O Holy Presence,
It is difficult, at times, to see You in the faces of others, because we allow envy, strife, frustration, and anger to separate us from those around us. Such attitudes blind us to reality that everyone is created in Your image. It is too easy to embrace the values of the world which dictate response rather than initiative. We let the deeds of others cloud our understanding of Jesus’ mandates to “turn the other cheek”, “walk the second mile”, “forgive seventy times seven” and even to “love your enemies”. Please forgive us, Lord. Help us to move the rhetoric of the faith into the actions of life. We offer this prayer in the name of the one who, while dying, said, “Father, forgive them”. AMEN.
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Jean Long’s hip replacement surgery was successful. She will be in St. Mary’s Hospital for a few days. Please pray for her recovery.
My little nose issue has turned into quite an ordeal. I had a skin graft at the Surgery Center yesterday morning where skin was removed from my neck and attached to my nose. Frankly, it was much more involved than I had anticipated. I am fine, but, because of the way it was done, I am staying out of the public eye for a while. When I do go out for brief times I will be wearing a mask just to cover the site. Right now a bandage won’t do. I go back to the plastic surgeon next Tuesday. After that everything should be fine. Right now I am taking vacation time and will be reading and writing at home. If you need me, please call my cell phone at 402-2522.
The scripture for today is 2 Samuel 18:24-33:
Now David was sitting between the two gates. The sentinel went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he looked up, he saw a man running alone. The sentinel shouted and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth.” He kept coming, and drew near. Then the sentinel saw another man running; and the sentinel called to the gatekeeper and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also is bringing tidings.”The sentinel said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good tidings.”Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well!” He prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground, and said, “Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.”The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.”The king said, “Turn aside, and stand here.” So he turned aside, and stood still. Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, “Good tidings for my lord the king! For the LORD has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the power of all who rose up against you.”The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man.”The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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