Joy Lutheran Church, Ocala, Florida

Most of you won’t be surprised to hear that I often have uninvited guests in my little lakeside cottage. It is old and creaky, so visitors like ants, spiders, sometimes mice and once a red squirrel (not a pleasant visit) do make their way inside looking for treats or to escape the cold. 

I have found a number of ways to make them move out or to live peacefully together. However, last week, I had just finished cleaning up after breakfast and I was leaving the kitchen when I heard a terrified “Eep! Eep!” coming from the back of the refrigerator.  

“Rich! There’s something alive in the kitchen that needs to get outside!” “What is it?”, yells my husband. “I don’t know!” I answer.  “It’s making this strange “Eep! Eep!” noise and scrambling up the wall.” I cautiously tiptoed closer to the fridge. 

“It’s a big old toad! Come help me get him out!” Now, you have to understand that Rich doesn’t move fast; he can’t. But he is always good about rescuing me from these types of guests. So, together we captured the toad under a bowl and let it rest for a while until we were able to maneuver it outside and to safety. 

A toad! I didn’t know that toads made that kind of noise. How did it get into the house? Oh well, he was in and now he is gone. I haven’t seen him hopping around the yard, so I hope that he survived his adventure. 

So, where am I going with this blog? I am not going to explore the topic of toads and God, although this is a serious discussion throughout history. It is a gratitude blog. I am grateful to our God who has provided us with all kinds of creatures to stimulate my curiosity and keep my life interesting. I am grateful for the kind, loving and understanding man who is my husband, even if he can’t always hear me the first time. I am grateful for parents who pushed me to pay attention to the small things in life and to value the knowledge that comes from all parts of the universe. 

I could go on and on. I am unconditionally grateful for all that the Lord has provided for me. Especially for the unconditional love and grace that keeps me serene and accepting of all that comes my way-like uninvited guests of all types. 

Remember that God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, loves you unconditionally! 

Terri 

I found this quote in my journal from Fr. William Shannon, a Roman Catholic priest and professor. “Dialogue has as its goal a sharing of the truth. It is not just that I want to share my truth with another. It is also that I want to share the truth the other has that I do not have.”*

That matches my experience. I often find others have insight that I am utterly lacking. That’s particularly true in matters of the Christian faith. Other people understand things I don’t, and sometimes I know a thing or two someone else doesn’t. It is in dialogue that these truths are shared. Both people in dialogue with each other come away richer.

That being true, I am amazed at how hard it is to get people to talk about their faith even one Christian to another. As a pastor, I found it very difficult to get people to talk about their faith. Almost always the conversation quickly became about being part of a church. That’s important, but it’s not the same thing as talking about one’s faith. I know I’m not the only one who thinks something is missing. In our Spiritual Gifts Discovery one of the needs expressed was for discussion about what people believe.

So I have this suggestion. Next time you’re sitting with a friend at fellowship, ask them if you can talk together about your faith. It takes some courage to do that, but I think we’d all be better off if we tried. Anyone willing?

Read Colossians 4:6 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

*Silence on Fire, p. 64

For my birthday, my sister gave me the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, which was the motivation for the Broadway musical by the same name.  Although it was heavy reading (three pounds in paperback?), I enjoyed it so much that I read another book about the early years of the United States, Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.  I was  impressed by what I learned about our founders (Adams, Burr, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, Washington and others) and their contributions.  I had always thought of them as strong leaders and knew that many were excellent and inspiring writers, but I didn’t realize the full strength of their knowledge and intellects, and how much their abilities to apply their ideas contributed to their successes.  They were well read, and followed most of the advances of the age. 

In addition to being grateful, I also was slightly chagrined by what I learned about these great men as individuals.  All were flawed!  They could be petty, bitter and vindictive, and they sometimes made libelous statements.  Some had personal lives that would be scandalous even in the present days, and they had other moral failings.  They were hypocritical; for example, all of the Virginians in the list above made public statements against slavery, but only Washington supported any actions against it (in his will Washington provided for the freeing of his slaves after the death of his wife Martha).  A few of them were not religious (or even anti-religious), some were Deists, and most of the rest treated religion in a pro-forma manner.  They let pride get in the way of common sense.  Recall that Burr and Hamilton fought a duel in which Hamilton was killed; both allowed their pride from keeping them from finding a peaceful solution to their differences. 

This brought to mind the same is true in the Bible.  Men such as David, John, Moses, Paul, Peter, Solomon, Thomas, and others were all flawed!  This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be grateful; after all, God chose to work through them, and we should have faith that God can help us emulate their positive actions.  On the other hand we should take their failings as warnings.  Paul makes this point in Chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians, when he uses the history of Israel as a warning: “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”  Let us learn from the good examples and take warning from the bad.

If our heavenly Father was able to use the founders of our country to good effect and build his kingdom on the backs of the flawed Biblical leaders, then surely he can make use of you and me. Are we flawed? For sure. Can He use us for His purposes? Once again, for sure. Don’t be afraid to answer His call, to step up to the plate even when we’re asked to take unfamiliar steps. God in his unconditional love has a purpose for you and for me.

Jim

For Lutherans, it’s the seating row of choice. On a train, it’s the caboose. Alphabetical by surname? “Wuertz” often filled that. In this congregation I’m in, there are actually two behind me (us). It always seems to be a place to hide – the farthest back. Most of us can acknowledge that our homes are a mess. That is, until we invite people over. Then comes the mad frenzy of hiding our stuff that we typically leave out in the open. That includes the proverbial “junk drawer.” Experts tell us that’s a good place to start when we procrastinate over de-cluttering. Further, they say that the item that is furthest back in the junk drawer is the first thing to go. In my desk junk drawer, that ended up being three keys on a ring that I had no clue what they were for. So in the trash they went.

The farthest back in a group of people is no less valuable than the head of the line. Maybe it’s the one sheep in the flock that is just surveying the pasture, keeping a loving eye on the rest. The seemingly abandoned member is maybe more treasured than those who have “it”, whether it’s popularity, good looks, or out going personality. Jesus always goes after the farthest back, the most lonely and vulnerable. Togetherness is vital to emotional strength and vitality. Small groups can be that place for the farthest back, those on the margins of the radar. When congregations have “it”, they are seeking out to include any and all whom society rejects. Transmitting the unconditional love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, embraces the one who is farthest back. There is no “junk drawer” in the kingdom of God!

Pastor Art

In 1976, as America celebrated its Bicentennial, my children’s elementary school marked the occasion by placing keepsakes, letters, pictures, and everyday items into a concrete vault. Sealed and buried, the vault was meant to be opened 50 years later during the nation’s Semiquincentennial. This spring, that day finally came. When the vault was opened, today’s students and former students (now in their 50’s) shared the excitement. Inside were heartfelt letters from 1976 addressed to the children of 2026. Having lived through Vietnam and Watergate, those students wrote with hope for a better future.

We all have some very old letters written to us centuries ago. Yes, they’re tucked in the pages of our Bible The language had to be translated but the message is hopeful. They’re words God speaks to us, and they give us hope that with God’s guidance, better things can be possible for us.  Here’s a contemporary rendering of God’s message to us. The message rings true for me, I hope it is meaningful to you too.

Judy

*Poem Anonymous

Rather than buy new pillows for the couch, I just change the pillow covers. Some of the covers are for the holidays, some just a whim I have for change.  I STUFF the old pillow into a new cover and voila, a whole new look to the room.

Psalm 55:22 The Message states, “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.” So in reading this verse, I immediately thought of pillow covers (yep, that’s how the Holy Spirit guides me  ) When your mind allows you to be overwhelmed and you know you should release all your worries and anger and unforgiveness and “stuff” to our Lord….picture the pillow covers.  In your mind, unzip the pillow cover and begin filling the space with every concern, every woe, every tear, every ounce of anger and fear and then zip that cover closed. You have given our Lord your burdens and He assures us He can carry that burden and give you peace.  He loves us so unconditionally and our burdens are not too heavy for him.

Not only do my couch pillows look nice but I smile as I nestle into those pillows because I am quickly reminded that my “stuff” is now that stuffing that God is handling for me. He is carrying my burdens for me. I am so blessed and praise Him for being my ANSWER, always!

Jill

I don’t remember regarding my grandparents as “young”, or even “middle-aged”. They were always
“old” to my youthful eyes. So, seeing them grow old and eventually reach the end of their life wasn’t a
shock to my system. Of course, now, I realize that I myself am now past the age that they were when I
was a kid, but still, my perception and memory of them remains as elderly people in their sunset years.

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to
give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

The aging of one’s grandparents was the natural order of things, and as a grandchild, I was a generation
removed from the immediate impact. But to my parents, it was “Mom” or “Dad” that they remembered
as “young”, and were now watching as older and weaker. As much as we can accept “a time to die”,
none of us is ready when it’s our turn to watch someone we love take this journey.

My turn came about ten years ago, when my parents began showing signs of getting older. Gone was
the Dad I knew, who could still kick my tail on the racquetball court. Gone was the Mom I knew, who
could climb up on a chair to get something from atop the cupboard. Now, granted, living across the
country from them was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I didn’t come face to face with the
new reality on a daily basis. But on the other hand, I couldn’t be there for them when they needed a
hand, or just a visit from their son.

Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are shuddering. My soul too is
shuddering greatly – and you, LORD, how long? Psalms 6:3-4

Some people very close to me are now going through this process, but much more acutely, as they see
their parents quite often. There’s no respite for them, no putting it out of their mind for a while, with
phone calls or visits on an almost-daily basis. I can see the toll it’s taking on them, body and spirit.
I must become, again, God’s instrument. Whether it’s an open ear, a kind word, or just a soft shoulder,
I am called to communicate God’s boundless understanding and support for them. I am called to let
them know that God does not abandon His children in their suffering.

When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. – Isaiah 43:2

My challenge to you is this: Look around you. Be aware of those bearing the cross of witnessing the
declining years of their loved ones, or other stresses that come with storms. Be their bedrock when
the rain falls, the floods come, and the wind blows. And may God grant you loved ones who can be
there for you when it’s your turn.

We pray: Heavenly Father, we know that you never leave us in our sorrow. We ask you to open our eyes to those who are suffering around us. Open our ears, that we may be attentive to their needs. Open
our hearts, that we may hear them even when they cannot speak. Open our mouths, that we may
offer the right words – or sometimes just silent presence if words cannot help. We ask this through
Your Son, who will always be here for us. AMEN.

Jeff

I did a little “blog” research before I started to write today’s blogs. A passage in this week’s gospel (Matthew 11:28-30) is one of our favorites! Other blog writers have written about this section, and we all have the same message of unconditional love. It bears repeating! 

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; 
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. “

From Jesus’ own mouth, we hear Him plead with us to come to Him and He will help us carry our burdens! No questions asked. No qualifications or prerequisites. Just come to Him and He will help you carry anything (great or small) that you have to deal with in this world. 

He reminds us that He is gentle. He will handle us with care.  

He is humble. He will not lord it over us because we cannot do it by ourselves.  

He will not make us feel that we have failed. He will pick up the yoke and help us to carry it every day of our lives.  

Every day! Not just in times of need. Jesus wants to be in our lives all the time. Constant contact and acceptance of His love are the keys to serenity in our lives. What have we got to lose? 

God doesn’t qualify His love. It is unconditional. And it always will be. Remember that! 

Terri 

When I was 12 or 13 I loved watching the old Flash Gordon serials. You had the completely good guys–the courageous Flash Gordon, the wise Dr. Zarkov. You had the completely bad guys–the evil Emperor Ming, the toady Captain Torch. The thing about these films was that you knew who was good and who was bad. That’s not the way things are in real life.

I’ve know a lot of good, admirable people, but none of them were perfect. Albert Schweitzer was a hero of mine from the time of my early teens. Organist, expert on Bach, philosopher, pastor, missionary, physician serving the people of Lambaréné, Africa. I can’t think of a more noble person. Yet I know he was paternalistic toward the African people he served. He believed in human dignity, yet treated the people as children.

Schweitzer’s short-comings do not diminish the good things he did, simply set them in the context of an imperfect human. None of us, including myself (maybe especially myself), are perfect. We have room for growth. This imperfection, however, doesn’t negate the good we can accomplish. I am not a good Lutheran on this subject. We Lutherans emphasize that we are sinners before God deserving condemnation, but too often overlook even we sinners can work to the betterment of our neighbors.

I am always mindful of something I heard German theologian Helmut Thielicke, We cannot make this world a paradise. We can only make the world a little bit better, but we must do our little bit.

Let’s do our little bit.

Read Hebrews 13:16 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

I grew up in a house with Grandma. She was an Italian immigrant from the Sicily region. It was pounded into us that family and family ties were very important. We were taught to always defend family, to overlook some of their faults for the good of the family as a whole.

This was hard at times. In every family there were those who fell short of good moral standards. Sometimes you tried to influence your elders. Some might have bad habits or addictions that hurt the family in its effort to be a loving and nurturing unit for the children.

As followers of Christ, we have become a part of God’s family. And yes, we are called to overlook the sins of other followers in our Christian family, to refrain from judging. For Christ offers forgiveness for all of us through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

At the same time God calls us through His Holy Spirit to set an example for other members of His family. We should be loving, forgiving and true leaders of our faith. We glorify Our Father when we spread the good news of His unconditional love. His grace is offered to all sinners who choose to be adopted into His family.

As members of God’s family, let’s respond to the leading of His Holy Spirit. Amen?

Remember, He loves YOU unconditionally.

Maranatha

Joey

Ephesians 1:5-6 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.