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 150 - Praise Ye The LORD!

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the LORD." Psalm 150:6 NIV

 

Here ends our reading of the Psalms, at least for this blog.  Tomorrow we begin with the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. One day at a time, one chapter at a time, God is leading us through His Word and we give thanks and praise for the opportunity to get to know Him better in this manner.

 

Without the word passed down to us through so many generations, we would not know of his acts of power, of his greatness.  We would not know all that He has done for us and for all humankind in His generous acts of creation and re-creation.

 

So here's the question for you this morning: How many of your friends and neighbors; how many of your family members do not know the stories of what God has done for them? And... if they don't know what He has done; then what is there for them to believe? Share the stories of all that He has done for you so that they, too, might believe. May God help us to continue encourage future generations to hear and read His word so that all might turn to Him and praise Him in His sanctuary; praise Him in His might heavens. (vs 1)

 

Praise ye the LORD!

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 77 - Fiscal Cliff

Lots of people thinking about the "fiscal cliff" as the year 2012 comes to a close. There is no doubt that going over the edge is going to hurt a lot of people. I know that it will cost me a bit.  I tried to deposit a third party check earlier this month (same check I've sent every month for years) to a charge account.  They put a hold on it for seven days.  When I asked why, I was told that it's due to the financial state of this country. They wanted to make sure the check cleared before they deposited it.  In the meantime, I got charged for seven extra days of interest. The financial status of this country is on pretty shaky ground. But, the closer we get to that day, the less I seem to worry about it. It will be what it will be.  Our elected officials don't seem to be able to do or want to do much about it so there is nothing left except to remember that it is the LORD who is Almighty. He is in charge. Let Him be.

He will not reject us forever. Look back to where you have been, where we have all been, and we shall see that the LORD has been with us.  We have had some pretty murky times in the past.  He has led us through some turbulent waters and it is He who will save us even now.  Of course, we also have to remember, that sometimes, in order to save us, we have to go through some even more troubled waters. There may be a positive side to this "fiscal cliff" - to remind us of who God is and it is not us - it is not the elected leadership of this country. That lesson might hurt a bit, but in the end, His people will follow in His path through the sea, through the mighty waters, even though His footprints cannot be seen. He will lead His people like a flock to the other side and we will all meditate on and rejoice over His mighty deeds.

God's Peace - Pr. J