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In the village through wilderness and scarcity…we have experienced the good news of God. During the wilderness years when scarcity was common to the churches of Shell Lake…God never abandoned them… But God was always near and gave our members the ability to imagine. Through wilderness and scarcity…Partners in Worship came into being… Wilderness and scarcity, shows us God’s desire for unity. Wilderness and scarcity demonstrates how God helps us through temptations which makes us stronger. Through scarcity and God’s presence… this community has been able to realize an abundance never previously thought possible.
- This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. We are gathering for Shro-ash pancakes at 6 PM followed by the Ash Wednesday service which is the beginning of the Lenten Season. Lent is a reflective time of the church year…when we thoughtfully reflect on and examine ourselves…asking why Jesus came into our world offering his life for our salvation.
- The Annual Meeting will be held next week February 26 after church preceded by Pot-luck lunch. Please pick up and read the book of reports on the back table.
While it is good to be at the top it is difficult to stay there. And even if we desire it…it is virtually impossible to maintain the euphoric and joyful emotions experienced at the top. Still we want to hold onto those moments not wanting to let go. So it is with Peter… Just six days earlier he and the other disciple were shocked… Jesus has been healing and teaching with a new found authority. But just six days earlier…Jesus begins talking about his own mortality. He says that he is on the way toJerusalem where he will die…news that the disciples do not want to hear.
When we consider both healings we are confused. It is hard for us to draw any instructional clues about how to approach God for healing. One comes to God thinking that he is so important… And the other comes filled with shame not even able to lift his eyes to look into those of his healer. The one is angry for not receiving special consideration… shouting his indignation. And the other has the voice of a beggar… “If you choose…” One comes promising rich payments if he is healed. And the other has nothing to offer. These two could not be more different… Yet both are healed…
While we worry that our request is too large for God…in truth our requests are all too often far too small. In today’s passage from Isaiah we are asked; “Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood? The Creator of the ends of the earth does not faint nor grow weary.” It is possible though that our God only becomes weary waiting for us to pray… or …when we do by our tiny expectations.
