We do grow weary at times, do we not?  This scene with Sam and Frodo is about the Hope to go on.

As the Father of many nations, Abraham was given a glimpse into God's plans for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  God consults with His leader and Abraham makes the most of it.  Take a look again at the dance that takes place as Abraham pulls out his abacus and counts the number of innocent people in the wicked cities.  Gen. 18

I am fascinated that God includes Abraham, I am intrigued that God cares about these two cities.  This may be the first major evangelistic initiative in the OT.  Abraham is the evangelist of choice, He intercedes for people he doesn't know for the most part.  He gets in between God and them, a delicate position to be in I think.  But he does it anyhow.  This may be the reason why Abraham was chosen in the first place.  He has a heart for people, known or unknown.  He cares about their salvation.  He frets over their destruction.

This makes Abraham the first evangelist.  At least the one with the big budget and big plans.  What can we learn from Abraham as evangelist?

• It is important work where lives are held in the balance.
• Abraham's main function was intercession
• He persisted in this role, not giving in easily
• He had family involved in those cities
• Those cities were as wicked as any in the area, but God went their anyhow

Who was saved in this evangelistic activity and what were the results?  Why does God and Abraham for that matter care?  Is God just doing some housecleaning as he causes the disappearance of these two towns and their inhabitants? What is God's purpose in this evangelistic meeting?

Are you devoted to prayer?  Does it really matter?  Can prayer make a difference?

Yesx3

Let's pray.  I say that to folks a lot.  Let's pray.  The first thing it does is simple.  It takes the burden off of me or you and puts it into the hand of God.  We don't pray to each other, we pray to God.  Yea, I know, simple idea and you already knew it.  Maybe its time for a reminder though.  Let's pray.

Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

The words of Jesus on the Cross when He was in the midst of searing pain.  He thought about those who persecuted Him.  That's a hard thing to do.  I'm not even sure that I have to come close to His ideal, are you?  I mean, who can forgive like He did?  Who can look into the eyes of their murderer and wish only well for them?

It is hard to do.  It may be one of the most imprtant things we do.  Forgive and forgive a lot.

Fall comes early here.  But it seems welcome.  Maybe its the change, dropping leaves mean something different.  The seasons get pretty serious here, there really are four of them, even though winter seems like it dominates.  After a few weeks of Fall, Winter will slap us in the face and I'll be wishing for Fall or Spring or something other than snow/cold/wind.  But for now, lets think color, see Blue sky and enjoy warm southern breezes.

As I often do, I'm reading stuff about church and churchology, otherwise known as eccliesiology.  Latest book is A Heretic's Guide to Eternity.  Now, for a pastor, this might be an unhealthy book.  It might make me value classical pastoral work less.  But it might make me value a new kind of pastoral work.  A pastoral work that builds people first and last, tailoring them for the kingdom, here and now.

Some books are filled with answers, some stories, and some, like this one, make you think of questions that you didn't know exist.  If you've got the answers, then check out the questions in this book by Burke, the founder of the ooze.