What a meeting. It is a matter of preparation, for
all of us. Not only do I have to prepare
a message and know what I’m talking about, but Anita has to prepare the house
and the main dish, and the people coming have to prepare many side-dishes. In
other words, there are so many “human” things we all have to do. But then, when
it comes down to it, God takes over and makes everything work.
That is exactly what happened here yesterday afternoon. Wow.
Over twenty attended. Five people who had never fellowshipped with the Sacramento
group, came. Again, people filled with the spirit of God meshed in the spirit
of God. I still can’t get over the marvel of that—of watching people who have never met, embrace each other. I admit to being thrilled that God uses me as a
catalyst for this marvel. It is delightful to be used in this capacity. I just
step back and watch people talk and hug and fellowship, like long-lost family
members. It is so satisfying; how could I ever tire of it?
I gave an overview of the first five chapters of Romans. I
said: “In Romans, the good news starts with three chapters of bad news.” Paul
sets the stage of humanity’s hopelessness before he unleashes grace. He is
following the pattern he recommends to Timothy (2 Timothy, 4:2), of “expose,
rebuke, and entreat.” He first exposes and rebukes humanity (both Jews and
Greeks), before he entreats. I compared it to a symphony. The symphony begins
in Romans 3:21, but before it
starts, Paul has to shut every mouth. He must silence the hall. This, he
effectively does. He shuts us up to put us in a relaxing posture—a reclining
mode—so that we can receive truth. Otherwise, we argue our worthiness, or we deny
our inclusion in the condemnation of humanity, both religious and secular.
The message was so well-received; the gospel has power. All
I have to do is articulate it, and it does its work. Again, I am delighted to
be used of God in this capacity. Concerning the truth: I am convinced of
it; I am passionate about it; God has graciously given me the ability
to clear the clutter and let the message convey its own weight. Lastly, I know when to stop talking. At that point, everyone else jumps in, and there is
nothing better to see and hear than people reveling in truth, and sharing their
stories.
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| (Click to enlarge photos.) |
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| Gail Ettlin (Joe's sister-in-law), Linda Ramey |
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| Robbie Hernandez, Eddie, Gerhard Rutsch |
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| Erin and Robbie Hernandez |
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| Dot Haworth, Darrin and Robin Haworth, Dolly |
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| Charles Rutsch |
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| John |
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| Dolly and Eldred |
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| Bill Cook, Linda Ramey |
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| Gerhard Rutsch, Anita Butler |
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| Joe and Charles |
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| Ken Whittmore, Bill Cook |
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| Linda and Charles Ramey |
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| Robin Haworth |
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| Dot and John Haworth |
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| Anita Butler, Jenny Rutsch |
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| Anita, Kevin, Linda L. |
As if we hadn’t had enough excitement and good times, at
8:30 p.m. Anita, Kevin, Linda, Joe, Eddie and
myself drove out to Pete’s Restaurant and
Brewhouse in
Sacramento to hear
Anita and Kevin’s son’s band, Boom-Boom Ya-Ya, jam out the house. Man, was that
ever a good time.
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| The Boom-Boom Ya-Yas |
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| Lead singer Justin Newman |
I am sleeping until
7 a.m. now, which translates
to an absurd wake up time back east of
10 a.m. I’m living in the
moment, so all is relatively well.
Our plane for Vegas takes off in five hours.
© 2012 by Martin Zender
