Walls just hold up the roof of a church, not to separate it's members from one another.
So many things to talk about this week as services today were, like always, AWESOME! Everything today will run parallel with each other, or rather full circle. Sunday, April 5th, 2009 is Palm Sunday. It is an important day and time for all Christians. Please do not forget what this time of year is for. Hmm, jelly beans... But seriously take a moment out this week leading up to Easter and thank God for every breath and moment you have.
Pastor Mark spoke about how the "five dollar service" had touched someone all the way in Wisconsin. A member's mother was in town for that service and took her five dollars back to her home and used it for yarn. She is a member of a church that the ladies gather and make prayer shawls that is given freely to the sick or suffering. It provides hope... and we all need that.
Water Into Wine a.k.a. Marriage of Cana
[1,2,12]Jesus, Mary, His brothers, and His disciples were all gathered at Cana for what we can assume was a relatives' wedding. [3]Weddings were a big deal and would last as long as a week. So the fact that they had run out of wine was huge. So Mary spoke to Jesus, almost like she was the catalyst for action. [4]When he refers to Mary as "woman", it is not the negative that is considered now; in that culture and time it was proper. He also referred to her as "woman" while He was crucified. He had hesitation because at this time He had not started His earthly ministry. [5]But Mary forced action, because she met Jesus in the middle, and told the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus says. Her conviction in her son and God was strong. [6]There sat six stone pots that were commonly found in homes used for cleaning, cooking, etc. Each held about twenty to thirty gallons of water, which would equate to about one hundred and eighty gallons. [7]Jesus told them to fill the pots with water, and so they filled them to the brim. [8]He then told them to dip water out of a pot and take it to the master of the feast, and they did. [9,10]The master of the feast drank, but did not know where the wine had come from. He didn't even question it, but told them that the best was saved for last. [11]Even though few knew of this miracle at first, it was a small step in the right direction, and started Jesus' walk with His disciples and strengthened their faith. It was a "behind-the-scenes" miracle; moving in small, powerful ways.
What does this all mean? And how can it relate to us?
I think Pastor Mark did a great service, and he showed us that it was about expectations in life, in God, and in ourselves.
Expectations...
Q & A: What unmet expectations are you dealing with?
Being happy, successful, and to be loved like have a solid family.
So in reflection, I will post different things from the pamplet and my notes that relate. First and foremost: recognize things may get worse before God makes them better.[*]
How To Live Through Unmet Expectations:
- Look Toward Jesus For Your Solution.
- Do What Jesus Says.
- Trust And Act!
We get in a hurry and take control but we can not do it by ourselves. Our burdens are heavy so that we may be humble enough to ask and accept help from others.
Last but not least, know that Jesus saved the best for last. And yes, that does mean me, you, and even that nosy neighbor two doors down, as long as they have the faith. So don't give up, be patient with God, act in faith, have obedience, trust God, love life, and appreciate unnoticed miracles.
As I was about to leave, I was handed a flyer for an egg hunt next Saturday, and yet again the Lord spoke to me.
God hides "Easter Eggs" in all of our lives for us to find...
