What moves us to cry out "Lord, have mercy?"

Only when we hear the bad news that makes us cry out, "Lord, have mercy," are we able to hear the Good News of "It is Finished!"

RJ Grunewald, "Reading Romans with Luther," page 52

Top 10 Signs That Your Pastor Enjoyed Vacation Just a Little Too Much

10) Has ushers greet all worshippers with complementary leis

9) Suggests that the apostle Paul's missionary journeys would have been so much easier with the right "maps app"

8) Encourages the congregation to tithe their frequent flyer miles

7) Wears a different souvenir t-shirt over his alb every week

6) Wants to include a can of mosquito repellent in every visitor gift bag

5) Has congregation file into the sanctuary as if boarding a flight on Southwest Airlines: "Now seating A 1-30 only"

4) Orders clergy shirts from Tommy Bahama

3) Replaces office furniture with beach chairs

2) Stops work at 4 pm each day for a Pina Colada

And the number one sign that your pastor enjoyed vacation just a little too much:

1) Keeps reminding you that is was 65 degrees where he vacationed 

Connected to God the Father

A wonderful insight from Norman Nagel:

It is only because God has come to be our Father that we can pray to Him.  Only because Christ has taken away our sins on Himself and wiped them out by His victorious death can we stand before God, forgiven, His children in Christ.  Only as we are bound to Christ can we come before God as His children, for then God sees us in Christ, wearing the garment of Christ's righteousness.  This is the key to a living connection with God our Father.  All contact, all prayer with Him must be in Christ, in the name of Jesus, that is, with faith in Him.

Isn't that good news!

From "Selected Sermons" page 139. 

Martin Luther on the law and Jesus Christ

 "To the extent we are Christians, we stand above the law and sin.  Christ is the Lord of the law.  He is present and locked in our hearts, just as a precious stone is firmly mounted in a ring.  When the law accuses us and sin terrifies us, all we need do is look at Christ.  When we have taken hold of Him in faith, we have the victory over the law, sin, death and the devil...Because Christ rules over all of these, we won't be harmed." 

From "Faith Alone" devotional, July 14

Top Ten Signs Your Church Consultant Is Off Kilter

10) Consultant believes that the church cannot gain new members by singing old hymns and songs; forbids the band to play any song written before 2005.

9) Consultant has pastor begin each sermon with a joke "just like Joel Osteen."

8) Consultant creates outrage in the congregation by cancelling the coffee and donut hour and installing vending machines.

7) "If you follow my plan, work my plan and don't deviate from my plan, I guarantee that I will fill up this church with new members.  With God's help, of course."

6) Consultant instructs the pastor to always be smiling to project warmth during the service; this becomes especially off-putting during confession and absolution.

5) To increase attendance, consultant creates "Bring your Pet to Church Sunday" which infuriates the custodian on Monday.

4) Consultant urges the church to focus on the important 18-34 demographic group of soccer dads with 2 and 1/2 children who drink microbrews and make less than $30,000 a year.

3) Consultant recommends a new way to increase attendance: let guests and visitors take money out of the collection plate.

2) Consultant replaces small group ministry with a "smaller group ministry" consisting of one person or less per group.

And the number one sign that your Church Growth Consultant is off-kilter is:

1) Consultant suggests that the pastor change his name to "Max Lucado." 

Good friends are a blessing

Those of you who regularly read the blog know that I am in the process of having a book of devotions published.  This has become a more arduous and stressful task than I imagined.

I thought I would submit my manuscript and it eventually would come back to me in book form.  Not so fast!

First, the manuscript went through the "content department."  I'm working with a Christian publishing company and they have certain guidelines regarding how a few words can be used or not used.  The manuscript came back with a some of these words highlighted.  They were easily corrected.  I thought we were on our way.

Instead, I received an email informing me that it would be best if I had a line by line edit of the manuscript.  The cost of the service is based on the number of words included in the manuscript.  My cost would be nearly $1000! 

I was shocked.  This was money that I hadn't expected to pay and my review of the corrections they were proposing didn't seem all that important.  I was more than a little frustrated to say the least.

So I reached out to Jim, a good friend of mine and a published author.  I respect his opinion and wanted to get his perspective.  He responded with some very good insight about the importance of having another set of eyes taking a critical look at the manuscript.  Yes, this service would bring about additional costs, Jim wrote, but it would be worth it if spelling errors, grammatical errors and the like were caught.

Jim helped me gain some perspective and enabled me to see that a line by line, word by word, edit would ensure that the book was as polished and attractive as possible.  His advice and counsel made sense.

Isn't it a blessing to have good friends you can count on for compassionate help and wisdom.  Jim provided that for me.  I hope you have that good friend you can count on too.

The Lord Speaks to You

Often I tell people that if you want to hear the voice of the Lord, open your Bible and start to read.  I needed to hear from the Lord this morning.  And I did.

Do not fret yourself because of evildoers, do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away.

Put your trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
Take delight in the Lord, and he shall give you your heart's desire.
Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in Him, and He will bring it to pass.

The Lord cares for the lives of the godly, and their inheritance shall last for ever.

But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the Lord, He is their stronghold in time of trouble.

The Lord will help them and rescue them; He will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, because they seek refuge in Him.

Selected verses from Psalm 37. 

The comfort of God's Word

 "His Word will be that sharp-edged sword that will convict you when pride puffs you up, or be that soft blanket that comforts you when pain leaves you feeling wounded."

Joni Eareckson Tada, from "Joni and Ken - An Untold Love Story," page 179

Top Ten Signs Your Pastor Is Playing Too Much Golf

10) Refers to the Sanctuary as "the clubhouse."

9) Announces that his clergy apparel is sponsored by Nike, GE, and American Express.

8) During children's message has the kids critique his putting technique.

7) Visitors to his office are offered coffee or an "Arnold Palmer."

6) Replaces carpet in the narthex with a putting green.

5) Refuses to remove his "Titleist" cap during worship.

4) Can't decide if he wants to visit Wittenberg, the home of the reformation or St. Andrews, the home of golf.

3) Bulletin mistakes are called "bogeys."

2) Identifies five new mission fields for the church.  Coincidentally, they are all golf courses.

And the number one sign that the pastor is playing too much golf:

1) Regrets that he named his first born son, "Tiger." 

Excuses, excuses

Did your parents ever have to write a note to a school teacher asking that you be excused from class? My dear, sweet wife bought me a devotional book from author and humorist, Ken Davis, that offered some really funny notes from parents. 

My son is under a doctor's care and should not take physical education today.  Please execute him.

Please excuse Lisa for being absent.  She was sick and I had her shot.

Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.

And my favorite:

Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday.  We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it was Monday, we thought it was Sunday. 

O give me a pity, I'm on a committee

A number of years ago I came across a poem that seemed to capture the frustration that sometimes comes when serving on a committee.  Maybe you can relate.  It went something like this:

O give me a pity, I'm on a committee, Which means that from morning to night...We attend and amend and contend and defend, Without a conclusion in sight.

We confer and concur, we defer and demur, And reiterate all of our thoughts...We revise the agenda with frequent addenda, And consider a load of reports.

We compose and propose, we suppose and oppose, And the points of procedure are fun...But though various notions are brought up a motions, There's terribly little gets done.

We resolve and absolve, but never dissolve, Since it's out of the question for us...What a shattering pity to end our committee, Where else could we make such a fuss!

He is no fool...

"He is no fool who gives up that which he could never keep to gain that which he can never loose."

Jim Elliot

What happens when Jesus comes again?

But Jesus says He is coming.  When He does, it will not be as a judge to strike terror into my sinful heart.  He comes as the "Son of Man," a term Jesus loved to use of Himself.  That expression directs my eyes to a manger of straw, a cross of pain, a grave of victory.  He's the One who came earlier to shoulder my sins, die my death, fill my grave.  That's my Savior who's coming.

"Together With Jesus," November 26 devotion

Top Ten Church Staff Excuses

In going through some old blog posts I discovered that back in 2015 I posted a number of Top Ten Lists - kind of like David Letterman's Top Ten Lists.  So, for the next number of Friday's I'll be reprinting some of the lists.

10) Choir director: "We thought a country-western version of 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God' would go over well."

9) Fellowship chairperson: "I thought everyone would like liverwurst on a stick."

8) Nursery attendant: "I'm allergic to crying children."

7) Secretary: "Proof reading is not one of my spiritual gifts."

6) Organist: "I don't chose the hymns.  I just play the hymns."

5) Custodian: "I didn't think anyone would object to a tip jar on the bathroom counters."

4) Usher: "How was I suppose to know that that was their personal private pew?"

3) Associate Pastor: "It was the Senior Pastor's idea."

2) Senior Pastor: "It was the Associate Pastor's idea."

And the number one church staff excuse:

1) Youth leader: I guess the teenagers really should have been locked in

The Lord has our back!

Becky Brown is a friend of mine.  I got to know her through one of our former members at Life in Christ.

When a grandchild was born with numerous health issues her world was rocked.  She spent much time in prayer and devouring the Scriptures.  Through study and prayer she says God gave her insight into this challenge.  

In an email she wrote: "The Lord doesn't waste opportunities for growth (and I am praying that I don't either).  There are always purposes behind what we go through."

God doesn't always reveal why He allows the problems and disappointments that take place in our lives.  But He promises to be with us and that nothing can separate us from His love.

Where do you see opportunities for growth in your life? 

How to deal with critical people

While going through one of my journals this morning I came across this good advice from former NBA basketball coach Jeff Van Gundy: Do not take criticism from people you  wouldn't take advice from. 

My World Cup Fever Has Reached a Fever Pitch!

Every four years it rolls around.  It captures the attention of the world.  Even America is learning to love soccer ("football" every where else in the world)!

This year's World Cup started with 48 teams with countries from all over the world.  The USA, Canada and Mexico served as hosts.  The first match began on June 11 and  the tourney finally reaches its conclusion tomorrow.  Spain and Argentina will vie to raise the cup in front of their multitude of fans.  Both countries will be well represented.

Spain are the favorites.  They feature one of the best players in the world in Rodri and one of the best young players in Lamine Yamal.  And Argentina has the GOAT (Greatest Player of All Time), Leo Messi.  Any team that features Messi cannot be counted out.  I won't be surprise if Argentina finds a way to victory.  They would be the only team in decades to lift the trophy in consecutive World Cups.

I fell in love with soccer in 2005.  I suppose I was like most Americans - I thought soccer is boring, no team ever scores, all they do is kick the ball back and forth, etc.  But then I started watching more closely.  I discovered that these athletes are in amazing condition - some run 13 to 15 miles in a single match.  How they can control the ball by using their hands is a marvel.  To watch a team move the ball down the pitch, utilizing short, accurate passes until the ball is passed in the box and kicked into the net is a marvelous thing to see.  

Tomorrow I preach two services and conduct a Bible class in Paw Paw, Michigan.  When the last hymn is sung, my dear, sweet wife and I will head back home, change clothes and celebrate my Son-in-Law's birthday.  And we'll sit right in front of the tv and watch Argentina beat Spain 3-2!

Well, I can dream, cant' I?

"Death is but a sleep"

"Thus before our Lord God, death is not death but a sleep.  For us, when we die it is and is termed death, but before God is it but a sleep and a very light sleep at that."

Martin Luther, as quoted in "Thank, Praise, Serve, Obey" page 158 

What does the word "confess" mean?

The word, "confess," means to speak the same thing as God does about our sin.

William Weedon, "Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey," page 75 

What faith does

Faith can transform reason, but nothing can be as unreasonable as unbelief.

Frank Starr, "Light for the Way," book 4, page 20

My book is off to the printer!

In the spring I reached an agreement with Westbow Press to self-publish my first book - "Hope Upon Hope - Encouraging Words When Your Life Needs a Lift."

Westbow has very specific instructions for self-publishing; I didn't know there would be so much detail - size of book, size of font, cover work, inside design and the list goes on and on.  

First stop for the book is the Content Department; they will make sure that the material I've wrote is in keeping with their editorial guidelines.  From there it will go to Design and when they have put together a mock up of the book, I'll get a chance to review and make sure I'm satisfied with what they've done.  After that the book gets printed and the finished product will land on my doorstep.  I must say, I can't wait to see how all this turns out.

Westbow has an online store from which the book can be purchased.  There is a possibility that the book will be available on Amazon.  I'll know more about distribution in a few months.

I thank the Lord for this opportunity and my dear, sweet wife for her belief that I should move forward with getting my book published.  I'll keep you friendly readers posted on its progress.

Martin Luther's Morning Prayer for Children

Thank you God, through Your dear Son

That with the Spirit, three in one

You kept me safe all through the night

And I awoke to see the light

Be with me throughout the day

Let nothing evil pass my way

This life on earth, I live for You

My soul and body and all things

I trust to You, You are my King

Your holy angels keep me near

The evil one I will not fear

Amen. 

Note: I haven't been able to confirm that Luther actually wrote the above prayer.  It may be that someone else took Luther's Morning Prayer, found in the Catechism, and wrote a simple version that children could memorize and use.

Why do we want more?

It's silly, isn't it, to think that if we just accumulate enough "stuff" (whatever kind of stuff you like) we'll somehow be happy and content with our lives.  I've had some interaction with "stuff" and "stuff" has never comforted me when I've been sad or offered wise advice when I was troubled.

In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther brings the focus back to where it should be - to God.

What more would you have or desire than God so kindly promising to be yours with every blessing and to protect and help you in all need.

1st Commandment, paragraph 41 

No nobler prayer

"Therefore, there is no nobler prayer to be found upon earth than the Lord's Prayer.  We pray it daily (Matt. 6:11) because it has this excellent testimony, that God loves to hear it.  We ought not to surrender this for all the riches of the world.

Martin Luther, "Large Catechism," part 3, para. 23, "Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions" 

How to defy gravity

 "Let our Father be in heaven; join Him there through your words.  Defy gravity and stand beside Him.  That's the action of God in prayer."

The sainted Daniel Paavola, "Our Way Home," page 37

Time for a little break

I will be taking a little break from the blog for the next 10 days.  I'll be doing some traveling - fulfilling a bucket list item for my dear, sweet wife.  

The good news is that I have finished all the work on my book and I'll will be forwarding everything to the printer and hope to receive some kind of timeline on when they might have the book ready.

Looking forward to reconnecting with you on July 1st.  God's blessings!

God Delights In Us Too

The delight and pleasure of God are in His beloved Son, and that is where we are too.  What is ours is His; what is His is ours.  So God delights in us too.  If our hearts would take this in, Martin Luther said, they would burst for joy in a hundred thousand pieces.  In a world that is given over to sin, death and the devil, there is one point where the delight of God dwells.  "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased."  That is where we are in solidarity with Jesus.  With Jesus there is God's delight.  God, Christ, you -- all together like one thing.

"Selected Sermons of Norman Nagel" page 44

Practice, Practice, Practice!

The difference between a professional and an amateur?

I had an affinity for Bach, and enjoyed it more.  As (my music teacher) pointed out to me, with exasperation, and on more than one occasion, I liked to play, rather than practice, and that marked me as an amateur.

Kathleen Norris, Acedia & Me, page 15.

"The Breadwinner" - see it this weekend

If you are looking for family friendly entertainment look no further than the film, "The Breadwinner," and I encourage you to see it this weekend.

The film stars Nate Bargatze who also wrote the film.  He plays Nate Wilcox, a car salesman, who suddenly finds himself as "Mister Mom" when his wife, played by Mandy Moore, invents a product, finds an investor on "Shark Tank" and needs to leave Nate in charge of their three daughters while she travels to promote her invention.

Bargatze is clueless as a father.  He has no idea where his kids go to school.  He is hopeless in the kitchen.  He hires the worst roofer in town.  He tries to run the household like a car dealership and chaos ensues.  Clearly he is not cut out to be in charge of the household.

If you like Bargatze's style of humor then you'll like the movie.  He is extremely likable.  Some of the scenes in the picture are based on his stand up comedy.  He often fails in the "Mr. Mom" department but his character is sincere, wants his wife not to worry about the family, and shows love and understand for his daughters (the three actors do a fine job).

My dear, sweet wife gave the movie 4 stars; I give it 31/2 stars.  Some of the scenes fall a little flat.  Still, I think it's a good first effort from Bargatze.  This kind of family oriented entertainment is rare.  So, if you've got some free time this weekend take 90 minutes and see "The Breadwinner." 

What to pray for...

I know I can't keep everything You give.  Therefore, I pray for what best can benefit Your work.  I pray for whatever I need to serve You and help others to experience the light Your resurrection has brought to our world.

From To Live in Christ, page 323 

The Gospel only makes promises

"Like the Law, the Gospel is also necessary; unlike the Law, the Gospel doesn't make any demands.  The Gospel makes only promises"

RJ Grunewald  "Reading Romans with Luther" page 49

To whom can you be the hands of Christ?

 n England, on the base of a statue of Jesus with arms outstretched were the words, "Come unto me."  After the war, an artist was hired to restore that statue, shattered by German bombs.  But he couldn't find Jesus' hands.  So he left the statue without them and changed the wording on the base to read, "Christ has no hands, but ours."

Richard E. Lauersdorf, Together with Jesus, March 23 devotion

+Mikayla Anderson+

We learned this morning that Mikayla Anderson, daughter of our dear friend, Grace Keedy Anderson, suddenly died this morning.  She was the recipient of a heart transplant three years ago.  A number of weeks ago she suffered a heart attack and had to be resuscitated several times.  Over the past couple of weeks she seemed to be improving, baby steps they called it, and her future looked hopeful.  News of her passing has left Sherri and me shocked and saddened.

There are no words that we can speak but the Commendation of the Dying includes this prayer: O God, the Father, fountain and source of all goodness, we give thanks that You have kept Mikayla in the faith and have taken her to Yourself.  Comfort Grace and her family by your Holy Word and give them strength that when their last hour comes they may peacefully fall asleep in You.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Theology of the Cross vs. Theology of Glory

Prof. John Pless hits the proverbial nail on the head:

While Lutherans also confess that God is almighty, Lutheran theology does not begin with His majesty but with His mercy in Christ.

From Handling the Word of Truth, page 101

When should you buy books?

Whenever I get a little money, I buy books.  And if there's any left over, then I buy food and clothes.

Erasmus 

What happens when we make church about us

But when we make church about us, we can expect two things: shallow friendships and shallow faith.

Sharon Hodle Miller, "Free of Me," page 117

What original sin is

The original sin in a man is like his beard, which, though shaved off today so that a man  is very much smooth around his mouth, yet grows again by tomorrow morning...Just as original sin remains in us and desires itself as long as we live, but we must resist it and always cut off its hair.

Martin Luther (as only he could describe it)

from Trevor Sutton, "Being Lutheran," page 3 

A wonderful week!

We were blessed to reconnect with our dear friends, Dan and Janelle, who have relocated to a suburb north of Indianapolis.  They live in a beautiful home (Dan's man cave is going to be spectacular!) and are within driving distance to most of their kids.  We ate and drank too much and it was wonderful!  And our dog, Jake won over their affections.

Today I'll watch the UEFA Champions League finals with PSG to take a narrow victory over Arsenal.  Then we'll meet our friends Terry and Tom for dinner and see the "Breadwinner" movie starring our favorite, Nate Bargetze.  Tomorrow I'll do pulpit supply and in the afternoon watch our youngest grandson play soccer. Next week I'll keep working on providing the materials to Westbow Press so that my book project keeps moving forward.

Hope your weekend is full of blessings!

So you want to self-publish a book?

Jess Spurgin and I worked together for years in the radio broadcasting business.  When I returned to Phoenix in 2005 to serve as pastor of Life in Christ in Peoria, Jess offered me a time slot to write and record a weekly devotional program.  It was called "Wake Up With the Word," and since the program aired at 7:25 am the title was spot on.

Over a period of five years I wrote several hundred devotions.  Even after the program ended I continued to use the devotions to open Bible classes, ministry organizations meetings, and incorporating them into sermons.  The feedback I received was positive and it led me to consider putting some of them into book form for others to read.

First, with the help of my Administrative Assistant, Connie Kanzler, we put a simple book together.  It was fun to give them away and many folks said they found the devotions to be very encouraging.  

Now, in retirement I decided to take the next step and have the devotions self-published and I signed the contract this week.

Westbow Press is a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson/Zondervan which assists authors to self-publish their works.  There is much more involved in publishing a book than I imagined but I have a contact who has promised to walk me through the process every step of the way (I wonder if the guy knows what he's gotten himself into?)

I've set a deadline of October 1st to have the book completed.  Lots of decisions to be made in the meantime - Book title, cover design, page layout to name just a few.  

For years I've wanted to write a book.  These devotions are the perfect vehicle for such an idea.  From time to time I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Now it's time to get to work!

What really matters

If Christ is risen, nothing else matters.  And if Christ is not risen, nothing else matters.

Jaroslav Pelikan in "Unparalleled" page 160

The Meaning of the Cross

If one follows the New Testament, we will come to recognize that the cross is actually a revelation of the depth of human sin and the depth of divine love.

"Martin Luther-In His Own Words"

We will share with Christ's sufferings and glory

As a pastor (Paul Gerhardt) who suffered persecution for his faith and endured the death of his wife and even some of his children, he understood the tenson of the life of the Christian that having been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection, we will share both in His suffering and His  glory.

"The Choir Immortal" page 194

All our needs are important to Jesus

Let that miracle at Cana remind us! Jesus' first miracle was not to stop a pain or heal a disease but to make wine at a wedding, as a reminder that our needs, big and little, are seen and satisfied by Him.

Richard Lauersdorf 

Fishing with Luther

Philip Melancthon, the  great reformation theologian, once said to his friend, Martin Luther, "This day you and I will discuss the governance of the universe."  What Luther said in reply was unexpected: "This day you and I will go fishing and leave the governance of the universe to God."

"Our Daily Bread" March-May 1996

Top Ten Signs the Organist is Off His Rocker

10) Plays Beatles tunes for the postlude

9) Expects the sermon to last at least 20 minutes so he can make a Starbucks run

8) Thinks if the organ sounds like a calliope it would liven up the service

7) Won't play any hymn that starts with the letter "L"

6) "Pianos are for sissies!"

5) Complains that he isn't paid enough

4) Plays while playing in top hat and tails

3) Insists on being shown on the big screen in the sanctuary while playing so he "gets his due"

2) Stood on the organ bench and shouted "I am the king of the world!"

1) Still complaining that he isn't paid enough

So we can feel, grasp and touch God

God has given us Baptism, the Sacrament of the Altar and Absolution to bring Christ very close to us, so that we can have Him not only in our hearts but also on our tongue, so that we can feel Him, grasp Him and touch Him.

Martin Luther, "Treasury of Daily Prayer," page 301

Our Ark is the Lord's church

How like Noah and his family are we, kept safe by God within the confines of the Ark, kept safe from the destruction without.  Our Ark is His church, where we are sheltered from the wrath of God by the covering of the righteousness of Christ.

Frank Starr, "Light for the Way," book 1, page 9

The two things necessary

 I feel there are especially necessary for me in this life without which its miseries would be unbearable.  Confined here in this prison of the body I confess I need these two, food and light.  Therefore, You (O Jesus) have given me in my weakness Your sacred Flesh to refresh my soul and body, and You have set Your Word as the guiding light for my feet.  Without them I could not live aright, for the Word of God is the light of my soul and Your Sacrament is the Bread of Life.

Thomas Kempis, in "Treasury of Daily Prayer," page 243

Worry is...

Worry is dealing with tomorrow's problems on today's pasture.

Anon.

A Prayer of Confession

Back in 1948, Concordia Publishing House printed what they called "The Devotional Bible," a two volume set of devotional readings of the Gospels.  The devotions included a prayer and this particular one seemed to be meaningful for me on the day I read it because I wrote in down in my journal.  The prayer went like this:

O Lord, for Jesus' sake, remake me day after day, creating in me a clean heart.  I confess my sins to You.  They have bruised and wounded my soul.  You alone can blot all these wrongs and transgressions through Christ.  Make me acceptable to You and grant that every word and act of mine may please You.  Then You shall be the praise in Christ Jesus forevermore.  Amen. 

"And if we tire, you'll carry us"

May Your good Word be fulfilled in us so we hurry on our way without giving up and travel on without being tired.  And if we tire, you'll carry us.  Take us by the hand and lead us forward.  You're loyal, and your loyalty is our hope and our strength.

From To Live With Christ, page 618 

Luther on the 8th Commandment

For there is nothing on or in a person that can do both greater and more extensive good or harm in spiritual and in temporal matters than the tongue.  This is true even though it is the least and weakest part of a person (James 3:5).

From The Large Catechism 

Before the Lord death is not death at all

 (Regarding the story of the Widow of Nain in Luke, chapter 7)

For here we have the example.  The son of the widow is dead; he has lost the gift of hearing and all other senses.  

But when Christ speaks to him, he hears.  This is certainly a strange and wonderful incident.  He that does not hear, hears; and he that does not live, lives.  Nothing is done but that Christ opens His mouth and bids him arise.  The single word is so powerful that death has to vanish and life returns.

Before the Lord death is not death at all.  For us it is called and is death when we die.  But before God it is a light sleep which could not be any lighter.

Martin Luther, quoted in "Treasury of Daily Prayer," page 228

You might be a preacher if...

You'd rather negotiate with terrorist than the organist

A church picnic is no picnic 

You've ever wanted to fire the church and form a congregational search committee

You've ever wanted to give the sound tech some feedback of your own

You've ever wanted to lay hands on a deacon and you weren't thinking about praying for him

You often feel like you're herding mules rather than shepherding sheep

You've wanted to use the children's message to send a message to the congregation

You've wanted to announce your vacation with the words "Hasta la Vista, Baby!"

You've love a shock device to use to wake sleeping ushers

You've wanted to impeach the congregational president

From Adventures in Preaching

So you want to be a sports talk show host?

I've had the opportunity to listen to the big sports talk station in town this week and I've discovered a few simple steps for hosting a sports talk program.  It's really pretty simple so if you've ever listened to such programs and thought to yourself, "Hey! I could do this!" I urge you to put these three steps into practice and soon you'll be rubbing elbows with Dan Patrick and Bob Costas and, well, probably not.

First, learn to repeat every sentence you say at least three times.

Say something like, "The Suns did not show up to play tonight." Then say it again.  Say it one more time.  Apparently, those who listen to sports talk program aren't very swift so you've got to repeat your points over and over again until the listener gets what you're saying.

(Or maybe the host is not very swift and simply repeats stuff over and over again because they've got no real insight or analysis to offer.  Nah - that's couldn't be true, right?) 

Ah, but repetition in and of itself is not enough!

Second, as you repeat every sentence three times, crank up the volume!!

Let me try and demonstrate (you can't hear me so use your imagination, OK?)

"The Suns did not show up to play tonight.  The Suns Did Not Show Up To Play Tonight!  THE SUNS DID NOT SHOW UP TO PLAY TONIGHT!!!!!"

Cranking up the volume proves that you are a passionate sports talk show host and we sports fans are nothing if not passionate about our teams and their performance.

Third, remind your audience over and over again that you were at the game.

I guess this lets your listeners know that you weren't watching the game from the comfort of your living room where with all the good camera angles and instant replay, you can see the game much better than at a seat in the stadium.  You were there at the game! That must lend more creditability to what you say.

So, say something like, "You're right, I was at that game and the Suns did not show up to play.  No way did they play hard.  I was there and the Suns didn't show up.  I was there at that game and the Suns did not show up, no way! I WAS THERE AT THE GAME AND THE SUNS DID NOT SHOW UP!" (a good use of rules 2 and 3).

Now I know that there are only a few sports talk show hosting opportunities out there so maybe you can use these rules where you work.  If you're a pastor, use them in the pulpit: (The devil fooled Adam and Eve.  The Devil Fooled Adam And Eve! THE DEVIL FOOLED ADAM AND EVE!!!)

Or maybe you can apply the rules with your fellow employees: (I was there at the meeting and our benefits have been frozen.  They're frozen! I was there.  I heard it with my own two ears.  I WAS THERE AT THE MEETING!!!)

Of course, should you apply these three rules to your place of work, you might run the risk of having happen to you what I did to the sports talk station.

Tune it out.

From  April 2013

Martin Luther on the 8th Commandment

 For there is nothing on or in a person that can do both greater and more extensive good or harm in spiritual and in temporal matters than the tongue.  This is true even though it is the least and weakest part of a person (James 3:5).

From The Large Catechism

Martin Luther on the One Thing Necessary

One thing, and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness and freedom.  That one thing is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ...Let us then consider it certain and firmly established that the soul can do without anything except the Word of God and that where the Word of God is missing there is no help at all for the soul.

From "Treasury of Daily Prayer," page 220. 

Today is a gift.

Yesterday is history...tomorrow is a mystery...today is a gift - that's why they call it the present.

Anon.

Be A Pointer!

In the last analysis, you cannot pontificate but only point.  A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, "I can't prove a thing, but there is something about His eyes and voice.  There's something about the way He carries His head, His hands, the way He carries His cross - the way He carries me."

Your testimony is your testimony.  People can question or challenge or even dismiss your testimony.  But none of that changes the fact of what Christ has done in Your life. 

So be a pointer - point to Jesus.  Tell others how Jesus picked you up and began carrying you in your baptism.  Tell how He saved you and changed your life with the washing of water and the Word.  Tell what He continues to carry you each day of your life - how His forgiveness picks you up when you are down...how His peace lifts you up and enables you to live each day with joy in spite of tough circumstances.  Tell how He has promised to carry you into eternity.

You and I can't change or convert a person.  But the Holy Spirit can do this work through the Gospel.  It's not our job to persuade.  But we can point.  Be a pointer.  Point people to Jesus.

Above quote from Fredrick Bueckner, "Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC" 

Thank God for the little things

We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts...How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Retirement is good

It's been a little over four years since I left full-time ministry.  It was a good decision.  I was worn out and felt like I wasn't serving the congregation as well as I did when I arrived in January 2005.

For the first year I relaxed.  Played some golf (badly). Worked on my guitar skills (not much improvement) filled in a few times at St. Mark (thanks to Pastor Sheldon).  And while this was going on, my dear, sweet wife and I purchased a summer home in St. Joseph, Michigan.

This gave us a good five months of being with our two daughters and their families.  We loved being near Lake Michigan.  We watched the grandkids play soccer, basketball, junior golf and attended swim meets.  We attended the local LCMS church and discovered an excellent teacher who led the Sunday morning Bible class.  The move also helped us to escape the hottest part of the summer here in the Valley.

While there I made myself available for pulpit supply.  Unfortunately, there were a number of churches in the area without pastors so I had plenty of opportunities to preach.  While I was there, I came up with the idea to offer to preach regularly at Christ the Redeemer in Phoenix.  Soon, I was preaching every Sunday from October to April.  

At the same time I received a call to see if I would teach the Thursday morning Bible class at Church of the Master in Phoenix.  I jumped at the chance to do so.  While in the parish I taught a Thursday evening class at Life in Christ.  But with all the other duties I has as Senior Pastor I often wasn't able to prepare as fully as I would have liked.  Now, I would have all the time needed to teach as I wanted to.

This is where Sherri says I flunked retirement.  And, in one sense, she's right.  Preparing a sermon and Bible study takes time.  But time is what I have.  And since golf wasn't bringing me any enjoyment, having the opportunity to preach and teach in retirement has been perfect.

I thank and praise God that He has been able to use me in retirement.  Now, if He would only do something to help with my golf game!

Top Ten Signs Your Pastor Needs to Work on his Bedside Manner

Top Ten Signs Your Pastor Needs to Work on his Bedside Manner

10) Spies half-eaten sandwich on a tray and asked, “Mind if I eat that?”

9) Spends entire visit on phone getting reports about his son’s T-ball game

8) Asks the nurse if she thinks “The Pitt” is realistic

7) Asks “This illness won’t keep you from giving your weekly tithe, will it?”

6) Complains about how far away from the hospital he had to park

5) Tells worried member, “Relax, most people don’t recover from this surgery.”

4) Asks, “You have a back problem? That’s nothing! Let me tell you about my back problem.”

3) Says, “Dr. Smith is your doctor? I thought he’d been convicted for malpractice.”

2) Tells member, “Wake up! I’ve only got 15 minutes.”

1) Wonders, “Have you made plans for the funeral yet?” 

Grace is greater than sin

 The cost of your sin is greater than you can pay.  The gift of your God is more than you can imagine.

John Jeske
Connecting Sinai to Calvary, page 27

"Nothing Can Separate You from Him"

So come to His table, listening only to His words and receiving what He gives.  All your doing doesn't count against you anymore.  There is none of you, none of your doing outside of Jesus forgiveness.  Nothing can separate you from Him, for He has borne it all and answered for it in your place.  The Lord invites you to His table, family and fellowship to share all His happy good.  This is how much He loves you.  And by this Meal the Lord brings you on your way to that glad feast that is the feast of the Lamb with all His saints.

Saints - that is you and me and all His disciples, the many accounted righteous, whose iniquities He bore, whose chastisement He took, those whom He makes whole by what He did as the sacrifice for sin and by what He gives us to share together at His table.  Amen.

Selected Sermons of Normal Nagel - page 112 

Is Your Pastor Delivering Jesus to You?

I didn't write down where I found this comment from Martin Luther.  Profound in its simplicity...

For the preaching of the Gospel is nothing else than Christ coming to us, or we being brought to Him.

Is your pastor delivering Jesus to you in his preaching and teaching?

Like the apostle Paul, is he resolved to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified? (1 Cor. 2;2)

Does he point to Jesus as the only way, truth and life? (John 14:6)

Does his preaching help you to see Jesus in His humility and glory? (John 12:21)

Helpful, effective preaching always has Jesus as its heart and core.

If your pastor is delivering Jesus to you, thank him.

If not, tell your pastor that you "wish to see Jesus. 

Jesus Christ, our Substitute

From John Jeske's wonderful book, Connecting Sinai to Calvary

Because in our place our substitute lived a life of perfect obedience to the holy law of God, God considers us to be people who have given Him the perfect obedience He demands.  Because in our place our substitute died innocently under God's curse, God considers us to have been punished for our sin. 

I've God the Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart

Author Eugene Peterson has some very interesting observations regarding "joy."  For example:

Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship; it is a consequence...it is what comes to us when we are walking in the way of faith and obedience.

All suffering, all pain, all emptiness, all disappointment is seed: sow it in God and He will, finally, bring a crop of joy from it.

So often we believe that joy is something that we must muster up for ourselves.  Of course, we can't produce joy but how often do we fall for the lie that if we do something that makes us feel good (regardless of what God says about it) or if we obtain some new thing, we'll be joyous?

If we care at all about our relationship with God, living outside of His will won't bring a lasting joy.

And stuff can't make us happy.  Stuff breaks down or wears out or falls apart.  How much joy is there in all of that?

Where do we look for joy? Paul wrote to the Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

Our joy is in Jesus.  He puts the bounce in our step, the smile on our face, the joy in our hearts.

Listening to Him in His Word...speaking to Him in prayer...being in His house to receive His gifts...sharing His gifts with the people around us - that is where joy is found. 

We can't produce joy.  Jesus gives it as one of His precious gifts.

Worship the Lord faithfully and serve His people lovingly.  Watch and see if He doesn't fill your heart with joy overflowing!

Top 10 Signs Your Pastor Isn't Prepared For Bible Class

10) Falls asleep during “Drive Thru the Bible” and wakes up to see everyone has gone home

9) Spends an hour showing pictures from his recent vacation to Mexico

8) Tells class: “My dog ate my study notes.”

7) Comes in exactly one hour after class should have started and asked, “Am I late?”

6) Answers every question in class by saying, “Let’s circle back to that next week.”

5) Spends the hour in class asking for help in filling out his March Madness brackets

4) Cuts class 45 minutes early so he can get home and watch “Will Trent”

3) Tells class: “My dog ate my Bible”

2) Announces a new assignment: WWJWOTVITWTVIG (What would Jesus watch on television if there had been television in Galilee)

1) Asks each member of the class, “And what does this verse mean to you?

Looking for cheerful givers

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7

Interestingly, the word translated, "cheerful," in the Greek could also be translated as "hilarious."  Such a person is happy to be able to give back to the Lord a portion of what the Lord has blessed that person with in the first place.

A college student who went to Africa on a mission trip told of seeing hilarious givers.  In the church where they worshipped, no offering plates were passed.  Instead, a large metal pot was set up in front of the altar.  On the pastor's cue, the people were invited to give their offerings.  The student said, "The people gave with great, great joy.  They danced down the aisles.  Most only had a few coins to give.  Others put vegetables from their garden in the pot.  It didn't matter.  They were excited that they could give something back to God and His church.  It caused myself to ask, "Do I give my offerings with that kind of joy and excitement?"

I guess it depends on how you look at the tithe or offering you give to the Lord's church each Sunday.  Do you place your offering envelope in the plate with an attitude of "have to" instead of "want to?"  A "have to" giver does so reluctantly or under compulsion.  A "want to" giver does so with gratitude for all that has been received from the Lord's hand - forgiveness, salvation, peace and joy.  These are gifts that can't be bought but are given in great abundance by the God who loves and gave His Son to be Savior from sin, death and hell.

May the Lord help us all to be cheerful giver of our gifts every time we worship! 

Spirit, tomorrow write the preached Word in our hearts

 A prayer from the sainted Dr. Luther:

Eternal God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us Your Holy Spirit who writes the preached Word into our hearts. May we receive and believe it and be cheered and comforted by it in eternity.  Glorify Your Word in our hearts and make it so bright and warm that we may find pleasure in it, through Your holy inspiration think what is right, and by Your power fulfill the Word, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.  Amen.

From The Lord Will Answer, page 256