How like Noah and his family are we, kept safe by God within the confines of the ark, kept safe from the destruction without. Our ark is His church, where we are sheltered from the wrath of God by the covering of the righteousness of Christ.
Frank Starr, "Light for the Way," Book 1, page 9
Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home. Don't know who said it but it's true. We three (including Jake!) arrived home yesterday afternoon. Today we've began the difficult part of unpacking, trying to remember where everything goes and remembering to pace ourselves so that our backs don't give out!
While on the road I had a chance to finish Will Weedon's great book, "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey." I made note of some insightful writing on the Lord's Supper:
(Re: Words of Institution): They ingeniously allow Jesus Himself to tell us what he gives in the Sacrament and why He gives it. Page 52
He tells us it is His Body and it is the Body He gives us. That would be the same body which was born of the Virgin Mary and was nailed to the cross! He tells us it is His Blood, the Blood that stained the cross and spilled from wounds and wiped out the sins of the world. Page 53.
I highly recommend this book for your edification. You can order it from CPH.
Time for us to hit the road again. We've enjoyed our summer in Michigan. What's not to like? Relaxing on the beach...fun boating on the water...cheering grandkids on while watching football, soccer and golf...family dinners...relaxing on the deck...trying to beat my dear, sweet wife at ping-pong (rarely).
I also had the opportunity to preach on 11 occasions. Proclaiming the Word of God and administering the sacraments (besides giving the Lord's supper I also had the chance to baptize a new born--got through it without weeping). I connected so well with one church that they asked if I'd like to be their full-time pastor. I assured them that the Lord had in mind who their next pastor would be and that He simply wanted them to trust that this vacancy would ultimately work out for their good. I hope to join them next year as a worshipper.
I look forward to leading worship and preaching at Christ the Redeemer on October 18 and teaching on Thursday morning at Church of the Master, beginning November 5. I'm going to do a series called "The 3:16's." We'll start by exploring John 3:16 and then look at other 3:16's in Scripture and see how they relate to what might be the most popular verse in the Bible.
I'll check in about this time next week. Until then the Lord bless and keep you in His tender loving care.
From Will Weedon's wonderful book, "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey"
Re: John, chapter four:
The woman leaves her water jar when she runs away to tell the people in town about Jesus. Get it? She now has living water! She shouts in the middle of town for anyone to hear: "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?"
page 118
From the "Lutheran Book of Prayer"
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Yes, Lord God, dear Father, hallowed be Your name, both in us and throughout the world. Destroy and root out the abominations, idolatry and heresy of those who war against the Church: all false teachers and the divisive spirits who wrongly use Your name and in shameful ways take it in vain. They horribly blaspheme and insistently boast that in Your name they teach Your Word, when in reality it is the devil's deceit and trickery in the guise of Your name by which they seduce many poor souls throughout the world, even killing and shedding much innocent blood, and in such persecution they believe that they render a divine service.
Dear Lord God, convert and restrain them, that together we may hallow and praise Your Name both with true and pure doctrine and with a good and holy life. Restrain those who are unwilling to be converted so that they are forced to cease from misusing, defiling and dishonoring Your holy name and from misleading the poor people. Amen.
(page 56)
My dear, sweet wife received something called "Catalog Favorites" in the mail a few years ago. It included a variety of different items but what caught our eye was the t-shirts. Some of the sayings were laugh-out-loud funny. Here's a sample:
Mission is nothing more than the church in motion to dispense the gift of life and salvation that are in Christ Jesus.
Harold Senkbeil, "The Care of Souls," page 228
Have alb, will travel. Each summer we spend in Michigan I make myself available to do pulpit supply. Last year I preached a couple of times for a pastor friend in Grand Rapids. But this summer I was invited to preach 13 times with 10 of them at Trinity Lutheran in Paw Paw Michigan.
I don't know what the membership of the church is but they worship anywhere from 120 to 140 per Sunday. That puts them in the top 25 percent of churches worshipping 100 or more people in the LCMS. Also, while it is a congregation of mostly older believers there are a number of working parents with children to attend each Sunday. The congregation also offers a school - preschool through 8th grade.
The church offers two services - 9 am is their contemporary worship and at 11 am is the traditional service. Bible class and Sunday school are held in between the two services. Also two deaf members attend the early service. Since my former congregation had an active ministry to the deaf I was able to relate to this husband and wife, They were a delight. I brushed up on a few phrases like "peace be with you," Jesus loves you," and "This is the day the Lord has made."
The congregation is currently without a pastor. Last year an intentional interim pastor came and helped the congregation sort through some challenges. Since then they have issued and had returned two calls. They hope to send a call to a third pastor next month and if it is returned they were work through the process of having a graduate assigned to them.
The people there were so warm and friendly to Sherri and I. They were grateful for the ministry I was able to offer them and many urged us to join them again next summer, whether it be to provide pulpit supply (hopefully not) or to worship with them and a new pastor (yes!).
It's hard for a congregation to carry out ministry without a pastor leading the way. Join me in praying that the Lord, at just the right time, will send just the right pastor to serve this congregation by proclaiming the Gospel, administrating the sacraments and offering pastoral care and comfort.
How did God show His love to me just this past week? In the form of family members who laughed with me when I was happy and cried with me when I was sad. In the from of strength against temptation, healing for a hurting body, success in some venture, and guidance for some decision. God's love flows down on me constantly. Every day His love sends me valentines.
From "Together with Jesus," February 14
We added another candle to my birthday cake yesterday - 74 of them! My cake looked like it broke out into a prairie fire! I have been greatly blessed by so many who remembered my birthday yesterday with a card or gift or phone call or even a Facebook post! The church that I've been serving off and on this summer wished me a happy birthday with singing and cards. What a nice surprise! This outpouring of respect and affection reminded me of something I'd written down in my journal: Have a blessed day!
I walk through life together with others, and those others are people whom Christ has placed in my life. They are His gifts.
Just so we are clear about this...
It is not we who build. (Christ) builds the church. No man builds the church but Christ alone.
Countless studies have found that social relationships are the best guarantee of heightened well-being and lowered stress, both an antidote for depression and a prescription for high performance.
Shawn Achor, "The Happiness Advantage," page 14
All of life is lived from the standpoint of our baptism. It is the start and ending of our day, that event thata begins our life in Christ and will, on the day of our death, complete it.
William Weedon, "Thank, Praise, Serve, Obey," page 36.
On September 10, 2001, I flew from Hilton Head Island, SC to Washington DC to attend the New Pastors Orientation with the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. As we flew in to Reagan International Airport I was surprised how near the airport was to the Pentagon Building. It was almost that I could reach out and touch it.
That afternoon we heard a series of presentations and enjoyed a nice dinner. I met with a classmate and we had a enjoyable time together, sharing stories about Seminary life while we watched Monday Night Football. I slept well that night.
The next morning we met in the basement of the LCMS church in Alexandria, Va. We were not very far into the first presentation when the secretary of the church descended the steps into the basement. She was wiping tears from her eyes. She was choked up as she said, "The country is under attack."
We went upstairs to the reception area. A small television was on, the rabbit ears not providing a very clear picture. As looked on we then learned that a plane had flown into the Pentagon, the building I thought I could reach out and touch. It was hard to take it all in.
We went downstairs to pray and while we were gathered an Air Force pilot joined us. She reported that there was a fourth plane that had been hijacked and was headed back to DC. She related that the Air Force had been ordered to take the plane down if it was clear that the plane was headed toward the Capital. She asked for prayers for the pilots and the civilians on the plane. That flight later crashed in Shanksville Penn.
As I gathered my things the church secretary came to me and said, "George, we need to find another way for you to get home. All airports have been closed." Fortunately, my classmate told me he could drive me to Raleigh-Durham airport and see if I could rent a car to get the rest of the way home. And he said if we couldn't find a car he would drive me the rest of the way home.
As we drove out of Alexandra we were amazed at the number of American Flags hanging from overpasses. People stood on the side of the road waving the Flag. It was wonderful to see the patriotism.
We got to Raleigh-Durham and went to the Hertz desk. No cars. Then we drove over to the Avis lot. They had two cars left and they gave me one. No charge, just the promise that I would deliver it to the Hilton Head Island airport.
I kept the radio on as I drove home. In those early hours there was very little information available. President Bush promised that the perpetuators would be hunted down and destroyed.
I crawled into bed around 3 am. I hugged my dear, sweet wife hard. We gave thanks to God for His protection and asked that He comfort the families who lost loved ones and heal those who had suffered injuries.
That evening about 150 members of Congress gathered together to sing "God Bless America." And that was our prayer in the days, weeks, months and years to come.
But I am saddened that there are those, who live both outside but inside America who celebrate this day. One evil influencer says that America deserved 9/11. There are pockets of people in our Country who cry out "Death to America." What has happened to us? Why are those who enjoy life in America wish to destroy the freedoms we enjoy?
It moves me to sing with all the lung power I can muster, "God bless our native land; Firm may she very stand through storm and night. When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do now our country save, By Thy great might."
Lord, have mercy.
From "Luther - Biography of a Reformer" by Frederick Nohl, pages 45, 47. Concordia Publishing House
Turn today on its head. Slow down. Take your time. What doesn't get done today will wait until tomorrow. Spend time with the Lord. Be engaged with your family and friends. May the Lord answer this prayer for us all today - slow us down, O Lord!
"This chicken weighs one pound more," he announced. The woman pondered her options and then said, "OK, I'll take them both!"
From "Faith Alone," August 3 devotional reading
Don't know where I found this but I really like the thought:
How beautiful it is - to love a dog
for all their life,
and remember them
for all your life
1) No one asked me to go
From "Becoming a Person of Influence," page 155
For the more violently the world rages against the Gospel, the better the position of the Gospel is.
This should be a very pleasant comfort for us. For it is sure that the world hates and persecutes us for no other reason than that we present the truth of the Gospel. It does not accuse us of being thieves, adulterers, murderers, etc.; but what it despises in us is solely this, that we teach Christ faithfully and purely, and that we do not forsake the heritage of the truth.
Life is never hopeless when you are standing on God's Word and promises. Trust in the Lord. Your hope is in Him!
I have a ton of respect for Tim Tebow. His immense football talent was so often overlooked by his unapologetic confession of Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior. Tebow faced his critics head on by giving credit to God for the gifts that enabled him to be an athlete that accomplished so much. He won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player while playing at Miami and he led the Denver Broncos to an exciting playoff run in 2011.
I enjoyed reading his book, "Shaken," and copied down a couple of quotes that rang true:
"Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." Page 100
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Page 120
The delight and pleasure of God are in His beloved Son, and that is where we are too. What is ours is His; what is His is ours. So God delights in us too. If our hearts would take this in, Martin Luther said, that would burst for joy into a hundred thousand pieces. In a world that is given over to sin, death and the devil, there is one point where the delight of God dwells. "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." That is where we are in solidarity with Jesus. With Jesus there is God's delight. God, Christ, you - all together like one thing.
From "Selected Sermons of Norman Nagel" page 44
Only when we hear the bad news that makes us cry out, "Lord, have mercy," are we able to hear the Good News of "It is Finished!"
RJ Grunewald, "Reading Romans with Luther," page 52
1) Keeps reminding you that is was 65 degrees where he vacationed
From "Selected Sermons" page 139.
"To the extent we are Christians, we stand above the law and sin. Christ is the Lord of the law. He is present and locked in our hearts, just as a precious stone is firmly mounted in a ring. When the law accuses us and sin terrifies us, all we need do is look at Christ. When we have taken hold of Him in faith, we have the victory over the law, sin, death and the devil...Because Christ rules over all of these, we won't be harmed."
From "Faith Alone" devotional, July 14
1) Consultant suggests that the pastor change his name to "Max Lucado."
Those of you who regularly read the blog know that I am in the process of having a book of devotions published. This has become a more arduous and stressful task than I imagined.
I thought I would submit my manuscript and it eventually would come back to me in book form. Not so fast!
First, the manuscript went through the "content department." I'm working with a Christian publishing company and they have certain guidelines regarding how a few words can be used or not used. The manuscript came back with a some of these words highlighted. They were easily corrected. I thought we were on our way.
Instead, I received an email informing me that it would be best if I had a line by line edit of the manuscript. The cost of the service is based on the number of words included in the manuscript. My cost would be nearly $1000!
I was shocked. This was money that I hadn't expected to pay and my review of the corrections they were proposing didn't seem all that important. I was more than a little frustrated to say the least.
So I reached out to Jim, a good friend of mine and a published author. I respect his opinion and wanted to get his perspective. He responded with some very good insight about the importance of having another set of eyes taking a critical look at the manuscript. Yes, this service would bring about additional costs, Jim wrote, but it would be worth it if spelling errors, grammatical errors and the like were caught.
Jim helped me gain some perspective and enabled me to see that a line by line, word by word, edit would ensure that the book was as polished and attractive as possible. His advice and counsel made sense.
Isn't it a blessing to have good friends you can count on for compassionate help and wisdom. Jim provided that for me. I hope you have that good friend you can count on too.
Selected verses from Psalm 37.
"His Word will be that sharp-edged sword that will convict you when pride puffs you up, or be that soft blanket that comforts you when pain leaves you feeling wounded."
Joni Eareckson Tada, from "Joni and Ken - An Untold Love Story," page 179
1) Regrets that he named his first born son, "Tiger."
Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it was Monday, we thought it was Sunday.
A number of years ago I came across a poem that seemed to capture the frustration that sometimes comes when serving on a committee. Maybe you can relate. It went something like this:
"He is no fool who gives up that which he could never keep to gain that which he can never loose."
Jim Elliot
But Jesus says He is coming. When He does, it will not be as a judge to strike terror into my sinful heart. He comes as the "Son of Man," a term Jesus loved to use of Himself. That expression directs my eyes to a manger of straw, a cross of pain, a grave of victory. He's the One who came earlier to shoulder my sins, die my death, fill my grave. That's my Savior who's coming.
"Together With Jesus," November 26 devotion
In going through some old blog posts I discovered that back in 2015 I posted a number of Top Ten Lists - kind of like David Letterman's Top Ten Lists. So, for the next number of Friday's I'll be reprinting some of the lists.
10) Choir director: "We thought a country-western version of 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God' would go over well."
9) Fellowship chairperson: "I thought everyone would like liverwurst on a stick."
Becky Brown is a friend of mine. I got to know her through one of our former members at Life in Christ.
When a grandchild was born with numerous health issues her world was rocked. She spent much time in prayer and devouring the Scriptures. Through study and prayer she says God gave her insight into this challenge.
In an email she wrote: "The Lord doesn't waste opportunities for growth (and I am praying that I don't either). There are always purposes behind what we go through."
God doesn't always reveal why He allows the problems and disappointments that take place in our lives. But He promises to be with us and that nothing can separate us from His love.
Where do you see opportunities for growth in your life?
While going through one of my journals this morning I came across this good advice from former NBA basketball coach Jeff Van Gundy: Do not take criticism from people you wouldn't take advice from.
Every four years it rolls around. It captures the attention of the world. Even America is learning to love soccer ("football" every where else in the world)!
This year's World Cup started with 48 teams with countries from all over the world. The USA, Canada and Mexico served as hosts. The first match began on June 11 and the tourney finally reaches its conclusion tomorrow. Spain and Argentina will vie to raise the cup in front of their multitude of fans. Both countries will be well represented.
Spain are the favorites. They feature one of the best players in the world in Rodri and one of the best young players in Lamine Yamal. And Argentina has the GOAT (Greatest Player of All Time), Leo Messi. Any team that features Messi cannot be counted out. I won't be surprise if Argentina finds a way to victory. They would be the only team in decades to lift the trophy in consecutive World Cups.
I fell in love with soccer in 2005. I suppose I was like most Americans - I thought soccer is boring, no team ever scores, all they do is kick the ball back and forth, etc. But then I started watching more closely. I discovered that these athletes are in amazing condition - some run 13 to 15 miles in a single match. How they can control the ball by using their hands is a marvel. To watch a team move the ball down the pitch, utilizing short, accurate passes until the ball is passed in the box and kicked into the net is a marvelous thing to see.
Tomorrow I preach two services and conduct a Bible class in Paw Paw, Michigan. When the last hymn is sung, my dear, sweet wife and I will head back home, change clothes and celebrate my Son-in-Law's birthday. And we'll sit right in front of the tv and watch Argentina beat Spain 3-2!
Well, I can dream, cant' I?
"Thus before our Lord God, death is not death but a sleep. For us, when we die it is and is termed death, but before God is it but a sleep and a very light sleep at that."
Martin Luther, as quoted in "Thank, Praise, Serve, Obey" page 158
The word, "confess," means to speak the same thing as God does about our sin.
William Weedon, "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey," page 75
Faith can transform reason, but nothing can be as unreasonable as unbelief.
Frank Starr, "Light for the Way," book 4, page 20
In the spring I reached an agreement with Westbow Press to self-publish my first book - "Hope Upon Hope - Encouraging Words When Your Life Needs a Lift."
Westbow has very specific instructions for self-publishing; I didn't know there would be so much detail - size of book, size of font, cover work, inside design and the list goes on and on.
First stop for the book is the Content Department; they will make sure that the material I've wrote is in keeping with their editorial guidelines. From there it will go to Design and when they have put together a mock up of the book, I'll get a chance to review and make sure I'm satisfied with what they've done. After that the book gets printed and the finished product will land on my doorstep. I must say, I can't wait to see how all this turns out.
Westbow has an online store from which the book can be purchased. There is a possibility that the book will be available on Amazon. I'll know more about distribution in a few months.
I thank the Lord for this opportunity and my dear, sweet wife for her belief that I should move forward with getting my book published. I'll keep you friendly readers posted on its progress.
Thank you God, through Your dear Son
That with the Spirit, three in one
You kept me safe all through the night
And I awoke to see the light
Be with me throughout the day
Let nothing evil pass my way
This life on earth, I live for You
My soul and body and all things
I trust to You, You are my King
Your holy angels keep me near
The evil one I will not fear
Amen.
Note: I haven't been able to confirm that Luther actually wrote the above prayer. It may be that someone else took Luther's Morning Prayer, found in the Catechism, and wrote a simple version that children could memorize and use.
1st Commandment, paragraph 41
"Therefore, there is no nobler prayer to be found upon earth than the Lord's Prayer. We pray it daily (Matt. 6:11) because it has this excellent testimony, that God loves to hear it. We ought not to surrender this for all the riches of the world.
Martin Luther, "Large Catechism," part 3, para. 23, "Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions"
"Let our Father be in heaven; join Him there through your words. Defy gravity and stand beside Him. That's the action of God in prayer."
The sainted Daniel Paavola, "Our Way Home," page 37
I will be taking a little break from the blog for the next 10 days. I'll be doing some traveling - fulfilling a bucket list item for my dear, sweet wife.
The good news is that I have finished all the work on my book and I'll will be forwarding everything to the printer and hope to receive some kind of timeline on when they might have the book ready.
Looking forward to reconnecting with you on July 1st. God's blessings!
The delight and pleasure of God are in His beloved Son, and that is where we are too. What is ours is His; what is His is ours. So God delights in us too. If our hearts would take this in, Martin Luther said, they would burst for joy in a hundred thousand pieces. In a world that is given over to sin, death and the devil, there is one point where the delight of God dwells. "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." That is where we are in solidarity with Jesus. With Jesus there is God's delight. God, Christ, you -- all together like one thing.
"Selected Sermons of Norman Nagel" page 44
The difference between a professional and an amateur?
If you are looking for family friendly entertainment look no further than the film, "The Breadwinner," and I encourage you to see it this weekend.
The film stars Nate Bargatze who also wrote the film. He plays Nate Wilcox, a car salesman, who suddenly finds himself as "Mister Mom" when his wife, played by Mandy Moore, invents a product, finds an investor on "Shark Tank" and needs to leave Nate in charge of their three daughters while she travels to promote her invention.
Bargatze is clueless as a father. He has no idea where his kids go to school. He is hopeless in the kitchen. He hires the worst roofer in town. He tries to run the household like a car dealership and chaos ensues. Clearly he is not cut out to be in charge of the household.
If you like Bargatze's style of humor then you'll like the movie. He is extremely likable. Some of the scenes in the picture are based on his stand up comedy. He often fails in the "Mr. Mom" department but his character is sincere, wants his wife not to worry about the family, and shows love and understand for his daughters (the three actors do a fine job).
My dear, sweet wife gave the movie 4 stars; I give it 31/2 stars. Some of the scenes fall a little flat. Still, I think it's a good first effort from Bargatze. This kind of family oriented entertainment is rare. So, if you've got some free time this weekend take 90 minutes and see "The Breadwinner."
From To Live in Christ, page 323
"Like the Law, the Gospel is also necessary; unlike the Law, the Gospel doesn't make any demands. The Gospel makes only promises"
RJ Grunewald "Reading Romans with Luther" page 49
n England, on the base of a statue of Jesus with arms outstretched were the words, "Come unto me." After the war, an artist was hired to restore that statue, shattered by German bombs. But he couldn't find Jesus' hands. So he left the statue without them and changed the wording on the base to read, "Christ has no hands, but ours."
We learned this morning that Mikayla Anderson, daughter of our dear friend, Grace Keedy Anderson, suddenly died this morning. She was the recipient of a heart transplant three years ago. A number of weeks ago she suffered a heart attack and had to be resuscitated several times. Over the past couple of weeks she seemed to be improving, baby steps they called it, and her future looked hopeful. News of her passing has left Sherri and me shocked and saddened.
There are no words that we can speak but the Commendation of the Dying includes this prayer: O God, the Father, fountain and source of all goodness, we give thanks that You have kept Mikayla in the faith and have taken her to Yourself. Comfort Grace and her family by your Holy Word and give them strength that when their last hour comes they may peacefully fall asleep in You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prof. John Pless hits the proverbial nail on the head:
While Lutherans also confess that God is almighty, Lutheran theology does not begin with His majesty but with His mercy in Christ.
From Handling the Word of Truth, page 101
Erasmus
But when we make church about us, we can expect two things: shallow friendships and shallow faith.
Sharon Hodle Miller, "Free of Me," page 117
The original sin in a man is like his beard, which, though shaved off today so that a man is very much smooth around his mouth, yet grows again by tomorrow morning...Just as original sin remains in us and desires itself as long as we live, but we must resist it and always cut off its hair.
Martin Luther (as only he could describe it)
from Trevor Sutton, "Being Lutheran," page 3