Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Leaving and coming home again
When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.
Back in Urbana after a week in Springfield with Jack and Aly, our house is cool, comfortable, and growing older under our feet. We moved into this home in July 1989, and for those 25 years it has been the place we’ve come back to – from trips to Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Washington DC, Washington State, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Italy on our 25th anniversary, Scotland, Colorado, Nevada and California. We’ve been everywhere, man.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hid. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. It is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Chris and Melissa and their kiddos have been to all fifty states, Mexico and Kenya, and to various cities in Europe. Traveling is an American pastime, that’s true for us at least. These days I like driving, especially on the two-lane heartland highways, but usually when I stop the neon signs and shops are mostly same as the ones I left the night before. Perhaps the proprietors hope I’ll feel like I haven’t left home when the neon signs remind me of where I’ve been the night before. Like that’s a good thing.
You are the salt of the earth.
It’s not just where we go, it’s also why we go. To be salt, actually. Say hello to strangers. Smile with your eyes. Pay attention to the stranger like a friend, a brother or a sister. Talk about how much Jesus loves you.
Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Jesus loves you, this I know. The world beckons with its scenery, its history, and mostly its people. We get to be some of those people too. Each of us unique, all of us one.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
(Acts 11, Psalm 98, Matthew 5)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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