A declaration for love, faith, and a future!

This past week we celebrated the Birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was the leader of the civil right movement. He took a strong stand for the dream that all people should have equal opportunities in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is a marker in Washington D.C. that is located on 1964 Independence Ave. The location of the Marker is significant in that is was chosen to acknowledge the key role Dr. King played in passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also marks the year he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Last Sunday was the National Sanctity of Life Sunday. Over one Million Abortions are performed in the USA a year. This is down significantly from what it was, but the cherishing of the life of a baby is still at risk. Thus, we memorialize the loss of life and what could have been. This week there were marches in Washington D.C. and throughout the country seeking to speak for the life of an unborn child.

When someone dies, we place a marker on the resting place as a means of remembering our loved one. It marks the place we can return to and recall the memories. It also allows for us to have a place to meditate, cry, and embrace the sorrow that so fills our lives. We remember so as to move forward.

How we act is a direct reflection on our faith. The events we treasure are that which define our actions and give meaning to who we are. This is why it is important to be devoted to Breaking of Bread...Eucharist...Lord's Supper...Communion. This act of taking bread and juice as symbolic representation of Jesus Body and Blood is a sacramental act that is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible reality.

This action is a reminder of our sins, of how much Jesus loves us, that our faith is real, and that he has prepared a path for us that will guide us through all eternity.

You know I love ya, Don 

One begger showing another begger where to find bread

We talked about reaching other people for Jesus in services yesterday. Mike Canny preached for us in Solid Ground. (You can download the podcast at www.parkchapel.org/podcast/solidground) Mike told this story.

During the depression a beggar comes to a door of a home and asks for bread. The Woman of the house always tried to help as much as possible. So, she gave the man a Mason jar of water and two slices of bread. The man says thank you and goes to the front curb and sits down. He eats one slice and wraps the other in paper and puts it in his pockets.

He drinks the water and leans over and picks up a small stone and puts a check mark on the curb he is sitting on. The next month, almost everyday at least one beggar comes to the woman's door. The original beggar signified by the mark that this is a safe harbor and if she can, she will help you.

The point is we are beggars (Christ-followers) showing other beggars (the non-followers) where to find bread. So, I am praying for the ones in my life that do not know Jesus....I am asking God for help in this process...I am studying God's word to be prepared for the wave of seekers. May they see the mark of Jesus in my life. Thank you Mike Canny for sharing these powerful words with us.

May God bless your day and you know I love ya - Don

Sour Dough Bread

I love sour dough bread. I am sitting here eating a piece of toasted sourdough with a cup of Earl Grey tea....I think this is a little taste of heaven.

Jesus said in John 6:32 & 35, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven...Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

I cling to this verse today. Probably because of the sourdough feelings and memories I have. We used to fish off of the Santa Cruz pier as a child and we would get soup and a Sourdough Pull-A-Part Roll. We would share it as a family and it always filled us up. So, these verses encourage me, but also give me something to look forward too.

Of course my diet limits how much bread I eat, but the memories will never fade.

Here comes Matthew and I shared a bite or two...Oh the rest of the piece with him...Did I say eating a piece of sourdough with a cup of Earl Grey was a little like heaven...strike that, because I just found out what is even better...sharing a piece of sourdough with my son and drinking a cup of Earl Grey is a little piece of heaven.

Looking forward to sharing the bread of life - you know I love ya, Don