Heidi grew up in Nebraska where Jesus' parables make perfect sense.  

-The barren fig tree. Or an apple tree.

--Sower of seeds into four kinds of soil. It's easy to imagine a quick Nebraska gust of wind sending seeds flying.

-The lost sheep-- or dog, horse, cow.

--Good Samaritan. In a small town in Nebraska offering help is the norm, not the exception. We might change your tire, give you directions, or bring you enough gas to get to a gas station.

-Workers in the vineyard (cornfield, soybeans, alfalfa, hay)

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The lamb lays down with the lion? That's even worse than a lamb and a coyote, but what a vivid picture and what an even greater promise.

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Tragedy: Why did God do that?

We live in an imperfect world (we call it sin-not just the sin of doing individual bad things, but sin that disrupts our lives). Did God cause the car accident, the drowning, the heart attack, SIDS? No. God doesn't sit on a cloud and say, "Who will I hurt today? I choose Gary." Tragedies are circumstances in a messed-up (sin-filled) world. 

Why doesn't God stop tragedies?

   God isn't a gumball machine where we put in our coin, pray, and out pops the answer we want. Does it mean God doesn't hear us? No, he definitely hears us.

If I drive drunk every night, hit ten people over 15 years without injury or death...I'd keep doing it. I have to learn responsibility with the free choice God gifted me. God never abandons us, either. Jesus is our comfort, our personal friend, and our key to eternal life. 

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Have hope

and give hope!!

   There are endless ways to show hope and encouragement. Give a big tip to a waitress. Compliment someone. Carry bags to someone's car. Talk to a child sitting in a shopping cart (in a nice way).  Take thirty seconds to do something crazy-nice.

   Pray at all stoplights. Jesus hears! (And answers. Keep listening.)

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