Joy Lutheran Church, Ocala, Florida

Life gives us opportunities to serve with Joy. In my congregation that is literally the case! It’s the name of our church. With those “God-winks” that give us the green light, with the Holy Spirit’s backing, comes the permission to self-differentiate, and not be a quivering mass of availability. We are not to be doormats for everyone, thinking “that’s what Christians are supposed to do”. Yes, but not constantly.

Believe me, I’m still learning that one as I look the onset of Medicare age. As a pastor, it is hard to say no, to make a decision whether or not I will answer my phone or church e-mail on a day off.
I am not obliged, nor should I feel guilty. But when should I refrain from serving? Never.

Each of us has an abundance of gifts. We also have silent, unseen teammates in the kingdom of heaven. Endorphins are released when we serve and love. It is a far better place to operate out of. Those holy moments are patient, waiting to be discovered. Be open to receiving the good that comes to you each day. Don’t resist or deny that it is God’s good pleasure to have His works be glorified in you. Through gracious receiving, you know that you are amply blessed. Be confident knowing this, the truth of God’s unconditional love setting you free to serve JOY!fully.

Pastor Art

For one more Monday, I bring to you a hymn, “Bring Peace to Earth Again.”   (#700 in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal).  In a world marked by violence and brokenness, this is a lament and prayer for peace.  Drawing on multiple Psalms, the text expresses sorrow over human suffering and calls on God to restore peace.

“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.”  Psalm 4:1
“Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
 protect my life from the threat of the enemy.”  Psalm 64:1

We feel the pain in this text, but who wrote these words and what inspired them to do so?  This text was written by  Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. (1923-2007)  Stuempfle wrote in the wake of ethnic cleansing in the Balkans and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, reflecting on the horrors of war and the need for reconciliation.  He also acknowledges the church’s own brokenness and the damage caused by humans to God’s creation.  He pleas for divine intervention in the refrain.

 “O God of mercy, hear our prayer; bring peace to earth again.”

In the past two week’s devotions, I shared the writings of a Minnesota nun and a Japanese Methodist pastor.  By contrast, Stuempfle’s background was deeply Lutheran with roots in Pennsylvania, where Gettysburg was his home for many years.  In a 27 year career as Professor of Preaching at Lutheran Theological Seminary, he served as the school’s Dean and then as President 1976-1989. 

In 1996, Stuempfle was invited to Richmond where Perry Nelson was director of music.  Stuempfle gave Nelson the text of this hymn and asked if he would write a tune.  The very next day Nelson composed this tune, which he called Pace Mio Dio (Peace My God).

The 4^th stanza of the hymn:

”O God, whose heart compassionate
bears ev’ry human pain,
redeem this violent, wounding world
till gentleness shall reign.
O God of mercy, hear our prayer.
Bring peace to earth again!”

May our God of unconditional love bring peace to your heart.

Judy

One of the lessons I learned from my dad has revisited my mind lately. He had a strong faith that I witnessed on many occasions.  We were walking one evening and I asked if he was nervous about an upcoming cancer appointment.  His reply, “No. That is nothing to dwell on.”  What? Huh? Denial? I was confused. He then shared that he does not think about or dwell on negativity, as that gives those “things” power. He put his effort and thoughts on positivity and God.

Paul when writing to the Romans said, “Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”  I have so tried to emulate that, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing miserably. Recently, I discovered a lump in my neck.  I am a 14-year cancer survivor, so I know not to waste time. After sonograms and scans, the lump in my neck was confirmed benign.  Yay! But….it was there and visible and getting a lot of my attention.  I kept touching it, checking for growth, pain etc.  I heard BENIGN, but was still not letting go. One day, when praying, I said, “God, I am going to fix my attention on you! I will not touch my lump again, nor will I let it enter my mind. I am letting go.”  Three months later, at a doctor’s appointment…..my benign lump was gone! I refused to give it power. Can benign lumps go away, yes, but I wasn’t even thinking of the lump, too busy focusing my attention on God.

Jesus loves us unconditionally. I think He loves when we fix our attention on HIM and not ourselves. If we invest our thoughts on goodness and love and thanksgiving and forgiveness, we are on the right path to Him. Be well in Christ.

Jill

I always find good books when I go “thrifting”. On a recent shopping trip, I found a book I am enjoying reading.  It is entitled “Holy Moments: A Handbook for the Rest of Your Life” by Matthew Kelly. The premise of the book revolves around the idea that we all have more to offer than we are currently giving, but we don’t know how to achieve more. We do have new ideas to offer, but to accomplish and contribute the extra features, we need to pay closer attention to the world around us.

One way of discovering the “more” is by staying connected to God. The further we stray from the Lord, the more meaningless our life becomes. We are already aware that moments in our lives can define us, but we need to recognize some moments are holy, some are unholy and our personal choices can guide moments in either direction.

As the title suggests, the book focuses on “Holy Moments”.  Kelly defined a holy moment as a single moment when you open yourself to God. You make yourself available to Him. You set aside personal preference and self-interest for one moment. You then do what you prayerfully believe God is calling you to do.

Another thing about experiencing a Holy Moment is it can begin today.  You can implement what God is leading you to do immediately. No time to waste. God’s unconditional love for us guides us where we need to be and what He wants us to do.

In Ephesians 2:10 we read these words: We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do great works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Be aware of those holy moments, grab onto them and give God the glory He deserves by doing “the more” He desires. Thanks be to God!

Patty

The other morning, while enjoying the serenity of the quiet lake, I noticed some commotion to my right by the point. We have a gaggle of Canadian Geese living at the lake this summer. I am not sure why they are here. Maybe they decided that this was far enough south for them. 

Anyway, the gaggle was having a lively game of Goose Tag. At least that is what I choose to call it. The flock was circling round and round in an increasingly larger circle, all the while, just skimming the surface of the lake. Eventually all the geese disappeared behind the point except for one lone bird. It really was a wondrous sight to watch. A ballet, so well choreographed, that I couldn’t take my eyes from the action. 

It got me to thinking about the childhood game of tag that occupied the neighborhood kids for so many summer nights. Our parents were eternally grateful for the game; it kept us entertained and peaceful for many hours. I was a fast runner as a kid, so I didn’t mind being “it” because I could always catch one of the others. 

I remember the feelings that running away from “it” created. The adrenaline started to pump; the grins got wider. And when I caught someone, the sense of triumph made the night complete. Often, as adults, we have played tag with God — running from Him and trying to avoid being caught in His net. This type of game produces different feelings; usually not the good ones, but guilt and regret. 

However, with the wisdom of age, I have decided that rather than chasing after other people or things, I choose to run into the arms of our Loving God. Here the feelings of comfort, security and love are overwhelming and shut out the noise and worry of the world. I can turn over concerns to His unlimited capacity for understanding and assistance. I can ask for help with problems. I can share my joys. 

I do this because I know that I am a child of God and He loves me and you – unconditionally. Try this form of tag and see what happens. 

Terri

Sometimes I read something that hits like an electric shock. “This is talking about me!” Here’s an example for you from detective novelist and Christian writer Dorothy L. Sayers.

“I think I have never heard a sermon preached on the story of Mary and Martha that did not attempt, somehow, somewhere, to explain away its text. Mary’s, of course, was the better part—the Lord said so, and we must not precisely contradict Him. But we will be careful not to despise Martha. No doubt, He approved of her, too. We could not get on without her, and indeed (having paid lip-service to God’s opinion) we must admit that we greatly prefer her, for Martha was doing a really feminine job, whereas Mary was just behaving like any other disciple; and that is a hard pill to swallow.”*

I’ve probably preached on the story of Mary and Martha a dozen times and almost always committed the fault Sayers points to. I tried to make it clear that both Mary and Martha are good examples of the Christian life. I did it because I knew churches needed Marthas or they’d fall apart. But the story makes it plain. Mary, who sits listening to Jesus is the example of the Christian life, not Martha for all her well-intended hospitality.

Mary learns from Jesus and is devoted to him. How do we do the same? By prayer, scripture reading, holy conversation with others who believe. Without making a connection to Jesus, our spiritual source, we just burn out.

May you be inspired by Mary’s example.

Read Luke 10:38-42 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

*Are Women Human?, pp. 46-47.

I knew a man named Bernie. He never used his full name, Bernhard, because he hated being named after a dog. I tried to convince him that he was probably named after  Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, but he never accepted that explanation. Too bad, because Bernard was quite a person.

Bernard (1090-1153) was born into the Burgundian nobility. At the age of 22, while Bernard was at prayer in a church, he felt the calling of God to enter the monastery of Cîteaux, founded 14 years before by monks who felt a stricter adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict was needed. From this monastery the Cistercian order developed. Bernard was so enthused by God’s call that he persuaded 30 of his friends and relatives to enter the monastery as well.

Bernard so took to monastic life that three years later he was sent as an abbot to found a new monastery which he called Clairvaux. Rather than being a quiet monk, Bernard became a church leader renowned throughout Europe. He battled heresy, took on laxity among other monastics, intervened in political disputes, and preached the Second Crusade.

Martin Luther held Bernard in highest regard. Many Lutherans are familiar with Bernard’s poetry which has come to us in hymns such as “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee,” “Jesus thou Joy of Loving Hearts,” and “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”

Bernard’s life took an unexpected turn when God called him to serve in a special way. How has God called you?

Read 2 Peter 1:10 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

In Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Romans, I was struck by the observation that the twelfth chapters of these books talk about the body of Christ, meaning the church. Twelve disciples, twelve tribes.
Hmmmm.. It’s only coincidence, because Paul did not designate the outline as such. In his day, manuscripts were one long, unbroken sentence without punctuation, let alone verse or chapter designations.

Christian community is undoubtedly the body of Christ (I Cor. 12:12). Within our spiritual community, there are a variety of gifts for doing things well (Romans 12:6). Further instruction and elucidation come twelve (ho ho!) verses later as Paul adds, “if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with one another”. Different gifts, same Spirit. Different kinds of service, same Lord. Different kinds of working, same God at work. (I just moved from Rome to Corinth, but the same “body chapter’ 12.)

We’re all given something to do that shows who God is. The body of Christ, like each of us individually, is fearfully and wonderfully made. In our congregation, it is quite remarkable that people from every place other than here (Ocala) can coexist, let alone love and work together so wonderfully. Knit and joined together by the same Holy Spirit is how it happens. The amazing, forgiving, unconditional love ensures that no matter the condition of our physical, bodily selves, the health of the whole carries us through.

Pastor Art

“Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather,” a hymn celebrating Christian unity, comes to us from Japan. In Japanese: Sekai no tomo to te o tsunagi. The hymn was written in Japanese by a Methodist pastor, Tokuo Yamaguichi.  (1900-1995)  It was composed for the 14^th International Christian Education Conference in Tokyo held in 1958.  It was later translated into English by Everett M. Stowe and has since been included in several hymnals, including ours.  The tune, TOKYO,  is also Japanese, written by Isao Koizumi.  (1907-1992)

The hymn  emphasizes unity and hope among believers across cultural and linguistic differences. The four stanzas each highlight a different aspect of Christ.
1. Jesus is the WAY: believers gather and link hands in love.
2. Jesus is the TRUTH:  despite diverse languages and scattered lands, our hearts are united in God’s love.
3. Jesus is the LIFE:  amid change and turmoil, Jesus provides healing and peace.
4. A Prayer for Guidance.  In the final stanza we ask God for the courage and faith to acknowledge Jesus as the Way, Truth and Life.

This hymn with its message of hope, unity and spiritual guidance, fosters a sense of global Christian fellowship.  “Your servants” gather not only here in at our worship, but in Christian worship throughout our nation and the world.  God’s unconditional love extends beyond human boundaries.

Judy

Jesus chose His disciples.  Each of them different.  Each with their own life in progress: work, families, some healthy, some troubled, some with “issues.”  They were a “hand chosen” group of soon to be followers of our Lord. I like to think, our Lord considered His chosen disciples as His friends during his three-year ministry.

I am personally, so blessed to still be actively involved with my best friend (CH) from high school. I’ve known her since the tenth grade. BFFs for 61 years. We have stayed in close touch, many miles apart. Young double dates, marriages, deaths, children, grandchildren, we share each detail, open, transparent, loving and trusting one another. Another friend (CP) was a friend of my first husband when they were in high school.  I have known her over 56 years. Our bond is unbreakable. She has been a close treasured friend and a caring angel for our family.  My personal journey through life had bumps much lessened by her gift of friendship. A former neighbor (DC), now a friend of 48 years, is someone with whom I shared big hurdles. Tossed into our time together was laughter, sharing, caring, a horrific accident for her husband and daughter and years later, my young husband’s death.  Still, we are friends and a phone call away. Two families joined through our husband’s work over 51 years ago, another friend (PFL)and I shared our pregnancies, /deliveries, moving, monthly visits with their two sons and our two sons, deaths of our spouses. Still a phone call or close visit away and now so nearby.

When I thank God for the blessings of those incredible women (and my now, wonderful, newer friends, too) and the sharing and caring that we had/have, my heart swells. I just believe in my heart that Jesus loved his friends.  His Holy Word lets us know how his disciples, in all their humanness, loved Jesus, protected Him, as best as they could.  They learned from Him. Eventually, sharing His life, death and resurrection until their own demise. Faithful, steadfast, caring “friends.” Be open to friends. Allow yourself, at whatever age, to share yourself and be a good listener. A true friend is a gift! Share a coffee, or tea, or maybe even a glass of wine, let someone into your heart. Talk about Jesus and His unconditional love for each of us.  He LOVES to be a part of your heart and conversation. Proverbs 27:9 “Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

Jill