Should I write about the good feeling I had when the time and preparation during the week led to a good proclamation of God's Word? (Based on the feedback I received).
Should I write about the bad feeling I had when our Voters Meeting erupted into chaos at the end?
Should I write about the joy of watching the Arizona Cardinals hold on to beat Kansas City yesterday?
Should I write about the sorrow of having picked Kansas City in the weekly football pool? (Sorry Michele!)
Should I write about the happiness I felt as I read Louis Zamperini's amazing and courageous story in "Unbroken?"
Should I write about the sorrow I felt as I read the last page of "Unbroken?" It's sad when a great book comes to an end.
Obviously, I need to give this more thought. I'll get back to you.
But if I don't, have a blessed day!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Saturday, December 6, 2014
God is Patient!
This is what the apostle Peter teaches us in his second letter to the church. This Sunday we'll learn why God's patience with us is so important and how His patience motivates us to get out the good news about Jesus' coming into the world. Join us for worship at 8 and 10:45 am and for Sunday school and Bible classes at 9:20 in the morning.
We also have a Saturday Vespers service and it take place ant 5 o'clock. Deacon Jerry Klink will offer the message. We hope you can join us this weekend at LICL!
We also have a Saturday Vespers service and it take place ant 5 o'clock. Deacon Jerry Klink will offer the message. We hope you can join us this weekend at LICL!
Friday, December 5, 2014
The posture of Advent
I loved this bit of writing from Pastor Richard Lauersdorf:
This Advent season it's time to kneel a little closer to Jesus' crib and beneath His cross...There I'll hear the best news ever of how God sent Jesus to bring double payment for my sins.
From "Together with Jesus," December 3rd devotional
This Advent season it's time to kneel a little closer to Jesus' crib and beneath His cross...There I'll hear the best news ever of how God sent Jesus to bring double payment for my sins.
From "Together with Jesus," December 3rd devotional
Thursday, December 4, 2014
It's just old sentimental me
Yesterday did not start off very well for me.
I woke up with a migraine headache. Tried to shake it with some over the counter medication and loads of coffee. Went to the office for a few hours but my head felt like it was a bass drum being pounded by an overly enthusiastic marching band drummer.
I came home, took some heavy duty medicine,fell asleep. By 4 pm I was starting to feel like my normal self again.
That was good because I really wanted to see my oldest grandson's Christmas program at his school.
I missed last year's program because I was home - with a migraine. I really didn't want to miss his performance again.
The sanctuary at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix was standing room only when the kids walked in. As they began to sing "Away in a Manger," it happened.
I began to weep. I tried to hide the tears but they just kept coming. At one point my dear, sweet wife nudged me - she offered me her little packet of Kleenex.
It was embarrassing. I didn't see anyone else bawling their eyes out.
But here's what got to me. Much of the world is afraid of Jesus. In many parts of the world Jesus is hated as much as He was 2000 years ago by the religious elites of His day.
Much of our culture hates Jesus and what He stands for. Things are said of Jesus in the media that would never be said of other religious men.
And here in a packed church, kindergarten and first grade children were singing their hearts out for Jesus.
They recited the Christmas story from Luke, chapter two. Their voices filled the sanctuary as they joyfully sang, "Therefore I'll say again, God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me!"
Their heartfelt confession of faith moved me to tears.
I pray that the excitement that Luke had as he and his class witnessed Christ to a packed group of parents, grandparents and friends continues to grow and grow and grow. Amen, amen, yes, yes, it shall be so!
And I'll keep the Kleenex handy.
I woke up with a migraine headache. Tried to shake it with some over the counter medication and loads of coffee. Went to the office for a few hours but my head felt like it was a bass drum being pounded by an overly enthusiastic marching band drummer.
I came home, took some heavy duty medicine,fell asleep. By 4 pm I was starting to feel like my normal self again.
That was good because I really wanted to see my oldest grandson's Christmas program at his school.
I missed last year's program because I was home - with a migraine. I really didn't want to miss his performance again.
The sanctuary at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix was standing room only when the kids walked in. As they began to sing "Away in a Manger," it happened.
I began to weep. I tried to hide the tears but they just kept coming. At one point my dear, sweet wife nudged me - she offered me her little packet of Kleenex.
It was embarrassing. I didn't see anyone else bawling their eyes out.
But here's what got to me. Much of the world is afraid of Jesus. In many parts of the world Jesus is hated as much as He was 2000 years ago by the religious elites of His day.
Much of our culture hates Jesus and what He stands for. Things are said of Jesus in the media that would never be said of other religious men.
And here in a packed church, kindergarten and first grade children were singing their hearts out for Jesus.
They recited the Christmas story from Luke, chapter two. Their voices filled the sanctuary as they joyfully sang, "Therefore I'll say again, God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me!"
Their heartfelt confession of faith moved me to tears.
I pray that the excitement that Luke had as he and his class witnessed Christ to a packed group of parents, grandparents and friends continues to grow and grow and grow. Amen, amen, yes, yes, it shall be so!
And I'll keep the Kleenex handy.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Luke's Christmas Program brings back memories
Tonight my dear, sweet wife and I will venture over to Phoenix to attend my grandson's Christmas program. I missed last year's presentation due to illness so I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing Luke and his class tell the Christmas story.
Thinking about this reminded me of the first time that my sister and I participated in a children's Christmas program. I wonder if my sister remembers this? It's surprising that it wasn't the last Christmas program we ever participated in.
We were very excited to be assigned speaking parts. When we informed my Dad he had one bit of advice - "Speak loudly. People will want to hear you."
So we practiced speaking loudly. After a few minutes my Dad said, "That's good. You can stop now." I remember him saying something to my Mom about having a headache. He must have had a bad day at work.
Finally, the big day came. The church basement was packed. I couldn't remember seeing that many people in church on Sunday. Then we heard the music for "O Come All Ye Faithful." We marched up onto the stage and took our places. Then, the Spicer kids made the Christmas program memorable.
When it was my turn to speak I walked to the front of the stage with my Dad's advice ringing in my ears - "Speak loudly." So I did - I spoke loudly into the microphone!
By the time I had finished reciting my Bible verse my voice was ringing in everyone's ears! My Mom was the picture of embarrassment and I think my Dad had steam coming from his ears - a regular occurrence. After the sound of my voice stopped reverberating throughout the basement, some folks began to laugh. Then I became the picture of embarrassment.
A little later it was my sister's turn to speak. She was smaller than the previous speakers so she tried to lower the microphone.
But she pulled down so hard on the mic stand that the whole thing came tumbling down, hitting the stage with a loud BOOM! You would have thought that a bomb had been set off in the basement!
It scared my sister so much that she ran back to where her class was sitting, bawling her eyes out.
I think it was at that point that the Pastor went to his office to sign the letter of transfer for the Spicer family to attend another church...any church!
The car ride home that night was pretty quiet. I expected to get an earful from my Dad but he said nothing. Perhaps my Mom had said to him, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." So he said nothing. And I was kind of glad about that.
Having been a Pastor for awhile now I've seen all kinds of humorous things take place during children's Christmas programs. But, interestingly, I can't remember the details of any of them.
It's not the mistakes that are memorable. It's watching and listening to kids and grandkids tell the story of the birth of the Christ child. It's their confession of faith, that childlike faith that trusts Jesus completely. It's the joy they show as they sing about a silent night in Bethlehem. It's a story that we never get tired of hearing and the story sounds so sweet to our ears when we hear it told by the ones we love the most.
So I'm looking forward to Luke's program tonight. And I will offer him absolutely no advice about speaking loudly!
Thinking about this reminded me of the first time that my sister and I participated in a children's Christmas program. I wonder if my sister remembers this? It's surprising that it wasn't the last Christmas program we ever participated in.
We were very excited to be assigned speaking parts. When we informed my Dad he had one bit of advice - "Speak loudly. People will want to hear you."
So we practiced speaking loudly. After a few minutes my Dad said, "That's good. You can stop now." I remember him saying something to my Mom about having a headache. He must have had a bad day at work.
Finally, the big day came. The church basement was packed. I couldn't remember seeing that many people in church on Sunday. Then we heard the music for "O Come All Ye Faithful." We marched up onto the stage and took our places. Then, the Spicer kids made the Christmas program memorable.
When it was my turn to speak I walked to the front of the stage with my Dad's advice ringing in my ears - "Speak loudly." So I did - I spoke loudly into the microphone!
By the time I had finished reciting my Bible verse my voice was ringing in everyone's ears! My Mom was the picture of embarrassment and I think my Dad had steam coming from his ears - a regular occurrence. After the sound of my voice stopped reverberating throughout the basement, some folks began to laugh. Then I became the picture of embarrassment.
A little later it was my sister's turn to speak. She was smaller than the previous speakers so she tried to lower the microphone.
But she pulled down so hard on the mic stand that the whole thing came tumbling down, hitting the stage with a loud BOOM! You would have thought that a bomb had been set off in the basement!
It scared my sister so much that she ran back to where her class was sitting, bawling her eyes out.
I think it was at that point that the Pastor went to his office to sign the letter of transfer for the Spicer family to attend another church...any church!
The car ride home that night was pretty quiet. I expected to get an earful from my Dad but he said nothing. Perhaps my Mom had said to him, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." So he said nothing. And I was kind of glad about that.
Having been a Pastor for awhile now I've seen all kinds of humorous things take place during children's Christmas programs. But, interestingly, I can't remember the details of any of them.
It's not the mistakes that are memorable. It's watching and listening to kids and grandkids tell the story of the birth of the Christ child. It's their confession of faith, that childlike faith that trusts Jesus completely. It's the joy they show as they sing about a silent night in Bethlehem. It's a story that we never get tired of hearing and the story sounds so sweet to our ears when we hear it told by the ones we love the most.
So I'm looking forward to Luke's program tonight. And I will offer him absolutely no advice about speaking loudly!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Christmas Music without Christ?
I have a pet peeve. Give me a moment to unburden myself, OK?
We have a radio station in town that promotes itself as the "Christmas Station." Before Thanksgiving took place, this station began playing Christmas music and will do so throughout the holiday.
Driving my daughter, son in law and youngest grandson to the airport in east, east, east Mesa gave us the opportunity to listen to Christmas music.
But don't you think that Christmas music should be about Christ? Shouldn't the birth of Jesus be mentioned in at least some of the songs played?
Seems reasonable to me. But in the hour I listened, I heard one traditional Christmas song - by that I mean a song that had Christ Jesus at its focus.
I heard about Frosty the Snowman. We rocked around the Christmas tree. We listened as Gene Autry sang about Santy Claus.
But we heard only about Christ when a version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" was played.
Why is the world so afraid of Christ Jesus? Why avoid the mention of His name? Why refrain from recognizing that He is "the reason for the season?"
This morning I dug out our Christmas CD's. Fooey on the "Christmas Station."
Let the Christmas season be about Christ. His conception by the Holy Spirit. His birth in Bethlehem by the Virgin Mary. His reason for coming into our world - to save the world from sin.
From that point of view, maybe it's right to say that "we" are the reason for the season.
Our need for forgiveness and to be reconciled to God the Father is why Jesus was given to us.
Christ - for our greatest need...surely our greatest gift.
Christ should be in our Christmas music.
CD's are picked out and in my car. Today, as I drive around I'll listen to Christmas music.
OK, I'm done. Thanks for reading.
We have a radio station in town that promotes itself as the "Christmas Station." Before Thanksgiving took place, this station began playing Christmas music and will do so throughout the holiday.
Driving my daughter, son in law and youngest grandson to the airport in east, east, east Mesa gave us the opportunity to listen to Christmas music.
But don't you think that Christmas music should be about Christ? Shouldn't the birth of Jesus be mentioned in at least some of the songs played?
Seems reasonable to me. But in the hour I listened, I heard one traditional Christmas song - by that I mean a song that had Christ Jesus at its focus.
I heard about Frosty the Snowman. We rocked around the Christmas tree. We listened as Gene Autry sang about Santy Claus.
But we heard only about Christ when a version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" was played.
Why is the world so afraid of Christ Jesus? Why avoid the mention of His name? Why refrain from recognizing that He is "the reason for the season?"
This morning I dug out our Christmas CD's. Fooey on the "Christmas Station."
Let the Christmas season be about Christ. His conception by the Holy Spirit. His birth in Bethlehem by the Virgin Mary. His reason for coming into our world - to save the world from sin.
From that point of view, maybe it's right to say that "we" are the reason for the season.
Our need for forgiveness and to be reconciled to God the Father is why Jesus was given to us.
Christ - for our greatest need...surely our greatest gift.
Christ should be in our Christmas music.
CD's are picked out and in my car. Today, as I drive around I'll listen to Christmas music.
OK, I'm done. Thanks for reading.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Thanksgiving Surprises
The Thanksgiving holiday season brought with it several surprises.
For starters, I was probably the only person in America who hadn't watched the film, "Frozen." I'd heard of kids who'd watched the movie dozens of times. I guess "Frozen" birthday parties were all the rage this summer. I know many adults who said things like, "It's one of the best movies I've ever seen." Well, "Frozen" isn't going to make my top 10 list but now I get what all the buzz was about. A great story and the singing by the two lead characters was just wonderful. I might even watch "Frozen" again sometime.
I did the Saturday service and was pleasantly surprised by several worshipers who brought coats for us to give to the Phoenix Rescue Mission. One family donated three coats - one that had been dry cleaned and was still on the hanger. I was inspired by Matthew 25:31-46 to ask the congregation to consider doing one of the "little things" Jesus talks about - like feeding the hungry or giving someone something to drink, reaching out to strangers and the sick, or caring for the naked and the imprisoned. I've seen our folks respond to this plea although I shouldn't have been surprised. Our congregation has always been generous and never fails to respond to those who have needs.
I was pleased to have the Rev. Dr. Ray Mirly and his wife, Debbie, join us for worship yesterday. Pastor Mirly was my supervisor during my vicarage or internship year while I was studying at Concordia Seminary. At that time he was senior pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Olivette, Mo. I learned much from Pastor Mirly and the entire congregation during my year there. He and the congregation were extremely kind to my dear, sweet wife and kids. Pastor Mirly put me in charge of the Visitation Ministry of the church. Every Monday night a dozen people (including myself) paired up and went out to call on those who had visited the church for worship the day before. We all grew in confidence as we talked with strangers about the forgiveness and love of Jesus. That year was a blessing for me and my family and I will always be indebted to Pastor Mirly for his interest, direction and confidence in me.
Of course, there were things that happened around our house that were of no surprise - I ate too much, the Christmas decorations went up on Black Friday (a much better way to spend the day IMHO), and my kids and grandkids brought Sherri and me great, great joy. I hope your Thanksgiving holiday did the same for you!
For starters, I was probably the only person in America who hadn't watched the film, "Frozen." I'd heard of kids who'd watched the movie dozens of times. I guess "Frozen" birthday parties were all the rage this summer. I know many adults who said things like, "It's one of the best movies I've ever seen." Well, "Frozen" isn't going to make my top 10 list but now I get what all the buzz was about. A great story and the singing by the two lead characters was just wonderful. I might even watch "Frozen" again sometime.
I did the Saturday service and was pleasantly surprised by several worshipers who brought coats for us to give to the Phoenix Rescue Mission. One family donated three coats - one that had been dry cleaned and was still on the hanger. I was inspired by Matthew 25:31-46 to ask the congregation to consider doing one of the "little things" Jesus talks about - like feeding the hungry or giving someone something to drink, reaching out to strangers and the sick, or caring for the naked and the imprisoned. I've seen our folks respond to this plea although I shouldn't have been surprised. Our congregation has always been generous and never fails to respond to those who have needs.
I was pleased to have the Rev. Dr. Ray Mirly and his wife, Debbie, join us for worship yesterday. Pastor Mirly was my supervisor during my vicarage or internship year while I was studying at Concordia Seminary. At that time he was senior pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Olivette, Mo. I learned much from Pastor Mirly and the entire congregation during my year there. He and the congregation were extremely kind to my dear, sweet wife and kids. Pastor Mirly put me in charge of the Visitation Ministry of the church. Every Monday night a dozen people (including myself) paired up and went out to call on those who had visited the church for worship the day before. We all grew in confidence as we talked with strangers about the forgiveness and love of Jesus. That year was a blessing for me and my family and I will always be indebted to Pastor Mirly for his interest, direction and confidence in me.
Of course, there were things that happened around our house that were of no surprise - I ate too much, the Christmas decorations went up on Black Friday (a much better way to spend the day IMHO), and my kids and grandkids brought Sherri and me great, great joy. I hope your Thanksgiving holiday did the same for you!
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