This passage of Scripture from Isaiah 11 was chosen by the worship team for this upcoming Sunday of the Blessing of Pets. It is one verse of a prophecy of the Messianic Kingdom, Isaiah 11:1-9. We will be reading verses 6 - 9 this Sunday, as it includes a list of animals that are living in a peaceful and non-violent environment, "and a little child shall lead them".
As one commentary summarized, "Isaiah 11:1-9 describes a future kingdom where a new leader will bring justice, peace and harmony to the world." As I looked at this passage of Scripture today (Monday, 11/4), it struck me how fitting these words are for us at RLC, in three ways: 1) As we bless our pets this Sunday, so God has created all animals and placed humanity to take care of them, and to be blessed by them. 2) As RLC looks forward to a new pastor and the ministry they will do together. And as we pray for a peaceful ministry together that will lead toward God's kingdom of justice and harmony in the world. 3) As we seek a peaceful transition in the leadership of our nation, leading to justice, peace and harmony for all the world. Let me say again, this passage of Isaiah 11 was chosen for the Pet Blessing. I was NOT thinking of it being the Sunday after the congregational meeting to call Pastor Matt. Nor was I thinking about it being after the national elections. But God is blessing us with this wonderful picture of a peaceful kingdom, even as we look toward a peaceful and healthy transition of ministry at RLC, and for our government and nation. By this Sunday, we will have our pets (or maybe a few of you will be planning to adopt one soon). We will have heard the news of Pastor Matt's acceptance of the call to be our new pastor. And we will have finished the elections for our government and nation. So now what can we do? And of course the answer includes many things, from taking good care of our pets and all of God's creation, to working together at RLC with Pastor Matt, to serving as good citizens of our nation. But before and throughout all of the above, God calls on each and every one of us to pray: "First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) So I join you in praying for this world, for all of God's creation (including my Daisy and your....), for our nation and leaders, and for our pastors and congregations! God is with us, Pastor Steve,
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I know people that are always sad. Always grieving the loss of...(and a whole list of people and things can fill this space).
I also know people that can always smile. John Immel was one of those. My memory of him is that he was always smiling! Where are you in this spectrum of being sad....to always smiling? It's ok to be both. In this Sunday's Gospel reading, we read, "Jesus began to weep" (John 11:35) Yet Jesus and all of Scriptures gives us reason for joy: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness" (Psalm 100:1) "A cheerful heart is a good medicine" (Proverbs`17:22) "Rejoice and be glad" (Matthew 5:12) "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4) This Sunday we will be celebrating All Saints' Sunday. And it will be a day filled with tears, and with joy: tears as we grieve the death of loved ones. And joy in the promises of eternal life; death is not the end, but rather entrance into life with God forever. So we will weep as we realize that our loved ones who have died are no longer with us. And it is a grief that doesn't go away, at least not while we are on this side of death. So we support one another, and we grieve with one another. For we are not alone; everyone has loved ones that have died before us. And death will come to all of us. But death and weeping does NOT have the last word. As we read in the Scriptures for this Sunday, there is weeping, and there is also promise of hope and joy! Jesus wept; but he also raised Lazarus from the dead. And even moreso, in His death and resurrection, we have the promise that we all will die and rise again as God's redeemed people. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us, "There is a timer to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance." Psalm 30:5 promises, "weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning". So let us weep on this All Saints' Sunday as we remember those who have died. But let us also be filled with the joy and gladness that God in Christ gives to us all! In Jesus' name, Pastor Steve But what if He hasn't? And even if He has, how many times do we need to hear this Good News? And what does being "free" really mean? And what difference does it make that we are free?
Whew! That's a lot of questions! And I only have a short time here to answer them, before you will have to move on to something else. So here it goes. Let me try to answer these questions in very brief words: What if God in Christ has not made us free? I know, we like to question and doubt any statement made, especially in these days of political exaggerations and lies! But if we can trust anyone, it certainly is the God who created and so loves each of us that He sent His Son to be our Savior, yes, to "free" us from the guilt and power of sin! How many times do we need to hear this Good News? You're reading the words of a guy who has repeated this message now for over 40 years of being a pastor :) And every time I say, and hear it (yes, I listen to the sermons I preach, and from others ;), I need to hear and appreciate hearing the most wonderful Good News of Jesus Christ's love and grace for all. So what does it mean to be "free"? Does that mean I can do whatever I want? Does that mean it doesn't cost anything? Let me answer that last question first: our freedom cost God's Son His life! He suffered and died for all of us!! So that we are freed from the powers of sin, death and the devil. Yes, we still experience temptation and sin. And yes we still die. But what is on the other side of death? Eternal life with God. And the power to condemn and to control us has been taken away. Oh, we can still come under the fears and powers of sin and death. But we can also walk from it, knowing that God will forgive us, and give us the power of the Holy Spirit to live as God's redeemed people. And God's people will WANT to do what God asks of us. Just as you will want to thank and love anyone who has given something wonderful to you. And God has given us all we have! Even eternal life with him!! I hope by now we know what a difference the freedom of the Gospel means to us. But just as seeing a beautiful grove of trees in the fall, or a famous and complex piece of art, or the person you most love, so here we can see and admire, and talk about, and be inspired by that same Good News over and over and over again! God Bless, Pastor Steve Tickets for your favorite musician go on sale in person at a certain address. And when you arrive, hoping to be first in line, you open the door....for the next person in line, allowing several to go in before you.
You're playing the game "King of the Hill", where everyone scrambles to get to the top of the hill. And when you get to the top of the hill, you step down and let the person behind you get ahead of you. You are at a banquet, and you are the strongest, the wealthiest, and the most famous person in the room. And you are serving and cleaning up after all the guests. Those are not very familiar examples for us. Rather, we hear the opposite: those who work and fight to be first, who get to the top over all others, and those who are served by others. Yet the Scriptures are filled with examples of God serving us: Isaiah 25:6 with the Lord serving a banquet to his people. Luke 15:1-2, Jesus hosting and serving a meal to sinners. John 13, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples Philippians 2:5-11 with Jesus humbling Himself to be Savior and Lord of all. And this Sunday's Gospel reading (Mark 10:35-45) with Jesus telling us He came not to be served but to serve. So what does this mean to us? If our Savior and Lord humbles Himself and serve us, how can we respond? Consider what this has to say to marriages and families and friendships and communities and nations. How can we look at others? How do we treat one another? It seems we have a lot to learn! And our Savior and Lord has a lot to teach us. Lord Jesus, send us the Holy Spirit and dwell among and within us, that we may have the humility and love that you have shown and given to us. Amen. In service to Jesus, Pastor Steve In this Sunday's Gospel reading (Mark 10:17-31) it is easy to be drawn toward challenges for the rich, and for those trying to do what they think is necessary, to enter God's kingdom.
And so often people condemn the wealth of the rich. But this is based on a false reading of 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil". Often we will hear this verse without the "love of" And so money is perceived as "evil". But that is NOT what the Scriptures are saying. A lot of things can be "a root of all kinds of evil". We also often hear of how people are trying to do what they think God requires, thinking: "God will save me, bless me, help me, IF I do this or that." But now read again the words of Jesus: entering the Kingdom of God is "impossible" for us. But "for God all things are possible". So there is nothing we can do to earn the kingdom of God. We can never do enough to earn entrance into God's kingdom. But now in Jesus we have the way to enter the kingdom of God. It is by God's grace (defined as "unmerited kindness") that all of us are saved. God did all that was required, when He sent His only Son to be our Savior. So now our actions and works are all in response to what God has already done, and all that God has given. Our service and giving are all acts of worship and thanksgiving to the God who in Christ has forgiven all sins, and promises His love and grace. It's like a young child who takes a sandwich from one parents who has made the sandwich, and the child hands it to her/his other parent. The parent may show gratitude, and the child may think he/she has done a lot for the parent. When in reality: the parent had worked at a job that earned the money to buy the food. The child's parent had shopped for the food, and prepared the food. And the parent cleans up after the meal. So with God and each one of us. Our service and actions are in response to, and because of all that God has first done, and continues to do for us! There is much for us to do. And God wants us to do all we can, even as He is at work within and through our actions. So may we live in the joy and blessings of the God who is so loving and gracious to each and every one of us. God Bless, Pastor Steve Who did Jesus bless? And who does He bless today?
Next month we are planning a blessing of Pets. And in the months to follow we plan to bless others, including children and their backpacks, parents and grandparents, the hands and feet and minds of all who work, firefighters and police, those who are retired... Do you get where we are going here? Everyone is blessed by God!! As we look closely at the Scripture readings for today, we see an ancient culture that gave power to men, over their spouses and over children. Slavery was common in that day. Women and children were considered property to men. We see this in the Pharisees' question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" And Jesus responds by raising up the value of the community offered in a marriage and family. For ALL people, no matter the gender or orientation, or ethnic or social-economic status. Love and commuity is for all people! And so the overarching message of these Scriptures is to address the problems of aloneness with the community that we have in marriage and family. Not whether or not marriage is only for a man and a woman, or whether divorce is allowed or not. Or exactly when and where children should be included. The message of Scripture, of Jesus! is that we love one another, be at peace with one another, and live in harmony together as people, all people, everyone, created and blessed by God! May God bless us all, Pastor Steve Yes, that word is in the Scriptures, including this Sunday's 2nd Reading. And it's included in the other two readings for this Sunday, if we consider the complaints of God's people to Moses, and Moses' complaint to the Lord, and Jesus' disciples questionings the Lord, all as prayers.
For isn't a prayer simply our words spoken or silently expressed to God? As the Psalmist says it, "May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) I like the suggestion from Martin Luther, when asked how to have a devotion. He simply replied, "read the Scriptures, and pray". And if you think about it, that makes a complete conversation between you and God! No, I don't have a 3 step process for how to pray. (Well, actually I have lots of suggestions and ways to pray. But no perfect way to pray.) Perhaps the best advice for all of us on prayer is to simply do it! It's not rocket science. It doesn't have to be a long and complicated and difficult thing to do. No more than it is to talk to the person next to you right now. For God is always with you! And even better: He's always listening (more than I can say sometimes when my wife is talking to me ;) Most of us have learned that with some people, especially those whom we know well, our time together doesn't have to be filled with words. Just being with a person we love and who loves us is all we need. Being present! That's the challenge for each of us: to be aware of God's presence. Try it: start the hour knowing God is with you. And try to be conscious of God's presence every moment of that hour. I doubt that any of us can do it. We are so distracted and tempted and drawn to other people and things and thoughts. But I'm not writing this to lay guilt on anyone! Rather, to remind us of the gift and blessing it is to know that God is with each of us. Listening to us. And ready to respond to our every complaint, request and words of praise. James tells us that "Prayer...is powerful and effective" (James 5:16) And this is true because in prayer we are connecting ourselves to the Creator, Savior and Lord of all! So let's pray! God Bless, Pastor Steve Who doesn't want to be...?!
First in a race! First in line for (groceries, gas, on the highway,,,) First in your class! I'm pretty sure that we've all wanted to be first, at least some of the time. Yet Jesus tells us here in this Sunday's Gospel Reading, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." I love the story of a childrens' race around the track. And one of the children was much slower than all the rest. But as the rest of the children approached the finish line, they stopped, went back to where the slower child was, and arm-in-arm, they ALL went across the finish line TOGETHER!! I wonder if that attitude and action is possible with the rest of humanity? To NOT try to beat everyone else, but rather to walk together and "win together"?! I know, many of us love a little competition. As we follow our favorite teams, and want our favorite musicians and other skilled performers to do the best, to be #1! But maybe it's possible that we've gone overboard in this contest to be the best, #1, to be most successful, to make the most money. Now I'm not suggesting that we should not work hard to succeed. Or that we should be lazy. Or that competition isn't good sometimes. But I certainly do think that we as a society have some priorities mixed up: When we pay professional athletes and musicians more than we pay childcare and nursing home workers. When we spent $4 trillion on the 2020 presidential campaign. When we pay the elite minority millions, and allow children to die of starvation and lack of healthcare. The Scriptures for this Sunday lead us to focus not so much on our wants and desires, but rather on how to help others in their times of need. And Jesus defines "greatness" not with prestige, power, and money. But with servanthood! "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 8:35) I know: this won't be easy. And I'm just talking about convincing me to not try to get all I can, rather than helping others to receive the help they need. And then we need to try to convince others to also be a servant to others, rather than to themselves. We need help! And this Sunday's Psalm gives us the answer to this problem: Prayer! We need to go to the Lord in prayers and intercessions. "Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth" (Psalm 54:2) And may we pray for God to give us a servant's heart. Pray for peace, gentleness, mercy, and impartiality toward others. Pray for those in need. And may our Savior and Lord answer our prayers through our words and actions, as the Body of Christ! Blessings, Pastor Steve What does following Jesus REALLY mean? Jesus answers this question with the words of Mark 8:34, "let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
And down through the centuries, the church has attempted to do that through various ways. From literally following Jesus' steps, as His first disciples did. To living in a community where they shared everything (as we see in Acts 2). Baptism has always been the entrance into the journey of following Jesus. And in at least modern times, we've understood following Jesus or discipleship as being a member of a congregation, and attending weekly worship services, and maybe a few other activities. But in recent years, we are discovering that how people do things is different than before. Not only in the church, but in all of society. Technology, social media, and other things, have led to many changes in all areas of life. This Sunday, we are invited after the worship service, to join in watching a 18 minute video and discussion on "A Changing World". So what does this mean for how we follow Jesus? While many things are changing, here are a few things that do NOT change:
May the Lord of the church and our lives give us the confidence and hope we need as we face whatever life brings! God Bless, Pastor Steve How do you picture God? If you were to draw a picture of God, or to describe Him, how would you do it? Do you think of God as sitting on His Big Throne? Is He smiling, frowning, laughing? What is He saying and doing?
In this Sunday's Scripture readings, we read in Psalm 146, "The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those are bowed down; the Lord loves...cares...sustains" And in this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus heals a woman's daughter, and gives a deaf and mute man the ability to hear and speak. So God is not just sitting on a throne, looking down on us with only judgment or words. He is the God of actions! He is at work in all of creation. His love and grace for all of mankind causes God to be working among and within us! This Sunday is "God's Work. Our hands". the ELCA's annual day of service. Here at RLC we'll be making 100 bagged lunches for the Street Angels. This is a a service that meets the needs of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Milwaukee County. Three times a week, they send out two outreach buses loaded with hot meals, bag lunches, clothing, blankets and other basic supplies to those in need. So our efforts this Sunday is part of a year-round service to our community. Which is good. Because Christian service is not just a one day a year activity. It is the continual response to faith and love. Which first comes from God. God certainly does not bring His love and grace only once a week or once a year. He is ALWAYS searching for us, coming to us, continuing to shower us with HIs love and grace. You and I now are asked to follow Him, imitating His love for all people. And God promises to be working in and among us. And while it may sometimes feel like hard work, it really is the natural response to faith and love that comes from God. Just a child likes to imitate a parent or a favorite adult, so we follow and serve the God who serves and works among and through each and every one of us. May God bless us throughout the year of service and love for all. In God's peace, Pastor Steve |
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