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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org><br>
To: propertalk.topic <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org><br>
Sent: Sat, May 17, 2014 5:57 pm<br>
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Easter 5A<br>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Ashes, Ashes- We All Fall Down!” and
deals with the gospel (John 14: 1-14).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">Here it is:</font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">Did you hear Jesus say that he is the way, the truth, and
the life?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">It’s that last promise,
fullness of life that I’d like us to think about this morning.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Do you have fullness of life right now?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Are you accessing all that life has to offer,
or are you sidetracked?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">If we’re old
hands at walking with Christ, or if we’re newcomers, or if perhaps we haven’t
really started yet, let’s invest some time this morning examining our lives to
see if there are any possibilities we’re missing.</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">The best example I could think of to illustrate accessing
Jesus’ Way, Truth, and Life is an old nursery rhyme. Do you remember the strange
song we chanted as children- “Ring Around the Roses?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">”Yes- you did hear me right- Ring Around the
Roses.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">I used it as an example a couple
of years ago, but I’m going to refresh your memory about where it comes from.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Either I never knew or I had forgotten.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">It comes from the 1600’s when a terrible
disease, the black death, was sweeping through Europe.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The reason it was called the Black Death was
that huge black splotches covered the bodies of the sick.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Apparently this disease started in England
with just a few deaths, but within a few years it was killing huge numbers of
people.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Doctors were convinced it was
caused by bad air, so when someone got sick, the sick person would join hands
with other sick people and circle around and around a bed of roses or other
flowers with beautiful scents.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">If
someone was too sick to walk, the doctor would stuff rose petals into his or
her pocket, bring the petals into the sickroom, and then place the flowers
under the patient’s nose so the smell from the flowers would purify the bad air
that the sick person had in his or her lungs.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">If someone was on their deathbed, the doctor would burn some rose petals
and then place the ashes under the nose of the dying person, hoping that the
patient would sneeze, thus forcing all the bad air out of their lungs.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">On top of that, every day someone was hired
to push the body cart through the streets collecting all the dead bodies from
people who had succumbed to the illness the previous night.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">As he pushed, he sang, “Ring around the
roses.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">A pocket full of posies.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Unfortunately, hardly anyone got better from
this treatment.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Do you know why?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Because they had the wrong cause- the black
death wasn’t caused by bad air.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">It was
caused by germs that were on the fleas that were on the rats that were all over
the place.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">You can’t cure a disease
caused by germs if you have people breathe nice-smelling air.</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">Now the people in that century can be excused for making
that mistake.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They didn’t know anything
about germs, didn’t have microscopes, and were doing the best they could.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Regardless of how well-meaning they were,
however, people died.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Do you know we
make the same mistake?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">How many people
make the wrong diagnoses about how to make decisions that are life-empowering?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They rely on everything and everybody for
decision-making except for God- in spite of the fact that Jesus promised; “I am
LIFE.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They live by their own
preconceived ideas of truth instead of living the TRUTH as Jesus proclaimed it
to be.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Just because we sit in a pew
every Sunday doesn’t make us immune from being brainwashed by our culture to
follow its set of so-called truths.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Here
are a few examples I’ll bet you recognize from comments made by friends:</font></font></div>
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</font><ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0in;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“Your value is determined by what you look
like (or how you dress or how much money you have).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all created in God’s image and God
doesn’t make junk.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“Keep your problems to yourself- don’t go for
counseling.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, “Don’t
let our family business out on the street.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth: Get help for yourself from
your priest or a reliable counselor who can be counted on to maintain
confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s healing often comes
through other people.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“I don’t go to the doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the Great Physician.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely true- Jesus is the Great
Physician, but he uses doctors and others to be his hands, his feet, his
mind in working the healing.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">Parent to child: “If he (or she) hits you,
hit him back!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another along the
same line: “She touched me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
get her!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth: “‘Vengeance
is mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will repay,’ says the
Lord” (Romans 12:19.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“She ‘dissed’ me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our friendship is over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re done!!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those
who sin against us” (Lord’s Prayer).</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“I know what I can handle (in terms of drugs
or alcohol).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can do what I
want!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth: True, you can
do what you want, that is if you want to make God and those who love you
cry their eyes out.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">And here’s one specific to most of our kids:
“I can’t do well in school, because that’s white (or for girls- that will
get in the way of me being popular).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God’s truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Develop your
talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t hide them in the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have to account for
how you used your gifts some day.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“I can shoplift this small item from the
store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way they set their
prices- they owe me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth:
“Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15).</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“I know I made a promise to (whatever), but I
don’t feel like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going
to call- the person may be mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just won’t go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Love your neighbor as much as you love
yourself” (Mark 12: 31).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t
appreciate being lied to.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">“I know I shouldn’t go with him (or her), but
we’re in LOVE!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God says, “Thou
shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20: 14- the Ten Commandments).</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">The safest way to face life is to put on a
game face and attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way
that works is to put on a Jesus attitude- appreciation and love.</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; punctuation-wrap: simple; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto;">Any others that come to mind?</li><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">The biggest problem with living life by the above values
instead of God’s truths is it doesn’t work any more than breathing nice
smelling air cures disease.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Following
any one of the above devil-lies results in a messed-up life.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Remember Mrs. Ellen Williams’ advice, “You
can’t pray yourself out of consequences you behaved yourself into.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">It’s easier to avoid a messed-up life than to
fix one.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Remember how St. Paul reminds
us, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Try God’s way.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Try God’s
truth.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Choose life.</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated
African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s NEW WEB SITE
under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: </font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</font></u></a><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> .</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Blessed preaching,</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Judy Boli</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Saginaw, Michigan</font></span></div>
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