BONUS BLOG!!!!!

 "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!" - Luke 1:45

I just took the verse of the day from the Bible app!  At first, I read it and was like, "She, oh great, this doesn't even apply to me."  

And thank God it doesn't!  I spend so much time during the day thinking about what I should do, what would make me happy, what I want.  Maybe this is God's way of saying, "Who can you encourage today?  Who, especially which women, can you say, 'Way to Go' to?  Is there a woman I might meet today whose faith is impressive?

Obviously, this is talking about Mary, but when have I ever seen a woman and said, "Blessed is she because she believed Jesus would fulfill His promises to her?"  The only one that comes to mind is Sof!

LUKE 24

 I am going to do it again - I probably wouldn't have believed either.  In fact, my thoughts and actions often portray someone who doesn't believe.  I mean, if I really believed this, I would live by faith alone.  I would trust God no matter what.  I would do what He said.  This proves He was the Messiah!

That got me to thinking - would the Jews of the day, knowing what we know and seeing what has happened, still believe that Jesus was not the Messiah.  Has the change been big enough?  

Yes, Christianity is the largest religion on the planet.  Yes, many great deeds have been done in Jesus' name.  Yes, many schools, hospitals, shelters and service organizations have been started because of this.  But, how different are we today than 2000 years ago?  

I even wonder what Jesus' thinks.  Do You think we would have been further along in The Kingdom?  Do You think there would have been more of a difference?  Or, am I just an idiot and can't see all that this has done.

For me, if you asked the people around me, I wonder what they would say?  Is the difference in my life anywhere near proportional to all that Jesus did?  To who Jesus is?  Good question.

EDIT: God just reminded me that I am thinking about The Kingdom like Judas.  It's not something we measure in stats or numbers.  The ultimate Kingdom is heaven and that being opened for everyone - enormous change!

LUKE 23

 Can you imagine if this was how everything was decided?  You ask a crowd of people - many who probably knew nothing about the situation or at least did not know all of the facts - and then you ask them what should be done.  

I am constantly amazed when I read this how many times, Pilate, the leading authority, the one who's decision is final, the one who is in charge of everything in the land, says, "He is not guilty."  But, then he still has him put to death. It's not like he says He is not guilty and puts Him in jail.  It's not like he says He is not guilty and just whips Him.  He literally killed a man he knew was innocent.  

After yesterday, I don't judge.  I know, that in the same situation, I could have done the same thing.  And I also know that it's a distinct possibility that I could have been one of those people in the crowd that were yelling, "Crucify Him."  

But, kind of like God's kingdom, none of this makes sense.

LUKE 22

 You ever do something and then think back later, "What was I thinking?"  Usually those types of things are stuff that happens in the moment. It's a quick decision, someone catches you off guard, maybe you are caught up in the excitement of a situation.  Then boom!  You do something that makes no sense - not even to you!

But Judas had a long time to think this one out.  Not only did he go to meet with the Pharisees, he also had some time to think about it before he went to the garden to betray Jesus.  

This is a guy who saw Jesus heal a least a dozen people - up close!  He heard his teachings and saw how they affected the people!  He lived amongst the people who gave their lives to follow Him.  

I can understand how a Steve could not believe.  But someone who was with Him every day?  

And then God told me that I betray Him all the time too.  And I've been given the chance to be with Him every day.  And I've seen Him always meet my needs, always be a friend, inspire and lead me in ways I couldn't imagine, be able to do things that are pretty close to miracle status.

When I started, my whole thought was, "How could Jesus do this?"  But, I guess the better question is, "How could I?"

LUKE 21

 This is where I wish somebody actually read this!  I have questions.

Do you believe there will be a time when all of the world ends?  Why would God do that?  I think He likes the whole relationship with us thing, but I guess He would still have that with everyone in Heaven.  And there is the whole New Earth thing that Pendergrass was talking about. 

And if it does happen, is it really going to be as horrible as it seems?  Or is this another one of those things that we don't understand?  Jesus does say things like "this generation will not pass away" and the "time of the Gentiles" which make me think if this hasn't happened already, is it really going to?

The end times and heaven - two things I think we have no clue what it's going to be like.  But, what do you think?  (Oh wait, nobody reads this!)

LUKE 20

Is it weird to anyone else that the Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus?  Think about that for a second.  Then, the only reason they didn't was because they were afraid of the people?  The people, whom the religious leaders were there to serve, could see it and they couldn't.  The people's lives were better because of Jesus, and the Pharisees were so focused on themselves that they didn't care.

Two points! One, don't be like the Pharisees.  I can get caught up in who gets the credit and how liked I am.  I can also definitely get caught up in what I want to do and how things are affecting me.  Those are things Jesus specifically said to watch out for.  Which leads to point number two.

There are Pharisees out there today.  And we may work with them or live with them.  They may even want us dead.  (Although it's more likely that they just say or do mean things to us.). However, our lives should be spent on the people.  In a school, that's the children.  On a campus, that's the students.  In government, that's the citizens.  In a family, that's the kids.  We have been sent to make a difference in the lives of the people we've been put "in charge" of.  Theirs are the opinions we should be worried about.

LUKE 19

 God is not playing around.  At first, I thought about if I've been faithful with my mina. What have I done with what God has given me?  To be honest, I don't think I'm the best judge for that.  What I think is that the the proof is in the....pudding?  (OK, I Googled it and now I get it)

At one point I was put in charge of the Lombard community (I was just going to type that I didn't do great at that one, but I forgot, I'm not the best judge.).  Then, I was put in charge of a family.  I was also put in charge of a homeless shelter.  I was a baseball chaplain.  I was an Instructional Coach.  I've run some basketball camps.  And there was a brief time as a public speaking guy. Besides that I've run some fantasy leagues.  Oh, and I guess I've been in charge of students for a long time.

Those last two are the only ones that remain.  I am definitely having things taken away as a leader instead of added.  So, I guess there's the proof!

At least I haven't been killed yet.

LUKE 18

 Random thoughts...

1) I gotta bug God more.  That's twice Jesus has said to ask boldly and keep asking!  But be humble while doing it!  Not sure how I am supposed to be humble and bold, but I feel like it's a God thing.  Trust God and know that I don't deserve any of it.

2) I was just thinking about this, "What if God asked me to do something that forced me to give up my retirement or made my retirement a lot less?"  Could I do it?  I honestly don't know.

3) I am starting to like children again.  But, as I looked.back on the passage, Jesus isn't really talking about liking children.  He's talking about being like children in regards to the kingdom.  Kids just do stuff.  They don't really worry about the future, they are focused on the now.  That's kingdom living!

LUKE 17

 Be humble and grateful - easy enough.  

I love the servant reference.  Does a servant ask for praise for doing their job?  Do they brag or seek reward?  They are just doing their job.  I kind of need to remember that.  When things are going great at Tennis Club - I'm getting paid for that, it's my job.  When I love someone that isn't very lovable - I signed up for that, just doing my job.  When I help someone have a great weekend in Illinois - that's what we are supposed to do.

There's no extra credit, no praise needed - we are just doing our job.  In fact, we should thank You that things went so well.  I'm thinking about the examples from above.  There's nothing special we do at Tennis Club.  I definitely don't want to love people that bug me - that's gotta be You.  This last weekend was crazy good, but it was all dumb stuff that just kinda worked out.  Who does that?  You!  

Anyone see what these two things have in common?  We are not focused on ourselves, not looking for praise.  When you know how great you are already made, you don't need to go seeking that.

LUKE 16

 Money!  First I watch a clip on how George Bailey gave up his own money to save his business.  Then Jesus says you can't serve both God and money.

He says to use it to make friends, to store up eternal treasures, to help the poor - money was never meant to be something to get stuff for yourself.  I guess it's like everything else - the more you let it use you the worse your life becomes.  So, why do we care so much about it?

When I didn't have a lot of money, I worried constantly about how much things cost and how much we would spend.  Now that we have some money, I worry about losing it or using it wisely.  It doesn't factor as much into every decision I make, but it's still a factor.

What if I was the same way with God?  What would You want me to do?  What if I least factored You into every decision - if it was like a cloud hovering over me, and somewhere in me there was always this thought, "What would God want me to do?"

I feel like my life would be better.

SIDE NOTE:  A lot of "Christians" are really concerned about the gay thing.  Jesus never said anything about it.  No one cares about divorce and Jesus specifically said you shouldn't get divorced.  Interesting.

LUKE 15

 I had to read this passage at a baptism this weekend and it hit me - this is good news for everyone.  First, if your that sheep or that coin or that son - Bingo!  If you are the found one, that's a good thing!

But, and this is what got me, what about the rest of us.  What if we're still lost?  Well, there's good news for us too!  God likes us!  Haven't gone to church?  No biggie.  Haven't read the Bible? Alright.  Have done a lot of bad things? Not a deal breaker.  Don't believe in Me? We can work with that.  

If it's me, and someone doesn't listen to me, actively goes against what I try to teach them to do, and maybe even hates me - I give up on them.  Not God!  He keeps going after us, keeps trying, keeps helping us find the way.  God likes us!

And if God does all that for the people who don't like Him, I guess I should do the same thing too.

LUKE 14

People get invited to the banquet and then come up with excuses not to go - sounds a lot like what I would do.  But, then God starts to invite everyone so that it fills up.  

I don't think this is so much about how the poor are getting invited to the banquet as it is about God getting angry at the people who make the excuses (I got that from the actual text saying He got angry).  

I do find it interesting that the text doesn't say "disappointed" or "sad."  It says "angry."  Are You offended because they turned down this incredible offer?  Are you mad because that they don't get it?   I have to be honest, this does not go along with what I said about finding the lost sheep yesterday.  

But, it is pretty clear.  You want us to be with You in heaven and when we turn away, it's not an "Aw shucks."  It's more of a "F You."  You give us this awesome opportunity and we think we know better.  We think that whatever we are spending our time on is better than what You have.  We think that our plans are better than Your plans.

Yeah, F us!  We're idiots!

LUKE 13

​I guess we should have patience.  In my Bible Plan today it talked about patience.  “What are you waiting for?” it asked.  I had nothing because I am a do it now person - probably because I don’t have patience.

But the fig!  He says give it another year.  The kingdom - it’s like yeast!  Seems like God is more of a give it time kind of being.  

I feel like I would rather get something done just to have it done.  It doesn’t matter if it’s done well or even if I’ve given a good effort - just get it done.  

But God seems to be more about giving things time - seeing what happens.  He enjoys the journey and patiently waiting.  

I guess that’s why we’re here so long!  Might as well sit back and enjoy the ride too!

LUKE 12

 Stupid money!  It's weird.  For most of my life I have intentionally done things to not worry about money.  However, that was when I was most worried about money.  Now, I make decisions based on money, but I don't worry about it as much because we have more.  

Yes, money has gotten me some nice things - a car that runs and has a sun roof with CarPlay, a new pickleball paddle, cool trips, the ability to pay for things and not worry about it, and even money saved up for retirement.

The question is, "Is my life better now?"  If I'm honest, I'm not more joyful.  I attribute some of that to getting older, but maybe that's not the case.  Maybe all of my focus on money has taken my eyes off what is really important - The Kingdom.

But, even back when I was not focused on money, was I really focused on The Kingdom.  I did volunteer at the homeless shelter A LOT.  I did have a more positive attitude.  There was even a time when I focused on our neighbors - man, I even visited that lady in the nursing home a lot.  Maybe I was building The Kingdom more.

Jesus would agree.  He makes it pretty clear - if our focus is on money, we've messed up!  Is money bad? No.  But, it's when we start to focus on ourselves that it gets dangerous!

LUKE 11

 Our Father - great prayer!!!  It really does cover everything, and maybe it's the Catholic in me, but it does seem like I'm doing something special every time I pray it.  Why don't I do it more?  Holy Spirit, can you remind me to do that every day for Advent?

And also remind me to be bold.  What does that even mean?  You say that the prayers of a bold person get answered - not because you are a friend to that person, but because you are bold.  So, how do we pray boldly?

Is it praying and expecting it to be answered?  That's not what the guy who needed bread did.  Is it not being afraid to ask for things?  That's more like it.  I mean the guy woke up his neighbor and the whole family.  He didn't care.  He needed bread.  His ask was not based on what was happening around him, how it would affect other people, or what would happen if he did ask.  Nope!  He needed bread so he asked for bread.

Like I need my shoulders healed, so I ask for a healing.  Like Parker needs his neck healed, so I ask for healing.  Like my wife also needs a healing, so there it is again.  Praying for what you need - that's it!  That's bold.

LUKE 10

Did Jesus just say, "Love yourself as yourself?"  The guy asks about getting into heaven and then correctly responds that those who love God and love your neighbor as yourself get in.  Then, he asks who his neighbor is.  After the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus asks, "Who was the neighbor?"

It was the one who had mercy.  So, Jesus says, "Go and do the same."  Isn't this saying that the guy was the neighbor?  Which, if you go back to the guys original answer, is saying love yourself as yourself.

More importantly, it struck me how many people followed Jesus.  I mean they gave up everything.  Had no home, left their family, were facing ridicule and possibly harm.  But 12, then 72, and I bet there were a whole lot more in line.

And if you think about today, millions have people have put all of their eggs in the Jesus basket.  Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way.  Instead of focusing on what these people gave up, I should be looking at what these people gained.  What was really behind all of this?  They realized the truth.  They knew there was nothing better they could do than this.  

Maybe I should do the same.

LUKE 9

Two times Luke mentions how people thought You were John or Elijah.  Many people thought You were not who You were, but Peter knew.  You are the Messiah!  The one closest to You knew.  The one closest to You was the only one to "figure it out."  So, that's why You didn't want them to tell anyone - if you know, you know!

And the ones who were following You would know.  They put You first - above family, above jobs, above everything.  You had pretty strict demands on Your followers.  

Now I wonder, if in my present spiritual state, I would have known.  I definitely have not forsaken family, material comforts and ridicule to follow You.  If no one had ever told me that You were the Messiah, was my soul is such a condition as to have it revealed?  Is it now?  

Probably not!  But, at least when You said that You would die and rise from the dead in three days, I hope I would have remembered that when it actually happened (call back to when I was going verse by verse and the disciples were shocked when they saw Jesus).