Friday, September 13, 2013
Consider Yourself Rescued
In looking at Jesus' parable of the Shepherd and the Lost Sheep, I found a parallel with the story Steven Spielberg told in the movie, "Saving Private Ryan." Why did Private Ryan need to be rescued? Why did you and I need to be rescued? Learn more this Sunday at LICL. Worship is held at 8 and 10:45 am with Bible classes for all ages taking place at 9:20 am. Also, our Women's and Men's Ministries kick off their new seasons of study and service tomorrow at 9 am on our campus. Come and join us! See you this weekend at Life in Christ!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Jesus - no hype, just hope
On Tuesday, in the local newspaper, a story touted the record revenue the Arizona Lottery had realized in its just completed fiscal year. Lots of reason were given for why so many people were buying lottery tickets. But one shop owner said something that really got my attention:
People have a lot of pressure on their jobs, they are stressed. They come in (to the store), they buy a lottery ticket, they think maybe they will be able to quit work. That's probably why the Lottery has been high. It gives people hope.
I have no doubt the shop owner is correct. Folks see a million dollar powerball jackpot and begin to imagine living a new life, with all their problems solved and all their hopes and dreams fulfilled.
The hope that a $2 lottery ticket can give...it's kind of unbelievable to me.
I read on a website one day that a person has a better chance of being hit by lighting...of being struck by a car...of catching a foul ball at a baseball game than winning the lottery.
There's another place to shop for hope. This hope is sure and certain. And it's free.
Titus 2:13 - while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...
1 Peter 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
Hebrews 6:19 - We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hope for this life and the life to come is rooted in the resurrected Jesus. The promise of eternity, made possible for you and me through faith in our great God and Savior, serves as an anchor for our soul. This hope is not built on a longshot, but rests on the merits of Jesus Christ - His suffering for our sins, His victory over sin, death and the devil, and His promise that all who believe in Him will live, even though they die.
There is no problem free life. Everyone I know is stressed about something - a child's health, a teenager's attitude, a retirement nest egg that has dried up, the loss of a spouse. And there are endless stories of those who won a lottery jackpot and found that all that money does not solve all of life's problems.
The apostle Paul got it right when he wrote to the Colossians: the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the Gospel that has come to you.
Jesus - no hype, just hope.
People have a lot of pressure on their jobs, they are stressed. They come in (to the store), they buy a lottery ticket, they think maybe they will be able to quit work. That's probably why the Lottery has been high. It gives people hope.
I have no doubt the shop owner is correct. Folks see a million dollar powerball jackpot and begin to imagine living a new life, with all their problems solved and all their hopes and dreams fulfilled.
The hope that a $2 lottery ticket can give...it's kind of unbelievable to me.
I read on a website one day that a person has a better chance of being hit by lighting...of being struck by a car...of catching a foul ball at a baseball game than winning the lottery.
There's another place to shop for hope. This hope is sure and certain. And it's free.
Titus 2:13 - while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...
1 Peter 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
Hebrews 6:19 - We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hope for this life and the life to come is rooted in the resurrected Jesus. The promise of eternity, made possible for you and me through faith in our great God and Savior, serves as an anchor for our soul. This hope is not built on a longshot, but rests on the merits of Jesus Christ - His suffering for our sins, His victory over sin, death and the devil, and His promise that all who believe in Him will live, even though they die.
There is no problem free life. Everyone I know is stressed about something - a child's health, a teenager's attitude, a retirement nest egg that has dried up, the loss of a spouse. And there are endless stories of those who won a lottery jackpot and found that all that money does not solve all of life's problems.
The apostle Paul got it right when he wrote to the Colossians: the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the Gospel that has come to you.
Jesus - no hype, just hope.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
42
Most, if not all major league baseball stadiums have on display the numbers of players that have been retired. Because the Arizona Diamondbacks are a relatively young team they have only one retired number, that of Luis Gonzales. When you walk in the stadium and look above the right field fence you'll see Gonzo's #20 prominently displayed.
But there is one more number on display - 42. Major League baseball retired that number in 1997. That's the uniform number of Jackie Robinson.
I will never look at that number in quite the same way ever again.
My dear, sweet wife and I watched the movie, "42," last weekend. It is an amazing story, expertly told.
Robinson played a little before my time. I didn't really start following baseball until about the time Robinson retired. I knew he broke the color barrier for baseball and helped to make it possible for other black athletes to play in something other than the Negro baseball leagues.
But I didn't fully appreciate or even understand the kind of abuse he suffered - from the general public, from baseball fans, from other players (including his own teammates) and from managers of other teams.
"42" is not so much a movie about baseball as it is about pride and perseverance. The determination of Robinson to go out and do his job in the face of such prejudice and hatred was inspirational. The same goes for Branch Rickey, who would not bend in his belief that all players, no matter their color, should be given the same opportunities to play the game.
If you haven't seen "42" yet, check it out. It is an amazing story.
But there is one more number on display - 42. Major League baseball retired that number in 1997. That's the uniform number of Jackie Robinson.
I will never look at that number in quite the same way ever again.
My dear, sweet wife and I watched the movie, "42," last weekend. It is an amazing story, expertly told.
Robinson played a little before my time. I didn't really start following baseball until about the time Robinson retired. I knew he broke the color barrier for baseball and helped to make it possible for other black athletes to play in something other than the Negro baseball leagues.
But I didn't fully appreciate or even understand the kind of abuse he suffered - from the general public, from baseball fans, from other players (including his own teammates) and from managers of other teams.
"42" is not so much a movie about baseball as it is about pride and perseverance. The determination of Robinson to go out and do his job in the face of such prejudice and hatred was inspirational. The same goes for Branch Rickey, who would not bend in his belief that all players, no matter their color, should be given the same opportunities to play the game.
If you haven't seen "42" yet, check it out. It is an amazing story.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Asleep in Jesus
What does it mean to be "asleep in Jesus?" We'll explore that theme tomorrow at the Memorial Service for Pastor Maynard Schneider. The service begins at 11 am and a reception for family and friends will follow. On Sunday we'll follow our usual schedule with worship at 8 and 10:45 am with Christian LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Hour at 9:20 am. Join us this weekend at Life in Christ!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
What good is Christ?
A minister is a slave for Christ. He should be ruled by his Lord, (moved) by the Holy Spirit and filled with a great passion to serve His cause. And that means also to be filled with a passion to serve and help the people for whom the Redeemer laid down His life. Christ is a real Redeemer for real sinners.
Bo Giertz
Bo Giertz
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Prove It!
"Prove it!" They're words heard on the playground, in the courtroom or in the laboratory. It's the demand we make of anyone who states a fact of which we are more than a little skeptical.
In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul is writing to people who are new to the Christian faith. They are exploring the truths of God's Word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit they are growing in faith and love - for God and for one another. But becoming followers of Jesus Christ has not made their lives easier. Faith in Christ has not insulated them from suffering for persecution.
In chapter five, Paul make it clear that God uses life's trials and troubles for our benefit: "...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Then Paul goes on to explain why we can trust God to do this work in us.
"But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." You see, God has already been at work for us, securing our salvation in Christ's sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection. He has proven His love by offering His only begotten Son to pay the penalty we've earned for our disobedience. Knowing God's great "Prove It!" helps us to trust Him every day of our lives.
In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul is writing to people who are new to the Christian faith. They are exploring the truths of God's Word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit they are growing in faith and love - for God and for one another. But becoming followers of Jesus Christ has not made their lives easier. Faith in Christ has not insulated them from suffering for persecution.
In chapter five, Paul make it clear that God uses life's trials and troubles for our benefit: "...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Then Paul goes on to explain why we can trust God to do this work in us.
"But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." You see, God has already been at work for us, securing our salvation in Christ's sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection. He has proven His love by offering His only begotten Son to pay the penalty we've earned for our disobedience. Knowing God's great "Prove It!" helps us to trust Him every day of our lives.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Laboring on Labor Day
I got inspired to start something I've been wanting to do for a long time - write my own Basics of the Christian Faith materials.
The Basics class is one I teach to those who come to Life in Christ with an interest of joining our church or wanting to know what we believe and teach.
Most of the folks who come to the class have little to no church background. For some, a Bible verse like John 3:16 is a revelation.
For the Basics class I've been using a book that I was introduced to during my Vicarage year. It has worked well. But the book is a bit dated and I've found over time other Bible verses and examples that teach the faith we believe and confess pretty well.
It will take a little time to finish this project. But teaching the Basics class is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my call. I love to watch people as they begin to grasp and know God's love for them in Jesus Christ. PTL!
The Basics class is one I teach to those who come to Life in Christ with an interest of joining our church or wanting to know what we believe and teach.
Most of the folks who come to the class have little to no church background. For some, a Bible verse like John 3:16 is a revelation.
For the Basics class I've been using a book that I was introduced to during my Vicarage year. It has worked well. But the book is a bit dated and I've found over time other Bible verses and examples that teach the faith we believe and confess pretty well.
It will take a little time to finish this project. But teaching the Basics class is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my call. I love to watch people as they begin to grasp and know God's love for them in Jesus Christ. PTL!
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