This Sunday's sermon text (Mark 6:30-44) will move us from the halls of Herod's palace out to the lakeside country.  From a royal feast with all of the important, influential people in attendance to a crowd of peasants and farmers who forgot to bring dinner in their rush to hear the new prophet speak.  The manipulation, lies, violence and twisted morality of the royal family give way to the teaching, healing, and feeding of a Shepherd who compassionately feeds His sheep.  Last week's account of Herod ordering John the Baptist's head removed had us thankful that we weren't there; this week's account of Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fishes makes us wish that we were part of the crowd, or better yet, one of the disciples who got to witness an amazing miracle.  I look forward to reading and preaching through this text with you this Sunday!