It is Friday and I am officially on vacation. We had a great day at school. I am looking forward to this time. It seems like a very long time since I have had a break. I will be busy this week, but it is not a scheduled busy. I can make my own schedule. Travis placed 12th out of 16 singers in the pre-area choir audition. Twelfth is not high enough to go to the next round of auditions. They select six singers and two alternates to go on to the next round. Sorry Travis. Travis’ car came home today from the body shop. It looks really great. He was so excited. Geni is home for a couple of days and then she will go back to Denton for school and work. Bruce has been elected to serve on the Kairos Prison Ministry Advisory Board for the Allred Unit in Wichita Falls. He will attend his first meeting for the board in Decatur tomorrow. Congratulations, Bruce!

Luke 7: 17 says, “This news about Jesus spread through all Judea and into all the places around there.” Last night I ordered a cookie bouquet for my brother’s birthday. I did a “Google” search to find a cookie store that created these fun gifts. I needed one that was close to Allen, Texas as that is where he lives. In my search I discovered a shop which not only created the delicious bouquets but would deliver them on a bit of short notice as Ken’s birthday is tomorrow. Anyway, after I placed the order the question was asked, “How did you find out about our business?” The optional answers were a friend, internet, newspaper, TV or radio ad, saw the store etc…and then I began to think. We have most amazing communication system ever created. The world is not as big as it once seemed because of computers, cell phones, television, radio, text messages and newspapers. We can find out anything and everything about anything and everything with just the punch of a few buttons and yet how do people find out about the most wonderful person who ever walked the earth? How do people find out about Jesus?

There are television channels that air religious programs from music to full worship services to just preaching or Bible Studies. We have church signs that announce our services and programs. But again I asked myself the question…How do people find out about Jesus? The last time you went shopping and found a really great sale did you keep it to yourself? No, you phoned, text messaged, emailed your friends and shared your discovery with them. Have you ever met a really amazing person and you knew that this incredible person should meet someone else? Did you talk to one about the other? Was your voice filled with excitement and enthusiasm? Did you arrange for them to meet? Isn’t that what we are supposed to do? Aren’t we supposed to introduce those who don’t know Jesus to Jesus Himself? Isn’t that part of our mission?

God loves us so much and has given us every good and perfect gift. The good and perfect gift is His Son, Jesus Christ. In the gift of Jesus there is faith, forgiveness, grace, tender mercies and most of all love. God has perfected all of those gifts and has given them freely in the life His Son, Jesus Christ.

People find out about Jesus through His children. People find out about Jesus through His followers. With all of the ways available to communicate in this day and time, why is it so hard to tell someone about the One who loves us completely, perfectly and eternally?

Remember the story of the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair? She lands at the house of Simon. The party is going on and Simon is the host. Simon, a Pharisee, does not see the need for grace in his own life and somehow this woman of low standing crashes the party. How did she find out about the party? And how did she find out Jesus was going to be there? Maybe an early form of text messaging? However she found out, she went undeterred and uninvited to the party. She did not come to see the mighty and powerful ones from the town. She came to see the One who promised her unconditional love without taking from her first.

We need to be as bold as the lowly woman from Capernaum and run to wherever Jesus is and take as many people as we can with us. We need to run undeterred, but we will not come before Him uninvited. The invitation is always there and it is for everyone, the mighty and powerful and the poor and lowly. Text message someone, call a co-worker, invite your neighbor, email those on your email list and tell them you know the most amazing person and you want to introduce them. Maybe even put Jesus on your My Space. Tell others how you are loved, forgiven and drink from the never ending goblet of grace.

Be bold and take joy in the journey. Love you, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.