He Created All Things

Psalm 8 KJV; Trinity Sunday; He created all things in the heavens and earth. God help us to care for all that he created including our friends and neighbors and don't forget the answer to the question: "Who is our neighbor?"

Valentines Day Love One Another!

John 13:34 KJV; We are called not just to love the one we are with; but, to care for and love all people; even our enemies.

The Only King That Truly Helps Is Jesus

Psalm 72:1-7 KJV; 2nd Sunday in Advent; Governments will fail; but, the King over all kings, Jesus the Christ prevails and cares for you.

The Main Thing

Pr. Stephen Lien, LCMC Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil 2:1-4 NIV)

Yesterday, the members of Christ Lutheran Church joyfully attended a 3-hour workshop on Evangelism following Worship and a lunch together. Yes, we spent the whole day at the church like in years gone by and those who stayed appeared to thoroughly appreciate and enjoy the time together learning what it means to be an evangelist.

Rev. Stephen Lien, Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry for LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) preached in the morning and led the workshop in the afternoon. He proved to be a living example of what he taught:  "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." He showed that he cared about Jesus. He showed that he cared about ministering to others. He showed that he cared about the members and visitors to Christ Lutheran in both what he said and what he did. And, not just at Christ Lutheran. I had dinner with him and his wife, Joanne, the evening before and witnessed first hand how he put others before himself; asking staff where they were from, about their lives, calling them by name. By the time we left the Golden Lion, on Flagler Beach, one would have thought they had known each other for years.

Evangelism, you see, is not a program. It is a way of life. It is a lifestyle formed when we keep the "Main Thing The Main Thing." When we begin to truly realize how much love God has for us and for all people; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and care for others; to show genuine concern. We reach out to others, sharing that love of God, in word and in deed. As Paul tells us in Philippians, we value others above ourselves, not looking to our own interests; but, we find out, we ask questions, we communicate with others, to find out about their interests and their needs. By showing that you care about them, as Christ cares about all of humanity, then they will care about what or rather who you know, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Evangelism is a lifestyle not a program. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sing Praises!

Christ Lutheran Church, Bunnell, FL; Choir

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; 
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
                                                            Psalm 9:1-3 NIV

I attended a wonderful concert at Christ Lutheran Church in Bunnell, FL yesterday afternoon. The choir; the choir director, Larissa Bredley; and the accompanist, Vladamir Bredley, did a marvelous job in praising the Lord with song. In addition to singing praises to God; we were also able to help a wonderful charitable organization in Bunnell. Free-will offerings were given to support the Flagler Country Free Clinic. The Clinic provides medical and dental needs to those who do not have insurance. Yes, indeed; even with the mandatory provisions of Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare) there are still multitudes in this country who cannot afford health insurance. They also cannot afford the tax that is imposed upon them if they cannot afford the insurance. Thanks be to God for serving those who need assistance through the Flagler County Free Clinic!

It is in God that the people must trust. In Him we rejoice. May all God's people praise His Holy Name. May all God's people reach out to assist those in need.

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