In the cloud and swirl of chaos and darkness, the steadfast and unwavering glow of Light is present. 
Find hope. Find peace. Find love. 

We are tempted to hide, to fight, to hate. 

Live hope. Live peace. Live love.  

And the LIGHT will at last overcome all the shadows. Kingdom of God. On Earth. As it is in Heaven. COME! 






NPR http://www.npr.org/ is playing in the background providing updates on the violence and threat in the city of Boston, home to our daughter Alana and her husband, Michael, as I write these

words.
Violence feeds violence. Hate breeds hate.

Boston statue honoring firefighters

Earlier this week I listened as a reporter in Baghdad shared that bombings and violence have become a macabre norm. sigh.
In the same way we are all responsible for nailing the Christ to the cross, we are all accountable for perpetuating hate and violence in our world by our choices of hate, violence, and fecklessness. Brothers and Sisters, let us make choices for Light in the name of Jesus.   Now, I say this and acknowledge I've never been truly put to the test....

Psalm 23 is one of the ancillary texts this week. Perfect.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 
   he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   my whole life long.

Brother Mick will be exploring the role of the shepherd caring for the sheep with his primary text from John 10:22-30. Seems apropos. 

"Who's Coming to Dinner?" presents an opportunity for you to join someone for lunch after church. This is always a great opportunity for fellowship and food.   

Prayer for today:  Do not worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Psalm 37

You, Lord, are our gentle parent. You, Lord, are our shelter. You are our hope and our guide. Have mercy on us, Lord. Reveal yourself to us, Lord. Open our eyes to see your steadfast Light and hope.  Great Comforter, grant peace, healing, and ease to the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Boston as well as other places in our world that are enveloped in violence, pain, and hate. Help us not to be afraid but to have a greater understanding of your love for each and every one of us. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are LOVED by GOD, and I love you too! Need to talk?  Contact me! 

Love and Light, 

Carol

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd