What does it mean to be blessed? How do you define it? Do you recognize present, past or future Blessings? Do you feel Blessed and are you energized by them? Are you motivated by your blessings to try new things, meet new people, and grow in new exciting ways? Do you ever expect to be blessed again? How many times do I miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged in ways we expect? While we're waiting to be blessed, God is waiting for us to accept and use the blessings lying before us. Generally people consider 'blessing' to be synonymous with prosperity, money and the freedom to do what you want when you want in exactly the way you want. Sound less like blessing and more like independence. So what are we to make of this Jewish rabbi who says stuff like, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their's is the kingdom of God." (Matthew 5) This Kingdom is obviously much different than the one we're use to.   The Bible seems to define "blessed" as those who live in close communion with God. sounds wonderful, but to get to that mountain top experience involves struggling with our doubt, having our faith tested and strengthened and faces the many challenges in life that made the mightiest prophets weep and worry. Still, we are blessed when we look through the trouble we're in and see the Presence of God. After Jesus' death and resurrection, the disciples were still unsure of the future, dealing with their own betrayal of Jesus, and trying to understand what the events of the last few weeks were all about. Like all of us, they returned to the familiar, the comfortable and predictable. They went fishing. Are you fishing? Are you in your place of greatest comfort because of your fear of falling into a place of greatest  uncertainty without a net? Jesus helped the disciples, at least those fishing, to experience the Greatest Blessing their lives had ever known. And He can do it for you if you're open to it, aware of it, and embrace it. Here's how.. (1) Every ending is but the beginning of something new. Every blessing begins in our moments of greatest frustration. When you feel like all you want to do is go fishing, go to your happy place and pull the blanket over your head for another day, perhaps God is drawing you into a place you've never been, but need to be. (2) Every blessings requires action. The disciples experienced the presence of Jesus when they listen and cast their nets. When you're too afraid to risk even the simplest things. Where are you casting your nets, where are you involved in life and creating opportunities for God to work? (3) Blessings lead to new understanding and transformation. Having received a huge catch of fish, which would have been a financial windfall, Peter leaves it all and the boat and jumps after Jesus. He KNEW it was the Lord. Relationship with Jesus will always be more valuable than smelly fish, money, power, privileged or security. This week's pod cast is on recognizing that we're Blessed beyond Reason. Sermon Audio           Blessed Beyond Reason 11.10.13E Sermon Notes   Sermon Notes 11.10.13 Blessed Above and Beyond Sermon Slides         Worship 11.10.13 Blessed Beyond Reason