Jesus and Me ... and the Cats

        Luke 15:3-7    This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.   If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?   Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.                                                                                                          1  John 3:16-18         The strained glass window pictured above is located in the front of the sanctuary, over the altar table, in our church.  I see it every time I'm in the sanctuary.  On Sunday morning, the gathered Body of Christ gazes upon it (and woe be on anyone who forgets to turn on the back lighting).  It's a well known fixture in our church.  When the preschoolers come over once a week for story time with the Pastor, one child is exclaims, "There's Jesus!"  In other w

Revelation 3:14-18 T o the Church in Laodicea “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.   I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!     So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.     You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.   I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.       HERE in north central Michigan, we're just coming off a period of very snowy, dreary and cold days.  Even with just two cats, the thermostat is a matter of daily conversation.  Harley, my calico queen, now recognizes the word "heater" and responds positi