The Money Pot

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)

I may not thrill a lot of people with today's blog; but, I am still trying to figure out this whole madness over the powerball lottery thing. I am amazed at how much money can be gathered from people who are willing to gamble on becoming rich beyond their dreams. When I listen to what some would do with the money, I cannot help but wonder how long it would be before they would be filing for bankruptcy. I also wonder how many really destitute that amount of money could feed or clothe or shelter. Maybe at least half of the proceeds from each of these lotteries could go toward shelters for the homeless? I mean, who really needs a billion dollars? Seems like a lot for one or two people to manage who have no experience managing even hundreds of thousands.

There are real people who are really destitute in this country. They cannot afford to buy powerball tickets. They use what pennies they have to try to feed themselves. Using the profit from lotteries for the betterment of society has been, in fact, attempted. It doesn't seem to have worked too well. Years ago, when Michigan was pushing for a lottery, funding the school system from the lottery was a priority that was being touted. The schools in Michigan are still in a pretty bad financial state and so are our roads. Gambling no matter in what form brings about many problems along with the benefits it might bring to a few.

We cannot let money manage us. It is up to us as individuals, businesses, and governments to manage money for the betterment of all. I live near the first Indian Casino that was ever opened in this country. To their credit, the tribe has learned to manage their earnings to benefit the whole community, both Native Americans and non-Native. However, not all individuals who frequent the casino have learned what it means to manage their money.

There is a lot of hope placed in the chance of winning by some who play the lotteries. It benefits a few; but, has the potential of doing great damage to others.  

Many of my friends and family members gamble. For the most part they are not extravagant in their placing their bets. Although, I have worried about at least a few of them. Personally, I do not find gambling a good stewardship model for me. I could throw the money in the pot to make someone else a million or billionaire or I could throw it in a pot and feed a hungry person.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains." 1 Timothy 6:10

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bless Those Who Curse You

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Luke 6:27-28 NRSV

I spent Christmas day driving. I left home about 8 a.m. and by 5 p.m. I had reached the southern portion of lower Michigan on my way to South Carolina. I was hungry and needed to gas up the truck. The only things I had eaten all day were sunflower seeds and pears. I found a gas station and asked the man at the counter if anything in town was open so that I could get something to eat. He said no. I bought a "Slim Jim" and a "Coca Cola" for supper. While I was paying for my "supper," the man was mumbling under his breath something about a woman running around looking for someplace to eat when she should be home cooking for her children. There was no one else in the gas station for him to be talking to; so, I was quite aware that the mumbling was solely for my benefit. Maybe, he was just having a bad day. Maybe, he was upset because he was working and not spending the day with his own family. But, it was a good reminder to me not to be judging people that you know nothing about. How could he know that I would be driving for two days to see my family? How could he know that my children were grown and have families of their own?  Rather than react negatively to his ramblings, I smiled and made sure I said "Merry Christmas" a multitude of times before I left. I prayed that God would bless him by opening his eyes and heart as I continued on my way.

The best way to react to those who would judge or hate you is to bless them and pray for them. Only God can change their hearts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. The man at the toll booth at the Mackinac Bridge was awesome! His Christmas greeting was so friendly and joyous in spite of the fact that he was working on Christmas day. He was handing out candy canes to those who were crossing the bridge. A little gift like that was a huge gift for me on Christmas Day!

Rev 14:14-20 Two Harvests

Rev 14:14-20 NIV
For a couple of decades, every July, we traveled north to Upper Peninsula of Michigan to make hay. It was not exactly my idea of how to spend a vacation; but, family needed help. In good years the farmers get to harvest two crops. The first harvest, beginning around the 4th of July, is usually the best.

John's vision includes two harvests, as well. The first is of those who are found righteous. The second harvest is of grapes that grow from the vine of the earth. These grapes are thrown into the great winepress of God's wrath and from that winepress, that is outside the city of God, flows blood.

Two harvests; one for the those found righteous through Jesus the Christ, the other for those who have followed in the ways of the world.

In which harvest will you be gathered?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 4: The Sanctus

Revelation 4 NIV

"Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying: "Holy, holy, holy; Lord, God Almighty; Heaven and earth are full of 

your glory: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."   (sanctus; sorry, I don't have a hymnal with me, so from memory a few versions intermingled)

Every Sunday we sing the Sanctus just prior to the words of institution being said at Holy Communion. It is a rare occasion that I am not reminded, as we sing these words, of the various areas of scriptures that it's derived from; particularly, chapter 4 of the book of Revelation. I imagine the presence of those twenty-four elders before the throne of God and those four awesome living creatures, with all of the heavenly host praising God Almighty. We join with them and all of the faithful followers here on earth as we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for all that He is.

When questioned why us Lutherans are so adamant about following a liturgy and why we can't be more spirit led, I usually let them know that we are definitely spirit led. All scripture is inspired by the Spirit of God and our liturgy is from scripture. The sanctus is a great example of this.

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty . . .” (Rev 4:8)

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! . . . Hosanna in the highest !" (Mark 11:9-10)

I appreciate every opportunity to remind people that "faith comes by hearing the word of God" (Rom 10:17); therefore, Lutheran Worship seeks to provide the word throughout the service. It is heard in our liturgy; it is heard in our hymns; it is heard in our prayers; it is heard in the reading of the lessons; and, it is heard throughout the sermon. Faith comes by hearing. See you at Worship where your faith might be nurtured and grow through the hearing of the word of God. See you at Worship!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Don't forget to read Revelation 4 - the vision is an echo of visions of Ezekiel as well as Daniel.

Romans 7 I Do Not Do What I Desire

Baptized into the Body of Christ
Huron River, MI

Romans 7 NIV
Saints, yet sinners; justified by the blood of Christ, daily we continue to struggle with sin. You and I are not alone in this. Even Paul, who was marvelously converted when he met the ascended Jesus on his way to persecute more Christians, continued to struggle with his sinful self. He wrote:

     "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
     So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (vs 15-25)

The fight with sin is an ongoing battle within us. We confess and ask forgiveness for those things that we have done as well as for those things that we have left undone. We confess and ask forgiveness daily even as we remember our baptisms into the Body of Christ; giving thanks to God who has delivered us from even ourselves.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 9:32-43 Peter Gets Around

Acts 9:32-43 NIV

Every now and then, I go up to the Bishop Baraga Shrine to pray. It is situated on a hill at the head of the bay between Baraga and L'Anse. From this vantage point, I can see much of the area that I have been called to serve; but very little of the area that Bishop Baraga served. He was a mover. He covered a goodly portion of Michigan by foot, snowshoe (that's why he's called the Snowshoe Priest) and canoe. When a family summoned him because a loved one was sick or dying; he was there no matter what the distance was.

Peter was a mover, as well. He was moving freely about between communities. He was busy healing people and at bedsides with those who were grieving. His ministry was not confined to a specific place. He, as we all are, was sent to proclaim the Good News to all people.

I am most fortunate to serve with a congregation that understands that my call is not merely as a chaplain to members; but, to minister to all people in the community who are in need. I am most fortunate that I am free to pray with the sick, bury the dead, proclaim the Good News to all people whether they are a member of this congregation or not; even if they have never even visited the congregation.

I spend very few hours in the office and most of those hours are either in the wee hours of the morning or late in the evening. My time is spent within the community, freely moving about and going wherever there is a need for healing and hope; wherever there is a need for the Good News of the Kingdom of Christ Jesus to be proclaimed. I thank God for the people of Skanee who have called me to serve not just them; but, anyone who is in need.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 2 - Magi, Children, Martyrs. and Moves

From the very beginning, attempts were made to do away with Jesus. Today we have the popular Christmas story of the Magi's visit to Jesus. Unfortunately; King Herod, heard that that they were seeking the king of the Jews, who was due to be born, so that they could worship him. Herod became anxious over the possibility of another "king" and plotted to kill the infant Jesus.

He did not succeed. But, in his attempts every boy child, two years old and under, in the region of Bethlehem was slaughtered. These babies became the first martyrs for Jesus.

Fortunately; an angel was sent to warn Joseph that Jesus' life was in danger. So he took Mary and Jesus into exile in Egypt to protect his family. They moved to Nazareth upon hearing that Herod was dead.

I often listen in amazement when I hear people say that they will not leave the area where they are born in. I know people who have never left the Upper Peninsula of Michigan even for a vacation. They simply will not leave what they know. Yet, Jesus, including the trip he made, still in the womb, to Bethlehem, was moved three times in a course of a few years.

Yes, I love Upper Michigan, too. But, there has been more than once in my life that I have been uprooted and called to move. I recall very vividly arguing with God about yet another move. When we are called to go; when God sends us a message to move... it's just a really good idea to do that. He has His reasons; whether, we like them or even know them. He was with Joseph and Mary and Jesus and was guiding them (i.e. sending his angel messengers) through these early years so that Jesus would be around for the purpose that he was sent for. No matter what it is that God calls us to do; no matter how hard it may seem; He has a good purpose for it. Listen and follow...

Take just a minute to thank the LORD that we have no Herods in power, in this country, today! There are, after all, still places and people in various regions of the world that do not seem to have a problem massacring even the children.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 7 - Hunting Season - Yooper Holy Days

I spent Monday evening at my husband's hunting camp. He is preparing for the Yoopers' (a person who lives in or is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) grand holy days - that is deer hunting -firearm season. People come from all over to celebrate those last two weeks of November. I find the whole season quite confounding. Men, women and children miss worship services as they are sitting in their blinds and you cannot even begin to imagine how full our taverns get after the sun sets! Lots of drinking and carousing going on... Just a warning: Drinking or drugging and hunting do not make good companions. Stuff happens - bad stuff happens - when sites are not set on the Kingdom of God.

Right now, it is bow season. Not so many participate in this sport.

"They do not turn to the Most High;    they are like a faulty bow." (Hosea 7:16 NIV)

Like a faulty bow that cannot hit a target, so too are all those who refuse to keep their eyes on the goal of the Kingdom. A warped bow is almost impossible to use and one whose faith is skewed will struggle mightily in their journey through the wilderness. Like a bent arrow, we might be aiming for the target, but the slightest wind will cause us to stray.

May God help us all to keep our eyes the Most High and on the target He has given us, which is His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S. Just a note to thank God for all of the hunter's who are from out of our area (seasonal residents)somehow manage to make it to Zion to worship during firearm season even while sometimes local members cannot manage it.

Ecclesiastes 10 - Miscellanous Interesting Verses From Eccl 10

LOL!  You are reading the chapters aren't you? How about verse 2? "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." OK... So I won't go there today... But, I thought I'd at least mention it in the blog for the benefit of my friends on the right. It will make them smile. Remember, too, please, it is Solomon's saying, not mine. I'm not exactly sure what he meant by it, other than maybe he was referring to the right and left hand of God.

In case you're not taking my advice and you're not reading the scripture for each day, here are some other interesting and what I would consider pretty common sense ones:

"There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:" (Eccl 10:5 NIV)  Has any one not witnessed the folly of some of our leaders? So often leaders, rulers, bosses, even servant/leaders in the church think that they are doing the best thing for the people, even while they are so out of touch with the people that they don't have a clue what the the people really need or want. Even pastors sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that they know what is best for a community, when they haven't the slightest clue... It has always amazed me that pastors will come to the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) and think they are going to save us Yoopers from our own folly. They have ended up being very busy at changing our lifestyles, rather than accepting the way we live and work and play. They have worried about the fact that so many of us work hard, long hours and don't have all the riches the world has to offer. We have been considered a little backwards and backwoods by some.

I knew one who ended up spending a lot of time worrying about unionizing the logging industry! A lot of time was spent trying to change the way we think and how we live and very little time was spent proclaiming the awesomeness of the Kingdom given (given freely) to all who believe. I asked this one once what the proclamation of Jesus was. He didn't know. It made me wonder about our overseas missions, especially to those countries we consider third world. When missionaries go to other areas of the world, is their primary mission to bring the good news or is to change the people to think and live like we do in the United States? If you're going to be a missionary to the Massai, do you live in a dung hut alongside them sharing the love of God and the good news of His Kingdom or do you show up when it's comfortable trying to change their lifestyles? Are you more worried about westernizing them or proclaiming God's love and forgiveness for all people? It reminds me of how the church worked so hard with the government to Americanize the Native Americans and how many abuses occurred because of this "good will" gesture. (Another reason to think seriously about keeping church and state separate) Remember, just because we think everyone should be as materialistic as we are, doesn't mean everyone wants or needs to live like us. Just because we think we are right in the way we live, does not make it truth for everyone!

Just wondering... what makes a good leader? Is it someone who can serve people where their needs are (where they are) or is it someone who tries to mold everyone to be people just like themselves. If you're going to help someone, meet them where they are. Quit trying to drag them to the place where you want them to be. I quote St. Paul: " To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." (1 Corinth 9:22)

"If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success." (10:10)
Anyone who has had to chop firewood to keep warm or cook knows the truth of this one. But, I suppose there are many who have not had to do this and don't know.

"If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee." (10:11)
This is kind of a "no brainer" and makes me smile. If you're trying to charm a snake (whether a reptile or human) be careful, you may get bit or someone else may get hurt even if it is you who has disturbed the snake.

 ^"Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks." (10:18)
 If your rafters sag, it is no one's fault but your own. Unless, of course some natural disaster comes along and makes it so. I know about sagging rafters...

The house I presently live in has been almost completely remodeled since we purchased it. We originally bought it for a get-away for me. At the time, I was finding no time for vacations. If I was lucky, I would get 1 or 2 days off a month. There was just no time to pack up, go out of town and then come back the next day to unpack. We had tried it a few times, but the packing, unpacking, and travel time took up so much time there was no time to rest. So I started looking for a local camp on a river so I could set it up and get to it on my days off, with relative ease and without having to spend hours of the day off just to be able to rest for a few hours.

I fell in love with the location. It had a river at the mouth of a bay. It is definitely in the woods. It had a well and a sewer. But, here's the kicker. The rafters of the house sagged. They sagged so badly that there were 6"X6" beams holding up the ceilings throughout the rooms. The house was condemned. My husband was not impressed with the place. Not only was the house condemned, but it's located in wooded wetlands, which he refers to as a swamp. But, I knew this was the place for me. We began working on repairing it to be suitable for a camp that summer. That fall I resigned and we ended up moving in to it. Some of my family and friends were a little aghast that I would be living in a shack... (Thinking I should be like them and want what they want) The following summer, my husband spent a lot of time repairing the rafters and building an addition so that we would have a bit more space to live in. It took a lot of work to repair those rafters. But, they are repaired, the roof no longer leaks, and with God's blessing, the house will stand at least as long as I do. 

You're rafters sagging? Your roof leaking? The answer to a sagging rafters and a roof that leaks is to fix them and if you're neighbor no longer is able to fix their own due to age or infirmity fix theirs for them, as well!

One last verse to give you something to think about this morning:
"As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." (Eccl 10:1)

God's Peace - Pr. J