"THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR.
IT'S IN ST. LOUIS!"

I grew up m the Disciples of Christ Church. When I was a kid I went to Bible camp every summer. We memorized scriptures that we were assigned and when we could successfully recite our passage we were rewarded with candv bars. As a self-proclaimed Bible nerd I understand why I put on weight in seminary. I love chocolate and I love the Bible. Of course, chocolate is only a momentary pleasure and the Bible is the key to a happy and healthy life for me.

I know alot of stories from the Bible but the ones that have the greatest impact on my life are those that reflect my own experiences. Today's passage from Matthew is one of those for me. Some of you are painfully aware of the adventures that Marie and I had in moving to St. Loms. Others will learn about it for the first time today. When we arrived we learned that the previous tenants of the apartment we had rented were not moved out. We waited several days and when they finally moved we went to see the place. It was trashed. I had a few moments of hopelessness. This was not what I fantasized while living in Manhattan and planning the move back to the midwest. What was God doing now?

Just like Jesus instructed the disciples to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is near, this community showed me in a very real way that, indeed, the kingdom of God is near. How are we to know that the kingdom of God is near? We will know by the healing of the sick, raising of the dead, cleansing of the lepers and casting out of demons.

Sometimes I look around and ask how can this be so? We live in such a broken and chaotic world. How is it that we have the power to do such things? The only answer I can come up with is that we don't but God does if we get out of the way and let it happen through us. I hope to share with you in sermons to come the healing that I have witnessed, the dead I have seen raised, and the demons that have been cast out.

Jesus instructed the disciples to give freely as they have freely received. Church - I'm tellmg you something you already know. You all know about giving freely already. I have learned so much in just a few weeks here about the generosity of this congregation, the generosity of the body of Christ at work in the world.

Jesus said, "Take no silver or gold with you. No purse or extra tunic." Jesus was tellmg the disciples not to plan for every possible situation but trust that God will provide all that they needed. There is still a part of me that believes that I am the only one that will ever take care of me so I have to plan and watch out for myself. Every now and then God uses people to reveal our faulty beliefs to us and lead us gently towards healing. God uses people to heal those broken places within us. This congregation has challenged my idea of each person for themselves with the generosity and love they have shown us. I want to thank you for the healmg that has happened as a result of your generosity.

Jesus told the disciples to trust and have faith that God will provide all that they need. God called me to be a pastor. I was working as a counselor three years ago with court ordered youth and their families. I had a good life going on - nice apartment in New jersey, decent salary, relatively new car - but God would not leave me alone. I realized that the families that I worked with who had a spiritual foundation to their lives did well even in very difficult circumstances. They fared better than those with no spiritual life even if these families had fewer problems.

I prayed for the kids I worked with and prayed for my relationship with them. I saw results. Kids that had been loners and noncommunicative opened up to me. Humor and good will entered our relationship and changes started to happen. Not every case was a success. We play a part in our own healing. We must open ourselves to it.

I answered the call to the ministry because God's Yes was louder than my No. Marie and I moved into Manhattan after I quit my job of seven and a half years, sold my car and left our spacious place for a cubby hole sized apartment with a Fisher Price stove in the noisy, crowded city. I don't regret the experience one bit though. It was a great place to train for the ministry. Never have I been so alive or loved what I am doing as much as now.

Jesus said, "Go to a town or village and find a worthy person and enter their household. If they welcome you and listen to your words then let a spirit of peace enter. If they turn away then leave and shake the dust off your feet." Well, when Marie and I found ourselves in a strange city, St. Louis, with no place to live we were surrounded with love from this community. Judy and Nancy, who had agreed to house us for a couple of nights ended up hosting us for ten days. They gave us the keys to their home and went on vacation. Elaine and Jackie gave us keys to their van so we could get around town. These women who didn't know me from Eve gave me keys to some of their most valuable possessions.

Rev. Teena and Lorraine housed our cats and gave them love and attention. We set up kitty visitation sessions and got comfort and friendship from them. Mike assisted us in finding a car which we all know can be a nightmare but he made it pleasant and simple. Mike also introduced us to a guy who helped us find a lovely apartment. Countless others donated food items and household goods and money to purchase appliances. Becky greeted me warmly and has shown me around the office. She even helped us move.

When we live in the truth of God's unconditional love for us we eextend that love to others. We recognize that sometimes life can be a mess but we don't have to let it disturb our sense of peace, our relationship with God.

In Jesus' time, the desert climate was brutally hot and harsh. Hospitality was a matter of survival. The truth of the matter is that hospitaiity is still a matter of survival but more than that Jesus was advocating a new kind of relationship to God. Jesus was calling the disciples to a radical, meaning to the root, dependence on God to provide for them. When the Holy Spirit is our guide we won't go anyplace that God hasn't prepared for us.

I am so very glad that God has taught me that I am living and ministering among dedicated disciples. Go forth trusting that the truth of being God's beloved children will transform your lives. As you go, my brothers and sisters, know that for some people you will be the only Christ they see. Amen!

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