IT’S NOT MANNA FROM HEAVEN. IT’S ZEROS FROM LINDA

Many of you watched last week or were in attendance when I declared a national emergency. I mean I know gas prices our high, but that is not the national emergency. I know inflation is going through the roof, but that is not the national emergency. Supply chain issues are running rampant, but that is not the national emergency. What could it be that is possibly causing me to proclaim such a national state of emergency?

Dear friend, I cannot find any Mountain Dew Zeros in a bottle. I can hear the sighs and sounds of exasperation as you are reading. I know it is incredible. How can a nation possibly survive without Mountain Dew Zero? In a bottle nonetheless. I just love typing that word nonetheless. Friend, I was in dire straits Sunday. I commissioned people to go far and wide searching for the treasured fountain of youth, but I was not expecting a joyful return. Beloved brothers and sisters, sensing my dismay, scoured the planet over searching for this tonic that would make even Granny Clampett appreciate its taste. When I say planet over, I mean from Kentucky to Martin to Lexington, and to all points in between. My faithful sidekick, otherwise known as Marty, and I frantically searched every convenience store in Dyersburg Saturday to no avail, but alas, some were found by my faithful friend, Linda, who left a six pack of my cherished drink in the foyer of the church with a note attached reading:

Not manna from heaven. Zeros from Linda.

Talk about a pick me up. Now, I know you may think I am being silly, but it is the simple things that matter. As Christians, we are exhorted throughout the New Testament to comfort one another. As a matter of fact the Apostle Paul wrote these words in regard to the Rapture:

1 Thessalonians 4 : 17 - 18

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Christians are to comfort and lift up each other. That’s why meeting in church together is so critical. It is how Christians help each other to make it through this cruel world. As Christians, we should look for opportunities that allow us to lift our brothers and sisters out of a terrible situation or just to show them we care. And dear friend, it might not have been manna from Heaven, but those Zeros from Linda brought a big smile on my face as I walked into the church building and saw them there on the table with my wonderful note attached. A note that simply said: “Not manna from Heaven. Zeros from Linda.”

And dear friend, sometimes it is not the manna from Heaven we need but the care and love from a fellow Christian, and if I can borrow from the Apostle Paul, comfort one another with these words.

AMEN!!!!

PS: These Mountain Dew Zeros are undoubtedly the best ones ever made.