Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

You know the rubber wristbands that are sometimes given out in honor or memory of someone, or for a cause/charity that is being sponsored? I was straightening “stuff” and actually throwing things away from my desk cubbie and scrunched in the corner was a rubber wristband and it said, “Galatians 5:22-23.  I don’t ever remember seeing this before.   Not one who can quote and remember all verses from the Bible, I immediately looked it up.

 ^“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”

I love this!  According to the Apostle Paul, as he wrote to the Galatians, God will incredibly bless us with compassion, guide us, and improve our life. We will bear His fruit. (Ask Him to guide you, His way.  This might not necessarily be YOUR plan or YOUR Way.) The Galatians were arguing and falling away from what Paul previously had taught them.  This letter to them is Paul’s way of reminding them to live according to God’s Will. 

If you have fallen short of His Will, it is not too late. Just as the Galatians needed to be reminded, we do also.  Do you want serenity in your life?  Do you want to move wisely through your day’s journey? Are you able to care about others and express or show that concern with God-love?   Ask God to help you every morning. He will!  He wants us, like the ancient Galatians, to bear His fruit of compassion, kindness and caring. You are LOVED unconditionally. Share the love.

Jill

I was lying awake one night thinking, “What would it be like to read the story of Jesus for the first time? What if I read the Gospel of Mark having no knowledge of Jesus? How would that affect me?”

I don’t have an answer. I searched my mind attempting to recall how the story of Jesus first had its impact on me. I remember as a child hearing the passion story read on Good Friday and trying to figure out why this terrible thing was happening to Jesus. My childish mind was convinced that he must have done something wrong to make God so angry at him. I thought it might have to do with his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

And yet . . .

Here I am a Christian. I don’t have an awareness of one day coming to faith in Christ. I know that some people think that means I’m not really a Christian, but I am. Somehow in my very struggling with what Jesus was about I was a Christian. That story told in the Gospels worked on me even if I didn’t understand it.

I rarely read Scriptures for answers. Maybe that’s why my blogs don’t have a lot of answers. I read to listen to whatever is there whether I understand it or not. The Holy Spirit has a way of getting through to us even when we’re lying awake pondering the imponderables.

Read Matthew 26:36-46 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne Previously posted March 2019

I just got back from the dentist. I was a long while in the chair as Dr. J. had to do a lot of work to correct a problem created by a past dentist. I have gone to the dentist since I was a small child. I think that I was five years old for that first visit. You don’t want to know the reason why I was there. 

During my appointment, the dentist, who was quite old at that time, gave me a small froggy clicker.  Remember them? Well, he told me to click the frog if I felt any pain and he would stop right away. As soon as he started the process, I began to click away, and he never even slowed down or stopped. 

This event left me with a bad taste in my mouth about going to the dentist. Which is too bad because dentists are extremely important for the healthy well-being of our bodies. However, my mother persisted and each week, there was at least one sibling at the office getting dental services. 

My fear and hesitation never let up.  That is until I began to trust in the Lord for all things. My trust began to grow at a time when my life was hectic and chaotic. I was attending a 12-step program for compulsive eating. There were times when I went to two meetings a day, although it was usually one meeting a day.  

This was a time in the history of 12-Step programs when attendance was at a high level. There were many wise people in the rooms. Many spoke about putting all one’s cares, concerns and fears in the hands of the Lord, after a serious look at what you could change. 

Meetings often began or ended with either The Lord’s Prayer or the Serenity Prayer. Both prayers became lifelines for me. I started to write the Serenity Prayer when I was in a situation that I could not change, like listening to testimony in a Statehouse committee room. I started to say the Serenity Prayer before difficult events-like going to the dentist’s. I started to begin and end my day with those prayers to the Lord who was always with me. 

And I received peace in return; strength to accept the things that I cannot change and courage to change the things that I can. 

I tell you; it made going to the dentist much easier for me and the dentist.  

Remember that God loves you unconditionally. Place your cares and concerns in His lap and don’t try to take them back. Let Him love you and be with you always. 

Terri 

I wrote last week about the question, “Why did Jesus die?” and how it didn’t satisfy me to say Jesus died to pay the price of our sins. I’m not saying that wasn’t true, only it was never enough of an explanation for me.

I’ve come to think Jesus died because he was an absolutely good person, and this wicked, sinful world hates goodness. That meant the world hated Jesus. So Jesus died because sin worked its evil way on him. I believe the Father allowed Jesus to be killed because he does not force people to be good, but used that awful deed as an opportunity to work the most amazing, surprising miracle of all–the resurrection. Where the world brings death, God brings life. Jesus dies so as to bring about that victory, and that is given for all of us. The gift of victory over death is all the more amazing because we don’t deserve it. We contribute to the sin in the world, yet we receive this blessing. That’s the love of God at work.

I add another piece to this. Jesus s also an example to us. He did good in this world despite the evil that was done to him. To follow Jesus is to do the same, to do good even though we don’t receive good in return. We do the good not because it makes us worthy of receiving the gift of life, but because we have received God’s gift.  It’s an expression of thanks.

That’s my pondering on the death of Jesus.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

In our world of electric lighting, complete darkness is a rare thing. But, I remember walking through the house one stormy night when the power was out. Yes, that meant no lamps burning, no street lights and even no glow from those digital clocks! What happened? Well, I stubbed my toe on the bed and bumped into the dresser. Finding my way was not easy!

In the time of Jesus darkness was even more unescapable. There were no street lights. Walking through the city at night was downright perilous, so many obstacles. Night was the time when vandals and criminals moved about under cover of darkness.

Into that world Jesus brought the message of LIGHT. In John 8:12, Jesus says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  What reassurance those words bring.

In our church year, we have begun this season of Epiphany. It’s tucked between Christmas and Lent, but it has its own special message. Think LIGHT! The light of the star guided the wise men to the baby Jesus. The light of the shining dove shone down at the baptism of Jesus. The glorious light of heaven shown at the Transfiguration. It’s all about Jesus – the LIGHT of the world.

Not only does Jesus proclaim himself to be the light of the world, but he also calls us to be light to the world. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

How do we “let our light shine?”  We can share His unconditional love – share it with our friends and family, share it with our neighbor at home and in church, and perhaps especially share it with the stranger – the visitor that walks through our doors. Jesus has shared His unconditional love with you and with me. We are the children of light. Let’s let it shine!

Judy Originally posted in January 2019

This is certainly a much bigger topic than a blog page has time or space for. Nevertheless, it is a question that I and perhaps you struggle with. We know the need and the summons from our Lord to go and bear witness and make disciples. Once we suppress the lump in our throat and take a deep breath, more often than not we talk ourselves out of talking about Jesus. Reasons quickly become excuses. Recall how Jesus himself went about it. He never applied pressure. He listened, then asked a guiding question or two. He allowed them to discover for themselves.

We live in a win/lose, zero sum, contentious society. I would much rather engage in God’s work, His mission. We can believe and trust that the Holy Spirit has done the “prep work”. Those verbal cues, those windows of opportunity, hearing words you didn’t know you had tumble out of your mouth – all Holy Spirit, divine intervention. Finding out what they need; their turn-offs about church and organized religion – that approach, I’m willing to bet, will be far more fruitful as you discover where the Spirit is leading. You can also take the pressure off yourself by simply inviting them to “come [to church] and see”. You are “More Ready Than You Realize”, which is the title of a book about evangelism by Brian McLaren. “You will receive power from on high” (which comes from a holy book you might be familiar with). The unconditional love that flows into and through holy conversations will, I’m willing to bet, make the starting point easier to overcome, along with that lump in the throat.

Wink, nudge,…
Pastor Art

The tree is down, the outdoor lights have been removed, even the nativity set is carefully packed away.  The red and green placemats and tablecloths no longer grace my tables.  All the Santas and snowmen are now smiling inside a box labeled “Christmas.”  Only my cards remain in a basket.  I shall have one more look at them; there are messages to ponder, perhaps to reply.

There’s a dreariness to these rooms when everything festive is taken away.  Spaces that looked perfectly fine last November, now look bereft.  Since no one is coming to dinner, even the kitchen isn’t filled with wonderful aromas. It’s no-nonsense, matter-of-face, humdrum old January.  It’s time to concentrate on mundane tasks.  Are the bills paid, the thank you notes written? Sometimes January is just plain boring.

Because my December days are festive, I tend to develop unrealistic expectations for the days that follow.  You see, my normal days are pretty routine.  I need to get it out of my head that every day should be a holiday. 

The bible has some good suggestions for me, perhaps for you too.  God never promised us that every day would be festive.  Some days are meant for work, and simple contentment.  In 1 Timothy 6:6-7, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

And again, in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

So, if I find myself in the “after-Christmas” blues, It’s time to look for what God would have me do in these “normal days.”  And then, to be content with doing his will in whatever circumstances that may be.

God bless you all my friends, on this January morning and every day.

Judy

The title of this writing is not about robbers, it is referring to a shepherd’s crook. I’ve not raised sheep, but do know they scatter easily, going astray. There are sheep herding dogs to help a shepherd, but a shepherd also has a crook. (I think they also have 4-wheeler ATVs now and sometimes even helicopters to guide huge flocks of scattering sheep). The crook is a long (about 60+ inches in length), sturdy stick with a hook at one end, often with the point of the crook flared outwards. Shepherds use their crook to gather the sheep back into the herd, and sometimes as a weapon against predators who have come too close to the herd.

Jesus is called The Shepherd. Have you felt His crook? For certain, we have all strayed. I’ve been thinking about if I ever felt the crook of our Lord. Indeed!  When reading scripture, I’ve been pulled right back to His flock and find myself nestled in His unconditional love and compassion.  There are definitely times when I act like I am in charge and thus carry the weight of decisions and plans. If I seek Him and ask for His help and guidance, clearly the crook is wrangling me back into the fold. Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Our Lord forgives us when we stray, and wander away from His love and forgiveness. If you need to be guided back to the fold of His Grace, open your heart to the Way of the Shepherd. With prayer, you can be led by Him.  Stay in the fold, in His protection.  Worship Him. Praise Him. Allow yourself to be led and loved. Let your baaaaa-d ways lessen in His Ways.

Jill

If we are stressed by anything external, the pain is not due the thing itself, but to your estimate of it. Marcus Aurelius

This quote made me think of my mother.  As she got older, she tended to worry less about things.  She would often say “I can’t do anything about it but pray” and she seemed to be content with that decision. I wondered when she was finally able to get to that point and if I ever would.

I’m sure for my mom, it all was a result of her faith which had always been strong. But the longer she lived and the more life experiences she had, I’m certain she came to the conclusion that she had little control over things around her and her only answer was prayer. She had her daily prayer time where she had her list of those to pray for and turned it over to the Lord and went on with her day in the best way she could with peace in her heart.

In Philippians 4:6-7 we are commanded Don’t worry about anything: instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand, His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I know I am getting closer to that point, but I’m still not there. I have had plenty of life experiences that should have pushed me closer to giving all my problems to our Lord, but I have a little further to go and with God’s unconditional love for me and every one of us, I will press on and pray for that peace and understanding that only the Lord can provide. Thanks be to God!

Patty

I’m still in the “Light of Christ” mood.  It’s a new year. There’s the promise of more light coming. Jesus wants to spread His glorious light on all of us. 

Our friend and former blogger Terry had a wonderful way of writing meaningful messages in a few sentences. That’s a real skill.  Songwriters can also achieve this goal.   

So, today, with the beautiful clear blue sky above us, I am suggesting that you listen to this blog in music form as composer and author Tom Kendzia sings “Shine Down.” It may seem that I am trying to delay the end of the Christmas season, however, isn’t it true that we are always waiting for Christ to return and make all things new? 

God loves you unconditionally! He always has and always will. Amen! 

Terri