Our church family will soon be engaged in a church-wide study titled, "Life's Healing Choices."    We will be reading John Baker's book by the same name, and with the subtitle: "Freedom from Your Hurts, Hang-Ups, and Habits."   But, more importantly, we will be reading and reflecting upon The Beatitudes, from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.    I am asking and encouraging all of us to read Matthew 5:1-12 each and every day August 1st through October 10th (The Beatitudes).     What powerful and difficult teachings from Jesus!

The week before last my Mom and my siblings (3) and I, along with our families, sorted through Dad's stuff.    Pop passed away in late April, and Mom is moving in order to down-size since she no longer needs all that extra space and lawn to look after.     I must say it was a chore.  In some ways it was sad.  It was not easy.   And, yet, for me anyway, it provided further closure on Dad's death; and, it provided yet another cathartic experience.    I was also blessed and impressed how sixteen of us could go about this difficult, emotional process and still act civil and come out still friends!     I never heard one negative toward each other the whole three days of work.  In fact, when it came to dividing up Pop's personal items, etc. there was only grace and graciousness expressed.    Of course, as someone reflected, if we would of had one more day  together"we might have witnessed a homicide!"

As we approach July 4th and Independence Day folks will, rightly so, be gathering and celebrating.      As Americans we are incredibly blessed to experience the freedom we enjoy!   May we give thanks for this privilege and never take it for granted.   And, as we celebrate political freedom, may we as Christians, take this opportunity to cue us to think about, and give thanks for, an even greater freedom.    It is a freedom that is not limited to any one land.   It is a liberty that is not confined to any one people.   It is the abundant and eternal freedom given through the grace of God by those who will receive.  This gift of freedom in Jesus Christ is free but it is not cheap.    It is offered without price, yet it cost Christ his very blood.    This gift of Christ is given to us without cost, yet, in return, if we truly accept and receive this gift, we will respond by giving all of our life.

It's amazing the ability and power we have been given by our Creator with which to bless another!    Very simple and every day acts and words have within them tremendous potential to bless.

My Dad died three weeks ago today.   I got the call a little past 6PM.   He was gone.    You are never ready for this call nor for the death of a loved one.   I thought we'd have Pop for a number more years.  After all, his Dad died at age 98 and his Mom died at age 95.    We all just figured we'd have Dad into his 90s as well.  But, it was not to be.   

What a week!   Holy Week!   Have you ever taken the time to reflect upon the events of Jesus' last week on earth?     He stopped off at Bethany, the home of his good friends - Mary, Martha and Lazarus - for one last visit.     Then, on Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey as the crowds cheer and wave palm branches...a sign of military conquest.    The crowds don't have a clue that they are cheering on the Prince of Peace, who has nothing to do with military battle.

We are fallen people living in a fallen world.   Although we are created in our Maker's image, through original and personal sin, that perfect image has been fractured and broken.   God offers restoration through Jesus, yet we continue to stand in need of restoration and redemption.  This is the meaning of "total depravity" as mentioned by theologians - - that every area and portion of our human life is affected by sin.   Not, however, that there is no good within us, for the image of God is still present within us by God's amazing grace and gifting.   But every aspect, every category of our life and living is scarred and negatively affected by sin.    So, too, in our interpersonal relationships, even (possibly especially) with those whom we care for and love the most, our fickle and imperfect love shows through.   Our love is limited at best; perverted at worst.

The account is related about a group of American explorers who went to Africa, where they hired indiginous folk to be their guides.   The first day they rushed through the jungle.   And on the second day they were up at dawn, ready to push forward.   And likewise on the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days.

As we approach Thanksgiving I encourage us all to take some intentional time to count our blessings and give thanks to God.  In the words of an old gospel song, "Count your blessings name them one by one.  Count your blessings see what God has done. .....".   What a great idea!   I suggest you take a pen or a keypad and list the many blessings in your life.   You will be astonished by the results.    Go ahead, carve out a block of time and start listing the long list of blessings, name them one by one.      You may choose to start listing the blessings randomly.   Others may choose a more guided approach.   If so, below is a suggested partial list of categories.