May 11, 2018
Romans 16:3-4
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.  They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
New International Version (NIV)
                 One of my favorite movies was the classic Places in the Heart.  It chronicled the life of a young single mother trying to survive as a cotton farmer in Waxahachie, Texas.  Along with the poignant story line, I love the network of relationships she builds in order to save her farm and her family.  She takes in a young blind man as a boarder.  A young African American farmer comes alongside to help her plant and harvest her crop. 

                As Paul completed his letter to the church in Rome, he greeted his friends there by name.  The roll call is interesting to read.  Paul saw faces and remembered kindness from others.  Without Priscilla and Aquila, Paul could never have fulfilled his ministry.  Rufus’s mother was a mom to him as well.  Tryphena and Tryphosa (were they twins?) worked hard in the Lord. 

                This weekend our family celebrates twenty years of ministry with the Tallowood community.  Ministry at its best is symbiotic.  We live and work in the shelter of each other.  When things slow down (sometimes they do), I reflect on faces of people we love in this community.  So many have graduated to glory.  Others have moved away to other cities or places of service.  In the end, like Paul, like the young widow in the movie, all we have are relationships.  We have the Lord.  We have each other.  We have today.  We are grateful!
Pray with me:
Father, show us again the faces of the people who have loved and nurtured us in the Lord.  Remind us of those who helped us make progress on the journey.  We thank you for their beautiful countenances reflecting your glory, and their tawny voices.  Bless them all for blessing us so graciously and kindly.  Make all of us a blessing to others who share the word and share the work.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.     
This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story.  With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
 
Joyfully, 
 
Duane 
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