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This morning I went for a walk. 

Ran too far last week and am still pretty sore.... so just walked.... :/ 
It was dark for about an hour so had a flashlight.... 
While I was in the park I wondered if I might have a surprise meeting with a bear or cougar...  
so that was slightly unnerving... 

and I was listening to Peter telling the good news of Jesus  
to a people group he had very little in common with (or so he thought....) 
Growing up as an Israelite,  
he would have known that he was part of God's chosen people.  
He was different than the rest of the world's people.
He was promised many things as God's child.....
And he was taught that mixing and messing with people 'outside the faith'
was a big No No...

So when he had a vision of animals that were not kosher,
and was given the invitation to 'kill and eat' it was an easy thing to say,
'No way God. I am very careful to follow Your dietary laws...'
But it was God's vision,
God's instruction,
God's plan to adjust the 'boundaries'.
Change the 'rules'... and introduce Peter to the 'rest of His plans'...

Peter listened and obeyed
(with some uncomfortableness I am sure....)
and when he told the new people group about Jesus....
they responded,
and God poured out His Holy Spirit on them
in a visible, audible way....

Wow.

Peter's revelation:
God accepts people
from every nation who fear Him
and do what is right.
Period.
Fact.
but new news to Peter....
....read about it in Acts 10

It makes me wonder what people group I am 'shy'
or biased,
or just uncomfortable to talk to
because I don't think that they fit my definition
of what being 'ready' for God's Story looks like.....

Lord Jesus,
You came to earth
and hung out with
prostitutes and sinners
and foreign women....
and
that sure isn't my
'comfort zone'....

Today I am listening for Your voice
To reveal what I am missing
To direct me down a path
that is old
yet
new.

that's might be full of surprises
that don't surprise You....

Yes, Lord.

Do it!

PJ