack was his own cat (person). He obeyed only two people in the house, Carli, his owner, and me. Carli could tell him, "Jack, pretty eyes," and he would he would blink his eyes. He and I just fought for the same recliner.

We had Jack from our days in Mission, Texas, and I remember he didn't care for that move. He rode in the front seat of our car obeying only Carli to stay still. He eventally got used to our parsonage in San Antonio and I don't believe he cared much for the move to San Marcos.




I think Toby's dying and Carli's leaving for Spain were more than he could handle. Once Carli was out of the house and then Toby leaving, he didn't eat any more. We tried to feed him yogurt, his favorite, and even then he didn't eat much. Caty remembers one stormy night in SA when she asked, "Lord, please send someone to protect me," and Jack jumped on the bed, lay on her pillow and slept besides her all night.

Jack was a special blessing to our family and we really love him and miss him. We've since added Princess Fiona to our household and she's got big shoes to fill.

Jack, enjoy your rest in the Lord and we pray to see you someday.

QUITE A VISIT

Good day dear friends.

Here is our study guide for today:

Thursday: 1 Kings 10:1-13 tells an interesting story of a visit from an important official to the King of Israel. Read this story and ponder the significance of this visit. This official comes with questions. Were they answered? This official also comes with gifts. Were these given? Why do you suppose this official was tempted to visit this King?

(NRSV)1 Kings 10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon (fame due to the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba had observed all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his valets, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. 6 So she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. Not even half had been told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard. 8 Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually attend you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness." 10 Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again did spices come in such quantity as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which carried gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a great quantity of almug wood and precious stones. 12 From the almug wood the king made supports for the house of the Lord, and for the king's house, lyres also and harps for the singers; no such almug wood has come or been seen to this day. 13 Meanwhile King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba every desire that she expressed, as well as what he gave her out of Solomon's royal bounty. Then she returned to her own land, with her servants.

King Solomon was quite the special king for Israel, but it was because of God. Read verse one again. When he ascended to the throne of Israel, God visited him and asked him what he would ask for, if he had his choice. Very similar to the game we played as children, "Man, if you could wish for anything in the world, what would you wish for?" Instead of long life, or riches, Solomon asked for wisdom with which to rule Israel. God was pleased with this answer and because of it promised him riches and honor all his life. (1 Kings 3). His wisdom was soon known throughout the world and this visit was by the Queen of Sheba who had questions she thought were too difficult to be answered by anybody and so she comes to see Solomon. Solomon has no problem answering the questions and in the end, both God and Solomon are blessed by this woman.

The grace of God was upon Solomon as it is upon us if we seek it. With this grace we can choose great things for ourselves or we can seek to bless God. As we continue in our stewardship season we must prayerfully make difficult decisions about what we are to give in terms of our money, our time, our talents, our presence. How will the grace of God assist you in making these decisions? As we've discussed Sunday we're free to what we want with what God has given to us but with grace we should desire to be a part of God's ministry as was evidenced by the churches in Macedonia.

Solomon's life serves as a model of one richly blessed because his heart's desire was to serve God and God's people. May we seek the same for our lives with what God has given us.

PRAYER:God of great and good gifts, visit me today with Your grace. May that grace be received in my heart in a way that I can bless You and Yours. I pray for all who seek to fight with You that You would lovingly speak to them in ways that bring honor and glory to Your name. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.