Fall Creek Christian Church

"... for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in." Mark 6:30-56 It's taken me decades to begin to understand my wife's language. For example, when she says, "It looks like the trash is full." It means, "Take out the trash." "Nothing" never means nothing. "Whatever" means you better remember what I said three years ago about this topic and my preference or else. Even still, there are moments when she's looking at me and I'm awkwardly looking at her and I know I should know something or do something, but I have zero clue what it is. My mind cries out, "Anyone? A little help here. Husband in trouble. Anyone?"   It's somehow comforting to know that I'm not the only with this problem. In the story today, the disciples had trouble connecting the dots, too. They had seen Jesus do some crazy stuff. Right before this sea encounter,

" John announced: 'Someone is coming soon who is greater than I -- so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.'" Mark 1:1-8 As the whistle sounded for the start of the first soccer game on the first gameday, my mind whirled with all that had had to happen to make this possible. It took months of preparation, countless volunteer hours, gracious monetary donations and incredibly talented small business owners who all rallied together to clear rocks, provide electricity, plant, water, weed and feed, and mow our way to three beautiful acres of sports fields. A recreational Christ-centered youth sports ministry was expanded to outdoor sports introducing thousands of more children to Jesus. Preparing the way for something or someone is a huge deal, especially if that someone is Jesus. John the Baptist was his stage setter. He plowed up the hard hearts and inspired the discouraged hearts with powerful words of

"The master was full of praise. ' Well done , my good and faithful servant...'" Matthew 25:14-30 "Well done!" It was written there in bright red pen. It had to be true. Growing up, I had a few teachers on occasion write those inspiring words on my test, a homework assignment or a paper I had written. It wasn't something that happened on a regular basis so that when it did, it made me feel really good. My hard work paid off. I made sure my parents saw it. I even put it on the refrigerator myself! "Well Done." It's inspiring just saying the words.    Jesus knew that. It's why he featured the phrase in his parable. The vast majority of people value encouragement and the recognition of a job done well. Each of the servants in Jesus' parable were given resources perfectly fitted to their gifts and abilities. Each of the servants were called, trusted, and equipped. The first two were honored by the master when he returned. "Well done

"The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." Exodus 14 I have attempted to stand-up paddleboard one time in my life. That was one time too many. I beat myself to a pulp falling over and over again. In between my vain attempts at standing, I was sitting on the board and I saw a dark shadow in the water. I quickly got to my knees and stared into the water and sure enough swimming straight towards me was a 6-foot barracuda. I thought, "Thank you Lord! It's not a shark." Then I thought, "O Lord, Help! There's a 6-foot barracuda swimming right at me!" Mostly, I thought, "Just stay calm...just stay calm..."  There's something about rocks and hard places that improve our prayer lives instantaneously. At least they should. The people of Israel turned to panic, fear, and angry criticism of Moses who led them between the rock of the Egyptian army and the hard place of the sea. On purpose no less! As it turns out, it was actually God&#