Good evening, fellow redeemed!
I'm not as great a student of the Olympics as some. I have my favorite events. I like watching swimming, diving, and some the track events. I love watching the power and fast pace of volleyball. My favorite event, though, is watching an American receiving a gold medal, complete with standing on the top tier, watching the Stars and Stripes lifted, and hearing "The Star Spangled Banner" played. It doesn't matter the reason for the gold medal, that's my favorite event.
In the Gospel for today (Mark 6:45-56), Jesus walks on water and calms His frightened disciples. The disciples were experienced seamen and, yet, not even their knowledge and abilities could deliver them from the fierce storm. Seeing Jesus walking on the water, they were convinced He was phantasm. Yet, when this same Jesus enters the boat, the frightened disciples are safe. The safest place, you see, is where Jesus is.
The crowds that came to Him experience the same thing. He goes ashore walks among the sick and afflicted. When they so much as touch His garment, they are made whole. The safest place is where Jesus is.
Olympic athletes are always fun to watch, but their abilities are able to be surpassed. I've noticed that the once invincible Michael Phelps is, well, vincible. Not so with our Lord Jesus Christ! The safest place is where He is. Imagine the disciples trying to make themselves FEEL safer in the storm, or the sick looking deep within THEMSELVES for good feelings. That's not comfort. Comfort is where Jesus is. It's not a feeling; it's a reality. Where is the safest place? It's His body and blood, in the waters of our baptism, in the word of His forgiveness.
This Week at Mt. Olive:
Once again, I praise God for your care and concern for my wife and family! Kathy is doing fine, up to 120 degrees flex angle on the CPM. This week, physical therapy should begin.
Why Does It Matter group will meet Wednesday evening. Last week, we talked about absolutes. This week, we'll look at another pertinent topic.
I invite you to watch a short video on youtube.com. You'll probably recognize the tune, and, yes, it is the same hymn, but in a different language. Here's the address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGW6d7JUWlQ
This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, July 30
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics
Wednesday, August 1
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Revelation 22)
7 p.m.
Why Does It Matter (Barnes and Noble)
Thursday, August 2
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics
Prayer Concerns:
Ann Cleveland, Ruby Rieder, Burt and Doris Nelson, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston)
Lucinda Rodela (a friend the Jennings family), Kathy
Teachers and students who have already begun the news school term, and those who are preparing for the new term
Sunday School teachers through the summer and those who will begin in the fall
Lutherans in Africa as they work to train pastors and evangelists with Holy Scripture and Luther's Small Catechism
God bless!
PKJ
I'm not as great a student of the Olympics as some. I have my favorite events. I like watching swimming, diving, and some the track events. I love watching the power and fast pace of volleyball. My favorite event, though, is watching an American receiving a gold medal, complete with standing on the top tier, watching the Stars and Stripes lifted, and hearing "The Star Spangled Banner" played. It doesn't matter the reason for the gold medal, that's my favorite event.
In the Gospel for today (Mark 6:45-56), Jesus walks on water and calms His frightened disciples. The disciples were experienced seamen and, yet, not even their knowledge and abilities could deliver them from the fierce storm. Seeing Jesus walking on the water, they were convinced He was phantasm. Yet, when this same Jesus enters the boat, the frightened disciples are safe. The safest place, you see, is where Jesus is.
The crowds that came to Him experience the same thing. He goes ashore walks among the sick and afflicted. When they so much as touch His garment, they are made whole. The safest place is where Jesus is.
Olympic athletes are always fun to watch, but their abilities are able to be surpassed. I've noticed that the once invincible Michael Phelps is, well, vincible. Not so with our Lord Jesus Christ! The safest place is where He is. Imagine the disciples trying to make themselves FEEL safer in the storm, or the sick looking deep within THEMSELVES for good feelings. That's not comfort. Comfort is where Jesus is. It's not a feeling; it's a reality. Where is the safest place? It's His body and blood, in the waters of our baptism, in the word of His forgiveness.
This Week at Mt. Olive:
Once again, I praise God for your care and concern for my wife and family! Kathy is doing fine, up to 120 degrees flex angle on the CPM. This week, physical therapy should begin.
Why Does It Matter group will meet Wednesday evening. Last week, we talked about absolutes. This week, we'll look at another pertinent topic.
I invite you to watch a short video on youtube.com. You'll probably recognize the tune, and, yes, it is the same hymn, but in a different language. Here's the address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGW6d7JUWlQ
This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, July 30
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics
Wednesday, August 1
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Revelation 22)
7 p.m.
Why Does It Matter (Barnes and Noble)
Thursday, August 2
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics
Prayer Concerns:
Ann Cleveland, Ruby Rieder, Burt and Doris Nelson, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston)
Lucinda Rodela (a friend the Jennings family), Kathy
Teachers and students who have already begun the news school term, and those who are preparing for the new term
Sunday School teachers through the summer and those who will begin in the fall
Lutherans in Africa as they work to train pastors and evangelists with Holy Scripture and Luther's Small Catechism
God bless!
PKJ
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