"The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat.

So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them." Mark 6:30-34

I'm feeling a little scatterbrained this morning, Lord! I've got plenty of time, but I still want to come away with You and get a little rest!

I sure do love You, Lord. I have enjoyed reading about Your Word this morning, reading from Your Word, reading about Your gospel messengers. I so love Your Bride, the Church. So much that it offends me when someone maligns them. Someone says most Christians don't have good theological answers to the hard questions skeptics pose, someone else says most Christians want to play spiritual patty cake and be fed buckets of milk. Whether or not those statements are true, my heart cries out - don't you dare talk about my Family, Jesus's Body, His Holy Church that way!!! At the same time, my pride likes to puff me up that I am not counted among the spiritual babies. But who knows? Maybe I am still very infantile in my faith! I certainly seem so when I look at giants of the faith. I suppose I'll always find myself somewhere in the middle. And rightly so. There will always be someone more mature and someone less mature than me.

But who cares, really? It matters not that I accurately compare or contrast myself with other Christians. It matters not (at least not to ME) whether I accurately assess other Christians' spiritual maturity. It matters only that I look to Jesus as the ultimate standard, and that I just serve others and partner with the Body to do the important work of building up the Church, one ministry call at a time. As I do this, the Holy Spirit will conform me to His likeness, and put the power in the actions to actually accomplish what God wants to do.

You have placed before me a wonderful day, Father. And behind me is a full, satisfying day. I'm regretful that this morning I don't feel as close to You as I would like, and I haven't heard much from You. But maybe You'll reveal Yourself a little later. Thanks for allowing me to sleep in this morning, after a long night of fun with friends! I pray for their church, hurting right now. I pray for our other friends at a deeply wounded church. I am so moved to compassion for them! How awful that Your people are bleeding! I don't want to minimize their pain, but I also know that sometimes You bring a sword, sometimes You want the bad yeast thrown out so it won't spoil the whole batch.

Sometimes it's hard to know what You are calling us to - grace and non-judgment because we don't know others' hearts, or judgment and decisive action because Your Church should be Holy. I suppose it's a matter of Your call. What You have prepared for each of us. Jeremiah said some very unflattering words about Your people, but he was Your mouthpiece. I should be aware that others might also be acting as Your mouthpiece in any given situation. How do I know for sure? Does it matter? Probably not. Unless You call me to point it out. Otherwise, grace and forgiveness to the people who say it. Living life as a good example, being cautious with my words, demonstrating a deep love for You and Your people - these are what You prescribe.

Thank You for this day. The money to make it through the month. The energy to make it through the day. Forgive me for my rambling, focus-less talk this morning. Thank You for friends. Thank You for ministry opportunities. Strengthen Michael and I, speak to us, guide us in our evening with a non-believer (or 2). We desire Your glory, glory hallelujah!