Stephen Crane wrote a poem: I exist

“A man said to the universe I exits

 That is true said the universe however that has never created in me a sense of obligation to you.”

I think that there are times in everyone’s life when they feel that life has moved forward at such a way that you feel like they have been plunked down into a roller coaster and just taken along for the ride.

Then there are times when we feel like asking the question “Hello is there anybody out there.” Its like asking the question if a tree falls in the forest does any one hear.  Those moments when we feel profoundly alone. 

I exist, I feel, I succeed, I fail, I am strong, I am vulnerable  I exist.

 That is true  said the universe  however that has never created in me a sense of obligation to you.

Professor Davis of Australia a prize winning Theologian has much to say about how little threat science is to Christian belief. He also says that if the Christian faith is to be credible to modern people, we have got to get over the notion of an Interventionist God, that is a god who hears, cares, and acts for our good. Such a god says Professor Davies is not only an offence to reason, a rebel against the laws of nature, but also incredible to modern skeptical people. Do we really want a God who From time to time steps in reaches out and acts?

Is this what we really want does this professor have the pulse of the church and our modern notion of God summed up. 

Do we exist because it is a good place to get a good coffee on a Sunday morning? 

Today gospel lesson would seem to think differently. 

The Stilling of the storm. What a gospel. It speaks to us again and again. 

The gospel sums up I think for the most part life experience.

There is this notion out there that once you become a Christian and have Jesus in your life things will be great.  But this story brings home the reality check.   Perhaps you thought there would be smooth sailing with Jesus. You thought that, with Jesus in the boat there would be no storm, no waves, no fear.   

John Wesley experienced a storm like that on one of his many Atlantic crossings. A fierce storm broke out; pitching and tossing the ship about like a bathtub toy. While Wesley and others clung to their bunks and hid their heads, a community of Moravians, traveling to their new homeland, calmly gathered to hold their daily worship service and sing praises to God. Watching these Moravians, so apparently unperturbed by the howling winds and crashing waves, Wesley realized he was witnessing a truly waterproof faith. From that moment on, John Wesley prayed that God would give him the ability to ride out life's storms with as much confidence. 

Yes the gospel reminds us that in life you are going to find some rough weather. But it’s not like Jesus slept through the entire storm. He stilled the storm. A bit over whelming. It would leave me with my mouth open. 

 The disciples at least admit they were awed by this. In fact Wilimon would point out that the story starts with everyone scared and ends the same way but for different reason. 

Good old professor Davis States that we modern, educated people can’t stomach an interventionist God, A god who hears who cares , who acts. He says it’s because we’re all so scientific. So modern and skeptical. 

 But for the one whose mind is open to the Holy Spirit  God for most part is not just sitting back watching the world spin. 

Our God is the God that has the means of dealing with tragedy, surprising intervention, strong words, rebuke of injustice, a calming voice amid the storm God does not leave it all up to us. God hears our anguished cries for help and cries with us, and comforts us.   God in the presence of the Spirit through the love found in Jesus is there, is with us. 

There is a great old story I know I have used it before, but it is good. A clergy is visiting  a sick women in hospital ask question asks what would you like my to pray for today? Women says That God will make me well.

He sighed then prayed   Lord if it be thy will, we pray that this sick sister might be healed. On the other hand, if it is not thy will, we pray that she might be given a positive attitude, a willingness to accept her situation. Amen

As soon as he finished his prayer, her eyes opened. She sat up in bed, threw her feet over the side, stood up saying,  I’m well. I really think I’m well  She bounds out of the room and headed for the nurses  station shouting Look at me I’m well 

The young clergy person stumbled out of the room, heads out of the hospital into the parking lot. Before he pulled out his key to unlock the car He looked up and said   Don’t you ever do that to me again

Does God surprise us. Do chicken lay eggs.