I Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20 and John 6:51-58

As young and inexperienced as Solomon thought himself to be, he still was wise enough to ask God the right kind of requests! Solomon says he is so “inexperienced” that he hardly knows “how to go out or come in (!)”. But, the son of David is a quick learner it appears!

There is “book learnin” and “learning by doing.” We need both. Methodists have long been known for valuing education and one’s own personal experiences of faith. These, with also “rightly discerning” the Bible while continually looking at faithful tradition, have empowered Methodists to have been faithful witnesses for over 200 years plus!

Thus, the scriptures for Sunday emphasize experience (Solomon), tradition (John and the striking images of Jesus as Bread of Life), and reason (we see the latter applied in all these scriptures).

We will listen in on young Solomon’s “conversation” with God and the experiences of Paul instructing the new Christians at Ephesus. We will hear much that applies to each of us as “learners in the faith” and how we go about “coming and going” in daily experiences in being Christian.

I hope to share a few “experiences” from a most recent road trip Westward which was a faith trip after all given a less than stellar bill of orthopedic health the last few weeks! Again thanks to LeNoir and Chip for filling in the pulpit in my absence. And for the people of Locks and Kedron for being faithful in their own “going out and coming in!”

Pastor Barry