Quit Cursing, Please!

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Eph 5:1-2

Children learn by what they see and hear. One teaching method I have noticed, too often, is adults correcting children for swearing by mixing their very loud admonitions with a bunch of swear words. Sure doesn't sound too loving to me and I'm thinking that particular teaching method probably does not work all that well.

Some of the nicest people I know throw that f... word along with other off-colored slang randomly into their speech. I don't get it! Doesn't sound very Christ-like to me. Can you imagine Jesus using words like that? I can't.

During confirmation classes, I have tried to explain what curse or swear words are. There are many words that are so commonly used by the culture around them that some of the young people have had no clue that some of the words that they use daily are totally inappropriate to be using. Many of these words actually take God's name in vain. Using vulgarity shows disrespect not only toward others; but, to the person using them as well.

We are sinful human beings and prone to slipping from time to time. But, life here in this would be so much more loving and peaceful if we could all be more Christian examples to children or to anyone around us. Maybe we could all work a little harder to erase a few of these curse words from our vocabularies and ultimately our cultures. Let us be imitators of Christ so that as our children learn from what we say and do; they too will learn to live more Christ-like.

May God help us to live in love, without using language to belittle or hurt others; rather, using language that will express our walk of faith in Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

3 John 1 - Joy

3 John 1 NIV

 

I get so excited when I hear about the faithfulness of members of our Christian community here in Baraga County. It does not matter; old or young, they have become like my own children. With St. John, I can say that "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (vs 4)

Today is Pentecost Sunday. Four of our young people are affirming their baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation this morning. All four of them have caused me much joy as I've taught and watched them walking in the truth; by putting their faith into action over the years. Their faith is clearly evidenced by the love and concern that they have for God and for others.

Following worship, I will meet with another couple to discuss the baptism of their baby. I look forward to discussing the baptism of their child (our child) into the Body of Christ. I look forward, with joy, to seeing this little girl at worship and Sunday School as she grows.

May God grant all of our children, young and old, the gift of the Holy Spirit; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in His presence, now and forevermore.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 12:1-3 - Keep Your Eyes Fixed on the Goal

Just about every year we have at
least one (sometimes more) who affirms
their faith and faithfully enters the race.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Have you ever tried to walk a puppy on a leash? They tend to want to go in many directions. Puppies and little children can get distracted very easily. Children of God must discipline themselves if they are going to run the race marked out for us. It is very easy to be distracted if we don't keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (vs 2).

It is almost time for our group of young people to affirm their baptisms with the Rite of Confirmation. They have not finished any race. They have simply been in spring training so that they can be prepared for the race. Sadly, we will not see many of them again, except for possibly at Christmas. Many will lose site of the goal. All that training and no race! Those who choose to actually run the race seem to be few in number. Some will return, but not all. There will be too many distractions and attractions in the world for them to ever see the cross of Christ clearly, again. But, thanks be to God for those who will continue on to reach the goal.

Lose site of the goal and you will fall out of the race... May God help us to always remember the joy that comes with finishing in His Kingdom; in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 11:45-57 Confess Your Own Sin

John 11:45-57 NIV
Many of the people who had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection believed in Jesus. However, some did not and they plotted against. They went to the Pharisees to confess what they presumed to be Jesus' sins. They wanted to get rid of him.

Last week, I held our annual confirmation marathon. That is, we studied the catechism every morning, for five days in a row. I cannot count how many times I admonished the students to confess only their own sins, not their brother or sister's; not their neighbors. The eighth commandment forbids sharing with others our slanted perspective of our neighbor's sins. One exception might be is if you want me to mediate between the two of you to bring about a reconciliation. When we confess someone else's sins, it does neither of you (or me) any good. They cannot be absolved and you are convicted of gossiping (eighth commandment). When someone is in danger it is a good thing, even necessary, to alert someone in authority who can help that person. But, confessing their sins to make yourself look good and/or to get rid of them is definitely not the direction one should be headed.

May God be with you and your neighbor.
God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 14:27-31 You Will Fall Away

Mark 14:27-31 NIV
“You will all fall away.”

On the night in which he was betrayed, he predicted that all of his followers would fall away. Peter did not believe it. Yet, they did. Judas betrayed him. The rest stayed hidden in the background so as not to end up on trial and crucified like Jesus. Peter flat out denied knowing him.

How many times do we hide in the background? Afraid to speak the truth because someone might not want to hear the truth and ridicule you or ignore you or maybe just unfriend you? Maybe, they might start ugly rumors about you and your faith. They might even call you something like "fanatical Christian!"

One of the rites of the church that I do not appreciate fully is confirmation. It makes me most uncomfortable knowing that these young people (teens) affirm their faiths, and promise to, with the help of God, to serve Him in the church and in the world. I warn them, that they will fall away and that they should really work on avoiding that. I ask them to please not make the commitments asked of them at their affirmations (confirmations) if they already intend not to keep them. I ask them to, please, not attempt to lie to God. Yet, they insist (most of them) that they will not fall away. They are convinced (or try to convince me) that the commitments they will make will not fall by the wayside.  In almost all cases they do fall away immediately following the rite of confirmation. Most fall away at least for a time, till they have children of their own and desire to have them baptized and confirmed. Some will return, long enough, for their children to be baptized and affirm those baptisms. 
The disciples returned, too. But, they stayed. They did not show up for a rite here and there. They stayed and committed their whole lives to following in Jesus' footsteps. May God help all who have been baptized in Christ Jesus to continue to live with and in Him and if we have turned our backs on Him, help us to return.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 26:17-30 - This Is My Body

In a couple of weeks our third graders will begin preparing to receive their first Communion on Maundy Thursday. At Zion, we remember the night in which he was betrayed and the night that he shared this Passover meal with his disciples, by the washing of our children's feet prior to them gathering at the Lord's Table to receive his body and blood for the first time. Not that they have not already been preparing; but, during Lent they will focus more intently on "What does this mean?" as a part of our pre-confirmation Sunday School curriculum.

I, as well as many of our members, get a little anxious that everyone may or may not understand that in receiving this "communion," we are receiving the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is not just a memorial. Communion is one of the means of grace, by which Christ comes to abide in us and we in Him. We are emptied of our sin, through the forgiveness received in this Sacrament, and then filled back up with the presence of Christ with the same Sacrament. (So, tell me again, why you're not rushing to the Lord's Table at every opportunity.)

This question is asked of everyone learning about this Sacrament: "How do we know that we are truly receiving the body and blood of Jesus?" The answer I usually receive is: "Because Jesus said it is."  Indeed he did.

   While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

   Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matt 26:26-28 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 4 - Temptation Will Come

Following Jesus baptism, he is tempted. After the temptations, which he resists; he goes out to preach and heal.

I have noticed that there seems to be, for many people who are baptized as older youth or adults or those who affirm their baptisms, a similar order to these things. I warn everyone who comes to me expressing their desire to be baptized or affirm their faith that they need to be aware that following in the footsteps of Jesus is not something that should be taken lightly. I also warn them that once they are baptized or affirm their baptisms, they will most probably see an increase in temptations. Faith affirming activities do not please the devil. Or, maybe they do. Maybe, he delights in the opportunity to try our faith through temptations.

I no longer can keep track of the teenagers and adults that I have known, who once they were baptized or affirmed their baptisms, who have never again gathered with God's people to worship. Well, maybe some have come back for a wedding or funeral....

Take it seriously, even as Jesus was tempted, we will be tempted. Following in the footsteps is not something for the fainthearted. You will need strength, courage and above all the faith with which you have affirmed publicly. It makes me real edgy to hear the affirmations of young people who are profess their faith only as a practice of ritual and have no real sense of what they are about to step in to. I care about these children and fear that they do not really understand what they are promising God. If they are not actually armed with the faith in Christ that they publicly profess they are going to have a rougher time than any of them expect..

It is wise when we affirm our faith and share the good news to be prepared to cling to the one who was able to resist temptation so that we might make it through those troubling times (which the devil will indeed tempt you with) with our faith still intact.

God's peace - Pr. J

P.S. The Sacraments and rites of the church are more than empty rituals; more than stepping stones on life's way. Playing with them, without any understanding of them is as dangerous as a baby playing with fire. There is a purpose to each of them for the growth and the edification of the Church and for you. If you're not sure about them, see me or better yet; come to Worship and/or Bible Study and get the bigger picture.

Jeremiah 47 - As Relentless As A Tsunami

"The word of the Lord that came to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:

Thus says the Lord:
See, waters are rising out of the north
    and shall become an overflowing torrent;
they shall overflow the land and all that fills it,
    the city and those who live in it.
People shall cry out,
    and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions,
    at the clatter of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels,
parents do not turn back for children,    so feeble are their hands." (Jer 47:1-3 NIV)

The word of the LORD is promising destruction to the Philistines. He will send an army like an overflowing torrent of water. They shall overflow the land; all that fills it, the city, and those who live in it. People shall cry out, and all inhabitants of the land shall wail.

We have seen the destruction of tsunamis. There is nothing that can stop or even slow down the wall of water as it destroys everything in its place. The LORD has promised to destroy the enemy of His children and nothing can save them. He will send an army from the north to put an end to their attacks on others.

What the LORD sends out, nothing can stop, nothing can slow it down, except that the LORD, Himself, will change His mind. There are no magical incantations, no offerings, no false gods, no works of man's hands that can change the flow of the tide once the LORD has ordained it.

This last week we had confirmation classes at Zion for our Junior High Youth. We talked about God calling and ordaining His people. I reminded them. with a smile on my face and a shocked look on most of theirs, that when God calls you to service, He will keep calling no matter how long it takes for you to say, yes. May as well stop saying no to God now; because, sooner or later you will listen and follow. It is much easier to say yes to God when you are young than fighting against it 'till you are old when you will turn and say yes, anyway. God calls whom He will call. He will ordain whom He will ordain. What He promises will come to pass.

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,    and succeed in the thing for which I sent it."  (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Esther 3 - You Shall Not Bow Down

"And God spoke all these words:  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.""  (Ex 20:1-6 NIV)

Mordecai, Queen Esther's mentor of sorts, would bow down to no one but God.  He would not bow down to Haman, so "Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews." (vs 6 NIV)  And.. he found it.  He convinced the King Xerxes to allow him to have the Jews destroyed. 

We just completed a week of confirmation, at which we spent much of our time on the ten commandments, so these verses from Exodus are still at the top of my mind.  What does this mean?  Simply this:  You shall have no other gods.  You shall not bow down to other gods.  No one, nothing, should come before the LORD your God.  Mordecai held fast to this, even to the point that he could be killed. 

How about us?  How fast will we hold to keeping God first in our lives?  How many other things in our lives do we allow to replace the worship of the one true God - the one who has freed you from bondage? 

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Nehemiah 12 - Celebrate

What a celebration!  Everyone comes together to celebrate the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.

Out here in Arvon Township and surrounding community we have a lot of celebrations:  Music Fests, picnics, etc.. Crowds gather in this small community, coming from long distances.  On September 2nd we will have a dedication at the Aura Lutheran Church.  We will be dedicating an organ to the glory of God.  I am hoping for a crowd - that - many will come to hear God's word and celebrate this gift given for His glory. 

Every Sunday, we gather at Zion to give thanks to God for his gifts.  We dedicate our lives over and over again to him.  At times, we are a small group.  We don't have multitudes like they did at Jerusalem.  But, we have faithful people who give of their time and talents so that worship will be a genuine celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Let us think and pray on this:  Everyone comes together in celebration!  And now I have to head to Zion so that I can study with the youth as they prepare to dedicate their lives to God in the Rite of Confirmation.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nehemiah 10 - Promises Made - Promises Broken

The covenant is sealed.  Promises are made.

Today we begin the first day of confirmation classes.  At Zion, we have classes one week during the summer for two years during which time curriculum will include "Experiencing Real Living," published by Sola Publishing..  During the school year, the youth will participate in an online course, www.smallcatechism.org .  Adults are welcome to join us for the educational part of the classes.  Youth will also be expected to participate in service projects both within the congregation and the wider community.  They are also expected to participate in worship as well as help lead at least two worship services each year.  This is all done to prepare them to make certain promises at the end of the two years as they are confirmed and then to continue to live according to the promises they have made..

Just a reminder of some of the promises those affirming their baptisms make...
     First off, they are asked to renounce the devil, the powers of this world and the ways of sin that threaten to draw us from God.  After affirming their faith with the words of the Apostle's Creed, they are asked if they intend:
     1.  to continue to live in the covenant God made with them in baptism.
     2.  to hear the word of God and receive the Lord's Supper (this necessarily means they will
          continue to attend worship)
     3.  to proclaim the Good News (they will share Jesus with others in both word and deed)
     4.  to serve all people (as Jesus did when he died on the cross for our sins)
     5.  to strive for justice and peace in all the earth (and this might mean that have to be just a little
          less concerned about their own welfare as they seek justice for others)

Each of them will respond with:  "I do, and I ask God to help and guide me."

Now here's the question(s) for this morning.  Do they, will they, do you?  Do you remember the promises you made?  Have you seriously asked God to help and guide you in the keeping of these promises?  So often many people think of confirmation as merely a rite of passage and we push our young people through the classes.  Here's the problem with it, as I see it.  They will make promises to God at the end of the two years.  Do they actually intend to keep those promises?  Will I ever see them again at Worship except for Christmas or Easter?  Do their parents and godparents intend to encourage them to keep those promises.

Israel got in a lot of trouble by going consistantly back on their promises to God.  God is the only one who has been known to keep His promises consistantly man cannot.  Thanks be to God that His grace is enough to cover us when we fall short of keeping our promises.  But, should we be making them if we really don't intend to keep them?

God's Peace - Pr. J
 
   

2 Kings 23 - Extreme Commitment - Extreme Makeover.

Josiah reads the words of the Book of the Covenant to all the people and he and they make a covenant with God.

Today is Pentecost Sunday.  I am up early.  It is an exciting day.  Four of our teens will affirm the covenant of their Baptisms today.  In essense, they will promise that it is their intent to serve God before all other gods and to serve his people.  To put the will of God, before their own.  This makes me very, very nervous!  From reading the book that we have been provided, I know that this is not possible.  False gods are going to creep into their lives.  They, as we all do, will stray from time to time.  But, God is with them; His Word is with them: His Spirit is with them to guide them in His way.  Today, they will make their intent to follow in His way known publically as they each say, "I do, and I ask God to help and guide me."

My granddaughter, is among the four.  She was up way past midnight last night.  She is very excited about today and could not sleep.  She and the other three have been instructed as to God's word found in the Holy Scriptures.  They have been introduced to God's Living Word, Jesus the Christ.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, may they each (and all baptized) come to know God's Word more fully and to know the extreme joy, peace, and love that is found in His Kingdom. 

What an extreme makeover it is when we come to know Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed Pentecost to you all!

2 Kings 21 - Children Follow In The Way

Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of God.  Hezekian's son, Manasseh did not did not do what was right.   Manasseh's son, Amon did not.

Sometimes, when children stray away from doing what is right in the sight of God, people will point fingers at the parents.  It's their fault.  The parents must have taught them - this or that.  I have even heard:  "it's in their genes!" 

So what happened to Hezekiah's son?  Hezekiah was a faithful man.  He worshipped only the one God.  Manasseh did not follow what his father taught.  But, Manasseh's son did.  Amon did what his father taught.  Who can tell for sure who will follow in "the way" and who will not? 

There are just too many variables to know why.  All we can do is teach our children what we would have them know and pray.  Lot's of prayers!!!  This Sunday four of our young people at Zion will be affirming their Baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation.  They are excited and I am nervous.  I am not nervous about the service.  I am anxious for their futures?  Do they actually know enough, do they know Jesus well enough, so that once they are confirmed they will actually trust him, so that they will follow in "His Way?"

All we can do is pray for them today, tomorrow, always.