Good Wine

John 2:1-12

Jesus went to parties. We presume that Jesus liked good wine. Jesus did miracles before this, at home, which we do not know about. Why else would his mother have told them to get him to solve the problem. Jesus did not like doing what his mother told him but after a minor sulk did it anyway. My conclusion Jesus was a normal guy.

After this his disciples believed him. Now it was worthwhile to follow Jesus.

I am writing this because I believe that it is worthwhile to follow Jesus. Not only for the life that he will provide after my death but also for his tender care and provision in the here and now.

Following Jesus' Example

Deut. 8:1-10

Psalm 63:1-8(9-11), 98

1 Cor. 1:17-31

Mark 2:18-22

Deut. 8:1-10

See some familiar words? How much of the Old testament or even Jesus' own words in the New Testament do I know in order to quote to the Devil or myself when I need keeping in line?

In church this morning we heard the story of Jesus using these words from Deuteronomy. The devil said to Him "Use your God-given supernatural powers to solve your hunger problem". God had given the Israelites manna in the desert. Jesus trusted God to calm his hunger. How much do I trust God to provide for me?

"Can anything good come from...."

Deut. 7:17-26

Psalm 30, 32

Titus 3:1-15

John 1:43-51

John 1:43-51

The nearest branch of my favourite Belgian grocery store is in Tubize. I was in Tubize one day and wanted to buy a birthday card for my Dutch friend. I went into every card shop but could only find cards in French. Now Tubize is about 2 kilometres from the border with Flanders, the Flemish speaking part of Belgium. Another day Becky and I were in the supermarket, as usual talking away in our mother tongue and there was quite a bit of nudge nudge "Des anglaise" from the other customers. Tubize has a reputation for being a 'has been sort of place', that is if it ever was 'a place'. It is an ex-ironworks town. Derelict ironworks, a mausoleum to a bygone more prosperous era, dominate the entrance to the town.

We go to Tubize because it is convenient. It is not the place to where anglophones or even residents of Ittre gravitate. But we have had cause to use its amenities twice in a crisis. The policestation when our car was broken into and my handbag stolen and yesterday we tried out the Emergency Room as I had a fish bone stuck in my throat. The service was fast, friendly and efficient even if we did have to muddle through in pigeon French on each occasion.

Fear of the reputation of Tubize might have prevented us from those 'rewarding' experiences.

Nathaniel seems such a normal guy with normal reactions. He says things as he sees them. In his arrogance he goes to meet Jesus. He is flabbergasted, almost speechless. He is impressed. he acknowledges that good can come from Nazareth. Sometimes God guides us into changing our opinion and it is painless, even exhilarating and encouraging.

Sharing God

Deuteronomy 7:12-16

Psalms 31, 95

Titus 2:1-15

John 1:35-42

Titus 2:1-15

I do not see Paul's list as an overbearing list of rules but rather as an attempted explanation of verses 11-14, an aspiration for my life. I want to be a constant witness for God in all that I do. The type of things which some wives did in Paul's day, and today even are not a guide to somebody looking for God. If I live the life that God wants - loving God with all my heart and my neighbour as myself- then there is no question as to how I react to my husband or employer.

Lent is typically a time of self-control. A time when we try to tame some of our excessive longings- our desire for chocolate and desserts, or wine and coffee. (Oh dear I used the picture for chocolate yesterday.) As one of our priests said last year in his sermon on Ash Wednesday it is a time for living a simple life.

Today I am taking that as meaning a time to avoid the excesses of the luxurious living in which we indulge in the western world. Gastronomic pleasures are very easy to indulge in Belgium. It is a time to concentrate on the lifestyle that God wants for us. A simple life based on loving God with all my heart and my neighbour as myself. Perhaps today I should actually go out of my way to talk to my neighbour instead of just being terrified of speaking French. Is my desire to share God's love with her less than my fear of speaking French?

I encourage you to share God's love today.

I believe that the same sentiment is reflected in John 1:35-42. John is also telling us to share God's love as John the Baptist sent his own disciples to learn from and share in Jesus' ministry.

Knowing God's Will!

Psalm 37:1-18

John 1:29-34

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. How easy is it to sit still, even for an adult. I think I am sitting still and waiting patiently for a little bird to come to my bird feeder but actually I am drinking my tea, idly glancing at a book and shifting my feet to a more comfortable position. Really still is not what most of do well.

⁴ Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Yes I delight God and everything that he has given me, including things and people who sometimes irritate me. They are all of them gifts from God and special in his eyes. AND (therefore) he will give you the desires of your heart. Hmmm. If I think God is wonderful he will give me a Merc convertible?

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

Trust my way to God, no little morning 'to do' list without prayer and being still?

^{John 14:20} On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

So if I give Jesus space to live in me His desires should be my desires, just as He and His father were at one with each other.

Jesus had His doubts and so did His cousin John. John asked God how he would know the "Lamb of God" and was told that it would be the person who he baptized on whom he saw a dove descend. And it turned out to be his cousin Jesus. I think that John did not hear a great shout, either when he went into the wilderness to start preaching or when he got the idea about a dove landing on somebody. I believe he was open to God's prompting. We can do that too.

Recently I at last mailed a parcel that had been sitting in my "in action" basket for almost a year. Some little niggle which I thought was inertia always prevented me from mailing it. When it was received it was just the right time for the gift. God works in little ways to further his kingdom. I hate writing things like this because it seems as if I am putting my self on a spiritual pedestal saying "God speaks to me". No, just occasionally I take the hint and the retelling may serve as a prompt for the future so that together we may align our desires with those of God- to further His reign of peace and love. And yes the knowledge of the gift of the cross is a foundation stone not to be overlooked.

I fou are wondering about the connection with the picture perhaps God is prompting you to send some chocolate as he has done more than once to me- but then I do live round the corner from a chocolaterie.

The Great Cloud of Witness

Psalm 95

The title is from Hebrews 12:1-14 which is one of the other readings in the Episcopal Church's daily lectionary for today. But my thoughts were sparked by Psalm 95. We visited the area where I was raised this last January. I walked on the cliffs as I have done many many times before. The wonder of God's creation never ceases to amaze me.

God is my rock. Whatever happens to me he is there. One small portion of cliff is much mightier that I.

The ocean is ever changing. It can be a gently rippling bed on which one could almost imagine walking or a thunderous and hurling mass of motion.

Creation is truly spectacular.

I did not kneel but I did stand in awe of the beauty of this world and thank God for all that he has done and will do for me. This thought led me to thank God for the many people who influenced me in my childhood and brought me into a friendship with Him. Those kindly ladies and gentlemen who are part of the jigsaw puzzle of my life.

Jesus went into the desert to be apart from the world. He had his moments of doubt. I wonder what else he contemplated? Did He wonder how he came to this place in His life and who had guided Him to that point?

Today's training

Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name.

What is the first thing that I do in the morning? Is it praise God and revere Him for the new day? Giving God His glory is the first item in Jesus' model prayer. Jesus did most of His praying in solitude before the rest of the gang and the general public were awake.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Setting the scene for who is directing the day. Not going through His own 'to do' list.

Give us today our daily bread.

Now this is something that I can relate to. We are getting to the shopping list.

And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Perhaps I should look at my life from the outside. I do not see the hair on my chin but my daughter does and it offends her. A closer inspection of my words and actions is needed then perhaps I would be less likely to notice the offences of my family members as I would be paying more attention to myself.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Whether I fall at the temptation hurdle is completely under my control and if I am listening to the small voice of the coach. The coach is never going to train me to fail- that is not His will. His will is success.

I have written about this today as the prayer was part of both our daily readings. I always find these coincidences interesting since the sets of readings are totally unrelated. Recently I have considered writing again, got a little encouragement this week and jumped the hurdle today.