Psalms to read when anxious

I've been filled with much anxiety lately.  The world is in upheaval, politics is so nasty, and morality seems to be an an all-time low.  I worry about my kids and grandkids.  One thing my dear, sweet wife and I did right was to make sure that our kids were in church and Sunday school every week. But our kids are not following the example we set.  I'm concerned that as these grandkids grow older, worshiping God will become less of a priority.  We know that Satan never takes a day off, an hour off, a second off.  The grandkids are still young enough to develop good worshiping habits.  But time flies by so quickly.

I'm also anxious about aging.  I never thought about my age while I was working.  Maybe I was too busy.  But now when I hear of someone who passed away at 72 or 75 or 77, I can't help but think, "I'm almost there.  Will people be reading my obit sooner rather than later?"

I know that my Redeemer lives.  He is the resurrection and the life and everyone who believes in Him will never die.  But I struggle with aches and pains and fear they will become worse.  My dear, sweet wife cared for her Mom and Dad in their last years.  Will she have to do the same for me.

Well, I went searching for some Psalms that I hoped will calm my fears and anxiety.  Psalm 23 was a good place to start.  The Lord will lead me through the valley of the shadow of death and I will be with Him in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 121 is a favorite.  It assures me that the Lord is watching me constantly; nothing escapes His attention.  Psalm 77, especially verse 19, has been a source of comfort for sometime now.  The Lord is with me whether I see his footsteps or not.

I've been called for dinner so time to go.  But I'm glad I have some good reading material for tonight.

All I Really Needed To Know I Learned in Sunday School

            Robert Fulghum is an artist, painter, sculptor, author, musician and singer.  But he is best known for his 1986 book, “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”  The book stayed on the New York Times bestsellers list for over two years and was a collection of random stories and observations.  But it was what Fulghum learned as a five year old that struck a chord with readers.  Remember what we learned from kindergarten?  Lessons like:

Play fair.

Don’t hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

(my favorite) Take a nap every afternoon

 

            In the midst of our busy, fast-paced lives, Fulghum suggested that we might learn to look at life differently and maybe even live at a slower place if we would just see things through the eyes of a child.  I remember being enjoying Fulghum’s book very much and it brought back reminders of my kindergarten experience.  But some of the best memories and best lessons I ever learned came from my time in Sunday school.  So, with apologies to Robert Fulghum, here’s “All I Really Needed To Know I Learned in Sunday School” by George Spicer.

 

Love one another

“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest…”

Turn the other cheek

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

Jesus can do a lot with just five loaves and two fish

(my favorite) “Jesus loves me, this I know…”

 

            Of course, that’s not all I learned in Sunday school.  I loved learning the creation story, Adam and Eve, and about Noah and the Ark and the flood.  I felt like I really knew Abraham, Issac, Jacob and especially, Joseph and his coat of many colors and his rotten brothers.  I cheered when David dropped Goliath in his tracks.  I marveled at the wisdom of Solomon.  And best of all, I never tired of learning about Jesus (my favorite).  Those were some great days.

           

            As parents and grandparents, we want our kids and grandkids to have a solid Biblical foundation.  What they learn as children will go with them throughout their entire lives.  Support the Sunday school at your church, won’t you.  Make sure your kids and grandkids are plugged in.  Show them that God’s Word is important to you giving the Lord two hours of your time each Sunday.  Make it a priority – be in worship and be in Bible class and Sunday school. 

Need a chuckle or two?

Years ago when my family and I became members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL., we very quickly became acquainted with George Kottwitz.  We learned that George was the resident humorist of the church.  He always had a story to tell and the punch line never failed to deliver a good laugh.  George regularly submits and is published in the Lutheran Witness magazine.  Here's a couple of samples of his humor.

Two elders drove to a nearby restaurant and bar after an early evening meeting at church.  While waiting for a table, they sat in the bar drinking a beer.  When their pastor walked by, one quickly said, "Oh, I hope Pastor didn't see us."  Asked the other, "What difference does it make? God knows we're having a beer."  "Sure," replied the first, "but God won't tell my wife!"

Or there's this one...

The new vicar popped into the church office with a printed copy of his yet-to-be-delivered first sermon.  Standing in front of the office's new paper shredder, he stared at the machine, a bit perplexed.  The church secretary, sensing he needed help, walked over and asked if she could do something for him.  "Yes," said the vicar, "can you show me how this thing works?"  She said, "Gladly!" She took the pages from the vicar's hand and began feeding them into the shredder.  "Thanks," said the vicar politely.  "But where do the copies come out?"

The Greatest Distance in the World

Read this great devotion this morning and wanted to share it with you.

What's the greatest distance in the world? Not the miles across the Atlantic or down to Antarctica, but the distance between the human head and heart.  Those 18 inches are the most difficult in the world.  Why? Because only God the Holy Spirit can travel them.  Millions hear about Jesus Christ as their only Savior, but only some believe.  The rest shake their heads in rejection or nod in seeming approval, only to go their own ways.  Their ears have heard but not their hearts.

What about me? Can I say with my heart, "Jesus is my Savior whom God raised from the dead?" Can I say with conviction: "His death counted for me.  His resurrection assures my resurrection.  Because He lives, I also will live, body and soul, in heaven some day?" Then thank God the Holy Spirit.  Through the gospel he carried the message from my head to my heart.  My faith is His gift.  Through that gospel He still works when my faith wavers to bridge the distance between head and heart.

The Spirit helps me travel another distance, the one between my heart and mouth.  When Jesus has moved from my head to my heart, then he'll also move from my heart to my mouth.  I'll proclaim gladly what I believe and thank Him for it.  I'll tell others what I believe and ask them to join me.  By God's grace it'll be head to heart to mouth, with the name of Jesus my precious Savior.

Richard E. Lauersdorf
"Together with Jesus - Daily Devotions for a Year"
Northwestern Publishing House 

A Word to Parents and Grandparents

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.

Almighty God is still in control

 Almighty God is still in control.

Almighty God is wiser and more powerful than death, war, suffering, inflation (fill in the blank)

We are still children of God.

We are still loved by the Father.

We are redeemed by the blood of the resurrected Son.

We are being made holy by the Spirit.

We will love one another.

We will stand on the truth of Holy Word alone.

We will confidently trust that the Lord will hold us up and lead us through any persecution the church might face in the future (just as He always has).

We will continue to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

God's peace and blessings be yours in abundance this week!

He is Risen Indeed!

The grave could not hold Jesus.  And it will not hold the ones who have faith in Jesus either.  He promises, "Because I live, you also will live."  (John 14:19)  The grave is where we were supposed to get what our sins deserve.  But instead, the grave is where the believer gets what our sins deserve - heaven, forever.  Instead of closing our eyes in death and opening them again to see even greater death, we close our eyes in death and open them to see Jesus.  Leave it to our Greatest Friend to take the devil's greatest weapon and use it as the believer's greatest blessing.

From "WELS.Net" devotional, April 5.