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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, Aug 2, 2014 8:58 pm<br>
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 13A<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 “In God We Trust!” and deals with the Old
Testament lesson (Genesis 32:22-31).</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; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">This
morning I’d like us to think through our Old Testament reading about Jacob’
wrestling.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">To understand the
implications for our lives today, we really need to go back to the beginning of
the Jacob story, actually as close to a Biblical soap-opera as we get.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Let’s bring us up to date in our story.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">As you recall, Abraham and Sarah gave birth
to Isaac (the child of promise) in their extreme old age.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Then we followed the story as Isaac and his
wife Rebekah had twin sons, Esau (the oldest) and Jacob (the youngest).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Remember how Isaac favored Esau because he
was an outdoorsman, while Rebekah preferred Jacob because he was a
home-body.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Do you recall how Rebekah
helped Jacob trick both his slightly older twin, Esau, and also his aged
father, Isaac, into giving him the firstborn rights and blessing?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">At that point, to avoid the murderous rage of
his twin brother Esau, Jacob decided to travel to the distant home of his uncle
Laban and move in for a while.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><font color="#000000">While there, he married Laban’s daughters-
Leah and Rachel, had many children, and grew rich off his uncle, mostly by
trickery.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Since Laban and his sons were
getting angrier by the day as they watched Jacob get richer while they grew
poorer, Jacob decided to return to his home and take over his stolen role as
first-born.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">He and his family took off
when Laban was gone for three days shearing sheep.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Little did Jacob know that Rachel took
advantage of her father’s absence by stealing his household idols.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">When Laban got back from shearing the sheep,
he immediately found that Jacob had taken off in his absence, along with his
daughters, grandchildren, and all the sheep and goats that Jacob had claimed as
his own.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Also missing were Laban’s
household idols.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">It took him three days
to catch up with Jacob’s caravan.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">When
he accused Jacob of stealing the idols, Jacob very self-righteously declared
himself and his entire entourage innocent.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">Jacob told Laban he could search anywhere he chose; and if he found
anyone with the idols, that person would be killed.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Rachel now had a problem, because she had the
idols.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">She put them in her saddle bags,
then sat on them.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">When her father came
to search her, Rachel maintained that she couldn’t stand up to be searched- it
wouldn’t be proper because she was having her menstrual period.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Laban let her be, so he left without ever
finding his idols, and Rachel’s life was spared.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Next, Jacob sent messengers ahead to tell
Esau he was coming, but the messengers returned saying that Esau was headed
their way with 400 men!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Jacob figured
he’d better cut his losses, so he sent half his servants and belongings one
way, half another way, and the women and children on just ahead of him to cross
the river up ahead.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">What a mess he had
made of his life!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">His uncle hated
him!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">His twin brother was out to get him
with 400 men!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Jacob decided to stay
behind for the night before crossing the river, and he lay down to sleep.</font></span></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">That’s the background for today’s episode.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Suddenly Jacob found himself wrestling with
someone whom he thought was another man.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">The prophet Hosea (12:4) said it was an angel.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Later, Jacob said he thought it was God.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Whoever it was Jacob wrestled with
physically, do you know with whom he was mentally wrestling?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Himself.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">He had lived his life, getting everything he wanted by lying, cheating,
deceiving, stealing, trickery.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">He had to
make a decision.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Was he coming back to
continue in his old evil ways, or was he going to be God’s person, trust God,
and let God’s family name continue in power?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">He chose God’s way.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">To symbolize
the new Jacob, his name was changed to “</font><font color="#000000">Israel</font><font color="#000000">,”
a name that has many meanings- one of which is “God Is in Charge.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">His meeting with Esau was joyous and all was
well.</font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">That’s the
story.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Now, what’s in it for us?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Trust God and don’t hedge your bets!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Dr. Tony Evans reminds us in our thought for
the week, “Your circumstances are never the last word as long as God is on the
scene.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">So do your part and then TRUST
GOD!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Don’t be like Rachel and hedge your
bets.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">She kept the household idols
“just-in-case.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">What do you keep in
reserve if God’s response isn’t quick enough for you?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Do you carry a rabbit’s foot?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Tell me, why in the world would you think a
rabbit’s foot would bring you good luck?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">It surely didn’t bring the rabbit good luck, did it?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Do you call psychic hot lines or have someone
read your future in tea leaves?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Do you
know your sign?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Why?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Those stars don’t control your future!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">You and God working as a team do!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Christians have nothing to do with
astrology!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">In other words, don’t be like
Rachel.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Don’t hedge your bets with
idols.</font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">What else can
we learn from today’s lessons? </font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Don’t be
like Jacob and use a sinful action to get what you need (or think you
need).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Don’t trick or sneak or lie or
manipulate or shoplift (i.e. steal).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Did
you hear the story of the wife who just suffered the loss of her husband?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">He had a lot of positives, and she was really
going to miss him, but he had one over-riding negative- he was STINGY.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">On his deathbed, the man made his wife
promise to bury him with all his money.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">After the funeral when the family went downstairs in the church for the
dinner, her grown children asked if she had kept her promise.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">“Of course!” she replied.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">“I would never lie to a dying man!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">I put all his money into my account and then threw
a check into his casket.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Where he’s
going- if he can cash it; he can have it!”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000">
</font></span><font color="#000000">Good for the wife, but don’t be sneaky!</font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">Finally, do be
like the new Jacob- i.e. “</font><font color="#000000">Israel</font><font color="#000000">”
and never give up.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Do you remember how
the being who was wrestling with Jacob said to let him go?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Jacob/Israel replied, “I will not let you go
until you bless me!”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">God is waiting to
bless you.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Stick with it.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Never give up.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Claim your blessing. </font></font></span></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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