Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Today, my husband and I celebrate two birthdays.

For 44 years, since my husband first joined the United States Marine Corps, we have been observing the birth of United States Marine Corps. We usually celebrate on the Saturday closest to the birthday with dinner and the traditional cake ceremony with other Marines and families from the area. We no longer stay for music or dancing. Being with friends for the ceremony and dinner fill us up. I do my dancing to the sound of the piano or organ the next day. And... let, me tell you! Bertha and Linnea can make those old Lutheran hymns most danceable!

Yes, thanks to these two wonderful musicians (and Leslie who fills in at times) I have learned to love Lutheran hymns. There was a time, when I was young, that I felt they were kind of ho hum. Maybe, it was the musicians; maybe, it was just me.

Today, even as I honor my husband and the birth of the United States Marine Corps today, I thank God for the birth of another mighty warrior, Martin Luther. His battle was against false teachings prevalent in the church at the time. There remains false teachings in the church on earth today. Let down your guard and the devil sneaks them right back in. The battle continues; the battle against forces that would dilute or change the word of God to the harm of all whom God has called; to the harm of all who unknowingly follow false teachers and prophets.

"A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever."
                        Martin Luther

Happy Birthday!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled with the Spirit; not spirits

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 5:15-20

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs? Has medical marijuana taken over your life so that you who were not well in the first place have now become dependent on this "miracle" cure; so much that you can no longer even work or play unless you are high (or drunk)? So much that you cannot even get out of bed without one of these false gods? I am not saying that alcohol and even the legitimate use of marijuana don't have their place. But, sadly, these two drugs, as well as a multitude of other illegal drugs, have become the gods that way too many people live for. These false gods are succeeding at destroying families; destroying communities; and are even pretty successful at causing problems within the visible church on earth.  Choose ye this day whom you will serve.

Addiction is a serious ailment in itself. It cannot be cured by the use of other or more drugs. In fact, there are those who say it cannot be cured at all. But, there is relief for those who suffer this sickness. The Lord can make you whole. Turn to Him; for He is your helper. Be filled with the Spirit and sing songs of joy to the Lord, for He alone can save you from the false gods that hold you captive.

I witnessed an amazing thing this past Sunday. During some of the hymns during worship, I sometimes kind of; sort of, dance. Last Sunday, I watched a few of the choir members also dancing during the closing hymn. Yes, in a Lutheran church! Can you believe that? I could not help but smile. I pray that the whole congregation would be so filled with the Spirit that they could joyously sing and dance for the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. For those locally who need help, I would be happy to listen to those of you who are struggling with addictions and refer you as necessary. Yes, I do have a bit of experience with addictions...

Habakkuk 3 - Hinds Feet on High Places

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." (Hab 3:19 KJV)

I remember a book I read years ago. "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard, gets its' name from Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV). The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers.  It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God. 

I can't remember too many of the details of the book, as it has been quite a few years since I read it. But, I can look around me daily and watch (and even join) others as they journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; I, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patient as others) for the LORD to deliver His people, who I also love, from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as they journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ecclesiastes 3 - Turn! Turn! Turn! to Everything There is a Season

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (Eccl 3:1-8 NIV)

 

"Turn! Turn! Turn! to Everything There is a Season." Many of you probably recognize Ecclesiastes 3 from actually reading it before. Some of you may have heard parts of it a funeral or maybe on Ash Wednesday when we hear words similar to "from dust you are, to dust you shall return." Some of you may remember these words from the song Pete Seeger wrote in 1959, which was recorded by various artists. Seger basically put the words from Ecclesiastes 3 to music and added 2 things:  the words "Turn, Turn, Turn" and "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." In 1969 the Byrds' recording of it became a hit, making Ecclesiastes 3 one of the oldest lyrics (written by Solomon) to become a hit on the pop charts.

There is a time for peace, I swear it's not to late. There is a time and season for everything. It is not to turn our hearts away from the injustice of the world and turn toward the path which God intends for us to follow so that we might truly live life. It is not to late to turn our lives around and live in His presence and in His peace.

Let there be peace on earth. Let us treat one another justly, causing no one more anxiety. If there is to be anxiety, it will come in its allotted time and season for God's purpose. We do not have to manufacture it for ourselves or others. Let us take each day as it comes before us and learn to live life as God intended us to live, enjoying the fruits of the garden, enjoying the fruits of the day, even as we labor to eat and drink, to provide for the necessities of our lives. May God grant that we should be happy and find satisfaction in our toil. May God grant us peace with Him and with one another even as we strive to live life in this world accepting every thing that comes to us in whatever time or season.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 149 - Sing and Dance to the LORD

"Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people." (Psalm 149:1 NIV)

I spent the week-end at an LCMC Youth Retreat at a waterpark at Three Bears Lodge in Warrens, WI. What joy! I hate the drive, but it is so good to see the young people have fun.  Some of them played in the waterpark; most of them were in the arcade; they made dresses out of pillowcases to send to children in need; they filled packs with goodies for military personnel overseas. They sang and they danced during Worship.  There was even a dance for them. A few of them went, but only a couple stayed as the rest could not tolerate the music or the crowd. It is very hard to actually be present with someone when it is so loud. Rather than go to the dance, they did what I really enjoy most seeing them do. They hung around in our rooms fellowshipping together. What I really rejoice in seeing most is our young people spending time together. They seemed to be enjoying that time with one another.

Yes, there was "horsing around." It was all in good fun. But, the respect and the caring they have for one another was also obvious. I rejoice in the LORD, this morning, for He has given us some really awesome young people to share our lives with, to share our stories with, to walk beside, and to lead in the way that they should go.

And... I hope they keep singing and dancing, rejoicing in the LORD, all the days of their lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 149:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9

Cross references:

1. Psalm 149:1 : Ps 33:2; 103:1
2. Psalm 149:1 : S Ps 28:7; S 96:1; Rev 5:9
3. Psalm 149:1 : S Ps 1:5
4. Psalm 149:2 : Isa 13:3; Jer 51:48
5. Psalm 149:2 : S Job 10:3; Ps 95:6; Isa 44:2; 45:11; 54:5
6. Psalm 149:2 : Ps 10:16; 47:6; Isa 32:1; Zec 9:9
7. Psalm 149:3 : S Ex 15:20
8. Psalm 149:3 : S Ps 57:8
9. Psalm 149:4 : Ps 35:27; 147:11
10. Psalm 149:4 : Ps 132:16
11. Psalm 149:5 : S Ps 132:16
12. Psalm 149:5 : Job 35:10; Ps 42:8
13. Psalm 149:6 : Ps 66:17
14. Psalm 149:6 : Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16
15. Psalm 149:6 : Ne 4:17
16. Psalm 149:7 : S Nu 31:3; S Dt 32:41
17. Psalm 149:7 : Ps 81:15
18. Psalm 149:8 : S 2Sa 3:34; S Isa 14:1-2
19. Psalm 149:8 : 2Ch 33:11
20. Psalm 149:9 : Dt 7:1; Eze 28:26
21. Psalm 149:9 : S Ps 145:10

 

Psalm 126 - Paradise Restored

Have you ever found something treasured that had been lost?  Have you ever felt like you were in the deepest, darkest valley and suddenly everything changed and you were on a mountaintop dancing in the sunlight and giddy as you breathed the mountain fresh air?

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, that's how they felt. They were filled with joy. They sang and danced for the LORD had done a marvelous thing. They proclaimed it to the world and the world acknowledged this great thing that God had done for His children.

God has done a marvelous thing.  He sent His Son, that all who believe in Him, would not perish, but live eternally in His Kingdom, in His presence! Let us sing and dance for joy.  Let us proclaim the good news that He has restored us to Paradise through His only begotten Son! Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 10 - Help Quickly

Help! Help! Help!  Help quicker dear, LORD! 

How often do we wait to see the answer to our afflictions - the answer that we want?  David, too, wanted to see the LORD's deliverance quickly.  But, it doesn't always happen that way.  God's time is not our time.  He had has plan.  But, we can be assured that the LORD does indeed see our suffering and hear the desire of the afflicted; encouraging us and listenig to our cry.  (vs 17 NIV)  We are confident that God is with us and in the end God will see our salvation.  God will save us from our trouble.

But, the wicked see no such thing.  They continue to persecute those who serve the LORD.  God sees this, too.  His hand will prevail.  God is God and He will prevail.  He will deliver His children from their afflictions and persecutions.

Have comfort in the knowledge that God is working things out for the good of those who love Him.  (Rom 8:28) We will sing and dance in the LORD's house.  His will be done.

God's Peace - Pr. J