We Are All Called According To Our Gifts

Pr. John Henry (United Methodist) sharing the Good News
Pr. Jimalee Jones (my mentor and friend)
and Bp. Alex Malasusa 
(Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania)
at my ordination.

"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."                                                                                                                                                             (Mark 6:1-13 KJV)

Today we find many smaller communities without anyone to preach the word; to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Congregations find themselves wondering what are they to do without a pastor. How are people supposed to come to faith if there is no one to share it with them? (Rom 10:17)

St. Paul Lutheran Seminary has come up with one potential solution. That is to train lay people from individuals congregations. It is not easy to preach in one's own congregation as even Jesus had a hard time in his home town. But, sometimes there seems to be no alternative. We, as those first disciples were sent out, are all called and sent out to share the great news that through Christ we are reconciled to our Father in heaven and to one another. We are called to minister to those who need assistance of any sort. "We have no pastor" is not an excuse. Call one from the Body of Christ, from your own congregation. Even considering this can be scary. What if people reject me? Guess what? Some will. They will reject Jesus. They will reject you. Shake the dust off your feet and move on. Others will not reject Christ! They will gratefully hear this Good News that you share with them. Those few who will receive the Word with joy and thanksgiving are well worth the bit of trouble others might try to cause you. And, you will also rejoice in the presence of the angels!

Jesus said, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:10)

St. Paul Lutheran Seminary is in the process of setting up a six-week online preaching course for laity so that worship can continue in places where ordained clergy have not answered the call to serve yet. Over the years, I have heard from a lot of people that they could not possibly stand up and preach in front of a congregation. The truth is: many cannot. Some will simply freeze up and not be able to speak. Not everyone has been given the gift or the call to do this. But, many who have been gifted and called are ignoring the call. I, myself, ignored mine for many years. Since that time I have also trained others to go out and share their love of God and what Christ has done for them in nursing homes and senior housing. The call to share the Good News is not limited to a church building. The Great Commission is given to everyone whether it is one on one with a neighbor or someone you meet in the grocery store; within the context of a congregation,  a house church, senior housing, a nursing home, or a park. Prepare and go and tell!

"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 28:18-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Grief

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

                                                                                 (Eccl 3:1-2,4 KJV)

As much as I sometimes regret retiring from parish ministry, this week I was once again reminded of one of the reasons to retire. I spent many years serving one particular congregation and got very close to them. They were and are still like family. I had the good pleasure of being there at births, at graduations, of baptizing them, marrying them, of being there to celebrate for a lot of very special occasions. There was much laughing and singing and dancing over the years.

But, I was also there to witness much grief. I was there for sickness, for losses of employment, and for divorces as well as many other rough times. I buried hundreds, many who were very close to me, witnessing and grieving with their loved ones. The closer I got to any of them during their lives the harder is was for me to preside at their funerals. I no longer could refrain from weeping during the sermons as I looked into the eyes of the family sitting in front of me. I did not weep for the deceased. I had hope in the promise that all who people have eternal life. I wept for the families. I wept to see such pain. 

During most of this time I was also the home health care and hospice chaplain for the local hospital. One would think that I would have grown used to death. Death is inevitable. For the faithful death is not the end. We have hope. Yet, when someone is ripped from our lives grief is also inevitable. As we hear from the preacher in Ecclesiastes there is a time to weep and a time to mourn. 

This past week, a young friend died; a father of young children died. His parents were neighbors and also friends. It saddens me greatly to even think about the grief his family is enduring. It grieves me to think of his young children growing up without their father. 

Over a year ago, after I had retired, I had been asked to preside at the funeral of another man much younger than myself. He was survived by a teenage son whom I had known since birth.  The boys mother, who had been a friend, had died some time before. To see such a beloved child of God in so much grief and pain I could not refrain from weeping as I proclaimed the Gospel. It was a very tough sermon to get through. It was the last funeral I presided at. 

It was a reminder of how close I had gotten to the community (not just the congregation) that I had served in and that I no longer was able to control my own emotions as I witnessed the grief experienced by others. 

I have reminded myself over the years as I wept with those who grieved that even Jesus wept when he met Lazarus' sisters after Lazarus' death and saw them in so much pain. Pastors grieve too. Pastors are allowed to shed tears. But, today I find that grief overwhelms me too often as I witness the grief of others and that is one of the reasons it was best that I retire from parish ministry. That doesn't mean I quit serving God. It will just be in other ways. 

May God grant all who grieve peace of heart and mind in the assurance of everlasting life for all who believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Foolishness Or Wisdom?

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

                                                                              (1 Cor 1:18-25 KJV)

So frustrating! I wish that everyone would receive our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. But, no matter how much I try it seems to be impossible for me to get some people to understand that the message of the cross is the power of God. It is not just a nice story of a man dying because he loved humanity so much. It is not just a piece of historical fact that we read about and set aside. It is not foolishness as the world would have us believe. Rather, it is foolishness not to believe. The message of the cross holds within it the power to save.

In the end, I always have to go back to a very simple fact. I cannot save anyone. I cannot even convince anyone. I can only proclaim the message and trust that the power of God within the message (the Word who is Jesus the Christ) saves. Usually, when people tell me that my sermon was great or they thank me for saying something that helped them; I remind them that it is not me; but, Christ in me (Gal 2:20). Sometimes, I will tell them that from my lips to your ears the Holy Spirit is working so that you hear (and receive) what God wants you to hear and have; not what I want.

The world can scoff at the faith of those who trust in the cross of Christ for their life and salvation. They can deny it. But it does not change the truth. Christ is and always will be Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God! Whom will you trust: the world, yourself, or God who created all things and has recreated us in Jesus Christ, our Lord?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ask For Wisdom

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

                                                                                  (James 1:5-6 KJV)

Solomon asked for wisdom and received it so that he could be a good ruler to the people. James encourages everyone who lacks wisdom to ask God for it. If we ask faith we shall receive it.  The only problem with that is that too many of us are wise in our own eyes and have no clue that we actually lack wisdom. We think that we have no need to learn anything new. We have no need to get anyone else's opinion or advice. We definitely don't think that we should ask God to let us know what is really what since we think we already know everything. We don't ask so we don't receive wisdom or knowledge that would be helpful in not only living our own lives but in helping and serving others. 

Now knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. There are those who are both knowledgeable and wise. But, the learned are not always wise and the wise are not always learned. It is not wise to trust the wisdom of man for the wisdom of man would tell us that the wisdom of God is nothing but foolishness. And if we believe that the wisdom of God is worthless as many would tell us then we are in for a very difficult road ending in destruction.

We trust not the wisdom of humankind. We put our faith in the wisdom that God has revealed to us in His Son who lived and died and lives again for us.  

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 

                                                                                   (1 Cor 1:18-21)

Ask your Father in heaven to place His wisdom upon your heart. Ask in faith and you will receive.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thy Word Is Truth

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

                                                                                  (John 17:15-21 KJV)

On the night that Jesus was betrayed he prayed that his followers might be sanctified through the truth which comes by God's word. He prayed not just for his followers of that day; but, for all followers who would come in the many generations to come. Without ever seeing Jesus in the flesh those generations would be sanctified and united with the Father and one another by hearing the word of God; by hearing the truth. And, it is so. 

Evangelists of every sort have been proclaiming the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ for two thousand years and through that word proclaimed many have come to believe that Jesus died that they might live eternally in the presence of God in the Kingdom of God.

Let us continue preaching this Good News for faith comes by hearing the word of God; hearing the truth. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:13-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Preaching of the Cross

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18 KJV)

We preach the cross, a symbol of death so that we might live. Those who love their lives in this world though, steer clear of the cross. They are unable to understand that it is only by the sacrifice our dear lord Jesus made for us on that cross that we have been freed from the power of death. We have been freed from the power that the world, that evil, that sin had over us. 

Those who consider the cross as a symbol of foolishness will perish. It is wisdom to preach the cross and to cling to it for in the cross of Christ we have eternal life in the presence of Almighty God.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Preaching and Teaching

Sing with joy about what God
in Christ Jesus has done for you.

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

                                                   (Acts 28:30-31 KJV)

I have never been a huge fan of contemporary worship. I am not against it. I just lean more toward a liturgical style and hymns rather than praise music. That being said, yesterday I worshiped with Lakeside Covenant Fellowship Church, Baraga, MI, a small congregation that uses a contemporary style of worship and found it quite worshipful! I appreciated both the music and the sermon because the entire service focused on Jesus! Does it surprise you that I'm excited about that? Well, I am. I was fed with the Word and that always is relief because I have been in services where I want to scream out, "Please, say something about Jesus, already!" 

Much of the praise music I have heard in the past has tended to talk about what we do for God rather than what God has done for us. That was not what I heard yesterday. The praise music was all about what God has done and continues to do for us. 

The sermon was a unique and captivating blend of teaching and preaching.  I have heard a lot of preachers try to blend the two into a sermon; but, very few have managed it so that it kept my attention throughout the whole sermon.  But, Rachel's skills as an elementary school teacher (gifts of God endued by the Holy Spirit) were evident as she proclaimed the Lord Jesus Christ with heart-felt enthusiasm and love. 

I am in transition right now having recently retired from the ministry and taking full advantage of being able to worship with various congregations in the area  and to hear the preaching of the kingdom of God and the teaching of those things which concern the Lord, Jesus the Christ with all confidence and boldness. So, don't be too surprised if I show up to worship with you.

May God bless us and keep us all teaching and preaching what concerns the Kingdom of God and our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Children Want Jesus

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

(Mark 10:13-16 KJV)

I have returned for the summer to where I served as a pastor for eighteen years. It is has been a pleasure and an eye-opener as I see young people who are strong (though at times they may feel weak) and loving adults. 

I was there when many were baptized, confirmed, and when some were married. I was there when they received their first communion. Oh! The joy I saw in so many faces as they received the Lord into themselves! They had waited for that day. They had studied for it and most of all they longed to receive the body and blood Jesus. They longed to have Jesus!

Their presence also reminds me that I am not at all young any more! They have  also aged since I first met them. They have their own families now; their own children; and, some of their children are grown children now. A couple of them even have gray hairs of their own! It gives me great pleasure to see how they have grown since I first met them. They are awesome children of God. They have grown in ways that I could only hope for them. 

Most of these young people not only learned by participating in Sunday School as children; but, helped to lead worship as they led prayers of the church, read the readings, were acoloytes, served at breakfasts and dinners. Some even participated in worship by preaching; sometimes alone; sometimes in dialogues or skits with other youth. When I first got the youth to do more than lighting the candles, I did get a little negative feed back. There were a few who said they liked seeing children in church; but, they thought that children should be silent and not heard and not really seen much, either. I am glad that my councils approved of the youth participating most fully in worship. I see the results today. It gives me great pleasure to know these young people.

Please, do not neglect to allow the children to serve the Lord in any way they might wish. If they do not have the capability at the present time; take the time to train them. Do not keep the children away. Let them learn what Jesus has done for them; how much he loves them; and, will be with them in their life's journey. Do not be a stumblingblock to them. 

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

                                                                                  (Matt 18:2-6)

Those little children want Jesus! Do not stand between them and him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

New Year; New Life In Christ

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Cor 5:17 NRSV)

I woke up this morning listening to a very charismatic preacher on YouTube. No, not the kind that spends one fourth of his time asking for money. This one was preaching about and praying for new lives in Christ.

It is New Year's Day. If your life seems to be going no where and you no longer find much or any enjoyment in life; maybe it is time to put off the old and live a new life in Christ! To begin the new year afresh; maybe it's time to leave those false gods that have been taking front and center in your life behind you in the old year. Just maybe it's time to really live life to its' fullest and to do that life must be lived in Christ.

May God grant that you be filled and empowered by the Spirit of Christ from this day forward that you might live life joyfully praising God for all that He has done.

God's Peace - Pr. J

You Go And Proclaim The Kingdom

   As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
   Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
   He said to another man, “Follow me.”
   But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
   Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
   Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
   Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

                                                                                    Luke 9:57-62 NIV

"Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go.." That sounds kind of harsh, doesn't it?  The reality is that if we are really going to follow Jesus and proclaim the Kingdom of God we will have to give up a few things in this world. 

As a minister to the people, Jesus moved around a lot. He had no home; other than his mother's home and the homes of friends. As he traveled from place to place his ministry; his preaching; his teaching, was not about clinging to things of this world. It was about proclaiming the kingdom of God. In order to follow Jesus there will be at least a few worldly things we may have to leave behind. Those things might be fancy homes or cars. Those things might not even be things; but, people. We may have to leave behind family and friends. That may because we are called to a different location than where they are at. It might also be because they turn away from those who would follow Jesus. We may suffer loss in this world as we proclaim the Kingdom of God. We will have to change our priorities as we set out to follow Jesus.

But, those losses; those sacrifices, which we might have to face have been faced by multitudes of Christians before us and who are with us now. How much time did Paul spend in prison? Prison was his home for a lot of his ministry. Jesus was a wandering preacher who gave his very life; his last breath as man, so that all who believe in him might live eternally in that Kingdom that we are called to proclaim. And, what about the Father? His Father, our Father, gave His only begotten Son to suffer and be executed on the cross as an atonement for ours sins that we might live eternally in His presence; in His Kingdom.

Following Jesus is an awesome gift; a great privilege. But, it is not about gaining things in this world. It is about the promise of eternal life in the presence of God Almighty, in His Kingdom, beginning today!

Follow in the footsteps of Jesus and live life in the presence of God! Live life most fully!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rain and More Rain in the U.P.

Waiting for that Rainbow!

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 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.” (Gen 9:12:16 NIV)

 

I am only a few days into my vacation and I am waiting on that rainbow. We arrived in the U.P. on Friday afternoon. There had been a storm in the morning so there was no Verizon service in most of the county. Howard could not remember where he put the password for the internet so there was no way to communicate with family to let them know we arrived safely. Within an hour of arriving at the house the power in half of the house went out. I found the password for the internet and was able to get online and after Howard ran a few extension cords from the part of the house that did have power he was able to watch Netflix and Amazon after we got unpacked. 

 

What a relief! We were thinking we might have to have the whole house rewired. On Saturday, we called the electric company and by the afternoon we had power again in the whole house. We managed to get the house in order on Saturday. It rained most of the day.

 

I woke up in the wee hours of Sunday morning to a flashing bright light. The lightning was flashing so hard and so fast it was. Without the internet, I also don't have the ability to make phone calls so I could not call the phone company to report the outage and I could not work on a blog. It was one of the rare days that I missed doing that over the years. There is no cell service at our home here in the U.P. so we connect through the internet. I don't know how Verizon has managed that; but, they have and it is great as long as we have wi-fi.

 

We arrived at the church expecting to hear either Pr. Jimalee Jones or Pr. Gunderson preaching. That did not happen, either. The storm was so bad between their home and Skanee that the roads were impassable. Pr. Peter Suomela (a member at Zion) had been called to do a quick pulpit supply. He did an outstanding job especially since he had no time to prepare. It was very good to see old friends and neighbors at worship.

 

Following worship we were going to head to the closest Wal-Mart to purchase a coffee maker (ours had sprung a leak over the winter) and a printer so that I could get some work done. We had to go to Marquette, MI as we could not go to the closest Wal-Mart in Houghton, MI. All roads in or out of Houghton and everything north of Houghton in the Keweenaw were closed. The storm during the night took out many of the roads. I believe the Upper Peninsula may now have more sink holes than Florida! Nah! Probably not. But, over 60 sink holes in one night is a bit much. I can't even begin to imagine how long it will take to clean up that mess. Roads were destroyed. Homes and businesses were destroyed. There are photos of the disaster at the WLUC-TV 6 Facebook page. 

It rained Sunday afternoon and evening; the power went out again for a little over an hour, again.

So, here we are on our fourth day at our home in Michigan. It is raining. There are no rainbows in site. This is beautiful country with wonderful neighbors and friends. But, I am waiting for that rainbow, even as I am reminded of one of the reasons I had decided it was time to move to Florida a couple of years ago. The summer before I left my driveway never dried out. Most of the summer was wet with cloudy, gloomy looking skies. I like the sunshine! I don't mind the rain. I even enjoy a thunderstorm now and then. But, I would also like the sun to shine and to make those beautiful rainbows every now and then, as well. I am sure I will seen one day before my vacation ends. They are a symbol of hope and promise. No matter how gloomy things appear there is always hope because we have God's promises.

There is always hope. May God lift up all who are suffering from the losses incurred due to the disaster in Houghton County. May their rainbows shine some light and hope on all of our lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

 

Shepherds Will Be Accountable

Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock.  Ezekiel 34:7-10 NIV

How many times have we heard that children have no respect for adults; that there are so few with any kind of work ethic in this country; or that we have too many "entitled" people living in this country?  We blame the high crime rates and the poverty in this country on anything and everyone else; but, ourselves. We blame it on the schools. We blame it on the government. We blame it on Madeline O'Hare or maybe even Darwin. The truth is none of these are to blame for the lack of faithfulness and consequently the lack of morals or ethics in this country. The church is. The shepherds need to stand up and take accountability for the false teachings that they have promulgated.

If this country is and was actually a Christian Nation then why have Christians stood back while all these things we claim to detest become so predominant? Who was teaching and preaching the way of the Lord and his promises to those who believe in him? Who was and is standing on the Word? I don't mean the word that's been twisted around to please the itching ears of the people for that is exactly what has led to the sheep being scattered and wandering about lost in the first place.

I remember even as a teen-ager wondering why pastors taught something contrary to the word of God. Yes, even discerning teen-agers can know when a pastor is being faithful to the Word and when he or she is telling stories to ensure his or her salary; his or her pension; his or home medical insurance; and, the list goes on. This is not a new thing. It has been going on for a very long time; even before the time of Ezekiel.

The Lord reminds us over and over again throughout scripture to beware of false shepherds who have left the sheep to become food for wild animals; to become prey to a world who would overrun and destroy them.

It is not the governments fault nor even Madeline O'Hare's fault if the shepherds stood back accepting another truth and preaching the same. It is no one's fault; but, our own if the shepherds would not stand up and on the Word of God. If you're upset because the cross or nativity scene or even the ten commandments cannot be displayed in public consider this:  As a Christian are they on display in your own yard; in your own home; even at your place of worship? Christians should not expect the world to conform to traditions, or ethics, or morals, or to walk in the way that Jesus would have us go, if we, ourselves, are not willing.

If you feel that Christians are losing ground in this country; if you feel the church is diminishing, ask yourself if you are going to be part of the problem or a part of the solution. Who do you think that the Lord is going to hold accountable for leading so many astray?

May God fill not just the shepherds; but, the sheep, as well, with the Holy Spirit so that we might be empowered to stand fast on the Word of God and proclaiming it faithfully to all of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Are You Listening?

"Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." Deut 6:6-7
I do a lot of teaching and preaching of both the law and the gospel both at Bible Studies and at Worship as well as out in the community and at home. But, there are times when I just have to shake my head and wonder if anyone is listening? Do they not understand that there is only one true God and that God is almighty; all powerful; all loving; all merciful? It is not wise; it is not a good thing to worship other gods; to put anyone or anything before our Creator and Redeemer. I simply have a difficult time understanding how anyone would refuse to love and serve the only God who can save them from sin, death, and the power of the devil. How could anyone not love someone who was willing to die for them?

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart." Deut 6:4-6

May our Father in heaven, forgive us for not loving Him as we ought; for not loving Him even as He loves us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Christ And Him Crucified

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Cor 2:1-5 NIV)

St. Paul was a highly educated man. Yet, he resolved to know nothing when he was with the people except Christ crucified. His focus, his thought, his talk was on nothing other than Jesus the Christ. He did not allow the fact that he was indeed a man of learning and of some status to get in the way of proclaiming the one thing that mattered: Jesus Christ and him crucified. Nothing else mattered. His utmost concern was proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus.

May it be that in all of God's church on earth that in whatever we say and do, it is done by the power of God's Spirit and not because we think that we are so important that it is we who can accomplish these things. Paul set his ego aside so that the Spirit might work through him. May it be so with all of us, as well.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proclamation By Word And Deed

Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”  Acts 20:9-10 NIV

The purpose of preaching is not to bore someone to death. It is not for putting anyone to sleep; but, to shake them up; wake them, up to good news of the Kingdom through Jesus the Christ for all who would believe in him. 

Paul was pretty excited to share the good news that the Messiah had indeed come. He was so enthused that he talked and talked and talked and Eutychus got so tired that he fell asleep and off the third story balcony or window ledge or from wherever he was seated. He died from that fall. But, Paul took him in his arms and Eutychus lived.

My sermons are usually not very long. But, I must confess that I have indeed sat with friends long into some nights talking about the wonderful gift that we have in Jesus. I hope that those conversations were not all one-way conversations with me doing all the talking. That would put anyone to sleep.

The Word of God brings life. We must proclaim this good news. But, it is not necessary to make long, long winded speeches. Sometimes, it takes fewer words and a little more action to see the truly inspirational love of God. Sometimes, along with the words, there needs to be a little action. That life giving action just might be to take someone who is hurting, who may be spiritually dead, in your arms and just hold them.

Proclaiming the good news is necessary; but, so is living the good news by loving even as Jesus loves you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Teaching Preaching

So is my word that goes out from my mouth:    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy

Isaiah 55:11 NIV

Today is the day, I begin attempt to teach laity to preach. They are preparing to bring the Good News to Senior Housing residents and Nursing Homes. Prayers are requested; especially for those who will be trying to learn from me! Although, my major was in elementary teaching, I am not much of a teacher. I find preaching much less stressful. And... yes, there is a difference between teaching and preaching, even if preaching should teach us something about the Word, the word, and God's will for us.

In Lay School, the instructor tried without success to get me to use that three point system I learned in High School for essays. I didn't feel very comfortable using the standard format for an essay to proclaim the Good News. It just seemed to be too contrived. I prefer a more relaxed style as often happens when the Spirit leads us where God would have us go. Later, in seminary at Wartburg, I was most fortunate to have Dr. Samuel Giere as my homiletics instructor. From him, I learned much! Thanks be to God working through Dr. Giere!

I don't know how these sessions on teaching preaching are going to turn out. But, God does and He promises that His word will not return to Him empty. May he bless each of us with gifts to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J