Let All The People Praise Him!

Psalm 67:1-7 KJV; 12th Sunday after Pentecost; If only His way would be known upon all of the earth!

Happy Anniversary To My Husband of 51 Years!

Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31 KJV; It's not just about love but also keeping the commitment that we made to one another before God so many years ago. 

He Came To Heal The Unrighteous

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50 Years! Wah!

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (Eph 5:31 KJV)

Fifty years! I am trying to process how we have managed to be married for fifty years today. I don't feel old enough to have been married that long. Yet, I am. There have also been many days when I've wondered how we actually managed to put up with each other in order to stay together that long. The answer is simple: by the grace of God.

We have considered how to celebrate this milestone anniversary; but, have not come up with anything. Although, the desire is there we both find that what we once may have enjoyed doing is just really pretty tiring for us. We just don't have the inclination to battle the traffic or crowds that we would encounter at doing most things. So it will be an early dinner out so that we can get to bed at our usual times. I have not drank alcoholic beverages in almost thirty years. But, if I don't get to bed at my usual time I wake up feeling hungover. I don't like that feeling because the whole day ends up feeling wasted. It will be an early evening as usual.

It was a pretty rocky beginning. Not many people thought we should get married. Thank God for my Grandma Mary Dalback as she seemed to be about the only family member from either side of the family who was truly supportive of the marriage. Even fewer thought that the marriage would last and it almost didn't on more than one occasion thanks to both of us acting badly and only considering ourselves rather than each other. But, by a miracle from God it has lasted and we have had each other to grow old with through better and through worse times; through sickness and health.

Marriage can be pretty rough. It can be challenging. But, when God joins two people together you can be assured that he will help you through those rough times if you let him; if you listen to him.

Fifty years of marriage! Wah! Thanks be to God for his grace and mercy! Thanks be to God for his good gift of love!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Wash Your Hands!

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

                                                                              (Mark 7:1-9 KJV)

My hands have gotten a little wrinkled with all the washing that's been going on the past year and a half. Part of that probably has something to do with age. The Pharisees really came down hard on the disciples for not keeping the law by not washing their hands before they ate. So, what did Jesus say? He rebuked them for being so oriented toward keeping the traditions of the elders. You see those Pharisees, just as many today, would attack anyone who did not obey the laws of God as they chose to interpret it. They did not comprehend that the letter of the law can too easily destroy people. They did not comprehend that the Spirit of the law is love. Jesus said this about the greatest commandments; the greatest laws:

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

                                                                                         (Matt 22:37-40)

Yes, it is definitely a good thing to observe health codes. It can even be a loving thing. But, it is not a loving thing to judge those for whatever reason neglect or forget to. Judging others whether they follow man-made traditions regarding washing their hands or not (or wear a mask or not) hardly seems the loving thing to do. In fact, it can be a most unloving thing to do especially when it involves cursing at the person we  are busy judging.

The letter of the law and the man-made traditions that we impose can destroy people, even societies as it brings division. The Spirit of the law unites because the Spirit of the law is love.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Till Death Parts Us

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

                                                     (Mark 10:6-7 KJV)

Forty-nine years ago today we repeated the traditional vows: "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." There were days that we both were ready to throw in the towel; but, we remembered our promises and kept on. I've often warned couples preparing to be married that there would be days that you do not feel any love for each other. That doesn't matter. Marriage is about commitment to each other. It is about caring for the other person just as you care about yourself. The command that Jesus gave us to love one another applies to marriage as well as to the rest of the world. (John 15:17) Love is not just a feeling. It is also an action. If you love someone you take action and treat them as you would like to be treated. (Matt 7:12)

When God joins two people together in marriage you are joined forever. Yes, you may end up separated or divorces. It happens. Sometimes abusive marriages are so damaging that one must leave to save their very lives and to preserve their physical, spiritual, or mental health. But; regardless of the separation, you will always be connected forever for better or for worse... 

Marriage works out best when we strive to make it for better and I do mean strive. Marriage is not always easy. It is not even good for everyone to be married. Some are called to stay single so that they are not distracted by a spouse and can better grow in and serve the Lord.

Although marriage can be a bit tough at times, it is most often worth it. Two people with different gifts coming together and actually working as one can accomplish much more than trying to do everything alone if they are actually serving with like minds. They will (usually) have someone to turn to in sickness and in health. The Preacher who wrote Ecclesiastes surmised that two are better than one. When times get rough remember what he had to say.

"There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

                                                                                         (Eccl 4:8-12)

I have been married for most of my life. I often wonder how it is can be that we have been married this long. Forty-nine years is a long time and I do not feel like I'm  old enough to have been married for that long. But... I am!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We All Need To Grow

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

                             1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV

It is not just babies who need good nutrition to grow so does everyone who has lived for decades. All kinds of ailments attack bodies that do not feed themselves properly.

As Christians grow older, all too often they do not feel the need to read or hear the word of God. I have heard on more than one occasion that someone does not need to read the scriptures because they learned it in Sunday School or Confirmation classes. That is totally absurd! No one can know it all. Even most pastors know that they need to continue reading and studying the word in order to grow in faith as well as in love.

The small catechism that we use to teach children and new members was written by Martin Luther for parents to use to teach their children because he found that pastors in his day really did not have a clue about the word of God.

Have a clue! Many churches have closed due to the corona virus. Start a new habit. Open your Bibles and read the word. Hold a daily Bible Study with your family and grow in faith!

In times like this we worry about our physical health. Let us not neglect to care about our spiritual health. Stay in the word. Crave and seek the spiritual milk of the word of God so that you may know the grace of God through our Lord Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Surgery Today!

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

                                                                           (James 1:13-16 KJV)

Well, today is the day for my husband's heart surgery. He is scheduled for a triple by-pass this afternoon. There has been a lot of praying going on around here. When I left him the other night, I asked him if the chaplain had come by to see him. Of course, he had! Howard is at Advent Health, a faith based health system. On just about every wall in their hospitals are quotes from scripture that remind us that the Lord is with us and for us.

I am just a little anxious; probably being a bit selfish, as I really do not care to be left in this world without him. But, I have confidence that the Lord will be working through the surgeon.

I also, sometimes feel a bit guilty. We have been married for 49 years this year. I have been his pastor for about 25 of those years. I am not sure if it's all that fair to spouses to have their wife or husband as their pastor. While I do not have a problem giving pastoral care to others in times of need as I volunteered as a home health care and hospice chaplain for many years; I'm not so sure that I am doing or saying all that I should or could for my own family. So, thanks be to God for chaplains! Thanks be to God for faith based health care systems!

All of your prayers for him are very much appreciated! Thank you for your prayers!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Shine Like A Star

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.  (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV)

Most people (maybe all) end up grumbling about something or arguing with someone at one time or another. But, as children of God we are to make every attempt to stay away from these things. They will drag us down and into situations that are detrimental to our spiritual and physical health. 

When we find ourselves being pulled into these warped and crooked lifestyles we ought to do all that we can to turn away from them and to the way that Jesus would have us go. Turn to the Word for wisdom and strength. We are to immerse ourselves in the word of God found in the Holy Scriptures so that we might have guidance and peace. We will shine like stars among the darkness brought into this world by grumbling and  arguing as we hold firmly to the word of life.

May God keep us in the Word so that we might be recognized as His children on the day of Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Covenant of Hope

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:13-16 NIV)

I have been listening to "Over the Rainbow" by Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole a lot lately. Iz was thirty-eight when he died in 1997. He had suffered many health problems during his life. In spite of his many health problems during his life, his music, especially this song, was filled with hope and with life. His music lives on.

God made a covenant with His people with the sign of the rainbow. He made a new covenant with us through the blood shed for us through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. There is always hope because we have Jesus as our Lord and our Savior.

As Hurricane Irma threatens the lives of property and many people, there is only one place that I know that I or anyone can go to in times like this to find comfort and reassurance. Only, at the feet of Jesus, can we find comfort and hope. Only at the feet of Jesus can we know a peace when danger is near.

May God grant comfort and peace to all who fear the coming days in the remembrance of the promise of life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fishing!

Diving at the USS Aeolus off coast of NC many years ago...

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.  (Mark 1:16-18 NIV)

It has been a couple of decades now since I have been diving. I loved it. My health was at its best when I was diving. That may have been due to the salt water; maybe the exercise or maybe it was due to the atmospheric pressure or increased oxygen intake or all the aforementioned.

I thoroughly enjoyed being at the bottom of the Atlantic with the fish. But, while there, I never fished. That for me would have been a fruitless effort. I have never been much of a fisherperson. I enjoy being with the fish. I even enjoy eating them. I just cannot catch them. Even as a child I could not catch them. My family would go fishing often. Everyone would catch near their limits and me - NONE, NADA, NOT A THING.

That being said, I do fish; but, not for fish. I have been called, as many of you have, to fish for people. Sometimes my efforts are productive. Sometimes they are not. They are not when I depend on my ability to fish rather than trust God to fill the nets. Whether the fishing is productive or not really depends on the Spirit of God and not on me and not on you. Yes, we have to get out there and share the Good News. But, it is up to the Spirit of Christ to open ears, and eyes and hearts that they might hear and receive. And, it is not you or me who does this fishing; but, Christ who abides in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Help us Lord to have the courage and wisdom to go and fish for people. Help us to trust you for a great catch.

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

One Body; Many Members; Many Gifts

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV)

Well, there you have it. We have all been baptized into the one body. If you read Paul's firsts letter to the Corinthians you will find that he advises that the Body of Christ which is the Church needs every part of the body to continue it's mission to proclaim the Gospel; to grow and edify the church. There is not one member of the church on earth that is greater than another. God gives to each of us gifts to be used for His glory. We use them in unison. It does not matter what God has called you to do. Whether you clean the church, type the bulletins, assist at worship, teach Sunday School, sing in the choir, serve on the council; whatever it is that God has called you to do, it is important to the health of the congregation; to the health of the church. Each of these callings contribute greatly to the growth and health of the local congregation. If the bathrooms are a mess it will not matter how awesome the music is. If the greeters ignore visitors it will not matter what the preacher is preaching. If the members of a local congregation of the church on earth do not work in unison with the one mind of Christ it will fail or at the most struggle to survive in the mission to which we are called.

Every individual member in a congregation is important to the life and health of that congregation. There is nothing and no one too small to be unimportant. One of the most common laments that I hear from those who are very elderly is that they can no longer actively serve as they once did. They loved serving God and others through the church on earth and they miss it. But, the truth is "Yes, you can continue serving." You can continue serving by continuing to pray for the congregation and the whole Body of Christ. You can share your love of God with others around you by testifying to the great love you have for Jesus the Christ and for them. After all, St. Paul reminds us that love is the greatest gift of all. (1 Cor 13:13)  You can share the vision that God had inspired within you for your congregation; for your community, with your pastor and with the other members of the Body of Christ. There are many things you can continue in. Not everything has to be or should be visible to the whole congregation. Some things are done quietly; unbeknownst to the majority.

Every single member of the church on earth; every single member of every congregation is an important part of the Body of Christ. None are more important or less important than another. No gifts are less or greater than another. We must strive to work together according to the gifts that God has given to each of us that God may be glorified in all that we say and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Physical And Spiritual Health And Wholeness

Back On The Water For Physical And Spiritual Well-being!

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2 NIV

The third epistle of St. John is a private letter to Gauis. He begins his letter to Gauis by wishing him not just physical health; but overall health which would include spiritual and mental health as well. These three areas of wellness are co-dependent. If one part of our being is ill; the rest will suffer as well.

I have been delaying finding a doctor since moving to Florida. Last week, after a few years, I finally had a regular physical examination. The visit helped me to decide that I probably needed to make a few changes to my lifestyle. There were a couple of things that I have been neglecting to do which I actually love to do. I have not been doing what I would want and should do.

1. The next day I went out and bought me a kayak to use here on the creek as my other kayaks were left behind when I moved.. I've been kayaking for about twenty years; but, in these past few years, the exercise and the opportunity to be silent in God's presence hasn't happened quite as often as it should. I found lots of excuses not to go out on the water. I have always been drawn to the water. In my adult life, I have never lived more than a mile or two from large bodies or water or at least have had a creek running through my backyard.

Kayaking has a few benefits; including, a bit of exercise. It affords me the opportunity to be out in God's beautiful creation without disturbances other than a few fish jumping or birds flying or floating around on the water and those are good things. It clears my mind and refreshes my soul as I am reminded of all the benefits of water that God has worked for us. My baptism into the body of Christ being about the most precious benefit for me personally. Paddling about on the water affords me not just physical; but, spiritual and mental health benefits as well. Peace of heart and mind are good things both of which are side-effects of  being alone with God on the water!

2.  The day after I purchased the new kayak, I finally took the leap and found me a new massage therapist. My former massage therapist lives about twenty-five hours away or I would still be seeing her. A few years ago, I had a torn rotator cuff. During Lent, I found myself looking at possible surgery; as the only way I could lift my left arm was by using my right hand to pick it up. There was no way I had time to have surgery during Lent - way too busy! I started seeing Clare bi-weekly and within a few months, I had full use of my arm again. I kept seeing her. She used "Biblical Oils" like frankincense and myrrh as well as any others that she felt I might need depending on my well-being at the time. The physical benefits were great as were the mental and spiritual benefits. I spent much of that time communicating with God (once she and I quit talking - she ended up being my confessor LOL) The therapy was so relaxing that on more than one occasion I fell asleep.

She was so good, that I was a little nervous about finding a new therapist. I think it probably had to do with grieving losing her company. But, it was time and Larissa my new therapist also appears to be very well qualified and will be a great asset to my health and wholeness. 

Life is not so good when we don't take care of our physical, spiritual, or mental health. The three go hand in hand. When one area of our being is not doing well; the rest will also become weak.

I pray that you all enjoy good health and well-being.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wisdom To Make Right Choices

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8

We often make poor choices. We do it hastily, without considering the bigger picture. We often make these poor decisions based on what we want now without considering what is really good for us and others around us. When we make wrong decisions that are based mostly on our feelings and what we think will make us happy, we get to experience the results of those decisions, whether the short and long term consequences are good or bad. Some of those decisions affect our physical condition. Some of them affect our emotional, mental, or our spiritual health negatively. Some affect our whole beings.

The Lord knows what is good for us. He has, indeed, given us guidelines and a path to follow.

May God grant us the wisdom to see the path that He has set before us and empower us to make the right choices.

God's Peace - Pr. J