True humility is...

True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.

CS Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens

Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, Let Your Word to me come near;

Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear.

Death's dread power, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life;

Fill me, Lord, with love's strong fervor, That I cling to You forever!

Lord, Your Words are waters living, When my thirsting spirit pleads.

Lord, Your Words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds.

Lord, Your Words will be my light, Through death's cold and dreary night;

Yes, they are my sword prevailing, And my cup of joy unfailing!

These words would make a fine prayer.  Try them.

(Stanzas one and three, hymn 589 - Lutheran Service Book)

Did you hear the one about the old lady stopped for speeding?

 An elderly lady was stopped for speeding.  She was going 70 in a 40 mile-per-hour zone.  The policeman asked her, "Why were you going so fast, ma'am?"

 She said, "Sir, the sign back there said seventy."

 "No ma'am," he replied, "That wasn't the speed limit sign.  That was the highway sign.  That's Highway 70."

 "Oh, my goodness," she exclaimed.  "I'm so glad you didn't see me on Highway 129!"

God's Word does what it says

His Word does what it was sent to do.  He calls us back.  He speaks us clean.  He forgives our sins and gives us faith and gives us eternity.

David Petersen, "God With Us" page 106

Luther - From Day to Day

Therefore our concern now must be to be grateful to the Father of all mercy and consolation and see to it that our faith henceforth does not consist in words but in power.  For St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, "The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power."  Our ability to speak or write eloquently about it is not sufficient; rather must our lives and our deeds testify to the truth, as we demonstrate our love and bestow our works of kindness on friend and foe.

Thus we must pray first of all that God may impart more and more strength to us and our friends and let His dear child Jesus grow in our hearts from day to day that we may praise, glorify and confess Him with a zealous and happy heart.

Martin Luther, from Treasury of Daily Prayer, Concordia Publishing House, page 238

A word for parents

As parents and grandparents we should never underestimate the influence we have upon our children and grandchildren.  They watch us carefully.  Our words soak deeply into their heads and hearts.  Studies indicate that even our teens watch and listen to us, yes, even when it seems that they have tuned us out.  Our example matters!

I don't know who penned the poetry below but the message is one worth pondering:

To hear my child at prayer, what a thrill it is to me!
There's a sweetness in the moment, as he speaks on bended knee.
And yet my heart is smitten, at this touching moment I see,
Has his faith and trust in prayer, depended much on me?

As I see him fold his hands, and bow his head to pray,
I trust he'll always love the Lord, the way he does today.
Then I hear a voice within me, speak in solemn words and true,
How he lives a life of prayer, depends a lot on you.

So I kneel next to my bed, and lay my hand upon him,
After he has voiced his prayer, I add my own petition
May my son recall one day, that his father daily raised,
His voice to thank the Lord, and make the sacrifice of praise!

Dads and Moms, do you think much about the example you are setting for your kids? Do they see you in prayer? Do they find you reading your Bible? The next time you are tempted to "veg out" in from of the TV, try something different.  Gather the kids together and tell stories.  Talk about a favorite family vacation.  Share the funny story you heard.  Read Bible stories to your kids.  Tell them what Jesus means to you.  Share your faith in God and encourage your kids in their walk of faith.  Most of all, ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit and His love so that you might always be that Godly example that your kids and grandkids need to see.

What about us Lutherans?

While going through an old journal the other day I discovered a couple of quotes that I think really capture something about our Lutheran theology and practice. 

While Lutherans also confess that God is almighty, Lutheran theology does not begin with His majesty but with His mercy in Christ.
John Pless, "Handling the Word of Truth" page 101

Lutherans are about faith in Christ and deeds that show Christ's love and mercy.
Matt Harrison, "Christ Have Mercy" page 142