I may be away from the computer a few days.  July 4th wekend shoudl be a fun one and I don't expect to be around the following:

a phone

a television

a computer

So if you want to mingle with me this weekend, you might have to wait or use a carrier pigeon! 

Happy Independence Day America!!!!  Jeff

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. Isaiah 40:28-30 NLT

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner-yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me-now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:1-10 NLT

Key Passage: Mark 15:42-47

Topic: Love; Relationships; Bible Characters

Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43, ESV)

In Garth Brooks' song, "Friends in Low Places," he says he doesn't need society's elite to accept him. He's perfectly happy in the blue collar world. But haven't you ever wanted a friend in "high places"?

I mean, a real friend. Not a guy with a fake smile who treats you as his pet project, but someone who likes you no matter what your social situation. Most Bible studies on this topic tell you Jesus is that friend who loves us unconditionally--and that's true. But in today's passage, the situation is different.

Joseph of Arimathea, a highly placed man in Jewish society, had a unique opportunity to be a friend to Jesus. Rather than leave Jesus' battered body hanging on the cross in disgrace, Joseph honored the Lord by giving His body a proper burial. (And he sets the stage for the most dramatic moment in history!)

Though Jesus is no longer dead, we can still be a friend to Him today. Jesus said that whenever we become a friend to someone in a "low place," we are being a friend to Him (Matthew 25:37-40).

When you have the opportunity to show friendship to someone who's been forgotten by everyone else, you show friendship to God. When you provide for someone without any thought of being paid back, you demonstrate your love for God. In turn you help point someone's eyes to the one true friend in high places, Jesus.

Key Passage: John 1:19-28

Topic: Worship/Praise/Worthiness; Speech/Words

He [John] said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." (John 1:23, ESV)

You may think of cheerleaders as loud or cute, entertaining to watch, or unnecessary and distracting. But whatever your preference, it's not likely they'll be going away any time soon. Why? Because they play a role when it comes to hyping up a crowd.

Sporting events are not about cheerleaders or mascots. They're all about the teams competing. So anyone decked out in the team colors or a big furry costume--like a cheerleader or a mascot--is there for the sole purpose of pointing to the team, getting people excited about the team, and applauding the skills of the team.

John's role in life was to point people to Jesus Christ. He did this in his words, his actions, and the way he shifted any attention from himself back to Jesus. As popular as he was, John knew who deserved the spotlight and he willingly gave credit where it was due.

So what about you? If you don't know Jesus personally, what things are distracting you from being fully focused on Him? If you do have a relationship with Jesus, are you being a cheerleader for Him in the way you live? Are you directing all the attention back on Jesus?

It's not bad to watch the cheerleaders, but listen to what they say and focus on the one they're cheering.