The moral of the poem is things are not always what they seem. Just as the husband misunderstood the purpose of AA . . many think Christianity is a crutch or the Bible is not true. But . . God so loved the world . . and Jesus died for you. (John 3:16)

For those who have already tasted of the Christian life . . . pray for workers . . or will YOU be a worker for Jesus?

MATTHEW 9:32-34 Jesus casts out a demon and the man could then talk. How a walk through the midway at the Strawberry Festival relates to the way we are tempted.

Jesus asked "Do you believe I can make you see?"

And there they are . . the 2 of them breathless from running and the poorest of the poor.  In unison they answer, "Yes, Lord, we do."  (They not only said 'yes' but called Him Lord!). By calling Him Lord, they were saying they knew it was all up to Him.)

Without getting personal, I feel safe in saying that 100% of us in this year 2022 need relief from some degree of anxiety.  Would you agree with that?

Years ago when I pastored, a woman in the church asked me how she could stand a trial she was going through.  I told her I had been lying face down in my little office with a wooden floor, splinters or not.  She was not interested.  The Christian life is not a one and done deal.  You don't just give your heart to Jesus and then never think about Him much again.

Jairus was desperate.  He was a leader of a synagogue, yet came to Jesus, falling at his feet.  He was begging Jesus to come and lay His hand on his daughter who had died.  

We are having a mini class reunion tomorrow for lunch.  I was thinking about high school and remembering my shorthand class.  Secretaries (at least they used to) take down letters from bosses, like Della did for Perry Mason on TV.  (If you are old enough to remember that.). Our teacher was Mrs. Pickering.  Believe me, you paid strict attention to her!

It can be dangerous to identify political causes or even national patriotism with God's Truth.  Nations may rise and fall, but God's Truth remains forever.  His Truth is marching on.

Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus called him to join and follow.  Tax collectors were universally hated because they kept $$ for themselves above and beyond what was due and became rich.  When Jesus called him, he got up and followed.  The only thing he took with him (it has been said) was his pen.  He used it to write the Gospel of Matthew.  Could you get up from your job and go off with Jesus for a different life?  Why did Matthew?  It is obvious in his Gospel as will be explained.