Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

When you think of certain cities, you think of certain foods.

Chicago has their hot dogs, and woe be to the one who tries to fake one by forgetting not only the toppings but the order in which they go! Boston has cream pie. Buffalo wings. Hershey chocolate. Subsequently when you mention the City of Brotherly Love, you think of cheesesteak. Or red gravy (which is not just spaghetti sauce). I can get on board with that one! If you’re going to have pasta, for the love of God and all that is holy, don’t skimp on the sauce. And none of that runny Ragu out of the jar either! Any cook or chef worth their salt (pun intended) is generous and thick with the secret sauce. Load up that ladle, put your hand under it, and do the sip taste test. Are you hungry yet?

Since Christ died and shed His blood for our salvation, we now know that it is thicker than water. We should never water down the means of grace. In our congregation, we recently had a minor controversy over the Communion wine (sangre de Cristo). Too expensive, too sweet, some said. When we tried a dryer, less expensive variety, it didn’t last long. Of course, it is not like free samples at the winery. It is the free gift of God’s grace, yet also very costly. The sacrament of Christ’s Supper is meant to be lavish, in the spirit of the Wedding at Cana, by some Gospel accounts the first miracle Jesus did. The connection is strong, and much more than Philadelphia “red gravy”. It is literally lifesaving, life-sustaining. It is shed and poured out with unconditional love and not our deserving. It is also abundant and endless.

Pastor Art

Perhaps you’ve heard this saying, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough proof to convict you?”  It’s a thought-provoking question.  Is our faith merely professed or genuinely lived out? 

Governments throughout history have ruled against Christianity, making it illegal or difficult to serve and worship God without fear.  We see that in the Bible in the book of Daniel.  The king made a decree that no one could petition anyone except himself.  It was a devious plan in order to catch Daniel.  Catch him, they did.  They came to his house and found Daniel “making supplication to God.”  Daniel was not hiding it.  He was serving God with the windows wide open, praying toward Jerusalem multiple times a day.

Would they find enough evidence to convict us of being Christians? Or would they simply find someone who says he is a Christian, but lives a different way? Evidence is proof that something exists or is true. The last thing you ever want is to go to a trial without any evidence.

We know that nothing we do can earn us God’s love.  He already loves us fully and unconditionally.  But what does living out our faith look like in our daily and weekly lives? What is the “preponderance of evidence” shown by our lives that our faith is alive and well. 

Do we worship regularly with our community of faith?  Do we develop ourselves spiritually through Bible study and devotions?  Are we anxious to do for others?  Do we draw others into the faith?  Do we practice good stewardship of our time and talents?

Christians, let’s pray together that if we were on trial for being a Christian there would be a “preponderance of evidence” to convict us.  Let’s be open to God’s unconditional love and share it in every way we can.

Judy

One of the most rewarding moments from my teaching career was watching the “light bulb go on” when a student “got” the math concept we were learning.  My heart filled and I actually felt joy. It was wonderful knowing I was able to impart this knowledge successfully.

That “feeling” often enters my mind as I think about Jesus teaching His disciples. From what we have learned, His disciples were average, probably hard working, followers. I feel certain there were moments when Jesus felt warm inside, proud of His disciples when they “got” His lessons. He encouraged them to share the GOOD NEWS.

In my 7^th grade, middle school, pre-algebra classroom, I, too, would suggest that the students who “got” the concept, should share their understanding, with their classmates/study partner. There is a correlation between knowing and teaching. Teaching or reviewing a newly learned idea/concept, seems to cement it into your knowledge bank.  Jesus certainly wanted His lessons to be cemented into His disciples, so they could go and teach the Good News to others.  Were they confident? Were they anxious to tell others about Jesus and the Good News? Since they were hand-picked, I’m certain they were more than qualified to preach and share and teach and convert.

As we continue through life to study and learn more of God’s Word, we too, are equipped to share the Good News.  There are so many resources.  Sign up for a Bible Study class. Ask a friend to attend with you. Discuss what you learn. We are loved unconditionally. God wants us to know His truth and share it.

Go ahead….do it!  You’ve “got” this!    

Jill

One of the most rewarding moments from my teaching career was watching the “light bulb go on” when a student “got” the math concept we were learning.  My heart filled and I actually felt joy. It was wonderful knowing I was able to impart this knowledge successfully.

That “feeling” often enters my mind as I think about Jesus teaching His disciples. From what we have learned, His disciples were average, probably hard working, followers. I feel certain there were moments when Jesus felt warm inside, proud of His disciples when they “got” His lessons. He encouraged them to share the GOOD NEWS.

In my 7^th grade, middle school, pre-algebra classroom, I, too, would suggest that the students who “got” the concept, should share their understanding, with their classmates/study partner. There is a correlation between knowing and teaching. Teaching or reviewing a newly learned idea/concept, seems to cement it into your knowledge bank.  Jesus certainly wanted His lessons to be cemented into His disciples, so they could go and teach the Good News to others.  Were they confident? Were they anxious to tell others about Jesus and the Good News? Since they were hand-picked, I’m certain they were more than qualified to preach and share and teach and convert.

As we continue through life to study and learn more of God’s Word, we too, are equipped to share the Good News.  There are so many resources.  Sign up for a Bible Study class. Ask a friend to attend with you. Discuss what you learn. We are loved unconditionally. God wants us to know His truth and share it.

Go ahead….do it!  You’ve “got” this!    

Jill

We live in a world that teaches us to hide our weakness. Strength is praised, independence is admired and if we appear vulnerable, that can be mistaken for failure. Weakness is a hard thing to be happy about. Because weakness is often looked down upon, we may become ashamed when we feel tired, uncertain or not enough. We often try to cover our struggles, believing that if others see our weakness, they will think less of us or even try to take advantage of us.

God sees weakness differently. He is not impressed by our ability to appear strong. He is moved by our willingness to depend on Him. He is our strength and His power is made perfect in weakness. Our weakness is not something to hide from God. It is something to bring to Him. When we are exhausted, feel fear and doubt, He offers strength that goes beyond our own abilities. He lifts what we can’t carry and restores what we can’t fix.

Instead of being ashamed, we can be honest. Instead of pretending, we can trust God. He doesn’t expect perfection and He invites surrender. In our submission, we create a space for God to work within us and carry our burdens.

Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2 NLT

Joni Eareckson Tada an American evangelical Christian is an author, radio host, artist and founder of Joni PTL, Joni and Friends which is an organization that accelerates Christian ministry in the disability community as she herself is a quadriplegic. The weaker I am, the harder I must lean on God’s grace; the harder I lean on Him, the stronger I discover Him to be, and the bolder my testimony to His grace.

We are all familiar with the song, “Jesus Loves Me”. Remember the lines “Little ones to Him belong. We are weak but He is strong”. Thanks be to God for His unconditional love for us!

Patty

Jesus greeted his disciples with this salutation when he appeared in the locked room after His resurrection on the third day. These were the first words that He said to them. Then he repeated them again and added “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Following these words, He breathed on them and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

What a powerful moment for the followers! Jesus commissions them to go out into the world and spread the love of God to all. He also gives them the Peace of Christ.  

The Peace of Christ is a profound theological concept that reaches far beyond the definition of worldly peace, as in no wars or disagreements with each other. The Peace of Christ refers to “an inner tranquility bestowed upon believers and a cosmic reconciliation achieved through Jesus Christ.” (from the Bible Hub, Topical Encyclopedia) It is more than the absence of conflict and illustrates a wonderful sense of harmony and accord with God.  

Yes, the God who loves you unconditionally and only wants you to be with Him for eternity and at peace while you are on earth. There are many beautiful hymns and music that can help bring this peace to you. I have inserted one for your meditation. 

“Peace” was written by Gregory Norbert of the Weston Priory, Weston, Vermont. So many awesome pieces of music have originated in the little Vermont monastery. This is a simple song with a big spiritual meaning to carry you throughout the day. 

When we pass the sign of peace during our worship services, I use the words “the Peace of Christ be with you.” I want to remind all those whom I love and cherish that Christ’s Peace transcends our world and connects us with the divine. 

God bless you! 

Terri 

“I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.” Those are the word of Toyohiko Kagawa, (1888-1960), a Japanese Christian reformer, activist, and pacifist. I didn’t know anything about him until I was around 15 or 16 and was teaching Sunday School where one of the appointed lessons was about Kagawa. The story I remembered most was how on Christmas Eve, 1909, he moved from his comfortable rooms in the seminary to live in the slums of Kobe. He reasoned that the people in the slums would never listen to or believe Christian preaching unless the preacher lived among them.

His work would take him outside that slum as he advocated for the poor, for women, for peace. He wasn’t always received well. His was imprisoned several times. Only after World War II did he received acceptance. In 1946 he appeared before Emperor Hirohito at the Imperial palace. There he said, “A ruler’s sovereignty, Your Majesty, is in the hearts of the people. Only by service to others can a man, or nation, be godlike.”

Does anybody today believe that service is the only way a person or a nation can be elevated? A member of one of my churches told me that the most important thing to him about church was that it provided opportunities to serve. Service is one of the four things that bring people to churches along with needs for spirituality, care, and community.

Read Colossians 3:17 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

It was seven years ago that the world looked on in shock as the 850 year old Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was engulfed in flames. The cathedral, the work of medieval craftsmen and artists, was beloved by the French people and visitors from around the world. The tragedy felt perhaps more devastating as it happened in the midst of the holiest week of the Christian year.

But in the midst of this tragedy we were inspired by acts of devotion. Father Jean-Marc Fournier, Chaplain of the Paris Fire Brigade, organized a human chain to rescue some of the most precious artifacts from the cathedral. Among them, the Blessed Sacrament was retrieved. And The Crown of Thorns was brought to safety. This precious artifact, rarely seen, is said to be the crown placed of the head of Jesus Christ at His crucifixion. It was stored in a gold case in the cathedral treasury. I admire their heroism in entering the burning building to save those items most precious to them.

That evening on the streets surrounding the cathedral, crowds of Parisians gathered. They joined their voices singing quiet hymns of devotion. As they sang, Christians around the globe lifted prayers on behalf of the people of Paris and Catholic brothers and sisters throughout the world. In the midst of dire circumstances, we are often brought closer together.

On this Wednesday morning, I hope we are not faced with a tragedy of this magnitude. But, I am reminded of the many times when our lives are not running smoothly. We feel helpless and out of control. We tend to feel more secure when life is predictable. We look to Isaiah’s words where we are reminded, “God is my Savior, I will trust him, and not be afraid.”

Whatever trouble or circumstance we face today, I hope that we do not feel alone. I pray that we will come together as a community of Christ here in this place, that we will reverently seek the Lord’s help and blessing. Here we can join hands and reach out in prayer and loving action to help our brothers and sisters who face suffering of any kind.

It is in this humble service, that we share the love of Christ, the love that is given unconditionally to you and to me.

Judy

Those words spell trouble. “Life will be more complete when I…” what, win the lottery? Am more comfortable with my finances? Get my problematic relationships figured out? When we allow fear and doubt to live rent-free in our head, the tempter fills us with “when I” and “if only.” I think it was about forty-five years ago when I remember my aunt and uncle wondering if my cousins were ever going to start a family and make them grandparents. My older cousin said, “maybe never”. Turning to my younger cousin, she said “after him.” It was all in good family fun of course, but it was still a few more years before their households were growing.

We really can’t change anything unless or until we face it. Why do we wast our time and energy over things that are beyond our control? We default to the “when x happens, then life will be better”. For us and our lives, road blocks often include denial. We do not have the luxury of time on our side. We cling fiercely to our attitudes and viewpoints because they have always “worked” for us. Thankfully, we have each other to check us on our “stuff”.

We have a wonderful story given us by a God who loves us unconditionally. I think we all know what the best ending to the “when I” statement is: …let go and let God. God trusts us enough to give us free will over the daily decisions. Of course, those are always made best prayerfully. God never withholds His answer, His response. Remember that there are exactly 365 verses in the Bible that say “fear not.” It kind of takes anxiety out of the picture, doesn’t it?

Pastor Art

Strange title for a blog, but that was my phone number when I was a girl.  The old black phone on the counter was to be used only for short important calls.  My mom taught me well, I had to memorize my number in case I was ever away from home and needed to call her.  I never did, but the number stuck.  A simple four-digit number.  I knew when the operator said, “number please,” I could proudly say 1018.

There were so few numbers to remember in those days.  Phone, house number (12), and the fire alarm box down on the corner (23).  With those few numbers, we could function quite well.  The grey cells in our brains could relax for many years, until a new phenomenon arrived – Passwords!

I’m wondering if we have passwords at church.  My first response was oh no, of course not.  But think about it.  Do we have a denominational password:  Lutherans over here, Catholics over there.  Shouldn’t be so in our one Christian apostolic church but let’s be honest.  Visit a church of a different denomination.  Would you feel uncomfortable, like you didn’t have the password?  How about visitors to our church?  Are they at home with our traditions or do feel like they need a password to understand what’s going on?  Can we keep the beautiful traditions of our worship, and still welcome all into the experience?  Food for thought.

Fortunately, our Jesus has made our faith very simple, no passwords needed.
“ I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

He is our password.  He is the key.  He opens the way for us.  Thanks be to God that he has made it so simple.

Judy