Signs

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Matthew 16:1-4 (NRSV)

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.

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She broke her wishbone and wished for a sign
I told her whispers in my heart were fine

"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" by PM Dawn featuring a sample from Spandau Ballet from "Of the Heart, Of the Soul, and Of the Cross: The Utopian Experience"

Who doesn't want a sign from the Lord? For one, I would really like to have a glimpse at the master plan so that I mess things up less often. How many times do I seek to do the will of God only to find what I "discern" to be the plan turn to thunder. Well, it's often enough so that the word "discern" should always be in quotation marks. I want to do the right thing, but I want signs to make sure I'm on the right path to the right thing.

The Pharisees and Sadducees all wanted signs so that they could believe. Signs and wonders are all around us, and they wanted a sign of their own. As if it would have done a bit of good. Folks who are skeptical about signs would be skeptical if a tree grew from their noses.

The signs are all around us. They reveal the truth of Jesus every day in every good way. And somehow, the things which are devastating can still be redeemed in the grace and love of the Lord. That's the hard part, even what we would call garbage is used for the glory of God.

So let us go to our prayer closets, our quiet places, and for God's fine whispers in our hearts, and prepare to act on what we receive. Remember, we all seem to want the "burning bush" experience, it's just that fewer of us want the "go to Pharaoh" experience that usually follows it.