One good reason to tithe

The tithe in the Old Testament first and foremost confessed that God is the giver of all. It is only giving back to Him what He is.

"Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey," page 106

At the Cavern

I just finished reading of couple of Kenneth Womack's books about the Beatles.  I have over 100 volumes devoted to the Beatles in my library so I feel like I'm pretty informed about the Fab Four.  But Womack offered some insights and information I had not read before.  Womack holds a doctorate degree and is a college professor.  But he has written mounds of information about the Beatles music and their impact on our culture.

During our 2011 renewal trip to Europe we spent a glorious day in Liverpool.  One of our stops just had to be the Cavern, made famous because of the many song sets the Beatles played there.  I'm wearing a shirt of John, Paul, George and Ringo that was given to me by Mike Schutt, one of our members.  It was a day I won't soon forget!

What to do first thing in the morning

To make it your habit to stand up in the morning and open your mouth, proclaiming, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," is tantamount to shouting out to all creation, "I am baptized! I have been raised with Christ! My sins are buried in His tomb. I am a child of the resurrection!"

"Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey," William Weedon, page 29 

Signs your church has sold out to corporate sponsors

- Taco Bell's talking dog now reading announcements.

- In Christmas play, Joseph seen drinking can of Coke.

- Greeters all dressed like Mr. Goodwrench.

- Personal pew licenses now sold.

- Baptismals include dolphin show from Sea World.

- Statue of Moses seen holding keys to a Jeep.

- The 12 disciples replaced by Disney characters.

I didn't put this list together but it gave me a laugh!

What life is like when you worship the one true God

The First Commandment itself is the undercurrent beneath each of the other commandments to such an extent that the rest of the commandments describe what life really looks like when a person has no other gods but the real One.

William Weedon, "Thank, Praise, Serve & Obey," page 133

What a dog can teach us

We recently said "goodbye" to our cat, Tiddy. We joked that he had dog-like qualities.  He followed me around from the time I got home from work until the time we went to bed.  I didn't see him in the morning - he liked to "sleep in."

With retirement nearer than it has ever been I'm thinking about what I'd like to do for my "third career." The man I consider my mentor from Concordia Seminary, Glenn Nielsen, has a Golden Retriever who has been trained to be a "comfort dog."  These dogs often go to hospitals and nursing homes or wherever disaster or heartache has taken place.  Comfort dogs offer unconditional love and usually help the hurting by their gentle nature and willingness to be loved on.

I'm not sure when I'll put this plan in place.  I don't think it would be fair to get a dog while I'm still working full time.  But, if the opportunity to have a dog arose soon I don't think I could pass it up.  So, we'll see.

Robert Benchley is a humorist and has had things to say about dogs.  I particularly liked this observation: A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.

What Jesus might have said to you today

To me (Jesus) said: "Stay close to Me,
 I am your rock and castle
Your ransom I Myself will be;
 For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours and you are Mine
 And where I am you may remain
The foe shall not divide us

From "Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice"
Lutheran Service Book, #556, verse seven

Switch On Your Brain Every Day

Dr. Caroline Leaf is well known for her books that teach the importance of how the way we think effects the way we live.  With wellness in the forefront of mental and physical care, Dr. Leaf has been helpful to many who have desired a better, more fulfilled life.

Dr. Leaf's latest,"Switch On Your Brain Every Day," contains a year's worth of readings designed to encourage a person, especially those who have read one or more of her books.  I'm not sure that the book would be that helpful for first-time readers, although the daily readings could encourage someone to read one of her other books to delve more deeply into her thoughts and ideas.

Book supplied by Baker Books for review

Yogi Berra wisdom

You should always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours.

Jesus prays for you

During his earthly life, Jesus faced every trouble imaginable.  So, when you bring your troubles to Him He knows exactly how you feel.  Not only that, He intercedes on your behalf before the Father's throne of grace and mercy.  Come and hear the good news this Sunday - 8, 9:30 or 11 am.  We also have a service this afternoon at 5 pm.  We'd like to see you at Life in Christ!

Prayers requested

Dear Friendly Blog Readers,

Would you pray for my mother-in-law, Betty Landis? She was hospitalized yesterday with internal bleeding.  A procedure was done last night but the source of the bleeding was not found.  We are waiting to see Betty's doctors to learn might be done for her.  Pray for her healing and that God would comfort and be with her husband, Bill; daughters Sherri and Carrie and the rest of the family.

Thank you for your prayers!

A 16th Century Prayer

We thank You, O God, for Your Holy Spirit, who incites us to true knowledge of You.  We humbly entreat Your for Your Son's sake to illumine our hearts with Your Holy Spirit that we may truly call upon You, know You, sincerely believe in You, give thanks for You, and obey. Let not the light of Your gospel be taken from us through deceitful illusions. Direct us in all our affairs with the voice of Your counsel, for Your Son has promised that You would give Your Holy Spirit to those who ask. Grant this, O God, for Your holy name's sake.  To You, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory forever.  Amen.

Philip Melanchthon, from "For All the Saints," page 1003

Keeping Company With God

            How do you define the word “prayer?”  My own personal favorite definition of prayer comes from author James Houston who quotes the early church father, Clement of Alexandria: “prayer is keeping company with God.”

            My parents used to say to me all the time, “George, you’ll be known by the company you keep.”  I can’t say that I really believed them until my best friend in high school got himself in trouble.”

            He and I were best buddies.  Throughout junior high and the first couple of years of high school we were inseparable.  We both enjoyed sports and played on the same teams.  We liked the same style of music.  We both liked to laugh and joke around.  But then we grew apart.  He began hanging out with guys who were into drugs and that was something I just wasn’t going to do.  Then one day a friend called with the bad news – my best buddy had just been busted by some undercover policemen.  The next day at school, it seemed that everyone wanted to talk to me about my friend’s problem.  When I protested, they said, “You were his best friend, surely you knew what was going on.”  From that incident I learned that it is important to watch with whom you keep company.

            Maybe that’s why I like Clement’s definition of prayer the best: prayer is keeping company with God.  Such an attitude leads us to look at prayer differently.  It’s not “have-to” but “want-to.”  It’s involving God in my life as I would a best friend – sharing concerns, relating stories, confessing frustrations and shortcomings, offering words of praise and thanks.  To pray is to build upon the relationship you have with your Heavenly Father.

            What’s most amazing is that God wants to have this relationship with you.  God initiated this friendship at your baptism.  He came to you, though you had nothing to offer, and made you His very own.  He cleaned you up with the washing of water in the Word; clothed you with His royal robe of righteousness; promised to give you an inheritance that will never rust or expire.  If that’s not enough, the Holy Spirit began a good work in you, creating and preserving a trusting faith in the One who now calls you His child.

            Think of your best friend for a moment.  Why is that person so special to you?  Is it something you have in common? Is it because you can count on the advice and counsel of this friend? That this friend will speak the truth to you, even when it isn’t easy to listen? Is it because you can say things to this person that you could never say or reveal to anyone else?  Is it because your best friend is willing to accept you just as you are?

            Now think of God the Father.  Think of the God who wants to keep company with you.  He speaks to you as you read His Word.  God the Father points to His Son as the author of your salvation. You hear His Word of forgiveness.  You embrace His counsel for daily living.  You discover that encouraging Word that lifts you up from your feelings of despair and depression.

In prayer, you can say whatever you want to God – He’s all ears as you open up your heart to Him.  He understands what your life is all about and He cares for you – His compassion is greater than you can possibly imagine.  When it comes to time, God will give you all the time you need.  And you have something in common – God the Father sent His only Son to be your Redeemer from sin and eternal death.  Through faith, you have embraced God’s Son to be your Redeemer and Lord.

            You can keep no better company than living each day in an intimate relationship with God.  Listen to God. Open up the Bible every day. And open your heart and mind to trust and believe in those timeless truths that give life – now and for eternity.

And then, pray.  Pray continually.  Pray in faith.  Pray with joy and thanksgiving.  You have a Father who loves you, a Savior who died and rose again for you, a Spirit who calls you to faith and assists you in your prayer life before your Lord.  What a friendship to have!  What company to keep!  Pray!

God has a hope and a future for you

I really appreciated what Sheila Walsh had to say in her new book, "It's OK Not To Be OK."

All of Scripture makes one thing clear: when God begins something He already has the end in mind.

Page 178

God is...

            When you are confused about the future, go to your Jehovah-raah, your caring shepherd.  When you are anxious about provision, talk to Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides.  Are your challenges too great?  Seek the help of Jehovah-shalom, the Lord is peace.  Is your body sick? Are your emotions weak?  Jehovah-rophe, the Lord who heals you will see you now.  Do you feel like a soldier stranded behind enemy lines?  Take refuge in Jehovah-nissi, the Lord my banner.

            Meditating on the names of God reminds you of the character of God.  Take these names and bury them in your heart.

            God is:

            The shepherd who guides,

            The Lord who provides,

            The voice who brings peace in the storm

            The physician who heals the sick, and

            The banner that guides the soldiers.

            From the Great House of God by

            Max Lucado

Unconditional love from a blessed friend

That's me with my our cat, Tiddy.  He originally belonged to my youngest daughter, Katie.  She needed to find a new home for Tiddy when her first child was born.  My dear, sweet wife and I are a sucker for cats and so Tiddy came to live with us.

Sherri called him a "COG."  A cat who acts like a dog! When I came home from work, Tiddy would follow me around just as a dog would.  I never got him to fetch a ball.  But he had no problem crawling up on my belly so that he could purr while I rubbed the back of his neck.

Tiddy had been ill for several months. This morning Sherri found him suffering from what appeared to be stroke-like symptoms. We took him to our vet and learned that there was really nothing that could be done for him.  We said our goodbyes and held him until the very end.

There are those who do not believe that our pets will join us in heaven. The Bible doesn't specifically say one way or the other.  But if this sinful world is going to be replaced by "a new heaven and new earth," isn't is reasonable to believe that among all the other things that God will have redeemed and made new in creation our pets will be in that place too.

We'll know when we get there. But I won't be surprised to see Tiddy Boy just waiting to follow me around.

It's Okay Not To Be Okay

Read this book if you are...
 Still feeling the pain from a messy divorce
Ruined your marriage after having a fling you knew was wrong
 Enslaved to alcohol, drugs, pornography, (fill in the blank)
Rejected for not having the right look, the right job, the right stuff
 Embarrassed by your inability to stop buying things when you already have three or four of those things
 Feeling there is something wrong with you because you suffer from anxiety and depression

Sheila Walsh knows what it's like to be flawed or feel like a failure.  But the title of her new book dispenses hope.  She continually points to Jesus as the One who loves us in spite of our brokenness. God's grace permeates every page. If you feel like no one gets you, you've got a friend in Sheila Walsh.  Do yourself a favor and get her new book, "It's Okay Not To Be Okay."

A soggy invitation

To come and join us this weekend for worship.  Saturday at 5 pm or Sunday at 8, 9:30 or 11 am.

A little rain won't hurt you.  So, come!

It's a Fun Friday with Matt Maher!

The joy of being let off the hook

Charlie Brown comes running up to Linus, shouting hysterically, "I FOUND IT! I FOUND MY LIBRARY BOOK! I LOOKED IN THE REFRIGERATOR AND THERE IT WAS! I FOUND IT!"

Linus replies, "That's great, Charlie Brown."

"I FOUND IT," cries a delirious Charlie Brown. I FOUND IT! HA HA HA HA HA HA, I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT! HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE, I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT!

As Linus walks on he observes, "In all the world there is nothing more inspiring than the sight of someone who has just been taken off the hook!"

This humorous cartoon left me wondering, "When was the last time I celebrated being left off the hook?"

My sins separated me from God.  But that separation didn't last forever.  Jesus came into this world to fulfill His Father's mission.  The perfect Jesus took the sins from the imperfect me and paid for them with His sacrificial death.  His glorious resurrection makes me certain that the Father accepted Jesus' payment. Now, through the gift of faith, I receive God's Word of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.

So go crazy today! Through faith in Jesus you've been taken off the hook! That's reason enough to celebrate, right?

Just watch how loudly you celebrate.  You don't want to scare your spouse, kids, cat or dog.  You don't want them to think you're nuts!

Have a joy-filled day in Jesus!

God knows what he is doing

When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man
 When God wants to mold a man, to play the noblest part
When He yearns with all His heart to create so great and bold a man
 That all the world should be amazed
Watch His methods, watch His ways
 How He ruthlessly perfects what He royally elects
How He hammers him and hurts him
 And with mighty blows converts him into shapes and forms of clay
Which only God can understand
 While man's tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands
Yet God bends but never breaks when man's good He undertakes
 How He uses whom He chooses
And with mighty power infuses Him
 With every act induced him to try His splendor out
God knows what He's about

Anon. 

The Mercy Seat

Scripture teaches us that God has set up two seats. One is the judgment seat for those who are proud and don't acknowledge or want to confess their sins. The other is the mercy seat for the poor, timid consciences who feel their sins and confess them, who despair of His judgment and who hope to find 
God's kindness.

In Romans 3:25, Paul says this mercy seat is Christ. God has given this seat to us as a place where we can find refuge because we cannot withstand God's judgment on our own. I want to find my refuge there too, for I have done and am still doing too little. I keep singing against God's law even after my justification and sanctification. My heart and conscience, no matter how pure they might appear to others, will count for nothing there. But they will be covered with a vaulted ceiling called mercy and forgiveness of sins.  It will serve as a strong protection and defense for me.  My heart and conscience will crawl under it and be safe. 

...Therefore, God Himself has established this mercy seat. He is the One who directs us away from the judgment seat and towards the mercy seat.

"Faith Alone," Martin Luther, October 9

Is it worth it to wait?

The world may say waiting is a waste, but God uses waiting to grow hope.

Michael W. Newman, "Hope When Your Heart Breaks," page 135

Eric Metaxas on Marriage

Eric Metaxas is a best selling author and broadcaster.  His biographies on Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were extensively researched and masterfully written.  In the August 4 edition of "World Magazine" Mataxas was interviewed on the subject of compassion.  Metaxas does a nice job of differentiating the way conservatives and liberals define and practice compassion.

Metaxas was then asked the following question: Does delayed marriage make us less compassionate?

I can say that living in New York City, where everyone tends to get married late if they get married at all, you start seeing the sadness.  Many people say, "If I had to do it all over, I wish I had got married. I bought the lie that the culture was selling in every magazine and every TV program: 'No, I shouldn't get married and have kids. That's just some kind of enslavement. I want to be free'." It rarely works out that way. As a culture we're just beginning to see the downside of what's been called freedom.

Anytime we look for freedom outside of Christ Jesus, we are bound to become enslaved.  Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." Jesus has set us free from sin, free from guilt, free from anxiety and worry, free from wondering about the future. We are free to offer compassion to others, not because the culture or a political party says its the right thing to do. We offer compassion because it was first extended to us through the love of Jesus who gave His life so that we might have life.

Have a blessed day today. May God give you the opportunity to show the compassion of Jesus to someone who needs to know love and help without strings attached.

Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey

I've just started reading William Weedon's book, "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey."  The title is taken from Luther's explanation to the First Article of the Apostles' Creed.  Weedon's focus is how practicing piety, the development of Godly habits, gives a believer freedom to joyfully live in Christ Jesus.

While going through the introduction, I was pleased to read what Weedon wrote about Luther's Small Catechism:
I am convinced that Luther's little handbook has been grossly misused among us.  We have isolated it from life, attempted to extract doctrine from it, and then teach that doctrine as mere information.  We have ignored the vital context the book explicitly describes over and over again.  The Small Catechism was not written for and was never meant to live in a classroom! Confining it there results in its true genius being ignored, or worse, subverted.  The heading of each of the Chief Parts that Luther wrote teach us where the catechism lives, "As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household."

I love to hunt for books at Goodwill or Savers (yes, I'm cheap!).  Nothing bothers me more than to find a Small Catechism sitting along side hundreds of other books.  How we need to teach young and older adults that a Catechism is not a textbook but a lifebook! The latest version from Concordia Publishing House is filled with additional helps and addresses many issues of today, such as life and sexuality issues.  And as an additional benefit, the Catechism helps to show that what our church believes and teaches is based solely on God's Word.

So, you might want to order a copy of Weedon's new book.  And make sure your Catechism is always handy.  It's not a matter of when you need it.  You will need it and appreciate its value as a help to live out your new life in Christ!

A fresh weekend...a fresh sermon

We continue our sermon series, "Unshakable Hope" this Sunday.  I'll be speaking on 1 Peter 5:5 - "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  In the sermon I'll get to talk a little bit about a dear friend of mine, Jim Peterson. He and I met when we worked together at a local radio station. Some people you never forget.  For me, Jim was one of those guys.

Worship today at 5 pm or tomorrow at 8, 9:30 or 11 am. Classes for all ages at 9:30 am. Come and join us this weekend!

Laura Story: "Your Name Will Be Praised" (Blessings)

To whom can you give cooties, er, kudos this week?

            As I remember it, some girls in the first grade could make a guy’s life miserable.  I remember walking down the hallway to my classroom when a bunch of girls started yelling, “Ooh, stay away from George.  He’s been bitten with the cooties bug.  He's got cooties! Cooties! And it wasn’t true.  I’ve never been bit by a cooties bug.  Never had cooties.  Trust me!  Still, once you’ve been identified as having cooties, you just know that life will be miserable in first grade for at least the rest of the day!

            As I said before, I’ve never, ever had cooties.  But there is one bug I’d like to be infected with.  That’s the kudos bug.

           

            Never heard of it?  Let me ask you – have you ever been recognized for a job well done…received praise for going the extra mile in serving another person…singled out for having helped another person when they needed you?  Then you’ve received a kudos.  Somebody lifted you up, built you up and made you feel special.  That’s something I’d like to spread to my family and friends and church family – kudos.

            In fact, according to the apostle Paul, one of the best uses of our time, until the Last Day when our Lord and Savior returns for His church, is to give kudos to each other.  Since we don’t know the day of the Lord, Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

            One kudos contains more power than a jet engine.  Praise a child and you’ll most like see a smile that could light up Las Vegas.  Honor a teenage and self-esteem shoots up higher than Old Faithful.  Recognize a fellow believer in Christ for selfless service and you’ll fill a heart with peace and joy.

            Some folks are too taken with themselves to be kudos dispensers.  These are the people who like to remind you that the project wouldn’t have gotten done without their superior knowledge or costly sacrifice of time and energy.  Have you ever noticed that such people rarely wear hats – it’s too difficult to find a size that will fit their swollen heads!

            Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Knowledge puffs up; love builds up.”  Love builds others up like a strong and mighty wall.  Isn’t that what Jesus does in our lives?  Jesus forgives us as we confess our sins.  Jesus teaches us and we want to do His will.  Jesus feeds us His supper and faith is strengthened.  From a heart overflowing with love, Jesus builds us up. 

            Who do you know whose heart overflows with the love of Jesus?  Is it your spouse who gladly puts your needs ahead of everything else?  Is it a friend at church who happily takes on the tasks nobody else wants to deal with?  Is it the neighbor across the street who is eager to help out when you need an extra pair of hands?

            Maybe this is the week to get infected with kudos.  But don’t worry - the cure is easy –you get over kudos by giving them away.  So do it!  Ask Jesus to help you see those people in your life who would be blessed by a word of praise from you.  Pass the cooties, eh, I mean, the kudos bug around this week!

God always remembers you

God always remembers you. Always. And He is always present, always close. If you can't locate Him in your loss, His comforting presence can be found in His Word. If you can't see Him as you suffer sadness, His promised presence prevails in you through your Baptism. If you feel He is too far away when your heart is broken, He steps into your life over and over again in His Holy Meal, inviting you to "take and eat, take and drink" His body and His blood for your strength and forgiveness.

I appreciate how the author, Michael W. Newman, focuses our attention on those places where we can be sure that God is near to us - Scriptures, Baptism, Lord's Supper.  Where can you find these things for sure? Worship! See why being in church every Sunday is so important? God doesn't forget you but invites you to be about these various means in which He comes to you with to bring peace and love.

Quote from "Hope When Your Heart Breaks," page 128

Baptism - a divine, blessed, fruitful and gracious water

Here you see again how highly and preciously we should value Baptism, because in it we receive such an unspeakable treasure. This also proves that it cannot be ordinary, mere water. For mere water could not do such a thing. But the Word does it and, as I said above, so does the fact that God's name is included in Baptism. Where God's name is, there must also be life and salvation (Psalm 54:1). So Baptism may certainly be called a divine, blessed, fruitful and gracious water. Such power is given to Baptism by the Word that it is a washing of new birth, as St. Paul also calls it in Titus 3:5.

Martin Luther, from the Large Catechism, page 452 in Concordia ~ The Lutheran Confessions

It's OK to take a break

God values us whether we're busy or not. While He is pleased when we serve Him by sharing His Gospel, or helping people in need, or encouraging or teaching or just being a friend, God doesn't place value on us just by our being busy. He loves us all, no matter how much or little we may do.

But if we are really busy, we need to take time to rest. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Jesus' rest is wonderful. It isn't necessary to be active all the time. We are God's valued and loved people even when we are taking a break. Jesus taught His disciples to take ample rest from their work, especially when busyness becomes a burden. 

What are you busy with these days? Does it accomplish very much? Would you want to show Jesus what you're doing, or would you be embarrassed if He showed up? What kind of burden might you give to Jesus to make your day easier? Do you just need some plain old rest? Then come to Jesus and He'll refresh your soul and body.

Rev. Bob Tasker, taken from an email by Pastor Don Ginkel

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

O God, You declare Your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant me the fullness of Your grace, that I, running to obtain Your promises, may become a partaker of Your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

From The Divine Hours, page 602

Matt Maher in concert!

I've attended my share of concerts over the years.  But when you have the chance to listen to someone who helps you express the feelings of your heart, it's special.  That's what Matt Maher does for me.

Sherri and I traveled to Gilbert last night to see Matt Maher at the Grove Church.  He did not disappoint.  In fact, it was like attending a greatest hits concert. "Christ Is Risen"..."Because He Lives (Amen)"..."Lord, I Need You"...and on and on. 

Sherri and I got to meet him for a moment prior to the concert.  He couldn't have been nicer to us. I remember when I was once as thin as he is.  That was about 40 years ago!

All the way home Sherri and I talked about how blessed we were by Maher's amazing music. Long after Maher is gone, the church is going to be singing his music - think about that!

And as we turned off the bedroom light, I fell asleep quietly singing, "Your grace is enough, Your grace is enough, Your grace is enough for me..."