Memorize This!

My pastor, David Schultz, one time said to me, "George, there are certain verses of the Bible that you must commit to memory.  This is one of them."

It's Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Paul's message is crystal clear - you and I contribute absolutely nothing to our salvation.  From beginning to ending, it is God's work.  With the empty but trusting hands of faith (also God's gift) we receive the undeserved gift of salvation and eternal life for our very own.

That's what makes the grace of God, as the old song says, so amazing.

Happy memorization!

Jesus calls us His friends

I have been watching the sitcom, "Friends," lately.  There is much I don't like about the program (and I don't have time to go into that now).  But I do appreciate that the six of them stuck together and supported one another through tough times.

I still remember a sermon from seminary professor, Glenn Nielsen.  He referenced John 15:15 and pointed out something so profound that I had missed it every time I read that chapter.  Jesus calls us friends!  We think of Jesus is a variety of different ways - Savior, Redeemer, Teacher, Bread of Life, Prince of Peace, Immanuel.  But have you ever thought of Jesus as a friend?

We sing it, don't we? "What a Friend We Have In Jesus,"all our sins and grief to bear..."  What do we often do when we're troubled or need advice? We turn to a good friend.  We have no better friend than Jesus.  "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend."  This is agape love, unconditional love.  You can't be loved any more by Jesus than the love He has for you right now.

Today, be a friend to someone.  The person who is grieving a loved one, who is troubled over a broken relationship, who is suffering because of a health diagnosis.  Jesus says, "Love each other as I have loved you."  Let that be your mission today!  

When were you saved?

When a Lutheran is asked, "When were you saved?" the answer is often on the order of "about 2000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the dead."

Gene Edward Veith from "The Spiritually of the Cross."

Jesus is your hope!

Have you ever been to a Suns, Diamondbacks or Cardinals game and your team was being slaughtered by the visitors? What’s the temptation? Leave the game early!  Why stay and continue to watch the massacre?

It reminded me of a time when I tried to leave a game early.

Years ago, my dear, sweet wife and the kids and I were vacationing in San Diego.  I suggested to Sherri that Eric and I could drive out to Jack Murphy stadium to see the Padres play.  Sherri was all for it.  She thought it would be a great Father-Son outing.  It also meant that she would not have to go with me - Sherri finds baseball kind of boring.

Eric and I got to the stadium and were able to purchase really good seats, not too far behind the Padres dugout.  We settled in and looked forward to a great game.

Unfortunately, the Padres got pummeled.  They fell behind quickly and one relief pitcher after another could not stem the onslaught.

About the 7th inning, I said to Eric, "You ready to go?"  Eric asked, "WHY?"

"Well, the Padres are behind by 10 runs.  This game is over."

"NO IT'S NOT! THEY COULD COME BACK AND WIN THE GAME!"

"Eric, I'm telling you, this game is over.  Why don't we just leave now?"

"BUT IT'S NOT OVER, DAD! THERE'S THREE MORE INNINGS! THE PADRES COULD STILL WIN!"

Let me tell you, the Padres did not win.  There was no exciting comeback.  I know because we stayed until the very end of the game.

But I was reminded of something that I had lost sight of.

The faith of a child.

Eric believed that the Padres could still win the game.  As long as there were innings to be played, Eric had hope.

It's that very faith and hope that is needed when we become ill or when we lose our job or when our marriage seems to be falling apart or when any number of difficulties or troubles come our way.

How tempting it is to give up. 

But to quit before the game ends? We just might miss what Jesus can do for us.

Child-like faith in Jesus helps us to stay in the game so that the Lord has the time to help us with our health or open a door of opportunity or show us how to patch up our marriage.

The Padres couldn't have won that game if they'd played 18 innings.  But where Jesus is, the game is never over. 

Easter Sunday proves it.  In His resurrection Jesus fashioned the greatest victory from seeming defeat the world has ever seen. 

In the Gospels Jesus talks about the importance of child-like faith.

I saw it on display one evening in San Diego.

Eric's example reminds me to this day to not check out early....at the baseball game or in the daily circumstances of life.

Who knows what miracle finish Jesus has planned for you?  Trust Him! He is your hope!

A True Believer

In my first career I spent 17 years in the radio broadcasting business.  I began as a part-time weekend announcer and ultimately became an owner in a partnership that acquired a group of stations. 

My radio career did not go as I had envisioned.  I thought for sure I was headed for stardom as a rock n roll disc jockey.  Instead, I spent the entire time in religious broadcasting.  Some of our speakers were folks like James Dobson and Jerry Falwell and a whole bunch of people that I'd just rather forget.  When I started out our stations played Southern Gospel music and featured the Blackwood Brothers, The Cathedrals and The Hinsons, just to name a few.

We received from time to time promotional copies of albums from the newer contemporary artists and that's how I was introduced to Phil Keaggy.  His first solo album, "What a Day," was like a breath of fresh air.  He had a slightly McCartneyesque sound and his guitar playing was simply amazing.  I became a huge fan and have followed Keaggy ever since.

1995's "True Believer" was his first release for Sparrow Records.  At that time Sparrow was probably the dominate label in Contemporary Christian Music so I was hopeful that the new partnership would give Keaggy's career a real boost. 

I don't think that "True Believer" achieved the level of success that Sparrow was looking for and Keaggy did not remain with the label for very long.  But I remember liking the CD a lot and while driving around yesterday, I pulled "True Believer" off the rack for another listen.  I'm glad I did.

"The True Believers" opened the CD, a song Keaggy still performs regularly in his concerts.  Keaggy sings the song like a true believer and his guitar playing sets the tone for the entire CD.  "Salvation Army Band" features one of the best vocals that Keaggy has ever turned in.  Also featured is a rocking version of "Be Thou My Vision" and a blues infused rocker called, "Have Mercy Lord." 

I was two years into Seminary when "True Believer" was released.  Listening to the CD yesterday reminded me of how hard those years were.  I worked pretty much six and a half days a week.  My only time off was Friday afternoon & evening.  During that little block of time, I dug out the music and let it blast away.  "True Believer" kept finding its way onto my CD player every week.  It encouraged me and made me feel good.  It's cool when your favorite musical artist is a true believer.

Knowing God's great "Prove It!"

"Prove it!" They're words heard on the playground, in the courtroom or in the laboratory.  It's the demand we make of anyone who states a fact of which we are more than a little skeptical.

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul is writing to people who are new to the Christian faith.  They are exploring the truths of God's Word.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit they are growing in faith and love - for God and for one another.  But becoming followers of Jesus Christ has not made their lives easier.  Faith in Christ has not insulated them from suffering for persecution.

In chapter five, Paul make it clear that God uses life's trials and troubles for our benefit: "...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."  Then Paul goes on to explain why we can trust God to do this work in us.

"But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  You see, God has already been at work for us, securing our salvation in Christ's sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection.  He has proven His love by offering His only begotten Son to pay the penalty we've earned for our disobedience.  Knowing God's great "Prove It!" helps us to trust Him every day of our lives.

Family Friendly Entertainment?

Last night after the Super Bowl game I shared on Facebook a post from a group that wondered if the pole dancing portion of the halftime show was appropriate for young girls.  One person responded that the entire show was appropriate and pointed out that the whole thing was a matter of "female empowerment."  Their show - their bodies - to do whatever they want.

I spent some time this morning thinking about some of the comments I received and decided to respond:

George Spicer Are any of us - female or male - empowered to do anything we choose with our bodies? The church at Corinth struggled over sexuality and their bodies. Paul the apostle reminded them that "You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Cor. 6:19b-20. What is this price? Martin Luther said it best: "(Jesus) purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death." Jesus purchased us. He did this so that we might be His, that we might have a place in eternity. That loving act, it seems to me, should cause us all to think twice when considering the things we do with our bodies. We belong to God. We were made HIs own in baptism. The Holy Spirit is at work in us, making us the people God desires for us to be. We show our love for God and honor him by using these bodies in God pleasing ways. I don't think that happened last night

The halftime show is usually a specticle of some kind.  I know it's designed to attract a huge audience.  I'm not a big fan of either Shakira or Jennifer Lopez.  Being a Beatles fan (which tells you how old I am), their music doesn't do much for me.  Of course, I know that the show wasn't intended for me.  That's fine.  But the overt sexuality was shocking.  One person called it "soft porn."  I'm not sure that is the proper description but it might be close.

God has empowered us to use our bodies - to bring Him glory!  One way to do this is to keep our minds and souls clear from such behavior that could cause us to sin.

Ephesians 5:3-4: "Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.  Nor should there be obsecenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praise-worthy - think about such things."

The morning shows on television all had nothing be glowing praise for the performance.  I guess I shouldn't have expected anything but whole-hearted approval.  Still, I wonder if enough people expressed their concern regarding this unwholesome performance that the NFL might offer next year something that has has the glitz and glamour but still be family friendly and God pleasing - in short something that we all could enjoy?