Did you hear the one about the man at the funeral home?

Did you hear the one about the man who was hit on the head and fell into a deep coma? He stayed that way for such a long time that people thought he was dead.  They sent him to a funeral home and stuck him in a coffin.  At two o'clock in the morning, all alone in a dimly lit room, he sat up and looked around.  "What is going on here?" he asked.  "If I'm alive, why am I in this casket? And if I'm dead, why do I have to go to the bathroom?"

CS Lewis on praise

I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise...the world rings with praise - lovers praising their (spouses), readers their favorite poets, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game - praise of weather, wines, dishes, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers...The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about.

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. It is its appointed consummation.

CS Lewis, as quoted in "Free of Me," Baker Books, page 137

Celebrating Reformation 500

This weekend all over the world the church is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  Many churches, even those who do not call themselves, "Lutheran," are making note of what the Reformation meant to the church.

We may sing a little more loudly as we reflect upon the act of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses on the Castle Church doors.  As Luther challenged the teachings of the church he also came to see with crystal clear vision the grace of God.  Luther was thrilled by the teaching that "the just shall live by faith."  Those words freed Luther from the bonds of good works which he did with increasing intensity but without feeling free from the guilt and shame of failing to please a righteous God. And now that great foundational teaching - we are justified by God by grace alone through faith alone in the saving work of Jesus - is the joy that our church proclaims every weekend to anxious souls seeking the encouragement that God is not angry with us but loves us and counts us His children.

Join us at LICL this weekend - Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 8 and 11 am.  And plan on bringing your kids and grandkids to our annual Trunk or Treat event from 5-7 pm.  Come in costume.  There will be lots of treats and games and fun!  I hope to see you at Life in Christ!

Blessed by the Kramers concert

That's a mighty small picture of a great singing group and family!

LICL was blessed to have the Kramers in concert last night.  This talented family sang for nearly 90 minutes, mixing gospel classics along with some newer Christian songs as well.

These people can play music! Scott, is a multi-talented musician who impressed up with his play on the keyboard and the guitar.  And he does a wonderful Elvis impersonation!

Their daughter, Maria, plays five musical instruments and has some amazing vocal chops too. She was accompanied by her husband of almost one year, Ben, who played a mighty fine bass guitar.

And then there is Rachel, an amazing vocalist in her own right. My dear, sweet wife and I were comparing her talents to Sandi Patti, who was one of Christian music's top artists in the 80's and 90's.
Rachel also spoke between some of the songs, showing her heart of love for her Savior, Jesus.

In spite of the World Series and College Football on television, we enjoyed a good turnout for the concert.  We hope to have them back someday.  If you missed the concert last night, promise yourself you'll make the next Kramers concert.  You won't be disappointed.

BFP (Blast from the Past) 4 years ago today

A blessed Reformation to you!

In Dr. Martin Luther's lectures on Romans 1:17, there is a passage which explores the doctrine of "The Lord, our Righteousness."

In human teachings the righteousness of men is revealed and taught, that is, we are taught who is righteous and in what way he is righteous and becomes righteous before himself and before men.  Only in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, that is, we are taught who is righteous and in what way he is righteous and becomes righteous before God, namely, solely by faith, by which the Word of God is believed.  Thus the last chapter of Mark says: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."  For the righteousness of God is the cause of celebration.  And here again the "righteousness of God" must not be accepted as that by which He Himself is righteous in Himself but that by which we are justified in Him, which is done by faith in the Gospel.

Again, writing on Romans 1:17, Luther penned these words: As intensely as I had formerly hated the expression, "righteousness of God," I now loved and praised it as the sweetest of concepts; and so this passage of Paul was actually the portal of Paradise to me.

A blessed Reformation to you all

One way to know if you are caught up in idolatry

You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates the same people you do.

Anne Lamont from "Bird by Bird," as quoted in "Free of Me." page 50

It's not about me!

My sincere thanks to my friend and sister in Christ, Julie Peapenburg, for sending this devotion to me. I just had to share it with you, my kind readers.

It’s Not About Me
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens” Psalms 148:13

Friend to Friend

Some of my Girlfriends in God are not going to like this devotion. I’m not even sure I do. But I’m going to put it out there anyhow. During the month of February, I write devotions on marriage. It is the month of love, and marriages certainly are in shambles all around the world. Each February, I am flooded with e-mails: some are appreciative for the reminders on how to love their husbands; some are filled with hurt because they are in their own struggling marriage, and some are broken-hearted because of shattered dreams. These women are so thankful for the balm of God’s truth in a very tender area of their lives.

But I also receive e-mails from women who are not married, who do not like the attention to marriage at all. They are flat out angry and frustrated because the devotions do not pertain to them. “Don’t you know that all of your readers are not married?”

“Oh honey child,” as my grandmother would say.

I’ve seen the same attitude in church. “I didn’t like that sermon.” “I didn’t like the singing today.” “I couldn’t relate to that teaching.” And on and on we go.

You know what I’ve discovered...it’s not about me. It is all about God. If the pastor is preaching on a topic that is not my struggle, I pray that God will open my eyes to new truths that I’ve never seen. If he is talking about losing a loved one, I pray for those who have lost a loved one recently...even though that might not be my struggle at that particular time. Is the teaching on raising young children? I have a grown son, so I pray for those who are raising the next generation.

One Sunday, I was singing in church. Barely singing, I might add. It was a dry old hymn and I just wasn’t into it. Then I looked at an older woman a few seats down and she had tears trickling down her wrinkled cheeks. She was moved to tears by that old hymn and was taken to the throne room of grace.

“Oh Father,” I prayed. “Please forgive me. This is not about me. It’s not about what I like or don’t like. It is all about You. Truth is truth. Worship is worship. Help my focus be on You and You alone. It’s not about me.

Here’s a truth I want you to underline, memorize and ponderize (I know that is not a real word, but it should be.) Say it out loud: As long as I think the world is all about me, the angrier  and tired-er I will be. The more I realize it is all about God, the happier and freer I will be. (I know tireder is not a word either. I’m just feeling feisty today).

Listen to how David focused on God during worship:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalms 62:5-8

So let’s commit to remember together...it’s not about me. It’s all about God.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, please forgive me when I make everything all about me. It’s all about You! I praise You! I thank You! I worship You!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.