THE VINE AND BRANCHES

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
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Dear Friends in Him,

We’re looking at John 15:1-8. The lesson in brief is that Christ invites us to abide in him so that he might make it possible for us to bear much fruit.
These verses are an allegory, and symbolically express: The Father is the vine grower (v. 1).
Christ is the vine (v. 5). The disciples are branches (v. 5). Those who do not abide in Christ are useless branches (v. 6
Where is the church here? "Abide in me as I abide in you" (v. 4a). These words are also addressed to the church, whose communal life and ministries of social justice are no more than branches to be tossed into the fire, apart from the indwelling Christ. “Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me" (v. 4b). The church is always tempted to look elsewhere -- to politics or wealthy donors for strength, but Jesus tells us that fruitfulness starts in a very different place. As long as we are in his presence, his strength becomes ours. As soon as we turn our back on him, our strength begins to drain away.
"Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me" (v. 4b). Abiding in Jesus enables the branch to bear fruit. What fruit? Jesus commands us to love one another (13:34; 15:12), so love must be one of the fruits. Jesus calls us to obey his commandments (v. 10), so obedience must be one of the fruits. Jesus promises joy (v. 11), so joy must be one of the fruits.
But perhaps the fruit involves more than is revealed in this chapter. Paul mentions the fruits of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Surely abiding in Jesus must produce each of these in some measure.
Jesus is saying that all the useless foliage in our lives needs to be cut away. We may think this foliage makes us look attractive especially to the world, but will not in anyway help us to bear fruit that will bring glory to God. For example: in business greed, selfishness and disregard for the feelings of people or for their needs might be the way to get ahead, but must be pruned away to allow the fruit of generosity, kindness and humility to grow. If you are joined to Christ you cannot look the other way when someone is in need. As a branch attached to Christ we don't hold back our forgiveness, we try to be understanding and helpful, we want to be encouraging instead of being negative and critical. Being a branch to Jesus means that you will seek reconciliation instead of adding fuel to any disharmony. It means showing love and patience to those whom you don't think deserve it.
In other words, being joined to Jesus has practical implications for the way we live our every day lives; and bearing fruit isn't an option for us.

GETTING THE WORLD IN FOCUS

Dear Friends,

Would you agree that the above heading certainly speaks volumes today? Let me suggest though, that there could be a way to bring things into better focus. Let me begin with this brief story: A young man was packing his suitcase for a trip when his friend entered his room. “Well,” the traveler said, “I am just about packed. But I need to take a guidebook, a map, a compass, a mirror, a microscope, a telescope, a hammer, a volume of poetry, a few biographies, a songbook, a set of devotional works and the history book that I have been reading.” The man's friend looked down at the suitcase and said, “That's impossible. You have only a small space left.” His friend took his Bible and put it into the suitcase and said, “The Bible contains all the things I just mentioned.”

As those of you who know me know; I believe that the Bible is a book to be read, learned, studied and taken to heart. It tells us what God wants us to believe and do, in particular I think the Gospels say it clearly. Jesus taught that to be in focus requires compliance with God's law.

What we have today is a total disregard, to God’s law and even our own nation’s rule of law. Our once beautiful, powerful, prosperous example of a Constitutional Republic has fallen by the wayside. Incrementally our nation is being dismantled to lead it towards a global plutocracy (government by the wealthy)) which is alien to our liberties and justice for all. We are supposed to have a government represented by the People, not top down autocratic ruling. Americans should not have to bow to Kings or the plutocrat’s financiers; for when we, the bastions of freedom are taken down so will the hopes for the rest of the world.

Let me remind you of some scripture along this line: Jeremiah 9:23-24, Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

James5:1-6, Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Think of how we as a blessed nation have dishonored God by continuing to have millions of people in poverty in our nation. There are 2000 verses on poverty in the Bible. And how we the richest country in the world do not have health-care for everyone. We’ve left Jesus waiting outside the hospital door. In observing so many of our present day American churches; it truly pains me to say it, but to a degree I have to agree with William Temple who says that Christianity is "the most avowedly materialist of all the great religions."

I’m well aware how those that have it and control it are uncomfortable about the subject of money, especially when you mix spirituality with it.

How do we get the present world financial difficulties in focus? Here’s the way one in the Bible did it. In Luke 19:8 ..Jesus made Zaccheus aware of his greed and history of cheating others; and then Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.' What a bailout!! Jesus said that it's hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, but Zacchaeus was a rich man who did enter the kingdom.

God's Word says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Unfortunately, so many suffering all around the world today will attest to this.

I’ll finish (for now) by reminding us of these additional few scriptures from God’s word.

Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.'

Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.

1 Timothy 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Jesus says in Luke 12:33 -34 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Is this another form of bailout?)

ANOTHER GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

Dear Friends,
I'm sorry to say I haven't written any essays the past couple of weeks and consequently have resorted to these quotations. Hopefully one or the other might speak to you.

Another GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

Pick a few

And make your own bouquet

BE THE GARDENER OF MY SOUL

Spirit of the living God, be the Gardener of my soul. For so long I have been waiting, silent and still-experiencing a winter of the soul. But now, in the strong name of Jesus Christ. I dare to ask: Clear away the dead growth of the past, Break up the hard clods of custom and routine, Stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge, Bury deep in my soul the implanted Word, Cultivate and water and tend my heart, until new life buds and opens and flowers. Amen.

Here are the two best prayers I know: 'Help me, help me, help me' and 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.'

"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what is read ours."

"Thinking is not taught in schools!" Denis Waitley

Wood that grows warped can never be straightened. Greek Proverb

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus.. John 14: 15

I believe we have become so use to the sin of war that we do not realize the true horror of it. Al Thiery

It is right to be content with what we have, never with what we are.

"No man is wise enough, nor good enough, to be trusted with unlimited power." Charles Caleb Cotton

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.

Ronald E. Osborn

If we take seriously our belief in the teachings of Christ some people will reject us. Al Thiery

The words of God are not like the oak leaf which dies and falls to the earth, but like the pine tree which stays green forever. Native American Proverb

And what is the wholesome? Abstention from killing living beings is wholesome; abstention from taking what is not given is wholesome... And what is the root of the wholesome? Non-greed is a root of the wholesome; non-hate is a root of the wholesome... “Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations,"

Again I remind you that I prepare these handouts in hope of providing you with some spiritual enrichment........ Blessed are your eyes for reading them.

Shalom

A GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

A GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

Pick a few

And make your own bouquet

My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds. Mel Weldon

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. George MacDonald

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. John Milton

In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. John Bunyan

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others? Martin Luther King

Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. Unknown

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Erin Majors

Don't cut your conscience to fit this year's fashions. Lillian Hellman

Beware the barrenness of a busy life. Socrates

There must be more to life than having everything. Maurice Sendak

They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing. Hindu Proverb

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mohandas Ghandi

Old age, to the unlearned, is winter; to the learned, it’s harvest time. Yiddish Saying

True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else. Clarence Darrow

The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. Corrie Ten Boom

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.

Sandra Carey

He left a world he was were of with the cool indifference you quit a dirty inn to continue your journey to a place you hope for better accommodation. Lady Mary Wortley Montague (letter) July 11 1759

PRAYER FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY

O God, Who has commanded that no man should be idle, give us grace to employ all our talents and faculties in the service appointed to us; that, whatsoever our hand finds to do, we may do it with our might. Cheerfully may we go on in the road which you have marked out, not desiring too earnestly that it should be either more smooth or more wide; but daily seeking our way by Your light, may we trust ourselves and the issue of our journey, to You the Fountain of Joy, and sing songs of praise as we go along. Then, O Lord, receive us at the gate of life, which You hast opened for us... We ask this in Your precious Name and Mercy

LET'S HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS

"Universal laws are always in force whether you believe in them or not." Brian Tracy
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson
Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it. Swedish proverb
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among
the things only hoped for. Epicurus
I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy. C. S. Lewis
Focus, not on the rudenesses of others, not on what they've done or left undone, but on what you have & haven't done yourself. Dhammapada
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kindness makes a fellow feel good, whether it’s being done to him or by him. Frank A. Clark
The more a man knows, the more he forgives. Confucius
Forgiveness means giving up all hope of a better past. Landrum Bolling
There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being that completely. Ugo Betti
None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day. Alexander Woollcott
God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. James M. Barrie
The right time to show your good character is when you are pestered by somebody weaker than you. Buddha
Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can. John Wesley
Knowledge can be fully given to man only in a Person, never in a doctrine. Faith is not the holding of correct doctrine, but personal fellowship with the living God. William Temple

A short personal comment:
In my Bible study I have observed that the prophets had no patience with an unredeemed nation. And I’ve also noted that a common historical pattern in the Bible was that Israel was punished whenever the leaders turned away from the devout worship of God. I’m wondering in this post; do you see a resemblance in our nation’s recent past and our present crisis with this Biblical observation?
I will add here, as I’m sure many of you will agree with, our only hope for our nation and the world is
2 Chronicles 7:14 “ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I pray Shalom to all
who read this

THE CADUCEUS AND THE CROSS

The Caduceus and the Cross

The symbol of two intertwined snakes, called the caduceus, is used by the

American Medical Association

Have you ever had to get mixed up with these people who work under the symbol of two snakes twined on a staff? Referring to the medical profession of course.

Often they hurt you in order to help you!

From a very young child I have always been fascinated by snakes. I even at one time belonged to the Cleveland Herpetologist Society. Imagine, that means we would actually go looking for them. I know many people who are so deathly afraid of snakes that just the very thought of them virtually makes them apoplectic. You may think the only good snake is a dead snake. And perhaps, because we’re talking about them, you have already quit reading this paper? I hope not. I have many snake stories, and I’d be pleased to hear your snake stories

We find a strange and hard to-understand snake story figuring prominently in Numbers 21:4-9.

The Lord has Moses construct a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone who is bitten by a snake is to look at the serpent, for in doing so they will be miraculously healed. Scarred, but healed. In other words, Moses made a replica of the very evil the people feared.

And in this weeks study of John 3:14-21, even stranger, we find Jesus alluding to this story in his conversation with Nicodemus to the point that he virtually refers to himself as a snake.

He talks about it during his conversation with Nicodemus, the religious leader who comes to see him at night. Nicodemus would have known this story of Moses and the snakes, and probably is quite shocked that Jesus would use it as an analogy for himself.

The Gospel of John therefore refers to Jesus, not only as the good shepherd, but also as the good snake.

Jesus says it is the nature of salvation... that in the hands of God, “evil and good, threat and promise, life and death are all somehow mixed up.”

God is always eager to offer redemption, in the Old and New Testament but redemption is to be on God’s terms and not ours. The Lord did not grant their prayer (O.T. people) in the way they wanted, did he? Neither did God do things in his Son as we would have done them. If you had been in charge of making it so that your sinful creation could have the means of salvation, would you have chosen to send your child, allowing him to be hung up on a cross?

God doesn’t think the way you and I do. So to confess that we don’t understand is simply a way of admitting that we are not God, and that such things are best left up to One who knows a whole lot more about redemption than we do. The only thing with which we are left is to accept the grace God provides us, leaving the why of it all to the One who knows better than we how redemption takes place.

It is God’s will that none of us perish, but “have eternal life.” How God chooses to do that is God’s business. Let’s accept it with gratitude, even if we have to look the snake in the eye.

Lord, save us, sinful as we are. Forgive us and teach us to accept the mystery of redemption offered through your Son Jesus..... .And I pray Shalom for all who read this........Amen.

A Scatter of Inklings

A summary of our scripture study this week, John 2:13-22, might be that profanity is not just in words: but can also be in the kind of respect that we treat holy things and places.
Jesus came to the Temple and he discovered it was not the kind of setting which was conducive to true worship......... "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
The problem with the people in this scripture study was they were guilty of profaning the temple -- of making improper use of a holy place.

Unlike most of us, it took a lot to make Jesus angry; but in this scripture study we find Jesus in an action of angry protest over something precious that was endangered -- true worship.

When I read this scripture, (it’s in all four of the gospels) I asked myself, "What does this have to do with us? Are we guilty of profaning the holy in our midst?" The answer, of course, is "Yes!" We do profane the holy in our midst. I could mention any number of examples and depending on your awareness, perception or discernment I’m pretty sure you can too.

Worship was endangered in the Temple, and I would suggest that true worship may be endangered today as well. Too many people are selling out their worship experience to the dictates and trends of the culture. Religion has become big business in America. Worship has too often been transformed into entertainment events. In all ages, God has warned His people against using religious services to get rich.

Jesus drove out of the Temple those where were taking advantage of such situations.
The Bible tells us that as the chaos erupted, that his disciples remembered the words of the Psalmist, "Zeal for Thy house will consume me." (John 2:15-17........Ps69:9)

True worship allows a time for you to meditate to sit quietly and pray with perhaps soft music playing; this is true worship, especially if Communion is served. Such quiet meditation is a stark contrast to those services where everything is a show and for show.

The temple in Jesus' day had lost its sacred character. It was well attended, and it was a beehive of activity, but there wasn't a lot of reverence and spirituality. And it wasn't necessarily because the priests and the merchants were bad people; but because, perhaps unintentionally, they'd lost sight of the fact that it was, after all, holy ground on which they were standing.

And this is what I hope you'll think about as you review this scripture this week. Lent (any time really) is a time of introspection, of looking within and taking note of the various ways we've strayed from the righteousness of God. It's a time for cleansing our lives, mind, body and soul. In other words, making our own personal temple of self a worthy place for the Spirit of God to dwell.

And that leads to my closing comment. It comes in the form of a question........ What do you think?

Shalom

Store Up Treasures In Heaven

STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also............Mt.6: 19-21

In the tradition of "giving up" something for Lent, how about some of these (you have heard these before, but they bear repeating):

GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, "In everything give thanks." Constructive criticism is OK, but "moaning, groaning, and complaining" are not Christian disciplines.

GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer.

GIVE UP looking at ether people's worst points. Instead, concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It will be easier for people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first.

GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting.

GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about... like tomorrow! Live for today and let God's grace be sufficient.

GIVE UP TV one evening a week! Instead, visit someone who is lonely or sick. There are those who are isolated by illness or age. Give someone a precious gift, your time!

GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet their basic needs. We are called to be stewards of God's bounty, not consumers.

Not a long list. I am sure you can think of things to add....And let’s dedicate Lent to a few reforms; use it as an excuse to be better.

Shalom

A Treasure of Serendipity Thoughts

Every week I leave with you some sort of handout hoping that it might stimulate your thinking and perhaps even encourage some discussion.

I share a lot of quotations with you because I think the amount of wisdom packed in some short quotations surprising and even at times astonishing. I find it interesting, and I perhaps you’ll also agree; often we are likely to find insightful and even reverent “treasure” in some surprising places.

Perhaps John 3:16, that states, “God so loved the world” which would include all of humanity, gives us a clue as to how so many have a degree of “light” we can benefit from. No one is wise enough by themselves. Sometimes one single ray of light will energize the whole mental life of the one who receives it

I hope you enjoy, share, discuss and find some inspiration with stimulated thought in the following “found gems of thought”. Al T.

• The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. Albert Einstein

• Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them. Aristotle

• He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot

• Memory is a child walking along the seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things. Pierce Harris

• If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Dalai Lama

• Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson

• I know God promises not to give me more than I can handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.
Mother Teresa

• We are building may splendid churches in this country, but we are not providing leaders to run them. I would rather have a wooden church with a splendid parson, than a splendid church with a wooden parson. ... Samuel Smith Drury

Shalom

Let's Think About Thinking

Many are unaware that they possess a capacity for deep thought reflection. By using and developing this capacity facts and insights that one has not been able to realize will begin to evolve and develop. The more one practices meditation the more the capacity to think improves and this is possible for everyone. One just has to realize that it’s good for the brain and soul to reflect and meditate and then set aside a period of time each day for it.

God has created everything with a purpose; and someone who does not think will be distant from important truths about life and themselves and live a life in self-deception and error.

Here are a few thoughts from deep thinkers:

The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Truth never damages a cause that is just. Mohandas K. Gandhi

The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants and associates smarter than they are. Amos Parrish... Educator

"What you do not like done to you, do not to others - this is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn." Hillel the Elder

"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what is read ours." John Locke

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God

You Don't Break God's Law It Breaks You

“The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (CEV)

With years of decline and decay in the mainline churches across the country; and with having .so many of the past three or four generations of pastors refusing or avoiding using the power of the pulpit to preach or discuss what the Bible says about politics; we presently have Christians who no longer examine things in the light of Scripture.

I can somewhat empathize with those Christians who prefer to keep things apolitical or who are uncomfortable discussing the subject; however, it is foolishness to say that we should not discuss politics in church. I hope many are now able to see the results of this dereliction of church duty.

My point in this is; our economic crisis is a spiritual or ethical crisis. In this age of the apostate church;                 “God's people suffer for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

The Eighth Commandment (Exodus 20:15), God tells us not to steal. We are now suffering from an administration that presided over a regime that stole from we the people, not just in the tax structure but in many other deceptive ways without conscience or any fear of consequences.

This same administration resumed a war via lies, lies, (check Exodus 20:15 again) and more lies, that another relative administration started against a nation that had done nothing to us. I am talking about Iraq. “Do not contend with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.” (Proverbs 3:30) Did that or this war have God's blessing? Do I need quote Exodus 20:13? “Thou shall not murder”

For quite some time we have put entirely too much emphasis on earthly power and politics. Christ tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33) He was put to death by people who had “no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15) I ask you; are any of the mighty “super power” nations that relied on the above mentioned emphasis still in existence? It looks to me that history backs up the teachings of the Bible.

If anyone finds this short discourse painful or difficult, let me finish by reiterating the opening statement of this paper =2 Tim: 3-4; we are in those times. I recognize that Bible preaching is uncomfortable; but today we can find a church that preaches to our itching ears rather than against our sins.

   Shalom                 

Billy Graham's Prayer for the Nation

Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen

SPIRITUAL HUGS

“SPIRITUAL HUGS”

This blog is dedicated to Myrtle Eppler. Myrtle was one of the founders of Vermilion Foursquare Church and eventually also became pastor of the church. Presently, at a vivacious 93 years of age, she is still helping others discover the fullness and glory of God by teaching a Sunday school class at Amherst Family Fellowship Foursquare Church.
I am a great admirer of Lorain’s own, Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981), often referred to as the "poet laureate of inspirational verse.” I believe you will agree that the following poem by Helen Steiner Rice helps express the sentiments of the many fortunate of us who know Myrtle Eppler.
As the years go hurrying by, I pause and think anew
How fortunate I was to meet a kind, wise friend like you.
And I am but one of many who owe a lot to you,
For all the help you've given, and time and effort too.
And this is just a welcome chance to tell you that you've won
The real success in life for the fine things you have done.

Myrtle made reference to all the “spiritual hugs” she has received over the years. I thought this was such a pleasantly quaint way of speaking of blessings that go unnoticed everyday by many of us.
An example in my own case happened just yesterday. I was working on getting my old tractor started just in case I needed it for some unexpected reason (and let me add here that I’m not mechanically inclined) and lo and behold I was, with my very limited skill, successful. As I see it, definitely a spiritual hug.

As you and I look back on our lives I bet we can find many small events that while it may look like happenstance, or something born of lucky chance was indeed a “spiritual hug.”
Here then is another poem and some scripture I think appropriate to this paper’s theme:
Thank You God for little things that often come our way. The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray. The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed. A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.Oh, make us more aware, dear God; of little daily graces, that come to us with a “spiritual hug,” from never-dreamed-of places.

• Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits... Psalms 68:19

• Hunble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he mar exalt you in due time; Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you.... 1Pet. 5: 6-7

I pray the hope and joy of ..Shalom.. for you and yours

CROWDS,NOISE,---SILENCE,SOLITUDE

When you have been in a large crowd of people or when you think of loud places that you have been in what comes to mind? How does it make you feel to be in that sort of situation? Do you like the feeling of excitement of being in a crowd? What about noise? Do you need the TV on continuously (watching it or not); or a radio turned on if the TV isn't available; or a player of sorts plugged in the ear when out walking or waiting? Do you prefer the loudest bands; the noisiest restaurants; the loudest activities etc? Do you suspect that you may have a noise addiction? Now let's talk about quiet places briefly. What comes to mind for you? How do quiet places make you feel? More thoughtful? Peaceful? Or do you find silence too intimidating? I think of quiet places as being on a trail in the mountains or woods; or Ritter library in Vermilion; I rise well before daybreak and enjoy morning quiet in my study room at home; St. Anthony's in Lorain has small chapel on the lake behind their Church that offers solitude and silence that I visit regularly; Agudath B'nai Synagogue, also in Lorain, has an upstairs study room that induces insightful contemplation for me; Elmwood cemetery in Lorain has many old trees in it and I find that I'm able to find a sense of solitary that is quite mindful for me there also. I have also the very good fortune of having an association with the Quakers who reside at Kendal in Oberlin, and silence is a predominate part of their tradition in all their spiritual activities and decisions. So much for all of that.......
........Now let's continue to look again at a portion of Mark 1:29-39.........
32. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33. the whole town gathered at the door, 34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 35. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36. Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37. And when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" 38. Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39. So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus rose a long while before daylight and went out to a place where He would be free from distraction and spend time in prayer. In other words you could say He opened His ear each morning to receive instructions for the day from God the Father (read Isaiah. 50:4, 5). If the Lord Jesus felt the need of this early morning quiet time; if Jesus needed to go to a deserted place to pray, as He often did, how much more should you and I! Notice too that He prayed when it cost Him something; He rose and went out a long while before daylight. Prayer should not be a matter of personal convenience but of self-discipline and sacrifice. Does this explain why so much of our Church service is ineffective? Note also vs. 36, 37 it says that by the time Simon and the others got up, the crowd was gathered outside the house again. The disciples went to tell the Lord of the rising popular sentiment. Surprisingly, (vs. 38) He did not go back to the city, but took the disciples into the surrounding towns, explaining that He must preach there also. Why did He not return to Capernaum? The reasons, as I learned them from a minister of the Gospel that I respect, were, He had just been in prayer and had learned what God wanted Him to do that day. He realized that the popular movement in Capernaum was shallow. The Savior was never attracted by large crowds. He looked below the surface to see what was in their hearts. And He knew the peril of popularity and taught the disciples by His example to beware of such. He consistently avoided any superficial, emotional demonstration that would have put the crown before the cross. His great emphasis was on preaching the Word. To the synagogues (vs. 39) throughout all Galilee Jesus went preaching and casting out demons. Do you also find it interesting to see how often He cast out demons in synagogues? Do you think that the many liberal churches today correspond to these synagogues?

Shalom