Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

Making medical appointments and calling the pharmacy are two things that I do often.  They’re also among my least favorite tasks.  It’s that “Please Hold” message, followed by loud and often unpleasant music.   And then we wait and wait.

This reminds me of God’s message to us , “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”  (Psalm 50:15  New King James Version.)   Call, he tells us to call!  He doesn’t say “please hold.”  He doesn’t bombard our ears with loud music.  He doesn’t say I’m sorry but I’m busy with another caller.   He listens, right then and there he listens to us.  And what’s more he says, “I will deliver you.”  Wow!  What service!

This promise of deliverance is repeated many times in Scripture.  Just a few:

Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 107:6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 34:4  I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Now that’s a promise that’s worth remembering.  In the Old Testament God rescued his people from peril.  He preserved them from famine, he delivered them out of Egypt, he rescued his people not because they deserved it, but as an expression of his mercy and love.

In the New Testament, through the life and death of Christ, God delivers his people from mankind’s greatest peril – sin, evil, death and eternal judgement.  And we are also delivered from the trials of this life.  This is God Almighty taking our hand to walk with us through our troubles, every single step.  It’s the comforting voice of our Father.

For all of this let us glorify God!  Let us praise him for his unconditional loving kindness!  God is GOOD!  Let the people say Amen.

Judy

P.E., physical education, gym class, not my happiest hour in school.  I’ve mentioned my lack of athleticism in my blogs before. I had/have a very good attitude for participation, but coordination for sports wasn’t my “thing.” Eighth grade was a nightmare for me, as P.E. class was coming to an end, the gym teacher would say “run two laps before you head to the showers.”  Oh, my goodness, running was really NOT my thing. UGH!  Off to the track we trotted, I was mid-pack, but within a ¼ lap, I was last. Sigh! A really sweet friend, Alice, would finish her two laps (she was a gazelle, with long legs and COULD RUN) and would come back and run with me until my laps were finished.  I have never forgotten her kindness.

I love to swim, have even taught others how to swim. I love volleyball, though don’t jump for those high spikes over the net.  I love walking, even in the rain and snow. Guess it is the fresh air I love. Anyway, I just thought I’d share that God knows our every weakness and strength. We are HIS children and loved unconditionally. He doesn’t care that I don’t run fast. Weak or strong. Tall or short. Athletic or disabled. Long hair, short hair. Deuteronomy 33:3 “How he loves his people—His holy ones are in his hands.” Here is what I know: Because I believe, I am in His care. When my time on earth is done, I just have a strong feeling that I will be running, like a gazelle, through the gates of heaven and I won’t be last. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Jill

What would we do without the weather to talk about? It always gives us a great opportunity to exclaim in happiness or growl in dismay. I bet that weather is the number one topic of conversation among friends and adversaries. 

When I was in the 8th grade (a long time ago, but only seems like yesterday), I went to the State 4-H competition for Public Speaking. The topic of my speech was the changing nature of New England weather. I began my speech with the supposed quote by Samuel Longhorn Clemens: “If you don’t like New England weather, wait a minute, it will change.” 

That is all that I can remember about that speech, except for the fact that one of the judges corrected me about the author of that quote. He told me that it was the editor of the Hartford Courant newspaper, where Clemens was working, who spoke these words. Sorry, I do not remember the editor’s name after all these years. As you do know, Clemens is better known as Mark Twain. 

The weather continues to be an important topic today. The weather and climate; two elements of our world that we wonder about and feel helpless in controlling. Are we really helpless? 

When God created the world, he gave the physical universe a specific set of natural laws. Just as He gave us free will and a brain for problem solving. The physical world can only respond to the factors which are created in its environment. 

We, however, are free to explore, research and change the ways in which we treat the universe. It might even involve sacrifice and drastic lifestyle changes. It might be said that weather and climate do depend on us. 

What topics for conversation! I truly believe that we are obligated to safeguard the physical world which God has given us. He expects us to treat the assets which we have with the same love and respect which He has for us. 

He loves us unconditionally. He wants us to use our talents to His glory and our benefit. He is an Awesome God! Read Genesis 1:26.  

Terri 

I’ve known around a half-dozen missionaries to Japan, all very admirable people. It’s a tough place to work. Christianity hasn’t taken hold in Japan the way it has in places like Korea. It’s difficult to be a missionary in Japan, but not nearly as bad as it was in the 17th century when hundreds of Christians were martyred during the rule of the Shoguns. They are commemorated today.

On February 5, 1597, 26 Christians, including European missionaries and Japanese converts were crucified in Nagasaki, Japan, by order of the samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The group included six Franciscan friars, three Jesuit missionaries and 17 Japanese lay persons Despite torture and the persecution, they remained steadfast in their faith and their martyrdom. 

It’s become popular for some Christians to claim they are being persecuted in our county, but that often means somebody wished them happy holidays instead of merry Christmas or that they were prevented from blasting a Christian prayer over the loud speakers at a kid’s football game. That’s not persecution. 

Christianity has preserved numerous stories about martyrs, women and men and children who were put to death because of their faith in Jesus. There are also some stories preserved about people who were Christians, but gave up the faith when faced with real persecution. I wonder what I would do faced with the choice? How about others? I’m concerned because I saw things in my ministry where people would quit the church just because the service time got changed from 11:00 to 10:30.

May we all grow in faithfulness.

Read Luke 17:5 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

At one of our recent early services I had an unusual first-time experience while receiving communion. 

The communion assistant presented the tray to me with the traditional verbiage.  I remember removing the cup of wine from the tray.  And then I have a brief moment of memory loss as the next thing I remember seeing was the tiny cup that was in my hands spiraling through the air.  The end result was the adornment of the communion assistant’s robe with most of the wine.  The remaining wine ended up on the carpet, the altar rail, and the robe of the communion assistant who collects the empty cups.

I was MORTIFIED.  I froze.  I had spread the blood of Christ far and wide.  What was the protocol?   Was there a special prayer to “de-sanctify” the stains so the robes could be washed?

I’m sure it took her a moment to process what happened, but the communion assistant presented the tray of cups to me again, and repeated the words “The blood of Christ, shed for you.”  I’ll be honest, I looked at her for a moment and thought “Do you really want to try this again?” but I took the cup, and this time there were no flying cups and I drank.  I returned to the organ.  We sang a communion hymn. 

How often do we inadvertently spill the blood of Christ in ways unintended when we forget to love our neighbors as ourselves?  When we forget to feed His sheep?  When it’s one of those days we are “only” burdened by “tiny” sins and they aren’t that important?

What about when we know we are unworthy or we know we are going to stumble and stray.  “Are you sure, Lord?  Do you really want to try this again?”  And every time, Jesus is there, reminding us.  “This is my blood, shed for you.”

Never forget that God loves us unconditionally and we are always welcome at His table. 

Come to the table of mercy, prepared with the wine and the bread.
All who are hungry and thirsty, come, and your souls will be fed.
Come at the Lord’s invitation; receive from his nail-scarred hand.
Eat of the bread of salvation, drink of the blood of the Lamb.
– Claire Cloninger

Silas

We often find ourselves limited by how much we can alter our environment. The Pastor Art persona sees this in worship. Some are putting that sweater around their shoulders while others are fanning themselves. Some like to chat with their neighbors – LOUDLY – while others cherish complete silence. Traffic delays: that’s a biggie! We know (hopefully) not to use that time to glance at our phone. Why not pray that frustration away? The environment, the situation may be beyond your control, but you ARE in control of your response, your perspective. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

 Peace and wellbeing are gifts from God. Thankfully, most of us CAN control the environment of that place we recline and lay our weary head. Home. I do like that we refer to JOY as our church home. Even in our own house, our spouse or parent may have something to say about the thermostat! We can change what we look at, what we listen to (or tune out), and to the extent you are comfortable, human touch. The handshakes and eye contact (back to church) during the sharing of the peace are also the gift of God’s unconditional love that changes everything.

Pastor Art

Back in December, Joe and I spent a couple days on Amelia Island to celebrate our anniversary.  One of my favorite places to visit was their Art Gallery, featuring artists from that county only.  Now purchasing large oil paintings is far above my budget, but I did fall in love with one small print, a colored pencil drawing of a simple bluebird.  It was elegant in its simplicity, and it made its way to my suitcase.  Now framed, it hangs where I see it often.  Something so simple became something so special. 

Is that often the way with life?  What do we appreciate the most?   I think it’s often something very simple.  Over the holidays I received a letter from a childhood friend, written painstakingly because of her sight loss.  Oh, how special that was.  A small stocking gift from a son who remembered that his mom loved maple sugar candy.  Yes, it too was special.  A small flowering plant from my neighbor, just to say thanks for helping me.  It was the thought that counted, and it too was special.  

I’m reminded of the hymn “Tis the gift to be simple.”   This Shaker dancing song was composed by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848.  The Shakers value simplicity in their lives and actions.  Their happiness does not depend on fancy things and luxuries, just the gift of living simply together, to be where they ought to be.  And, the place that was just right would be in the “valley of love and delight.”

Let’s keep it simple.  We can serve our Lord with the simple things.  We can serve our neighbors with simple words and actions.  We don’t need to be extravagant, just thankful for our simple gifts and blessings.  Then living in the “valley of love,” we can generously share; just as our heavenly father shares his love generously and unconditionally with us.

Judy

Heard this song the other day and the words gave me an a-ha moment. The lyrics of the song refer to a young man, talking to a preacher and telling him he believes he has sinned too much. The preacher reminds him; he needs the Lord. The chorus tells the listeners that when you think your life choices are like playing checkers with the devil, you need to know, the devil is really playing chess.  He will make the necessary, calculated moves and win….that’s why you need the Lord! You can’t win the game against the devil. Wiley liar that he is, his game of chess will outsmart your checkers game every time.

We should keep in mind that we are not in this world alone. God is always with us and watching over us. Reach out in prayer. Study His Holy Word. Consider Him a friend that you can call any time. Our heavenly Father wants us to come to Him for EVERYTHING. He has already beat the devil and thrown him out of heaven. Allow God to lead your moves, to plan your next step, to guide your maneuvers through life. Remember, without the Lord, you will miss calculate each move in checkers, because the devil is definitely playing chess.  Checkmate will be a win for you with our dear Lord in your life.

Jill

Here is another little anecdote I found when I was going through my papers recently. It has an excellent lesson in its cleverness. This one is 21 years old, so the ads are a bit dated, but the message is still clear.

A fifth-grade teacher in a Christian school, asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas relating to God. Here are some of the results and I think they are wonderful.

God is like Bayer Aspirin. He works miracles.

God is Like Ford. He’s got a better idea.                      

God is like Coke. He’s the real thing.

God is like Hallmark cards. He cares enough to send the very best.

God is like Tide. He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

God is like General Electric. He brings good things to life.

God is like Sears.  He has everything.

God is like Alka Seltzer. Try Him, you’ll like Him.

God is like Scotch Tape. You can’t see Him, but you know He’s there.

God is like Delta Airlines. He’s ready when you are.

God is like Allstate. You’re in good hands with Him.

God is like VO-5 Hairspray. He holds through all kinds of weather.

God is like Dial Soap. Aren’t you glad you have Him? Don’t you wish everybody did?

God is like the U.S. Postal Service. Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.

In this simple class assignment, God’s unconditional love for us shines brightly and assures of His greatness and promises to us if we believe in Him and ask Him into our hearts. Thanks be to God!

Patty

I have been thinking about fishermen this week. Every day and every night, I have watched the fishing trawlers glide soundlessly back and forth searching for their catch. No matter the state of the ocean or the weather temperature, these working vessels and the people who run them go about their business.  

There have also been several television shows mentioning fishing, noting the passion that fisher people have for their occupation or their avocation. Then there is this past Sunday’s gospel in which Jesus goes to the Sea of Galilee to call His disciples. Why did He decide to ask these men, these hard-working but probably not highly educated men to “take up His yoke” and “Come Follow Me”? 

In the time of Jesus, boys and girls (to some extent) would have received an education to age 13. After this, the girls would return to the home to continue their tasks. The boys would enter the family business (farming, carpentry, fishing, etc). This education would center around the Torah and was the primary responsibility of the father of the family. It required a lot of memorizations. Some young men might have been asked to continue their learning at the synagogue progressing through several levels of learning. A few might have been asked by a Rabbi to “Come Follow Me”.  

Jesus was not the first to use this phrase, so the disciples would have known the implications of these words. Rabbis were itinerant preachers, traveling around the area to towns and villages sharing their teachings and gathering followers. Rabbis developed a set of core beliefs that were referred to as their “yoke”. For Jesus, that yoke was love of God and others. 

Since the men that Jesus called to be His disciples were at work and not currently following another rabbi, we know that they were not among those more educated men who had spent years learning in the Temple. So, why did Jesus pick them? 

This is conjecture on my part, but perhaps He chose them because of their passion for their trade, their willingness to take on hard work in all types of weather and in the face of danger. They took on the yoke that Christ asked of them and wrought a miracle beyond description. Think about it-twelve diverse, not formally educated men put down their nets at the request of a man who they had just met, and they followed Him. He asked them to perform miracles, travel with minimal resources and spread the word of His teachings throughout the world-and they did! 

God loves you unconditionally! 

Terri