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Wouldn’t that be nice? If it was the right track, it would be great. However, it seems like many people struggle with several tracks playing all at the same time. Some of those tracks are not helpful. Some tracks are not tracks we choose, but they keep intruding and can become very noisy at times. We are reminded in Romans 12 that we can be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Interestingly, modern science has revealed that new pathways in the brain can be formed by practice. Let’s try not to gloat over the fact that followers of Jesus have been practicing “disciplines” for hundreds of years that help form new neural pathways.

For the past six weeks, we’ve been planning, preparing, writing, creating and praying for this Sunday’s presentation. We are trying to summarize 80 years of history and three and a half years of planning, dreaming and praying into a 40-minute presentation. We’re doing this not to give you a vision for an expanded facility but rather to present a vision for ministry that may require some additional space. We are here as God’s people to share the gospel and to develop followers of Jesus for life.

Happy Birthday America! A lot has happened in 250 years! Just think about how much change has taken place. It’s hard to take it all in. We should be so very, very grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the flourishing life that America has made possible for millions of people. My mom’s parents came from Holland. My dad’s great-grandparents came from England. Of course, there are some native people but most of us are here because somewhere in our history, our ancestor’s believed America was the land of promise.

There must be a market for vengeance. Many movies and books center on this theme. It’s interesting that people often want justice or vengeance for themselves, but when God warns of His vengeance, people get squeamish. For ourselves, we want mercy, for others we want justice. What does this say about us? Does it trouble you that God said, “Vengeance is Mine.” The Revelation of Jesus Christ makes it clear that judgment is coming upon the wicked during the end times. God will extend offers of mercy, but many will refuse His offer.

This morning the first words my eyes read were “Taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who trust in Him!” (Ps. 34:8). Indeed, following Jesus is the happiest of all lives that we could possibly live. Later in the morning, my eyes read of Jesus in the wilderness dueling with the devil. Lies, Lies, Lies! Ugh, these intrusive thoughts. So, then I asked myself the question, how can this be the happiest of all lives when we fight with intrusive thoughts so often? “Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts, images, impulses, or ideas that suddenly enter a person's mind and cause distress, discomfort, or anxiety” (Thanks, ChatGPT). Sound familiar? Paul said that when he wanted to do good, evil was right there at his side. It might be worry, fear of failure, lust, control, revenge, self-rejection, pride, the list could go on. Martin Luther’s advice is sound. “You cannot keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair.”