Most times if we do something, it’s because we have a reason. Most times if we don’t do something, it’s because we don’t have a reason. Pretty simple huh?

Some years ago a fellow I knew from up north sez, “Walt, you like to fish?”
“Oh yeah, I replied, fishing is great in Florida, yada, yada, yada.”
He sez, “When’s the last time you went fishin?”
I replied, “Oh it’s been a couple of years.”
The man looked me dead in the eye and said, “Well, you must not like it too much!” Hmmm . . .

My pal Charlie, got me thinking about this when he said, “People have to have a reason to give and support the Church.” Thanks Charlie, it’s 2:25 A.M. and I’ve got thoughts running through my head like a fast freight train going through Kansas City.

Reasons? Oh yeah! I’ve got reasons. I believe Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I like the way Lutherans worship. I like it when I walk through the door and the greeters have a big smile on their face. I like it when I enter the Sanctuary, look to the right and see Don, JR and the guys working the sound board and doing what they like to do. I like it when Joey sings a solo. When Jennie calls me “brother” and I call her “sister”, I like it. We worked together in Stephen Ministry. I like to hear the Choir sing. When Vicki says, “Hi, how is your granddaughter doin?” I like it. I even like it when Gene teases me about how much I love sweets and coffee after early service. When I see Jerry, I can tear up. He was my Stephen Minister care giver a few years back when I was ill. I love our soup suppers during Lent. I like the way we take communion and Pastor’s sermons because they are good and they are short. I smile inside when Bert talks to me about flowers and the church garden. Well, you get the idea!

Do I have reasons to give and support Joy Lutheran Church?  I do, a lot of them! I call them my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Remember, God loves you unconditionally.

Walt

Hebrews 13:1-2  Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.