When I was in high school, Six Flags over Mid-America opened in St. Louis. Being about the same distance away from Carbondale IL as we are here in Columbia, it was a favorite youth group activity to, once a year, get a van load of kids and take off for Six Flags. I distinctly remember going for the first time, and how taken I was with the beautiful flowers, with the shows, with the boys who would come along after you and sweep up even the smallest piece of litter that got dropped, and I remember the rides. I have never been a scary ride lover, but the log flume looked tame enough. I waited with friends in the long line, the line moving slowly, so slowly through the labyrinth of dividers, making us feel like cattle being led to the slaughter. And then the moment to climb in the flume. Soon the fiber glass logs glided smoothly through the light blue painted flume. Each log containing four or five people were securely paced behind another so there would be no crashing together, so that everyone would be safe. The log moved quickly through the course, just as it did hundreds of time each day, until it came to the end...at the end there is a very steep incline that the log has to make---the creators of the log flume have even built in sounds to make this part scary, creaking, groaning sounds the log makes as it slowly and deliberately climbs up the incline, and as it reaches the top, it hesitates only briefly and then swoosh, down it goes on the other side, creating screams and laughter as your heart and stomach feel like they've been left behind and then a big splash at the bottom, that, if you're lucky on a hot afternoon, gets you wet and cools you off for a while. After you climb out of your log, you can go back and get in line and do it exactly the same way again if you want to--and you'll have pretty much the very same ride, over and over again...The log flume--never mind that the log is fiber glass, that the water is sterile, that the sounds are man-made...it still can be fun. And it was for me...
But then there was another experience, a ride on water, that happened just a few years ago. This time, again, it was a ride that we, my family and I had to wait in line for too--but much longer--almost an hour. We waited with hundreds of others in the host sun on top of bridge at Niagara Falls. This time, the ride we were waiting for was a boat called Maid of the Mist. The Maid of the Mist has been operating for decades---several times a day, one in the fleet of boats called Maid of the Mist take passengers out into the Niagara river, and after supplying everyone with full length hooded plastic ponchos, the skipper heads out to the falls....Along with 75 or so other passengers, we wrapped ourselves and the kids in what looked like City of Columbia recycle bags, put life jackets on and had them hang on to us and the side of the boat---I really had no idea what this would be like. It turned out to be one of those authentically awe inspiring experiences that creep up on you when you least expect it. As you stand near the side of the boat, and the boatÕs captain steers the boat closer and closer to the falls, the force of the waves fight against the boat and the huge falls grow nearer and nearer. The spray from the falls covers everything--the sound of the falls blocks out any hope of hearing human speech and you find yourself overwhelmed by the creative force of God as the smell and the taste of the water as it overwhelms you, the feel of the spray on your face, the roar of the falls, your eyes not able to see anything but the powerful cascades, a hugely powerful experience of the authentic creative power of God right there, with you. Wow! Somehow we all knew we were in the presence of something very real.
Both of these experiences, both the log flume and the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls might be called enjoyable, fun, memorable. But one pales in the face of the other==as much fun as the log flume was, there was really nothing truly profound, nothing sacred, so to speak about that experience. The Maid of the mist left a lasting impression on all of us, even on Caleb at age five, had his spirit touched by the sacred that was at work somehow in the midst of that beautiful ride. It was, in fact, a Godly experience, infused by the power of the reality of God's presence. Riding the Maid of the mist, was, in fact, an authoritative experience, made to have authority because it touched sometime within each of us that God had made--it touched that spirit that can appreciate authentic beauty, that part of each of us, no matter what age, no matter what education level or i.q. level, that part of us that knows what it is to be taken out of this earthly experience, if only momentarily, and to be touched by the transcendent presence of God.
In the gospel lesson today, we hear of Jesus's first healing miracle in the gospel of Mark--the casting out of an unclean spirit. What Mark seems to want us to do with this miracle is not so much to be amazed at what Jesus does here, as how he does it. The healing is immediately preceded by Jesus teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The people were astounded---not so much at the content of what he said, in fact Mark doesnt tell us here what Jesus said. The people were astounded at the authority with which he taught, contrasting it with the scribes, whose teaching was not authoritative. Again after he casts out the unclean spirit which had inhabited a man who was there in the synagogue, the people react to Jesus saying, What happened? Such authority!
What did this mean, that Jesus taught and healed with authority? What kind of authority did he have? Was it the authority of the Roman general of the appointed ruler? Even allowing for the sternness of Jesus' tone when he tells people of the coming judgement, it is clear that Jesus did not forcefully impose his will on other people. Was it an authority based on social standing or professional rank, supported by privileged birth or the proper credentials? No, he was born to working people, and he even at age 12 was already able to teach the rabbis at the temple without any formal temple education. Still, the first-hand witnesses to the presence of Jesus said he taught as one having authority, not as the scribes.
Let's think a little about our own experience. When we think back on our lives, and we think of the people to whom we have really responded, and the people we've really allowed ourselves to be influenced by, we realize that these people who have been really authoritative in our own lives are not necessarily the authorities designated by office: our boss may tell us what to do at work, for example, and we must do it, but does he or she really hold great influence over who we are as people? Again the people who rank over us so to speak, by virtue of their position--a landlord, a governor, even an elected leader of our church, . We may respect and obey that person by virtue of their office because they hold power over us. But really positive response is most genuinely given to persons not be virtue of the office or position that they hold but by who they are. Think of those people whom you could name who have been influential in your own life, the relationship with whom has been authoritative for you. These are persons who are authentic, who are trustworthy, who are believable, who are real. These persons that have influenced us are people who do not try to manipulate themselves into believability, who are not skilled in the art of being all things to all people.We are influenced by persons who we know have power but who do not use it over us, whose personal integrity attracts our faith and confidence.
Each of us could name a person who has had real authority in our own lives. Such a person for me was and is a woman for whom I worked at our denominationÕs General Board of Discipleship in the mid eighties. Her name is Barbara Garcia. She was and is a woman who, when she says she will do something she does it. That is part of where her personal power, her authority lies. She is also a woman who, when under a lot of stress and pressure, as she was in 1985 when I was with her as her assistant, planning a national conference for our denomination for workers with children, she is a woman who continues to be as caring and respectful of others when under pressure as any other time. She is a woman who brings out the best in others. And she is a woman who is touch with her inner being, and knows who she is, her strengths and her weaknesses, and most importantly, she knows whose she is---God's precious child, loved into salvation by Jesus Christ his son.
When we compare the authority of scribes to the authority of Jesus, it is like comparing, if you will, vinyl to leather; comparing the scribes to Jesus is like comparing rhinestones to diamonds, like comparing coffeemate to whipped cream; like comparing gold plate to fourteen carat, like comparing "help me make it through the night" to a wedding night, like comparing a log flume at Six Flags to Maid at the Mist at Niagara falls.
Our problem, even we who have had our souls touched by the presence of Christ, our problem is that we have grown so accustomed in this world of superficialitiyof the vinyl and to the gold plate that we forget that our souls were created by God to experience life, not superficially, but transcendently. We were created in the image of God, not to settle for the scribe mentality---the scribes were respected by the people because of what they are acquired---the scribes acquired learning, they knew a lot about the content of the law. But the people, even these people who up to the time of Jesus had only had scribes as authority, the people knew authenticity when they heard and saw it and they heard and saw it in Jesus.
So many of the people that have become authoritative in our world, who hold influence and sway over us, especially over our young people, are so much more like the scribes than like Jesus. We admire those who have accumulated wealth,--and we dont really question how. We admire the professional athlete, the television personality, the rock star, who makes a splash with his or her personality, but whose real person hood we do not know. So much of what passes as authentic in the world today is not. We too often believe that authentic joy can be found in the accumulation of wardrobes with designer labels; we believe authentic joy will be ours with the right financial portfolio; we beleive that authentic joy will be ours if we only can somehow meet that standard beauty or that muscular body that will attract the kind of people to us that also meet that standard. We settle for authorities nowadays that are produced by Madison avenue and wall street, instead of nurturing that place within ourselves that continues to cry out despite the things we buy, despite the people we attract, despite the clothes we wear, and says to us, where is there a real authority, a real relationship that will speak to my deepest desires for meaning, for God?
The people who witnessed Jesus teaching, who saw him cast out the unclean spirit, witnessed true, real authority. Jesus authority did not find its source in his ability to cast out demons. The source of Jesus authority was who he was---He was and is God's son0 never wavering throughout all of his life, from living that identity every single second, every moment. We who live in a world of vinyl that passes for leather and gold plate, that passes for 14 carat, in a world where sex too often passes for love, we who live in a world of cheap glitter and rhinestone, are, like the people who witnessed Jesus in the scripture, confronted with the Real Thing-Jesus Christ. In him, and in relationship with him, we come to know our truest identity as well---precious children of God,, we are to live as people who strive also to live that identity out each and every moment of our lives.
So, precious children, this day, this week, keep your mind on the real thing-Jesus. As you go home this day, as you watch the Super Bowl and root for the Rams like the good Missourianyou are, when you are with friends and family, at work, at school,visiting friends, reading, going to church meetings, in all that you do, remember that YOUR soul was not made to settle for what one hymn writer calls the "vain world's golden store." YOUR soul, Christian, yearns for a right relationship with the Real thing, Jesus Christ the righteous. And the people were astounded, for he taught as one with authority. This week, let Christ astound you again with his authority. Through prayer and mediation, take time to let him make your life more Maid of the Mist, a little more like fourteen carat. For Jesus, the one who astounds others by the authentic nature of his power, yearns for us to know that we are powerful too, powerful by virtue that we, like Jesus, can be authentically the followers of this one of authority, and can be powerful agents of transformation of our world, in his name. AMEN
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
+Preached 99 at CUMC Preached at F and F 02
There is a law of inertia--an object stays at rest until acted upon..is that right? Can someone help me with this??? Well, the title of the sermon today is Gospel Changes...letÕs look at this gospel together today.
One this Sunday of the Christian year, the third Sunday after Epiphany, we always hear about Jesus calling the fishermen to be disciples. In MatthewÕs account, as in Mark and Luke, this happens very early in ChristÕs ministry. The first part of the lesson today, verses 12-17 of chapter 4 of Matthew tells about how John had been arrested and Jesus withdrew to Caperneum; these two happenings, JohnÕs arrest and JesusÕs leaving home, are related--it is as if now, JohnÕs part is done, and now is the time for JesusÕs real ministry to begin--gospel changes were occurring in JesusÕs life at this point. JohnÕs mission was over and JesusÕs had begun. The light of Christ was starting to shine bright and these early disciples, who were about to be called, were the first upon whom the light truly shined.
Verse 18 of this chapter 3 of Matthew has Jesus walking along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, and seeing the two brothers Simon called Peter (kids: what does Peter mean?Ó and Andrew--They were casting the net, for the scripture says, they were fishermen. These��‚ two men had an identity--the werenÕt bakers or merchants or solders or shepherds; they werenÕt artists or teachers; they werenÕt rabbis or priests; they were fishermen. Andrew and Simon were fishermen.
What was life like for Simon? Being a fisherman was hard work. It was physically difficult. This was not line and hook fishing, leisurely sitting on the shore, or in a boat, drinking a cool drink and swapping stories with your brother. This was net fishing. It was at least a 2-man operation. They generally cast the nets twice a day, early in the morning and early in the evening. The work was also mentally difficult, Some days they got no fish, other days a few. And Simon also had to haggle with those who sold the fish for them, always bargaining to get the best price and worrying about the competition.
But although it was difficult work, it was comfortable for Simon. ��…He knew what would happen each day. He knew how the sling the net out just right so it wouldnÕt catch on the rocks. He knew the curve of the beach and the warmth of the sun. He knew the familiar comforting sound of waves breaking out over the blue, blue sea; Simon knew the smell of the salt air and smell of those fish which some people thought was such an odor but to Simon it smelled like sweet perfume. He knew how the sky looked when a storm was approaching and the feel of cool rain on his face. He knew and was accostumed to the sound of his brother AndrewÕs voice as he called to him across the waters; telling him to haul in the net, or to cast out a little further.
No, this was not always an easy life, being a fisherman, but it was a life Simon knew. A life filled with familiarity and with the comfort that comes from knowing that whatever happens tomorrow will be like what ha���s happened today and nothing will occur that Simon could not handle and taken in stride.
But one day, Simon and Andrew went to the sea as they did each day, and they began doing what they always did at that time of day, after straightening their nets. They cast them out into the water. It was a clear day, one of those days when the light of the Sun makes it seem like you can see forever. The fishermen heard the manÕs voice first before they saw him. His was a voice full of gentle power and strength, a voice that was full of love that spoke with such care and compassion to then that he sounded like heÕd known them forever. Just ten words he spoke to them,, words of good news, words full of gospel changes that changed their lives forever, Òfollow me, and I will make you fish for people.Ó And these two brothers, who had, day after day, week after week, month after month, year upon year, had fished and had known a familiar and good life...Simon and Andrew, these two left their nets, right there down in��ÿ the water, walked straight up out of the water, soaked to their waists, smelling of seaweed and fish, they got up and followed. Comfortable no more, they realized that despite their previous life of familiarity and predictability, despite all that, their life was no longer beside the sea, casting their nets. They were moved to move on. The law of inertia was at work. Jesus had happened to them, and they were at rest no more. Their lives were to be to ones filled with gospel changes.
The disciple��sÕ life which had not always been easy, had, at least, been comfortable. But when Jesus called, they realized that staying in that comfort zone, as it were, was not where they were meant to stay. Like a boat that floats idly in the dock, where no wind or storm can harm it, they, Simon and Andrew had lived a life that lacked risk. But like the boat whose purpose was not to stay by the shore but to move out into the sea, so too the brothersÕs call was to move away from their comfort zone, out into a life of following Jesus.
Most of us live most of our lives in a comfort zone. Some of our comfort zones are very narrow. We require a specific set of circumstances in order to be comfortable. I have learned for example, that although I will camp with by fam��ily, my comfort zone, if we are camping during the summer must include a clean bathroom, a fan, and ice! Most of our lives are very set, and familiar, just like Simon and Andrew's lives were. We sleep on the same side of the bed, we get up on the same side of the bed; we eat the same thing for breakfast; we watch the same TV shows, we socialize with the same friends; we sit in the same seats at church each week.
We all have comfort zones when it comes to our faith, too. The same ÒseatÓ we sit in becomes a metaphor for of fai��âth. We will do what we are comfortable doing for Christ through our church, and what we do not feel comfortable doing, we will not do. Yes, we occasionally have heard ChristÕs voicer calling us, there is sometimes, at least there may have been a time, when I heard Christ call me, we might say, and ask me to follow, to leave behind something of my old life and courageously follow. But that was a long time ago. We have build up very good defenses and have stockpiled very good reasons why we donÕt follow when Christ calls us into some new path of service. After I get my kids grown and through college, thatÕs when IÕll really do something for Christ; after I pay off my mortgage, thatÕs when I'll really start giving tot the church; after I retire and I have plenty of time, thatÕs when IÕll take on that new office the nominations committee asked me to take on last year and I turned down.
But there are those, who hear, like Simon and Andrew heard, ChristÕs loving, claiming v��ßoice, and who answer with their lives. There are those who leave there nets and move on to follow. The boat must travel from itsÕ comfortable place near the shore to the open sea, itÕs true home. Our confirmation resource includes a video which has a theme song at the beginning of each segment--the song is Òthe journey is our home.Ó That is the song that Simon and Andrew heard when they left their nets that day by the sea. And there are those that find that their true home is in following Chris, living a life that entails risk and courage, self-sacrifice and compassion, a life not so comfortable, but a life of richness and true joy. As you know I serve on the Conference Ordained Ministreis team. We interview and recommend persons who are local pastors who are in the process of becoming associate members and deacons. A man came before us two years whowas applying for associate membership and ordination as deacon. These persons are usually over 35, many with only a high ��ôschool education. THis man I am speaking of isVirgil Clow, whom some of you may know who serves now at Vandalia, is the man who has gone through the 5 years of study. He had no college when he began this process seven ago. He is attended the junior college at Moberly and received his associates degree the spirng he was ordained. Why did he do this..he had been a machinist in Quincy,Illinois and had a business as a mechanic in his home, in Taylor, Missouri. He had just build a house, and had been lay speaking regularly, when he felt Christ calling him into the preaching ministry. He quit his job, got an appointment as a local pastor and started back to school. Why? Prestige? Not really...Easier work? He served a three point charge, the Brashear charge, while in school and there is nothing easy about serving a multi-church charge. Did he go into it for the money? No way. Virgil knew the truth of ChristÕs call on his life. He was able to get out of his comfort zone. Virgil knows he h��åas made the right choice. When you talk to him, you can sense the sincerity and joy in his life, you can feel his commitment. He would not take anything in the world for the life that he leads. The law of inertia has been at work in Virgil's life, Christ has sent him on his way, and there is no stopping him. Gospel changes have brought him to this point.
What about us? Not all of us are called to be pastors, though who knows, perhaps Christ is calling someone here today to that life. But Christ is calling all of us today... in some way today to climb out from our comfort zones, in which we define our lives of faith and service so narrowly, and to follow him, How Christ is calling you may be very different to the person sitting next to you. But calling you he is. We can sit still no longer for we have been moved upon by the voice of Christ, and we must follow is our life is to have purpose and joy. Gospel changes are in the air. Will you hear? Will you respond?
There is a law of inertia--an object stays at rest until acted upon..is that right? Can someone help me with this??? Well, the title of the sermon today is Gospel Changes...letÕs look at this gospel together today.
One this Sunday of the Christian year, the third Sunday after Epiphany, we always hear about Jesus calling the fishermen to be disciples. In MatthewÕs account, as in Mark and Luke, this happens very early in ChristÕs ministry. The first part of the lesson today, verses 12-17 of chapter 4 of Matthew tells about how John had been arrested and Jesus withdrew to Caperneum; these two happenings, JohnÕs arrest and JesusÕs leaving home, are related--it is as if now, JohnÕs part is done, and now is the time for JesusÕs real ministry to begin--gospel changes were occurring in JesusÕs life at this point. JohnÕs mission was over and JesusÕs had begun. The light of Christ was starting to shine bright and these early disciples, who were about to be called, were the first upon whom the light truly shined.
Verse 18 of this chapter 3 of Matthew has Jesus walking along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, and seeing the two brothers Simon called Peter (kids: what does Peter mean?Ó and Andrew--They were casting the net, for the scripture says, they were fishermen. These��‚ two men had an identity--the werenÕt bakers or merchants or solders or shepherds; they werenÕt artists or teachers; they werenÕt rabbis or priests; they were fishermen. Andrew and Simon were fishermen.
What was life like for Simon? Being a fisherman was hard work. It was physically difficult. This was not line and hook fishing, leisurely sitting on the shore, or in a boat, drinking a cool drink and swapping stories with your brother. This was net fishing. It was at least a 2-man operation. They generally cast the nets twice a day, early in the morning and early in the evening. The work was also mentally difficult, Some days they got no fish, other days a few. And Simon also had to haggle with those who sold the fish for them, always bargaining to get the best price and worrying about the competition.
But although it was difficult work, it was comfortable for Simon. ��…He knew what would happen each day. He knew how the sling the net out just right so it wouldnÕt catch on the rocks. He knew the curve of the beach and the warmth of the sun. He knew the familiar comforting sound of waves breaking out over the blue, blue sea; Simon knew the smell of the salt air and smell of those fish which some people thought was such an odor but to Simon it smelled like sweet perfume. He knew how the sky looked when a storm was approaching and the feel of cool rain on his face. He knew and was accostumed to the sound of his brother AndrewÕs voice as he called to him across the waters; telling him to haul in the net, or to cast out a little further.
No, this was not always an easy life, being a fisherman, but it was a life Simon knew. A life filled with familiarity and with the comfort that comes from knowing that whatever happens tomorrow will be like what ha���s happened today and nothing will occur that Simon could not handle and taken in stride.
But one day, Simon and Andrew went to the sea as they did each day, and they began doing what they always did at that time of day, after straightening their nets. They cast them out into the water. It was a clear day, one of those days when the light of the Sun makes it seem like you can see forever. The fishermen heard the manÕs voice first before they saw him. His was a voice full of gentle power and strength, a voice that was full of love that spoke with such care and compassion to then that he sounded like heÕd known them forever. Just ten words he spoke to them,, words of good news, words full of gospel changes that changed their lives forever, Òfollow me, and I will make you fish for people.Ó And these two brothers, who had, day after day, week after week, month after month, year upon year, had fished and had known a familiar and good life...Simon and Andrew, these two left their nets, right there down in��ÿ the water, walked straight up out of the water, soaked to their waists, smelling of seaweed and fish, they got up and followed. Comfortable no more, they realized that despite their previous life of familiarity and predictability, despite all that, their life was no longer beside the sea, casting their nets. They were moved to move on. The law of inertia was at work. Jesus had happened to them, and they were at rest no more. Their lives were to be to ones filled with gospel changes.
The disciple��sÕ life which had not always been easy, had, at least, been comfortable. But when Jesus called, they realized that staying in that comfort zone, as it were, was not where they were meant to stay. Like a boat that floats idly in the dock, where no wind or storm can harm it, they, Simon and Andrew had lived a life that lacked risk. But like the boat whose purpose was not to stay by the shore but to move out into the sea, so too the brothersÕs call was to move away from their comfort zone, out into a life of following Jesus.
Most of us live most of our lives in a comfort zone. Some of our comfort zones are very narrow. We require a specific set of circumstances in order to be comfortable. I have learned for example, that although I will camp with by fam��ily, my comfort zone, if we are camping during the summer must include a clean bathroom, a fan, and ice! Most of our lives are very set, and familiar, just like Simon and Andrew's lives were. We sleep on the same side of the bed, we get up on the same side of the bed; we eat the same thing for breakfast; we watch the same TV shows, we socialize with the same friends; we sit in the same seats at church each week.
We all have comfort zones when it comes to our faith, too. The same ÒseatÓ we sit in becomes a metaphor for of fai��âth. We will do what we are comfortable doing for Christ through our church, and what we do not feel comfortable doing, we will not do. Yes, we occasionally have heard ChristÕs voicer calling us, there is sometimes, at least there may have been a time, when I heard Christ call me, we might say, and ask me to follow, to leave behind something of my old life and courageously follow. But that was a long time ago. We have build up very good defenses and have stockpiled very good reasons why we donÕt follow when Christ calls us into some new path of service. After I get my kids grown and through college, thatÕs when IÕll really do something for Christ; after I pay off my mortgage, thatÕs when I'll really start giving tot the church; after I retire and I have plenty of time, thatÕs when IÕll take on that new office the nominations committee asked me to take on last year and I turned down.
But there are those, who hear, like Simon and Andrew heard, ChristÕs loving, claiming v��ßoice, and who answer with their lives. There are those who leave there nets and move on to follow. The boat must travel from itsÕ comfortable place near the shore to the open sea, itÕs true home. Our confirmation resource includes a video which has a theme song at the beginning of each segment--the song is Òthe journey is our home.Ó That is the song that Simon and Andrew heard when they left their nets that day by the sea. And there are those that find that their true home is in following Chris, living a life that entails risk and courage, self-sacrifice and compassion, a life not so comfortable, but a life of richness and true joy. As you know I serve on the Conference Ordained Ministreis team. We interview and recommend persons who are local pastors who are in the process of becoming associate members and deacons. A man came before us two years whowas applying for associate membership and ordination as deacon. These persons are usually over 35, many with only a high ��ôschool education. THis man I am speaking of isVirgil Clow, whom some of you may know who serves now at Vandalia, is the man who has gone through the 5 years of study. He had no college when he began this process seven ago. He is attended the junior college at Moberly and received his associates degree the spirng he was ordained. Why did he do this..he had been a machinist in Quincy,Illinois and had a business as a mechanic in his home, in Taylor, Missouri. He had just build a house, and had been lay speaking regularly, when he felt Christ calling him into the preaching ministry. He quit his job, got an appointment as a local pastor and started back to school. Why? Prestige? Not really...Easier work? He served a three point charge, the Brashear charge, while in school and there is nothing easy about serving a multi-church charge. Did he go into it for the money? No way. Virgil knew the truth of ChristÕs call on his life. He was able to get out of his comfort zone. Virgil knows he h��åas made the right choice. When you talk to him, you can sense the sincerity and joy in his life, you can feel his commitment. He would not take anything in the world for the life that he leads. The law of inertia has been at work in Virgil's life, Christ has sent him on his way, and there is no stopping him. Gospel changes have brought him to this point.
What about us? Not all of us are called to be pastors, though who knows, perhaps Christ is calling someone here today to that life. But Christ is calling all of us today... in some way today to climb out from our comfort zones, in which we define our lives of faith and service so narrowly, and to follow him, How Christ is calling you may be very different to the person sitting next to you. But calling you he is. We can sit still no longer for we have been moved upon by the voice of Christ, and we must follow is our life is to have purpose and joy. Gospel changes are in the air. Will you hear? Will you respond?
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