He Is Risen!

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

The sheer insanity of it all! Can you imagine what it would have been like to have witnessed your beloved friend and teacher put to death. How gut-wrenchingly horrific to watch the agony of this one you love. This man that you followed around the countryside; who taught you; who ate with you; who healed the sick and cast out demons before your very eyes is gone. He is dead.

Now, here he is. Alive! Standing before you! Just as he promised, He lives! Watching the movie "Risen" yesterday, it struck me that once the disciples witnessed him alive, they had no alternative; but, to go and share this good news. Who wouldn't? Sure they could've tried to kept their lips sealed to protect themselves. They did not have to tell anyone about this miraculous return of their beloved friend from the dead. But, how would one keep such a secret. Impossible! It is just too marvelous! The news must be shared. And, it was shared. Like mad men; yet, not mad; filled with the Spirit, those first followers of Jesus went out and shared the marvelous news of his death, his resurrection, and his ascension. The good news is that because he is risen and so shall we!

I hear often about churches dying. I wonder why; how can this be? How can a church die when they have such good news to share. Maybe, because the good news isn't being shared. Think about it for a minute. Those who witnessed Jesus alive have his death were few. Yet, from those few the good news has spread  around the world. Even in the smallest of congregations there are at least a dozen who worship God. Don't keep him in the sanctuary. Don't hide your love of God. Go out and tell the world that; although, he was hung a cross until dead, he is risen!

He lives!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Tradition would tell me this blog would be best for Easter. But, it is good news for every day! I doubt those first disciples quit telling the story during the forty days. One never knows when someone who has not heard the story needs to hear it.

Love One Another

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-36

Some of you may remember the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love." Love, love, love... Is that all we need? No, it is not. But, when we love one another, we will strive to make sure that all of our neighbors needs for daily life will be met. We will not let them go hungry, or without shelter, or without warmth, or any of the necessities to support physical life.

Jesus had just humbly knelt to wash the feet of his beloved disciples; Judas had just left to betray the one who loved him; when Jesus gave the command to love another even as he loved them. Love, in this sense, is not just a noun. It is a verb. We are to humble ourselves and to actively love and show care and concern for the people around us; indeed, even around the whole world, even as Jesus went forth and died for the world.

This is his commandment: that we are to love one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Rejoice And Be Glad!

"Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear."
                                          Rev 19:6b-8

We have a lot to rejoice in. St. John exiled on Patmos for his faith did not give up hope. St. Paul did not give up hope. The many saints before us never gave up hope. They looked to the day when they would be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ in the home that Christ prepared for us.

Life can be pretty confusing and tough at times. In times like those, remember, that today will pass and tomorrow will come whether we are here in this world or in the Kingdom prepared for us. For all who believe in Jesus and his gifts of forgiveness and salvation for us, life will go on. It is eternal.

By the blood of Jesus we have been reconciled to God and one another even now. So, rejoice and be glad and give God the glory! Give God the glory in all that you say and think and do. Whatever you do, do it as if to the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Only One Way

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NRSV

There are no short-cuts. There is no magic involved in being reconciled to our Father and Creator. There is only one way and that is through Jesus the Christ.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will pick up new age rituals or beliefs thinking that this is going to make them more spiritual or that it will be another path toward reaching the Kingdom of God. There is only one way. The path is not always easy. There will be those who choose to get in our face and try to steer us on another road. Sometimes, we may even listen and get side-tracked for awhile. But, for those who truly believe; for those who have a relationship with God our Father and our Lord Jesus they will soon recognize that the road is leading them somewhere that they do not want to go. They will hear the good shepherd calling them and turn back to the path that he sets before them.

There is only one way to the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Follow him so that you might live life more abundantly as you abide in God's presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Retired and Living Life!

Howard and his trike in Beaufort, SC
photo taken by son, John Arthur Mattson

"What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live..." Eccl 3:9-12

Live life!  I can't even begin to count how many times I have told people to live life; enjoy life! I believe some think, "who is she kidding? She's a Christian and a pastor. What can she know about fun?"  My fun may not be like a lot of people's idea of fun; but, I do know about enjoying life; about enjoying the numberless gifts that God has given me.

My husband retired for the second time this past summer. He has not quite reached the normal retirement age. But, he has worked hard for a long time. Most of his years have been "on call" twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week as his first career was as a U.S. Marine and his second career was as owner/administrator of an adult foster care home. So, I finally convinced him that it was time to retire and enjoy life; to take time for himself. He has taken a few vacations since then. He is enjoying life. I know that he also took pleasure in the work that he did; but, now is his time to live life; to take the time to more fully enjoy the gifts that God has given him.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.." Eccl 3:1

It is time to truly live life!

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

If We Say We Have No Sin

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10 NRSV

Not too long ago, I had occasion to listen to someone insist that they had never stolen anything from anyone. They were totally incapable or unwilling to confess that they were guilty of taking something that belonged to another in spite of the fact that concrete evidence had been presented in a courtroom more than once; that they had been found guilty a few times; and had spent time in jail and in prison on at least a couple of occasions.

I wish that this were an isolated incident; but, it is not. Over and over again, I have witnessed this inability to confess a sin even though there were witnesses; even though confession would have helped them in the long run.

About a year ago, I witnessed two teen-age boys breaking into a house. But, they claimed that they were innocent. I was mistaken. How do you mistake someone crawling through a bedroom window? Apparently, I can! I guess they were just going to visit even though no one was home. They meant no harm. There was no need for forgiveness because they denied it; the incident was forgotten and these young people continued in the way that they had been  going. 

We all sin. But, according to St. John, it is imperative that we confess our sins so that we can receive forgiveness. Being cleansed from all unrighteousness, we can move on with our lives in a new and fruitful way that will benefit not just ourselves but others around us.

"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Sadly, in this world there are those who feel that they do not need to be cleansed of unrighteousness. Sadly, there are those who feel that doing injustice is the way to live and to teach others to live.

Jesus died so that we might receive forgiveness and be reconciled to our Father in heaven and to the whole Body of Christ. This forgiveness is for all who would believe in him; none are excluded. Repent; turn around and follow Jesus into the Kingdom of God.

May God speak to our hearts and minds that we might all repent and turn to Him; following in our Lord's footsteps; helping and defending rather than doing injustice to our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Wind Blows

"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8 NRSV

It has been cool and windy for a while here. My husband decided that he would like some warmer weather so headed for South Carolina on his trike on Monday. I think he chose the wrong week. Soon he will be experiencing the winds and rains of Hurricane Joachim as it travels north off of the coast. The wind will blow where it chooses.

And, so it is with the Spirit. The Spirit moves in unexpected ways when we least expect. There are two things that humankind cannot control: the blowing of the wind and the movement of the Spirit of God. All that we can do is go with it making the best of the experience. Regardless of the turbulence we might encounter as we ride the winds; we know that wherever the wind blows or the Spirit moves; God has a plan; a good plan for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gift of Life

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16 NRSV

It is difficult to comprehend a love as great as the love God has for the people of earth. Yet, it is there. His desire is not that anyone should die; but, that all should live. It is evidenced by the willingness of Jesus to die on the cross, carrying our sins in his body. It is evidenced by the sacrifice that our Lord, Jesus made for us. Paul wrote to the Romans (Rom 3:21-25) "But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,  since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith."

How great is the love of the one who was willing to die so that all who believe could live in God's presence for all eternity! Thanks be to God for this gift of life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 22:6-21 A Final Warning and Promise

Rev 22:6-21 NIV
Well, today brings us to the end of the book of Revelation and to the end of the Holy Scriptures.
Some of you may wonder why I have been such a light-weight as we went through Revelation; why I have not a more in-depth interpretation as many others have; why I have not done more finger pointing as to who or what the anti-Christ is. The answer to that is found in this last reading: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." (vss 18-19)

I take this warning seriously. As we read or hear the Holy Scriptures, we need to understand that our sinful natures may well inspire an interpretation according to our own wills; our own egos, our own agendas. Revelation, in particular, because it is a vision, should not be taken literally. That does not lessen the fact that it is prophecy and includes, very much, a warning to those who have fallen from "the way." It is a warning to those who would follow in a way that they should not go and a blessing to those who worship the one true God.

The revelation to John is not just a horrific warning to the world. It is indeed a blessing of promise and hope to all who believe. "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." (vs 17)

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (vs 21)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 12 At War With Satan

Revelation 12 NIV
A great war breaks out in this vision of John between Michael's legion of angels and the dragon and his angels. Michael prevails and the great dragon, that ancient serpent who is called the devil or Satan, is hurled to the earth. Satan could not win against the angels of God so he attacks the people of God. But, neither can he prevail against God's chosen people. By the blood of the lamb, Satan and by the word of God that old serpent, the devil, will be defeated. He will not prevail. No evil can prevail against the Word of God. No evil can prevail over the blood of the lamb, who is Jesus the Christ.

Take heart, no matter how grim some of these visions may appear for humankind; they are good news for the Kingdom of God; for all who love our Lord and King and long to be with him forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 10: Sweet as Honey; Yet, Bitter to Swallow

Revelation 10 NIV

Prophecy is often a "bitter pill" to swallow. We don't like to hear that we have a need to make changes in our lives. We usually don't care to hear that there are consequences to everything we do. Sometimes, those consequences are good. Sometimes, they are not. A lot depends on whom or what we choose to serve.

The angel who stood with one foot on the sea and one on the land holding a tiny scroll announces to John that the seventh trumpet is about to sound and "the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets." (vs 7) This could well be a "bitter pill" for those who  refuse to hear the message of the prophets.

John is told to take and eat the little scroll from the angel. He eats. The scroll tastes as sweet as honey; but, it turned his stomach sour. He has swallowed the words and it is sweet to taste; yet, bitter to stomach. It sounds good and it is good; but, with the words that were delivered to John on the scroll will come many anxious and troubling times. Events and times that will be very difficult to stomach.

John must go out and prophesy with the words that he has swallowed about peoples, nations, languages and kings. It may well be that to those who believe in the Son of God and anxiously wait for the mystery of God to be accomplished that the word is sweet; yet, a very "bitter pill" to those who reject the Lord. But, it will not be easy for John. With the sweet word of the Lord will come much persecution from the world to those who love him.

May God help us to hear the word and receive it no matter what kind of changes it asks us to make in our lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 8:1-5 Prayers Rise Like Incense

Revelation 8:1-5 NIV
Let our prayers rise like incense before thee. For those who do not recognize these words from Vespers, you are really missing out! Attend a Vesper's service.

As I read the lesson this morning I was struck with the thought that immediately following the prayers of God's people going up before God along with the smoke of the incense, the censer was filled with fire from the altar and hurled on earth to cause quite a rumbling. I wonder was the storm and earthquake in John's vision the response to the prayers of God's people that had just come before Him?

We know that God hears our prayers and answers. He is with and for His children whether in heaven or on earth. We give thanks to God for in His mercy, He has heard our prayers and answered.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Revelation 2:1-7 Remember Your First Love

Revelation 2:1-7 NIV
Bishop Frederic Baraga, missionary to the Ojibwa, during the 1800's, often reminded the people to "remember their first love." In his vision, St. John was instructed to warn the church at Ephesus about their falling away from their first love, who is Jesus the Christ.

Whenever we put anything or anyone before our God, we are committing idolatry. God must always come first and everything else will fall into it's proper place. How often we neglect to put God first in our lives! It is so very disheartening to see those who profess to be Christians putting so many other things of this world before worship and service to God.

The message to the people of Ephesus is an excellent example of both law and gospel. Jesus, in John's vision, commends the church for their hard work and perseverance; for the fact that they cannot tolerate wicked people; and have confronted those who claim to be apostles and are not. Even as they are being commended for their faithfulness in these areas; they and we are being warned against idolatry. Remember your first love. Remember him and keep him first in your life.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (vs 7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Revelation 1:1-3 Revealed to John

Revelation 1:1-3 NIV
St. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, while exiled for his faith on the isle of Patmos, had a vision from God. It was a rather long vision or a series of long visions as recorded in the book of Revelation. As we begin this book, let us remember that it is just that: a vision with much symbolism to be interpreted. We need also to be careful to understand and remember that no one can know the exact time and the place that many of these visions will take place. We cannot know if we will even still be in the flesh when the day of the Lord comes. And... we are to be careful about pointing the finger at others saying they are the anti-christ or there is Babylon.

Before we begin this final book of Holy Scripture, I would direct your attention to verse 3: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." As we journey through Revelation, read the scripture aloud. "... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Rom 10:17) Read Revelation aloud so that you might hear it and have a better understanding of what it's message really is. Read it and all scripture aloud that in hearing your faith might grow.

May God help us to have a better understanding of this vision of John as we begin to read through it daily.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 John 1 - What is Truth?

2 John 1 NIV
Live in the truth! What is truth?

There are many ways to distort the truth so that it becomes a lie. Today, the "truth," who is Jesus the Christ, is often co-mingled with fables and fairy tales so that the "truth" becomes a lie. Philosophy and spiritism and all sorts of other fabrications of the mind add or subtract from the word that we have read and heard in the scriptures in order to justify our own sinful lifestyles. Stay away from these stories. Continue living in the truth. Continue living in his love.

In his letter to a woman chosen by God, St. John commends her and her children for knowing and living in the truth even while he warns her to stay away from those who deny the truth. We are warned to stay away from those who do not acknowledge that Jesus the Christ has come in the flesh. Stay away. Do not let their deceitful teachings infiltrate your thoughts; your life.

"Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work." (vss 9-11)

May the grace, mercy and peace of God the Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, be with you in truth and love, now and forevermore.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 19:17-27 Were You There; Would You Have Been

John 19:17-27 NIV
Who was there? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Who had the courage to witness the crucifixion of Jesus. The two criminals who were crucified with Jesus were with him. The soldiers who nailed him to the cross were there. Many of the Jews may have witnessed his crucifixion, from a distance, as Golgotha was not too far from the city. They were able to read the sign. Did they read the words "JESUS OF NAZARETH. THE KING OF THE JEWS" as he struggled to carry his cross to his death?

The three Mary's were there to witness his death; Jesus' mother, Mary, and her sister Mary and Mary Magdalene were there. Where were the close disciples whom he had called? Peter was probably still in hiding. But, John was there. John, the disciple who loved Jesus, was there.

Every year at Good Friday, a very small crowd gathers at Zion to remember our Lord's death with a Tenebrae Service. We sing a verse of "Were You There?" with the snuffing out of each candle. It causes me to wonder how many would have been there at his death. Would we have made it to his crucifixion had we been there? Would we have been too afraid of being found a sympathizer to be found near him at his death? Or, would we have found something more pleasing to ourselves to attend instead?

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 7:37-39 Thirsty?

John 7:37-39 NIV
"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me." (vs 37)

Is there anyone who is not thirsty? Jesus came that we might all drink of him; that all of our thirsts might be satisfied. But, I am warning you... if you drink of him, by the power of the Holy Spirit, from your heart there shall also flow living waters to help quench the thirsty souls of others. You will no longer have to or want to be seeking those things that do not satisfy. You will not be wasting time chasing false gods. You will want others to have what you have. You will want them to have and to know Jesus. Have a blessed day and drink deeply of the water and eat of the bread which satisfies the longing soul.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 5:31-47 Believe the Testimony

John 5:31-47 NIV
Jesus knows you. He knows whether you have the love of God in your heart or not. He knows whether you believe or not. John the Baptist came to testify to the truth that we might be saved. The prophets testified to Jesus coming into the world. Yet, the world refused to believe. Holy Scripture gives testimony of Jesus. Yet, do we believe? Do we believe the Scriptures or even though we read the word about the Word does it fail to make its way into our hearts and minds?

Jesus testifies that the people study the Scriptures diligently because they think in them they have eternal life. The Scriptures direct us to Jesus. We read the Scriptures (now and then?); yet, how many of us refuse to go to him for life and salvation?

At the NALC Convocation this past week, one of the speaker's asked us to consider on a scale of 1 to 10 where our level of passion for the LORD is. Where is it? Is it a 5 or maybe just a 2? Hopefully, many can say that it is much higher than that. Is our passion for God low because just maybe our faith is waning? Who can hear what Jesus has done for us without being filled will love and passion for Him? Only those who are not really paying attention to the testimony of Scripture.  

In order to keep your passion from waning, dive into the Scriptures. Read them, study them, hear them and may God open our hearts and minds that we might believe and be saved.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John:22-30 Ego or Joy in Christ?

John 3:22-30 NIV
John the Baptist has been a major player until now; until Jesus shows up on the scene. But, there is no jealousy between John and Jesus. John knows full well who the Messiah is and it is not John. John has come only to point the way to the Messiah. The Messiah has come and rather than jealousy, John is filled with joy. He is satisfied with becoming less as Jesus becomes known to all people.

And, so it is with us. In order for Christ to live more fully in and through us; we must become less. Our own egos must die so that the Christ may live and minister more fully in and through us.

Come, Lord Jesus, so that our joy in you might be complete.

God's Peace - Pr. J