Brother's Keeper

"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." 

                                                                                       (Matt 7:9-12 KJV)

"And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9) 

After killing his brother, Cain would not answer the Lord directly when asked where his brother was. His retort was "Am I my bother's keeper?" Consider today if you are your brother's keeper. And, are you your brother's children's keeper? I hope that you are answering in the affirmative.

Our lives can be full of chaos and not just ours. Everyone has down times. Let us not be the ones to bring those down times to others. Let us not harm those close to us by considering our own desires above the needs of others. May God help us to remember to look out for not only our needs but for the needs of those around us as well.

Yes, you are your brother's keeper. If you, yourself, are a child of God then you would respond in the affirmative when it comes to helping those around you. 

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