So, if you have been to downtown Scranton you will recognize the Electric City sign! It has been there a very long time and identifies this place as the site of America’s first electric operated trolley system that was developed there in 1886! Quite a claim to fame. Then more recently Scranton was the location talked about on the sit-com ‘The Office’ and many little pieces of memorabilia can be seen on the show, that you see around the city. Just a fun fact, and a fun scavenger hunt. But the day I went there it was the ‘La Festa Italiana’, a celebration of all things Italian!
When I went on Saturday was not quite as historical, though it made history for me! It was the very first day I was 67. Though it really was not much different than the day before when I was still 66, it was special for me! My younger son and his family, and my husband and I walked around the one block radius of the ‘festa’ and took in all the wonderful varieties of Italian food. Pizza, cannoli, rigatoni, pizza fritta , espresso and many others were all on display for your taste buds to savor. It was definitely all things Italian, including bocce ball, flags, music and dance!
I am not Italian, I am married to a handsome Italian! I have enjoyed the culture and the fact that Italian people show their love through their food. I really enjoy that! As I was looking at all this Italian regalia I remembered that the great apostle Paul took his fourth missionary journey to Rome, Italy. He stayed in Rome two whole years preaching and teaching these folk. I am sure he was enjoying the food too!
When he left Rome he wrote them the letter that is chock full of instructions and guidance, but also the scriptures we now call “the Roman road.” It is a beautiful and easy way to walk someone down the path to Salvation. It is just as relevant today as I am sure it was over two thousand years ago. Here it is;
Romans 3:10 ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’ In his clear and straightforward style, Paul states-none of us, left to our own power-are any good! Sobering thought. Now what? He continues, reiterating the sad truth, just in case we missed it the first time!
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ A reminder that if we fall short, we are not near, or even close to God. He is holy and sin is not welcome in His presence!
Romans 5:8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Just when we thought hope was lost Paul reminds us that God loves us. God could not bear to see us separated from Him. God sent Jesus to die as the sacrifice, exchange for our sin. We can be forgiven.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ A reminder that if we fall short, we are not near, or even close to God. He is holy and sin is not welcome in His presence!
Romans 5:8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Just when we thought hope was lost Paul reminds us that God loves us. God could not bear to see us separated from Him. God sent Jesus to die as the sacrifice, exchange for our sin. We can be forgiven.
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’ Of course we need to do something to be forgiven, we need to believe and accept the gift that was given for us, Jesus, our lamb who bears all our sin.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Jesus Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death.’ Here is the best part. It is so hard to believe sometimes you might think it’s not even real. It’s too simple! Yet, it is true. We are no longer condemned because we have asked Jesus to remove our guilt…and He did!
What a wonder-filled God we serve. Just the thought makes me want to do the ‘tarantella’ of joy! How about you?
Leave a Reply