Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

I should be with my community of believers, but…OR I need to attend my church service more regularly, but…OR The soup kitchen needs more helpers, but…OR My spouse could use some encouragement, but…OR The children are full of energy and need me to share their excitement, but…

Hm? Let’s see how this looks a little reversed.  The wedding wine is running low, should Jesus assist the family? (There were no BUTS, He assisted and it was His first miracle). Mary and Martha need Jesus to come pay His respects since their brother, Lazarus died, should Jesus go? Peter is extending his hand as he attempts to walk on water, should Jesus meet his efforts? The disciples are troubled about the Roman push to arrest Jesus, should He stop the upheaval?

Seems as if Jesus never even thought about a BUT or hesitated to do whatever was needed.  What an exemplary example of unconditional love and caring.  He wants us to live by His example.  He does not want to hear our BUTS or excuses, but rather wants us to try each and every day to be our best selves.  Will we sometimes falter and fail, of course, we are sinful humans, BUT as children of God, we are forgiven.  Dust off the BUTS and trust your Lord to walk with you on your journey and hold your hand through the BUTS, and MAYBES, and WHAT IFS. Jesus is our example. His commandment was, LOVE one another.  Be kind.  Care.  Try.  Put forth effort. Give life and your loved ones your best. Thank you, God for forgiving our BUTS.

Jill

When my daughter was in middle and high school, my friend and I who had children the same age became the youth group leaders at our church. It was a typical group of young people doing the same types of things my friend and I had done when we were in Luther League a “few” years before. We shared lots of meals and fellowship, played games, went skiing and tubing since we lived near many ski resorts, went to youth group gatherings with other churches and hosted other youth groups at our church to partake in similar activities.

One of the events we added to our group was a movie night which we titled “God at the Movies”. We would watch a movie, not necessarily with religious overtones and would discuss where we saw “God” in the movie, why did they think that portion of the movie was a reflection of God at work and how it related to their lives.

When we first started this, some of the young people were reluctant to share their thoughts with the rest of the group, but after they had done this a few times, they opened up and the discussions became deeper and more heartfelt. This was a special time for all of us. We all learned more about and from each other and grew closer to God through our discussions. 

Of course, the point of “God at the Movies” was to show our youth that God is everywhere, with us and loves us all the time. They were able to appreciate how He uses people and events to help us and teach us about His love at all times, not just in church on Sunday morning or youth group on Thursday nights. It also prompted me to see God at work in many areas of my life. It was a great learning tool.

In Matthew 28:20 we read Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

We can see evidence of God’s unconditional love all around us. All we have to do is slow down and look for it.  Thanks be to God!

Patty

Have you ever wondered why God created our human brain the way He did? Why did He build an effective mechanism that can literally change the world? Why didn’t He give us the brain of a pet; one that provides the basic functions of life but allows us to skip along without a care in the world? 

I do not know the answer to this profound question. I do appreciate the functions that my brain provides for me. I never get tired of watching the sun set and the moon rise. I thrill to the sound of thunder and rain. I cry when listening to patriotic marches or certain hymns. These emotions happen because my brain works with my soul to interpret and enjoy these events. 

But I think that the brain in our heads is not only for enjoyment or enrichment. It has a purpose beyond getting us up in the morning. Our human brain, working with our human soul, has the capacity to bring about world peace! Yes, world peace!  

Food, clothing and housing for all the people of the world! Happiness and unity for all the world! Cooperation and love for all the world! Does this sound like “Pollyanna”? Well, what is wrong with that? 

If we read, interpret and believe what God has said to us; what God has done for us-I think it’s exactly what He wants us to do. Cure the world. I can hear you saying, “Yeah, but…” Yeah, it is an incredible task, and we are equipped to complete it.  Maybe not you and I, but tomorrow’s people working with each other, day by day, sharing the same goals, using their amazing brains. 

God loves us so passionately and unconditionally that He desires that we achieve this goal with the brain and free will that He gave us. Let’s give it a go! 

Terri 

The first part of the Bible I translated in Greek class was the beginning of John 1:45, “Philip found Nathanael.” We know some things about Philip. He was from Bethsaida, he could speak Greek, and  his brother was Nathanael. The finding interests me.

The Greek word is “euriskei,” the word our word eureka comes from. It’s used three times in a short section. First, Jesus finds, Philip. Then Philip finds Nathanael, then Philip tells Nathanael, “we have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the Law.” Found, found, found. But there is something odd about the last “found.” We have found the one.” Well, not exactly. It was Jesus who found Philip.

It turns out the word “found” here can have a spiritual sense as in discovering something about the divine. The rather ordinary function of looking for someone and then finding them (Jesus finding Philip, Philip finding Nathanael) results in a profound revelation.  Jesus of Nazareth is the one spoken of in the Law and Prophets. That’s no small discovery, yet it really isn’t the result of some great effort by Philip. It’s the result of Jesus’ initiative and action.

That’s frequently the way. In some ordinary action the truth of God is revealed. Jesus finds Philip, Philip finds Nathanel, and the great truth of Jesus the Messiah is revealed. I think about the many people who I have met who have had a profound effect on me by showing me something about God.

It’s amazing how we get found, when we didn’t even know we were lost.

Read John 1:43-45 (you can read it in an English translation) and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

Hopefully, those reading know that the title of today’s blog is meant with a smirk and humor. There are so many books available in bookstores and libraries to explain many subjects. Online internet resources seem endless, covering limitless topics. If you are struggling to understand how your mate or significant other can possibly function in this world and be so different from you; there is a book for the explanations. Some folks rapidly seek answers to their myriad of questions from all the sources listed above and a world of others.

I feel so blessed to know THE SOURCE. Every time I read the Bible, I learn something new. At first I thought the Bible was changing, but then with age realized I am the changing component. Wow! Talk about ALL of the answers. That’s the Bible. What an incredible resource! Every concern or curiosity that manifests itself in your mind has an answer within the Holy pages. Remember the Bible addresses, murder, forgiveness, lust, trust, war, fanaticism, greed, envy, power mongers, liars, idolatry, lack, abundance, love, history, future, beauty, gentleness…. I’m running out of room to cover all of its subjects.

Search your BEST source, the Bible, for comfort, for answers, for solace, for knowledge, for understanding, for insight, for blessings, and so much more. Our God loves you unconditionally and has provided this one-stop resource to enlighten you of His unfathomable love, forgiveness and the gift of His son.

READ. Learn. Study. Be informed and blessed. His word is a gift to cherish.

Jill Originally posted March 2019

No matter how successful or accomplished we might consider ourselves to be, life is still full of disappointments. Thomas Edison: thousands of failed attempts before the light bulb came on (thus a metaphor was born). Jim Lovell: never got to walk on the moon. Henry Ford: can you say Edsel? The Buffalo Bills: losing the Super Bowl four years in a row. Moses: forty years of faithful leadership through countless disappointments before the greatest of all, not getting to enter the Promised Land.

For me, it was not getting promoted to Chief Petty Officer, which in the Navy is a cherished achievement in the enlisted ranks. Watching as others more junior than I (and in my opinion, less deserving) getting to put gold anchors on their collars. It still stings a little nearly a quarter century later.

Somehow, we get past the great disappointments and in some cases move on to bigger and better things. Our relationship with God humbles us in that we are painfully aware of how frequently we disappoint Him. Every sin, every failure to bear witness, and the list is endless. Thankfully, His forgiveness and mercy stretch to infinity and beyond! He not only tolerates it, He pursues us with an unconditional love that overcomes all our great disappointments.

Pastor Art

I came of age in the early 1960’s.  For me it was a wonderful time, full of hope for the future.  It was a time of idealism.  John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps and several of my courageous college friends headed off to Africa to serve.  Martin Luther King Jr. sang “We will overcome” and we believed.  Our eyes had been opened to racial inequity, and we were sure our generation would put an end to it.  Perhaps it was our youth, but the future looked bright and promising.   

A lot has happened since then, some good, some bad.  But now it is my grandchildren who are coming of age.  I’m not sure what they see, but I look around and see anger and bitterness.  It disturbs me to think that this is the world our generation is leaving for them.  Where is the hope that filled our youth?  I pray for them, that they would not be discouraged and overwhelmed by this world of hatred and hostility.  Maybe you have young people in your family.  Perhaps you share these feelings.

Gloria Gaither tells a similar story.  It was 1969.  Bill was weak with mononucleosis.  Swirling around them was a world in flux and chaos.  The Civil Rights movement was going on; Watts had just burned to the ground.  The country was split apart by the Vietnam War.  She and Bill found out they were having their third child.  They thought, “Who would bring another baby into this world?” 

It was then that a good friend came to visit and heard their distress.  He laid his hands on them and prayed.  Just a simple act of faith, but they began to feel that God was in control.  Their destiny did not depend on the circumstances of the world.  Out of this time came the beautiful hymn, “Because He Lives.”  It has become their personal gift to Christians around the world.

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!”

To me this stanza is a great assurance.  Because He lives, I know that He holds the future in His hands, not just my future, but the future of my grandchildren as well.  My life is worth living and their lives will be worth living, because He lives.

There are so many renditions of this wonderful hymn, perhaps you will enjoy this one.

Judy

Some of you are old enough to remember the Doo Wop era of music. In the late 50’s, a group called The Monotones sang a song: Who Wrote the Book of Love.  Fast forward to now, my concert chorus group is including that 50’s song in our next concert.  It is fun to sing, but the song started my mind stirring. “Hey, I DO KNOW who wrote the Book of Love!

The Bible is most definitely THE BOOK OF LOVE. From the Old Testament prophets, we have the historical background of God’s creations and stories passed down through generations.  Kings, battles, power, wisdom, miracles, visions, prophets’ forecasts and the magnificent gift of God’s Commandments given to Moses. The New Testament brings us the Gift of Love in the form of Jesus, Paul’s travels, the Gospels and even a peek at the end times in Revelations. Wrap all those books together and you have The Book of Love and we know God inspired the writing of each word. The truth of God’s unconditional love for us is found in His Holy Word. What a blessing!

Are you humming along to oldies and goodies music? Are you feeling sentimental as you press a button on your smart phone and any song you want is a touch away? Well, my friends, God and His Book of Love are even closer and more convenient for you. God’s Book of Love is at your fingertips, via smartphone apps, on your PC, laptop, your treasured family Bible, the Bible in the pew in front of you at church. Why not browse His Words and find His Love? It’s quite a book! Trust me you will feel the love!

Jill

 In Psalm 121:8 we read these words. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Often times we feel defeated before we begin something because we think it is too difficult and thus impossible to accomplish. Maybe it is too physically challenging. Perhaps we feel we aren’t smart enough to complete the task. We might possibly feel we could never find the times in our busy lives to take on something else and do it justice. All these reasons make the task at hand impossible.

Think about these seemingly impossible situations. The Red Sea couldn’t stop Moses. The giant couldn’t defeat David. The lion’s den couldn’t harm Daniel. The storm couldn’t drown Peter. The grave couldn’t hold Jesus.

As the Psalmist told us, nothing is impossible with God. It is a very simple concept, yet it seems hard to fathom. But nothing can stop you if you are with God. He makes all things possible if we believe. Maybe the things you are thinking about are not as phenomenal as those events in Biblical times, but God will be with you no matter how big or small the task is.

Our God is an awesome God and we are incredibly blessed for His unconditional love for us. Thanks be to God!

Patty

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each tell of Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. However, each of the writers tells a slightly different story from each other. They vary in detail, but the result is the same, Jesus has risen from the dead and is no longer in the tomb. Early Christians did not have a uniform version of what happened after the crucifixion on Good Friday. 

There is one point on which they all agree-the women (Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and other women who were among Christ’s followers) were the first to find that Jesus was not in the tomb. The four Gospels have this fact in each version: Mary Magdalene is mentioned in each version although the other women’s names vary.   

They were astounded, confused, sad and maybe angry that Jesus was not where they had laid Him after His death. They were there to perform the cleansing and purification that could not be done on the Friday of Passover. They did not recall the words Jesus spoke throughout His ministry about dying and rising again in three days.  

Admittedly, these statements were not easy to understand. Really? You are not going to stay dead? But return to us three days after you are put to death on a cross? Then what? 

In each version, the women run back to the eleven who were hidden away in fear of what might happen to them, to report what they had seen. The men do not believe them, thinking that it is an “idle tale.”  

But something occurs to Peter, maybe he remembers the information that Jesus gave them just a few days ago. He runs to the tomb to see what is there or not.  

My favorite Gospel of Easter is John’s. In it, Mary Magdalene meets Jesus in the garden but does not recognize Him in His glorified form. She thinks that He is the gardener. She wants to know what he has done with Jesus’ body. 

Jesus gently speaks her name, and she realizes who this gardener is-Jesus. She wants Him to stay but he asks her not to cling to Him as He yet to ascend to the Father, but he will return. He then gives her the assignment to go and tell the others what has happened. Whenever I read this, I rejoice in the responsibility that Jesus gave to Mary Magdalene that first Easter morning. 

He could always depend on the women. And He loved each of them unconditionally, no matter what state they were in, just as He loves you and me today. 

He is Risen, Alleluia! He is Risen, indeed, Alleluia! Happy Easter. 

Terri