October 1, 2012

This morning I will meet several pastors across Missouri for a motorcycle ride. Travelling up Hwy 44 I will meet a pastor in Waynesville, then we will meet other pastors at 94 and 19. Lunch will be in Jefferson City, and eventually I will spend the night in Columbia for a meeting with the bishop and the Mission Council tomorrow. Yesterday I worked hard to prepare for being gone on Tuesday, recording a teaching session, writing a small group discussion guide, making phone calls and meeting with various groups. At home around dusk I mowed the front lawn while Audrey fixed a delicious fish dinner. The sermon yesterday addressed the topic “How to be humble when you know you are right.” It was well received as the completion of a three-part series aimed at preparing us to be Christ-like during this election season. It is a joy to preach the Word across the church family in all 4 Sunday morning worship services. Mark 12 Various parables and conversations of Jesus. Verses 29-31 contain his answer to the question about which of the commandments is the foremost of all? He quoted scripture stating that the “Lord our God is one” (Deut 6:4) “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength (Deut 6:5). He continued with “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Lev 19:18) This answer impressed the scribe who asked it, and down through the centuries has informed and shaped the followers of Christ with a focus upon loving God and loving people. Of the ten commandments, the first four concern loving God, the next six concern loving people. Guide me today, most holy Lord as I live to love you and to love others. May the fellowship of pastors on motorcycles be rich and uplifting. Keep us safe as we ride.