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"Silver and gold I have none, but what I have I give you." This was spoken by Peter to a lame man who was begging for money. But what the man received was so much more than just money. In the name of Jesus, he was made whole, and he went "walking and leaping and praising God!" I've been thinking about that encounter since I heard Pastor Shelly speak about it in her sermon. Maybe I've been thinking about it especially since recently I've had various people come to see me needing money, or needing relationships fixed, or needing some other problem solved. But at the same time, in these recent situations, the people who come with these problems or needs, haven't been in church for months or years or even ever, and there is not much of a relationship with God. Hmmm... What this says to me is, yes, while everyone has problems to be fixed, and needs to be met, at the heart and core of all problems and needs is our need to be connected to our Creator. When that relationship is being nurtured and tended to, we are equipped to deal with all of those other things as well. And while it would be easy, for any of us, to just go for the simple answer, (give some $, offer a solution or advice, bail somebody out of something, etc), maybe these can be opportunities to say "Silver or gold I have none, but what I have I'll give you." Then raise the issue of where that someone is in his or her relationship with God, and point to the promises and the presence of the Risen Christ, who has opened that door, who invites us in, and offers us the gifts of the Spirit. THAT is so much more that even what we think we need. See you in church....and bring a friend!
Have a blessed week. Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com | 
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