Our Refuge And Strength

Psalm 46 KJV; Reformation Sunday; Humankind's actions are harmful to one another; but, God is our refuge and strength. The Lord of hosts is with us.

Offer Unto God Thanksgiving

Psalm 50:1-15 KJV; All that we have belongs to God. We can give Him nothing other than to offer Him thanksgiving and to glorify His Holy Name!

New Wine In New WIneskins

Old Testament reading from Isaiah 65:1-9 KJV for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost with brief message.

Be Still And Know God

Psalm 46:1-2, 10-11 KJV Be Still and know the great "I Am" is with you.

Praise Ye The Lord

God The Father and Creator Of All

Bond Falls, MI - I spent much time there as a youth

 PSALM 8 KJV

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

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By the time you read this the North American Lutheran Church's Lutheran Week in Corpus Christi will have ended yesterday.  I have written a weeks worth of blogs in advance so I have more time to be with the friends I haven't seen in years. 

The theme this year is "God The Father Creates." Indeed he has and he does. He rested on the seventh day; but, then there was the eighth. God is always at work, watching his children, watching his creations, leading us, protecting us, guiding us in the way that he would have us go. 

His creation is not only evidenced by the vast number of those who follow him and let the light of Christ shine through them. The whole creation around is a wonder to behold. What music we have been given in the singing of the birds that entertain us on quiet evenings. The majesty of the mountains and the seas are breathtaking. And, the prairies display such wonder with their beauteous sunsets. The beauty and majesty of his whole creation is so vast there are no words that can express it fully. 

Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Down, Lord!

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 

                              (Isa 64:1-2 KJV)

This week marks the end of yet another church year. I have this notion that there have been many days this past year when many would have liked for God to come down and fix the mess; fix the divisions; fix everything; and make us to live in his peace. 

The truth is he has come down. Sunday marks the first day of another church year with the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and watching for the Lord. The people waited and watched for the Messiah. When he came into this world as a mere child some people noticed and were aware. Many did not notice at all. They did not and could not believe. This has not changed in two thousand years. 

The Lord has indeed come down to the earth. He came down to save us from ourselves; our own sinful ways. His name has been made known to us! We continue to proclaim the name of Jesus the Messiah to all people so that all people might hear and tremble in his mighty presence. All honor and glory belongs to our Almighty God! 

The Lord has come down to the earth. He was here as true man. He is here even today. And... he will come again in full glory.  Do not fear. Do not fret. God is with you even now. When Jesus gave the disciples their commission he told them that he would be with them even to the end of the world. 

"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:17-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

PSALM 46 KJV 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

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Let not your heart be troubled. Do not fear. Be still and know that God is with you now and always to help you on the way.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blessed Are They...

Matthew 5:1-12 KJV

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

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Blessed are the merciful! Blessed are the peacemakers!

May God's grace, mercy, and peace be with you all in these tumultuous times!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise Ye The Lord

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.

Psalm 148 KJV

The Way

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5 KJV)

Last week, I was asked by a friend for directions to my house from Jacksonville. I told her to put my address into the GPS on her phone as I had no clue where in Jacksonville she was and no idea how to get to my home from where she was. I always use a GPS when traveling. Other than Highway 95, I really couldn't name any of the other roads that one might need to travel on. 

I was also in Jacksonville yesterday. Although, I've been to the exact location many times over the last few years, I still use my GPS. I know my way to where I was going and I know my way home from there. But, I still use my GPS because one can never know when there might be a detour due to construction or an accident. I trust it to show me the way to where I am going. But, I also know the GPS system is not 100% reliable. I have been led to a few dead ends and wrong addresses over the years. 

There is one though who can lead us faithfully through deserts and wildernesses. He will lead us through dark valleys and over high mountains. He will lead us on the way because he is the way. We can trust Jesus to show us the way 100% of the time. Listen to him and follow him in the way that he has shown you.

"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 

                                                                                          (John 14:4-6)

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Sea Saw And Fled

Huron River at Million Dollar Bridge, Arvon Township, MI

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

                                                                                    (Psalm 119 KJV)

I cannot help but wonder why humankind does not have enough sense to tremble at the presence of the Lord. The earth did. When Israel came out of Egypt the sea saw and fled, the river Jordan turned back, but humankind has not the foresight to know that God is God. At the hand of God, water can spring forth from a rock, but people, refuse the water. People refuse the Word that can bring eternal life; that brings real and abundant life.

It just makes no sense to me that anyone would follow after false gods. Sadly, there is nothing I can do to change that. Only God can change people. Only God can lead people out of bondage to their false gods. But, He has given you free-will. Choose ye this day, whom you will serve: the one who keeps you in bondage or the One and only One who can free you.

There is something, though, that I can do, that I am called to do. It is what the LORD calls all of His disciples to do; that is to proclaim the Good News of His Kingdom open to all people through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, no, even if the message offends you, I will not stop proclaiming. Just as you deem it your right to proclaim a false gospel, a path that leads to destruction; I will proclaim the truth of the Kingdom of God. There is only one way to that Kingdom. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by him. (John 14:6)

God has shaken the mountains. He has dominion over the sea. He has dominion over all things. If the earth will bow down and worship Him, then why is it so difficult for humankind to see that God is Supereme. Does a rock or a river have more sense than we?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise the Lord for Life!

Psalm 148:7-12

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women,
old men and children.

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Every breathing creature upon this earth lives because of the very breath of God. He said: Let there be... and, there it was. 

How much do we appreciate the gift of life that He has given us? Do we spend more time lamenting our lot in life and drowning our sorrows, rather than thanking and praising God for the gifts that we have been given?

Live life! God gave us life for a reason and it was not to destroy it. Live life in relationship with God and enjoy the precious gifts that He has given you. Live life in a good relationship with all of God's creation and enjoy the life that you have received.

May all of God's creatures give thanks and praise the life that He has given us here on earth and in the Kingdom that has no end.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love Never Fails

One of the most often requested readings for weddings is from 1 Corinthians. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails." 

                                                       (1 Cor 13:4-8a NIV)

This is good advice for two people who are about to commit their whole earthly lives to one another. Love does not fail. However, due to our sinful natures we often fail to love. Marriages fall apart because we love ourselves or someone or something else more than the one we have committed to spend the rest of our lives with. Other relationships fail; as well, because of a lack of love.

The greatest gifts, says St. Paul, is love. God has given us love in His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no greater love than a love that is willing die for others, as Jesus died for us. (John 15:13) We respond to His love by sharing his love with others. The love that is rooted in the loved of God does not fail. It can move mountains and crush molehills. The love of God inspires us to inspire others with His love.

As a friend of mine often says: "Share the love!"

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Level Ground

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

                      (Psalm 143:10)

Mountains and valleys can make for a very interesting journey. They bring many challenges; many opportunities for growth. But, sometimes, especially as I grow older, I would prefer to walk on level ground. I would much prefer to sit at Jesus' feet in quiet and in peace. 

However, as Christ was crucified on a hill according to our Father's will; in order to take up our crosses and follow we should not expect that the ground will be level. It will not always be easy to traverse.

As I get older, I sometimes lament that there are still many mountains to climb and valleys to find my way through. But, I must admit the journey has gotten less chaotic. I am able to stand on level ground much more often than I was able a few decades ago. I have found much more time just to sit at Jesus' feet and that sitting for a time has made the valleys and mountains much easier to traverse.

Isaiah prophesied that every mountain and hill would be made low and every valley raised up. (Isa 40:3-4)

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
   the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
   a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
   every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

   the rugged places a plain.

                               (Isaiah 40:3-4)

God in Christ Jesus can make our journeys smooth even when we encounter the many ups and downs in this world: if we would only listen to God and follow where the Spirit would lead us.

May the Spirit of God lead you on straight paths and level ground so that you might know the peace and the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Come Down From the Heavens!

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
   that the mountains would tremble before you!
As when fire sets twigs ablaze
   and causes water to boil,
come down to make your name known to your enemies
   and cause the nations to quake before you!
For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
   you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
Since ancient times no one has heard,
   no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
   who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
You come to the help of those who gladly do right,
   who remember your ways.
But when we continued to sin against them,
   you were angry.
   How then can we be saved?
All of us have become like one who is unclean,
   and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
   and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
                                                               (Isa 64:1-6 NIV)

I know this prayer from Isaiah. No, I haven't memorized it. But, I know it. I've prayed it at least a few times: "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence!" And, I have a feeling that I'm probably not alone in having prayed a prayer similar to that from time to time. When life has gotten really rough; when you've felt persecuted or all alone, haven't you ever thought or prayed: "This is enough. Please, make your presence known to all people so they'd straighten out and we could live in peace already!"?

Yet, Isaiah reminds us, that it’s not everyone else, but me, too. Isaiah reminds us that we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. It’s not just everyone else. We are all guilty and our sins, just as the wind, sweep us away from God’s presence.

But, we are not out of God’s presence. He is with us. In spite of the fact that we often do not hear nor do we see the answer, the prayer has been answered. For God did indeed come down to us. The great God Almighty came down to earth to meet humankind right where we are. As we drifted further and further away from God’s good will for us, He, Himself, broke open the heavens and came down, as a little child, to be one of us.

The one who formed us with his own hands, who breathed His breath of life into us, took on the form of man in order that he might live with us and that we might have whole and abundant life in Him.

Thanks be to God that our sins have been swept away by the blood of Jesus.

God's Peace – Pr. J

Give The Gift Of Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  (1 Cor 13:1-3 NIV)

I began receiving pre-Black Friday online shopping advertisements over a week ago. I haven't begun to think about shopping for Christmas presents. The reality is that everyone that I give gifts to has just about everything they need and almost everything that they want. Well, maybe not everything they want; but, everything I could possibly afford to give them.

The one gift that some of them have not received is faith in Jesus the Christ. It is not that God hasn't given them this awesome gift. After all; for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son as a gift for us. Jesus did; after all, die for all people. It is that some just seem to refuse the greatest gift of all; to be reconciled to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

As you consider what gifts to share with others this holiday season; consider sharing the greatest gift ever given to humankind. Consider sharing the Good News that others might hear and by the power of the Spirit of Christ, receive this gift of love and life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Do not hide this gift like that unwanted fruitcake in the back of the cupboard. Share it. Give the greatest gift of love.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Hide From The Lord?

   I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
   Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Rev 6:12-17 NIV)

The sixth seal is opened and the earth and skies are shaken. The world as we know it is devastated in the face of the wrath of God. Not only are the earth and heavens shaken; but, the people are shaken at the knowledge of the coming of the Lord. They would hide beneath the falling mountains if they could. They would rather be crushed to death than to face the Lord God in the day of His judgment.

John's visions are horrifying to those who do not worship the Lord; to those who know that they have turned their backs on God. There is still time. We don't know how much time. Turn to the Lord. Love and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart and soul and mind. The visions of the end can be terrifying for those who do not worship the one true God. But, for those who do, we know that all things are for the good of those who love Him; for His Kingdom comes

God's Peace - Pr. J

Where Does My Help Come From?

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Today is one of those historical days that will not be forgotten. The tragedy of 9-11 shook this country. It was a day when many of us realized how vulnerable we actually are. There were changes in security protocol every where we went. Security was analyzed and assessed in all parts of our government. Those changes probably helped avert more attacks like this one. But, we must confess that no matter what we do, we cannot stop the evil that threatens. We can try and we must try because the evil one will keep on trying, as well. We must all be diligent and we must be able to trust our governing officials to also be diligent in their desire to safeguard the security of the people of this county. 

Even as we wondered how such a thing could happen; how no one in the government could foresee the events of that tragic day; many turned to the only One who can bring about real peace. Churches saw an increase in attendance following this horrific day as they recognized the need to trust God for help. He and only He can ultimately save us.

And.. then, with time, those visitors began to withdraw, once again, from worship. The reality is: we face evil every single day. Where will our help come from? It comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Let us rejoice and give Him all honor and praise.

May our heavenly Father guide our leaders to put the interests and safety of all the people before their own interests and may all of the people of God put their trust in Him for He alone can save us.

God's Peace - Pr. J