Max Lucado wisdom

There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror.  Your future matters more than your past.

Join us at Life in Christ this weekend for worship!

I have to keep this short - Our dog, Jake, is ready for his walk and he doesn't like to wait!

So, here you go...service today at 5 pm - services tomorrow at 8, 9:30 and 11 am.

Uh oh - Jake is giving me that look!

See you this weekend!

What will they say about you?

After dying in a car crash, three friends go to Heaven for orientation.

They were all asked the same question: “When you are in the casket, friends and family are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?”

The first guy immediately responds, “I would like to hear them say that I was one of the greatest doctors of my time and a great man.”

The second guy says, “I would like to hear them say that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow.”


The last guy thinks a minute and replies, “I’d like to hear them say…LOOK! HE’S MOVING!!!”

Hymnody as prayer

The hymn book is also a fine prayer book.  I found a hymn stanza the perfectly captured the condition of my heart today.

Holy Spirit, joy divine, Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
 Yield a sacred, settled peace, Let it grow and still increase.

Holy Spirit, Light Divine, "Lutheran Service Book," #496

Just look at Jesus

If you want to know how far God is willing to go to demonstrate His love for you, look at Jesus.  If you want to know how much God wants to be involved in your life, look at Jesus.

Nelson Searcy & Jennifer Dykes Henson, "The New You." page 87.

Only Luther could describe baptism in this way

Jesus sticks Himself in the water so that when we go into the water we come out with Him.

As found in "Why Am I Joy:Fully Lutheran?" by Matthew C Harrison, page 142

Through His Blood

I have to have some blood drawn today.  I have a surgical procedure coming up in a couple of weeks so I need give some of my blood away for testing.

Drawing blood is a relatively easy procedure.  Usually, I'm in and out in about five minutes.  Still, there's a needle in involved.  When it's all over with, I'm usually pretty glad to get back to my car and drive away.

I reluctantly give blood.  Jesus willingly gave His blood.  For us.  For our salvation.

Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.  Acts 28:28b

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us.  Ephesians 1:7

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood.  Hebrews 13:12

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.  1 John 1:7

A nurse sticks a needle into my arm to draw a little blood.  A Roman soldier drove nails in Jesus' hands and feet.  Later, a spear was driven between His ribs, puncturing His heart. 

It is easy for me to give blood.  To give His blood, it cost Jesus His very life.

I give blood to be assured of my own health.  Jesus gave blood not for Himself but for the whole world.  Whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  From John 3:16.

So, while I'm having a little blood drawn, I'll use that time to breathe a silent prayer, thanking my Savior for shedding His blood for me and for all who trust in His sacrifice that brought forgiveness and new life. 

Through His blood.