Bringing Gifts

They followed the star

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 

                                                                                  (Matt 3:9-11 KJV)

Reminiscent of the journey of the three wise men who followed the star bearing gifts for the baby Jesus people around the world give gifts to the children during the Christmas season. 

Annually, U.S. Marines around the world, have toy fund-raisers so that they can give gifts to children. Santa Claus normally delivers them for the Marines. When we lived in Rota, Spain these gifts were given on Epiphany which is also known as Three Kings Day after the three wise men. Three of the Marines would dress up as the wise men and deliver the gifts to  the children at the local orphanage.

The wise men followed the star to bring gifts to the baby Jesus to worship and honor him. They blessed this child with lavish gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. May God help us to honor and bless every child born as they did our Savior not just one a year but every day as Jesus himself is the gift that keeps on giving.  Thanks be to God for Jesus the King above all kings.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

How Did They Know Them?

His Face Did Shine Like The Sun

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 

                                                                                   (Matt 17:1-7 KJV)

How did they know? How did they know that the two talking with Jesus were Moses and Elijah? Scripture does not tell us how they knew. Maybe, it was from the content of the conversation. Maybe, their history and their traditions stirred something in them so that they just felt it and knew it within their own spirits. Maybe, the Holy Spirit moving upon them, inspired and told them. Maybe it was a little of all these things combined.

How can we know anything? We can know by the testimony of two or three witnesses. This testimony, of three, is found in the reading: "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him'” (Matt 17:5)

The same words spoken by the Father at Jesus' baptism were spoken at his transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. listen to him!"

The three disciples, in fear and trembling, witnessed the glory of Jesus Christ, our LORD, at his transfiguration. May God prepare our hearts and minds to witness the full glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Where Two Or Three Are Gathered

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt 18:19-20 KJV)

I have not yet found a permanent place to worship since my retirement. I have resisted leading Worship or Sunday School in my home - until yesterday. There were three of us including a young girl who has also been wanting to be able to learn more about Jesus. Our scripture lesson was from Matthew: the two greatest commandments according to Jesus. We also discussed how those two commandments cover all ten that were given to Moses. 

We are a small group. It reminds of my time serving Keweenaw Lutheran Ministries as a mission developer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1990's. I led worship at four or five different locations every week in addition to a couple of Bible Studies. Attendance could get very low. There was one time that Eva Komula (keyboard musician) from Mohawk and I were leading worship at the historic Lutheran church in Jacobsville. It was the first service after the church was opened in the spring. The snow was still on the ground and it was cold! We had to walk in to the church from the road because the driveway was still too snowy to drive in. We were the only one's there. Eva insisted that we should worship even though there were only two of us. We did. What a wonderful, faithful companion in the ministry she was! There were only two of us in the flesh present that evening; but, Jesus was with us as he is whenever two or three are gathered in his name; as he is all of the time. Fortunately, the following Sundays were a bit warmer and less snowy and attendance grew. 

There were three of us gathered to hear the Word of the Lord yesterday morning: three plus Jesus. If it is God's will, we will grow. But, in the meantime where two or three are gathered Jesus is there so we will continue in the knowledge that he hears our prayers and answers.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Communicate Truthfully

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

                         (Matt 26:59-61 KJV)

Jesus was crucified, not on any real evidence of blasphemy because there was no evidence. But, that did not stop false witnesses from coming forward and twisting Jesus' words to make them sound like the words meant something that they did not mean. He was speaking of his own death and resurrection. But, those who wanted him gone accepted it to mean that he was able to and going to destroy the Jewish Temple and if he chose would miraculously build it up in three days. No one could do that except God. It was God's temple to do with as He pleased, not Jesus'; therefore, blasphemy...

Scripture requires two or more witnesses and that would mean reliable eye-witnesses, not false witnesses, to find a person guilty. Perjuring yourself to assist in finding another person guilty of a crime that was not committed is a sin. It is definitely against the law. Well; that is, it is a crime in a court of law. Whether that law is valid in every hearing today is a bit questionable. 

Apparently, lying about others isn't so bad if you haven't taken an oath to tell the truth. We hear it and read it all of the time in the various forms of media. We even hear it after someone takes the oath. Perjury, as previously noted, is illegal and could get you jail time yourself.

One of my pet peeves is the lack of ability to communicate; especially the inability to understand what others actually mean. This country is diverse whether everyone wants to acknowledge it or not. Diversity includes people from many ethnic backgrounds; from many cultures; from different generations; from various regions. The words one person uses to say something does not always mean the same thing to the person who hears it. 

One of my granddaughter's uses the words "passed out" to mean she fell asleep. I guess that is how many in her generation describe being so tired they fall asleep without trying. I've asked her not to use those words to describe falling asleep as to me and to many of my generation it means got so drunk they fell asleep or "passed out." I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about her. 

As we are so diverse, maybe it's time before we jump to judgment on what someone is saying that we begin attempting to understand who the speaker is and where the speaker is coming from. That seems to be a much better solution to some of the communication issues in this country than slandering the speaker and ending up a false witness to what was actually said.

None of this is not to say that we should not speak the truth. The truth does need to be communicated. Let us communicate it plainly without false accusations. And... if what you are relating is a joke or satire; please, present it in a way that people know that it is. 

May God help us to refrain from passing false judgment on those whom we are unable to understand or relate to. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Eighth Commandment

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

                                                                 (Luther's Small Catechism)

False Witnesses

“One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established." (Deut 19:15 NKJV)

"Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses." (1 Tim 5:19)

In spite of the many false witnesses who testified against Jesus, Herod found him to be innocent. But; because Herod worried about his own future, Jesus was crucified anyway.

Lives can be and often are destroyed by slander; by false witnesses. It has most likely been so since the beginning of time; otherwise, why would the law of Moses have insisted upon at least two witnesses? Why would Paul recommend that an accusation not be heard if there are not at least two witnesses? 

Evil abounds. Let us not contribute to evil by repaying evil with evil. May God help us to discern what is good; do what is right; do what is just; and not what is profitable for ourselves. If others act unjustly, we must remain just. 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

                                                            (Romans 12:19-21)

May the Lord protect us and keep us. (Num 6:24) May the Lord deliver His servants from the evil one. (Matt 6:13)

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 

It Is Not Good To Be Alone

Jim and Sam - partners for and in life.

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
                                            (Eccl 4:9-12)

At worship yesterday, on Trinity Sunday, two of our members, stood before God and the congregation as they made a commitment to be there for each other for all the days of their lives. They asked God to bless their lives together that they might serve Him even more fully. As a gift to them, I gave them the cincture that I was wearing. Fastening this cord of three strands loosely around their wrists as a symbol that they were being bound together as one and that their commitment to each other would not be broken. It would not be broken because it is not just their love and commitment to each other that will keep them together. That cord of three strands: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit will bless their lives together and will be there to help keep them together.

The commitment between a man and a woman, who love each other, to be there for each other is such a joy for me to witness. Being alone in this crazy world is not usually a good thing. It is very good for most of us to have someone to share our lives and our love with. The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Gen 2:18 NIV)

This is what marriage is about: a partnership. It is about two people being there for each other; supporting each other in good times and bad; encouraging each other; serving God and the community of saints as one; by the power of God's love.

When the rest of the world ignores you; you will have (hopefully) someone who will not.

May God bless your lives with someone to share your love and your life with on earth even as our Father in heaven loves us all. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Children Belong In Our Father's House

  

Brothers and sisters of all ages together in our Father's House of Worship.

   After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

   “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:43-49 NIV)

Mary and Joseph left for home and didn't even realize that they had left Jesus behind in Jerusalem. Like most parents, they were probably pretty panicked when they realized He was not with them. They rushed back to find Him in the temple. Mary was probably relieved; but, still a bit a bit upset as any mother would be. "Why would you do something like this to us? Why would you make us worry like that? Jesus' reply was a question. He asked, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

Didn't you know? Didn't you know that the children belong in our Father's house so that they can be loved and nurtured and taught by the community of saints that gathers there? After all, shouldn't all of God children be in house where they can learn of and know and feel our Father's love for them?  Shouldn't they be there not just for special required festivals, but as often as they can? Our Father's house is a place where children can learn to be accepted and loved unconditionally (at least I am hoping everyone accepts all children unconditionally). It is a place where they should be able to learn to accept others and love them unconditionally, as well. Our Father's house is a place where they will learn that when they become adults, they will have a place, a family, to go to when they are all alone, no matter where in the world they might find themselves. May God grant that not only will children be welcomed into every Christian congregation, but that their parents would desire to join them in our Father's house.

May all of the children of God desire to spend much time with their brothers and sister in Christ as we gather together to worship and learn and sing songs of praise in our Father's house.

God's Peace - Pr. J