These Illustrations are based on Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
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Sermon Opener – The Healing Power of Touch - Matthew 9:18-26

As Matthew’s story begins this morning, Jesus, the great physician, is on his way to make an emergency house call. There was a little girl who was in a grave state and her father implored Jesus to come. We are told that a large crowd of the curious followed Jesus. Some were hoping he would succeed, others that he would fail; most probably got caught up in the excitement of the parade.

In this throng was one woman who was there for quite a different reason. We are told that for twelve years she had been suffering from a bleeding hemorrhage. Some modern scholars have theorized that this was a bleeding cancer. If this were the case she was, of course, beyond all medical help. Mark tell us that she had already been to all of the doctors and she had only gotten worse, and beside that they had taken all her money. Interestingly, Luke, who was a physician, tells this story as well, but he could not bring himself to tell that side of story. Call it professional pride but he is not about to say that she was taken for all her money by a long string of doctors.

How could she get the attention of Jesus? Her problem was of a very personal nature and she did not want to discuss the issue publicly. According to Levitic Law, a woman who was bleeding was considered unclean and under law could touch no one. There were many ancient taboos. She did not want to have to go through the disciples to see Jesus. She wanted the doctor and not the nurse.

She thus devised a plan. Having heard the stories of Jesus' power, she declared: If I but touch the hem of his garment I will be healed." We smile at that and say: How innocent, how naive.

She reached out from the crowd and touched the garment of Jesus. Immediately he stopped, bolted upright, and asked: "Who touched me?" The disciples were taken aback. Was this some kind of rhetorical question? Who touched you? Why master, look around, everyone is touching you. The New English version quotes their words as being: "What is the purpose in asking?"

Jesus replied with one of the most mysterious lines in the Bible. He said: "I felt power flow from me." For years I have been mesmerized with that verse. What exactly happened in that moment? Did the lady drain his battery? It sounds as though he is almost describing a power surge. "I felt power flow from me." Whatever happened the important matter of course is that in the midst of the crowd, Christ felt the touch of a single person. Don't ever say that in the enormity of the cosmos God cannot care about my concerns and me. Not only does God care, he actually solicits our concerns "Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you peace."

Daughter, said Jesus (and I might add parenthetically at this point that that is the only recorded time in scripture that Jesus used that term) daughter, your faith has made you well. And, we are told, she was immediately healed. The desperation of her faith thus became the channel that led to her healing. The story is saying there are two kinds of touch:

1. The first being physical touch.
2. The other is spiritual touch.

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A Reminder of the Graciousness of God – Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26

Have you ever been the victim of gossip or rumors? Ever overheard a snide comment that you weren’t supposed to overhear? Knowing that others are judging you, looking down on you, can be a painful experience. There are many warnings in the Bible against gossip and judging others because these activities harm human relationships and they don’t reflect the character of God.

I read a news story about a man named Eddie Bueno who must have been the target of gossip or hurtful comments most of his life. Eddie grew up in a large family, one of 18 children of Pete and Della Bueno. The Bueno family had a pretty awful reputation for crime. In fact, one of the local newspapers in Eddie’s hometown of Denver, Colorado, ran a story on the Buenos titled “Denver’s Biggest Crime Family.” It mentioned that 15 of the 18 Bueno siblings had arrest records. Unfortunately, the article failed to mention that Eddie, who had left his family at the age of thirteen, had led a morally upright life and had never been in trouble with the law.

Imagine how that would hurt your self-esteem and your reputation to have your family publicly branded as the biggest crime family in your city? Eddie Bueno was so hurt by the article that he sued the newspaper under a legal precedent called a “false light invasion of privacy.” This is similar to suing a person or organization for defamation of character.

The jury in the original case sided with Eddie Bueno against the newspaper, awarding him $100,000. However, an appeals court overturned the case. (1)

I wonder how Matthew, the tax collector, felt every time someone gossiped about him or looked down on him for his profession. He couldn’t sue anyone. He had earned his horrible reputation. In our Bible passage for today from Matthew 9, Matthew writes about the totally unexpected moment when Jesus chose him to be a disciple. And he even included a little detail you’d think he’d want to forget: the judgmental comment from one of the religious leaders questioning Jesus’ choice to eat with no-good sinners like him.

First, let’s look at why it was totally unexpected that Jesus would choose Matthew, a tax collector, as his disciple...

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Friends in Low Places

Years ago the country-western singer Garth Brooks had a hit song titled "I've Got Friends In Low Places." It's the story of a young man whose girlfriend has dumped him to marry an older and wealthier man. The young man shows up at her wedding, but he doesn't have the right clothes or behavior and so he stomps off in anger to join his hard-living friends, telling her, "I've got friends in low places, where the whiskey flows and the beer chases the blues away ...." Raucous words, but set to a powerful melody. I've often thought as I've listened to the song on the radio that with a slight change these words could apply to God-in-Christ: "He's got friends in low places." Perhaps even, "He's got friends in low places, where the mercy flows and the free grace is for you and me...."

Marc Kolden, Christ Our Sure Foundation, CSS Publishing Company.

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Leave It All Behind

When John D. Rockefeller died, one man was curious about how much he left behind. Determined to find out, he set up an appointment with one of Rockefeller's highest aides and asked, "How much did Rockefeller leave behind?"  The aide answered, "All of it."

Jesus is reaching out to you just as sure as he was reaching out to all three of these people.

What is it that you need to leave behind? What burden do you need to lay down? What is it that's breaking your heart. What area of your life is filled with pain?  You can leave "all of it" behind. You can leave it at the foot of the cross.

Billy D. Strayhorn, What They Left Behind

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When the Invitation Comes

You never know where the invitation will come. Abraham was sitting at home. Moses was out in the wilderness. Isaiah was in a worship service.  Matthew was at work. The woman caught in adultery was, well, caught in adultery and about to be stoned. I would call that a crisis, wouldn't you?  But it doesn't matter where you are or in what situation; God will find you. As the psalmist suggests:

Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?|
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast (Psalm 139:7-10).

Larry Bethune, Join the Journey

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The Picture of Jesus

For many Christ has never become a personal reality as he was to Matthew in the tax office. It is like a certain bachelor professor who had a friend, an artist. One day he went into his studio and saw a magnificent portrait of a lovely lady. He could not help admiring the painting. The professor asked if he could take it and hang it in his apartment. His friend suggested that maybe he might want to go one better and meet the lady. The bachelor at the time was not interested. Later, however, almost by accident he did meet the lady and in due course they were married. Then the lady moved into the apartment where her portrait was hung. Before the wedding, the lady was just a painting - objective, formal, something to look at and admire. Now she was one to know and love.

How many of us have a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall of our homes or offices? Could Jesus be just someone who looks good and one whom we admire? For us to confront Christ, he must come off the wall, step out of the picture and into our hearts where we might know him truly.

John R. Brokhoff, Jesus ... Who?, CSS Publishing Co., Inc.

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Matthew’s Loss and Gain

When Matthew made the decision to follow Christ he lost a great deal but William Barclay recognizes what he gained. He says:

He lost a comfortable job, but he found a destiny. He lost a good income, but he found honor. He lost a comfortable security, but he found an adventure the like of which he had never dreamed. It may be that if we accept the challenge of Christ, we shall find ourselves poorer in material things. It may be that the worldly ambitions will have to go. But beyond doubt we will find a peace and a joy and a thrill in life that we never knew before. In Jesus Christ a man finds a wealth beyond anything that he may have to abandon for the sake of Christ.

Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com

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Humor: Paying Taxes

It was a simple statement but still it hurt. "SEE, this man eats with sinners and tax collectors." They hurt because I was one of those tax-collectors. Tax collectors are never popular.

"Adopt a flat tax," said Steve Forbes in the primary campaigns, "and dismantle the Internal Revenue Service."

"I'm proud to be paying taxes in the United States," said Arthur Godfrey. "The only thing is I could be just as proud for half the money."

"President Clinton says he looks forward to the day a citizen can call the IRS and get the right answer to a question," says Jay Leno. "I look forward to the day I can call the IRS and get a voice that says, Sorry, that number has been disconnected.'"

And there was that famous reply that boxer Joe Louis gave when a sportswriter asked, "Who hit you the hardest during your ring career?" His reply: "Uncle Sam."

People don't like tax collectors. Things haven't changed as much as you think. Archeologists uncovered a 3,000-year tablet in Iraq. It had on it this inscription: "You can have a Lord, you can have a King, but the man to fear is the tax collector."

King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com

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The Taxman

This weeks Gospel story reminded me of a song from many years ago that was written and sung by my favorite band: “Let me tell you how it will be, there’s one for you, nineteen for me, cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman. Should five per cent appear too small be thankful I don’t take it all, cause I’m the tax man, yeah I’m the taxman. If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street, if you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat. If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.”

In the United States, all it takes to send shivers down the spine of any otherwise law-abiding citizen is to utter three little letters: IRS (the acronym for the Internal Revenue Service). And of course, the Beatles were writing their lyrics about the British tax system in the 1960s. Suffice to say that those who collect taxes for any government are dreaded in that country. And this is the situation in countries where taxes are used to provide essential services including defense, education, etc.  But think about how galling it would be to pay taxes to a foreign government, something just short of blackmail.

But this is exactly the situation in Palestine as it existed in Jesus’ time. Matthew is collecting taxes for Rome, the hated conqueror. As such, he is barred from the synagogue and, according to the Jewish Torah, is lumped together with robbers and murderers. So he is someone who is not only loathed, but hated just as much as the conquerors for whom he collects the taxes.

Pastor Nelson, Being All You Can Be

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Tax Collectors of the Roman World

In the days of Jesus tax collectors deserved the scorn of the people because often they abused their position. Here is how William Barclay describes the business of the tax collector in the Roman world:

‘The problem of the Roman government was to devise a system whereby the taxes could be collected as efficiently and as cheaply as possible. They had done so by auctioning the right to collect taxes in a certain area. A man bought the right to collect the taxes within a certain district; he was responsible to the Roman government for an agreed sum; anything he could raise over and above that he was allowed to keep as commission. Obviously this system lent itself to grave abuses. People did not really know how much they ought to pay in the days before newspapers and wireless announcements and the widespread diffusion of news; nor had they any right of appeal against the tax-collector. The consequence was that many a tax-collector became a wealthy man through his illegal extortion…

These tax-gatherers were universally hated. They had entered the service of their country’s conquerors, and they amassed their fortunes at the expense of their country’s misfortunes…They were notoriously dishonest. Not only did they fleece their own countrymen, but they also did their best to swindle the government, and they made a flourishing income by taking bribes from rich people who wished to avoid taxes which they should have paid. Every country hates its tax-gatherers, but the hatred of the Jews for them was doubly violent. The Jews were fanatical nationalists. But what roused the Jews more than anything else was their religious conviction that God alone was king, and that to pay any taxes to any mortal ruler was an infringement of God’s rights and an insult to His majesty. By Jewish law a tax-gatherer was debarred from the synagogue; he was included with things and beasts unclean, and Leviticus 20:5 was applied to him; he was forbidden to be a witness in any case; "robbers, murderers and tax-gatherers" were classed together. When Jesus called Matthew, He called a man whom all men hated.’

Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, Adapted from William Barclay

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Our Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. "It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. "We ask ourselves: 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' "Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God."

Marianne Williamson

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What Do You Want to Know?

People have been choosing up sides since the Garden of Eden.  The movie, "October Sky," illustrates this. Homer Hickam, a West Virginia high school student was faced with an important decision. Homer was part of a small group of friends. They weren't jocks or rich kids, but they knew what it meant when you associated with the wrong kid, especially John, that red-haired pimply-faced nerd that no one ever sat with at lunch. One day, Homer learned that weird John knew a lot about rockets. More than anything else, Homer Hickam wanted to learn rocketry, and now he was faced with a dilemma - would he follow his interest and publicly talk to John? Or would he do what all the others expected, and avoid John like a plague?

The scene is the lunchroom with Homer is walking over to see John at another table. His friends are saying, "No, no, don't do it - don't talk to him -- no one will ever talk to you again!" But Homer went anyway. "What do you want?" asked John. "I hear you know about rockets," said Homer. "Well, what you do want to know about them?" And thus began a friendship that would result in the Rocket Boys, a gang of four adventuresome guys who brought brief glory to the sleepy town of Coalwood, and the start of a distinguished career in aeronautics for Homer Hickam.

This incident begs a question - what if Homer had followed his friends' advice and avoided John? What if Homer never had the courage to speak to this brilliant boy, this boy the others called a "loser"? What would Homer - and the world - have lost if he had followed social order and stayed within his own circle of friends?

I can here Matthew, Peter, James, John, and Paul as they walk up to Jesus, I hear you know a lot about God.” What do you want to know?  What would the world have lost if these men had decided not to listen to their friends?

Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, Adapted from a sermon by Bob Tasler, “Fellowship among God's People."

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Illustrations Not Listed in Our Newsletter
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A Super Callused Fragile Mystic

People of faith seem to live out of a different reality. (Wizard of Oz clip: bubble appears to Dorothy) They seem other-worldly, strange, mystical, floating in from some other reality to ask us questions to which we don’t know the answer. (Glenda’s question should be here)

Most of us are familiar with Mahatma Gandhi (the great spiritual leader of India). As you know, he walked barefoot most of the time, which, I am told, produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. You realize what this made him, of course...

A super callused fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.

I guess it is hard being a person of faith. When you take your faith seriously, people look at you funny. They treat you differently. You’re not always part of the gang.

Paul Tucker, God Provides the Ram, Why Choose the Bull?

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I Will Remember No More

The evangelist, Luis Palau, met Maria Benitez-Perez. Maria had made an appointment under false pretenses. She claimed that she wanted to interview for a job. But as soon as she entered his office, Maria made her intent clear. 

She was the secretary to the Communist Party in Ecuador. She denounced everything having to do with God or with Jesus Christ. Her bitterness overwhelmed Palau. But he listened respectfully and replied gently to everything Maria said.  Soon, Maria was telling him her life story. It was a tale of pain and suffering and sin. And she ended it all with one question, "Supposing there is a God. Would He accept a woman like me?"

Palau didn't hesitate. He turned to Hebrews 10:17 and read, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."  Maria tried to explain once again all the sins she had recently committed. Palau countered with Hebrews 10:17, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

Seventeen times Maria tried to explain why she was unworthy to receive forgiveness. Seventeen times. Luis Palau repeated the words: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."  And finally, Maria Benitiz-Perez bowed her head and prayed to receive Christ.  Just like in the life of Maria Benitiz-Perez, there comes a point when we all have to decide about Jesus. Either He is or He isn't what He says He is. He either does or doesn't do what He claims He claims He can do. If He IS and DOES, then what's the hold up. Why are you still doubting? And if He isn't and doesn't, then why are you still listening?

Billy D. Strayhorn, What They Left Behind

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Jesus Comes to Us

"He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake-side, He came to those men who knew Him not.

He speaks to us the same word: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time.

He commands. 

And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is. "

Albert Schweitzer, The Quest for the Historical Jesus

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The Ministry in Interruptions

So often we claim we don’t have time to be TO BE MERCIFUL AND HELP OTHERS Henri Nouwen wrote about the second part of this reading (v. 18-26) He said (I'm paraphrasing) that ministry is what happens in the interruptions. In this passage we see several examples of the types of things that can happen through interruptions.

a. Matthew at work, interrupted by Jesus.
b. Jesus teaching, interrupted by Jairus.
c. Jesus going to Jairus' home, interrupted by the woman.

You and I would probably go home very frustrated by this day of interruptions!   "I couldn't get a THING done today!", we would explode to our spouse.

Let us pray that God would open our eyes, ears, hands and hearts to such interruptions in which he provides us opportunities to give mercy and love to those who so desperately need it!

Philip Hopwood, I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice

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The Special Olympic Race

John Beck used to be a football star for the University of Kentucky. Later on he became a preacher and was named as Chaplain of the U.S. Olympic Teams. For a number of years he traveled with our Olympic Teams all over the world, leading in their devotions, counseling & praying with many of the athletes.

As he watched these young men and women train for the events in which they competed, he decided that this was a picture of what Christianity really ought to be. Here were people who were sincere and fervent and dedicated to the task before them. They were willing to pay any price, regardless of how much suffering or pain they had to endure. They were willing to pay any price to be number one, to win.

Then one day John Beck was invited to visit the Special Olympics. Special Olympics, as you know, are made up of special athletes. All of them suffer from some kind of mental or physical impairment.  He watched them as eight runners lined up for the 100-yard dash. They all took off when the starting gun fired, and he was amazed at how good they actually were. But as they reached halfway in the race, one of the boys fell down, skinned his knee on the track, and started to cry.  He said that what happened next was both beautiful and amazing. All seven of the other runners stopped, and all seven of them turned around and went to the boy who had fallen. Together they helped him to his feet. And the eight walked to the finish line together. Beck said that he then realized that he had seen the true meaning of Christianity, not in the Olympics, but in the Special Olympics.

Our highly competitive world seems always to be saying that the only thing that counts is “Number One.” I understand and appreciate the need for excellence, to be number one. But I know a better way. Will you pay the price to pick up the fallen?

Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com

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The Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd

Once upon a time, a minister was traveling through a remote part of the State of Washington when he came across a flock of sheep crossing the road. He stopped his car to wait and soon the shepherd of the flock came by on horseback. Being a preacher, the man simply couldn't resist approaching the shepherd. "You know," he said. "You're the first real, live shepherd I've ever met. Do you mind me asking what you think of when you hear the expressions 'The Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd'?

The answer was more than he ever could have expected. The old shepherd said, "You know, springtime is a tough time for sheep and shepherds. It's lambing time. It's a time of tragedy. When many ewes are giving birth, the shepherd must often deal with problems. Sometimes a lamb dies at birth, sometimes a ewe, giving birth. And here is the scene: Over here is a mother sheep that has lost her baby. Over there is a lamb that has lost its mother. But sheep are difficult animals. A sheep will not take a lamb that is not its own. And so, we have the situation of a mother full of the milk that will not nourish her baby because she has no baby to feed. And we have a lamb, hungry for life-giving nourishment and no mother to feed it. In short order, the motherless baby will starve to death. It is a scene of abundance and scarcity - all at once. And this is what the good shepherd must do. Now, this is going to be a bit graphic, preacher, but it's the truth. To reconcile this moment of tragedy, the shepherd takes the lamb that has died and slits its throat. Then he washes the motherless lamb in the blood of the lamb that has died. Only then will the mother accept and feed the motherless lamb as her own. That is what I know about 'The Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd'," said the shepherd. (With thanks to Harlan Bemis, for sharing the story)

Barry J. Robinson, Keeping Bad Company

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True Communion, True Service

Barbara Lundblad, Professor of Homiletics at Union Theological Seminary, tells of a phone call she received from a former student who was serving an inner city parish. Professor Lundblad asked her how their building renewal project was going. "Great!" said the student. "But we ran out of money before we could refurbish the sanctuary." Lundblad bristled a little at this. Naturally, she considers worship to be the first priority of the church. "But we had enough to remodel the basement where we have the homeless shelter so we could put in some new beds and get a better kitchen and clean up the place for our guests." They had just dedicated the basement by gathering in their old run down sanctuary to praise and pray and hear the word of God: "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Matt 25:35-36). Then they took the bread and the communion chalice and went down to the basement and broke the bread over the new beds and shared the cup in the new kitchen.

That night the beds were full and the sanctuary still needed work. And Christ was fed and welcomed and clothed and sheltered by his church. Said Lundblad, "May it always be so among us."

Larry Bethune, Join the Journey

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Learning Mercy

Some of us can learn mercy by reading about it in the Bible. Many more of us, however, learn mercy by taking the plunge and doing it.

Such was the case with Sister Helen Prejean. Her story is told in the book Dead Man Walking, which recently came out in film. Sister Helen hears one day of a correspondence program with prisoners on death row. She decides to participate and begins writing, even though she's been told not to expect to hear anything in return. Much to her surprise, though, one of the prisoners does respond and catches her completely off guard by asking her to be his spiritual guide. Apparently his execution date was fast approaching, and he wanted some representative of God to be there for support over the next several weeks.

Sister Helen hesitates. It is one thing to do charity long distance. It is quite another thing to do mercy face to face with a convicted murderer. Gary had been sentenced to death by lethal injection for participating in the brutal rape of a young woman and the subsequent murder of both her and her finance. Sister Helen recoils at the very thought of meeting this rapist and murderer, let alone ministering to him. But a voice deep inside of her tells her she must go. So she does.  The first several meetings are difficult. Gary comes across a whole lot more cocky and arrogant in person than he did in his letters. He refuses to admit his guilt and insists that he is the innocent victim of a corrupt legal system.

To make matters worse, Sister Helen is despised and publicly villified by the victims' parents for even spending time with Gary. How could she, a deeply religious nun, befriend this cold-blooded murderer! They are horrified and let her know that every time they see her.  And yet, despite these difficult barriers, Sister Helen risks her name, her reputation, her own safety, to reach across them and embrace Gary with the love of God. And the more she perseveres in loving him, the more his defenses begin to crumble. Finally on the night before his execution, Gary confesses to his crime and asks for God's forgiveness. In a flood of tears, he thanks Sister Helen for all her love and support. He then tries to send her home, insisting that her work with him is done and that he is now ready to meet his Maker.

"No, that's okay," she responds. "I'll stay through the execution."

"But why?" Gary wants to know. "I'm only getting what I deserve."

"Because," she replies, "the last face I want you to see before you die is not one of hatred and vengeance, but one of love and mercy."

The next morning, Gary is strapped into place while Sister Helen and the victims' parents watch through the window of an adjacent room. Within a matter of minutes, the last lethal dose is injected and Gary is pronounced dead. Most of the by-standers breathe a sigh of relief. Some even begin to applaud. But Sister Helen alone stands there — with arms reaching out to Gary and a look of pure mercy on her face.

Some of us learn mercy by reading about it in our Bibles. But most of us, like Sister Helen Prejean, learn mercy by just doing it to those who least deserve it — to those who are unclean, who are despised and rejected by society.

J. Scott Miller, Learning Mercy . . . Doing Mercy

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What Jesus Wants

Years ago there was a man in the west who was caught stealing sheep. They branded him on the forehead with the letters ST, "sheep thief." Later his life changed and he became a model for all. People forgot that ST stood for "sheep thief" and thought it symbolized "saint." This is what Jesus wants to happen in every person's life, including yours and mine. He associated with sinners, had dinner with them, and once explained to his enemies that he came to call sinners that they might become saints of God.

John R. Brokhoff, Jesus ... Who?, CSS Publishing Co., Inc. 

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Humor: Not Even a Hot Bath

Feeling edgy, a man took a hot bath. Just as he'd become comfortable, the doorbell rang. The man got out of the tub, put on his slippers and a large towel, wrapped his head in a smaller towel, and went to the door. A salesman wanted to know if he needed any brushes. Slamming the door, the man returned to the bath.

The doorbell rang again. On went the slippers and towels, and the man started for the door again. This time, however, he took one step, slipped on a wet spot, fell, and hit his back against the hard porcelain of the tub.

The man struggled into his street clothes and, with every move a stab of pain, drove to the doctor. After examining him, the doctor said, "Nothing's broken. But you need to relax. Why don't you go home and take a hot bath?"

I doubt that a hot bath was very appealing at that particular moment. There are some problems even a hot bath can't solve.

King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com

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Enough for Action?

The United State's most read columnist, Thomas Friedman, likes to tell a story he got from Johns Hopkins University's foreign policy professor Michael Mandelbaum (in his book The Ideas That Conquered the World). A young girl is eating dinner at a friend's house. Her friend's mother asks if she likes brussel sprouts. "Yes, of course," the girl replied. "I like brussel sprouts."

After the dinner, though, the mother notices that the brussel sprouts remain untouched.  "I thought you liked brussel sprouts," the mother asked.

"I do," answered the girl. "But not enough to actually eat them."

We Christians like a lot of things - peace, love, harmony.  But not enough to actually do something about them.

Leonard Sweet, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com