The Lord Is My Shepherd and King

What's so good about a shepherd king? That was the theme for our Advent Service last night. What's so good about having a king that knows how to lead their flock? Everything. The ability to lead others even through the darkest shadows of the valley of death is a very important trait for someone who would be king or maybe president. The ability to protect and comfort them when times are troubling is an awesome trait for a ruler.

David was a good shepherd and a great king. But, we have one who is even greater. He is the King of Kings. He looks after us as only a good shepherd can. He will reign forever over us.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Psalm 23

 

What's so good about a king who is also an experienced shepherd? Everything!

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Good Shepherd Watches Over You

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15 NRSV

The secular world has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But, for many it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts for their children, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Haggai 2 - God Is With You; You Are Not Alone

"'But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'" (Haggai 2:4-5 NIV)

The temple is in ruins. The people are complacent. Nothing seems to be as it should be. Yet, the LORD promises the people the blessing of His presence.

It is almost Christmas. Advent is one of my least favorite seasons. It is a time of darkness for many. The sun rises later and sets earlier. The world is running around putting on their happy faces; while, inside hearts are breaking. There is so much loneliness, so much turmoil, so much fear. We simply cannot live up to the standards (maybe just the U.S.?) the world has set for our lifestyles during the pre-Christmas season. We are expected to spend... spend... spend... We are expected to be happy... happy... happy.... Even as we grieve the loss of loved ones... Even as we figure out how to pay the electric or heating bill or pay the rent... Even as we suffer through divorces or other broken relationships... As I visit our many neighbors and am out in the public more, I get to see - I get to feel - the pain and suffering - the need - all around. Suffering, sadness, loneliness are not the exception; they are the norm during the Advent season. How many tears I have encountered as doors are opened to me, I cannot even begin to tell you. There is really nothing I can do to fix it for anyone, except offer Jesus, share His love for you. Yes, there may be some things the church can do, like helping find a means to keep homes heated or pay the rent or provide food so that families are not hungry. But, that alone will not be enough. That will not help the heart-sickness that so many feel. For that kind of suffering there is only one answer - a trusting relationship with our God. There is nothing that I can do except to walk beside you on your journey through these dark days and remind you that the LORD is with you. Do not fear, but trust in the Spirit of Christ who lives among us. 

Do not fear... God is with you... You are not alone...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Micah 5 - Savior Out Of Bethlehem

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2 NIV)

The prophecy of the one who would be born in Bethlehem... The people of God looked for and waited for this savior to deliver them - to bring them peace. He is the one whose birth we celebrate on Christmas morning. The Christ child, Jesus, was born in a stable in Bethlehem as God, through Micah, promised. The savior has come. The bringer of peace is here. He came to bring His peace so that the people of God would be one with God and one with one another. The wall that separates would be destroyed as it has been for all who would live and abide in His name, through His death; His resurrection and His ascension.

During this Advent season, we remember how the people longed for this savior to be born. We remember and, as children of God, we prepare for Him to come again in full glory.

Remember always and prepare your hearts for He has come! He is Risen! And... He will come again!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Micah 1 - Mourning For Children

"Shave your head in mourning
    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He continues the warning to the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.

It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine here in the U.P. of Michigan and the fact that the lower temperatures keep people indoors more with much less exercise and sunlight. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much. at all.

As we prepare for Christmas, there is a lot of frustration. People seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.

Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.

What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?

It is probably past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them peace?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 43-44 - God's Glory

The temple is to be made perfectly, according to God's design, and the LORD will fill it with His glory. The people will see and be reminded that even as God is perfect, we are not. Yet, God calls those who are not perfect and sanctifies us. He calls us who were not holy; sanctified through the blood of the everlasting covenant, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

According to the Book of Ezekiel, the regulations and laws of the temple must all be followed. Those laws include:  “A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person; however, if the dead person was his father or mother, son or daughter, brother or unmarried sister, then he may defile himself." (Ezek 44:25 NIV)

All I can say about that is: the position of priest has drastically changed since the advent of Jesus the Christ. Through Jesus the Christ, we are now all members of a royal priesthood. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:8-10)  Who then, if not the priests or pastors (shepherds) would pray with the dying or hold them as they breathe their last earthly breath as they enter through the gateway of death into eternal life?

We declare the marvelous praises of Him who has called out darkness into His light and we are with our brothers and sisters in Christ (for in Christ, all are our brothers and sisters) even as they enter into God's glory most fully.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 96 - Praising God For Completed Annual Reports

"Sing to the LORD, praise his name!" (vs 2 NIV) 

Today is a marvelous day.  January tends to be one of the most tiring months for me. There is so little sunlight up here and it is usually really cold.  But, so far we haven't had any frozen water pipes.  Thanks be to God! 

January is that full month after the Advent and celebration of Christmas and before we begin Lent.  One would think we would slow down and take a break at the church.  One would think that I might get to hibernate - like an old bear - crawl into a hole and hibernate for a couple of weeks.  But, no.  January is tends to be even busier and more hectic than either Advent or Lent.  It is the month that all the annual reports have to be done.  They are due to the congregation this Sunday.  And... here's the good news!  I am down to filling out the total expenses for the year 2012 in the Budget Report.  Then that's it.  The office secretary will finish it up on Friday and everyone will have them on Sunday morning when the come to Worship.  Thanks be to God!  I sing to the LORD and praise His name for it is almost finished for another year!

It is not the annual meeting that is difficult. We always have an awesome turn-out for the meeting and for the pot-luck fellowship following.  It is the preparation for the meeting that is so very time consuming. I am a very poor proof-reader so I am constantly wondering what it is that I am missing.  Thanks be to God for a council secretary who is a great proof-reader and has a better memory than mine!  She is able to catch my and everyone else's mistakes and omissions before they go to print.

Today, I give thanks to God and praise His name, for my part of these reports will be done before noon. No matter what the season, there is always something to be thankful for.  God has given us many precious gifts to enjoy even in this world.  So sing always to the LORD, praising His Holy Name. "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among the peoples." (vs 3)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 57 - Advent Watch

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." (Psalm 57:5 NIV)

Can you imagine what it will be like to witness the full glory of God over all the earth?  Every knee will definitely bow!  There are days when I think and pray, let it be now, O LORD!  Let it be today! 

So much chaos in this world, so much division, so many disasters.  The church on earth is busy working toward peace.  It is busy working for unity.  But, the only real and lasting peace and unity that will come for all of God's people is the peace that comes when the LORD returns for His Church.

We are reminded, during Advent, to wait and watch for that day.  But, in the meantime, when we face troubling times, we take refuge under the shadow of His wings.  (vs 1)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 43 - Grief

"Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" (vs 2 NIV)

Have you ever felt totally depressed and can't really figure out why?  Grief comes in lots of forms and for many reasons.  The most common reason for grief is the death of someone we love.  But, there are lots of other reasons.  One, which we often fail to recognize, is the loss of a relationship.  Sometimes, that loss is through a divorce.  Thanks to that wonderful thing called denial, we don't often recognize the depression that we sink into as grief.  After all, are we not better off?  The marriage, the relationship, was broken.  It was totally dysfunctional.  Shouldn't we be relieved? 

Children are left grieving the loss of family when parents separate.  Divorces are not the only broken relationships that leave us grieving.  It could be that we've had a major disagreement with a close friend - a disagreement that leaves us not speaking to one another. And... there is a whole list of other things, besides family and friends, that, when gone, will leave us in grief.  The loss of a job, our home, safety, as well as any material object can leave us grieving and in many cases we won't even realize that we grieving for them  But, the loss will leave us feeling depressed, lost in the darkness, and alone.

We are coming into the season of Advent as we prepare for Christmas.  For those who are already experiencing grief, this season does not help.  While the world expects everyone to be happy, happy, happy; those grieving either retreat into a shell or put on a happy face for their family and friends, while they feel like they are dying inside.   

There are many reasons that one might be grieving. It is not something we should be ignoring. The first step is to recognize that, in fact, you are very sad over your loss or maybe it is someone whom you love that you need to recognize is grieving and allow them to share, to talk about their grief with you.  I have found it all too common, that after the funeral or divorce, nobody wants to hear, nobody will listen.  There is nobody to share your burden with.  Unfortunately, for some, in this world, that is a reality.  There is no place to turn except to Jesus.  He can be trusted with you burden.  He already has.  We may not always understand why or what we are grieving.  But, we can always trust in the LORD to help us through, one day at a time.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (vs 5)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Holy Days for Reviewing and Remembering

Deuteronomy 16

Moses reviews the various celebrations and festivals that are to be kept in chapter 16.  Everyone was required to attend these festivals and some of them lasted for many days. 

Yesterday, I reviewed with some of our members the ritual that we have been keeping of "chalking the door" at the beginning of the New Year.  It will not be taking place on Epiphany simply because that festival is largely ignored in the church.  Epiphany lands on a Friday this year.  Now how many Lutherans do you think are going to show up for worship on a Friday?  So, we "chalk the door" and ask God to bless the sanctuary on the Sunday prior to Ephiphany, which just happens to be New Years Day this year.  I've also never quite understood how it has happened that in so many places we give gifts on Christmas day rather than on Epiphany in remembrance of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus.  Now, of course, none of these things have been required of us, by God, to be observed.   However; that being said, all these festival and holy days in the church year are reminders, opportunities to review, and to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done for us. 

The church (at least in the U.S.) over the years has largely forgotten the church year and what each holy day is all about.  During Advent, we sing Christmas carols, forgetting that Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the Lord's coming.  Our attendance at Worship on Christmas Eve, sky rockets as people make what they consider one of the 2 annual obligations to worship.  But, for the last couple of years, the council voted to not have a Worship Service on Christmas Day because other than me, only those who are serving during worship were attending.  This year we will have one service (rather than 2) on Christmas day because it lands on a Sunday. Christmas, I am told, is for families.   In speaking with our Sunday School children a couple of weeks ago, it was decided that we should celebrate Jesus' birthday with a birthday cake after Worship on Christmas Day this year to celebrate our brother, Jesus', birthday.  Children know how to have parties and so we will celebrate "family style" with a birthday cake. 

Easter is the other big holy day, which people tend not to neglect.  But, again, the season preceding Easter is often neglected.  During Lent, as well as Advent, we have Worship also on Wednesdays.  Attendance on Wednesdays is usually the same faithful people who gather to remember and thank God for all that He has done for us on Sundays.  I thank God for these faithful children of God.  But, during Holy Week, very few come to hear the story of Christ's passion.  It always causes me to wonder how small the remnant might actually be.  I wonder what people are really celebrating on Easter morning if they haven't been with us to review the events of at least Good Friday. 

So, I find myself often reminding people what these various holy days are all about.  I particularly love Trinity Sunday when I pull out the Athanasian Creed.  I think it is important for people to remember what it is that we, as Lutheran Christians, believe.  We need to remember who God is.  As it seems, it is not only I who has the short memory. 

May God bring to your remembrance where you have been.  May He help you to always remember that He is the one that has brought you out of bondage and given you new life through Jesus Christ, our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.