Only One Body; Only One Flock

Bringing the Good News to our brothers and sisters in Christ

in Laskela, Russia, many years ago. There is only one Body

of Christ. We live and serve by the power of the Spirit of

Christ that all of the sheep may be united as members of that

One Body.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV 

What a tragedy that our Lord would have to die for our sins. Yet, he loves us so much that he was willing to suffer horribly and die for us. He was abandoned by the very sheep he sought to save.

And, not just was abandoned, is still abandoned. We, like sheep, have gone astray, turning each to his own way. One of the most predominant false gods within the church on earth is ourselves. Rather than God, it is the ego that is way too often served. The false gods of wealth and property also loiter around the church, as well. But, they usually pertain directly to the predominant false god of self. We say we love him and most probably do. But, at the same time we often forget to acknowledge and welcome the whole Body of Christ. Often the sheep do not recognize the other sheep; thinking only of their own needs; their own desires, striving only to fulfill their own egos. 

St Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment." (1 Cor 11:29-31) This not only relates to discerning the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion; but, to recognizing the body of Christ that comes to the table with us. It is not about us, as individuals. It is about the whole body of Christ living in His Kingdom, united and at peace with God and with one another. That doesn't happen when the sheep are all busy trying to go their own ways.

Like Peter and the other disciples, when the going gets rough; when it becomes a danger to self preservation of ego or even life itself, the sheep all too often scatter. Yet, he loves us so much that he was willing to suffer horribly and die for all the lost sheep that we might be reconciled to God our Father for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Fiery Furnace Before False Gods

  

   Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?”
   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.” (Dan 3:14-18 NRSV)

Two of my favorite readings for Holy Saturday are the stories about the dry bones being raised and the story about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into a furnace because they refused to bow down to the gold idol that King Nebuchadnezzar had made. They chose to be thrown into the fiery furnace before they would bow down to a false god. They survived the fire. In the end, they were commended and promoted by Nebuchadnezzar for being willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. They refused to compromise their faith. They would not bow down to any other god than the one true God.

As pastors and leaders and servants of God's church here on earth, we have to be careful that we do not compromise our faith in God in order to please others. We cannot make for ourselves mini-gods. I call them mini because they are worthless. But, in reality when we choose something other than the truth; when other things become our objects of worship other than the one true God, we are attempting to replace god. We can try all we want. God will always still be God. We cannot change or compromise that truth. Just as He saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace, He is with all who love and worship Him through every fiery time.

It would be a very detrimental choice for us to choose to compromise the truth causing anyone, including ourselves, to bow down to man-made gods in order to try to save themselves.

I did a word search in the NIV, the NKJV, and the NRV. I could not find the word compromise anywhere. It did come up in The Message translation of the Bible in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:

“I’ll live in them, move into them;
    I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
So leave the corruption and compromise;
    leave it for good,” says God.
“Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.
    I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you;
    you’ll be sons and daughters to me.”
The Word of the Master, God.  

May God grant us the strength and courage to worship no other gods no matter if it is friend or foe who would have us bow down to anyone or anything other than Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rule of Warfare

The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” (Deut 20:5-8 NIV)

Rules of warfare...

Moses reminds the people that when preparing for a battle that anyone who might have a reason not to go into battle fully engaged, fully focused on the battle, is to stay home.  If their minds are going to be wandering back to the wife that they have not yet married or the brand new vineyard that they've planted, they should stay home.  If their hearts are full of fear, they should not go to battle.  Fear begets fear.  Men of faint hearts should not go to battle, because their fears might be passed on to the men who they will stand next to in battle and they both will die. 

I've recently had a lot of reminders that we too are engaged in battle.  It is not a physical battle against flesh and blood.  We are engaged in a spiritual battle against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (Eph 6:12)  We are engaged in battle whether we like it or not, but I fear that we are not always truly prepared to participate in that battle and so the enemy has had the advantage.  Our minds and hearts have been focused elsewhere.  They have been focused on more worldly battles with our neighbors rather than the spiritual forces that have caused dissensions and divisions among us. 

I should probably be using the word I rather than we - maybe you have been much more fully engaged in this battle than I am. It is not that I have given up on being engaged in this spiritual battle.  It is more like other things have caused me to focus my time and energy elsewhere and sadly, I have to admit, that I have not been as fully engaged as I should be. 

At my last congregation in Michigan, just about every time the lesson regarding the parable that Jesus tells of the great banquet that people refused to attend, the choir sang a song about being invited to the banquet and making excuses that goes something like this:  "I cannot come to the banquet.  Don't bother me now.  I have married a wife.  I have bought me a cow..."  When we cannot (do not) go to the banquet table that Jesus has prepared for us, when we do not hear his word regularly to be refreshed; renewed; empowered; how can we be prepared for spiritual battle?
  
Paul gave to the Ephesians (6:13-18) and us guidelines as to how we can be prepared for and enter into for spiritual battle: 

Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.  As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.  With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench 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.  Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 

The next time you feel like you are in a war with your neighbor or maybe a family member, remember that there is more going on than meets the eye.  There is a spiritual battle being waged and if we allow ourselves to be engaged in the war that is before our eyes, we will be distracted from doing battle in the heavenly realms where the real battle is actually taking place.  What you see with your eyes may be only a symptom of the spiritual war taking place.

Put on the armor that God has given to you, keep alert and persevere in supplication for all the saints (whether you recognize them as saints or not!).  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Take Up Your Cross

Christ Lutheran Church, Bunnell, FL

   But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
   Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.                                                   (Matt 16:23-25  NIV)

Years ago, I was serving as a missionary to remote areas of Upper Michigan where there was no or very little church presence.  I led Bible studies at 3 different sites and led Worship at up to 6 sites any given week.  The worship sites included a state park, house church, an historic Lutheran church, an historic Episcopal church, a community center, a youth correctional facility, and sometimes my home.  The area I covered was about 45 miles north and south and 20 miles east and west.  Yes, it was what would be considered in today's world - wilderness.  I carted everything needed for worship between sites.  Packing and unpacking - setting up and tearing down - the same stuff over and over again. We had one of those big gold crosses for the altar, which was included in the stuff I needed to carry with me from worship site to worship site.  On one Ash Wednesday afternoon as I was rushing between Worship sites about 25 miles apart when I panicked thinking that I had left the altar cross at the last site.  So driving down the road while reaching in the back seat to see if I could feel it back there someplace, I heard myself say:  "I am so sick and tired of having to carry that cross with me all the time."  Fortunately, I said it out loud so that the impact of what I had said hit me full on.  What about the cross that Jesus bore for me?  And... this little cross was a bother to me?  If I couldn't carry this little altar cross, what kind of cross was I really willing to carry?  As a reminder to myself of my own hard heartedness and of what Jesus was willing to do for me, throughout that Lent I carried that cross on the seat next to me; not just between worship sites, but every day, every where I went.  While driving from place to place, that cross would remind me of my weakness, of my sin, and I would take hold of it, confessing my sins and thanking God for the cross he bore for me.  For I know full well that the cross I have been called to carry is nothing compared to the one he bore for me.  And I cannot even carry the little one without the help of God.  

Taking up our crosses and following Jesus is not easy. It will mean that our own will may have to be crucified in order for our Father's will to be done through us. May God help each of us to take up our cross to follow him wherever he would lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Study The Word

Christ Lutheran Church Adult Sunday School

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17 NIV)

We can never know everything. We can read the Holy Scriptures front to back many times and still not know it all. Therefore; we continue to study the word given to us. We continue to teach it.

When I was young, I was told that when we stop learning, we die. I have always enjoyed reading. But, as I have gotten older two things have happened. I do a lot of reading on my computer as I can enlarge the print and see it much easier. Books can be purchased and downloaded. There are also many free sites that one can go to. I usually read an online Bible for my devotions. And, when I need or want to go to the Book of Concord (Yes, I am Lutheran) I use an online one of that, as well, as I can find things much easier by doing a search in the book. 

The second thing that has happened as I have aged, is that I am more selective in my choices of reading material. While, at one time I read a lot of fiction, what I read now is mostly for learning or study purposes. There is enough fantasy in the world around me to make me not desire any more drama. Although, I have to say that I am finding a lot of what is being presented today as non-fiction to be very fictitious. I am more interested in truth and that is what I find in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore; the Holy Scriptures are what I read and study over and over again.

Every Sunday morning our adult Sunday School meets at Christ Lutheran prior to worship. It is an awesome group! We are presently studying Paul's letter to the Romans. We don't always care for some of the things that Paul's writings relay to us. We debate it. We even try to justify our own take on his words, at times. But, in the end, we usually come to the conclusion that we don't know it all. We don't understand it all. We must continue on studying the Holy Scriptures for whether we "get it" all or not these words we read are God-breathed and useful for teaching and training even us older children of God so that we may be more equipped to serve our God.

We would love to have you join us so that you with us we might all gain a better understanding of our salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Slave Or Child

     When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

     So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.  (Gen 47:18-20 NIV)

During the great famine, Pharaoh fed everyone in Egypt thru Joseph.  However; there was a cost to the Egyptians, everything they have now belongs to Pharaoh.  They trade their land and even themselves for food.  They now have to pay 1/5 of their harvests to Pharaoh in order to eat and live.  Every time I mention that scripture speaks of a tithe; that is, 1/10 of all we have should be given freely to the Lord's work, I get some really strange looks. Those looks are not usually pleasant looks. The tithe; however, is not demanded. Whatever is given to the Lord's work should be given freely and with joy. But, Pharaoh actually demanded more than 1/5 or 1/10 of the people.  Pharaoh made them slaves. We are not slaves to God. He has made us his own children. We are free to love and serve him. We are never forced or coerced.

All the gifts that God gives to us are freely given. But, sometimes (okay often) we neglect or ignore those gifts. We do not use them wisely. We fritter them away. Sometimes, we don't use them at all. It is sort of like giving some children really nice gifts. Often parents are not even thanked for the gifts that they give their children. It is just expected that parents will give generously because that's what parents are supposed to do. Since the children did not earn it, they don't take care of it and sometimes don't even use or play with it even if they may have begged for it in advance.  However; if they have to work for it; if it costs them something then it seems that the gift is a little more precious in their site.  Why is it that we think so little of the gifts give to us and so much more of what we earn with our own hands?  I am not suggesting that we should not work; just wondering why it is that so often we think so little of the gifts that God gives to us that we would prefer to sell ourselves into servitude to this world to get the things of this world. Will we trade our (abundant) lives as children of God to be slaves to those things that we think will give us temporary life (abundance) in this world? Or... will we receive the freely given food that will give us eternal life? Slave to the world or child of God? That is the question!

May God help us to receive the free gift of life given to us through Jesus the Christ and to share that free gift with others.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Glory Has Departed

She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (1 Sam 4:21-22 NIV)

The Israelites attempted to use the ark as a means to manipulate their odds of winning the battle with the Philistines - like God is some puppet that if we say the right words or do the right thing He will do our bidding. They never consult God. They don't ask Him for guidance. They bring the ark of the covenant onto the battlefield in order to manipulate the outcome to their favor and they lose. They lose the battle. They lose the ark. The glory has departed from Israel.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of God and His many gifts to us. I think especially of the gift of His presence with us. He is with us always. His glory is with us. Yet, I wonder if we are really aware that God is with us? Do we use words like "God is with you" as platitudes in order to try to comfort the lost, the lonely, the hungry, the bereaved? Or, do we really believe these words? Do we use the words like magical incantations - hoping they will comfort - hoping they will help conquer? Or, do we really believe? Where is God's glory in all this? Is His glory with us when we use his word - his law - call upon His presence - like a magical incantation - to manipulate the outcome - to bring us success?

The glory had departed from Israel. They were still His people. Yet, they had entered into some dark times because they did not trust Him or His will for them, rather they tried to manipulate it for their benefit.

The glory, I believe, has departed from many lives - lives of His children today. Simply because we use the gifts, the freedom He has given us in Christ to try to manipulate Him. We don't trust Him. We don't go to Him. We don't listen to Him. We do all the talking and telling. We don't have glory. God is the glory! Without His glory, we are going to be in a very dark place. As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, let us remember that without God we are nothing. From dust we have come. To dust we shall return.

May God help us on our Lenten journey that we might return to the LORD, our God. There is only one God and that is not us! Let us bow down and worship the one true God and not to our own desires.  May He help us so that we might learn to hear His Word, listen to Him, and return to Him for our life and salvation.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mary and Martha

Both Marys and Marthas

     As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
     “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42 NIV)

Prior to worship on Wednesday afternoon, I watched the women in the kitchen preparing the meal that the congregation would share after the service. We have some very dedicated Martha's. They love to serve others. But, these women are also faithful Mary's. They do not neglect to worship. They are with us faithfully to hear the Word of the Lord on Sunday mornings and now during Lent on Wednesday evenings, as well.

We have many Martha's and Mary's at Christ Lutheran and not all of them are female. It is a good thing to serve together. It is a great thing to be able to worship the Lord together. Join us! Everyone is welcome!

Thanks be to God for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Receive The Crown Of Life

We may undergo many tests on our journey; but, the crown

of life is worth any hardships we might endure.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  (James 1:12 NIV)

We all undergo trails and tests at various times throughout our lives. Those who follow Jesus should definitely expect no less than others. In fact, we will often endure even more for his name's sake. These tests may cause us to wonder if we are actually following Jesus or following our own wills. How can we know? Questions to ask ourselves in times like this are: Will what I do glorify God or myself? Is what I say the truth or am I misrepresenting the truth to justify myself or my personal agenda?

As we journey to the cross this Lenten season, let us remember that Jesus was tested and tried and not just by the devil immediately after his baptism. He was tested and tried throughout his short life and; although he was innocent, was ultimately tried, convicted, and executed. As we follow Jesus to the cross we can and should expect nothing less than to be tried and tested by the evil one and his minions. We will face hardships; but, the one who overcame them for our sakes, is with us.

May you always trust that the Lord is with you as you follow in his footsteps.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Spiritual Warfare

put on the armor of God

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Eph 6:10-11 NIV)

There is indeed a battle raging. However, many in the church are not even aware of it. We go about as though we are in La La Land thinking that everything is good simply because we are the church.

I'm thinking that when everything seems to be going our way maybe we ought to consider if our way is the world's way or the Lord's Way. Have we made compromises with the world in order for the world to accept us? Maybe, we need to take the time to consider who or what it is we are actually following.

Peter's first epistle reminds us that the devil is like a roaring lion. Well, the lion can be pretty quiet when it sneaking up on it's prey and the devil is not so different. He comes from behind and works his schemes while the church seems totally oblivious to the danger it is in. The devil likes to deal in deals. He would like us to compromise the Word so that we can feel safe and secure. But, safe and secure in the devil's hands is truly an illusion and a delusion.

We must fight for our lives and not just ours. We fight for all of the children of God. Christians cannot afford to be pacifists when it comes to spiritual warfare. We must take a stand, trusting in the Lord's mighty power, against the wiles of the evil one. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 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. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." (Eph 6:12-18)

May God open our eyes that we might see the lion who preys upon the children of God.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy 

False Shepherds Destroyed

In the 50th chapter of Jeremiah we read the word the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon. Babylon is about finished. God is about to destroy her and His people will turn their faces, once again, to the LORD and to the land that He has given them; to the covenant that He has made with them. They were once lost, living in exile; because of their hard-heartedness and eagerness to follow false gods, false shepherds. But, now God will destroy those false shepherds who led them out of the land He had given them.

“My people have been lost sheep;
    their shepherds have led them astray
    and caused them to roam on the mountains.
They wandered over mountain and hill
    and forgot their own resting place.
Whoever found them devoured them;
    their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty,
for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture, 

   the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.’" (Jer 50:6-7 NIV)

No more! Those who say that they are not guilty, that they have no sin; those who have divided and scattered the flock will fall. Babylon will fall! The wolves in sheep clothing will fall! The Good Shepherd, Himself, will lead the remnant home.

“Israel is a scattered flock
    that lions have chased away.
The first to devour them
    was the king of Assyria;
the last to crush their bones
    was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:

"I will punish the king of Babylon and his land
    as I punished the king of Assyria.
But I will bring Israel back to their own pasture,
    and they will graze on Carmel and Bashan;
their appetite will be satisfied
    on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.
In those days, at that time,”
    declares the Lord,
“search will be made for Israel’s guilt,
    but there will be none,
and for the sins of Judah,
    but none will be found,    
for I will forgive the remnant I spare." (Jer 50:17-20)

There are many false shepherds out there. Beware! If any prophet would put his own will and desires before the will of God, do not follow him. If any shepherd would put the ways of the world before The Way of Jesus, do not follow him. His own path will lead him to destruction and you do not want to be with him when he falls. Follow only in The Way that the LORD has prepared for you. "The LORD is our Shepherd, we shall not want. He makes us to lie down in green pastures. He leads us beside still water. He restores our soul..." (Psalm 23)

May God help us to keep our faces turned toward Him and to the Kingdom that has been promised to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Like Fleeting Shadows

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,    mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath;
    their days are like a fleeting shadow
Psalm 144:3-4 NIV

We are most blessed! Why, indeed, would the Lord care for us? We strut about like we are the center of the universe and nothing and no one else matters. Yet, we all matter to the Lord. His love and concern for us is so great that he was willing to die for us.

We fail to recognize that our lives are like fleeting shadows upon the earth. We are here one day and gone the next. Only the most prominent of men will be remembered centuries from now. In the end; by ourselves, we are of little consequence to the world. But, in Christ and with Christ we have hope for ourselves and for others.

Our lives in this world might be like fleeting shadows; but, all who abide in Christ receive eternal life with him. We are most blessed! The Lord, indeed, cares for us; enough to die that we might live.

May God help us to always remember that we are like a fleeting shadow. Tomorrow may be too late to love your neighbor; it may be too late to love and honor our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

One Body

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4-6)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. (Eph 4:12-13)

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth. If there is any growth, is slow. 

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Threats? So What Of It?

     At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
     He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! (Luke 13:31-35 NIV)

Run! Herod wants to kill you, some Pharisees had warned Jesus. Oh well! Whatever! Jesus had a mission and he was not going to run from Herod. He would continue driving out demons and healing people until he reached his goal. His goal was the cross. He was going to die, so what difference did it make whether Herod was looking to kill him or not. He wasn't about to let a few threats dissuade him from continuing the work he was called to do.

Personally, I get a bit weary of the threats. I am not Jesus. But, he is with me and gives me the strength to continue onward wherever he will call or send me. I will continue to proclaim the Good news. I will continue to pray in the spirit. I will continue. He has led me this far. He is with me always. He will lead me home. I know that even though Jesus' journey took him to death on the cross; it also took him through death to the Kingdom of God where he reigns. So, threats may wear me down a bit, but they will not strike me down completely. I will continue with faith and hope toward the goal, by the power of the Holy Spirit, even if it includes a journey to the cross.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Troll Has Received His Promise

Troll with one of the classes he prepared for their first Communion

as they receive their first Communion.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
    he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

                                      Psalm 23 NRSV

No matter how dark the valleys may get, those who believe in Jesus the Christ know that Jesus is with them guiding us; comforting us. My dear friend Troll (Michael) died last night. Troll joined Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee a number of years ago. He quickly became very active; teaching our children in Sunday School and preparing them for their first Communion. The children loved him. We all loved him. I do not recall ever seeing him at the church without his Bible in hand and when I visited him after he fell ill; there was the Bible and the church directory beside his bed. He never left home without them.

Troll's journey through life was not always easy. He suffered even before the strokes with PTSD. He had served as a medic stateside during Vietnam, trying to minister to those who had come back wounded. His retirement came after years of service as a police officer in Detroit, MI for 27 years, which also lends itself to having to experience major traumatic incidents on an ongoing basis. But, through the darkest of valleys, his faith did not leave him. Sometimes, he felt as though his faith was buried too deep within him. After he retired he searched hard for more faith. That more faith came to him as a gift from God. Today, even as I remember him and grieve our loss, I am confident that goodness and mercy has followed his life on earth and he dwells in the house of the Lord for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Troll Has Received His Promise

Troll with one of the classes he prepared for their first Communion

as they receive their first Communion.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
    he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

                                      Psalm 23 NRSV

No matter how dark the valleys may get, those who believe in Jesus the Christ know that Jesus is with them guiding us; comforting us. My dear friend Troll (Michael) died last night. Troll joined Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee a number of years ago. He quickly became very active; teaching our children in Sunday School and preparing them for their first Communion. The children loved him. We all loved him. I do not recall ever seeing him at the church without his Bible in hand and when I visited him after he fell ill; there was the Bible and the church directory beside his bed. He never left home without them.

Troll's journey through life was not always easy. He suffered even before the strokes with PTSD. He had served as a medic stateside during Vietnam, trying to minister to those who had come back wounded. His retirement came after years of service as a police officer in lower Michigan, which also lends itself to having to experience major traumatic incidents on an ongoing basis. But, through the darkest of valleys, his faith did not leave him. Sometimes, he felt as though his faith was buried too deep within him. After he retired he searched hard for more faith. That more faith came to him as a gift from God. Today, even as I remember him and grieve our loss, I am confident that goodness and mercy has followed his life on earth and he dwells in the house of the Lord for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Demons Recognized The Power Of Jesus

    

The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go

into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came

out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number,

rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Mark 5:12-1

     When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

     Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

     “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”  And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. (Mark 5:6-10 NIV)

In the Gospel of Mark, it is the demons, not humankind, who first recognize Jesus. They recognize that he is the Son of God and has power over them. They know that he has all power over them. In the demon possessed man, they beg him to allow them to enter into a herd of about 2000 pigs. This herd of about 2000 then rushed over a steep bank and drowned themselves in a lake.

You would think, the people would be happy that these 2000 demons were no longer in their presence. They were no longer torturing the man that they had come out of. But, no! They are not happy at all. They want Jesus to go away. The man who was healed of the demons is pretty happy though. He recognizes who this Jesus is and he wants to follow him. Jesus said no. "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." (Mark 5:19)

The demons recognizes the power of God in Jesus and were afraid. The man who was healed recognized his power and honored him, wanting to follow him. But, the people who were afraid because personal property; their pigs were lost wanted nothing to do with Jesus.  

When was the last time we chose unclean personal property over Jesus?

May God help us to understand the real power of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We See Dimly

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinth 13:11-13 NRSV


What a glorious day it will be when we shall see the Lord face to face. But, for now we have faith, hope and love as we wait for the day when the shadow is gone; the shroud is removed and the fog is lifted so that we will see His full glory as we stand before Him.

No matter how dimly we might see now; it is better than not seeing or knowing Him at all. May God open our eyes that we might see and know Him more clearly each and every day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Who's Father? Our Father!

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  (Matt 6:9 NIV)

Who's father? Our Father.

 

While I hear that there are some who object to God the Father being male; I rejoice that I have a Father in heaven that I can trust; who is always there for me. I "get it" that there are some who were neglected or abused by their fathers on earth and may cringe at even the title father. But, as for me, since early childhood, knowing that I have a Father in heaven that truly loves and care for me has given me great comfort. He has been with me no matter what trials I have faced in life. It is good to be able to trust someone to be there to listen to you when you need someone. Our Father is always there for us.

When people tell me that they refer to God the Father as a woman, I am liable to respond by reminding that Jesus said that we are to pray: "Our Father" and that I don't believe that I am up to the task of giving God a sex change. But, they can go for it if they think that they are.

 

I give thanks that my true Father, who is in heaven, truly loves me and He truly loves you.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Your Sins Are Forgiven

"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.” Rom 4:7-8

And, who exactly are those whose sins are forgiven? They are those who trust that the Lord Jesus has died for their sins. They are those who, in faith in the Lord Jesus, have had their sins covered by his blood. It is only be faith that we are saved.

And, how do we believe? How do we come to such faith? It is a gift from God. St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." (Rom 10:17) Faith comes through hearing the promises of God. Faith comes through hearing what Jesus has done for us. Faith comes by hearing that because of his sacrifice for us, our sins are forgiven and that we have been reconciled to God.

Your iniquities are forgiven! You have been reconciled to God our Father through the Lord, Jesus the Christ! Rejoice and give thanks to the One who has blessed you so richly!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gather To Worship

"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:24-25

With Ash Wednesday behind us, we have begun our journey through the Lenten Season to the cross which will culminate at the empty tomb. Who will make this journey with us? Who will gather with us at worship as we struggle with our own crosses as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary?

St. Paul admonished the Hebrews, even as we are admonished to not neglect coming together as a community of saints. During Lent many congregations gather together more often (here at Christ Lutheran on Wednesdays as well as Sundays) to hear God's Word and to worship Him.

May God plant in the hearts of all who would bear the name of Christ the desire to gather more often to worship Him and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Our God Is A Loving God

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."  (Deut 7:9 NIV)

Yes! This is the truth: The Lord our God is God! There is no other that we can so fully trust. There is no other that will love His children as He loves us.

I look back on my years and realize how much time was wasted not worshipping Him; not loving Him; not following in the Way that He would have me go. As faithful as He is to us; we find ourselves confessing that we are not faithful to Him. Not a one of us can love Him as He loves us. But, that should not stop us from trying. Our inability to love as He loves should not stop us from attempting to focus and walk in His Way more fully.

We may stray, even daily; but, God who is faithful will continue to love us. Thanks be to God that the Lord our God is God and we are not!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our Hope

Our covenant is a covenant of hope in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

I must confess that every now and then any semblance of gentleness and respect in me flies out the window. It doesn't happen often and I am usually sorry that I was not more gentle later. Yes, I am sorry when I correct people, not so gently. When it does happen, it is usually when their egos threaten to override anything that would glorify God. When the hope that we have in Christ Jesus becomes hope in the works of people, I get just a little frustrated. I get frustrated when "Christians" who have been "Christians" most of their lives put their own desires before the will of God; forgetting that Jesus is Lord of all; forgetting that our mission is to serve others as Jesus did and does rather than serve ourselves.

Our hope is not in what we or anyone else can do or will attempt to do. Our hope is in the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus for all people. Our hope is in the Kingdom to which Jesus opened the doors to all who would believe in him. Our hope is in Jesus. Our hearts shall revere him above all others, and most definitely above ourselves.

May God help us to be able to speak clearly and gently as we profess that Jesus (and no other) is Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fellowship And Growth

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42, 46-47 NIV)

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles today comes immediately following the extraordinary happenings on Pentecost and the baptizing of about 3000 people that day. We are reminded that once we are baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit we will do more than just show up once in awhile on Sunday morning. The people were so excited that they gathered often together both in the temple for worship and for fellowship over meals as with glad and sincere hearts they praised God, giving Him glory. And, then we hear "the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."  The people in the early church were in a living relationship with God and with one another and the church grew. Being a member of the Church, the Body of Christ, means that we are in relationship with one another and to be in a living relationship with one another we need to communicate with one another. That generally means fellowship!

Last evening, many of us gathered together for a supper of soup following Worship. It was wonderful! It was the first such gathering that we've had at Christ Lutheran Church since I came here. My last congregation enjoyed many meals together throughout the years. They would have at least one or two meals a year for the whole community just so they could enjoy the fellowship of other brothers and sisters in Christ who attended other congregations as well as those who had no church affiliation at all.  

It was very good to be able to share a meal and conversation last night with those who have just recently begun worshipping with us. Won't you join us next Wednesday for Worship at 5 pm and for fellowship over a soup supper at about 5:30 pm? This Sunday (Mar 12, 2017), being in the midst of Bike Week (Motorcycles for those who don't live around here), we will have a special service at 9 a.m. to bless the Bikers followed by a coffee fellowship before our regular Sunday Worship at 10 a.m..

Let us take note: The people of the early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. May God help us to recognize and remember the lessons the early church provides us with. Our context may be different; but, the Word is not.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Journeys Of The Heart In The Kingdom Of God

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst." (Luke 17:20-21 NIV)

I hold your heart within my hand.
It beats against my palm.
Your heart
The miracle of Creation and Re-creation
God's most beautiful gift.
I hold it now.
It is mine.
It is yours.
For we are one.
God's most treasured gift
Your heart, your life
Your heart is in my hand.

My Journeys of the Heart have taken me to some really awesome places: beautiful waterfalls, the depths of the oceans and lakes, ruins of long ago cultures and lands, cemeteries, monuments, some far and some near. Many of my memorable journeys have happened right here at home or at work. Many of these journeys were into the hearts and souls of others: spirit touching spirit, becoming one. Journeys of the Heart is not just a physical journey, but also a spiritual journey. It is a journey into the Kingdom of God. That Kingdom of God can be reached. It is closer than you think. It is indeed near you and in you. That Kingdom can be seen and experienced. It is seen as Christ works in and through others and as we experience all of God's magnificent creation. My journeys are not only in the physical world, but in the spiritual world, in the heavenly kingdom, as well. The Kingdom of God is at hand. We cannot see it fully, but we can see it in part. We can catch glimpses of that heavenly glory. But, alas, we've become so attached to the material world that we make "things" a priority and close our eyes to the most beautiful gifts that God has given us. We make "things" our god and write off God and His Kingdom as something that we will see only after death earnestly believing that it will not be too late to treasure our Creator and Redeemer and His Kingdom then. The Kingdom of God is important to us, but not so important that we would seek it right here where we are. Most of us really like the material things of this world and we'd like to hang on to them for as long as we can (and there is nothing wrong with "things," they are gifts from God as well, just as long as we remember who it is that gave us the gifts). Is our hope in eternity at a future date based on fear of the other alternative? Is it the fear of death; not the love of life that draws us to worship on Sunday mornings and then to escape from His Presence (or so we think) to live in a world where we are god for the rest of the week?

But, if that's not enough life for you. If you want a deeper relationship with God. If you want to live in His Kingdom now. Ask and you shall receive. Ask God to open your eyes and you will see: Christ living in and working through your neighbor, the homeless man as he huddles under cardboard to keep warm, in the eyes of the children or in the neighbor you persecute. Remember, His words: "...as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." "...as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me." (Matt 25:40, 45) What does this mean? Jesus Christ does live. We do not see Him as those first disciples saw Him before the ascension, but we can see Him. He lives in and through others. He is above all, through all, and in you all. (Eph 4:6)

The Kingdom of God is at hand. His glory is seen in and through His creation, His whole creation. Listen and you will hear praises sung by that creation. His people sing praises. Unfortunately, many voices are only heard on Sunday mornings. His whole creation sings of His glory, His magnificence, His Sovereignty. Watch for it, listen for it: in the wind breathing through the trees, the waves of Lake Superior crashing against the shores in the storm, the birds singing, or even the sunflower bowing it's heavy head in humility. Sometimes its hard to open our eyes and see these things. It may remind us who exactly God is and it isn't us.

May God grant us all the gift of recognizing His Kingdom all around us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

This page was written for one of my first blogs; over ten years ago. It is dedicated to Maurice D. whose heart I held in my hand (as well as all of my brothers and sons in Christ from the Juvenile Correctional Facility). I still think of you daily and thank God for allowing me to touch your heart, as you have touched mine.