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

Psalm 30 - From Wailing To Dancing

Take just a moment to remember where you've been.  Remember the tough times - the times you thought you'd never get through.  Did the LORD not lead you through them? Did those times not pass?

We all go through them.  But, all who have stood firm on the Word of the LORD, look back and know that the LORD was with us.  We can look back and know that through those times we grew from those trials.  We grew closer to the LORD as we trusted in Him.  We trusted Him to  lift us out of the depths and He did.

The LORD turned our wailing into dancing, clothing us with joy, so that sang His praises.  May God help us to sing His praises for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Chronicles 15 - Dancing and Singing

Again, the story of David having finally bringing the ark to Jerusalem.  (2 Samuel 6)He confirms that the LORD had been against them the last time because they had sought to bring it in a manner that was against the rule.  This time it will be carried by the appropriate people, that is the Levites. 

It was a time of great celebration!  There was much singing and dancing as they celebrated the return of the ark.  Even King David was out dancing in the street.  His wife, Michal, saw him and dancing and despised him. 

I often sing and dance, not only during worship, but, also as we prepare to worship and sometimes after..  It's not the jumping around kind of dancing, more like gently swaying to the music.  When people are around, my granddaughter likes to appear greatly embarrassed when I do this.  I am not sure if she is really embarrassed or just likes to find something to complain to me about.  I do this less these days, as her embarrassment and comments have kind of curtailed some of my joy.  I don't sing intentionally..  The reality is that it is a natural reaction to the joy I feel within.  Joining together with others to worship God can be very contemplative, but it also brings to me a feeling of hope, of peace, and ultimately joy.  Thanks be to God that He has called us to worship and serve Him!

May God grant that we should all and always joyfully worship and serve Him!