If you've ever made the mistake of running out of water to the point of dehydration, you know how incredibly your disposition can change. In the shortest amount of time, you can become a raging monster, surprising even yourself at the scope of change. Water is just one of those visceral realities that define our bodies and ground us in limits we cannot transcend. 
There is a beguiling passage in the gospel of John where Jesus speaks to a woman who has come to draw water from a well. And he tells her that he offers a water that quenches a deeper thirst. Like us, she isn't quite sure what that would mean?
This week, Rev. Caroline wrestles with that passage after being refreshed a bit herself, returning from Italy where she was traveling with her husband.
This week, we have a speaker in the second hour, Amy Knight. About a week ago, I was grousing to Kate that the speakers on Fox and CNN were ignorant of Russian history about Crimea when I flipped over to PBS to see our own Amy Knight being interviewed as a Cold War commentator. And, yes, CNN got her on a day later because she actually knew a couple things about the region and how Russian leaders think.
So we've asked her to lead a second hour discussion on Ukraine, Crimea and how the U.S. should respond to the new face of Russia. I'll introduce her and stay for the discussion which should be quite interesting. Stay and learn something more edifying than the partisan political angle that has defined most of the news coverage thus far. Amy's latest book is "How the Cold War Started".
Thought for the Day: I spent the morning walking with a friend who recently lost his son. I'm not sure that there is anything quite as empty feeling as the death of a child. The fabric of meaning that has provided you the bounce in your life is suddenly fraying to the point that it might not hold. It reminds me of the quicksand places around the Mississippi river that my uncles used to warn my cousins to avoid. You are aware that just being near it is intrinsically dangerous.
Yet, we must absolutely be there for each other in these difficult seasons of our lives because it is the strength that we channel from God that helps our friends recover meaning when they can't generate it themselves. We have a power for each other that is much more profound than we generally know.
This week, I stopped to see the prayer group that was lifting up all the people in our congregation who were sick or grieving. I've had the occasion to tell people that are really ill that they are being held up by a wall of prayer that surrounds them. I've witnessed the way they spontaneously well up with tears like they've just been given a shot of spiritual hope. I know what a difference we make for each other. It is a privilege to pass on that strength. It is what keeps us humane and loving.
I got back to the Church and happened to see one of my son's mailing a package. We chatted for a moment and turned to leave. I pulled him close for an unusual hug in the middle of the day. He said, 'what was that for'. 'Just because' I said and I turned to the rest of the day.

The Rev.