I just returned home from several days at the beach. Jan, Kate, and I spent Thanksgiving at Surfside Beach, SC with Jan’s two brothers and sister-in-law. Great time with family while enjoying some time away from the norm. The destination was a two bedroom condo which was several blocks off the beach. The destination was nice but it was in the journey we found pure joy. The journey to reach this destination was filled with walking on the beach, visiting Ripley’s Aquarium, a five and a half mile run, shopping in a beach ware shop, and playing various games. 

So, what is the journey? I believe the journey is the quest we as people are on. The journey is the moment by moment events that make up each day. The journey is different for us all yet similar at the same time. We move from place to place and event to event. We want to believe that it is the events that we are given true happiness but joy is found in the moments when we journey from one event to another.

And we are not alone on this journey. There are other travelers who we come in contact with on a daily basis. These travelers are important to our journey. Don’t go alone but learn from each traveler you meet. 

3 steps to a joyful journey:

1. Set the intention.

You must set the intention that it is in the journey you will find joy. Go on a journey today. Don’t set your sights on the destination but on the in between times, the journey. 

2. Take along a road map.

You will need a way to navigate through the perils of life. I suggest you take God’s word  along on the journey. You can take a bible, devotional, or God’s word in your heart. All will lead you to the joy you seek.

3. Begin.

Now is the time to begin your journey. Start today and set the intention to follow God’s word toward the joy which you are promised. 

In North America, the marketing and advertising world is telling us it is the final destination that is rewarding. Buy this, own that, you will look good wearing this and that. However, the day by day struggles and successes of life are where we find the joys in life. Take that first step today to be the person you are born to be. I sure enjoyed the moments with my family at the beach. The condo was nice but the moments we spent enjoying every moment of life was so rewarding and full of joy. 

You will read more about the journey in the coming blog posts. I hope you enjoy the journey with me.

Be grounded, reach high, and blessings on the journey. 

                                 
Gospel Reading: Luke 22:14-20                     

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Sermon: Giving Thanks

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He gave thanks twice. Jesus gave thanks before breaking the bread and before drinking the wine. When do you give thanks? Do you give thanks before your meals? Before bed? When?

Perhaps the most important truth about giving thanks is that our primary reason for giving thanks is God’s grace to us. Giving thanks is a major theme from beginning to end of the Bible, and can be seen in the sequence of sacrifices and offerings in the Old Testament. It appears that offerings of thanksgiving tend to come at the end of the sacrifice and are a culmination of worship. An important part of giving thanks is simply remembering the truth about God. We are fallen, finite, people who can easily forget. We need to hear the truths about God and be thankful to Him by practicing the disciplines of prayer and Bible reading daily, and in corporate worship celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

I love the fact that Jesus chose to use the most common foods possible. Bread and wine have been the most available elements to nourish humankind in virtually every culture and every society on every continent throughout history. After being ground, individual grains of wheat are brought together into a single loaf. After they are crushed, individual grapes lose their identity and become one. When we partake of Holy Communion, we not only express our oneness with our Lord, but our oneness with each other as we eat of the same loaf and drink of the same cup. Let us give thanks to God for this Holy Mystery. 

Blessings on the journey!

We move like herded cattle towards the line. The countdown begins. 10, 9, 8……2, 1, go! And I’m off. I am surrounded by people on all sides as I ramble up Blossom Street through 5 Points and into the Shandon neighborhood. So begins the 13th Annual Get to the Green 10k. Running, breathing, so much to think about while free in space to move in a direction. So much of running is mental. In fact, a majority of running is mental. I have to keep my mind clear.

The 6 plus miles through Shandon was exhilarating. I ran farther than ever before, rain and all. Really once I was past the three mile mark did the rain begin to fall. Felt good on my face. I kept focus by listening to Joe Satriani. I always listen to music while I run. Focus…..almost to the finish line.

Once I turned on to Devine Street for the final time, I picked up the pace. I could see the finish line, several blocks away, yet seeming so close. As I approached the end, I saw Kate and Jan. Waiting in the rain for me to cross the line. Completing a 2015 goal….running a 10K. Yeah, I deserved that metal, banana, and cereal bar. Oh don’t forget the water! How could I? I was totally soaked from the rain and sweat. Worth it all. 

The first goal of 2015 complete! What a feeling.