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Everyone jumps on a bandwagon now and then. A couple of weeks ago we invited some friends to join us in a culinary adventure. We crossed the river to check out the Lotawata Creek restaurant in Fairview Heights, Illinois. It was raining and ugly, but we entered the address in our gps and away we went anyway. Despite the weather and Friday night traffic, it took less than an hour to get to the rustic brick landmark. Lotawata (you gotta love saying that!) is a destination restaurant with a colorful menu and a growing reputation in the greater St. Louis metro area. It was voted the #1 restaurant in Fairview Heights for the gazillionth year in a row, and served more than 500,000 customers in 2011.
The waiters and waitresses wear T-shirts that declare, “Warning! This is not a chain restaurant. We serve real food!” Your food comes on a platter in portions large enough to serve a family of four. They specialize in down-home cooking… steaks, seafood, chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, slow-cooked ribs, and dozens other things. (We ordered a platter of the fried pickles as an appetizer.) Most of the meals are under $15 so it is also pretty economical. I didn’t see anyone leave without a box filled with the food they couldn’t eat. (I take that back… one of our friends absolutely killed an entire platter of the chicken-fried steak covered with white country gravy, then asked for the dessert menu! But in fairness, he’s a country-boy born and bred, and chicken-fried steak is not something his west-country wife is prepared to fry.)
Would I do it again? If I planned to spend an evening with some fun-loving friends, didn’t mind the drive and wanted to enjoy a new dining experience… then sure. But I won’t be driving over there two or three times a month for dinner. There are plenty of great options closer to home. It’s a bandwagon experience. If you’ve never been, you should go just for the fun of it. You won’t be disappointed, and even if you are, you can say you did it once. Go ahead, order the pickles and the staff shirt for $5.95 and wear it proudly!
In our Scripture lesson last weekend, Peter talked about believers who are NOT prepared to stay loyal to their Christian faith. There are consequences to any choice you make in life. If you ate every weekend at Lotawata you would eventually experience some real weight and health-related issues. If you practice your faith continuously, there might be people who will not enjoy your company, or worse, attempt to make life difficult in opposition to your beliefs.
Peter concludes by saying, “It is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Are you just along for the ride? Is the Christian faith more than just a passing fad in your life? When I was thirteen years old, I stood before my parents and my home congregation, and pledged to “suffer even death rather than fall away from my Christian faith.” I still do. But I was wondering, have you ever been to Fast Eddies?
The Scripture: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
A Survey: Are you more or less likely to wear a cross or some other form of Christian necklace? A.) I wear one nearly every day. B.) I’m not inclined to demonstrate my faith in that way. C.) I avoid wearing a cross or displaying Christian bumper stickers for fear of appearing hypocritical in my actions. Click here to take the survey and take a moment to leave a comment that might help someone by means of your experience.
Online: If you were unable to attend worship this past weekend or would like to hear a message on this subject, visit our website at www.stjstl.net and click on a teaching link. A Bible Study is also available to download.
A Prayer: (The Prayer of St. Francis)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Prayer Requests:
Brief Notes:
Challenging the status quo to awaken an appreciation for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:13,14 (and to lower my golf score)
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