A TITLE OR A TOWEL

This morning, I had a front row seat as the Honorable Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz presented the state of the city address to the people of Independence. He talked about his vision for reducing debt, the no place like home plan to assess the felt needs of senior citizens and the conversations taking place with neighboring communities about regionalization as far as sharing resources.

What really impressed me about the morning was that the Mayor and his leadership team, (council members, city employees, elected officials) served breakfast and poured coffee to the several hundred in attendance.

It reminded me of the words of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospel of Luke 22:25-27 where Jesus responded to an argument about who was greatest.

In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people'. But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be alike a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. (New Living Translation - Luke 22:25-27)

What a great example of men and women who carried the towel of service rather than the title of position. God bless our city leaders in the City of Independence!

PHIL KEAGGY CONCERT

Since we’re doing a study on HEAVEN at my church, it was nearly impossible to put all I’ve been hearing out of my mind as I stepped into the Phil Keaggy “Master and Musician” Concert last Saturday in Youngstown’s Powers Auditorium. philkeaggy.com The truth is, I was emotionally overwhelmed on a few occasions as my present experience interfaced with my newly uncovered reminders, and strong anticipation, for the HEAVEN that awaits those of us who follow Jesus.

We arrived to our 4th row seats early. The stage was exposed, so my nephew, Jimmy and I scurried forward to peer at the 18 guitars and other instruments waiting to be played by the band that would join Phil Keaggy. We leaned forward to point and gawk in amazement. “I think this is what Heaven’s going to be like,” I couldn’t hold back from saying. “Really, dya think so?” Jimmy responded. Just then a man on the other side of me said, to no one to everyone, “Wow, this is like guitar heaven!”. I looked over and smiled at him. “You got that right!”

So where could my God given imagination take me to define HEAVEN? Right up to the stage to sit between Phil and Jonathan (oh, yeah, now they are my good friends) to be IN the band! Of course, God would have to give me a heavenly skill level so I could play better than I do now. We would exchange glances of affirmation and smiles as we played, finishing the song with a big ending followed by hearty laughter because we’re all having so much fun and amazed at the collaboration.

Okay, so I have a big imagination! Let me hear from you. What does your God given imagination do to define heaven for you?

Learn more about HEAVEN at http://www.epm.org/