Let Your Speech Be Gracious

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Col 4:6

Each morning, I spend a few minutes reading the news online. I don't usually turn on the television because I do not like to start my day listening to commentators who do not know how to be gracious. I do not like to start my day listening to any politician or their supporters who season their speech with way too much salt and who have no clue what the words tact or graciousness mean. Listening to or reading words that show a lack of understanding of how to communicate an idea or fact really just makes for a bad start to my day. So, I pick and choose even what I will read in the mornings.

Each morning as I read the news, I stumble across at least a few errors in grammar, spelling, facts, etc.. Because of these errors false information is often given. I know and confess that I make an awful lot of grammatical and spelling errors in these daily blogs that I write. I am also not always the most tactful. I do not have an editor. I write like I speak and consequently mistakes are made. I am not a professional writer. I spend very little time in writing these blogs as they are a hobby and it is not what I've been called to do (even though some are beginning to think that it is). I do not make a living writing these blogs. However, professional reporters and editors who are paid to communicate the news to us, I believe, ought to actually edit what they are writing before they print it so that the news is communicated to us accurately and without attempts to shove their personal bias' down our throats.

Communicating properly is a gift that is greatly needed in our news media, indeed the world. Yes, a little salt in the news is a good thing. But, a little more graciousness would help others to hear and understand more clearly.  

May God help us all to be a bit more gracious when we open our mouths or place our fingers on a keyboard in attempts to communicate ideas or facts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just wondering how many grammatical errors I just made...

Only One Way

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NRSV

There are no short-cuts. There is no magic involved in being reconciled to our Father and Creator. There is only one way and that is through Jesus the Christ.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will pick up new age rituals or beliefs thinking that this is going to make them more spiritual or that it will be another path toward reaching the Kingdom of God. There is only one way. The path is not always easy. There will be those who choose to get in our face and try to steer us on another road. Sometimes, we may even listen and get side-tracked for awhile. But, for those who truly believe; for those who have a relationship with God our Father and our Lord Jesus they will soon recognize that the road is leading them somewhere that they do not want to go. They will hear the good shepherd calling them and turn back to the path that he sets before them.

There is only one way to the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Follow him so that you might live life more abundantly as you abide in God's presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Retired and Living Life!

Howard and his trike in Beaufort, SC
photo taken by son, John Arthur Mattson

"What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live..." Eccl 3:9-12

Live life!  I can't even begin to count how many times I have told people to live life; enjoy life! I believe some think, "who is she kidding? She's a Christian and a pastor. What can she know about fun?"  My fun may not be like a lot of people's idea of fun; but, I do know about enjoying life; about enjoying the numberless gifts that God has given me.

My husband retired for the second time this past summer. He has not quite reached the normal retirement age. But, he has worked hard for a long time. Most of his years have been "on call" twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week as his first career was as a U.S. Marine and his second career was as owner/administrator of an adult foster care home. So, I finally convinced him that it was time to retire and enjoy life; to take time for himself. He has taken a few vacations since then. He is enjoying life. I know that he also took pleasure in the work that he did; but, now is his time to live life; to take the time to more fully enjoy the gifts that God has given him.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.." Eccl 3:1

It is time to truly live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Good Shepherd Watches Over You

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15 NRSV

The secular world has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But, for many it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts for their children, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Has Got Our Back!

As I walked into Walmart with my youngest granddaughter yesterday; the lights began to go out, one bank after another. My immediate reaction was to look around for danger and for a safe place. This is the way I think. Not sure why. Well, actually, I have a good idea. But, that would take a book to explain. 

I noticed after the lights went out and back on a couple of times, others in the store seemed a little more wary, as well. I wondered what everyone was thinking. My granddaughter expressed concern, a couple of times, that all of the meat in the store would spoil. She hoped that they had a back-up plan so it wouldn't get wasted.

My family gets a little irritated with me at times because of my need to consider all possible outcomes when certain things crop up; but, I just happen to think that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure and after this many years that attitude is not going to go away.

When considering our path to a greater relationship with God, I do not think it imprudent, to consider the steps we are taking or the dangers that surround us. Are we going in the right way? Have we stepped into a pit of snakes? Will we lose our way if we take the step we're considering. There really are no back up plans; there are no alternate routes to the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the only way. He is God's original back up plan. Be prepared. By faith alone, in him, you shall be saved.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hibernating Like A Bear?

Like An Old Bear

Tis the season... Tis the season for me to want to sleep a lot. When winter rolls around, I start thinking and acting like a bear. My mind and body keep telling me to "go to sleep." I do not want to go outside when the sun is not shining or when it is cold outside. I just want to hibernate. I need the light.

But, life goes on and there is no sense in sleeping our days away. Our hours are most valuable. We only get so many in this lifetime and then they are gone. They are like the pennies found on the ground. Some would walk by them thinking them worthless. Yet, others might collect them and amass a small fortune. Every minute of our lives is valuable. They add up to hours and days and years. They add up to a life-time. Grasp those minutes and hours and do not fetter them away.

Fortunately, I have enough to do, deadlines to keep, to keep me awake during most of the day. I still get up early; but, I lie down to rest much earlier every evening or I can get a little ornery, just like an old bear.

There is a time and a season for everything under the sun. (Eccl 3:1) We need our rest; but, not so much as a bear. We also have been given life, so let us life it and not squander it away.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Protect Us

I know some of my congregation must wonder a bit when I share a prayer that I pray daily. You see, I pray many prayers from scripture daily and they must wonder how I have time to do that much praying. I am able because I get up between 4:30 and 5:30 every morning so that I can spend alone time with God before I attempt to start the day. Rest comes not only from sleep; but, from being in communion with God.

Some of my prayers are for friends, and family. Some are for the congregation, the community, the world. Every morning and sometimes more often, I pray the Lord's prayer and the Shepherd's Psalm; not just for myself, but, for all whom I know. Every morning, I begin by thanking and praising God for all that He has done and is doing for us by recalling the various names that He is called by.

As I listened to the news this morning, another prayer that I pray daily for family and friends came to mind. Deliver us from our enemies, O my God; protect us from those who rise up against us. Deliver us from those who work evil; from the bloodthirsty save us. Psalm 59:1

The enemy prowls about and so I pray:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Num 6:24-26

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen to the Word

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. Heb 1:1-2 NRSV

I am always amazed by the number of people who rely on astrology or fortunetellers for a positive look at their personal futures. Sometimes, they are surprised and according to these false prophets their futures are not so bright. But, the Christian does not depend on reading the stars or listening to people who speak to the dead as these are forbidden by God. The Christian trusts in the word of God. He or she reads the word as found in the Holy Scriptures. The Christian listens to the Word who is Jesus the Christ.

In these latter days, God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus the Christ. We know that in him and only in him do we have a future of hope.

Join us this evening, to hear His Word, as our young people lead us in worship of the only one who knows what the future will bring.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Son of Righteousness Shines

There is snow on the ground and snow on the trees; but, the sun still shines, at least for a few hours most days.

Winters in the Upper Peninsula can be cold and dark. Many retirees choose to move to warmer and sunnier locations during the winter. We call them snowbirds as they mimic the flight of many migratory birds: south in the winter; north in the summer.

For those of us who are left here; we rejoice every time the sun comes up and shines it warm light on the frozen wilderness. But, even in the darkest and coldest of days, for those who revere God's name the sun of righteousness shall rises, with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2)

May the Son of Righteousness shine his light upon you and in you and through you for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J