Today we begin reading in one of the New Testament Epistles or Letters. This form is very different from a Gospel. It was written to a specific group of people at a specific time in a specific context. Reading a New Testament Letter is kind of like listening to one side of a telephone conversation. We don't know exactly what has preceded the conversation or what will follow and we don't know what the other side would say in response. Even so, these New Testament Letters, written to our brother and sister Christians who were the first to struggle to be the Church, can be very helpful as we face our own struggle. Specifically, Galatians is particularly interesting because Paul is --- well, he is angry with these people. His other letters begin with expressions of affection. Not here. He jumps right into his disappointment with the Galatian Christians. And wonder of wonders, they are doing what God feared his people would do from the very beginning. They are chasing after foreign gods. If you've been reading both the Old Testament and New Testament readings you know that the chapters in Deuteronomy today are focused on how the Hebrew people must guard against that exact temptation--- following after foreign gods. And though those gods present themselves in different ways --- other established religions, governments, lifestyles, wealth, relationships, even material objects --- this still remains the greatest temptation to us today. If someone examined your calendar and your checkbook, debit or credit card what would they conclude was your god? Its the first commandment ... Thou shalt have no other gods before me. And when Jesus was asked he said it was the greatest ... love the lord your God with all your heart your soul, your mind and your strength. Those are easy to recite but not so easy to honor. Reflect back over your day or yesterday. Would those who observed you know that God was number one in your life or would they have perceived you to be chasing after foreign gods? Keep reading. Let God speak into your everyday life. Blessings and love, Pastor Jan