The Big Time

So you know how you plug along on projects, just being faithful, and sometimes you don't see results? It happens. And then sometimes, you're so surprised at what the hard work of a small group of women can turn up. Actually, God did the heavy lifting. I'm sure of that.

But...it was still some kinda cool to watch this video of Staci Wallace being interviewed on KTHV about the event we're having next week (please come. Tickets are $20 and every bit of what we raise goes to support Marketplace Connection and we've all enjoyed some really great things thanks to this ministry. We want to do more. Please come. I have tickets!!)

And I'm such a small part of this effort that I'm usually just swept along, but when the website flashes on that screen...I built it. Sure, someone with any kind of knowledge could take it and make it hot and someday I hope they will come along and make it into something amazing...but for now, I built it. And that feels good. At first, I was as creeped out as the first time someone far away recognized me from the blog because I realized at that point...someone else is actually reading what you write. Oh, man, that can't be good!

Father, thank you for building this group of women, each with amazing skills and a heart for service...and me. You are producing things in my life through this group that I would never have expected. Thank you for your plans, for already being in the event next week, and in whatever you have in store for us beyond that. Help us find the women you have in place and reach our community for you.

Make like a tree and leave

Click here to read John 6.

This is the chapter where Jesus feeds the 5,000 men (up to an estimated 20,000 when the "rest of the story" is added in). This is the chapter where this crowd is following Jesus to hear his teachings, he feeds them, sends the Twelve (who become The Twelve here) out in a boat to escape the crowds, where he calms the storm, walks on the water, and teached the crowd about the Bread of Life that comes from heaven.

And the crowd goes "Huh?" And they get angry. They don't understand so they begin to grumble.

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who
can accept it?" Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus
said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to
where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The
words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.Yet there are some of
you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them
did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told
you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled
him."

From this time many of his
disciples turned back and no longer followed
him.

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the
Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

The man just fed a crowd of thousands through amazing circumstances. And they had been following him to hear his teachings. And just like that, it got a little hard, and they were so outta there. Except for the Twelve, all but one who thought they would die for Jesus. Peter said it best. "Where else can we go? You are the real deal. We believe what you say." Again, I'm reminded of how much I like Peter. He was such a major mess-up sometimes, but when it comes right down to it, he got it right. Even when it isn't easy, even when you don't understand, even when it's not what you want to hear...where else can we go? Lord, you have the words of eternal life.