When we walk with God’s love surrounding us, encouraging us, and challenging us, we become a part of God’s kingdom here on earth. Oh yes, imperfect we are to the very core, but God continues to forgive us, surround us, encourage us, and challenge us to make the necessary changes and then to move forward in God’s grace.

What does Holy Communion mean to you? Is it a holy time in God’s presence when the memory of God’s transforming love for you is experienced at the altar? Is it a time for you to celebrate the wonder of God’s calling you “just as you are?”

In the mid-1980’s I flew with a dozen church leaders to East Berlin, spending two weeks traveling in several nations behind the Iron Curtain. Our purpose was to connect with Christians there to see how we could help and to bring them encouragement. I learned so much…

This morning, I am so thankful!  As I sit at my table, I look out and see rain filtering down from the sky to water this earth that is yearning for moisture and I am thankful. I see a squirrel gnawing at a pinecone and a deer eating the good berries from my huckleberry evergreens. I am thankful—that there is food for them and that I can enjoy my natural neighbors.

When we share what we receive and what we have with others, we are welcoming them and showing them what it means to be a follower of Jesus. May this be our mission…

We who are ALL created in the image of God (humans only have that distinction) come in a variety of nationalities, skin tones, sexual identities, spiritual or religious preferences, sizes and shapes. Some have experienced hardships, devastations, and unknown challenges that have impacted them. Others have temptations to think they are better than others. But not one of God’s human creations is better than any other! It is hard to comprehend such a wide, inclusive people who are all created and loved equally by God, the Creator, Sustainer, and Spirit. It is God’s Perfect Plan.

I love to go to the ocean where I often collect shells or shiny rocks. The ocean is huge, filled with all kinds of things which the waves wash up sometimes from thousands of miles away. As I walk along the edge, the waves wash up over my feet. But just think! That same ocean is also washing up waves on the shores and onto people clear on the other side—thousands of miles away!

I received the Holy Spirit as probably most of you, at my Baptism. Waters of life were poured upon me “in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit”. I was an infant but at that moment, I was made a Child of God and received God’s Advocate, the Holy Spirit. That gift of God’s presence with me now and forever has been both a powerful motivator as well as a great comfort to me throughout life.

“Take O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be;

Set your seal upon my heart and live in me.” Amen.