Covenant With Hope

 

     "I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

     So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

                                                                                                                              Genesis 9:15-17

I cannot help but smile when I see a rainbow in the skies after a dark and rainy day. The darkness that often comes with rainy days brings about a gloominess all on its own. But, the rainbow brings us a brighter day. It is a source of hope. I wonder though, if the rainbow is really so beautiful in itself? Are we really so amazed at the show of colors and light or do we find it so beautiful because we know of its true source; because, we know of the covenant that is attached to its' presence?

Whatever the genuine reason is for the world to look upon the rainbow with hope and with joy, the fact is that it is a gift from God. It is a reminder that God watches over us. He is with us, even now, and desires that we should all live in hope of a blessed life in His presence.

The rainbow is God's sign of His covenant with all living creatures that life on earth would never again be so devastated by a flood. It pertains to life in this world. But, we have a new covenant sealed by the precious blood of Jesus. Whoever believes in him will be blessed with eternal life in His presence; in His Kingdom.

The sign of the rainbow may bring a smile to our faces; but, the sign of the cross brings us hope in eternal life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Masks

Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:2-4 NRSV

Although, it keeps commerce going, I have never quite understood the need for anyone to have major amounts of piercings or to change the color of one's hair every few weeks or the wearing of someone else's name on your clothing. It makes me think that the person is not comfortable with who they are. I can't quite get why someone would need to wear make-up that would disguise the person that God made them to be. I'm not saying that I think women shouldn't wear any. But, I would think the purpose for make-up would be to enhance one's features and not to mask them.

God has made every one and every one is precious in God's sight. Let the world see the person God created you to be. There is nothing more beautiful than a child of God who exudes the loving and gentle spirit that comes from knowing that you are a child of God.  

May God help each of us to cherish the lasting beauty of the gentle and quiet spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Is Jesus Welcome?

Is Jesus welcome at your table?

When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, "Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me."

Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, "Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me."

Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, "Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited."

Then those ‘goats’ are going to say, "Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?"

He will answer them, "I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me."

"Then those ‘goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ‘sheep’ to their eternal reward.”

Matt 15:31-46 The Message

God's Peace - Pr. J

Born Again Through The Word Of God

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV

Whenever I read these scripture verses, I imagine a hay field that has not been mown for many years. Wildflowers mingle among the swaying blades of mature; yet, dying hay. Come winter, it will all die. The snow will bury the entire field, grass and flowers alike. So it will be for all that has been born of perishable seed

But, for those who are born again, through the living Word, they will rise again. Death has no victory over all who abide in the Word, who is Jesus the Christ.

May God grant that you abide in His Word and His Word abide in you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Too Much Striving After Things

Eccl 1:1-3 NIV
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” 
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

What do people gain from all their labors
    at which they toil under the sun?

When my husband I first began our married life together, almost forty-six years ago, we began it in a small and simple apartment. Our first home was in a renovated officer's barracks at Sterling Homes, Oceanside, CA. We both worked hard. He was in the Marine Corps. I followed him around finding jobs as I could at every new location. There were times when I worked two jobs. I went to college as I was able and raised our sons, mostly alone, as he was deployed most the time. We use to joke that he had more sea time than most sailors. Our family grew and so did our homes. But, now as we have grown older, the desire to have big and luxurious has been replaced with the need to own only what we have the physical ability and energy to care for ourselves, with a little help from family and friends. We have gone down to small and simple once again.

There are times when I wonder how much time, effort, and money was wasted on striving after things that were utterly meaningless. I no longer can remember how many cars we've owned and definitely can't remember how many living rooms sets we have saved for and purchased. I remember only the first one which I retrieved from a dumpster and reupholstered myself. It takes way more effort to remember that meaningless trivia than I want to expend. It takes me a bit of time to even count how many homes we have lived in or even owned. There are times when I definitely grieve the time, effort, and money lost to so many things that were utterly meaningless in the big picture of eternal life. But, that grieving too is meaningless. What has been done cannot be undone. It is only possible to move forward.

We have to work to sustain our lives and our families. That is a reality. But, we also need to be able to find time to live life; to enjoy the very basic and precious things that God has given to us. There are more important things in life than amassing huge amounts of things. Relationships with family and friends; our relationship with God who created and then through Christ recreated us in him are much more valuable than anything that money can buy. In Christ we can have a new beginning. We can begin to truly live life.

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:21)  When we finally come to the place where we can say that the treasures we seek are in the Kingdom of God and not in this world, our relationships with God and with one another will be what brings us joy and peace. These things are some of the best treasures that might be had in this world for they come not from this world; but, originate in the Kingdom of God. These things, I have found, are quite elusive when we are busy striving after things..

Help others to know the treasures of joy and peace. Share the Good News that we have been reconciled to God, in His Kingdom, through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Betrayed For The Truth

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13:21 NIV

On the evening before he was executed, Jesus sat down for his last meal with his friends and followers. He was troubled over the events which were about to transpire. He knew that one of those men would betray him and hand him over to be put to death. He also knew that it was the will of our Father in heaven that such a tragedy should occur.

It disturbs most human beings when we discover that we have been betrayed.  When one whom we thought was our friend turns against us because their desires are more important than the greater good; more important than God's good will for others. It hurts when we find ourselves being attacked because of our stand on the Word of God. But, stand we must not just for our sakes; but, for the sake of the world; for the sake of future generations.

Luther was attacked over and over again for taking his stand on the Word of God. It may not be pleasant; but, it is a reality for those who love the Lord, who is the only way, the truth, and who is our life. (John 14:6) 

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt 24:9-14

May God help us to all "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph 6:14-17

God's Peace - Pr. J

It's Time To Love

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2

It is time. It is way past time for the children of God to start loving as Christ loved us. Imagine a world where it's not all about "me, me, me and my ego." Imagine a world where we genuinely care about others; where the genuine needs of others come before our personal desires.

There is a lot of loving to do. It is time to follow in the way of Jesus the Christ who gave himself for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Beginning Of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Prov 9:10 NIV

Martin Luther and we teach that "We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things." To do all of these three really is a big step forward toward wisdom.

It is not wise to trust or love anything or anyone else before God. Trust Him above all others. He is almighty. He can accomplish things that no one else can. Love Him because He first loved you. He loved you even when you were dead in your sins; even when we turn our backs on Him. Fear the Lord for as well as being our Father, He is also our creator. He gave us life and He has the final say in whether we live or die.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matt 22:37

God's Peace - Pr. J

Time and Season for Change

There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Every season brings change. People must adapt to the season. We must be prepared for every season or in the winter we will freeze; in the summer we might suffer from heat stroke. The earth itself has changed over the generations. It has not only had four seasons; but, seasons of entire climate change. There were times of great flooding. There were times of almost global drought. There was that ice age. In order to survive, people had to adapt. Recently, Hurricane Matthew came through. That called for a few weeks of doing things differently for millions of people. Change sometimes has to happen whether we are comfortable with it or happy about it. Sometimes, we have no choice; but, to reevaluate how things are done and make some changes for the well-being of all people.

The church has its seasons as well; both short term and long term. If we do not adapt, if we flat out refuse to change to meet the changes that come with each season; we may find ourselves suffering. We will leave others out in the cold to suffer and die. We may find ourselves all alone without water to sustain either our bodies or our souls. 

Change comes with growth. Growth comes with change. What was good for yesterday is not always what is good for today. What we are called to do specifically to help God's children depends on the circumstances surrounding us. What are their needs? Are they spiritual? Do they need to be lifted up at this present point in time? Maybe they need food or shelter? Maybe, their physical needs are so great that until those needs are met we cannot begin to address spiritual needs or maybe as we meet those needs their emotional and spiritual needs will also be addressed?

There is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven. May the church on earth be granted the wisdom and ability to know when and how to change with the seasons for the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Humility

Three of my favorite children (they are all my favorites) at the celebration of their

first Communion as they remember the night in which our Lord was betrayed; the night in which he humbled himself and bowed down to wash the disciples feet; when he broke bread with those who would betray and desert him;

the night before he humbled himself and was executed on the cross in our place.

Micah 6:8 NIV
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.    
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God."

I am preparing for tomorrow's sermon... We will consider humility. What is it? How does it come to us?

It comes to us when we recognize that we are sinners. We have turned our backs on God and on one another and we continue to do it. Daily, we continue to seek our own wills rather than the will of God to love mercy and act justly toward others. We deserve the death sentence.

Humility comes to us when we understand that God loves us so much; that His only begotten Son loves us so much; that he was willing to pay the penalty for our sin; for our crimes, by being executed on the cross in our place. The penalty for our sin has been paid in full by another. What can be more humbling than that.

It would be very good indeed for this world, if we all just did the good that the LORD has shown us. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every professing Christian actually made it a priority to act justly and love mercy as we walk humbly with our God?

One of my favorite descriptions of humility was written by Washington Allston. He wrote: "Humility is also a healing virtue; it will cicatrize a thousand wounds, which pride would keep for ever open."

Jesus was willing to humble himself and die for us that we might be healed; that we might be made whole.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6 (see also 1 Peter 2:24-25)

Let us then set aside our pride as we walk humbly with our God, so that justice and mercy might prevail.

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Will; Not Ours

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

God's law is within the hearts of all who believe. But; we, being sinful human beings, sometimes let our own desires override the law of God. We would prefer to do our will rather than His and sadly, trouble naturally ensures.

We are not alone in this struggle of doing God's will and leaving our own wills behind us. St. Paul, one of the most faithful men that I know of, struggled with this as well. He wrote to the Romans (7:21-25 NIV) "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

The struggle between doing God's will and fulfilling our own egos will continue. But, for the sake of all of God's people, we ought not give up the fight. We pray often that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven so let us be confident that it will be done trusting in Him to help us on the way.

And, as we go on, let us always give thanks to God, who delivers us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Joy Of Salvation!

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

So the world's bogging you down? Not everything going the way you want it to?

There are more important things than the little details of every day living. Supper does not have to be on the table exactly the right time. The employee that was late may have had problems with the car; that's why she's late. Or, maybe, they had some unexpected emergency at home. Children will not always do what you want them to. Maybe you don't care for the way the presidential race is being run. Relax, you are not alone. Not many people are happy about it. In the big picture, these are all minor things. There is something more important and that is your salvation. Do not let the devil steal the joy of your salvation!

We all make mistakes. We all sin. Sometimes those sins are unintentional. Sometimes those sins are very intentional. The bottom line is: Jesus knew this when he went to the cross for us. Even though he knew that we would intentionally and unintentionally turn our backs on him and on one another, he was willing to bear the consequences of our sins, even our most grievous sins. He loves us so much that he was willing to be executed in our place so that all who believe in him might be declared innocent. The debt has been paid! Rejoice in your salvation!

May the knowledge of a love so great for you, restore in you the joy of your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Pray of Tears

Psalm 126:4-6 NIV
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

The pray of tears is the center of discussion at our book study today. We are reading "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home" written by Richard J. Foster.

What is the prayer of tears? It is simply this: acknowledging that our sinful natures have separated us from God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ. It is the understanding that we have turned our backs on the one who was willing to die for us. The prayer of tears brings us to repentance and is a part of repentance. Saying we are sorry does not mean much unless the sorrow over our sins is genuine. Genuine sorrow usually brings tears; whether those tears are visible from the outside or whether our spirit weeps inwardly.

But, with the sorrow also comes much joy as we realize that Jesus truly loves us so much that he was willing to bear the consequences of our sins on the cross for us. In this humble act of unconditional love, we rejoice. Our sorrow turns to joy.

The prayer of tears is both a sorrow in that we have not loved as we have been loved and a joy in that God, Himself, would love us so immensely, reconciling us, in spite of all that we have done to separate ourselves from Him.

May God help us all to turn and return to Him that we might be restored in His Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Can See The Goodness Of The Lord!

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart
 and wait for the Lord.

It is an election year and there are times when between the politicians and the news media we might wonder if we will ever see goodness any more. Yet, we will. If we would open our eyes; if we actually listened with our ears, we would see and hear it all around us.

God is very good. He has blessed us abundantly. Let us give thanks to the Lord for all that He has done for us. Let us give Him thanks and praise. May He empower us all to live actively sharing His goodness that the evil one's face is not the only face that we can see.

Help us Lord to see and live your goodness, even here, in this land and all around the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

What Is Baptism?

Lately, I have found myself explaining what baptism is on more than one occasion; that it is not just a symbolic ritual. Baptism is not something that we do; rather, it is a precious gift from God. I was going to use this blog to explain it more clearly and realized that I should probably just go to the Small Catechism found in the Book of Concord for a more concise explanation. So here it is, a reminder from the Book of Concord as we ought to teach it to our children.

IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

First.

What is Baptism?--Answer.

Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.

Which is that word of God?--Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Secondly.

What does Baptism give or profit?--Answer.

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God? Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Thirdly.

How can water do such great things?--Answer.

It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

Fourthly.

What does such baptizing with water signify?--Answer.

It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?--Answer.

St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

As Lutherans, this is what we believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bless The Words Of My Mouth

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NIV

Anyone who has heard me preaching has heard this prayer of David before. It is the verse, that we pray, in some form, before the sermon at any and almost all of the Worship services that I lead, whether it is Sunday Worship, a funeral, a wedding, or whatever the occasion.

I begin every sermon with this prayer and I end it with a prayer, as well.  I have been told that it is not necessary to pray at the beginning or the end of the sermon and I seriously did think about listening to those directions. But, found I could not. You see, I need God's help.  In fact, I need, we need, God to speak through me; because no one needs to hear what I have to say; but, what God wants you to hear. 

At, the beginning of each service, as I face the altar, I also usually pray something to akin to: "Send your Holy Spirit that your people might hear your Word, your will for them, and not mine." Sometimes, that prayer is only one word: "Help." I depend upon the Spirit of God to open the ears of each of the hearers so that everyone might hear God's word, his will and not mine for you.

One of the rules I follow in sermon writing is never talk politics. I cannot even begin to imagine myself endorsing a candidate from the pulpit! I've been asked about this by a few people as there are  some who seem to think this is the preacher's job.  However, the pulpit is for preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  It is not for promoting a partisan view of the kingdom of this world. In regards to preaching politics, I am confident that it would definitely be my political views that would be expressed and not God's. 

Sharing the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ is not about pleasing man.  It is about pleasing God. In fact, often, people will not always be pleased with the message.  Sometimes the very same sermon that will bring comfort to one hearer, will bring conviction to another.  That, my friends, is the work of the Holy Spirit.  God knows who is going to be at Worship on any given Sunday and He knows what they need to hear.  And, if they have ears to hear, they will hear just what He wants them to hear.  Thanks be to God!

It always amazes me when people tell me after the sermon that they were so moved when I talked about..... (whatever it was they heard).  I don't tell them, I didn't actually say that.  If that's what the Spirit wanted to say to them, if that's what they needed to hear, then so be it.  And... the glory belongs to God!

Help us LORD!  May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts and minds always be pleasing in your sight, O' Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.

God's Peace - Pastor J.

Choose The Right Path

He made the moon to mark the seasons,    and the sun knows when to go down.

Psalm 104:19 NIV

Then what of man? If the sun and the moon have, for all these years, followed the course that God laid out before them; then, what of man? Why is it so difficult for humankind to follow in The Way that the Lord would have us go?

That would be: free will. God gave us the ability to make choices between loving Him or not; between serving Him and honoring Him or not; between listening to Him or the serpent. Adam and Eve chose to listen to the serpent rather than to God. In spite of God's command, they chose to eat of the tree of knowledge and avoided eating from the tree of life. Adam and Eve and all humankind were exiled from Paradise for their wrong choice.

And, so... it continues down to this age. God has opened wide the gates to Paradise for all who would believe in and follow His Son. Yet, many choose to follow in a way they have chosen for themselves and reject The Way that God has prepared for us.

May God open our hearts to follow in The Way, the only way, that can save us from ourselves and our own wrong choices.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Renew Our Minds

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.." Rom 12:1-2 NIV

What does this mean? How are we to be transformed by the renewing of our minds? We cannot perform this feat. It is not within human capabilities. The Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, renews us and regenerates our very being so that it is not we; but, Christ in us, (Gal 2:20) who transforms us so that, through us, any service that is done does not conform to the standards of the world; but, is pleasing to God and in accordance with God's good will.

Paul urges us to offer up our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I wonder if that can really be called a sacrifice when what we receive is much greater than ourselves. For in this sacrifice, we receive the Spirit of Christ. We are transformed so that we might come into closer communion with God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May God bless us all abundantly by showering us with the Spirit of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Trust His Plan For The Future

Some rebuilding required after Hurricane Matthew

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The Israelites had been taken into captivity. Jeremiah wrote to them from Jerusalem. He sent them the word of the Lord. He encouraged to go on living in Babylon. Don't give up; build homes, grow your families; live life!  He promised that in all they had gone through and all that they would go through, God had a plan; a plan to give them hope and a future.

Sometimes, things get a whole lot worse than better. In order for us to be reconciled to our Father in heaven, there was a heavy price. His Son had to die for us. It was a dark day the day our Lord hung on the cross for us. But, without the events of that day, we would all still be living in permanent exile from our Father's Kingdom.

God has a plan; a good plan for His children. It doesn't always look or feel like it. We don't usually get to know the details of the plan. But, He is the master builder; after all, and has built for us a future that is more glorious than any of us can begin to fathom.

So no matter what happens that might cause you to feel like all is lost at times; trust Him, to build your life. Trust Him as you continue to live life in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

How Majestic Is Name Of The One Who Created All Things!

Psalm 8:1-9

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

As I wandered around the Village in awe of the devastation cause by the wind and water of Hurricane Matthew, I was acutely aware of God's creation around me. Stately magnolia trees were overturned; snapped like twigs. The alligators are no where to be seen. I am not sure where they have evacuated to. And, the fish.... there have been huge swarms of fish swimming together in the creek since the storm has passed. (Okay, they're called schools; but, I like the word swarm better). Much like those fish hanging out together; were the many people God has created. Neighbors were helping neighbors as they gathered together to clean up yards or share meals cooked on a grill. It is quite amazing how God manages to pull his creation together in community in the worst of times.

God has truly created an awesome world. All things to working together for His glory. How majestic is His name in all the earth!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff; Feed His Sheep

Bulow Campground, Flagler Beach, FL

Above is a photo of Bulow RV Park in Flagler Beach, FL after Matthew went through. They had more than a little damage there both to the property and to the RV's that some people live in permanently. Overall, Haiti got hit much worse.

It was amazing to see people come together to help each other out. It was amazing to hear the stories that were shared at worship. So where are we today. The clean-up is underway, at least here in this country. Will those who got left homeless be forgotten once the many service agencies head home? Will the hungry be left to beg or steal? What will you be busy with tomorrow? Some minor thing that for some reason has become a big deal? Or will you be out proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom in both word and deed? Will you be serving the Lord and His children in unity with others or disunity as you strive to serve yourself?

Just asking...  Just wondering...

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matt 10:5-8

And... please don't forget how many thousands Jesus had his disciples feed with very few loaves and fish.

Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff. There will always be someone in greater need than we are. Just go and feed his sheep in both word and deed and before long you will forget that you had any problems. The 1960's were wrong. Focusing on ourselves only makes false idols unto ourselves. We get more and more into ourselves and more intent on serving ourselves. But, when we focus on doing what is best for others and the world around us; then, we are serving the one true God.

Feed His Sheep in Word and Deed!

God's Peace - Pr. J

What A Journey!

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Prov 27:1

Life has been quite a journey. God brings us to places that we never imagined we would go. He has brought me to places that I never dreamed of. He has been very good. There have been many struggles and there continues to be. But; in spite of any hardships I know that whatever and wherever He guides me it is for the good.

When those first disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus they had no clue how much their lives would change and how they would be used to change the lives of others; indeed, change even the

world.

No matter what is going on in your life; if you will listen to Him and follow in His Way you can be assured that God has a plan; a very good plan.

May God grant you the wisdom and courage to follow in The Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Back To The Future

I am in Denver at the 16th Annual LCMC with no wifi in my room and a full schedule for the next few days so don't know when I will get to use hotel computer. Our theme this year is Back To The Future: 1st Century Principles For The 21st Century. If someone would share this on Christ Lutheran Palm Coast FB. Can't share or post to that page from my phone.

What Is Our Mission?

Faithful Stewards of the Word

Pr. John Henry, Pr. Jimalee Jones, Bp Alex Malasusa

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:18-20

I include the words of Jesus in what is known as the Great Commission in many of my sermons to remind us what the Church is really all about. Sometimes, I fear, we forget and need to be reminded.

"Back to the Future: First Century Principles for the Twenty First Century" is the theme for the Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ's annual convocation that will be held in Denver this week. The annual gathering is a time for members of LCMC from all around the globe to gather together in worship and fellowship; to exchange ideas; to lift one another up in Christ with the good news; and to reexamine our individual and corporate ideas of what Jesus calls us to and how to do.  ("Just do it!" Don't debate it! As the Spirit of Christ abides in us; he does it for us, through us. Trust him!)

The exchange of ideas; rededicating ourselves to the mission that we have been called to and exploring how this can be done locally are all well and good. But, usually putting these "good ideas" to use means that we have to take a good look at ourselves: where we have been; where we are now; and, where we are going. When we do that we will usually find areas that need a bit of changing, sometimes some hard changes.

Sadly, what I have experienced over the years is that when the ideas; when the possibilities for growth in Christ are brought back to the congregation any changes that might be good for the growth of the local church are put on the back burner. Business continues as usual with members continuing to lament their deteriorating congregations. Lutherans largely hate change and they will fight to keep it the same old, same old, even if it means putting their congregation into a state of hospice.

The church grew in amazing ways during the first century. The shepherds were not so worried about making people comfortable or making sure that their preaching did not intrude upon the private secular lives of those who were listening. They were focused on preaching the truth so that the sheep would be fed and saved. There are no new programs or new buildings or new people or new anything else that will help your congregation to grow unless those who have been chosen or called to serve have received new hearts. The church on earth has one purpose and that is to reach out to all people with the good news of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If things haven't been working well for your congregation; if mission has been put on a back burner and you are slowly (or maybe quickly) dying, maybe it's time to take a good look at what those first Christians focused on. Was it the building made of brick and mortar (there actually was none) or were they more interested in building up the Body of Christ, which is the Church?

May God help us to trust the power of His Spirit, that we might be good stewards of the Word, sharing the Good News with all people and spending less time focusing on our how we can save ourselves. We cannot save ourselves. Only God can save anyone.

God's Peace - Pr. J