God Loves You

“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

God loves you. No matter how alone you feel in the world, there is One who will always love you. Such good news for a sin sick world!

Depression runs rampant in this world. It is a sadness to witness those who already suffer from depression often made even more depressed by the bullying and self-serving tactics of others. The sadness overwhelms so many people that I know and care about. They feel alone and unloved. If only their ears and eyes and hearts could be opened to understand how much God loves them and how much the people in whom Christ abides loves them. They are not alone; but, they do not comprehend that.

Sadly, even as Christ is at work in and through his followers so the devil is at work in and through his followers spreading lies and hatred and anger and gossip and greed. All these things lead to death. It is so disheartening to hear a young one explain why they don't believe in God. Some adult taught them this lie. Some adult allowed the devil to work through them so that these children would live without love and without hope.

Little children, do not despair. Hear the Word of the Lord. God loves you. You are not alone. Those in whom He abides love you. You do not have to be alone or lonely. Seek out the brothers and sisters of Christ that you might hear and know this great love that God, with all of the saints, has for you. (God help anyone who professes to be a follower of Christ and would not welcome one of these little children!)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our Father's Children

What does it take to be a child of God?

Usually, I take people at their word. I have a habit of believing people when they tell me that they are members of another denomination or congregation. I have a habit of believing people when they tell me that they are Christians. So often, I neglect to witness to them, because I believe them. The question, I ponder this morning, is if they know what it means to be a member of the family of God.

We do not enter into this family just because our parents or their parents belonged to the Body of Christ or any particular congregation. We are not born in the natural way into the family of God. We are adopted into God's family. In order for us to be adopted into God's family there was a price; a much greater price than we have to pay to adopt a child in today's society. The purchase price for our adoption was not silver or gold. The blood of God's only begotten Son paid the ultimate price for our adoption into His family.

Our DNA; our bloodlines, connects and confirms our earthly families; but, the blood of Christ makes us children of the most High God. We do not enter God's family by any goodness of our own. We do not enter God's family because of any earthly connections we might have. We enter by the virtue of the one who gave himself for us; that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven for all of eternity. There is only way to become a child of God. There is only one way to the Father. That way is through Jesus the Christ.

There is more to being a Christian than just saying that you are one. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may God grant you faith in the one who died that all might live as children of the most High God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bringing Up Servant Leaders

"Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it."

                                                    Prov 22:6

This past Sunday, our children led a traditional liturgical worship service at Zion. As they stood in line to process into the sanctuary, I counted. I counted seventeen young people from preschool through High School who would in some way participate in leading the Advent Worship. This may not seem like a large number to many of you reading this. However, given the size of the community around us this is a huge number. The population is right around 200 in Skanee. Our public K-6 school has less than ten youth enrolled. The truth is that most of these young people come from elsewhere in the county.

We do have a couple of very shy students who will acolyte or receive the offering; but, most of our young people are willing to sing in the choir, to read, to pray, even to preach publically. For many years, we have been busy training not just adults; but, our children, as well, to lead worship; to proclaim the Good News in word and song. I have led very few mid-week Advent or Lent services since I was called to serve here as I understand a large part of my call to train others to be servant leaders. I do design the services; but, I do not lead them. We use these mid-week services to help others in the congregation to confidently lead this congregation or other congregations. One of our members presently serves as Lay Pastor to a congregation that is so small that they cannot call an ordained pastor. Pr. Peter is also very active in ministry at assisted living homes.

Our young people love being able to lead the liturgy, to pray the prayers of the church, and; yes, even to preach. They are becoming very good public speakers and witnesses to the Lord. I am grateful that we have this opportunity to train them to be servant leaders. Whether they will use these things that they are learning in the church or out in the world is yet to be seen. But, we trust that they will not depart from the way which they have been shown when they are old.

We do not believe that children are just the future of the church. They are also the church today. With the help of God, one day they will be training their children in the way that they should go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Children of God

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children."Gal 4:4-5

Children are an awesome blessing. They can be a lot of work, though. In our attempts to bring them up in the way they should be going doesn't always work the way that we planned.

We have a Father in heaven. We have been adopted as His own children; redeemed by His only begotten Son to be His children. I have often wondered what God, my Father, thought when I really did stuff that were not in His plans. Does he get as frustrated as I do when the children I care for are straying? I am sure that He is not all that pleased when we do things to our and our neighbors detriment; when we do not love as He loves us. As children of God we try to please Him even as our own children try to please us. We all fall short. We don't always do what we ought to be doing. We don't and our children don't. But, we keep on loving even as our heavenly Father loves us.

All who believe are the children of God. May He help us to follow in His Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Who God Made You To Be

Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:2-4 NRSV

Although, it keeps commerce going, I have never quite understood the need for anyone to have major amounts of piercings or to change the color of one's hair every few weeks or the wearing of someone else's name on you clothing. It makes me think that the person is not comfortable with who they are. I can't quite get why someone would need to wear make-up that would disguise the person that God made them to be. I'm not saying that I think women shouldn't wear any. But, I would think the purpose for make-up would be to enhance one's features and not to mask them.

God has made everyone and every one is precious in God's sight. Let the world see the person God created you to be. There is nothing more beautiful than a child of God who exudes the loving and gentle spirit that comes from knowing that you are a child of God.  

May God help each of us to cherish the lasting beauty of the gentle and quiet spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Still and Listen!

If one gives answer before hearing,
    it is folly and shame. Prov 18:13 NRSV

It has been many years since I was trained as a small group facilitator. A major component of facilitating is listening; another is directing the conversation in a way that is helpful.

I was attempting to watch the news last night and found myself flipping through news channels quite regularly. I was getting a bit frustrated with the way the news people were constantly interrupting the people they were interviewing to get responses more in line with their or their station's personal agendas. During one particular interview, the news person was interviewing three people. Everyone was talking at once. It was not helpful not to be able to hear what anyone had to say.

At one of the presidential debates this fall, there was also much interrupting and trying to talk over each other. The people facilitating the debate just added to the problem. They had no control over the candidates mostly because the facilitators appeared to have their own agendas. They would also interrupt and try to talk over the candidates who were trying to talk over each other. They had no ability to mediate or moderate. I could not figure out why they hadn't figured out that they just needed to shut off the mics of the offending candidates until it was their turn to speak. That is what is done with online schools when children start interrupting too much. Our candidates and news people, of course, are not children. But, it would be nice if some of them would learn to be quiet and listen and if they cannot control themselves, shut off their mics for their own sakes and ours until it is their turn to speak. One mic turned off on someone rudely interrupting another would probably be the last mic that needed to be turned off.

If we really care about others enough to want to hear what someone is saying; if we really care about figuring out a solution to any problems; then we ought to be quiet and listen to various points of view. It is not helpful to talk over others or belittle their opinions (that would be bullying which we also try to teach our children not to do). We can learn a lot by being still for a few moments and listen to voices other than our own.

There are so many opinions in the way that we could or should go. Who can know the way?

If you care about what direction the Lord would have you go; then, be quiet and listen. Be still and hear what the Lord has in store for you. He will show you "The Way."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Growing Up In Christ

Growing up in Christ is not easy;
but it is essential.

"We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love." Eph 4:14-16

To truly grow up it takes a lifetime. Society, today, gives us about eighteen years to help our children grow up and then we turn them loose on the society.  As Christians, we do our best to teach our children who Jesus is and what he has done for us and why. We pray that they will follow him. But, the devil prowls and not everyone would have our children go in The Way that they should go for their own and for societies benefit. With the help of God, we do what we can and then continue to pray for them until the day we die.

It would be most helpful for our children and for society if we could all work together to help all of our children grow up into him is the head, even as we continue to grow in Christ. May God help us to follow in "His Way."

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

We Are God's Hands

"And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." Matt 6:28-29

I am no longer sure what is in fashion or not. I know that I like long skirts. In the summer they are cooler than slacks or jeans and in the winter I can wear boots and long underwear under them instead of panty hose and no one is the wiser. The problem the market is not inundated with long dresses so my closet doesn't have an abundance of them.

Fortunately, one of the perks of being a pastor is that I don't have to think too much about what I'm going to wear. Shirt, collar and a skirt or (sadly) slacks. Sometimes, I wear my pink or purple shirt with blue jeans; depending where I'm going or what I'm doing. An alb on Sundays covers up anything I might be wearing underneath. At the little church in Aura, without air conditioning, I have threatened to wear my swimsuit underneath in the summer. The temperatures raise even more once the pews are filled with God's children. No one would know. I leave the house in an alb and return in the alb. No, one knows what I'm wearing underneath anyway.

Society spends an awful lot of time and money on worrying about what we should wear when there are a whole lot more important and pressing things to worry about. There are hungry children and multitudes of cold children who don't have the option of deciding which jacket to wear because they have none at all. There are the sick and the persecuted and the dying who need tending to. There is enough to take care of in this world to have time or money to worry about what we will wear. God uses us to help clothe and otherwise care for those in need. We are His hands.

May He help us to understand that rather than worry about which sweatshirt we should wear, we should be busy being His hands to feed and clothe those who are truly in need.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Toys for Tots Benefit Concert at Zion this Sunday at 2 pm in support of the children of Baraga County. See you all there! 

You Snooze; You Lose

It seems that on Sunday mornings my snooze alarm gets hit more often than on any other day. Oh, I still get up before six; but, it is a temptation. Fortunately, I have a snooze alarm so that when I hit the button, I get a second and third chance if it's needed.

God provides us with many chances or opportunities to love, to worship, and to serve Him as well as to love and serve our neighbors. There comes a time; though, in each of our loves that the opportunities will come to an end. We do not know the day or hour when we will breath our last breath. .

When our children and grandchildren were young and didn't want to get up and moving so that they could participate in some activity, my husband would often tell them: "You snooze; you lose."

Wake up, sleeper. God gives us many opportunities to live life in Christ. We are told that He delays His coming so that we all have the opportunity to turn to Him. But, don't delay. The time is now, not tomorrow. Who knows if there will be a tomorrow, here on earth, for any one of us?

May God help us to grab hold of the opportunities to love and serve the Lord with all our hearts, and souls, and minds; even now.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Am I my Brother's Children's Keeper?

Zion Youth Choir sing at concert to help children
in Baraga County.

"Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." Matt 7:9-12 NRSV

"Am I my brother's keeper." (Gen 4:9) This was Cain's response when God asked him where his brother was after he had killed Abel. Are you your brother's keeper? Are you your brother's children's keeper? I hope that you are answering in the affirmative.

I have been working on the advertising for Zion's Annual Toys for Tots Concert. The concert kicks off the local Marine campaign for Toys for Tots in Baraga County. We have a very high unemployment rate and the medium income is very low in the county. There is a great need to help our brother and sister's children during the holiday season as well as all year long.

Where ever you are; whether in Baraga County, remember the children in need. Yes, you are your brother's keeper. If you, yourself, are a child of God you would respond in the affirmative when it comes to helping the youngest among us. 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

P.S. Hope to see all of you who are local at the concert!

Trees Of The Forest Rejoice!

Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
    The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
    He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth
    rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord; for he is coming,
    for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with his truth.
                                       Psalm 96:10-13 NRSV

The Lord is King! Like a strong tree firmly rooted in the ground are the children of God. There is not a thing that can cut us down. There may be attempts; but, we will not be moved. We shall stand firmly on the Word of God who is Jesus the Christ.

Many shall try! But, no axe can harm us. There is no wind or storm that can take us down for we have been rooted in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Col 2:6-7) What a relief that day will bring to God's children; no more unjust persecution, no more tears or sorrow, just joy in God's presence.

So, even as the fields exult; let all God's children sing for joy with the trees of the forest as we wait for his coming to judge the earth with his righteousness and truth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Teach Children in the Way

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!" Matt 18:6-7 NRSV

Children have begun to return to school for another year of education. The reality is that schools are not the only places our children learn. They learn much in the home and much as they observe and interact with society around them.

What are we teaching them? I don't just mean the public school system. I mean each and every one of us. What are we teaching them in the community? Are we teaching them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as loving neighbors and servants or are we teaching them that anything goes as long as it makes one happy?

When we teach that what is evil is good we are putting stumbling blocks between children and the promises of God. We lead them astray when we tell them that it doesn't matter if they obey the laws of God or the laws of the land, we send them all on a path of destruction and we become the stumbling block that will prevent them from seeking the Kingdom of God. They will be so busy trying to figure out how to get out of the mess that they created for themselves by following liars that they won't have time for peace; they won't have time to just sit and be still with God.

Could we at least agree to not teach the children (particularly other people's children) that it is not all right to disrespect those who have authority over them; that is the people who are raising and supporting them, their teachers, and, yes, law enforcement? It would really make life a whole lot easier for the children and for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just because it feels good, doesn't mean it's good for you.

A Light To Guide Us

"To give light to those who sit in darkness
and the shadow of death, to guide our feet
into the way of peace.” Luke 1:79

I have always been fascinated with lighthouses. They stand alone as beacons of safety showing us the way in which we should go and the way in which we should not go. 

When my children were young I had told them that one day I would like to live in a lighthouse on an island. My youngest son told me that he would buy me one when he grew up. He also said that he would bring me to the island in a boat and then leave me there. He was not as fascinated with lighthouses as I was or maybe he was just not too thrilled with me that day.

Imagine being tossed about in a small boat on the water. It is so dark that you can see nothing beyond the boat. Fear for your life grips your heart. Suddenly, you see a light that will guide you into a safe harbor. Your heart calms. You are at peace as you steer for safety toward the light. 

Jesus is our beacon of light. As we look to the light, we will be shown the way in which we should go and the way in which we should not. He will guide our feet in the way so that we might live in his  peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Supporting Widows And All In Need

For Widows.

She that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 1 Tim. 5:5-6.

For All in Common.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended all the commandments. Rom. 13:8ff And persevere in prayer for all men. 1 Tim. 2:1-2

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

1 Timothy 5 actually outlines who the church might consider a widow for purposes of assisting her. They are women over the age of sixty who have been faithful to their husbands and have devoted their lives to helping others. These were women would probably not be marrying again and have no one else to support them.

 

The reality is that the church then and now cannot physically support every person who thinks that they have a need. We cannot support every person that doesn't feel like working, either. Nor, can the government. Our funds are limited and we have to be good stewards of God's gifts so that we have the ability to help those widows who are in legitimate need. 

 

Serving at a previous congregation, I lived in a parsonage next to the church. It seemed that for a couple of years I was receiving homeless travelers looking for assistance just about every week. A very large majority of them seemed to have been traveling from Canada. After procuring a motel room for one very nice man who was traveling by foot, I asked him how it was that he had to come to me for help when there were so many other churches in the area. I jokingly wondered if there was a sign at the Canadian border to stop at Pr. Judy's in Baraga for help.  He said no. He had stopped by the sheriff's office for assistance and they had directed him to me. 

 

It can difficult o discern who is in legitimate need because they cannot work or cannot find a job and who is just not willing to work to support themselves. As a church, we are concerned that all people are cared for even as we would want to be cared for if we or our children are in dire need. We do the best we can; but, at times we fall short. Sometimes we fall short because resources are definitely limited and we have not always been the best stewards of God's gifts.  

 

Lord, give us this day our daily bread... so that through us your children; the widows, the widowers, the homeless, the forsaken, might be fed.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Families Reconciled in the Lord

For Parents.

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4.

For Children.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6:1-3.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 



It is said that blood is thicker than water. What exactly does that mean, anyway? For many it means that we are to stand by and support the lifestyles and actions of family no matter how dysfunctional it gets. For some it might even mean lying for a family member in order to keep them from being incarcerated. Key words in Martin Luther's admonition to obey your parents are the words "in the Lord." God always is the highest authority in our lives. He is our heavenly Father. If He says not to do something, don't do it. If He calls you to do something then just do it. Parents should never provoke or encourage their children to do something that is wrong in the eyes of our Father in heaven.

 

Family is an awesome gift from God. Families make mistakes. They hurt one another. If the family would turn to the Lord they could and would find a way out of the messes that they have wandered into. In turning to the way of the Lord we can find forgiveness and reconciliation. Family is a very good thing. However, we also know that there are times when parents can become so dysfunctional; provoking their children to wrath, encouraging them to do hurtful things to themselves and others; encouraging them to not follow in the ways of the Lord. What is a child to do?

 

Sometimes, even though the parents have done all they could to bring up their children in the way of the Lord, children will turn against their parents, as well. What is a parent to do?

 

For the parents and children who find themselves in these situations and alone without family, don't stop praying for each other that you might all be reconciled in the Lord. Remember, too, that you are a child of God. There is a blood that is thicker than blood and that is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Our heavenly Father is always with you to support and encourage you in the way that you should go.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Baptized for Renewal and Regeneration

Thirdly.

How can water do such great things?--Answer.

It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

Baptism is not the same as taking a bath. Water alone may wash the outside of the body; but, it cannot cleanse our souls. Water with the Word received in the Sacrament of Baptism; however, washes us through and through.

 

I am often asked why I would baptize infants. My answer (in short, because this is just a blog) is that first we are commanded to baptize all nations; all people. That does not exclude children. Jesus said we are not to hinder the children from going to him. I have also been told that babies cannot believe so therefore they should not receive this Sacrament. Jesus also said that in order to enter into the kingdom of God we must become like little children. Knowledge or intelligence does not necessarily equate with faith. Just because little children do not have the same knowledge that some adults have we should not equate that with an inability to have faith. Faith, itself, is a gift from God and is not something we work out on our own. Little children have faith and probably more than most adults. They have not been subjected to the doubts of this world.

 

Most importantly, baptism is a gift from God, for the washing and regeneration of all people and for renewing by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. When we are baptized, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit, for regeneration and renewal. I would not presume to withhold this gift of God; His very presence, from anyone, especially a child. Would you demand that a child go through life without this gift?

 

My parents were not church going people. But, they saw fit to have me baptized at home at about age five. I thank God that they did this for me. I thank God that Pr. Leslie Niemi was willing to officiate at our home. I know that it is preferable that baptism take place within the church. But, I thank God that Pr. Les was not willing to withhold this Sacrament from me for any reason. I remember that day; although, it has been so long ago and details are getting a little foggy. I thank God for that washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit that took place so many years ago. I do not want to even consider where and what I would be today if it had not been for the events of that day. Thank you Pr. Les for being a servant of God.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Teach and Baptize

IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

First.

What is Baptism?--Answer.

Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.

Which is that word of God?--Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Again, we are reminded that it is the head of the family who is to teach their children what baptism is. At Zion, our Sunday School Staff are well aware that this does not actually happen in most of our homes. We are also well aware of Christ's command to go and baptize all nations; all people. Therefore, we find it prudent to ensure that our children know what baptism is and begin formal instruction; albeit, in a simple way, to our children at the age of three. We are; after all, all members of the family of God and as spiritual parents we desire that all of our children know what an awesome gift they have or will receive and what it means for their lives and ours.

Baptism is a precious gift from God. So when He offers us this gift, should we refuse it and should we refuse to allow anyone else who desires it to receive this gift? It is a gift for all nations; all people.

Do not hinder anyone; but, teach and encourage everyone to receive this awesome gift.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord's Prayer; Teach It To Your Children

III. The Lord's Prayer
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

 http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

As we delve into the Lord's Prayer, we are once again reminded that it is the head of the family's responsibility to teach the Lord's Prayer to their family.

I was once asked why Lutherans pray this prayer every time we gathered together to worship. The person asking was a indeed a devout Christian (of no denomination). She felt that because we use this prayer rather than speak out of our own hearts and minds, we are not sincere. My answer to that is; of course we pray, at times, with prayers that are not distinctly the Lord's Prayer. But, I teach the Lord's Prayer and pray it often because it is the way Jesus taught us to pray. When Jesus gave it to us, he said this:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray:

 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Matt 6:5-13 NIV)

 

This is a simple prayer to learn. It takes very little time or energy to teach our children to pray it. May God set it in our hearts to teach it to our whole households.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Adultery

The Sixth Commandment.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life in words and deeds, and each love and honor his spouse.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php



What has been done cannot be undone. How hard I try to impress upon our young people (and older) that one can certainly be forgiven their sins; but, we cannot erase our past relationships! They will always be with us emotionally and spiritually. No one except your previous partner and you may ever even know about these liaisons; but, that does not negate the fact that you were joined to one another, if only for a few minutes. And... once joined; you will never be completely unjoined. No matter how hard you try to erase the memories, they will be permanently imbedded in your mind, coming to the forefront when you least expect it.

God did not create this commandment because he doesn't want you to enjoy life. In fact, he wants you to have an abundant and, yes, even a joyful life. Marriage and family can truly be a blessing from God. The children will come and go to raise their own families. But, how wonderful it is to have one person to share your entire life with. The less our lives are encumbered with old lovers making entrance into this new relationship; the less encumbered our lives are with carrying old baggage; the more pleasant and peaceful our lives will be.

There are those who have the mistaken idea that adultery only applies to those who are in a committed relationship: that it does not apply to those who are not married or living together. This is false. Adultery includes having sexual relations (doesn't necessarily even have to include sexual relations) with anyone that you are not bound to, in marriage, for life. Any and all sins can be forgiven by God. However, in this world there are most often consequences for our sins. Adultery has many adverse effects on self and on family. The harmful effects of parents' multiple relationships on children has been well documented. Adultery and the inability to be faithful to those whom we claim to love harms the whole family as well as society around us.

This commandment was not given to benefit God; but, to benefit humankind. If you desire a peaceful life, remain faithful; first to God, and then to one another.

May God help us to be faithful to those whom He loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 21:1-8 No More Death

Rev 21:1-8 NIV
We have today scripture that I often use for funeral services. The one who sits on the throne promises that all things will be made new. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no death or mourning or crying or pain..." (vs 4)

These verses are a reminder that there is hope for those who believe in this promise given to us by the one who sits on the throne, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I remember one young woman who began worshipping where I was serving after a string of deaths in her family. She said after attending so many funerals she noticed that the people who belonged the congregation; although, they grieved, seemed to grieve with hope and even joy at times. She needed that. She wanted that. She wanted to know how to deal with her grief. She needed to know that there was more. She found the answer in Jesus the Christ.

The vision of St. John reveals that the end, the first death, is sorrowful for those who do not believe; for "the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars." (vs 8) They will also suffer the second death following the day of judgment. But, for those who believe there is hope. There is hope and the promise that we shall live eternally with our God in the new home that he has created for us. He will be our God and we will be his children, both now and forever.

For all who believe there is the promise of eternal life. There is hope. There is even joy as we look to the day when there will be no more sorrow or pain.

God's Peace - Pr. J