Do In Remembrance Of Me

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”   Luke 22:19 KJV

These words of Jesus sometimes cause me to wonder if everyone at the table realize that this is more than a remembrance ritual or a memorial service. I often wonder if everyone who eats of his body and drinks of his blood realize that they are actually receiving the body of Christ into themselves.

He comes to abide in us through this Sacrament. As we eat and drink we become one in and with the living Christ. When we receive this Sacrament, we receive the living God. Jesus is not dead. He is alive. May he live in and through you so that others may also know of his loving sacrifice for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fear Not: The Kingdom Is At Hand

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3 KJV)

Yesterday, I attended the memorial service for a very lovely and faithful woman. She was quite elderly. Her hope lay in the promise to be received into the heavenly Kingdom as she passed through the gateway called death. 

She is indeed dead to this world. But, in Christ, death has no power over us. All who believe that our Lord Jesus died so that we might be reconciled to God our Father for all of eternity have this hope.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:38-39) 

As we look for that day when we see God face to face with our own eyes, let us also remember that God is with us now as well. There is no sense in waiting to be reconciled to Him, to be in a relationship with him. The Kingdom of God is at hand. It is at hand today! 

As I listened to the sermon yesterday, my mind wandered to the life of Brother Lawrence and his endeavors to practice the presence of God in his daily life. We lie and cheat ourselves when we look to those mansions Jesus spoke about as a gift after death for good works we think that we may have done here on earth. We cheat ourselves out of the Kingdom both now and for all eternity.

We walk in Christ Jesus only by faith in the one who died for us; today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Laying Down One's Life For Others

A few of the members who put red roses (a symbol of love) on the Veteran's graves at Craig Flagler Palms Cemetery.

(some are missing from the photo)

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV) 

Today is a day of remembrance. Today we remember those Veterans who have given their lives in service to this country. They have given their all not just for the sakes of the people of the United States. They have served to protect freedom and for the sake of justice around the world.

Jesus said that there is no greater love than the love which would motivate one to lay down their life for others. Today we pause to remember those men and women. But, let it not be just for today. Let us always remember the love they had for others that they were willing to risk their lives for us; not just for their friends; but, for all people, friends and strangers alike.

Every Saturday before Memorial Day, members of Christ Lutheran Church, put red roses next to the flags on the graves of Veterans at our local cemetery as a token of our love and appreciation of the sacrifice they have made for the sake of others.

The prime example of one who was willing to die so that others might live is Jesus. May God help us all to follow his example and the example of others putting others before ourselves in love.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Abandon Your Small Boat And Follow Jesus

Everaldo Dejesus (D.J.) - "The Fisherman"

“'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matt 14:29

In 2013, my husband and I had reserved airline tickets to go and visit our friends D.J. and Mikki in Puerto Rico. D.J. had terminal cancer and our hopes were to visit him one last time. We did not make it in time. He died a couple of days before our flight was scheduled. We continued with our planned trip to grieve with his family. 

Life in this world is quite short. But, Jesus calls us to a world; a Kingdom, that is everlasting. A Kingdom where there is no more death or suffering or pain. In the last two weeks, numerous friends have died. In this world, I will no longer see Ellie Varney; or Carol Jordan; my sister-in-law, Dawn Mattson; or my former supervisor CWO4 Bob Paris. I live too far away to be able to attend any funeral or memorial services. And, yes, I grieve our loss. Even while there is the hope that we find in Jesus Christ, grief is a natural reaction to such loss and it cannot be avoided. 

Jesus first called the disciples, James and John, out of their fishing boats to follow him. They dropped their nets and followed him immediately. They followed him, not only in this world; but, into the Kingdom of God.

When the disciples were in a boat fishing, they saw Jesus walking on water toward them. Peter got out of the boat to go to him. In this world, we are called to abandon our small boats; our egos, our false gods, our everything, to take up the cross and follow him. The seas may be rough that we tread upon; the way is not always easy; but, Jesus is with us to keep us from drowning. Even though we face death, Jesus is there to lead us into his glorious Kingdom.

May God grant you all comfort in the knowledge of the promise that all who believe inherit the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J