GRACE BIBLE CHURCH

I wonder what kind of a TSA officer Barney Fife would have made. At times I’ve thought America’s Security folk took their lessons from lawman-Barney. I confess, in real life, these protectors of the peace haven’t been on my “I’d-like-to-spend-more-time-with-this-guy” list. But perhaps things are changing. This past week our family intersected with a seasoned officer that I think I could really like. He spoke in soft tones, didn’t leave us feeling like criminals and even did his best to assist us in our travels. We met him in the Sea-Tac International about 5:10 on Monday morning. Now, honestly, I shouldn’t expect anyone to be kind at that hour of the day. But he was, even when one of our carry-ons was overloaded with oversized containers of hair product! While the transgressor was resolving the issue, I stood there actually chatting with Mr. air-security. I said, a bit tentatively, “May I say, things have changed.” He knew what I meant. And then he went on to tell me that he has learned to employ what apparently they refer to in the trade as verbal judo, a kind of mind-mouth exercise in which one is able to accomplish their task without using decibel, let alone physical force. The agent said, “You’ve probably heard the term.” I hadn’t. But Monday, I experienced it.

See, unlike Barney, this man was able to preserve safety and stability in the airport and at the same time, win at least one citizen over to the idea that we are on the same team. To me – he was a bit of a “salt and light,”kind of guy, kind of like what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 5: 12-15. Kudos to the TSA of Seattle!

 We could use a few more “salt and light” people in our community too. In fact, I’d like to be such an agent of peace! How about you?

Let’s talk more about that on Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30 as we delve a little deeper in the “Blueprint for living – from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Oh, I hope you’ll be with us as we worship and study and grow together!

And these other opportunities:

· Charlotte is really excited about the upcoming WHabitat for Humanity team to help with a house being built in our community the first weekend in October. Give Tiffany a call if you want in!

· New service times start on the 4th of October! Come to the Classic first service or theContemporary second service.