The Lord Will Renew Your Strength

Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV; The Lord will live us up. He will renew our strength.

When Will He Drink Of Fruit Of The Vine Again?

Hear Him Transfiguration Sunday Feb 27 2022

John 12 We Must Die To Self

Caring For Others

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.." John 10:14-15 KJV

The secular world has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But, for many it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. This year many of our elderly have been imprisoned in nursing homes and long term care units. They are not allowed company. They are totally alone. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness because that is what is expected by the world around us.

Advent, is actually supposed to be a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all for you? Rejoice in that gift! 

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Pork Is Unclean

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

                                                                                   (John 21:15-17 KJV)

Most of us are fully aware that many in our government have no clue about the hardships a vast number of people in this country suffer with. There appears to be a major disconnect between our government officials and the people they serve. A few at least appear to think that if a household makes less than 150,000 a year you are dirt poor. Way too many have no clue that people actually struggle and survive with way less and many consider themselves most comfortable with 40 or 50,000 a year. I know lots of people who are living on much less than that. Many are happy that they have a roof over their heads and food for their families. 

I have wondered and prayed about the homeless every day since we started self-quarantining and in some states mandatory quarantining. How do the homeless self-quarantine? How do they eat when there is no one on the streets to donate to their daily needs? And, if they are able to scrape enough money up to eat how do they purchase it? Can you walk through a drive thru window to get a muffin and coffee? 

According to the Department of Homeland Security, as of January 2020, there were estimated to be somewhere around three and one half million people who were homeless; that is actually living on the street or in shelters. That estimate does not include people who live with others because they cannot afford housing on their own. 

The CDC reported over 48,000 suicides in 2018. We have a serious mental health crisis in this country. Resources are very limited. Those in crisis who are seeking help could wait months for any real psychiatric help, if they ever get it. As a pastor, I have buried too many suicide victims who might still be alive had help been more available. Most of them were young and had no clue where to turn. I have attempted to get help for more than a few who had serious mental health problems.

One particular person who I attempted to get help for had PTSD. He was a former law enforcement officer who had served in a pretty rough area of the country. He was involved in at least one "suicide by cop." No, I could not find him any help for his PTSD. 

I attempted to find another young man assistance for his mental health illnesses. He had been previously diagnosed with such a slew of Acronymns that beyond the Schitzophrenia, Bi-Polar, ADHD, and OCD, I could not recall all the others that he had been diagnosed with. His medication had run out and so had his Medicaid as he was not able to manage these things on his own. He found himself without a home of his own and living with friends and family. I attempted to help him straighten it out and get him assistance to no avail. Here was a man with serious mental health problems and the state mental health people would not talk to me. They would only talk to  this very confused young man in crisis. I listened as they asked him if he was suicidal at the moment. No, he said, not at the moment. He received no assistance. He did not qualify to see a counselor in person. The phone interviewer disqualified him. A few months later he was dead.

According to the CDC, this flu seasons (October thru Mar 19) there has been an estimated 23,000 deaths from influenza in the United States; of which 149 of them were pediatric deaths. Medical science has not been able to figure out any way to prevent this. 

As to COVID 19... It appears that we will overcome it for this season. But, the threat is still there and now that it is loose on the world, it will probably always be there until our scientists figure out a permanent fix. Will they figure it out or will it be figured out only as well as the influenza virus has been figured out?

My question and frustration this morning is: Where should our government be allocating our tax dollars? To help those in need? I realize that millions for arts and humanities is but a drop in the bucket for millionaire and billionaire public officials; but, I cannot fathom why all those drops in the bucket are not being directed towards helping those in dire need. Directing our tax dollars towards the humanities rather assisting those in dire need reveals the lack of humanity in our elected officials. 

Pork is an unclean meat. Many people, including myself, have a real hard time digesting it. Some simply cannot and/or do not eat it. Maybe it should be gotten rid of it from bills and resolutions put forth by Congress and the Senate, as well.

Peter turned his back on Jesus when he was standing trial. Now, Jesus tells Peter and tells us if we love him we are to feed his sheep!" 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Gave Himself For Us

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

(Eph 5:1-2 NRSV)

What does this mean? Even as he gave his life that we might live we are to give our lives up for the sake of others. That does not necessarily mean that it is inevitable that we die physical deaths for others as Jesus did. It may mean that; but, not necessarily. It means that we love the people of God around us as Christ loves and would be willing, if necessary to die for them.

Mostly it means that we will put the needs of others before our own desires. We needed to have our sins washed away in order to be reconciled to God our Father; in order to enter the Kingdom of God. God had a plan. That plan was to make the ultimate sacrifice; a sacrifice so great that it would cover the sins of all people. That plan meant that the one without sin, Jesus Christ, would bear the sins of the world on the cross. He gave himself for us.

As followers of Jesus, we are to be imitators of him. His primary concern was not and is not for himself. Our primary concern is not for ourselves. His primary concern is following the will of our Father in heaven; loving Him; and, lovingly giving himself for the sake of others. 

May God help us to set aside our self-serving desires to do the will of our Father so that others might know of His great love for all human-kind.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

The Good Shepherd Be With You This Advent

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."                                                                              (John 10:14-15 NRSV)

Today is the first day of Advent. The secular world (with the help of a lot of Christians) has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But; for many, it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts for their children, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and more empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all, their very life, for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Tree Of Life

To eat of the fruit of the tree of life is promised for all

who would believe.

And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Gen 3:22-24 NIV)

In the beginning humankind had access to the tree of life. The book of Genesis tells us that rather than eat from this tree of life, they were tempted and decided to eat of the tree which God had said would guarantee their deaths; the tree that God told them not to eat from. As a consequence they were kicked out of the garden in which it grew so that they would no longer have the opportunity to eat the fruit from the tree of life.

Those first people made an awful decision when they chose to listen to the serpent rather than God. The world has not changed much. We long for eternal life; yet, our sinful natures continue to steer us toward the very things that will bring us death. We often listen to the world rather than God.

But; because God so loved us all, He sent His only begotten Son, to be that tree of life for us. All who believe in Jesus will walk in the presence of God for all eternity.

In the last chapter and book of the Holy Scriptures we once again see the tree of life. (Rev 22) Jesus says “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." (Rev 22:14-15) All who believe; all whose names are written in the book of life are granted access to the fruit of the tree of life in His Kingdom!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J