The Spirit Moves!

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12 KJV)

The Holy Spirit was busy moving! Yesterday, I worshiped at Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI in the morning and then at the Word and Song Festival at Bethany Lutheran, Covington, MI. I have to admit I really didn't feel like attending two services yesterday; but, I went anyway and I am so glad that I did. The Holy Spirit was busy moving! The music was outstanding as everyone sang as if they meant it and from knowing the people, I am quite sure that they did. There were guest preachers at both services and both proclaimed the Good News. Being Lutheran they also reminded us why we need the Gospel. It is because we are sinners. We fall short. We are pretty ungrateful children and turn our backs on Him over and over again. But, God loves us anyway. He loves us enough to have sent His only begotten Son to be tried, brutally beaten, and executed for our sins. That is a loving God.

The Spirit of Christ spoke through His messengers in these places and opened ears and eyes and hearts and minds of those who were present so that we could rejoice in our salvation because of the precious gift of life given for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When I served these congregations, the Holy Spirit was moving in mighty ways. The Holy Spirit continues to move among the people of God and always will! Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Consider the Cost of Following Jesus

Billboard of Former Parish

"Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?" Luke 14:27-28

We can either follow Jesus or we can follow someone or something else. But, know this: following Jesus is not always going to be a walk in the park. Following Jesus requires taking up the cross, an instrument of torture and death. Being a follower, a disciple, of Jesus requires a bit of self-discipline. It is not easy going against the grain of society. It is not easy putting aside our own desires to follow in Jesus' footsteps doing the will of our Father in heaven; but, that is exactly what Jesus tells those who are considering following him must do. 

God does not force anyone. But, he does want everyone to follow his only begotten Son into His Kingdom. The way is not easy. It was certainly not easy for Jesus to blaze that path before us. It will not be easy for us to follow him on that path. There will be trials and temptations. There will be persecution. The way is not always easy and many will try to entice us to go in another, easier and less costly, way. There is no other way if our desire is to be reconciled with our Father in His Kingdom.  

"Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

God's Peace - Pr. J

Are You Your Brother's Children's Keeper?

Youth Choir at Toys for Tots Concert,

Skanee, MI

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." Matt 7:9-12 NRSV

"Am I my brother's keeper." (Gen 4:9) This was Cain's response when God asked him where his brother was after he had killed Abel. Are you your brother's keeper? Are you your brother's children's keeper? I hope that you are answering in the affirmative.

At our last congregation council meeting we discussed Christmas and how we can best help serve the children in Flagler County. We discussed a couple of different way to contribute to those in need and to help ensure that children will not get left out as most of the rest of the country celebrates Christmas.

It is about time for the Marine Corps Annual Toys for Tots Drive to begin again. Howard and I have been working with various Toys for Tots programs more than a few decades now. It started for us in Rota, Spain. But, in Spain the children at the orphanage did not normally receive gifts on Christmas day. Instead, they received gifts delivered by three young Marines on Three Kings Day, on the day the three wise men or kings brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby named Jesus.

Toys for Tots helps to ensure that every child will have a gift as they celebrate Christmas. I understand that there are other programs in addition to Toys for Tots in Flagler County that are here to serve children during the Christmas season. Watch your newsletter and bulletin at Christ Lutheran in Bunnell for more information on what we will be doing as a congregation.

Where ever you are there are children in need. Yes, you are your brother's keeper. You are your brother's children's keeper. May God help us to do for them even as we would do for us and for our own children.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Faithful and Joyful Worship

Worship is to be God focused. We worship God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
No man or woman should be lifted up in worship;
but, only Christ alone who was lifted up on the cross for us.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.
                               Psalm 33:1-3 NIV

Thanks be to God, yesterday I had the opportunity to worship with two congregations that were focused on giving thanks and praise to God. These Yoopers definitely know why and who it is that we worship. The preaching was God centered. The music; those old hymns (that so many find so boring) were played and sung as though the people really meant it. It was awesome! Bertha Hommer can make the keyboard at Zion and the pump organ at Aura praise the Lord like you've rarely heard before!

Both Zion Evangelical Lutheran in Skanee, MI (NALC/LCMC) and Aura Lutheran, L'Anse, MI (Independent Lutheran) are small congregations. A Lay Pastor Peter Suomela is a member of Zion and leads the congregation at Aura. Pastors Peter Gunderson and Jimalee Jones are the interim pastors at Zion. Zion is looking for a pastor. I served then for eighteen years and I can tell you for certain that if you are a pastor looking for a call and would like to serve in a spirit-led congregation, you might want to give this congregation consideration. It is ideal for a retired pastor as the congregation itself is very active in ministry. They will not expect you to do everything. In fact, if you think you're going to do it all, they will probably be offended. Their focus is on reaching out to all people in word and deed.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing old friends and neighbors yesterday. I even more enjoyed seeing their love for the Lord in their exuberant worship.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Worship All The Time

Worship at all times
and in all places.

 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:19-24 NIV)

 

This morning I am preparing to worship God with the congregation at Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI. This afternoon I hope to worship with the congregation at Aura Lutheran. It will be very good to worship and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ who I have not seen in over a year. But, worship is not restricted to Sundays only. Many congregations meet to worship on other days of the week as well. Worship should also not be restricted to one hour or even a few hours on designated days of the week. Worshipping God is for every day and every minute of every day. When the Spirit abides in us; when Jesus who is the truth abides in us and we in him, worship occurs. We cannot help but worship and give thanks to the Lord our God if we are united with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 

May God help us to always worship in Spirit and in truth no matter where we are.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God Turns Things Around and Upside Down.

The Way Of The Cross: In order to live one must die.

(Billboard from years past in Baraga County, MI)

"It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low." (Ezekiel 20:26 NIV)

God has a way of turning everything around. Those who think too highly of themselves will be brought down. The humble will be lifted up. That is not the way it works in this world; but, that is God's way. 

The LORD promises, through Ezekiel, that the one to whom the crown rightly belongs will ultimately wear it. The one who wears the crown was raised up in humility and reigns in glory at God's right hand. Jesus, who came to serve humankind, was willing to lay his life down, to wear the crown of thorns, and to be lifted up on the cross for our sakes. In this act of sacrifice, he was lifted to the heavenly realms, to ultimately sit at the right hand of God, our Father. The lowly has been exalted...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:1-2)

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Cannot Come

Come to the banquet!

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come." (Matt 22:2-3 NIV)

Oh, yes, a goodly number of us want to go this banquet after we are dead and buried; but, how about today? Are we willing to sit at that table today? Maybe, there's a more enticing table set someplace for you than at the Lord's Table? Not everyone that's been invited will be at the table eating and drinking; receiving the "foretaste of the feast to come." Some will decline for a "better" offer.

While serving at Zion Lutheran in Skanee, MI, on the occasions that this parable was our Sunday reading, the choir usually sang "I Cannot Come To The Banquet." (I could not find the author's name - possibly The Medical Mission Sisters, 1966?) It is quite the lively song; but, cuts right to the heart of things.

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

A certain man held a feast on his fine estate in town.
He laid a festive table and wore a wedding gown.
He sent invitations to his neighbors far and wide
But when the meal was ready, each of them replied:

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

The master rose up in anger, called his servants by name,
"Go into the town, fetch the blind and the lame,
Fetch the peasant and the pauper for this I have willed,
My banquet must be crowded, and my table must be filled."

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

When all the poor had assembled,
There was still room to spare,
So the master demanded: "Go search ev'rywhere,
To the highways and the byways
And force them to come in.
My table must be filled before the banquet can begin.

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

Yes, no? What will it be? All are invited! Will you come to the banquet?

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Hope to see you at the Lord's Table.

Bless Not Curse

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV 

Before I left Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI; the discipleship team was practicing greeting people with "God's peace be with" rather than just saying "good morning" or "hi." We were actively practicing blessing and praying for others. Since, I moved to Flagler Beach and Christ Lutheran Church in Bunnell, FL; I have heard "May God bless your day" more times than I can count. Many of those blessing my day were complete strangers out in the community and had no clue who I was; no clue, whether I was a Christian or not. I think that is just awesome! I am sure these brothers and sisters in Christ are blessing others; as well, throughout the day.

In a world that is often very negative and even depressing a lot of the time; it is quite refreshing to hear words of blessing rather than cursing. What a wonderful way to remind us in a sin-filled world that there is hope and that our hope is found in Jesus the Christ. May God help us to bless rather than curse so that all of our days will be more peaceful.

May God bless your day with grace and peace in abundance!

God's Peace - Pr. J