Pastor M.  gave an uplifting sermon today.  The scripture was Mark 4:35-41 "On that day, when evening had come, he said to them,  "let us go across to the other side." and leaving the crowd behind,  they took him with them in the boat just as he was.  Other boats were with him.  A great windstorm arose,  and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was being swamped.  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do    you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind,  and said to the sea,  "Peace!

Be still!" Then the wind ceased,  and there was a dead calm.  He said to them,  "Why are you afraid"  Have you no faith?  " And they were filled with great awe and said to one another "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

So many people are facing hard times right now--losing jobs and houses and seeing their retirement money melt away.  People are scared,  in a turmoil.  Pastor said that when times are hard we NEED TO TRUST GOD THE MOST.  Faith is believing when we don't know how things will work out.  Not easy.  

Pastor talked about Rembrant who painted two pictures of Mark's Bible verse.  And he put himself in with the other frightened people in the boat --hoping for God's grace.  Because we all go through dark times.  We are all in that boat at one time or another. 

Pastor says that we need to strive to be a peaceful presence for others and for our own selves.  

Where can that come from?  A recognition of God's living presence among us.  

After church,  I went to work.  It was a slow after sale kind of day,  but Mille and I had a good conversation.  We talked about finding our spiritual center and being grateful-how gratitude draws more good into our circle.

After work it was family night at our daughter's  house.  Our granddaughter  had just come back from her trip to NYC.  She had some amazing pictures and stories.  R was there.  We were so

 happy to see him.  He hasn't been able to come for awhile.  And one more time with B before his family comes to Indy.  

The Llamas are back.  Luke sighted 4 of them.