moving on

Good morning friends,
Today I'm working on the Habitat house that UPT (Urban Presbyterians Together) is building together. There are still about 17 days left for you to get in on the building, so if you'd like to volunteer check out this link for more information. Today's reading tells us what happened next for Paul. He meets Timothy, who Paul mentors. Their relationship is an important one. It's surprising that Paul has Timothy circumcised, having just finished advocating that such things aren't necessary. At the same time, maybe Paul wanted to avoid conflict over something he knew wasn't important.

Blessings on your day,
Sam

Acts 16:1-5

Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. ²He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. ³Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.

family visit

Good morning friends,
After Mary's surprising visit from the angel Gabriel, she went to see her relative Elizabeth. Gabriel had told her that Elizabeth, too, was pregnant in a miraculous way. It makes sense that Mary would have wanted to spend some time with an older relative as she reflected on the amazing change coming into her life. It also makes sense that she would have specifically sought out Elizabeth as another woman touched by this amazing piece of God's plan. We don't learn a lot about the visit, but the interaction between the two women is touching and powerful. Even though it takes Jesus' disciples half of the Gospel to figure out who Jesus is, Elizabeth knows right when Mary comes in the door that he is the Lord. Praise God for the strong faith of these two women.

God bless you as you begin your week,
Sam

Luke 1:39-45

39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."