Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
My wife a NASCAR racer?
While rummaging through the house the other day, I saw some pictures that reminded me when my dear, sweet wife went for a ride in an official NASCAR vehicle.
This happened over 10 years ago but it is something that we still talk about. One Christmas I gave Sherri as a gift a ride along pass for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. She had to wait eight months to redeem the pass but it turned out to be worth the wait.
Before Sherri could get in the car she had to fill out about 24 release of liability forms (or so it seemed). Then she was fitted with a helmet and before you could say, "Gentlemen, start your engines," Sherri and her driver, a guy named Mike, roared out of the pit area, making speeds up to 145 miles per hour. The kids and I loved it and at the end of four laps Sherri climbed out of the car weak-kneed and with a huge grin on her face.
As we drove back home after Sherri's great day at the track, it occured to me that, in a small way, her gift mirrored the great gift God has given to us. Sherri received her gift on Christmas day. For eight months she'd had that gift in her possession. Finally, on a Monday in August, Sherri enjoyed the gift.
In the same way, all who trust Jesus as Savior from sin and death have new life right now. John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. That is God's sure and certain promise that no one can take away. We will enjoy the gift in all its fullness when Jesus returns to gather His church on the Last Day. But we hold the gift now. The writer to the Hebrews wrote: For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
May we all rejoice in this precious gift of new life in Christ, whether we are working in our yard, laboring at our work, or flying around a race track at 145 mph!
This happened over 10 years ago but it is something that we still talk about. One Christmas I gave Sherri as a gift a ride along pass for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. She had to wait eight months to redeem the pass but it turned out to be worth the wait.
Before Sherri could get in the car she had to fill out about 24 release of liability forms (or so it seemed). Then she was fitted with a helmet and before you could say, "Gentlemen, start your engines," Sherri and her driver, a guy named Mike, roared out of the pit area, making speeds up to 145 miles per hour. The kids and I loved it and at the end of four laps Sherri climbed out of the car weak-kneed and with a huge grin on her face.
As we drove back home after Sherri's great day at the track, it occured to me that, in a small way, her gift mirrored the great gift God has given to us. Sherri received her gift on Christmas day. For eight months she'd had that gift in her possession. Finally, on a Monday in August, Sherri enjoyed the gift.
In the same way, all who trust Jesus as Savior from sin and death have new life right now. John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. That is God's sure and certain promise that no one can take away. We will enjoy the gift in all its fullness when Jesus returns to gather His church on the Last Day. But we hold the gift now. The writer to the Hebrews wrote: For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
May we all rejoice in this precious gift of new life in Christ, whether we are working in our yard, laboring at our work, or flying around a race track at 145 mph!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Who Wants a Free Booklet?
My friends at "Time of Grace," the great television ministry seen in the Phoenix area every Sunday at 7 am on channel 10, have passed along to me a number of copies of Pastor Mark Jeske's new booklet, "Fathers and Mothers." Raising a family these days is hard, challenging work. Our broken economy puts lots of pressure on Moms and Dads trying to pay the bills and take care of their kids. Pastor Jeske offers a number of tips and ideas on how Fathers and Mothers can love and support each other and, in turn, bless their children too. The booklet will be available in the Narthex at church on Sunday. Pick one up for yourself (if you're a parent) or for your children (if they are parents) or for a friend, family acquaintance, co-worker or neighbor. I believe you'll find "Fathers and Mothers" to be a most helpful resource.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The Most Interesting Man in the World
Everything He says...happens.
He walks on water. By the way, He created the water.
He is fully God and fully man. That's right, you heard me.
On Christmas, you celebrate His birthday but He gives the gifts. Actually, He is the gift. How do you top that?
He loved you enough not to fight for His own life.
His presence often strikes fear in people - must be the nail-scarred hands.
The President of the United States won't give you the time of day. He'll give you all the time you want.
Thirsty, my friends? Read John, chapter four to learn how to quench your thirst.
He walks on water. By the way, He created the water.
He is fully God and fully man. That's right, you heard me.
On Christmas, you celebrate His birthday but He gives the gifts. Actually, He is the gift. How do you top that?
He loved you enough not to fight for His own life.
His presence often strikes fear in people - must be the nail-scarred hands.
The President of the United States won't give you the time of day. He'll give you all the time you want.
Thirsty, my friends? Read John, chapter four to learn how to quench your thirst.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Is Jesus Really Serious?
If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Does Jesus really mean this? Come and find out this Sunday. Worship at Life in Christ takes place at 8 and 10:45 am with Bible class for adults and Sunday school, confirmation and High School classes at 9:20 am. Join us!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Luther Says!
Imagine there was a doctor somewhere who understood the art of saving people from death or, even though they died, could restore them quickly to life so that they would afterward live forever. Oh, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain. No one could find access to him because of the throng of the rich! But here in Baptism there is freely brought to everyone's door such a treasure and medicine that it utterly destroys and preserves all people alive.
From the Large Catechism, part four - Baptism, paragraph 43
From the Large Catechism, part four - Baptism, paragraph 43
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Sign of the Cross
Finishing up my confirmation lesson for this Sunday. We've started the year by studying the Sacrament of Holy Baptism - a good place to begin because for most of us Baptism is when we entered God's Kingdom. Ordinary water and God's extraordinary Word came together to bring about a washing away of sins and our adoption into God's family.
In the baptismal liturgy we say to the one being baptized: "Receive the sign of the cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified." The sign of the cross is one way for a person to appreciate their Baptism, especially if they were baptized as an infant. So I'm going to teach the kids how to do this.
Do you know how to make the sign of the cross? The left hand is laid flat against the body midway down the chest. The right hand traces the sign by touching the forehead with the index and middle fingers...then moving down to touch the chest just above the left hand...then the right hand is raised to touch the right shoulder and then finishes by touching the left shoulder. Some make the sign by concluding by touching the heart, the place where faith resides.
Lutheran worship is not a passive act. We use our whole bodies to worship God on Sunday morning. We stand; fold our hands to pray or extend our hands to others in extending God's peace; bow our heads in awe and respect; we use our voices to speak and sing. Making the sign of the cross at appropriate times during worship is one more way we use our bodies during worship. All these actions help us to express the faith that we believe and confess. They give testimony to everyone else in worship of our love and devotion for our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the baptismal liturgy we say to the one being baptized: "Receive the sign of the cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified." The sign of the cross is one way for a person to appreciate their Baptism, especially if they were baptized as an infant. So I'm going to teach the kids how to do this.
Do you know how to make the sign of the cross? The left hand is laid flat against the body midway down the chest. The right hand traces the sign by touching the forehead with the index and middle fingers...then moving down to touch the chest just above the left hand...then the right hand is raised to touch the right shoulder and then finishes by touching the left shoulder. Some make the sign by concluding by touching the heart, the place where faith resides.
Lutheran worship is not a passive act. We use our whole bodies to worship God on Sunday morning. We stand; fold our hands to pray or extend our hands to others in extending God's peace; bow our heads in awe and respect; we use our voices to speak and sing. Making the sign of the cross at appropriate times during worship is one more way we use our bodies during worship. All these actions help us to express the faith that we believe and confess. They give testimony to everyone else in worship of our love and devotion for our Lord Jesus Christ.
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