In junior high my dad started coming to church. It was for a season but so fun. We were like a whole family worshipping together. I knew it was right and good that that was all I would accept for my future family. As a family, we rarely ate in restaurants. Fast food was also not yet a ‘thing’. There was one burger drive-up in Hawthorne, CA that I distinctly remember because I stuck my thumb in a small ketchup container and caused an explosion that would forever mark the roof of our 1949 Ford sedan. Yikes! My parents were so kind as if they expected shenanigans like that. Rolled eyes ensued I am certain. So, when we started going to a smorgasbord at Del Amo in Torrance, it was a whole new world. I come from humble people. You walked down the line with a metal tray and pointed at what you wanted and the desserts were beautiful. I always ordered turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. I know, Thanksgiving is a great meal that connects us. I was not used to fancy and this kind of service was an exception to my usual life. Those were happy times but I do remember my older sister getting in a quiet argument with dad about the meaning of a song by the rock group the Doors about the meaning of, “Baby come and light my fire”. Even I thought it was about love and igniting someone’s heart. That is before I knew.
This mention of smorgasbord is an excuse to quote some other people smarter and better studied than I am. Here are a few gems that have been speaking to my heart this week. I hope you get a good meal.
A good church is faithful in the long haul. – Mary DeMuth
Planted or buried. – unknown
The present downfall of America is the saturation with evil and arrogant dismissal of God. – Michael Snyder
The Seattle Times had another ‘moving’ article about the critical work to save salmon and we still think we can negotiate abortion? – Pam Schmoll
Biblical prayers are powered by God’s commitment and promise to work….Prayer voices our confidence in God who has promised to do us good. So prayerlessness is a failure to trust God…Genuine prayer kills our pride and promotes His praise. – Dieudonne’ Tamfu
Much of Christian faith requires moving away from comfort toward need. – John Piper
