The Summer Doldrums

About this time every summer I get the "blahs." Life seems to be just one long runon re-run. Continuity gets lost in vacations and other events that either take folks away from the life of the church, or at least have them tired enough that they don't inspire energy any more than I do. When that happens, it takes something very special to get me rcharged.

That happened this year with what we are calling "Burning Questions" here at COJ. I asked folks to give me questions that they would really like answers for and I would use them as worship themes and sermon topics for the summer. I thought it would be a piece of cake with some nice easy questions; ones I could answer off the top of my theological head. But instead, I got some really tough questions. Who made God? Why can't we just accept that Jesus is a human? How do I forgive myself? Why do good people suffer? Is there Spiritual Warfare? And finally, what is the best Bible?

Suddenly I had work to do. I had to unpack some of those Theology books that I had packed when I moved here, and I had to read, re-read, compare and then outline before I could frame good answers to the questions. But the process has been pretty neat so far. I am only half way through the questions, but I feel like I have a lot more energy than when I started, and I look forward to sharing on Sunday what I have been able to learn. I just hope that it sparks a little energy in those who listen to what I say.

If you have been missing these answers to "Burning Questions" come on to church this Sunday and catch the fire.

Pastor Realff