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(After the scripture was read, the message began with this reading followed by the YouTube video posted below.) A son asked his father, Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?. The father who despite having a heart condition, says Yes. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying Yes to his sons request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, Dad, lets join the Ironman together. To which, his father said Yes too. The Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island . Father and son went on to complete the the race together.
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 Round-about at Wiser Lake on Guide Do you like the round-abouts on the Guide Meridian? What’s the problem with the round-abouts? You don’t know when to stop and go. Bianca handles them as well as anybody because she has recently taken driver’s ed, and so she knows when to put on the blinker. What’s the problem? You don’t know what the other driver is doing. (NOTE: During the fellowship time on Sunday, it turns out Paula is a Driver’s Ed. Instructor and she explained why the round-abouts are very safe, so I sure hope I never said anything too derogatory or wrong about the round-abouts!)
Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world. Helen Keller Every man supposes himself not to be fully understood or appreciated. Ralph Waldo Emerson Sympathy is never wasted except when you give it to yourself. John W. Raper You can overcome anything if you don't bellyache. Bernard M. Baruch I'm not overweight, I'm just nine inches too short. Shelley Winters We all come to God with a past. Would you really want to go back in time and have a do-over? That’s the world of make-believe. Here’s a wishful thinking poem:
I wish there were some wonderful place called the Land of Beginning Again, Where all of our past mistakes and heartaches, And all of our poor selfish grief, Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door And never be put on again. (Louisa Tarkington) With God, we don’t need a do-over. You would only make the same mistakes, or worse. I tell couples that are going to be married, the quality more important than love is communication. To talk. Probably almost all of you can tell stories of problems with people that stem to poor communication. My opinion is that lack of communication or misunderstanding is a major factor that keeps most problems between people from being resolved. We either won’t talk, or we give up too soon. A new perspective and a new motivation. I can only speak from a Christian perspective. I understand and agree that people who are not Christians resolve problems. Yet the life of faith gives us the possibility of a fresh perspective and a new motivation. What we see and what makes us tick. A life of faith. Michelangelo was pushing a block of granite down the street. A curious neighbor sitting lazily on the porch of his house called him and inquired why he labored so over an old piece of stone. Michelangelo is reported to have answered, "Because there is an angel in that rock that wants to come out."
People can change! Most people believe people can change in a general sense, but then they have the certain people in their life (or themselves) and it seems impossible. The message today: Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. People can change. If you get in a fight with somebody, and nothing ever changes, reconciliation is hard, maybe even impossible. But when there are changes, the most amazing things happen. Never give up. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Freedom to be obedient to God, freedom to do that which is right, freedom to change, freedom to live as a redeemed person who lets God mold and transform them.
A week and a half ago I went for the day with Chaplain Phil Dufrene to the ships with Port of Hope ministries. Frazier-Surrey docks. Phil goes several times a week, ships that have given him permission to visit the crew, ships that keep returning. We went on two ships. The first ship was a Filipino crew, Phil re-acquainted himself with several of the crew: many good conversations took place, but particularly significant was when Phil and another chaplain listened to the concerns of one of the crewmembers, a “strong” Christian, and prayed for some concerns he had back home.
Nobody is immune from tension in relationships. I have a friend in a church that says a certain family in the church community does not and will not come to the church anymore because they had a disagreement with a family still in the church. Nobody remembers exactly what the fight was about, but it happened about 60 years ago now. Tension is too common among friends, within marriages and just about any relationship you can imagine. Reconciliation with others begins with compassion: “praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” Compassion: “there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too” (Buechner). Broke relationships are a huge problem: People not getting along with each other. The hurtful things that take place. Accusations among families and friends. A diminished relationship that is now something less than it once was. |
 
Carl Crouse, Pastor
At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights. Categories
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