Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

 Like most people, whenever I fly, it’s in coach. I walk past the first-class section as I board with a twinge of envy. I think, “gee, it would be nice at least once in my life to fly first-class”. I can barely afford the coach fare on those rare occasions anymore when I do fly. Maybe one day I’ll be the lucky recipient of a free upgrade. That usually involves enrolling in an airline’s rewards club and racking up enough frequent flyer miles (yeah, like that’s going to happen for me!). That or buying their credit card. The same thing goes for other things, like time shares (another pipe dream), travel clubs, hotels. You have to put in the equity and time to garner such rewards as flying first-class, getting first-class accommodations.

It is unlikely that the world will ever give me a free upgrade in status unless I spend more and put in the time. Here’s some irony for you: the one greatest thing that has been upgraded in our status is life itself. It is freely given by God. Thanks to His Son Jesus Christ, we have been upgraded from sinner to saint! Our destination is upward! First-class! We have been elevated from a death sentence to everlasting life! We do not get what we deserve, which is the middle seat in the back row of coach. Or steerage class on the Titanic. We deserve the punishment Jesus received – lashes, the shackles.

Our Lord embraces the lower class, those who fly coach, those who can’t afford a plane ticket ever. It astounds me, and quite frankly makes me bitterly sad, when I think of the huge disparity between those who have plenty and those who have nothing. We blithely refer to the 1% or the 98%. The sheer numbers are astonishing that separate the wealthiest from the poorest in the world. It is heart-breaking, to say the least. But in God’s economy, the poor are blessed, lifted to first-class status. God turns what we think we know about entitlement and privilege and turns it completely upside down. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the most active, vibrant Christians are the poorest people on earth. Even the economy class of American passengers are rich beyond the wildest dreams of the so-called third-world countries. Scripture tells us that the lilies of the field are clothed in greater splendor than Solomon in all his glory. The convicted murderer on the cross next to Jesus will be joining him in paradise. With his dying breaths, our Lord makes that promise, upgrades his status, for no other reason than astounding, unconditional love. We no longer need feel even a twinge of envy for those who enjoy first-class passenger status. We who are in Christ Jesus have received a free upgrade.

Pastor Art

This week I’ve been thinking about the quiet power of kindness. The main character, in a novel I just read, kept a “Book of Kindnesses.”  She was an older woman; her life was troubled.  She suffered many disappointments and had every reason to be bitter.  But she refused.  In her journal each day she recorded any kindnesses that had been done to her, and any kindnesses that she had been able to do for others.  Some were significant, some were just very small acts.  In any case, her Book of Kindnesses helped her keep a positive outlook on life.

These small, often unnoticed gestures may ripple out far beyond their moment. Sometimes, a soft word, a gentle smile, or a helping hand can lighten another’s burden in ways we may never fully know. In a world so busy chasing after wind, perhaps kindness is one thing we can give away freely, never fearing it will be lost or wasted.

I recall a time when a stranger held the door for me on a rainy afternoon. It seemed trivial, yet in that moment, I felt seen and cared for. I wonder how many other moments like that, given and received, are stitched quietly into the fabric of our lives. How many times have I been the recipient of kindness unnoticed? And how many times have I offered it without realizing its significance?  Perhaps I too need to keep a “Book of Kindnesses.”

Scripture encourages us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). It’s a wardrobe that never goes out of style—one that reflects the love of Christ to a world in need of hope. Sometimes grand gestures aren’t required; the smallest acts can reveal the greatest love.

Lord, teach us to be mindful of opportunities for kindness. Help us sow seeds of gentleness wherever we go, trusting that you will bring the harvest in your perfect time.

Judy

One of my wonderful granddaughters (I have three), gave me a jar with color coded strips of paper, Bible verses. The inscription on the gift jar said, “Read me when…” so you can select a verse if you are angry, thankful, happy, sad, lonely or anxious. A quick resource of His love is right on my desk within easy reach.

Today was a thank-filled day, so I selected a thankful strip and here is the verse: “Everywhere, you can turn worry into prayer.” Not only are these quick strips of Bible verses convenient, but they are a gift. God’s Word at my fingertips. How cool is it to know that anything that is bothering me, or weighing heavy on my heart… no matter if I am in the grocery store, sitting quietly, fixing dinner, visiting with friends… if something is “worrying” me, I can turn that concern into a prayer!  Anywhere and everywhere at any time.

Philippians 4: 6-7 “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

A special gift(s) are my grandchildren.  A special gift is my “select-a-verse” jar of verses. A special gift is God’s Word. We are loved unconditionally. Give your worries and concerns to Him. Allow Him to “settle you down.”

Jill

I recently spent time with a friend who is a “worrier”.  It is often difficult to be around her as our conversations usually revolve around what she is currently having anxiety about. I have frequently asked her why she is worrying about such trivial things that will probably never happen. Her answer is usually, “Well, what if they do”?

We have had many discussions about how God instructs us not to worry in Matthew 6:34. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. When we spend our days being anxious or worried about tomorrow, we waste that day and accomplish nothing that will change the future.

This verse is not a call to shirk our responsibilities, but to trust God one day at a time. Mary Hemingway, a pioneering female journalist, a WWII correspondent and the fourth wife of Ernest Hemingway, made this statement: Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime, you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.

God knows our natural tendencies toward fear and anxiety. His Word repeatedly offers assurance of His promises to take care of us. Philippians 4:5-7 reinforces His teaching: Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Worry drains us, distracts us and distances us from trust. But with God and His unconditional love for us, He calls us to live differently; to remember He is in control, He is good, and He is with us.  He is LOVE. Thanks be to God!

Patty

A few Sundays ago, Luke’s gospel chapter 11 was read. In it the Apostles asked Jesus to teach them to pray. This is His response: 

Luke 11:2-4 

King James Version 

²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 

³Give us day by day our daily bread. 

⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. 

Matthew’s gospel reveals a slightly different and longer prayer, teaching a lesson to the disciples that prayer should come from a humble place in the heart and in secret, so as not to attract attention. Whichever one you choose, they relay the same message. 

The message starts with the first two words. We don’t use the salutation, Almighty God, Heavenly Ruler, Divine Master, King of All. No, the first two words are an intimate identification that we are the children of God! “Our Father” can indicate nothing but that we consider ourselves to be from God. His offspring, His children, His progeny. Wow! What an honor. 

This prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God. He is our Father. He loves us unconditionally, as all fathers do (I hope). We love Him in return and rely on Him for everything in our lives.  

Like all relationships, this one needs to be nurtured to grow and stay strong. Saying the Lord’s Prayer with the reality that you are praying to your Father, not by your choice, but by His, is one avenue to strengthen your relationship. When you say this prayer, take the time to think about the words and what they mean to you.  

Most of us learned this prayer at a tender age. We say it by rote. Now you can say it in awe because it is the foundation of your belief and outlines what you are asking of God your father.  

You are always on His radar, even when it doesn’t feel like He is present. Trust in the love of the Father. Always remember that He loves you unconditionally! 

Terri 

Joy has a nice church building, especially its art glass windows. For me, though, Joy’s building doesn’t smell like a church. To explain, as a child I attended a church built in 1918. Naturally, it lacked air-conditioning. In the summer the temperature inside rose to the 90s which baked the heavily varnished wood pews releasing the odor of pine resin in the varnish. The heat also affected the 1918 hymnals producing a papery smell with just a touch of mildew. In summertime it was too hot to use the less expensive Styrene wax candles because they softened and twisted. Beeswax was necessary instead with its sweet, honey scent. All together that made the building smell like the church I remember.

The Bible is filled with references to the fragrance in worship. After being saved from the flood, Noah made a burnt offering. “And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of humankind.’” In Exodus 30:34-36, God gives precise instructions for making perfumed incense for worship. Prayers are compared to the rising of incense in Psalm 141:2.

A most intriguing reference is to we believers as a fragrance: “[We] are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God, which spreads among those who are being saved and those who are being lost” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Is that odd? Maybe, but try thinking of yourself as the wonderful perfume that sweetens the world. It’s a different way of understanding what God can accomplish with you.

Read Ephesians 5:2 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

A song entitled “Note to God” was shared by one of Joy’s musicians at a recent Sunday service.  While the song itself is not found in any hymnal or contemporary worship song collection, the words are relevant.

The author of the song speaks from their heart, bringing to God the issues we face as individuals and as a part of humankind globally.  It strikes a balance between asking God to intervene and to help us to not only survive, but to be better people.  If we lived the way Jesus taught us to live, the wide-scale suffering, poverty, hate, and conflict that overwhelms our planet would be a non-issue.

The song reminds me of Job in the Old Testament.  Job went through a lot.  He lost everything.  His world crushed him to the lowest of lows.  He did not mince words with God.  In Job 23:3-4 he goes so far as to say “Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!  I would order my cause before him and fill my mouth with arguments.”  How bold and brazen to approach the Creator this way! 

Job’s “note to God” continues in succeeding chapters.  It is raw and reflective of someone who can’t see a path to a resolution of his misfortunes without some divine intervention.  Towards the end of the book, God has his say and the two come to an understanding.  God not only restores Job but blesses him beyond what Job originally lost.

Isn’t it amazing that despite chapter after chapter of complaints (and some healthy doses of self-justification/I-don’t-deserve-all-this-bad-stuff) by Job, God’s all-encompassing and unconditional love still remains?

Isn’t it reassuring to know that no matter how much we complain to God, or voice our tears and fears to him, or plead with him to step in and overturn the world as we know it, that he still loves us?

God knows us completely—our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. He invites us to share honestly with Him, whether through notes, prayers, or songs, not just praise. So take a moment to write to God and express what’s truly on your mind. Write a note to God!

Silas

The space program has always fascinated me. Every time I have gone to the Kennedy Space Center has been a thrill. The adventures of astronauts are me living vicariously. I still dream of being the first Lutheran pastor to orbit the earth! Many years of training as a test pilot are required to be one of the elite NASA astronauts. That, and spending time in “the sim” (short for simulator). On one trip to the Kennedy Space Center we went on the Space Shuttle experience. It was designed to approximate as close and realistic as possible what if feels like to be launched in a rocket. Yes, it’s pretty cool. Astronauts spend countless hours in the “sim,” rehearsing every conceivable emergency procedure.

We don’t get that same opportunity in real life. Granted, our everyday existence does not present us with the harrowing dangers of manned space flight. When storm clouds move in, we may need to rely on more than simple horse sense or our gut instincts. Thankfully, we always have a flight manual, and a GPS wrapped as one: God’s Word. A real-life pilot who knows how to save us from any and all hazards on land, sea, or air.

As a Navy guy, I’ll share a “sea story.” The brave, heroic captain had never been bested by weather, pirates, or any other maritime calamity. Every morning, he had a weird routine. He locked himself in his captain’s quarters and opened a small safe. In that safe was an envelope with a slip of paper inside. He would stare at it, then lock it back inside. The crew wondered: was it a treasure map? A “Dear Jack” letter? Speculation flowed about the decks. Then Captain Jack died. After the crew buried him at sea, the first officer opened the captain’s quarters. Finally, the mystery would be solved. On the folded paper were the words “PORT IS LEFT, STARBOARD IS RIGHT”.

Don’t ever be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for directions (men especially!). The chart and compass we need for the journey are found in the Word made flesh. He has done his time in the “sim” which was to undergo every trial, every testing, even death on the cross, in order that we might safely arrive at the destination. We must still navigate the perils, the roadblocks, the tossing sea, the violent maelstrom of stormy weather. May you know for certain that his unconditional love brings us safely to shore. 

Pastor Art

Whatever does that mean?  I thought it might mean being carefree, running with the wind.  I pictured a kite flying free in the wind.  Or perhaps it refers chasing after something that can’t possibly be caught?  My interest was piqued.

I learned that the book of Ecclesiastes uses the phrase chasing after the wind at least seven times.  Ecclesiastes 1:4 “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Chasing the wind is a metaphor for pursuing futility. Solomon learned that pursuing meaningless things that do not have eternal significance—is only chasing after the wind.

Solomon wrote this book at the end of his life, as he reflected upon lessons learned. His first mistake in chasing after the wind was to multiply foreign wives for himself in direct disobedience to God’s orders. He also collected thousands of horses and chariots, importing them from Egypt. Solomon learned too late that seeking meaning through abundance was only chasing the wind.

Solomon’s conclusion was that, apart from seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness, life has no meaning. The things we pour our lives into on earth won’t last. Projects, efforts, rivalries, alliances, and achievements are all temporary.  We can’t hang on to the rewards of this world any more than we can grasp the wind.

I think it’s a matter of priority.  What means the most to us?  Nothing wrong with having a nice home or buying fashionable clothing.  Nothing wrong with enjoying a good meal or a relaxing vacation.  But what means the most to us?  Is the Kingdom of God our top priority?  Is worshipping the Almighty God high on our to-do list.  How do we use the funds given to us?  Is following Jesus’ command to help the poor and needy a priority?  (Even before my next browse through Amazon, ouch!) 

I remember the old saying, the more you have, the more you want.  I guess that’s a good description of our chasing after the wind.  

Forgive us loving Lord for chasing after that which does not last.  Keep our hearts and minds focused on you.

Judy

Webster defines HOME STRETCH as, “the part of a racecourse between the last turn and the winning post.” I love to walk, especially when there is a cool breeze (not a fan of dripping through Florida’s HOT sun, even at nine a.m., lol). Anyway, my path of walking is basically the same about 3 to 4 miles, with slight variations in my turns depending on weather, stamina, and schedule. There is an area I reach, where I mentally note, “I am on the home stretch!” The verse that comes to mind is John 3:16. Many folks have memorized this verse, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” I envisioned this as, believing in Jesus was like, hitting a homerun, as I continue to live, I’m on the home stretch to life with Him forever. The Message version of the Bible paraphrases this thought, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”

Whether walking, running a race, living daily, enjoying activities, working, balancing time with family or simply being present, we are all on the home stretch to_________. You fill in the blank. Believe in our Lord and Savior and you will be in paradise, at the end of your home stretch. He loves you so unconditionally.

Jill