Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

When you’ve been “churched” all your life, you can spot the “Marys and Marthas” in a congregation. (I’m still searching for the male counterparts – Mark and Martin, perhaps?). “Martha” is the busybody, the worker bee. “Mary” is the reflective, contemplative one; going to Bible studies, singing in the choir. There is room for both those who are active and those who come across as more spiritual.

I am not suggesting that there is a choice to be made between the two. We are endowed with both parts. Being active increases our endorphins and renews us. When we seek to be alone with God, we often come away from that prayerful interlude with love and compassion for the world. Too much spirituality might lead to escapism. Too much activity can burn us out, cause us to lose perspective. We grow as responsible Christians when we find an effective balance.

In prayer, we should ask God to address our needs so that we are better positioned to witness with our testimony and deeds, i.e. being both “Mary and Martha, Mark and Martin”. We were meant to be in community, in a congregation that exemplifies both activity and spirituality. Don’t let competing personas keep you from the body of Christ. We worship, honor, praise and serve God and the mission of His kingdom that He calls us to with His unconditional love.

Pastor Art

I have a small flower garden:  a few roses interspersed with annuals like vinca.  In the twenty years we have been in Florida I have enjoyed puttering in this little space.  It’s peaceful and relaxing.  Today I was focused on the weeds that sprout with such vigor.  Pulling them out would be a short and satisfying task.   I tried.  Unfortunately, my body refused to cooperate.  I came back into the house frustrated and fuming.

We all have things we can do and things we can’t.  What hurts is when the things we can and love to do get moved into the “cannot” category. I know most of you know this all too well. We understand that this is a natural aging process, but that doesn’t mean we like it.  Or could it?

Accepting what you can’t change doesn’t mean you’re stuck and doomed to misery. You may not be able to change the situation, but you can change how you think, feel, and behave. Accepting that many things are out of your control, isn’t giving up or giving in. It’s not weak or passive. If You Want To Be Happy, Accept Life As It Is And Let Go Of What You Cannot Control.  OK, I copied those wise words of wisdom from someone wiser than I.  And, from the well-known Serenity Prayer, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change … courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

I admit, the ability to pull a few weeds is a lame example.  But fuming about it didn’t help me at all.  So, I wrote out my frustrations in a blog.  Hopefully you can identify in some way, thinking about things you can no longer do, and even better, thinking about the things you can still do. 

Together we can look for the serenity that comes from accepting the life that God has given us.  In his unconditional love, he does look after us and do what is best.

Judy

Perhaps you’ll enjoy this version of the Serenity Prayer

Zephaniah was an Israelite and prophet of God during the 600 BC era, during the reign of Josiah, King of Judah. The book in the Bible Zephaniah is credited with writing, is short but powerful. Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will renew you in his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

God, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow…in our midst.  600 years before Jesus, Zephaniah knew God was with us.  This is not a new idea to be taught just now in our churches of today.  Zephaniah is writing to share with the Israelites that God was powerful, with them always and ready to renew them in His love.

Maybe you have known about God since you were little, fifteen years ago, thirty years ago, seventy-five years ago. How utterly amazing to know that what you know to be true, Zephaniah also knew to be true!  God is in our midst and that was written over 2500 years ago. We are God’s children, known by Him since we were in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). How wonderful! God is in my midst…always and forever.  I am a child of this Almighty God.

Allow those powerful thoughts to surround you.  Waken each morning praising Him for His steadfastness. Wrap yourself in the knowledge that He will never leave you, His love is unconditional. Trust His Holy Word. Praise Him. Thank Him.

Jill

When my brothers and I were growing up, we were involved in lots of activities. These included things like 4-H, church, school and summer sports and camps. We were busy. This kept our parents hopping, transporting us and then attending whatever the current endeavor was be it a ball game, a school play, a concert, a recital, a school program, a church camp, a music contest, a county fair, or a class trip. At the time, I’m not sure we always appreciated their “support” of what we were doing. After a few years, when I looked back on those times they spent following us around, I was grateful. Many of my friends did not have the support we did and wished they had.

I do remember asking my mom on one of the many trips she or my dad or both of them chaperoned, why they always wanted to go where we were going. I assured her there were probably other parents who wanted to go on these trips too (when in actuality they probably didn’t) and maybe they should give them a chance. What I was really wondering was why they were always “following us around”? When was I going to be able to go on one of these trips without them being in my business? Of course, my mom immediately knew what I really wanted and asked me “What is it you are planning to do if we’re not here?” I had no answer to that. I really wasn’t planning to do anything different than when they were there. I just wanted the independence.

Interestingly enough, when we had our own family, my husband and I were often chaperones for our daughter’s outings, but I’m sure she loved having us there. (?)

The same can be said for our relationship with God. We can not escape Him.  He is always “in our business” and that’s where He should be.  He is always watching out for us and if we listen, He will guide us to where He wants us to be and to what He wants us to do. Of course, we have free will and do not always follow Him, but He is still with us and He knows what we are up to.

God’s unconditional love shines through in Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.

This verse was God talking to Joshua.  It was not a request, but a command and was given to assure Joshua he would never be alone and to have faith and follow Him. This scripture, along with so many others is still a blessing and an assurance to us in our current time. God sees you all the time and is always with you. Thanks be to God!

Patty

My family has had a special relationship with cardinals for over twenty years. Ever since the day of my father’s funeral when my mother and I observed a male cardinal at a window frantically trying to get into the chapel at Queen of Peace Church. 

The bird kept flying up to the window, fluttering his wings and pecking at the glass. There was no one in the chapel, but we could see from the front pew of the church into the chapel. He was a beautiful bright red color. 

Later in the day, another male cardinal appeared at my mother’s house and spent time flying around the front porch. It was so noticeable that my mother came out on the porch to tell me about the morning’s church appearance. I told her that I noticed the cardinal in the same spot. It sent a shiver through my body. 

Now, neither of us were prone to believe that people come back to earth after death, but the number of cardinal appearances after a death is striking. For me, the sudden sighting of a bright red bird flying by my car in the morning offers an opportunity to remember my dad and his important place in my life. 

Well, now my mother is gone to heaven, this summer, we are being visited by a female cardinal. Oh, there is a bright red male who flies around, but it is the mother cardinal who frantically flies back and forth across the stairway, loudly calling out a warning to all who tread the stairs that we use every time we go to the car. 

They have a nest of little ones hidden away in the cedars that line the stairway. Mama makes a special effort to keep any intruders away. I can hear the little “cheeps” from the nest as I climb the stairs, but I cannot see the nest-try as hard as I can. She is a devoted mother. He is a vigilant father. 

Whenever I encounter the beautiful, wondrous creations that populate the earth, I am struck by the miracles that have taken place to have them in the world. These are creatures that have been created with love for comfort to other creatures. The processes necessary to bring them into the world are miracles! We cannot cause them to exist. 

Only a loving God; a God who loves you unconditionally; a God who loves all creatures unconditionally can cause these miracles to exist in this universe. Surrender to the God who loves you so much and enjoy the benefits of His love. The cardinals do. 

Terri 

Today remembers James, an apostle of Jesus and the brother of John, both sons of Zebedee. The two brothers, along with Peter formed an inner circle around Jesus in that they were several times privy to certain events, like the Transfiguration, that the other disciples did not experience. The mother of James and John may have been the Salome who Mark says was at the crucifixion (Mark 15:40) since Matthew appears to refer to her as the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:56). There is also a possibility that their mother was the sister of Mary if she is the same person the Gospel of John mentions (John 19:25). In that case, James would have been a first cousin of Jesus.

The genealogical possibilities are interesting, but what really strikes me is this brief account in Acts 12:1-2.  “About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. James is the first of the Twelve to be martyred. When Herod saw that the execution of James pleased the enemies of Christianity, he had Peter arrested.” I don’t think the move on Herod’s part was as much religious as it was political.

It can be dangerous to live out your faith when that faith runs against popular opinion. Don’t believe me? Just try telling people blessed are the merciful or blessed are the peacemakers and see what kind of reaction you get.

Thank you, James, for the example of your faith.

Read Matthew 5:10-12 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

Let’s be up front about this. Many of you will no doubt think me a little strange. But yes, I do enjoy a stroll through a quiet cemetery. I always have. There’s a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, a time to reflect on life and the lives of those who came before us.

You see, my old hometown was also the home of my family for all their generations in America. The cemetery is filled with memories of those I knew and loved, and of those who came before them.

In this serene setting – looking and remembering – I am reminded of that wonderful old hymn, “When the roll is called up yonder.”  The hymn, written by James Milton Black in 1893, concludes with this refrain:”

     “Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
     Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
     Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
     And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.”

On our summer travels, I do appreciate family reunions. I enjoy the “gathering of the clan” whenever and wherever that is possible for us. But somehow I think our numbers pale before the multitude already gathered for our family reunion “up yonder.”

For that sweet assurance, I can only thank our precious Lord Jesus – thank Him for that unconditional love with which He blessed my family, blesses me, and yes blesses YOU!

Originally posted by Judy in July of 2018

That’s the number of humans throughout history who have believed in God. How can that be, when there is so much pain and struggle? How can that be, if God is perfectly good?

Faith.

Leo Tolstoy was just one of countless people who had a hard time with the concept of evil. Philosophers as well try to find meaning in life. Tolstoy was driven to the brink of despair; thought of ending his life. Then he realized that everyone has the same thoughts at one time or another. How do they endure?

Faith.

We believe and confess in God’s existence, His goodness, His power, and His wisdom. And yet evil exists.

So how do we navigate the tension? Hebrews 11:1 – “now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. Our assurances rest in the promises in Holy Scripture. Jesus is God’s Word, and everything that he spoke was truth. How could it have been otherwise? “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am you will be also?” So many countless others.

I don’t think any of us are willing to stake our lives on something that isn’t that. Or Him.  Ninety percent of prior humanity has made it through this worldly toil, many suffering through far worse than us. It shouldn’t take much to convince us that God’s love is endless, boundless, and unconditional.

Pastor Art

On this July summer morning I’m going to take a guess that the temperature is very warm.  As the day progresses you may be sweltering in the heat.  If not today, then on many of the days in July. Perhaps if we picture scenes of snowy winter days, it may have a cooling effect.  I can only hope.

One of my favorite hymns expresses the thought, “White As Snow.”   The text, which speaks of forgiveness, is based on Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

White As Snow, White As Snow,
Though My Sins Were As Scarlet Lord,
I Know, Lord I Know That I’m Clean And Forgiven,
Through The Power Of Your Blood,
Through The Wonder Of Your Love;
Through Faith In You I Know
That I Can Be White As Snow.

So come, let’s rejoice in our redemption through the blood of Him who loves us unconditionally.  And while we’re at it, a few snow scenes may help too.  This rendition is sung by the Maranatha Singers.  It begins as an instrumental version, but hang in there, the singers will join in.

Judy

How much fun was it counting the days from 9 years old until your 10^th birthday when you would be “double digits!” Then, the waiting until “13” when you would officially be a teenager. Excitement built up to 18 and 21, big milestones, but alas, now those numbers mean less and less and some of us are on the downhill slide of aging.  My mind is not old but my birthdays say otherwise. Hahaha

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you” (Isaiah 46:4)     “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (II Corinthians 4:16)

I must share the good news that for me, the downhill slide is exhilarating. Yes, there are white roots to my hair.  Yes, the body has aches and pains, but the ride is beautiful.  My Lord and Savior is ever present and I am fine-tuning my part of our relationship.  It is never too late to allow your Heavenly Father, who loves you so unconditionally, to join you on your age journey through time.  He already knows you inside and out and extends His love, grace and mercy to those who believe.

Do not get so caught up in “life” that you forget you have a Savior to take each and every breath with you. You are never alone, on the slide of aging or the curving track of life. Be blessed on your journey!

Jill