Greetings Monte Vista from Tom’s office,

One of my favorite stories from the life of Mother Teresa comes from the time when she was a young nun working with the poorest in Calcutta. One day she became convinced that God was calling her to open an orphanage for the children of those who were dying daily in the streets. So she went to talk with her bishop about the project. He listened attentively to what she outlined. After she finished, he asked, “How much money do you have?” “Two pennies,” she answered. The bishop laughed out loud. “You can’t start an orphanage with two pennies.” “No,” she replied. “But with God and two pennies I can.” And she did. 

– from a sermon by Eugenia Gamble called Mary and the Angel

I love that story!

With God and two pennies, all things are possible. 

Have you ever felt God’s call to an impossible mission?   Impossible, at least, from the perspective of those who see God as a nice deity who does not get involved in the day to day of our lives.   

Let me rephrase the question, have you ever felt God’s call to a Mission Possible but only with God’s help?

If you have said, “yes” to Jesus then more than likely you’ll also say, “yes” to the Mission Possible question.  Why?  Because when say “yes” to becoming a follower of Christ He will take us places where they only way we can prevail is by complete and total trust in God.

When God called Mary to carry the Savior of the World, she had no idea how that could happen.  The angel’s response to her ignorance, “all things are possible with God.”

“But with God and two pennies I can.”  

Mother Teresa knew the secret of living a life of faith – fully rely on God.

My prayer is that you’ll discover that same secret in your own life.    God is more than able to bring about His desire in your life. Prayer, scripture, listening to community, having faith are all ways God gives us direction to discover His best for our lives and the lives of others.

Over the next ten weeks, during our Waiting For Water Sermon series (and small group study) we are going to explore the lives of ten situations in which individuals or groups encounter Jesus.    Some respond like Mary (and Mother Teresa) ready to do God’s will others reject Jesus because the call simply seems impossible.

As we study together and you encounter Jesus, God may place a specific call in your life.   Will you say, “yes,” even though the mission seems impossible?

“But with God and two pennies I can.”  

You can.  God will. 

Glad we are on this journey together.

Tom

Turning the page

“A schedule defends from chaos and whim. A net for catching days.” --Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

After the holidays' noise and excess of celebration, I have been grateful this week to sit quietly and fill out my 2013 calendar. Here in the Midwest, buried under snow in midwinter, I find that as I create a schedule I find it becomes a net, a scaffold, to catch important things and carry my family into the future.

Like me you may be building your schedule for this year. If you can believe it, Lent will begin in less than six weeks. This forty-day journey brings Christians onward to Easter and the hope of resurrection. As you write out your appointments on a calendar or tap them into a smart phone, can I suggest you add one more date? February 13: Lent begins.

Waiting for Water offers free resources for you to guide you through a meaningful and rich Easter Journey. This year, don't let the days slip by. Put Lent on your calendar; talk to your family, friends, small group, or church; and take a moment to browse the many amazing resources found on our website. Together, we can weave our nets and prepare for an amazing Easter in 2013.

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” --Annie Dillard