When we are disappointed with God, with life...

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16  • Psalm 22:23-31  • Romans 4:13-25  • Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9 

As I read the Scripture for this week, it made me think of how fragile we are - in mind, body and spirit. Peter is rebuked by Jesus when he himself rebukes Jesus after being told that the one Peter has recognized and acknowledged to be the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel, must suffer and die. Imagine Peter's disappointment. Think about our own disappointments with God, ourselves, and others.

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter? What did Jesus say one must do to be his follower? What about our doubts and fears? Where is God in all of this? Consider The Rev. David Lose's "Disappointment with God."

Peter eventually gets it, as can we. See "Oops, Wrong Savior!," by The Rev. Michael Coffey. Upon this πέτρα (Petra - Greek for large mass of rock), Jesus built his church, and to Peter he gave the keys to the kingdom. He calls to us, and offers us the kingdom, as well. The ever-present Lord. God with us. Emmanuel. Again, what must we do to follow Jesus? "Let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me."

One of the lessons we learn is that it is okay to doubt, to ask God why, to tell God our frustrations, vent our anger, and cry. None of us is perfect. Things certainly don't always go the way we want them to go. See The Rev. Sharron R. Blezard's "Of Saints and Sinners." God goes before us. God suffers with us and goes with us. All the way - home.

How can we stretch our faith to reach the kingdom. See 2 Peter 5-7: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.