Who Is Welcome At Your Table?

Luke 15:2 KJV; Who is welcome at your table? Who is welcome at the Lord's Table?

Taxes

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (Luke 2:1, 4-5 KJV)

Thanks be to God that we don't have to travel far distances to be taxed! Taxes are an inevitable part of life. There are property taxes, sales taxes, income taxes and all sorts of other sundry taxes. They cause can stress and worry for  people.

Income tax season is fast approaching. Along with the season comes the concern whether you are going to have enough money to be able to pay the income tax on April 15th when the income taxes come due. Then, there is always the question as to whether they were done accurately and if you might end up talking to the tax collectors. 

Taxes are as inevitable as life and death to this world. However, thanks be to God for all who believe death has no power of us. In Christ Jesus we have eternal life. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Are Strangers Really Welcome At Your Table?

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2 KJV)

I grew up in an area steeped in the Finnish-American culture. Finns like to feed people. One never went for coffee anywhere without having the table heaped with goodies, if not a full meal. My mother was an awesome hostess. She was a great cook. She often invited friends and strangers into our home. She and my dad would meet strangers as they wandered around the countryside. She would invite them to come and visit. Many did visit and when they came, she would welcome them like they were royalty.

Whenever I travel, I try to find a place to worship; a house of God where my brothers and sisters in Christ will welcome me as well as all strangers. There is usually a multitude of choices. Maybe because of the culture I grew up in, I am acutely aware of whether or not I am really welcome to eat at the Lord's Table or even be there. Many congregations do not provide this meal to nourish the traveler or stranger. Others make it painfully obvious that strangers are not welcome at their table. They appear to be afraid that our sins are too great to allow us to partake of the food which will nourish our souls. They would keep us from the very Body of Christ that was given for our salvation.

May God help us to welcome both neighbor and stranger to receive the good gifts that God has provided us through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Not Safe To Travel

If you must travel; stay close to home!

In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil." 2 Chronicles 15:5 NIV

Okay; so I've taken the unsafe travel scripture way out of context! But, If I ever decide I must travel on the day after Christmas again; someone, please remind me to not do it!

My husband and I went to visit our youngest son and his family in South Carolina Christmas day and came home yesterday. That is the second time in recent years that I have traveled a distance on the day after Christmas. Yesterday was not as bad as the last time; but, it was not good. I did a lot of gritting my teeth and my lower back is sore this morning from all the tensing up. Over an hour before we reached Jacksonville the traffic was quite heavy and the GPS was warning us about an accident on US 95 south of Jacksonville. By the time we reached the accident it had still not been cleared out. The GPS rerouted us along a slightly faster route; but, of course everyone's GPS was trying to reroute them and many changed their course as we did. Traffic was not light, to say the least!

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit; but, not the drive. The holiday travel season is not over, yet. So, beware and be careful as we come upon the celebration of the secular new year. Drive with caution as roads will be crowded and not everyone driving will be sober. I personally make it a habit to stay at home on New Year's Eve to help ensure that I will live to see the new year. Of course, even that is in God's hands. And, may He be with you to keep you safe whether you are traveling or not. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Why Is There No Room In The Inn?

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NIV

What does this mean? What does this mean for you?

Traveling, Joseph and Mary found themselves without a place to sleep. In labor, Mary had no place to give birth except for in a barn.

When I first began traveling cross country alone so many years ago, I would just pull into a road side park, lock the car doors, and sleep when I became tired. I did not see a need to find an inn as I would only be sleeping for a few hours at the most. Today, this is not something that I would do. Today, I find an inn and sleep for a good five to six hours before I travel again. I do this not just because I'm aging and know that I need more than a couple of hours of sleep before I'm rested enough to drive; but, because today, it is much more dangerous to be sleeping alone in a roadside park. It's just not a good idea. It is also illegal in many areas of the country.

In the midst of the winter, when temperatures drop, my sense of what the homeless endure is heightened. What can be done for the homeless? In the north, where temperatures tend toward freezing and below, there are many towns and small cities without even one homeless shelter. There are no "inns" for them. Larger cities don't appreciate the homeless sleeping in tents or in makeshift shelters in their midst. Some even take away their tents or destroy their shelters. I get frustrated at the naivety of posts on social media that suggest we could build decent looking tiny, tiny houses for the homeless. That's a great idea. But, most of these suggested tiny shelters have no running water and would not be allowed in most of the country because of local zoning laws. We need to do more!

What is a world to do to help those who have no place to lay their heads at night? Why is there no room in the inn?

God's Peace - Pr. J