We now stand at the midway point of The Church’s Year of Grace. The Church in her wisdom uses God’s Service to teach us each year, Sunday after Sunday, with the same Bible readings, the articles of our Faith, those things which we believe and confess. During the first part of the year she does this by leading us through the life of Christ. During this second part of the year she does this by putting before us His preaching and miracles. . . .

“Do you have your priorities straight?” Has anybody ever asked you that? Perhaps a boss, mom or dad, a friend or sibling or spouse? They might say it to us if we aren’t focused on the task at hand, if we aren’t doing the right things, if we aren’t acting like we care about anything at all. Their goal would be to refocus us, get us back to doing the right thing, back to doing what we’re supposed to be doing. . . .

Have you ever been lost? I hate being lost. The word immediately reminds me of nearly 6 years ago on our honeymoon in the city of “Cheers,” Boston. I got completely, utterly lost getting into the city AND getting out. I crave a sense of where I am and where I’m going all the time, and I didn’t have it. I was lost. No “Cheers” for me! (OK, yes we did go there). . . .

Last Sunday was Father’s Day. You spent time thinking about your dad. If you live near him you spent time with him. You dads here spent time with your kids. Maybe you took them to the lake or camp or a game. Perhaps you thought about what makes a good dad. A couple of us thought about having newborns soon. . . .