Three sermons in five days! Add to it a struggling Tiger team and the Red Wings going back to the drawing board. And then there is the weather … I’ll leave it at that. Add one more sermon at the end of the week and I will be 100% ready for vacation … almost like the good old days!
Tomorrow is the funeral of a centenarian who I met this past October. In her younger days she was an acrobatic (do not say ‘erotic”) dancer who entertained our troops with Bob Hope and the USO. The message will be based on our Lord’s words at the end of Matthew 11: “Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)
Sunday I will be at Crown of Life in Rochester Hills. This is a delightful group of people who are just entering into the process of calling a new pastor. The words of our Teacher and Master in this Gospel reading are much more challenging that Friday’s text: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10.24-28)
Then on Tuesday I will be at Mandziuk & Son Funeral Home (not like the good old days because I have never been there before) with the family of a 91-year-old who was called home rather suddenly. I became friends with her after her church closed last year. I’m not sure, but they just might hear me read Jesus saying, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also.” (John 14.3)
As my “anticipation” of the vacation that is right around the corner grows, Carly Simon keeps reminding me to “stay right here ‘cause these are the good old days. And the good old days always carry last week’s theme: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits!” And one of those great benefits I am experiencing (still) is the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus … his forgiveness, hope, and healing … almost like the good old days.
And, if you look about you, I believe that same opportunity is yours this day as well … here’s praying that you find today to be “a good old day.”
