Using God's Gifts

"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." 1 Peter 4:10 NRSV

We have all received gifts from God that can and are to be used to serve God and God's children. The Holy Spirit has not left anyone without at least a gift or two or many to be used for the glory of God and in the ministry of the gospel of  Jesus the Christ for all people.

If you are gifted with musical talents; there is always plenty of room to join with others in ministering through music. If you teach, we need teachers. There are also those gifts and talents that some might think have nothing to do with the ministry of the Church. But, you would be wrong. We need people to plow the parking lot so people can get into the church to worship or to study and hear God's Word. We need janitors and sextons to help with the general upkeep and cleaning of the property that God has given to us. The Body of Christ needs people who work well with youth or really enjoy visiting our seniors. There are those who cannot, for whatever reason, are home-bound. You can pray. You can make phone calls to reach out to others who may be alone and lonely. Not one person in the church on earth has been left without gifts or talents to serve one another.

May God help us to joyfully serve the Lord and one another with the gifts that He has so graciously given to each of us.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Clean Hearts

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NRSV

Yesterday was a definite day of rest! Both my mind and body crashed after two days of driving, one of them in bumper to bumper traffic. As it was Sunday and I was not at home to worship with my own congregation, I attended worship at one of those large praise type services with my granddaughter and daughter-in-law. The sermon was pretty good. The music was a little loud for this old Lutheran. But, it did bring back memories of one of my mentors, Pr. Al Goodrich. The opening and closing praise song was something about giving your heart to Jesus. Pr. Al loved it when people would talk about giving their hearts to Jesus. His response would be, "Why would Jesus want that filthy thing! Jesus wants to give you a clean heart!"

Christmas and Christianity is not about what we can give to God; but, what God has already done and given for us. We celebrate because God is indeed willing and able to create in us clean hearts. We are not Christians because of what we have done; but, because of what God has done for us. Thanks be to God for His good and gracious gifts!

Merry Christmas!

God's Peace Pr. J

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Self-Discipline; Running the Race

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
My husband is a Detroit Lions fan. Most everybody else that I know belong to the Green Bay Packers club. Personally, the only sport I am interested in is the race that St. Paul is talking about in today's reading. "Run in such a way as to get the prize," he says.

No matter what sport one participates in, one must practice. Those who don't play and only observe practice sitting on the edge of a couch or stadium seat. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself) That would take a lot of self-discipline on my part to sit for that long and watch others play. But, no matter what it is that we desire; we must discipline ourselves to reach for what we desire. That goes, not just for sports, but for all areas of life. Toini Heikkinen, a neighbor and a former music teacher (she has since reached the end of the race.) use to insist that her students practice every day. It was not an option. She expected them to discipline themselves if they truly wanted to play the piano well.

All these things are well and good. But, remember they only satisfy for a time here on earth. If our ultimate goal is living in the presence of God; in His eternal Kingdom, then we might want to discipline ourselves in our journey (race?) for that goal.

In reality, we cannot run the race and win; for life in the Kingdom of God was already won for us on the cross by our Lord and Savior, Jesus. I feel justified in calling it a race only because some days I seem to be in a pretty big hurry to see that Kingdom in all of God's glory.

May God bless your journey...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 2:13-21 Get To Know The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:13-21 NIV
No, the disciples were not drunk with wine at 9 a.m. on that day of Pentecost. They were filled with the Holy Spirit just as is was spoken of by the prophet Joel. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and the Spirit did.

“In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy." (vs 17-18)

I've never quite been sure how it is that the day of Pentecost is taken so lightly in so many congregations in the United States (and probably around the world). It is the day that the power of the Holy Spirit was given to the followers to do the will of God; to proclaim the Kingdom of God, through Christ Jesus. No wonder it is so difficult for so many to understand the Trinity. We teach so little about who the Holy Spirit is. Just as we are to be in relationship with God the Father and God the Son, so we can also be in relationship with God the Holy Spirit.

I remember the day I finally got to know the Holy Spirit. I don't mean know who the Holy Spirit is; but, really "meet and greet" the Holy Spirit. I smiled for at least a week straight. The joy within me simply could not be extinguished. I was almost like a drunk person walking around; except, that I wasn't doing really stupid things. It was a very hard time in my life; yet, the Spirit of Christ led me and comforted me, giving me strength when I needed it the most.

"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which
leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord..." (Eph 5:17-19)

Ask the Lord to help you know the Holy Spirit. "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matt 7:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 87 - Zion

God establishes His Holy City.  He decides whose name will be written as a resident of Zion.  He records the names of people who acknowledge Him on the register and they will dwell in His Kingdom. 

The Bible records this city as Zion.  I remember, a great-uncle of my husband's who passed away many years ago.  He was a wonderful character.  In his last years his main topic of conversation was Holy Zion.  He could not wait.  He was anxious to live in that city.  It was kind of amazing to me that not everyone around him understood what he was talking about.  They had no clue what this Zion was. Sadly, these people were Christian.  A Christian without  hope of Zion?  Can that be? 

As I visit many elderly today, often our conversations are directed to that Holy City, Zion, the place of God's habitation, the place that has been prepared for all who believe, no matter who they are or where they are from, through the blood of Jesus Christ, our LORD.  These visits are most pleasant to me.  It is good to hear that I am not the only one who has this hope of eternal life.

Rejoice! Make music and sing aloud for the promise of Zion is for you and for all who would believe!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 59 - Dance and Sing Praises!

Whoa... Yet, another lamentation!  How blessed I feel this morning not to be able to understand where such a desire for vengeance could come from. 

I fell asleep with music in my head, last night.  I don't listen to a lot of music.  There's a conflict in my house over which genre is best so music isn't played much in the home, any more, especially when we're at home at the same time.  That doesn't mean I don't enjoy it, though.

Last night, as I feel asleep, the "Lord of the Dance" (lyrics by Sydney Carter) kept playing in my head. 

   "Dance, dance, wherever you may be
   I am the lord of the dance, said he
   And I lead you all, wherever you may be
   And I lead you all in the dance, said he"

And this morning, the song swirling around in my head was a Garth Brooks song, "Standing outside the Fire."

   "Standing outside the fire 
   Standing outside the fire
   Life is not tried, it is merely survived
   If you're standing outside the fire"

Waking up to music in my head, for a change, gave me a bit of food for thought.  Why?  Doesn't happen much.  And... these two songs?  Why?  Was I, am I, in danger of stepping outside His refining fires or dancing outside the fire of His Love.  Or... maybe the Lord of the dance is trying to lead me farther inside the fire?    And... wondering what kind of journey that might be. 

We ponder our journey in this world (at least I do).  What does it mean?  No matter where we are led, as we follow in the footsteps of our LORD, may God help us to complain less and sing more, for He is our strength and our fortress, our God in whom we trust.

"You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely." (Psalm 59:17 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr J.

Cross references:

1. Psalm 59:1 : 1Sa 19:11
2. Psalm 59:1 : Ps 143:9
3. Psalm 59:1 : S Ps 20:1
4. Psalm 59:2 : Ps 14:4; 36:12; 53:4; 92:7; 94:16
5. Psalm 59:2 : S Ps 26:9; 139:19; Pr 29:10
6. Psalm 59:3 : S Ps 56:6
7. Psalm 59:4 : Ps 119:3
8. Psalm 59:4 : Mt 5:11
9. Psalm 59:4 : S Ps 13:3
10. Psalm 59:5 : Ps 69:6; 80:4; 84:8
11. Psalm 59:5 : S Ps 44:23
12. Psalm 59:5 : S Ps 9:5; S Isa 10:3
13. Psalm 59:5 : Jer 18:23
14. Psalm 59:6 : ver 14; Ps 22:16
15. Psalm 59:7 : Ps 94:4; Pr 10:32; 12:23; 15:2, 28
16. Psalm 59:7 : S Ps 55:21
17. Psalm 59:7 : S Job 22:13
18. Psalm 59:8 : Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26
19. Psalm 59:8 : Ps 2:4
20. Psalm 59:9 : S Ps 18:1
21. Psalm 59:9 : Ps 9:9; 18:2; 62:2; 71:3
22. Psalm 59:11 : Ps 3:3; 84:9
23. Psalm 59:11 : Dt 4:9; 6:12
24. Psalm 59:11 : Ps 89:10; 106:27; 144:6; Isa 33:3
25. Psalm 59:12 : Ps 10:7
26. Psalm 59:12 : Ps 64:8; Pr 10:14; 12:13
27. Psalm 59:12 : Isa 2:12; 5:15; Zep 3:11
28. Psalm 59:13 : Ps 104:35
29. Psalm 59:13 : Ps 83:18
30. Psalm 59:15 : Job 15:23
31. Psalm 59:16 : Ps 108:1
32. Psalm 59:16 : S 1Sa 2:10
33. Psalm 59:16 : Ps 5:3; 88:13
34. Psalm 59:16 : Ps 101:1
35. Psalm 59:16 : S 2Sa 22:3
36. Psalm 59:16 : S Dt 4:30
37. Psalm 59:17 : ver 10

Psalm 51 - Lutheran Music and Liturgy

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12, 21st Century King James Version)

 

I have had countless complaints about Lutheran liturgy and the overall music. Boring, I've been told. Hmmm.... Somebody has not been listening. Verses 10 thru 12 of Psalm 51 are a wonderful example of why we do what we do during worship.  Sadly, it is no longer a part of many services.  We've been given options.  Some of the options are not so good. 

 

Years ago, one of my sons' friends, who had gone to worship with him, complained about the music. He informed him that Lutheran music during worship is all supported by scripture.  The Lutheran Liturgy is all supported by scripture.  That is why we do what we do.

 

During Lutheran Worship you are hearing the word and the Word.  There should be no part that is not supported by scripture; that is not proclamation in some form.  Ok... maybe the announcements after worship, but not during. 

 

In singing the words, "create in me a clean heart, O God..." we are not only confessing our sins, but acknowledging that God can and will do this thing.  We are acknowledging that we need the Holy Spirit; that we need and desire God's presence.  We are acknowledging that only by the power of God can we know the joy of His salvation. 

 

Lutheran liturgy and the overall music is not boring, unless you refuse to engage yourself in it, unless you refuse to participate.  Nothing worse than singing alone, especially when one (I) can't sing.  Years ago, immediately following the Great Thanksgiving, I stopped a congregation and told them that we would receive Communion when we could give thanks to God and actually sound like we meant it.  It was much better the second time around!  You have no idea how much fuller the service is when we actually all participate!

 

I see I'm side-tracked again.  Back to the main thing! Create in us clean hearts, O LORD, renew right spirits within us, and restore unto us the joy of Thy salvation, that we might glorify your holy name.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Chronicles 5 - Music!

Wow!  I can just imagine the celebration when the ark was brought into the temple!  I can just imagine the music!  I love music! I forget how much I do, because I don't listen to much of it any more.  Mostly, I listen to the birds sing and the frogs croak. I like the silence.  And... I'm not terribly impressed with much of the music today. On my Facebook page this morning I had two songs done by a young man, Marshall Codd.  They were two Scottish songs.  Now I like that stuff and it was very good to hear him sing again!  It has been a few years since I've had that privilege.

Later this month (July 29), Zion Lutheran, Skanee will have their annual music fest.  I always enjoy that musical event.  I will be on vacation, but I definitely plan on being around for the musical.  I think the thing I enjoy most about it is the opportunity to hear local people praise the LORD with their music.  It never ceases to amaze me who our choir enlists to provide the music.  And... it is for a good cause.  The concert is a benefit for St. Vincent De Paul, L'Anse, MI.  St. Vincents is the local food pantry administered by the Catholic Church and assists those who are in need in Baraga Country financialy, as well.

Praise the LORD with instruments and your voices.  Let the world know:
     "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."  (vs 13)