Save Us And We Will Be Saved

Psalm 80:1-7 KJV; 1st Sunday in Advent; the Sunday of hope. The world is a mess! Who will save us? Who can even know where to begin to pray?  In times like these the faithful turn to God relying on the Holy Spirit to pray for us and through us.

Without The Law We Would Not Be Sinners

Romans 4:13-17; 2nd Sunday in Lent; Some would do away with the law altogether in or not to feel guilt or shame.

Destroying The Oceans

What Kind Of Stewards Are We?

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Gen 1:28 KJV)

Watching the television documentary series "Drain The Oceans" the last couple of days has caused me a bit; no a lot, of concern over the way humankind has not been very good stewards of any of God's creation. It seems apparent that wars occur for no reason other than one person or a small group of people are greedy for wealth or power or both and have no problem with multitudes dying so that they can get what they want. They also don't seem to give any forethought to destroying the oceans or any living creature or plant that depends on water to live.  

I could not help but wonder how it is that submarines were invented and used during the Civil War; way before automobiles were even invented! Motivation to destroy others; to get wealth and or power over others seems to be a really strong motivation to get things accomplished.

It was devastating to see how many ships lie at the bottom of the oceans because of war. It was devastating to consider how many lives were lost because kings and queens and all sorts of other rulers wanted to rule the world.

I had totally forgotten about the testing of nuclear bombs during the Cold War. Testing in the Pacific Ocean; blowing up ships and islands as well as burying the nuclear waste in the ocean! I could not help but wonder how far the radiation had spread not just in the air; but, in the oceans. How far did the currents carry the garbage? What kind of effect did it have on the created life that exists in the ocean. After being bombed at the test site, the USS Independence was towed into the San Francisco harbor so that the Navy could study nuclear decontamination. It was later towed out about 30 miles so that it would sink out of everyone's sight and not in the harbor. I am certainly not an expert and that may be why I get concerned over stuff that I can only view as detrimental to not only human life; but, of all life. 

Then there were those four nuclear missiles that the United States accidently dropped on Spain in 1966. Three were found on land. The fourth was eventually found and retrieved from the Mediterranean Sea. How does that even happen!  How much nuclear garbage is hidden in our oceans left by the United States and Russia during the Cold War? 

After each day of creation God saw what He created and declared that it was good. When He created humankind He said it was very good. He gave us dominion over all that He created. I am pretty sure that by giving us dominion that He meant for us to take care of all that He created and not to destroy it.  If we destroy it there will be nothing left to have dominion over! 

Greed for wealth and power have been destructive forces in our world since the very beginning. May God help us to think a whole lot more before we do things that will further damage our world; before we destroy each other. Let us consider the consequences before we act on our impulses.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Faithful In The Face Of Persecution

Valaam Monastery

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

                                                                                                (John 15:19-21 KJV)

I have worn a small wooden cross for almost twenty years. I wear it to remind myself of the suffering that Jesus endured for the sake of the world. I wear it to remind myself of the suffering that faithful Christians have and continue to endure for the sake of Jesus' name. I purchased this necklace from a peasant woman at the monastery at Valaam, Russia while on a mission trip. It reminds me of the persecution that Christians endured for so many years when to be a Christian meant that you would be sent to work camps in Siberia or possibly killed.

There was no public worship allowed at times in their history. Churches in Russia for a very long time were repurposed. Some became Communist meeting halls. The beautiful Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood was used over the years as a morgue, a warehouse for vegetables, and later a museum. People met in homes, when it was possible, to worship and to teach one another. One elderly lady in a nursing home told me how her husband a pastor had been sent to a work camp. But, in spite of all of the persecution, the faithful continued to meet. She told me of a time when grandmothers would baptize the children at the cemetery. To keep from being reported for having an assembly in their homes, they would gather around the grave of a loved one so that it would appear that they were grieving for that loved one and not having the religious service that they were actually having. They gathered to worship and celebrate the Sacraments at the risk of their very lives. Today, churches have been rebuilt and new ones are growing in Russia.

But, that is not the end of the persecution of Christians. Today, people around the world are being imprisoned and killed for their faith in Christ. Many gather secretly to worship just as the women in Karelia gathered around graves and just as many of the first followers of Jesus gathered together in the catacombs. They gather(ed) in secret to worship together and so that the word of God could be shared with others and others would come to know him. But, they do know that by doing so their lives in this world are in jeopardy.

I believe that we, in the United States, all too often take our freedom to worship God a bit for granted. Maybe, a whole lot for granted. Are we not willing to suffer any hardship; any persecution, for the sake of Jesus' name?

May God grant us both faith and faithfulness even in the face of adversity.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Are One

 

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                  (Gal 3:26-28 KJV)

Dress down and go shopping in an exclusive store and you will find, in many  cases, eyes watching you as you wander around the shop. The way that we dress and carry ourselves often determines whether we will be targeted as a desirable or an undesirable.

Unfortunately, having served as a pastor for over twenty years, I have witnessed this occurring among some members within some congregations as well. Discrimination against brothers and sisters in Christ; discrimination against anyone is an ugly sinful attribute. 

God does not desire that we should pick and choose who is worthy. He cared enough for all of His creation to send His only begotten Son to die for all people. He loves humankind enough to sacrifice His Son that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another in the Body of Christ. 

May God help us to remember that by faith we are all children of God and are one in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Fake News And False Witness (Conspiracy Theories?)

Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (Ex 20:16)

What does this mean?  We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully lie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything. (Luther's Small Catechism)

I come from a family of storytellers. Though, he rarely spent time with his grandchildren, I understand that my paternal grandfather could tell some pretty good stories when he was with his friends. My Uncle Leonard was a great storyteller. He told us many bedtime stories in hopes that we would fall asleep. The one I remember most is how he captured a field mouse, taught it to speak, and sold it to Ed Sullivan. Some of you might remember that little mouse, Topo Gigo, that starred on the Ed Sullivan Show. The story went on and on over many visits. Each time he told the story, he added more to it. As a child, I believed him. Then there was my father's cousin, Frans Sillanpaa, the first Finnish author to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Yes, I come from a family of storytellers and I am pretty good at being able to discern between fiction and the truth. But...not always. There are just way too many opinions, theories, and conspiracy theories running around to have the time to pick through what is truth and what is fiction. Life is really too short to get caught up in all of that.  

The mainstream media presents a lot of opinions; without basis in any facts, as truth. It's what's called fake news. It appears; though, that there is a whole other side to this fake news. That other side is all of those conspiracy theories that are being thrust upon us. Some of them actually seem like they might have some validity to them. Others do not. The latest conspiracy theory and the one that prompted today's blog is one I saw on Facebook this morning. The theory is that Finland does not actually exist. Finland is a lie created by Russia and Japan to aid in Japan's fishing industry. Hmmm.... Yeah.... Major storytelling.... Oi Vey! 

When such outlandish stories are put out there; it is pretty difficult to accept any of the conspiracy theories we read or hear about. We just want to dismiss them all even if some might end up being truth. Why not just tell the truth based on real facts all of the time or at least most of the time!? And... who comes up with these stories anyway? It crossed my mind this morning that it might just be the CIA in order to keep us from believing anything conspiracy theories about them. Okay... I am just joking. There is no basis in fact to that statement. None whatsoever. Do not perpetuate that story!

I understand that there can be some big money to be made in storytelling; in fake news. These fictional stories; fake news, can also thrust someone into the limelight and help swell the ego mighty large and some people really do enjoy being the center of attention.

Many of these stories are being the told under the guise of bringing truth to light; to protect us from further harm; even to bring about peace in the world. But, lies and the purposeful slander of others are definitely not the way anyone is going to find peace. Live life in the present and live it without fear. Do not be creating fake news to protect yourself or to make gains for yourself. Live life in the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

Have a blessed day and maybe turn off the news for at least a day or two. Live life in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Trials

  

Toksovan Lutheran Church, Russia (2002)
A church, then communist meeting hall,
now a church. There is always hope for
those who persevere.

  "Paul, Silas and Timothy,
  To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

  All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels." (2 Thess 1:1-7 NIV)

  

In the face of persecution by friends, family, community; how easy it would be to just give up and follow in the ways of the world! But, for those who are confident in the Lord and in His justice, we do not give up following in the Lord's way. Our hope is in the Lord and in His promises. We know that in the end God will work all things out for the good to those who love Him and He will be glorified.

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians begins with words of encouragement. He commends them for their perseverance and faith. They are enduring many persecutions and trials; yet, they remain faithful.

We are tried, daily, in many ways. We suffer many injustices here in this world. Yet, we know that our trials will bear fruit for the good of all of God's children. May God help us to persevere in faith 'till the day that we will see His glory in all its fullness.

God's Peace - Pr. J

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