Clothe Yourself With Good Things

Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14

"As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Col 3:12 NRSV

We are not to be doormats. We are to stand firmly on the truth, which is the Word of God. Jesus, and in the end his disciples, did not back down from the truth. They stood firmly on God's Word and on His promises.

But, neither are we to be bullies asserting our rights over the rights of others. Paul encourages the Colossians to treat one another with compassion and kindness. We are to try to have empathy for others; to, as the saying goes: "walk a mile in the shoes of others." We are to listen to all sides with humility; humbling ourselves so that we do not put our needs over the needs of others, and with empathy so that we can act with compassion and kindness to those who are suffering.

May God reconcile us to Himself and to one another, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Holds The Children In His Hands

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress, to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
    it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.

Psalm 71:1-6 NRSV

 

My birth family did not attend worship. I never attended Sunday School; but, thanks to some wonderful neighbor ladies I was able to go to Vacation Bible School. I was confirmed; but, that was because I wanted to affirm my baptism. I would find rides or walk the few miles to the classes at church. I attended services with my grandmother when I was very young and stayed with her at times. I remember some of those services being in the Finnish language, which I did not understand. But, in spite of a very minimal formal Christian education, I came to know and to trust God. He came to me when I was not able to go to Him.

 

Family life as I grew up was pretty chaotic and there were many times, as a young child, that I simply had no one to turn to. I feared for my safety and felt very alone. So, I turned to God for comfort and for safety and for love. There were many nights that I could not sleep because of troubles in the household. Weekends were usually the most rough. I remember hiding knives and ammo in the evenings before our parents came home on Friday and Saturday nights. But, I must stress that in spite of the many times of trouble, there were also many good times, as well. There are many children growing up today who do not have the benefit of these good times.  

 

But, where and to whom shall a child turn when they are afraid? One of the few songs that I knew from Vacation Bible School was "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands."  In order to rest without fear and to be able to fall asleep in peace, I would often envision myself laying in the comfort and safety of God's great hands. He came to me. He was and is my strong fortress to save me. He is my refuge and strength. He was and is with me always. He is with you always. 

 

There are children today who live in much greater fear than I did. My heart goes out to them and I pray that they will live and rest in the comfort and safety of God's hands.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

We See Dimly

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinth 13:11-13 NRSV


What a glorious day it will be when we shall see the Lord face to face. But, for now we have faith, hope and love as we wait for the day when the shadow is gone; the shroud is removed and the fog is lifted so that we will see His full glory as we stand before Him.

No matter how dimly we might see now; it is better than not seeing or knowing Him at all. May God open our eyes that we might see and know Him more clearly each and every day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Are You Listening?

"Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." Deut 6:6-7

I do a lot of reciting of both the law and the gospel. But, there are times when I just have to shake my head and wonder if anyone is listening? Do they not understand the there is only one true God and that God is almighty; all powerful; all loving; all merciful? It is not wise; it is not a good thing to worship other gods; to put anyone or anything before our Creator and Redeemer. I simply have a difficult time understanding how anyone would refuse to love and serve the only God who can save them from sin, death, and the power of the devil. How could anyone not love someone who was willing to die for them?

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart." Deut 6:4-6

May our Father in heaven, forgive us for not loving Him as we ought; for not loving Him even as He loves us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

This Love Will Never Leave You

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:25-26 NRSV

Family and friends are great. But, sometimes they are simply not there for you. Sometimes, they do not seem to be able to comprehend what you might be enduring. But, there is one who does understand everything you are going though. He is there for you always. His love for us gives us the strength to endure all things.

We know that He is always there for us. He will always love us. We are never alone. It is difficult not to desire even more of He who loves us so much.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is Risen!

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

The sheer insanity of it all! Can you imagine what it would have been like to have witnessed your beloved friend and teacher put to death. How gut-wrenchingly horrific to watch the agony of this one you love. This man that you followed around the countryside; who taught you; who ate with you; who healed the sick and cast out demons before your very eyes is gone. He is dead.

Now, here he is. Alive! Standing before you! Just as he promised, He lives! Watching the movie "Risen" yesterday, it struck me that once the disciples witnessed him alive, they had no alternative; but, to go and share this good news. Who wouldn't? Sure they could've tried to kept their lips sealed to protect themselves. They did not have to tell anyone about this miraculous return of their beloved friend from the dead. But, how would one keep such a secret. Impossible! It is just too marvelous! The news must be shared. And, it was shared. Like mad men; yet, not mad; filled with the Spirit, those first followers of Jesus went out and shared the marvelous news of his death, his resurrection, and his ascension. The good news is that because he is risen and so shall we!

I hear often about churches dying. I wonder why; how can this be? How can a church die when they have such good news to share. Maybe, because the good news isn't being shared. Think about it for a minute. Those who witnessed Jesus alive have his death were few. Yet, from those few the good news has spread  around the world. Even in the smallest of congregations there are at least a dozen who worship God. Don't keep him in the sanctuary. Don't hide your love of God. Go out and tell the world that; although, he was hung a cross until dead, he is risen!

He lives!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Tradition would tell me this blog would be best for Easter. But, it is good news for every day! I doubt those first disciples quit telling the story during the forty days. One never knows when someone who has not heard the story needs to hear it.

Love One Another

"For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3:11 

My youngest granddaughter, who is a teen-ager, spent the weekend with me. It has been some time since she has been with me on a Sunday morning. She expressed a desire to come again next Sunday and thought she could volunteer to read lessons and maybe even join the church choir. "I like it there," she had told me. "Everyone is so friendly."

Out in the world things can get pretty rough on young people. People can be so mean without even realizing they are being so cold and heartless. Young people are often brought up thinking that putting other people down is a normal way of life. They have been taught nothing else. If you'd like your children to be able to experience a caring environment bring them to your local church. Worship with them. Hear the Word with them within the community of saints. Guide them as they experience fellowship with the saints in your local congregation. We are not perfect by any means. We make mistakes. We sin. But, with the help of God, we are learning and striving to love even as God loves us; even as God loves you.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love One Another

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-36

Some of you may remember the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love." Love, love, love... Is that all we need? No, it is not. But, when we love one another, we will strive to make sure that all of our neighbors needs for daily life will be met. We will not let them go hungry, or without shelter, or without warmth, or any of the necessities to support physical life.

Jesus had just humbly knelt to wash the feet of his beloved disciples; Judas had just left to betray the one who loved him; when Jesus gave the command to love another even as he loved them. Love, in this sense, is not just a noun. It is a verb. We are to humble ourselves and to actively love and show care and concern for the people around us; indeed, even around the whole world, even as Jesus went forth and died for the world.

This is his commandment: that we are to love one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Under His Wings

Show me the wonders of your great love,
    you who save by your right hand
    those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:7-9 NRSV

Like a mother bird protects her young ones under her wings; the Lord protects us. Under His wings we live under His care. But, when we step out and try to live our lives without Him, we are exposing ourselves to dangers without protection. 

Of course, we will be attacked even when we are living in the shelter of the Most High God. But, then we will be able to continue on in the confidence of knowing that God is with us and He is for us. He will protect us and guide us in His Way. God, in His great love for us, is our refuge and strength.

May God help us to desire to live in the shadow of His wings and to trust Him through all of our days.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love The Lord Your God

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might."

Deut 6:4-5

Lonely, frustrated, tired?

Thoughout my life I have spent a lot of time alone mainly due to either my husband's or my careers. I am often asked if it bothers me to be alone. The answer is no. I am never alone. I have lived long enough to know that there is One who loves me more than all others. He is with me always. He is there for you always.

When we find ourselves tired and weary; lonely or frustrated, there is one we can turn to. Love the Lord your God, who loves you, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might even when you think you don't need him. That is when you really need Him the most.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Patience

"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph 4:1-3

There are times when my patience really wants to fly out the window. It can be a struggle to be patient with those who continue to make the same mistakes over and over again and wonder why they are having such a hard time in life.

A friend of mine once warned me that I should be very careful what I asked God for because He answers our prayers and we may not like the way in which He answers them. She had warned me against asking God to give me patience. She had asked for patience in caring for her family and He had answered. He helped her to learn to be patient by refining. As things grew even more troubled in her family she learned to be patient with others even as she continued to care for and love them. She also learned to trust God in all things.

My friend has gone through a lot of trials. Yet, she is patient and kind and has an uncanny gift for maintaining unity in the bond of peace.

May we all bear one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

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

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

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!

Happy Anniversary

Today is my husband's and my 43rd wedding anniversary. We are, again, many miles apart. We have spent much time apart from each other over the years. I can't really remember too many anniversaries that we have celebrated together on the actual date.

Although we are united in holy matrimony, we are still separate people with individual gifts and individual callings. Sometimes, those callings have overlapped and we have served side by side. Sometimes, they didn't. However, we have always been able to serve according to our individual gifts even when we were miles apart. Whatever God calls each of us to do; we have vowed to support each other until death parts us and that is what we strive to do. One call that we both have (as well as all of you reading this) is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls and minds; with all that we say and think and do.

When two people are united by God in marriage; they are not united for their own glory. When the commitment is made, it is not just to each other; but, to God. They are united so that the individual gifts of each partner may be joined together to bring glory to God.

So even we are apart physically we are always united in the love that God has given us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Our son, John, messaged me after he read this post to let me know that his father and I have been married for 44 years not 43. When you've been married this long you kind of lose track of time!

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

Enjoy Work

 

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Psalm 16:3

I have always attempted to teach my children and grandchildren to enjoy the work that they do. Work is inevitable. We must work to eat, to have shelter, to have warm clothing; and, if you really must want a lot of nice things, you must really put a lot of effort into earning that "stuff." We spend a huge portion of our lives working so we may as well enjoy it. Making a game of doing house or yard chores and doing it together helps it to me more fun.

As young people begin planning for what kind of life-long career they would like to pursue, they ought to consider what it is that they will enjoy doing. Do you enjoy helping people? How about computers or working with animals? There are so many career choices in the world today, it is impossible to comprehend them all. Whatever it you love to do; whatever talents that God has gifted you with; follow that path.

God has a plan for you. He calls you to serve him according to the gifts He gifts you. Whether it is a talent and desire to be a doctor or a hostess; God provides the opportunities to be trained in the way He would have you go. And... don't forget to commit your work to the Lord. Do all things that they might glorify your Father in heaven and you will not only do them well; but, enjoy doing them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hunter's Dinner and Fellowship

I have  been doing a lot of peeling lately. Every fall, I can expect to go out to my car after worship and find gifts of bags of apples. I make apple pies, baked apples, apple bars, and applesauce out of them. I usually share the applesauce as Christmas presents. It gives me a good excuse to stop and visit people who I normally would not and who are not members of my congregation.

This morning, members of my congregation and I am sure some visitors will be gathering together to peel potatoes and rutabagas. We are preparing for our annual Hunter's Dinner which is tomorrow. I am looking forward to spending this time sitting around buckets of veggies and just communicating with others that I don't usually get to spend too much time with. Tomorrow is the eve of the first day of the Yooper Holiday known as deer season. We will celebrate that event as we gather together in fellowship over a meal in the church basement with visitors from near and far that we have not seen since the last hunting season. We will share many stories. But, most importantly we will give thanks for all our friends who return annually to our community and take the time to come and fellowship with us.

We give thanks to God for all of His children and the opportunity to know and love them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. The only hunting I do is with a camera or at the Hunter's Dinner. That would kind of be like fishing for people. Fellowship while peeling potatoes or at a community dinner is an awesome way to share you lover for Jesus and his love for all people.

For The Sake Of Others

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:12-13 NRSV

Jesus lay down his life not just for his friends; but, for all who were his enemies, as well. He lay down his life for those who rejected and refused to live in the truth.

Today is Armistice Day. Armistice with Germany went into effect on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Today, we remember all Veterans of the many wars that this country has been involved in since our inception. It is for freedom's sake that our armed services generally find themselves in armed conflicts or war. It is not for their own sakes that they fight; but, for the sake of loved ones; friends; even enemies; for the sake of the whole they are willing to lay down their lives.

Today we give thanks for all who are willing to lay down their lives that others might live and lively freely.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Never Stop Praying

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:16-18 NRSV

There is so much to be thankful for. The reasons to rejoice never end because "we know that all things work together for good for those who love God." (Rom 8:28) Yet, we know that there among those whom we love who do not love God and so we pray without ceasing. We pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that they may be strengthened in their inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, as they are being rooted and grounded in love. We pray that they may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19)

Because we love even those who do not love or know God, we will never stop praying for them. We will joyfully give thanks for we know that God hears our prayers and answers, according to His good will.

God's Peace - Pr. J