Top 10 Hymns of a Lukewarm Church!

1. A Comfy Mattress Is Our God
2. Joyful, Joyful, We Kinda Like Thee
3. Above Average is Thy Faithfulness
4. Lord, Keep Us Loosely Connected to Your Word
5. All Hail the Influence of Jesus’ Name
6. My Hope is Built on Nothing Much
7. Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound
8. My Faith Looks Around for Thee
9. Be Thou My Hobby

10. O God, Our Enabler in Ages Past 

Bye-Bye Bible Class

I retired in 2021 and I have to admit that I didn't have a plan for what to do next.  My wife gave me a set of brand new gold clubs.  I began playing and the more I played the worse I got.  I kept the pro shop in business by buying golf balls to replace the ones I'd lost.  I also started taking guitar lessons; I've been playing for years but I thought it would be good to have some proper lessons.  I think my teacher was relieved when I told him I was going to stop.  8 year old kids seemed to be progressing faster than myself.

In time a couple of opportunities opened up that I have thoroughly enjoyed.  I've been teaching a Thursday morning Bible class at Church of the Master in Phoenix.  This is a long-running class and we've had students from four different churches in attendance each week.  I share the class with another pastor.  I do six months and he fills the other six.  This works well for me. It means that I can pour a lot of time preparing for class each week but then take a nice break, refreshed and ready to resume when it's my turn again..

We finished the Acts of the Apostles last week and today we'll take some time to share what we've learned from Peter and Paul and the members of the first Christian church of Jerusalem.  We've taken a good look at some of the heroes of the early church; we've seen how the Holy Spirit had broken down barriers so that the Jews would see that it was God's will that Gentiles would be received in the church; we've watched as Jesus' words in Acts 1:8 were fulfilled by Paul and others by their missionary travels; we've marveled at the faith of Paul as he continually trusted in God's promises, in spite of beatings, shipwrecks' and every other disaster that came his way.

I have especially enjoyed being with the class each Thursday.  They have shown a strong desire Bible study and to "hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them," (as the old Collect prayer teaches).  They are also fun to be with and, as an added bonus, serve the best table of goodies I've ever seen (and being on a diet since January, I've haven't been able to try a one of them!).

I also wrap up my six months of service this Sunday at Chris the Redeemer in Phoenix.  Leading worship, preaching God's Word and administering the Sacraments has been a blessing and opportunity I didn't imagine I would have.  I will certainly enjoy my time but will look forward to being back in November.  Until then, I'd better stock up on gold balls.  Fore!!

  

A Word for Parents

As parents and grandparents we should never underestimate the influence we have upon our children and grandchildren.  They watch us carefully.  Our words soak deeply into their heads and hearts.  Studies indicate that even our teens watch and listen to us, yes, even when it seems that they have tuned us out.  Our example matters!

I don't know who penned the poetry below but the message is one worth pondering:

To hear my child at prayer, what a thrill it is to me!
There's a sweetness in the moment, as he speaks on bended knee.
And yet my heart is smitten, at this touching moment I see,
Has his faith and trust in prayer, depended much on me?

As I see him fold his hands, and bow his head to pray,
I trust he'll always love the Lord, the way he does today.
Then I hear a voice within me, speak in solemn words and true,
How he lives a life of prayer, depends a lot on you.

So I kneel next to my bed, and lay my hand upon him,
After he has voiced his prayer, I add my own petition
May my son recall one day, that his father daily raised,
His voice to thank the Lord, and make the sacrifice of praise!

Dads and Moms, do you think much about the example you are setting for your kids? Do they see you in prayer? Do they find you reading your Bible? The next time you are tempted to "veg out" in from of the TV, try something different.  Gather the kids together and tell stories.  Talk about a favorite family vacation.  Share the funny story you heard.  Read Bible stories to your kids.  Tell them what Jesus means to you.  Share your faith in God and encourage your kids in their walk of faith.  Most of all, ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit and His love so that you might always be that Godly example that your kids and grandkids need to see. 

As I pray dear Jesus, hear me

As I pray dear Jesus, hear me; let Your Word in me take root.

May Your Spirit e'er be near me, That I may bear abundant fruit.

May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise.

Till my highest praise is given, In the endless joys of heaven.

Lutheran Service Book - #589:4 

We have no corpse!

 A Christian preacher was preaching in the bazaars of India, and a Mohammedan said, "Padre Sahib, we have proof in our religion that you've haven't got in yours.  We can go to Mecca and find the tomb of Mohammed, but when you go to Palestine you can't be sure that you've got the tomb of Jesus."  "Yes," said the Christian preacher, "You're right.  We have no tomb in Christianity because we have no corpse."

E. Stanley Jones, Christian missionary and author

He is not here! He is risen!

 

A prayer for Good Friday

Lord Jesus Christ, I know I will never be forsaken by God the Father because You are my Savior and my atonement - You, who hung forsaken on the cross at Golgotha for me.  Even if I never finish what I ought to do and want to do in thankfulness and love for what You did for me, I can still know that You completed everything, even what I was supposed to do.  You took upon Yourself all my guilt, all my trespasses, and everything I was responsible for.  You took my sin upon Yourself when God saw it and it had to be consumed by the burning coals of His holy fire.  I know I can never thank You enough for what You did out of love for me.  Yet, I know You did it so I would receive it free of charge.  Therefore, I stretch my hands out to Your cross and take hold of it, praying that I may rest under its blessed arms, now and forever.  Amen.

Bo Giertz, from To Live With Christ 

The Devil loses it when...

Christians won't offer forgiveness to those who have sinned against them

Christians who won't seek reconciliation with those who they have sinned against

Christians talk behind one another's backs

Christians won't give one another the benefit of the doubt

Christians who refuse to love their neighbor 

Released from a prison of fear

I've spent some time in prison.  I was there because I put myself there.  It was so stupid.  I couldn't sleep.  I was anxious and distressed.  My heart was restless.  My stomach was tied up in knots.  It was horrible.

I was being held captive in a prison of fear.  Afraid of an individual.  Afraid of the trouble the person might cause me.  Afraid of the hurt the person might cause others.  I didn't want to see the person.  Didn't want to have anything to do with the individual.  I would have been glad if they had just gone away.  But that wasn't going to happen.  And I was going to have to deal with this person.

God had mercy on me, His weak and silly child.  God sprung me from my prison cell.  The key that he used to unlock my cell door was His Holy Word.  I read the words: When I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God, whose Word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

In these precious words the psalmist was reminding me that faith trumps fear! There was no reason to pull closed the cell door of my self-imposed prison.  God is greater than my fear.  He is more powerful and wise than any of my adversaries.  According to the psalmist, God had my back, so to speak.  I didn't have to be afraid of the troublemaker.  God was with me.  Praise His comforting Word! How grateful I was to my Lord and Savior for springing me from captivity.

The apostle Peter wrote: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  Trust God.  He does care for you.  Tell Him about your adversaries and your problems.  And don't be afraid.  Walk before God in the light of life.  (Psalm 56:13) 

Are you a pro or an amateur?

Here is some good food for thought as it relates to your work or your hobby or anything that you are pursuing.

"Amateurs practice until they get it right.  Professionals practice until it cannot go wrong."  This is what a voice teacher once said to actress Julie Andrews.

Are you a professional or an amateur?

From April 2015

How Great Is God's Love For You?

Philippians 2:5-11 tells us of the great sacrifice the Lord taking on our sin and our punishment.  Only One with a great love for do such a thing for the undeserving.  Learn more this Sunday at Christ the Redeemer, 43rd Avenue and Olive in Phoenix.  The service  begins at 9 am.  Blessings!

CWF Walther on Worship

The sainted Dr. C.F.W. Walther, the first president of the LCMS, offered these thoughts about worship in a sermon...

To (a Christian, Sunday) is the most precious day of the entire week, when he can step back from the daily grind and rejoice.  He would not give up his dear Sunday, when he is permitted rest, for all of the world's goods and money.

On the Sabbath, the true Christian studies God's Word.  He reads it, hears it, considers it, and speaks with others about it.  The true Christian not only hears God's Word with his ears, but he is also sanctified by it, increasing in knowledge, in faith, in love, in hope, in humility, in patience and in all other Christian virtues.  For this reason, he prays to God, going to and leaving from church that he might continue to grow in His Word.

Oh, when the observance of the Sabbath happens in a Christian manner, then each Sunday illumines all other days with its heavenly shine, the pearl and crown of all days, the right Sabbath eve on earth, after which will come the eternal Sabbath in heaven.

What is the essence of faith?

For that is the essence of faith - that we take Christ at His Word.  We really have been redeemed from sin, death and hell.  We really are called to deny self in response to that good news.  We really are called to follow Christ, carrying willingly, even joyfully, the cross He sends out of love for us.

Daniel Deutschlander, The Theology of the Cross, page 89, Northwestern Publishing House 

This is the day the Lord has made!

The Day of the Lord...

A day filled with many blessings from God for His dearly beloved children.

A day in which all our needs will be met and then some.

A day to rejoice in the redemption that is ours by faith in Christ Jesus.

A day for the Holy Spirit to grow and nurture our faith.

This is the day the Lord has made.

Rejoice in it!

How will you respond?

Consider the price of this ransom, look carefully at this captive.  He is the Son of God who is greater than all creation. How will you respond when you hear that such a priceless ransom was paid for your sins?  Will you still want to offer your works done under the law? What is the works of all men, the suffering of the martyrs, and the obedience of the holy angels compared with what the Son of God has given in His death, even death on a cross?

Martin Luther, from "Treasury of Daily Prayer," page 155.