Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from
the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Can you visualize yourself and God together? Walking together, working together,
tackling every challenge together and rejoicing together…forever? Can you visualize
yourself with the kind of hope and belief that the above scripture promises us?

Hope is not simply wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation rooted in God’s
character. Time and time again we read in the Bible that He provides, protects and
sustains His people. Remember how he cared for Elijah in the wilderness, guided
Moses through impossible circumstances and carried Noah through the flood? He
continues to care for us today in the same way.

Living with hope changes how we face challenges. Instead of being overwhelmed, we
can move forward with peace that God is in control. When we trust Him, we are freed
from constant worry and reminded that our lives are held in His hands.
Trust God’s word and His power more than you trust your own feelings and
experience.

Remember, God loves you unconditionally.

He is the Rock in Christ,
and it is the sea that ebbs and flows, not Him. Lettie Cowman

Remember this formula: God’s strength + your trust = victory. Thanks be to God!

Patty

Here is one of my favorite Lenten hymns. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” has been acclaimed as “the finest hymn in English Church history.” (Then Sings My Soul, Book 2, p. 21) 

Written by Isaac Watts, in the late 1690’s after he completed his college courses but before he entered the ministry, it was not published until 1707. It was at this time that Watts published his first book of hymns for which he was paid 10 pounds for the copyright. Rev. Watts was a prolific hymnwriter, producing beautiful and meaningful music which we still sing today. 

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was inspired by a quote from Galatians 6:14: 
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

Style wise, the lyrics are put to a Gregorian chant, a combination of new words with traditional composition. Charles Wesley is said to have observed that he would have rather written it than all of his own hymns. Yes, this hymn has made an impact on music history in the church. 

The lyrics tell the wonderful story of Christ’s sacrifice for His people. When I sing this hymn, it is sometimes difficult to keep my tears at bay and complete the song. The last two lines “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all” captures the reason and the goal of Christian life. Each verse presents the story of Christ’s unconditional love for his children. 

During this somber season of repentance, using these meaningful hymns to meditate and contemplate Jesus’ life and death helps us to build a strong, intimate relationship with God. Take a moment as you start or end your day to listen to “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” The link below includes the lyrics. 

And remember God loves you unconditionally. 

Terri 

Joseph, Guardian of Jesus

Although St. Patrick’s day was a really big deal in Chicago, St. Joseph’s day got its celebration as well, especially in the Italian community. The big deal was a feast with an elaborately decorated St. Joseph’s Table full of meatless dishes (it is Lent) and featuring zeppole, a fried dough pastry often filled with custard.

It’s too bad most Lutherans miss this celebration. We give Joseph only passing notice in the Christmas story where he was considering divorcing Mary and God had to send him an angel in a dream to warn him not to do that. What always amazes me is that Joseph does exactly what God tells him. I could hear him saying, “Well, if this is what God wants, I’m not going to argue.” How many of us would take that position?

Life must have been hard in first-century Judea. Any parent would have had a tough time providing for a family. There were at least seven children in Joseph’s family. How much harder was it when you’ve been told one son “will save his people from their sins”?

Martin Luther taught that being a father or mother was a divine calling. I agree. I would have gotten nowhere without the support of my parents. They made this world a little better, which is what should be a goal of all of us.

Joseph is an inspiration to all of use who live out what we think of as an ordinary life, while that life is really part of God’s plan.

Read Matthew 1:18-25 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

I was (am) absolutely useless at any athletic endeavor. However, I used to faithfully watch the Olympics, amazed by the abilities of competitors. I was envious because I knew I’d never be like them.

I grew up and moved on to other things. About 20 years ago I started reading “The Presence of God” a series of books on Christian mysticism by Bernard McGinn. It was a monumental work, over 1,600 pages in 3 volumes. I envied that work. Dr. McGinn retired in 2003. He has since published four more volumes totaling more than 2,400 additional pages and has one more volume in the pipeline. Goodness, that man retired produced more than I did in my whole working life! There is that demon envy again.

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins. I would like to tell myself that I am not an envious person in that I don’t want other people’s processions or their fame or power or position, but I do envy other’s accomplishments. Envy can be a serious problem. Cain was envious of Abel, and it lead to terrible consequences.

We should ask ourselves how well we have done with what God has given us rather than how we’re doing compared with someone else. We should rejoice in whatever God allows us to accomplish rather than moan about what we haven’t done.

I’m never going to write 4,000 pages on mysticism, but by the grace of God (and Bernard McGinn) I have had the chance to read and learn from those pages. Thanks be to God.

Read 1 Peter 2:1-3 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

I know what I’m supposed to do at the name of Jesus: bow, confess that He is Lord. But in the name of Jesus? I’ve never been totally sure.

 The title of my blog is often uttered at the end of a prayer or sermon. It is a bold, yet still reverent assertion. As helpless, hapless sinners, we gaze in humble adoration at our truest Friend. Opening the door, letting Him into our messy situations. Jesus always wants to be there for us, to deal with the problems and stressors that afflict us. We don’t do this of our own accord. We can’t try to be better prayers, or have a better attitude. Jesus sees us and meets us as we are, where we are. There are no levels of achievement when it comes to prayer; in fact, Jesus seems to despise the man who comes to the worship space, theatrically altering their voice and mannerisms, thanking God that they aren’t like so-and-so. We don’t need to put on airs, to influence God (which is manipulation), or make empty promises in exchange for a favorable answer.

The Holy Spirit teaches us how to pray in the name of Jesus. That weariness of heart you’re feeling in this crazy, helpless world? Let it be naturally opened and repaired, in the name of Jesus. That quivering, trembling uncertainty? Place it under the Comforter, in the name of Jesus. Our heart is a repair shop, and operating room, and then a restful recovery room as we begin to eagerly and more frequently return to our prayerful spot – in the name of Jesus, who loves you unconditionally.

Pastor Art

In Matthew 5:13 we read, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Salt can refer to many different things, but here I’d like to think Jesus is referring to salt’s ability to enhance flavor or preserve food from spoiling.  As disciples of Christ, God uses us to impact the people around us.  Does he want us to enhance the spiritual “flavor” of the world?   Perhaps we are called to slow down moral decay.

So, is there a way to test our saltiness?  Our saltiness is spiritual but can be seen through our actions and how we live our lives.  Can those around us “taste” God in our lives?  Do they see the fruits of the Spirit in us: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

I believe the Fruit of the Spirit is the best indicator of our being the Salt of the Earth. If we lack producing the Fruit of the Spirit, then we also lack saltiness.  If the joy of the Lord shows in our smile, if the words of our mouths show our gentleness, if our patience in adversity shows our forbearance, then we too are “salty.”

May the unconditional love of God bless you and your “saltiness.”

Judy

Within a six-week period of time, three of our seven grandchildren are getting married. Whew! Congratulations and best wishes and cards and celebrations and cake and beautiful wedding dresses and flowers and sooooooooooooooo much planning. May they all find wedded bliss!

What is wedded bliss? I loved watching THE CHOSEN when Jesus’ first miracle was the episode at the wedding where he changed water into wine.  The depiction was the wedding preparation, the nerves and excitement and of course, wanting everything to go well.  I will admit, it was amazing to watch the episode and appreciate the “fun” that Jesus was sharing with his friends and family. Dancing a circle dance like  “Hava n agila” (let us rejoice”)  was delightful. Receptions can be filled with joy.  The tension is gone, the planning is over and the new couple are beginning their “wedded bliss.” (Certainly, watching The Chosen’s efforts at displaying the first miracle was quite interesting.)

The honeymoon phase, or as some call it “wedded bliss,” does not need to end.  Our Lord loves us so unconditionally that our bliss with Him is truly, never ending….if we stay connected. God is not going anywhere. He never leaves us. Our relationship with Him can be a union of bliss as we turn loose the reins of control and give Him our lives. Walk down the aisle to meet Him.  Find yourself in His comforting embrace of peace and understanding. Hold the beauty of the bouquet of the world of nature He created. Exchanging rings is not necessary with Him.  Tossing rice or birdseed is not necessary, but committing your life to Him is a gift you will savor. May your relationship with our dear Lord bring you the gift of love.

Jill

We are living in a “Must Have” world. We feel we must have the best house, the fanciest cars, the most money in our bank account, the latest fashions and the most “toys”. We hear sayings like “he who has the most toys wins” which may be intended as a joke, but it is the mantra by which many live their lives.
We spend a great deal of energy chasing after things that are here today, gone tomorrow. They are ephemeral.

If you think this isn’t true, look around and see how many cars are still around that are 30-40 years old or older. Some people restore the old ones, but most are in the scrap yards. The same can be said for our houses. They usually last longer than cars, but they too only last so long and they are gone. Here today and gone tomorrow. This is pretty much the case with all “things”. They are transitory and another phrase that is often said, “you can’t take it with you” rings so true.

Don’t get me wrong. We all need a home to shelter us, clothes to cover us, probably something to drive to get us around to our jobs, etc., but do we really need the finest and most expensive of everything? What does it do for us in the long view?

We do have the greatest gift in our life that is constant and everlasting right at our finger tips. That is God and He is eternal. Eternal things are intangible like faith, hope and love. We can give and receive these things and we should, but we do not possess them like we do material things.

Focusing on eternal life which is forever rather than on the “must haves” that are fleeting and ephemeral is certainly a better option. God in his unconditional love presented us with this choice when He gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. It is free, you can’t buy it but it can become yours if you believe.

These words from 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV give us the guide to follow in our lives. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Thanks be to God!

Patty

I often try to imagine what it was like for Jesus as a child growing up in Nazareth. Even as a child, I was disappointed that the Gospel writers did not elaborate about His childhood. From a kid’s point of view, I think that it would have made believing in Him easier. It certainly would have made it easier for me. 

For example, did Jesus have household chores that he did for his mother, like fetch fresh water (no internal plumbing in those days) or carry wood for the fire which was probably always burning in the living area. Who made his bed?  

When he was an infant, did he have colic? Was he fussy? Did he sleep through the night? Did he suck his thumb? Did he play kick ball with his neighborhood pals? Was he a quiet child or a born leader among his peers?  

We actually do not know much about his life before he entered his ministry. Since he was about thirty years old then, his growing up years leave much to the imagination. We know where he was born and that he was presented in the temple while he was an infant. We know that Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to keep him safe. And there is the mention of his being forgotten in the temple as a young boy where he amazed the rabbis with his knowledge and understanding of Scripture.  

Perhaps that incidence alone is enough to let us know that he was an extraordinary child. Even so, to be both man and God, must have challenged his childhood brain. Who did he talk to about these mysteries in his life? 

I hope that he had a trusted mentor to worry with-maybe it was Joseph, while he lived. Joseph has always been one of my favorite and bravest saints. What courage it took for him to brave the criticism of society and become the earthly father of God.  

I see that I have created more questions than I answered. However, it is important for me to emphasize that Jesus’s nature as both God and Man forms the basis of his true understanding of our nature and our issues, whatever they may be. He gets us because He is us. 

And He loves us unconditionally! Even knowing who we really are. God bless you! 

Terri 

Lutherans have a spotty understanding of church history. They have some idea of the  missionary work of Paul. Then there is a 1500 year gap until Martin Luther. Then another 400-year gap until they started Sunday School at First Lutheran in Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. How much we miss.

Today we commemorate Gregory called the Great who was bishop of Rome or Pope from 590-604. He came from a wealthy Roman family, was well educated, and at the age of 33 became Prefect of Rome. Two years later he resigned his position and set up the a monastery on his father’s estate. Gregory would have been happy to spend the rest of his life at his monastery, but his talent was recognized by Pope Pelagius II. He was ordained and given several important offices in the Roman Church. Against his will, Gregory was elected Pope in 590.

Gregory was a busy Pope. He centralized church administration in Rome, made provisions for the care of the poor, launched missionary work to England, promoted monasticism, and simplified the Mass. The order of Lutheran worship today strongly reflects Gregory’s reforms. 

By all accounts Gregory was an effective bishop, but he longed for the contemplative life he had lived before. He wrote: “The contemplative life is to retain with all one’s mind the love of God and neighbor, but to rest from all exterior action, and cleave only to the desire of the Maker.”

Sometimes we get so involved in church busyness that we lose sight of the relationship with God that underlies it all. 

Read Luke 10:41-42 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne