I've been thinking a lot about Judas lately. I've been thinking about his motivations and his intentions. I wish I could say I've come to a conclusion, but most days I'm just left with more questions. Did he think that by turning Jesus in it would force Jesus' hand into becoming the kind of leader Judas was expecting? Did he think that Jesus needed to know that not all 12 of them were going to follow him blindly? Did he hope that with Jesus out of the way someone else would come forward as leader? Did he think he would be rewarded with a position in the government? Was it simply for monetary gain? That last one I can reject because the risks he took were too great for it to be just for a few silver coins.

We can't get through our lives without running across one or more Judases. People who are sure they know better, and if we'd only do it their way all would be well. People who are jealous of our successes. People who want to teach us a lesson. Jesus' response to betrayal and denial and death was to forgive. I guess that's why he's Jesus and I'm not. I find it much more difficult to forgive and move on. It's always a work in progress, and maybe why we need at least once a year to be reminded of what we are to be striving for.

O God, we have been wounded, and often by people who don't give it a second thought. But it weighs heavily on our hearts and minds as we try to move on. You have shown us the good and perfect way to respond to these events, but we are mostly far from perfect, and sometimes not even all that good. But the example remains ever before us. Give us healing in our hearts and minds that we can move on with the lives you intend for us. Let us be resurrected this year into the people you want us to be.

There is an odd string of events happening around here. People are jumping into freezing cold pools, ponds, rivers, lakes, and streams. And they are sharing the videos of this event, and paying $10 for the privilege. Oh, and when they finish they challenge others to do the same. Why? For a five month old baby.

He lives in a town a few miles away, and has already lost a kidney to cancer plus had most of a cancerous brain tumor removed. He is about to start chemo. So people decided to make this Plunge for Landon challenge to each other. If you are challenged, and don't make the plunge, you are supposed to pay $100. It's a creative, if slightly insane, way to be supportive and raise some money for the family. It has also brought the community (county) together to talk about something besides the weather (we need rain, by the way).

Loving God, we lift to you this day baby Landon, and all those who are striving to support him and his family. But more than that we lift to you all those who are in need this day. For those facing surgeries and illnesses and injuries, for those dealing with weather catastrophes and life's uncertainties. For those grieving and for those celebrating. May we find joyous and celebratory ways to support one another in our needs.