April 9, 2019                               Psalm 146                         Brian Heuckroth

                                               Romans 10:1-13

                                                 John 9:18-41

Christianity brings to me a spirit of thankfulness, a practice of openness, and a lifelong pursuit of the truth in all things. Lent is for me a time to focus on inner meanings and higher truths, and to be comforted by the timeless support of a God who loves us all.

Praise the Lord, O my soul. Psalms 146:1

Every day which goes by contains many gifts and opportunities for thankfulness. I try to make it a point to recognize these moments, whether it’s a hot meal with loved ones, a job especially well done by my employees, or making the green light on that long left turn in my commute.

“Thank you Lord, for thinkin’ about me, I’m alive and doin’ fine…”

– Signs, by the 5-Man Electrical Band

For the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For hosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:12

We live in a complex world which is now very divided, particularly when strong forces benefit from a divided population. Compassion for others has never been more important. We can set an example each day of the type of world we wish to live in, where all are important and even the people with whom we disagree are not the enemy.

“My sweet Lord, Hallelujah, My my Lord, Hallelujah

Mmm, My Lord, Hare Krishna, My my my Lord, Hare Krishna”

– – My Sweet Lord, by George Harrison

Whether he (Jesus) be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9:25

Jesus gave sight to a man blind from birth. The Jewish authorities could not accept such a miracle and wanted to assert that Jesus was a sinner. There are many parallels between the Jewish authorities of Christ’s time and the politicians of today. In both times, an agenda becomes more important than the truth to people who cling or aspire to power, and inevitably the truth becomes a casualty of the struggle, unless we care, unless we act, unless we persevere.

“I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

– Amazing Grace, by John Newton,
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