“Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.

“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26

{“The China National Tourism Administration has created tips for its citizens when traveling abroad, including:

• Don’t steal life vests from airplanes to give as gifts.
• Don’t leave footprints on the toilet.
• Don’t dry your underwear on lampshades.”}

Why doesn’t life come with a handbook? Why doesn’t someone hand us a pamphlet when we turn 7 and say “If you memorize these tips, your life will be a lot easier”? There are those who believe the bible is such a book. There are others who would tell you the Koran, the Book of Mormon, or the Torah is the book to turn to when seeking advice about life, faith and relationships. Still others would want you to know that they believe the bible is out of touch with the 21^st century and we only need to look to our own minds and wills to determine the best way to make it through life.

I still wish I had a pamphlet, or a handbook – because life is not as simple as some people make it seem. Life is about experience – about failures and successes – about losses and gains – about standing tall, and falling flat on my face. And in all situations I can turn to scripture and find a word of Grace or a word of admonishment from G-d that gives me the courage to keep on, keeping on. Others will turn to the Koran and find the same word of guidance. If the G-d we worship has come down through the ages in the Bible, the Koran, and the Torah, than the words of G-d’s love and Grace are more expansive than we could ever have imagined.    

Pastor Dave