God Will Lift Up Your Heads

This morning my dear, sweet wife decided to do her grocery shopping and gave me the task of walking our dog, Jake.  He blesses our lives in a number of ways but perhaps the most important way is exercise.  Jake must be walked every morning.  In his mind there are no exceptions.  Jake has a little mail-dog in him, you know, "neither rain nor sleet..."

When I walk Jake by myself I usually listen to my iPod.  I've got something like 2000 songs downloaded so when I put it on shuffle there's no telling what might come up.  Today I received a pleasant surprise.

The Jars of Clay song, "God Will Lift Up Your Heads," comes from their album "Redemption Songs."  It features a series of hymns with modern pop arrangements.  The song is so encouraging because it reminds us, as we hear in the season of Advent, that we need to watch because we don't know when our Lord will return to gather up the people of His kingdom. The song has a fast beat and is very inspirational.

"God Will Life Your Heads" is adapted from Paul Gerhardt's magnificent hymn, "Give to the Winds Thy Fears."  Gerhardt is a 17th century Lutheran pastor, theologian, and hymn writer.  Today the church still sings many of his hymns, probably best known for "Now Sacred Head Now Wounded."

I don't know how Jars of Clay managed to find Gerhardt's hymn.  Traditionalist will probably be disappointed or even offended by the adaption of the hymn.  I usually am not a fan of those who take the hymns of the church, create a different arrangement, substitute words or create a chorus that repeats 70 X 7.  But there is something about this song that lifts up my heart as I sing.  You can find the song on YouTube.  Check it out.

I'm still mad about it!

I love watching my youngest grandson play on his club soccer team.  He is a very good player; high energy, scores lots of goals.  Since I loved playing sports in my younger days, I get real enjoyment from watching he and his team play.

Last Sunday, his team played a team from out of town.  Didn't know too much about them.  But it became clear just a few minutes into the game that their coach had told the kids to "play hard and rough and keep on until the official cautiones you to stop."

And that's what they did.  They repeatedly fouled our kids.  When one of them was in a position to take a clear shot at goal, the other team tackles, shoved, push, and body checked our player.  The referee, who was a collage age student with little experience, let it go on.  

We counted six times when our kids were knocked down and fouled.  Three times our grandson's coach had to carry kids off the field.  My grandson suffered a severe bruise when kicked by an opposing player.

In spite of all this, my grandson's team led two to one with just a few minutes left in the game.  But then they gave up a goal and when the final whistle was sounded, my grandson's team left the field with a two-two tie.  Poor kids, they were very upset.

Yesterday I learned that one of our kids, who was severely fouled, suffered a broken ankle.  He's having surgery today.  I know that accidents happen.  But it was no accident that he was brought down with such malice. If the referee had been in control of the game it might not have happened.

It seems to me that sports in general, are becoming rougher and rougher.  I can hardly stand to watch the NBA anymore.  The fouling and excessive physical play had turned me off.  Is this having an effect on the young athletes of today?  And are couches encouraging this kind of play?

I don't have any answers to the above questions.  I've just venting my anger and  disappointment.  I'll get back to more encouraging things next time around.

How do you tell someone in church to shut up!?

Yesterday my dear, sweet wife and I had the opportunity to worship at a church we had visited a year ago.  The worshippers there are very friendly, the worship service is done well and the pastor is a fine preacher.  We looked forward to hearing God's Word and receiving Holy Communion.

It started with the beginning of the Old Testament reading.  Two people directly behind us begin whispering to one another.  I couldn't really catch what they were saying but it must have been important because it continue throughout the readings and didn't stop even when the pastor began with his sermon.

My dear, sweet wife and I looked at one another.  We were puzzled.  What was so important that it had to be discussed at church right in the middle of the service? I kept thinking that it would eventually stop.  But it didn't.

What to do? We were visitors.  Is it appropriate to turn around and ask the offenders to be quiet? Would that have become even more of a distraction to the worshippers around us?  In the end we did nothing.  We toughed it out.

When we returned to our seats after communion we purposely sat farther her down the pew and away from the chatterboxes.  As we prepared to leave we took a good look at them - two older women who should have known better - and and made a mental note to sit as far away as possible from them the next time we visit.

In the end Sherri and I agreed that we did get the message the pastor delivered and we receive the Lord's body and blood in the Sacrament.  And we talked about some subtle ways we might "shush" a person the next time it happens.  Worship is too important to have it spoiled by some folks who don't seem to get it.

Justification - the Chief Article

For Lutherans, though, the doctrine of justification is the "chief article" upon the church stands or falls. Justification is the material principal of theology - that is the substantive content - to which the formal principal, the Word of God, testifies...every other teaching of Lutheranism - the Sacraments, Scripture, worship, vocation, the two kingdoms, prayer, the Christian life - has as its keystone our justification by Christ.

From "Authentic Christianity," Veith Jr. and Sutton, page 98, published by CPH

The Friday Funny on Saturday?

 A fellow went to the doctor who told him that he had a bad illness and only a year to live.

So he decided to talk to his pastor.
After the man explained his situation, he asked his Pastor if there was anything he could do.
"What you should do is go out and buy a late '70 or early '80 model Dodge Pickup," said the Pastor.
"Then go get married to the meanest woman you can find, and buy yourselves an old house trailer in the panhandle of Oklahoma."
The fellow asked, "Will this help me live longer?"
"No," said the pastor, "but it will make what time you do have seem like forever."

A very productive day

I've been doing some traveling lately but now getting back on track, so to speak.  Yesterday was one that left me feeling a little exhausted but very satisfied.

Read from the One Year Chronological Bible...prayed Daily Prayer...Listened to the Word of the Lord Stands Forever pod cast (highly recommend)...had a light breakfast...walked our dog, Jake...power washed the gunk from the north side of the house and also the deck (had a bit of trouble getting the thing working but when all was right, I was a master water blaster!)...had a light lunch...watched a great football match, Arsenal vs. PSG...put out all the deck furniture and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon...ate Mexican food prepared by my dear sweet wife...did the dishes (she cooks and I wash)...spend time with our youngest daughter and her family...watched St. Denis Medical (if you liked The Office, you'll like this sit-com)...read for about 45 minutes...then off to bed.  It was a full but productive day.