If you’re like me, sometimes you can feel as if you’re hopeless. Maybe you’ve made a stupid mistake or said something inappropriate that hurt someone. How could you, a child of God, be so clueless. We must admit we aren’t perfect but dwelling on our faults is not what our Savior wants or requires. Just the opposite, Jesus came to take away our guilt and shame. It’s gone! We are new in Christ! A brand-new creature, filled with the light of his Spirit.  When negative thoughts get you down, remember, you are not those dark voices that put you down, you are who God says you are!

How many times have I read the Sermon on the Mount and thought what wonderful words. wouldn’t it be great if everyone lived like that. Maybe someday when I’m with Jesus I’ll be able to measure up to that standard. After reading it again this week, I’m thinking why would Jesus give us that beautiful guideline for life if we were unable to achieve it. We are in him; he is in us. We’ve been promised all the help we need. Am I making excuses because living his way seems so impractical or maybe even dangerous in some circumstances?

At a brunch get-together, one of the children there looked a lot like Linus of the cartoon Peanuts fame. Cute as he could be, thumb in mouth, 4-year-old Jonah was dragging around a well-worn blanket. I was getting better acquainted with his grandmother when he came up, stood directly in front of me and looked intently at me. I was surprised, as I thought he might be a bit insecure around people he didn’t know. “Well, hello,” I said. “What’s your name?” He replied, pointing to my face, “You have cream cheese right there.” No insecurity in this child!

Once when Jesus was telling the pharisees how hypocritical they were, his disciples questioned his bluntness. Don’t you see you’ve made them angry by talking like that. Jesus didn’t hate the pharisees, but they hated him. They didn’t like being reminded of what they already knew in their hearts was true. Were his disciples often embarrassed Jesus spoke so plainly or maybe fearful of what the pharisees might do in return? They were a powerful group in Israel. Our reminder today, Jesus doesn’t mince words. As his disciples today we should be ready, without fear or embarrassment, not only to hear Jesus’ truth but also to act on it.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and those who are fathers to others! My dad left this world way before he or any of us wanted. His brother who stepped in as a grandfather to my children is gone now too. I grieved over those losses in my children’s and my life. But as sad as I was I knew I would always have a Father. My daddy was a good man who loved and cared for me. Some fathers are good, some are not, but none are perfect. Our heavenly Father is both perfect and eternal. He will never leave us!

As I prayed through some of the Psalms this morning, I noticed how often the words steadfast love come up when describing God. In other versions it may say unfailing love. How comforting are those words! I don’t know about you but some of my loves have failed me. I’ve been disappointed and hurt and I have disappointed and hurt others. But, our God, never! We may stray from him but he never abandons us. That understanding fills my heart with joy! Like a little child snuggled up in the arms of dad or mom, in his steadfast love I am at peace.

Sometimes I wonder how people can live without God in their lives. I couldn’t function at all without knowing he’s always right there guiding me through life. Then, it occurred to me, no matter what those without a relationship with God believe, he is in their lives. They wouldn’t be alive otherwise. Though they don’t acknowledge him he’s there with them all the time, showing them his love in so many ways. Won’t they be surprised one day to look back and see how often he intervened in their lives out of pure love.

They could have freed Jesus from crucifixion, but they chose Barrabus. The people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as their Messiah, someone who would free them from Roman oppression. But seeing him standing there under Roman guard, he didn’t look much like their champion anymore. Egged on by the religious leaders, they chose the freedom fighter Barrabus. He was a murderer and a thief, but he was also a man of war who fought against the Romans. More hope of him than this man preaching turn the other cheek. They had a choice, so do we.

When I moved to a new neighborhood, my son-in-law trimmed the trees in my yard for me. When he went to cut down a spindly tree in the bar ditch, a mom with several kids hurried over to ask him to stop. It seems this little tree is a mulberry and has berries on it in the summer. They didn’t care how it looked, they wanted those berries. So now I see children getting off the school bus and checking that tree fairly often. It may not add to the beauty of my yard, but what a little sacrifice to make them happy. Some things are just worth it.

My friend once saw herself hanging on a cross. Dream or vision, it was an image that touched her powerfully. It comes to mind that, indeed, as he took on the sins of the world, we all hung there with him. But, after this all-encompassing sacrifice by Jesus in our stead, I believe God sees us now as he saw his son at his baptism. “This is my son [daughter] whom I love; with him [her] I am well pleased.”