Impress Them on Your Children

Deuteronomy 6

All three uses of the law (mirror, curb, guide) ring out in the reading this morning. The verse that really stood out for me was seven (NIV):  "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We had a pizza party in the church basement.  It was not just for children.  Although, some of the things we do with our children are geared for children, we try not to segregate them from the adult membership of the congregation.  If we are a church family, then we should do things as a family.  The Youth/Family Committee feels it important that our children understand that us older people know how to laugh and have fun, as well.  We are trying to dispel the myth that being involved with "church activities" is something we do because of the "curb" in the law.  We can have fun and enjoy being with the children. 

Anyway... We at pizza and salad, decorated crismons, sang songs, and played Bible Bingo.  What struck me was the level of knowledge some of the children had regarding Bible stories.  It was truly surprising and this morning I am thanking God for those parents and grandparents who have taught their children.  I am especially thanking God for Sherrie, our Sunday School Superintendent and for the teachers who work with her to teach our children.  They teach not just the law, but all of scripture.  And, it is shows in that the children use what they learn as a guide.  We don't teach behaviors, we teach the Word of God, and that Word grabs hold and guides them in the way that they should go. 

I am praying that all of you will hear the Word that the Lord gives to you this day.  Hear Him, believe Him, and follow Him.

God's Peace be with you always.  Pr. J.

3rd Use of the Law

Deuteronomy 5

Moses reminds the people that out of the midst of the fire, of the fire, and thick darkness, God had spoken these "ten words" to the assembly at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).  These "words" were not just for the generation that died in the wilderness, but for their children and their children's children, that they might live well and long in the land. 

I'm remembering the many hours that go into teaching confirmands these "10 words" and what they mean.  I will try to refrain from being so lengthy this morning...  We will see where I end up.

These 10 words or laws were broken down into two or summed up by Jesus as:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.  (Matthew 22:36-40)  I use these words of Jesus to help teach the confirmands how to memorize and learn the commandments.  The first 3 (or 4 depending on your denomination) all pertain to how to live in relationship with God; how to honor Him.  He is first, so we place Him first.  The remaining commandments tell us how to live in relationship with others so that it may be well with us and that we might live long upon the earth.

Briefly here is what I tell my confirmands:
When an adult decides he's going to work day after day without ever taking a Sabbath - a day of rest - what happens?  Answer:  They get tired and cranky and pretty hard for the people around them to live with.  Sometimes people even get hurt because they are so fried they aren't paying attention to what they're doing and accidents happen.  If someone doesn't take the day to rest - some time to hear God's Word and to Worship Him - how will they ever come into closer relationship so that they might know His peace? 

If you kill someone, what happens?  Their friends and family become angry and they want your life in return.  Life doesn't go so well for you and you may end up not so long upon the earth.

How about bearing false witness?  Can gossip kill?  Certainly.  It kills the spirit.  It kills relationships.  And... it some cases it destroys lives.  Gossip can hurt so bad that it might even push someone to taking their own lives.  Bearing false witness kills.  It would be the same as if you murdered someone with your own hands.  That is why it can be said that one sin is not worse than another.  (we'll maybe go there another day.)

How about coveting?  Can coveting kill?  Of course it can.  It kills relationships, it kills our peace, it interferes with our love for God and for our fellow human beings.  In some cases people are really killed because of envy and jealousy over material things.  Life does not go so well and not so long for those who covet the possessions of others.  I will not go through each of the commandments, you get the picture...

I remind my confirmands that God loved them so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for them and ask them if this sounds like a God who would make up a bunch of laws just to keep them out of His kingdom in the first place.

Yes, I hold to the third use of the law - that is as a guide to the way in which we can live in relationship with God and with one another that it may be well with us and we might live long upon the earth.

But, they ask how about that horrible verse 9, why should they be punished for their parents sins?  Think about family relationships for a minute...  Do we not learn by what we've seen our parents do?  Often (but not always) we follow in their footsteps.  Let's say a parent is a thief or a liar or a murderer or otherwise breaking civil law and their children witness this lifestyle, will they not grow to think that this is a normal way to live?  They will struggle because these sins will keep them from a loving relationship with God the Father and with their neighbors.  This doesn't happen because God wants them out of His life - it's not about punishment.  Their lives become chaotic because they have chosen (and sometimes they don't know any better) to put other "things" before God and neighbor and they themselves have hurt the relationships by not following the guides they've been given to live peaceful lives.  We inherit the sin of our fathers and mothers and consequently we inherit the consequences of the broken relationships caused by those sins as well.

Too often, I think, we consider the law as something that only condemns.  We all indeed fall short and deserve condemnation, but God is not all about condemning...  That wasn't His purpose, after all wasn't He saving Israel from bondage when He gave this laws?  And...  why did He send Jesus?  There must be more to the giving of the law than just setting up some rules to follow and if you don't, well... then... you know what happens!  Children are taught that if they don't follow the law - they will end up in hell.  Truth is... by not following these laws or guides to living in community, it can be like a living hell here on earth for those who do not know how to love or live in relationship with God or one another. 

I am not writing off the other two uses of the law as a curb or mirror, but I think that we might benefit in our relationships if we took another look at the commandments as a guide to how to live life reconciled to God and one another.

I remember a friend from a Bible Study years ago.  She said she never worried about the should not's of the law, only the shoulds...  She said she tried to live her life not worrying about what she couldn't do, but what she could do and focused on that.  That being:  loving the Lord her God with all her heart and soul and mind; and loving her neighbor.  After all, didn't Jesus say that all the law and prophets hang on these two commandments (or words)? 

Time to get ready to go and shop for Toys 4 Tots so I guess I am finished with this morning's blog whether it's finished or not...  May it be well with you and may you live long in the land.

Remember...

Deuteronomy 4

Remember where you have come from, where you have been, and remember who delivered you, who led you to the promised land.

This message is not just one for the Israelites. It is just as good for each of us today.  I doubt that there is one among us this morning that cannot look back and remember the trials that we have endured in your journey.  I doubt that there is one among us that can look back and not remember at least one false god that we have worshipped.  Remember the Lord, for He is God and He has delivered you.  Worship Him and only Him that all may be well with you and your children and your children's children.

Remember too, that God is not a god that is far off.  Our God is near and He does indeed call us to gather together to hear what He would have us hear.  He gathers together often.  I can't imagine one of the Israelites not paying attention when they heard God speaking on the mountain.  As often as He desires to speak to you, will you listen?  Prayer is not just about asking for things, but for hearing as well.  Worship is not just about making your weekly commitment, a weekly pilgrimage to the sanctuary in a building, but for hearing the will of God, for hearing the Word and receiving the Word through the Holy Sacraments.  God does desire good things for you.  Listen - listen to His Word - listen to the promises.  And... know that no matter how upside down life may seem - God is with you in your journey - leading you to the promised land.

Who Does What - Doesn't Matter

Deuteronomy 3

Moses is once again reminded by God that he will not get to cross the river Jordan to enter the promised land.  He can go up Mount Pisgah and look at it.  But, He will not enter it.  He is to encourage Joshua as it will be Joshua who crosses over and takes possession of the land that Moses sees.

Moses has done a lot - he has put up with a lot leading the Israelites through the wilderness.  But, his job is over.  It is now time for Joshua to take over where Moses has ended.  It doesn't really matter who God uses to do His will, His will - will be done.  His will, in this case, is that the children of Israel shall settle in the land that He has promised them. 

St. Paul knew this, as well.  It did not matter who did what - everyone does what God appoints them to do.  And... ultimately, all whom God has called will enter the Kingdom of God as a member of the Body of Christ.  Paul writes in the 1st letter to the Corinthians (3:5-9):
     What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Like Moses, in this life, we may never get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, that is the labor for the Kingdom.  We may never get to see that neighbor whom we witnessed to and prayed for accept Jesus as their Saviour.  And, it does not matter if it doesn't become a reality in our life-times.  We trust that when we are gone another will come and continue the work that we began.  We work for a common purpose and we can be assured that no matter what we do, it is God who makes things grow.  It is God who gives growth to the Body of Christ - to the Church - to His Kingdom.  That is the ultimate goal isn't it - for all God's people to enter into the promised land?  

It is not we, but God who gets the glory as He leads us through the wilderness to the promised land.  May God guide the work of your hands, the thoughts of your heart and mind, every word that you speak, and every step that you take that all that you say and think and do this day will be acceptable in His sight and glorify Him, our Rock and our Redeemer.

Time to Quit Circling the Hills

Deuteronomy 2

Land promised...  Although, I've read these passages before, I had never really realized that both Esau and Lot had received promised land as well as the children of Israel.  It seems the Lord favors whom He will favor.  And... land promised extended to more people than just the Israelites.  A reminder that the promised land (the kingdom of God) is given to all whom God chooses. 

It is a refreshing break to hear in this chapter, that the Israelites aren't allowed to go in and take the land that God has given to another people.  There's a little more war and mass destruction in some of the things the Lord has commanded them to do, than I am comfortable with.  But, I also note that they cross through the land of both the Edomites (Esau's descendents) and the Ammonites (Lot's descendents) without incident.  They are granted peaceful passage.  But, when they ask for a peaceful passage of King Sihon of Heshbon, it was rejected and the Lord directs them to go ahead and take possession of this land.  They do so with force.

The Israelites at the end of their 40 year journey, begin yet another segment of their journey.  The years of learning to trust the Lord take on a new dimension.  They must trust Him that He will be with them as they take the land which He has promised.  It will include bloodshed and they will (in a different way than in their wanderings) have to face the fear of failure and even death.

Fear of failure, the fear of death, often keeps us from moving forward.  The 3rd verse in this chapter has the Lord telling Moses, "You have been skirting this hill country long enough.  Head north,..."  In other words... your days of wandering around in circles in the wilderness are over.  Tell the people to go in the direction I tell you, head north....  It is time to move forward and to take the land I have promised.

Reminder for today:  quit circling the hills and trust the Lord, following in the way He directs you and grab hold of the promise He has given you.

Remember

Deuteronomy 1

These are the words that Moses spoke...  In Deuteronomy Moses reminds the people of their journey through the wilderness.  He reminds them that they had turned their backs on God and wouldn't listen and he reminds them of the consequences that they endured for not listening.  And... so he reminds them one last time of the words of the law that had been given to them by God through him.

It will be the last time he reminds them of anything.  They stand at the brink of entering the promised land.  Moses will not enter it.  Moses will not, nor will his generation who rebelled against God.  Only the children born in the wilderness or who at the time were so young that they did not know right from wrong will enter the promised land.  Joshua, who did not rebel against God, who trusted God, will lead them. 

The words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond Jordan...  Will they listen?  Will they remember?  Their journey through the wilderness is about to end.  Will they remember all that the Lord taught them in that journey as they establish their homes in the promised land?  Will they trust the Lord, their God before all things as they begin a new stage in their journey through life?

Will we?  Will we trust the Lord, God above all things?  Or will we be rebellious children, turning our backs on God?  Will we enter the promised land?  Remember the words that God has given to you.  Remember your journey.  What have you learned in the years it took to get where you are.  What has God taught you?  Remember and give God the glory!




As a consequence to their rebellion the generation that was saved from Egypit, including Moses, will not enter into the promised land.  Moses is standing at the brink of the promised land.  But, he cannot enter. 

, because even he will not be allowed to enter the promised land bethey were rebellious people and would not listen to the Lord, the Lord was angry with even him.

Wills and Inheritances

Numbers 36

The final chapter in Numbers...  The tribes of Israel have been allotted their inheritance and this morning I have this sinking feeling:  "It was all about land.  It was all about possessing material property."  Bummer...  Even though God has decided that women can inherit property, it has now been decided that they can only keep it if they marry into the same clan of the same tribe so that the property will remain a part of that particular clan and tribe. 

On the other hand, it is about making sure that their children and their children's children will also inherit their allotted portion of the promised land.  Future generations  will be ensured a place to graze their flocks or plants their fields in order to sustain their lives.  At least that seems to me to be the intent.     

We too, have been promised and in faith have received a great inheritance - a place in the kingdom of God.  It is not just for us but, for all people.  It is for our children and our children's children, as well.  But, they cannot inherit it except by faith.  It does not matter who your parents are.  It doesn't matter which worldly clan or tribe you belong to.  It is given to those who have been adopted into the family of God by faith in the blood of Christ shed for you.  How will your children inherit this promised land, if they do not even know it's there? 

My husband and I have a will which outlines our desires as to what should happen to our physical property when we die.  It's a bit outdated. But, it will suffice.  It's kept in a safe.  No one, other than the lawyer, has seen it.  Our children or grandchildren will find it when we die and then whether they want our "stuff" or not they will inherit it.  I suppose though if they never open the safe, they will never know what our will was.

When Jesus died on that cross he left behind his will, as well.  His followers wrote His will that he had, in a sense, dictated to them, while he was among them.  You can read all about it and hear all about it in the pages of the scriptures.  You will find it woven into the pages of the Holy Bible.  His will was that all who would believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life, in the kingdom He has prepared for us.  If we want our children to be partakers of that inheritance, we cannot hide His will.  Our children must know about their inheritance.  They must hear about it and how it was purchased for them with the very life of Jesus.  The "book" must be opened and the contents of God's will shared in order for our children to know what their inheritance is.  Will you tell the story?  Will you share the "will" of our Lord, Jesus Christ, with your children so that they too might receive the promised land given to them, through Jesus Christ, our Lord? 

More ramblings this morning...  Sometimes, I think maybe I would think more clearly in the evening.  But, probably not!  As long as my ramblings help keep you reading through and thinking through the scriptures, then they have served their purpose.  God's Peace - Judy

A Sentence of Life

Numbers 35

Murder - accident or homicide?  It is natural reaction, that when a person dies at the hand of another, the family will want to avenge the blood of their brother and so we have the avenger of blood...   (Our sins often have negative effects on others, inciting in them a desire for revenge.  Our sins come back to haunt us)  The victim's closest kin was usually designated as the avenger to  seek out the person responsible for the death and to execute him.  Death was the penalty for murder.  However, for those cases where the death may have been accidental, God sets up cities of refuge.  The suspect is safe in these cities until a hearing by the congregation has been completed.  If he's found guilty of murder, he will die at the hands of the avenger.  If he's found innocent then he can live safely as long as he lives inside the walls of the city of refuge.  If he leaves the city and is killed by the avenger then there is no bloodguilt.  There are no jails in Israel at the time. So in a very real sense, the one who accidentally killed another is given a life sentence.  He is to be confined to the city of refuge for life or until the death of the high priest at which time he may return home.

Times have changed since the early days of Israel.  The death penalty is a most disagreeable topic to discuss.  The topic itself causes dissension.  On the one hand our prisons are filled with men and women found guilty of murder and taxes go to support them till they find natural death or are murdered by someone else in prison.  There are men and women who are so dangerous that they cannot even be allowed to live in the general prison population and must be segregated.  On the other hand, who can say whether a man or woman would be able to make changes in their lives while in prison?  Who can say that they might not repent (although this does the victim or their families no good) and be saved?  Maybe it will take them a lifetime to get to know the Lord, maybe it will never happen.  Only God knows.  I do not know.  All we can do is pray for them. 

This is going to be a bit longer than usual as I want to share with you this morning a newsletter article I wrote in July of 2000.  I started writing about him, but it is difficult.  My young friend, who is no longer so young is always in my prayers.

JOURNEYS OF THE HEART

judy mattson

I then, as Paul - an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus - I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.  Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.  Philemon 9-11
Greetings:
    Recently I received word that a young friend (he celebrates his 20th birthday this month), who is very special to me, has "received life."  Now in the Christian context you might assume that he has received Christ into his life - that he has received the promise of eternal life.  I wish that I could say that this is so.  He "received life" in the worldly context.  He was sentenced to life in prison, without parole.  When I heard the sentence he had received, in grief, I voiced it aloud:

"HE RECEIVED LIFE."

    There is hope in those words.  It is my hope that this sentence in this world is the sign to me that he has received life eternal, although he may not realize that fact, yet.   I have prayed for him often, that we would be one in Christ - that he would enter into the Body of Christ.  It is painful for me to think of one so young living behind bars for another 50 or 60 years.  But, it is reality.  A reality that may seem cruel, but may also be the very opportunity needed for him to "receive life."  This friend of mine received the consequences that were due him in this life, yet, he still has the opportunity for freedom - a freedom that is found only in Christ - for all eternity.
    We read in Philemon, Paul who is in prison has converted a young man.  Paul spent a good portion of his ministry behind bars.  Although scripture has no record of how many received the truth of Christ through the Word spoken by Paul, I am sure there were quite a few.  I guess you could say he was called to prison ministry, but not in the way most of us view prison ministry. He was there, living it.  One on one, he experienced the pain and suffering of those in prison with him.  Because he suffered the same pain, he understood and others listened and others received life.
    There is a prison, though, that is worse than any earthly prison surrounded by bars and barbed wire.  There is a prison we don't recognize quite as easily.  That is our bondage to sin - our bondage to the desires and ways of this world - our desires to be served rather than serve in the love of Christ.  This prison is harder for us to recognize or realize and so often we never even desire the freedom from it.  Many actually come to like it in these chains.  Within the walls of a correctional facility freedom can be found in Christ Jesus - the freedom to love and serve - the world is not competing quite as loudly for first place in your life.
    There is truth in Christ's Words:  "Those who die to this world, shall receive eternal life." And again..."..the truth shall set you fee."  However, for those of us who may be bound in a prison of worldly comforts of self-serving desires and pursuits, it's really hard to see the truth (often preferring not to see the truth, about our need for forgiveness, so we don't ask), remaining in bondage to sin.
    As we celebrate the 4th of July and freedom this year - let us ask God to reveal to us whether we are truly free.  Let us pray first for salvation, for freedom in Christ.  Let us pray for one another, in love, that forgiveness in Christ be received by all God's children who find themselves in prison:  the correctional facilities and those chained to the desires of this world.  Let us also pray a prayer of Thanksgiving for our Prison Chaplains and all who work in the Prison Ministry for bringing the Light of Christ into such dark lives.

    GOD'S PEACE - Judy

The Gift of Land

Numbers 34

Easy reading this morning - not much to get that I can see - unless you want to memorize the names of the leaders of the nine and one half tribes that inherit the land promised to Israel.  This land that the Israelites receive as their inheritance is actually quite small.  It is smaller than even the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!  But, it is their land, given to them after quite a journey through the wilderness.

Last night as I drove into the entrance of my driveway, I thanked God for this piece of land He gave us.  Just about everytime I start driving up my driveway, a sense of peace and joy comes over me and I thank God for this tiny piece of land that He has given me.  I have lived and traveled all over the country as well as overseas.  For about 30 years, my husband and I never lived in one place for more than 3 years - mostly due to him being active duty military.

I had always desired to live on the water.  But, the cost was prohibitive and it was just a dream.  I kept looking, anyway, and about 5 years ago, I found this place.  It had been for sale for about 10 years and the price was very affordable - thanks be to God!  Most of it is wetlands (swamp to my husband).  That is probably one of the reasons no one prior to us looked at the property seriously.  We have no mosquitoes, as my husband had feared.  And... the well and septic were good despite the warnings of the realty.  The house on it was so bad it was not even being taxed and had to be totally renovated (after we moved in :) ). The land is shaped like a teardrop.  It is surrounded on three sides by wilderness.  On the east, the river opens up onto a bay of Lake Superior.  Our home is very small and had to have extensive work on it to make it liveable.  Yet, it is my piece of paradise in this world.  It is a gift from God.  It keeps me thanking God for the gifts He has given me.  I look out over the bay at the sunrise and I thank God.  I watch the eagles flying over or watching me from the tops of the trees in the summer and I thank God.  The deer wander through daily and I thank God!  After many years of wandering, God has provided me with land that I can care for and that cares for me.          

The land that God has given Israel is small.  Not all of it is the choicest of land.  But, it is theirs.  They have journeyed long to enter it - to receive their inheritance. 

The kingdom which we have inherited through Jesus the Christ is not of this world.  It is even more amazing, more beautiful than any land in this world.  It is more beautiful because in that kingdom is God in full glory.  Nothing more awesome than that!  Thanks be to God for the promised Kingdom that we inherit!