This is an Urgent Message Luke 3:7-18 After words of judgment, punishment and terror, the Gospel writer goes on to say of John the Baptist, "So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the GOOD NEWS to the people".  It somehow didn't sound like good news to me. It sounded pretty scary.  However, the good news often comes in rough packages and in the case of John the Baptist's preaching I believe that he wanted to emphasize that a new era was about to take place and there was a sense of urgency to become a part of it and move away from the abuses and oppressive behavior that was so rampant in society and in their religious community at the time  When the Christ, who was to inaugurate the new era, came into the world we saw that it was an era of Love.  Love was so badly needed in the world even though it was a threat to those who lived by other values of self interest and exercised them with abusive power and harsh control. We saw an example of this cruelty when John the Baptist was thrown into prison for his preaching. * There is always a sense of urgency in the Christian message. Years ago,  I attended a conference in Brandon Manitoba called Praireopolis. The word Praireopolis indicated a fictitious province or area on the prairies that included two of three fictitious church dioceses and parishes. Praireopolis may have been a fictitious name and the dioceses and parishes may have had fictitious names (like St. Swithians in the mud and St. Andrews in the Red), but the issues that we faced as we lived and worked in Praireopolis for those few days were alarmingly close to the real thing - to the real issues that we faced as a church in society. One speech was made after dinner one evening made made a lasting impression on me. It was made by the Reverend Jack Woodard who worked at the national office the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. at that time. He began his speech by saying: I shall tell you no after dinner jokes. Because this is no time for laughing. You and I profess and call ourselves Christians in a time when the game is in the last few minutes, when God has speeded up the clock, and when the score board reads Lions -10 and Christians -0 It was a way the the speaker chose to speak of the urgency facing the Christian in those days. The Christian message is as urgent today for us in our world as it was for those who lived in the time of Jesus. As Christians, we are to be proclaimers of the wonderful message of Christ through our words and our actions.   There are many people in our society and towns and cities who live lives of desperation and who lack of any sense of meaning. Others are burdened with guilt of all kinds, past actions that weigh heavy on their hearts. Some are so overcome by hate and vengeance that they cannot even through their own perceptions imagines that God is Love. There are so many people who are wandering about on this planet like sheep without shepherds who need to hear the message of God's love, forgiveness, healing, and peace. It is urgent for them, and we are the only ones that they will hear it from. Sometimes the criticism of the church is that it presents to the world a program that is rarely related to the real issues that are clawing the modern person to sheds. It speaks with no commanding voice to those who are perishing from lack of certainty, and it gives the impression that it is concerned exclusively concerned with its self-preservation. However, we have a tremendous message to give to the world. We have good news. * Our witness must be through our actions because our actions always speak louder than our words. I think of the conversations between Mitch Albom and Morrie in the book Tuesdays with Morrie.  Morrie was dying of ALS. Every Tuesday his former student visits his dying teacher in his final months to learn another lesson about life from this man who has lived so richly and completely. It is a moving account of a man whose body is wasting away and yet his spirit is soaring. He didn't despair. He wanted to talk with others and learn more about life, and share the tremendous wisdom he had gained. They talk of such things as avoiding regrets and self pity, the value of family, importance of forgiveness, the fear of aging, the meaning of death. Each dialogue means so much. Here is snippet of one conversation: "Mitch you asked me about caring for people I don't even know. But can I tell you the thing that I'm learning most with this disease?" "What's that?" "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Let it come in. We think we don't deserve love, we think that if we let it in we'll become too soft. But a wise man named Levine said it right. He said, 'Love is the only rational act." He repeated it carefully, pausing for effect. " 'Love is the only rational act.' " In nodded like a good student, and he exhaled weakly. I leaned to give him a hug. And then, although it is not really like me , I kissed him on the cheek. I felt his weakened hands on my arms, the thin stubble of whiskers brushing my face. "So you'll come back next Tuesday?" he whispered. (page 52) * It is urgent that we exercise that kind of love in the world today.  It can happen quite simply. It doesn't have to be great and visible examples of Love.  It can be in the smallest and most hidden ways.  Our action can effect the lives of others.  The only way that many people will know the God of Love is through us. I think of that wonderful little story of  Donuts, Root Beer and God (Author unknown) There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with donuts and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry so he offered him a donut. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so incredible that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Once again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. The old man gave him his biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later; his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!" Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy on his face was asked by his son, "Father, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate donuts in the park with God." But before his son could respond, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected." Never underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or even the smallest act of caring! All have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Celebrate them! * The message for me in the passage about John the Baptist's preaching today, is that of urgency.  There is an urgency to act in love and caring because there is always someone close by in some kind of desperation asking "Does any one care?"  "Am I loved?" You are visitor number UK Online Casinos This free counter  is supplied by Visible Counter Connect with Deacon Sils Homelical resource Also for more sermon and lectionary resources connect to SERMON AND SERMON LECTIONARY RESOURCES   Check Out my daughter's web site CARLY'S STRENGTH THE GODDESS WITHIN MUSIC PROJECT Each year, thousands of women and children become homeless as a result of domestic violence.  "The Goddess Within" music project is designed to empower those whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse and to raise awareness of this issue. "The Goddess Within" compilation album will showcase artists and their songs, written for or relating to those escaping the cycle of violence.  The C.D. will be distributed throughout North America and proceeds from the sale of the C.D. will be donated to women's shelters. More information on the CD is available at ARTISTS FOR CHANGE My daughter Carly is featured on the album with her song The Mask.  The art for cover for the CD album is the creation of another daughter, Mary Anne Molcan. Another site to access is Ending Domestic Abuse * Mary Anne is a very talented artist.  She has a new web site called Faerie Artist where she displays her Art.   You can access her site at: Faerie Artist