Jesus and Me ... and the Cats

1 Corinthians 10-18 II Kings 10:15-16 Jehu met Jehonadab and asked him, “Are we one the same page?  I believe we are of the same mind, here?  What do you say?  If so, take my hand and come with me, and out of our mutual commitment to God, do what we know is right.” One thing I have learned through almost six decades of living and thirty-two years of marriage is that, even just between two people, it can be hard to agree when it comes to our personal tastes and opinions. For example:  What do you think is the best flavor of ice cream?  Is it vanilla?  Chocolate?  Strawberry?  Or is the best flavor something else? Now, if we choose to focus on our differences, each claiming that we are right in the matter, we would form four different cliques or factions.  We would be in contention and forget what unifies us – ice cream. That’s what was happening in Corinth .  The Christian community had fractured along the lines of ...

I Corinthians 1:1-10 Every thing I know about duct tape I learned from the Canadian TV program, “The Red Green Show.”  But I also learned a bit about the gift of encouragement. One of my favorite segments was when the main character, Red, would muse about the challenges of being middle-aged as he tied fishing flies.  He always ended the piece with these words of encouragement, “Remember, I’m pulling for you.  We’re all in this together.”  Isn’t that comforting? It’s took me a few years to figure out what Red’s closing line, “Keep your stick on the ice,” meant.  Thanks to Google, I found out it means, “Be ready for anything, and everything will work itself out.”  How encouraging! Everyone needs encouragement; everyone needs a pep talk once in a while. “Keep your stick on the ice.  I’m pulling for you; we’re all in this together.” The Christians in Corinth certainly need a lot of encouragement.   Corinth had the reputation ...

Today is Monday.  My day off.  A rare opportunity to sleep in, maybe linger in my pajamas a little longer than usual.  Fat chance of that!  Harley has decided that my prone body is the ideal cat toy.  I am pounced upon, batted at and my toes are gnawed on.  So much for sleeping in.  It is at that moment that I realize that the only reason this cat has remained a part of my household is Blondie, my other cat. I originally named the little, four-pound kitten I brought home from the shelter "Harlequin" for her distinctive calico markings.  It didn't take me long to realize that "Harley" was really short for "Harley Davidson."   My vet had warned me that calicoes tended to be high-energy, stubborn, sometimes on the mean side and would try to dominate and harass other cats in the household.  I could handle the first two, but I was concerned for Blondie who was older, quieter, and when younger, was the low cat on the totem pole of dominance ...

Matthew 3:13-17 Galatians 3:26-28 You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus.   All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.   There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (CEB In the Christian calendar, Sunday, January 12, commemorates the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In our church, we will celebrate by re-affirming our baptismal vows.  At one point in the liturgy, I will say to the people, “Remember your baptism and be thankful.” In our faith tradition, we believe in the validity of all types of baptisms but as a rule, practice infant baptism.  So, imagine my confusion the first time I heard “remember your baptism.” I remember the story I have been told by my parents about my baptism, but not the actual event.  I am thankful I was baptized and am grateful for Christ’s sacrifice.  As an adult what am...

Matthew 2:1-12 My husband and I grew up in Michigan.  Before moving to Iowa, we were living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  The winter days and nights are not like they are in Alaska, but at the darkest part of year, it was dark by 4:30 in the afternoon.  It made an impact on us, and to this day, my husband comments on the shortening days and celebrates as the days grow longer.  "It stayed light a little longer, today,"  he tells me. I wonder if the Magi commented to each other that, each day, the star was a little brighter and a bit closer as they traveled to Bethlehem.  Every mile brought them nearer to the promise of a new King that drew them from the comfort of the Persian court and the familiarity of their dusty scrolls of prophecy.  The star led them to the humble home of a carpenter and his young wife where they presented their gifts to the Christ Child, now a toddler. They make homage to the child; present their gifts of gold, franki...