Matthew 14:13-21

¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” ¹⁸And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

I have always wondered about this story of the feeding of the five thousand. As a kid, I imagined that Jesus was some sort of magician complete with assistants (not pretty ladies, but some rather rough looking men) who, waving heir arms in Vanna White style, would hand Jesus the five loaves and two fish. Jesus would place some sort of cloth over it… say some magical words, and as he pulls away the cloth there was food all over the grass beneath his feet.

Throughout my growing up in the faith years I have recovered it was not magic that all people, many more than imagined, were fed with the grace and blessings of a loving God. The skepticism over the years went from the disciples having extra food hidden behind the bushes… to some some sort of first century catering business starting up. Some even suggested that the people themselves already had extra food that they shared, and because of the sharing all were fed. This last speculation seems more feasible than any of the others.

There is no mention of manna from heaven as the Hebrews experienced in the desert. Just a blessing, a breaking and a giving. All were filled with twelve baskets left over. I have always wondered about the disciples who witnessed this feeding… how could they then deny, doubt and fall away from Jesus? Fill up the local baseball park in your local town with five-thousand homeless and hungry people. Gather 12 guys and Jesus out on the pitchers’s mound. Hand Jesus 5 loaves and two fish… and wait for it to happened again.

Somewhere, between the time that Jesus received the food and the time that He handed it back to the disciples to feed the people, the meal had multiplied. Here is the invisible interaction of heaven and earth, the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of natural things, Jesus Christ, God, and man. It is similar to the miracle of the water turned to wine. The jugs contained water, but when the liquid was poured out, it was good wine. When did the change take place? How did the multiplication occur? Miracles are only miracles to we humans; miracles are what God does by virtue of who He is and the power inherent in His being. Jesus saw a need through His eyes of compassion; the people were hungry and needed food. He, through the power of God simply did what needed to be done. There is always the two-fold significance to the acts of Jesus. He meets a need and He shows forth the glory of God. It was done by the mingling of love and power.

The miracle happens when the twelve gathered around Jesus on the picture’s mount – who are modern day disciples, Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Business person, community leader, everyday citizen… even a preacher… feel the rebirth of life inside of them and they turn the city into a sanctuary where no one – absolutely no one is homeless or hungry. The take old abandoned buildings and build shelters and training facilities for people to learn a trade. The people of the city see their leaders caring compassion and there is a rebirth in them to the extent that they turn lose of some of their blessings to join the city in lifting people up instead of allowing them to fall. The miracle happened because He blessed, and broke, and gave to them the grace of God.

The word for us is continue the miracle of the pitcher’s mound.

Grace and Peace

Steve

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I saw this book title the other day and I thought how clever it is… how it must make people laugh and then want to pick it up… at least to see what it is about. Below I have included some of the front matter of this book in an effort to perk your interest in wanting to read more about these lessons for the Christian Church.

“Pope Francis has taken the world by storm, captivating Catholics, Protestants, and non-Christians alike. Sneaking out of the Vatican at night, washing the feet of inmates, and taking selfies with young fans is certainly unlike any religious leader we’ve seen in a while, and some of the religious establishment is uneasy about it. The revitalization Francis is bringing to the Catholic Church is not without precedent, however. Jesus had a similar effect in his day, drawing crowds with his humility, kindness, and wisdom–even as he drew the disapproval of established religious leaders. The things that have brought Francis such media attention are the same things that made Jesus so peculiar and attractive in his day.

Thoughtful examination of Jesus’ example and legacy, as well as an honest look at the similarities and differences between Catholic and Protestant faith, invites reflection on the heart of Christianity and how we relate to our fellow Christians. Readers will discover the power of heartfelt joy, radical love, and passion for justice to shake people out of religious complacency and into dynamic, contagious faith. Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar looks at what is universal among Christians, what is unique to Catholics and Protestants, and how all Christians can practice understanding and cooperation across differences. Perfect for individual or group use, discussion questions are also included to encourage further thought and conversation.”

They are right when they suggest that the Pope is one of the more interesting religious leaders to come in a long time. Even, we Protestants are speaking of Pope Francis in uplifting and admirable ways. He is a different sort – not a religious politician but a man who lives the lifestyle of a humble servant with a truly Servant’s heart. I applaud this Pope for his refreshing and healing spirit.

I have always admired the Catholic Church and their missionary heart. Certainly we don’t agree on theology, but we do agree on the Church is called to be the sanctuary that uplifts the human spirit and opens a portal for grace and healing to take place in all the dark places of the world.

When I first read this title I couldn’t help but think: “What is the punchline of that joke?” We’ve all heard the jokes about three men walking into a bar… told in many ways with many different punchlines. What if the punchline of this joke is… it isn’t a joke. They actually do walk into a bar. They sit together at this big round table. They have a drink together. They talk together. They invite a Jewish brother to come over and join them. Then they welcome a Muslim brother, a Buddhist, a Hindu, and many, many more. They even invite and welcome an atheist brother, an agnostic brother, and even a self-righteous brother.

The table is filled with representatives of all faiths, walks of life, all races and nations. To these people Jesus says: “Welcome my Brother. My prayer for us all is that we may be one.”

And so should we…

Grace and Peace

Steve

Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar

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Don’t forget…

Steve’s new book…

Coming in the fall

Kill Potus

a novel

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Matthew 14:13-21 is the Lectionary text for this Sunday. I have always loved this story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. I guess because I am a sucker for the good story ending. All these people… probably an untold amount of people… looking to some as many as five thousand… are getting hungry. You know hungry, as hungry as Methodists at 12:02pm on Sunday. They are starting to fidget, and squirm, and clear their throats, and tap on their watches. Some are even heading for the door. Hungry and in need of something to fill up their growling emptiness.

The disciples look on this hunger and no McDonalds close by as a great problem… let them go and handle this problem themselves. Jesus, on the other hand, sees this as an opportunity for the grace of God to be experienced by all concerned. Jesus says: “You feed them.” And they respond with the big but… “But all we have….”

And so the disciples’ suggestion that these hordes of people go buy food isn’t just unrealistic – they are, after all, out in a deserted place – it’s ridiculous…and even a little insulting, as the folks making up these desperate crowds probably didn’t have money to buy food in the first place. And so Jesus tells his disciples to get over their callous self-concern and feed them themselves.

Jesus uses the disciples, even when they would rather look after themselves, to tend the needs of these thousands of men, women, and children. Using words and actions foreshadowing the Last Supper, Matthew depicts what happens when you move from a worldview of scarcity – “we have nothing here but five loaves and fishes” – to one of abundance – “thank you, God, for these five loaves and fishes.” Whatever their initial skepticism, or doubt, or self-preoccupation, the disciples are caught up in Jesus words of abundance and gratitude and distribute what they have and participate in the wonder and joy that “all ate and were filled.” God used even these reluctant disciples, that is, to care for the poor and hungry that God loves so much.

And that miracle continues even today. When a college-grad turns away from a high-paying job in order to teach disadvantaged kids, God’s miracles continue. When a parent puts dreams of an academic career to the side to care for a special-needs child, God is working that same kind of miracle. When a church makes the wrenchingly difficult decision to celebrate its century of faithful service and close its doors after significant decline in order that another ministry might flourish, miracles abound. When one student stands up against bullies in defense of another student, the God of compassion is again miraculously revealed. When a fledgling community of faith makes a promise that no one that comes to its doors will be turned away hungry, God is still at work performing miracles through disciples eager, reluctant, and everything in between, miracles that easily rival those reported in today’s reading.

The real wonder of this story is that it continues: God still cares deeply and passionately for those who are most vulnerable – the poor, the immigrant, the hungry – and God continues to use us to care for them.

Grace and Peace

Steve

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Well, guys, I guess I should have warned you that I would be away for a little while writing a novel. Should have… Could have… Just didn’t. As they say: “My Bad!” As most of you who follow me know that I have written nine books so far. They have been religious in nature: The Grieving Heart, Daily Devotions with Pastor Steve, Lectionary Homilies – years A and year B, My Life as a US Marine, The Sayings of Noah, two Nutritional Log books to help us pay attention to what we are eating, and a Journal for our meditations. They have been sold in Europe, the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States.

My new adventure is a work of fiction entitled: “Kill Potus.” Some friends posed the question: “Why would a retired preacher write a book about killing the President of the United States?” I am not real sure I have the answer to that. I wish safety and well-being to all our Presidents no matter which party. And I don’t think that it has anything to do with our current President. I do not wish him any harm. I have wondered, back during the primaries, if either candidate would be safe in today’s crazy world?

The book is really not about killing POTUS, but more ways to save his life. A new FBI team has been brought in to investigate the assassination of a former President of the United States, and to seek to run assassination simulations on the current President in order to keep him sake. You see the premise is… as I am sure it is for the Secret Service… every successful simulation we can run on the president is, in reality, one more threat against his life we can take off the board.

It has been a rewarding, trying, frustrating, exciting time for me. I took James Patterson’s Masterclass on writing fiction and found it absolutely inspirational. His class gave me the push I needed to step out and put pen to my story. So far it has fifty-five chapters of a plot outline, with me being on my second rewrite.

I will tell you up front… there is no bad language in my book. I don’t think that is necessary to tell the story. If it hinders the sales, then so be it. I am the one who has to look my grandchildren in the face and answer them when they ask: “Papaw, why did you say that?” I don’t like bad language in movies, television shows, books, on Facebook, or in everyday life. No goodie two-shoes… just think it’s not the proper way for a person to speak.

Promise to be more faithful in my blogging. It will not be as frequent as it was but I will be better than the last 45 days.

Grace and Peace to all

Steve

PS. I must add that my plot outline at fifty-five chapters is nothing like the one I included in my last blog… big time difference.

My Author Page on Amazon

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The below link will allow you to see the outline in original format.

Draft (Composite) – Plot Synopsis

Grace and Peace

Steve

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You are not going to believe what I saw today. We were parked in the handicapped parking space at the school – waiting for the grandkids. The person parked next to us picks up her child and leaves. All of a sudden this SUV pulls in and I do a double take. The reason for this double look is that there is a blonde driving and hanging out from under the driver’s side of the SUV is this bright orange traffic cone. I had to turn away so she would not see me gasping for breath – laughing almost doubled over. You just can’t make this stuff up… I never would have thought to set this up… but all of a sudden there it was in our midst. She told the lady parked next to us that she “had no idea where she got that traffic cone.” This got me to thinking about the stereotypes – are they valid? and do we live them out.

One legend of his time and one out of touch with reality. Need we say more?

I am a “PK” a preacher’s kid. The stereotype of us PK types are thought to be either ones that run afoul of the law – that is we go bad – rebel against authority, and the other side is that we become part of the “God Squad.” So, PK’s are either Goodie-Two-Shoes or greasers. I have known PK’s of both types, but I have also known PK’s who were quite normal… that is regular people. In my growing up years I was close to both camps. I was a God Squad-er in that I went to church and mostly enjoyed it. I was once the president of our youth fellowship. I tried to care for and respect all people. I was near the greaser group in that I was rebelling (as a teen) against some of the so-called church authority that spoke high and mighty but actually lived low and lousy. We spoke about loving each other but it was only if you fit into my preconceived notions of what acceptability was. The way back to a real world belief for me involved becoming a Marine (discipline), serving in Vietnam (a heavy dose of reality), college and seminary (learning systematic theology – why I believe what I believe), and forty years of serving hurting people in the real setting of the church. All of those elements taught me accountability, responsibility and humility. So I was a mixture of the PK types but not solidly in either camp.

Over the years this guy has become so good I saw him heal someone from all the way across the stage.

Preachers themselves have stereotypes… shouting their sermons, pounding on the pulpit, going overboard on some theological tangents. Television preachers are the most laughable and bring the most damage to the church. Some of these healers are so unreal it is pathetic… but people believe them, follow them and support them. I think they must go to TV Preacher’s School somewhere… cause they all seem to be reading from the same script. The two major emphasis of these charlatans are “Healing” and the “Prosperity Gospel.” We call that playing to the cheap seats… giving people what they want to hear so they will come back and support your work.  These guys hurt the church and pollute the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just because they can fill a football stadium doesn’t make them right at all… after all old Adolph filled a whole country with his speech and beliefs. You and I both know he was dead wrong.

Contrary to doubling over with laughter, bad theology and a lack of integrity in the lives of the preachers is deplorable and a sacrilege. The point we need to think about is it behoves us to know why we believe what we believe. Is it because some preacher said so… or is it because you have tested it in your own soul, mind and experience? What if the Christian stereotype became a person who grows into the full knowledge and love of Jesus Christ……… well, just maybe that already is who we are to become…

That is the essence of what Paul points to in his prayer for the Christians at Ephesus in Ephesians 3:16-21…

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Amen and Amen!

Grace and Peace

Steve

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Friday I had my four month follow-up appointment with my Kidney Doctor (Richard Mattlingly – a very cool Doc). He did his thing; checking all the numbers, asking the questions, and explaining things I needed to know about. We laughed, joked and talked about serious stuff. On the way out of the examination room, he said he wanted to send me to the lab to check out my Parathyroid.

I have become quite inquisitive in my older life… especially when it comes to my health situations, what the doctors do to me and for me. I do that because I have found that it is better for me to participate in my own health decisions. Being curious about the Parathyroid, you know I have to look up just what this Parathyroid is, what it does, and what low or high numbers might mean to me. I found on either Mayo Clinic or Web MD a description of this malady that was very revealing… they called this condition “The Stealer of the Joy of Life.” Wow! It describes the symptoms as feeling tired all the time, not interested in things which use to bring you joy, no energy, difficulty sleeping – even napping during the day is no help, lack of concentration, depression, aching or hurting joints… you just don’t enjoy life any longer. Bummer!!!

Have you ever thought what it would be like to lose all hope…lose the joy of life? It must really be a very sad set of circumstances leading to just existing and not really living. Once a person loses all hope… all joy… you have just about lost it all. I’ve been down… really down – I thought. I have wondered if I was going to live and for how long… was that time rapidly closing in on me? I’ve been down but I don’t believe I have ever approached losing all hope and joy. I have tried to imagine what that loss may feel like…. It is more than dying… we have hope even there… loss of joy and hope must be worse than death. That is deep… very deep. This loss must be kin to the dark night of the soul…. where you become void of all feelings, all dreams, all hopes, all matter – an empty void where there is nothing at all. In outer space they call it a “Black Hole” where NOTHING EXISTS – no matter – no life – nothing.

I am one of those persons who believe we simply cannot know what a person who commits suicide felt or experienced which led them to that critical moment, because if we did… we would be where they are… dead. Loss of hope and joy is passing beyond that point where hope resides. In Vietnam we called it the “Thousand Yard Stare” where you just looked out there somewhere in the distance and didn’t really see anything.

The closest I ever came… and I am not sure it was all that close… was after coming home from by-pass surgery. I was afraid to go to sleep because I believed I would not wake up. So, I would fight sleep until I couldn’t fight any longer. It started really wearing on my well being. One day I realized that I had to do something, I just couldn’t go on like this. Finally, I realized something I had preached all those years… Jesus will be with you no matter what happens. So, whether I woke in my bed or in heaven, Jesus would have me securely in His loving arms. From that point on I was able to sleep in comfort.

I ended most every worship prayer with reference to these words: Nothing can take us from the love of God.

I don’t know what you are going through. It may be something like this loss of joy and hope thyroid deal or you may be facing some other hope and joy stealer. I know that it must be very troubling to you and your family… it changes you from the loving person you have been to someone barely able to cope with everyday life. Sometimes you take out your worries and fears on your family. I have no right to say to you; “Get a grip on yourself.” But I do have the experience to be able to say, with all the grace and compassion I can muster, God loves you in your every situation and circumstance… good, bad, horrible or indifferent. God has enfolded you in His loving arms. If you can somehow find peace in that thought, you might be able to find hope and joy. If not… I pray you will feel the embrace of the Peace that passes all understanding… Jesus, the Christ.

Grace and Peace
Steve

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This past weekend our nostalgia went deeper and wider than just remembering those who died in service to this country. Our thoughts turned to the happenings of the sixties. We tuned our car radio to the sixties… wow!!! With Memorial Day preparation softening our hearts, the music came in to help us remember the stuff we use to sing with… that beat which caused us to dance. Our thoughts returned to a young married couple riding around Norfolk Naval Air Station, Ocean View Beach, and Greensboro in our blue, Rambler American Convertible. We loved that car… ran air in the summer with the top down and heat in the winter with the top down.

I remember standing quarterdeck duty at Armed Forces Staff College…  loved that duty. It sure was plum after standing gate duty at NOB or NAS… cold, wet, hot, dry… we had it all out there. I remember standing duty at Destroyer and Submarine Peers late one night when a sailor’s cab pulled up to the gate. As I approached the cab the sailor leaned out of the back window and threw up… then the cab sped off. What a mess.

I remember the mid-sixties at Parris Island hearing all that good music as we spent our week on KP duty at the Staff NCO Club while all those tests we had been taking were being evaluated. Our days were spent… washing all those dishes and hearing all those songs… and getting prepared to do our duty in Vietnam. Not many of us knew all that much about that place… but we were finding out more than we really wanted to know. As the times went by and 1965 turned into 1968, I found myself smack dab in the middle of the Red Zone sector of the Perimeter at Khe Sanh Combat Base. Late 67 and 68 had its own expressions back home.

You see, back there everyone was saying what Shirley and I were reminded of yesterday listening to the old sixties songs. Buffalo Springfield put out a song back then reminding people that “There’s something happening here… I think it is time we stop… Children, what’s that sound? Everybody look – what’s going down?

“We better stop Now, what’s that sound? Everybody look – what’s going down?” this quote comes from “For what it’s Worth”, a popular single released by Buffalo Springfield in January 1967, this song quickly was known as a “protest song” symbolizing confrontational feelings arising from events during the Vietnam War. Many lyrics from this song have a strong resemblance of events from the war that took place not in Vietnam but in the United States, events like the draft the United States Military had to aid the troops by sending American Citizens to fight in Vietnam. People began protesting the draft and due to the conflict, there had been many reports of incidents between American Citizens and law enforcement nationwide. In relation to those events these lyrics present those conflicts:

“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away”.

Other than the Draft Americans began demanding the government to bring our troops home:

“what a field day for the heat (Hmm, hmm, hmm)
A thousand people in the street (Hmm, hmm, hmm)
Singing songs and carrying signs (Hmm, hmm, hmm)”.

These lyrics made people think of the many anti-war groups that occupied parks, schools, and streets protesting the war and demanding to bring our troops home and put a end to the fighting going on across seas.

After hearing that song my thoughts were not quite as happy. It weighed me down with the reality of that day. I realize that the protesters probably shortened the war, but I often wonder how many men were killed because the government cut everything after some of these protests… when the politicians decided the war was not one we could win.

The thoughts I have for today is a word of caution for every generation of thinking, caring people. That word is found in this song but with a different view: “Everybody look what is going on.” To me it means that everyone of us should pay attention to everything that is going on in this country and around the world with a supportive, respectful and cautious eye. Remember the past behavior of all politicians and government officials… ask questions… What? Why? When? and Where? When something gives off a foul odor, there just may be a reason. Pay attention to what is going down… look around.

You do not have reason to listen to me… I certainly am not schooled in politics by any stretch… Don’t play that game but do sometimes recognize when I am being conned. I am paying attention because I know how politicians have acted in the past… I know most of them are looking out for themselves… but you should listen to me because I have a grandson who is approaching draft age. I don’t want him in a war because some politician got his feelings hurt or wanted to make some sort of political point. I know you care as much for your children and grandchildren as I do… pay attention… look what is going down… Children, is it time to stop something? Look Around!!!

Grace and Peace
Steve

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In Vietnam we had a saying we would tack onto the end of our hope and dreams. We would say; “When I get back to the “real world.” I believe that we must have seen Vietnam as some sort of suspended reality… you know, a place where natural laws don’t work anymore. It was a place where some Leviathans were loose and running all over the place wreaking havoc wherever and whenever they could. At a time when least expected it would zap young soldiers in their tracks… blow them to pieces and steal them from their families, their lives, their futures. In a movie I would expect to see fog all over the place in this fantasy land… to depict how unreal this place has become. Things happen here that don’t happen anywhere else in the world… unreal things!

The “Real World” is home where you love and are loved, where your real family resides… where you feel safe. You grew up there… know the people… the streets and shops, churches, schools and ball parks. Where you spent summers playing ball or up at the lake with all your friends. It is a place you know and love and understand… where hopes and dreams are lived out… you fall in love, marry, have kids, build a home and a career… become part of the community. It is a place that matters to you and you matter to that place. The real world is a place filled with vivid memories of relationship formations – you becoming the person you now have become.

The problem with being over there is… in the unreal monstrous world of Vietnam… with its Leviathans running amuck… what happens over there affects what happens back in the real world. If you get blown apart over there you don’t come back to the real world alive. If you see too much, do too much or have too much done unto you… you just may bring that evil back home in the form of Post Traumatic Stress. If you were in areas where agent orange was used to defoliate the jungle you just may bring back to the real world some pretty bad health problems… which may not show up for several years. Some put it like this: “I was killed in Vietnam. I just haven’t died yet.”

Yesterday we remembered those who fell in battle… who gave their lives for this country. Today we are back to today’s real world circumstance in which we are living. Some of you guys are facing pretty serious things here in the real world. Sometimes we would just love to live in a fantasy fun-time Disney movie… but that is not the real world either. The real world is where we live, move and have our being. It is where we love and are loved. It is where we are surrounded by the love and the grace of God.

I pray you will experience God’s real presence here in the real world.

Grace and Peace

Steve

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I was doing a little research into Memorial Day and in my google search one of the first items which appears is Memorial Day sales in store and online begin at midnight. As International Business Times reported in past years, shoppers can expect to save big in-store at department stores like Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, J. C. Penney and big box retailers like Walmart and Target. According to a ChargeItSpot study published Wednesday, 76 percent of shoppers at malls across the country who planned to shop on the holiday said they’d opt for brick-and-mortar locations over online shopping.

Other search items produced have to do with what to eat – BBQ – Hot Dogs and Hamburgers… what beer to drink, or what to say and what not to say on Memorial Day… that it is not a day to say “Happy” because it is a day of remembrance of those who died in battle for this country. So, a lot of the findings were about Memorial Day etiquette… how to be politically correct.

My brick is between the bottom front center steps up to the fountain and the white rectangular Field of Honor Identification stone.

I believe today to be a day to ponder our thankfulness for all those who served with all they had… gave all they had in the face of unbelievable circumstances. Our local community… Guilford and Forsyth Counties of Piedmont North Carolina have built the Carolina Field of Honor to honor those who served and those who died. It is a beautifully inspiring place which is indeed a peaceful place of honor.

I enjoy an even greater honor by having my brick just below the brick of a Horse Calvary soldier, William McBryar who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. This wasn’t just any U.S. Horse Calvary soldier… this guy was one of the famed Buffalo Soldiers. How Cool is that.

FOR A DAY OF BATTLE

Heavenly Father, on a day of battle I commit myself body and soul to thy keeping. When I am in peril of life give me courage to do my duty. When I am tempted to sin give me strength to resist. If I am sick or wounded grant me healing. If I fall, of thy mercy receive me to thyself, forgiving me all my sins. Bless all who are near and dear to me and keep them in thy fatherly care. And in thy good providence, out of this evil bring a lasting peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Steve

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