Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

Psalm 68: 1-4 (The Message version): “Up with God! Down with his enemies! Adversaries, run for the hills! Gone like a puff of smoke, like a blob of wax in the fire—one look at God and the wicked vanish. When the righteous see God in action they’ll laugh, they’ll sing, they’ll laugh and sing for joy. Sing hymns to God; all heaven, sing out; clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider.
Enjoy God, cheer when you see him!“

I love this good news! When the righteous see God “they will laugh and they will sing!” This is so exciting to me.  I love to laugh and I love to sing. When it is my time to leave, I will be smiling because I know laughter is ahead for me and singing too. If our Lord returns now, we can be the cheering squad. Looking back through history, we know from Biblical times there have been horrific wars. Not only wars but horrible atrocities. History seems to repeat itself. WWI, WWII, the holocaust and certainly our current times of turmoil and wars and unrest and troubling discord for so many nations.

At our arrival to meet our Most Holy Father, we will be pain-free. We can become cheerleaders for our Heavenly Host. The turmoil of earthly times, the worries, the issues we cannot tolerate, the drama and agony of seeing pain and suffering for many, will no longer lay heavy on our hearts. We can laugh and sing hymns to God as we cheer our Savior. Stay strong in the Lord, dear friends. Anticipate the pain-free, worry-free reunion. Meanwhile, you are HIS! Go ahead, smile!

Jill

I came across this blessing by Susie Larson recently and I thought it was a nice message to share as we continue our journey through Lent. 

When Jesus came to earth, times were tough, futures seemed uncertain and the world was in a fragile state-of-affairs. (Does this sound familiar?) Yet, He came and changed everything.

May you-amidst these unsettling times-recapture the wonder of Christ’s gift to the world.  Maybe you need to fast from the bad news so you can once again be awakened and refreshed by the Good News. Jesus had you on his mind when He came to earth. Redemption was on His heart. Picture it.

What if you created time and space to actually hear the voice of God? What if you opened your hands and sowed generously to those around you? What if you stopped numbing your pain so Jesus could actually heal your pain? Joy would strengthen you. Hope would overwhelm you. Love would heal you.

Paul shares these words with a young pastor and his mentee, Timothy.

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 3:15.

Most of us have also been taught through the holy scriptures, but sometimes we need to be reminded of God’s unconditional love for us. May God’s peace rule and as we continue our preparation for Easter, reign in you this Lenten season. May His Kingdom come and His will be done, in and through you. Thanks be to God!

Patty

This verse was written eons of years ago-eons! Yet I have still to come to accept it unconditionally. I can put my family into God’s care and accept that He will provide. I can put friends’ problems into God’s care and accept that He will provide. I can even put myself into His care, however, I tend to want to direct that outcome, so I end up taking back control before I see a result. Why do I do that? 

I have seen the results of unconditional trust in God’s love and mercy. I have seen people flourish and grow from that trust. I have also experienced that feeling of euphoria that comes when the Holy Spirit intervenes and helps me in a difficult situation. However, I want to make the surrender to His will ONCE and have it stay forever.  

I have found that it doesn’t work that way. Surrender to God’s will is a daily action. A daily practice of contacting God and asking for help. I don’t need to ask for love; God’s love is unconditional and always present. Even when I feel lost and alone. There for you, also. 

So, here’s a little prayer that I found to assist me with this daily meeting. It comes from a Christmas present that Rich gave me called “Daily Prayers for Women” published by Chartwell Books in 2024. (Day 3) 

“God, I rejoice in my salvation and your strength. There 
is nothing that I can’t do with you by my side. Let my fear subside 
as I worship and praise you. Amen” 

Terri

Have you ever been inside a church sanctuary as the sun is going down? How did it make you feel? I’ve been in University Auditorium (a very church-like building) at the University of Florida a number of times for organ concerts at sundown. While you’re concentrating on the music you are aware of darkening windows. It feels as if the darkness is enveloping you.

From early times in the Christian church people gathered for worship in the evening. In the middle ages it was common for regular folks to join the monks at a monastery for vespers or evening prayer.

There is a very nice evening hymn by Sabine Barring-Gould:

Now the day is over; night is drawing nigh;
Shadows of the evening steal across the sky.

Jesus, give the weary calm and sweet repose;
With your tend’rest blessing may our eyelids close.

In our modern times with electric lights and prime-time TV evening doesn’t have the same sense of a time of winding down that it generations ago. Evening has lost its place as a time of prayer, of placing ourselves in the arms of Jesus. I think that’s a mistake.

I pray the Jesus prayer, a practice from the Orthodox church before bed. I repeat the prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” around 250 times. I don’t do it to make Jesus see how pious I am, but to remind myself of his presence and my human condition.

I encourage people to find their own way to pray in the evening.

Read Psalms 4:8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

No matter how many times I turn my will over to God, I find myself taking it back again. And I struggle. I struggle with simple things like cooking and doing the dishes. I struggle with tasks that I have committed to completing. I struggle with faith and doubt. I struggle with God.

The term “reached the end of my rope” may describe that feeling of frustration that finally causes me to give up the struggle and surrender. However, I want to do this act of submission only once. Not every day. Not every hour. Not every minute.

Yet, I have found that surrender to the fact that I will have to surrender frequently makes this act more automatic and a part of me. I can laugh about it. I have learned from experience that the act of surrender works. God is always there.

The act of surrender to God is one of courage and bravery. It demonstrates the strength of practiced faith. It says, “I love you, Lord, and I trust that You will hold me in Your hands and guide my actions.”

And, God says back to me and to you, “I love you more than the sun and stars! I love you unconditionally.”

Terri

Isaiah 42:6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,”

Valentines Day has become a source of consternation to me.

Why do I need a commercially contrived, random date on the calendar to guilt me into its’ observance?
Please forgive the cynic in me.

Isn’t a lifetime of love just that – a continual commitment to the ups and downs, the happies and the crappies, the worsts and betters? I stink at gift-giving badly enough as it is. I can never come to the right decision.

Maybe I shouldn’t be so jaded about the memory-joggers. Maybe there is value in having certain days set aside for special attention and remembrance. From holidays to Sundays, it is helpful to focus our attention on specific events or people. Easter and Christmas: definitely significant. Sunday: the day of the week set aside for the very health of our body and spirit. (realizing that in some faith traditions, it’s a different day of the week).

We get, on average, about 25,000. Days, that is. Most come and go with little if any acclaim. I simply submit that if a Valentine’s Day gets past someone in a loving relationship, that their life as they know it is not over. Christians, after all, are in the forgiveness way of living. Life IS short and time IS limited.

So focus on the art of being, what it is you desire your legacy to be. Monday through Saturday can also be days of holiness, service, or just re-charging. We can live confidently, knowing that a God who loves us unconditionally, will strengthen and keep us in His grace.

Pastor Art

In this penitential season of Lent, music often provides a way for us to reflect.  One of my favorites hymns is “Just As I Am.”   It’s a quiet, thoughtful hymn.  It reminds me of my shortcomings, but gives the assurance that I can come to Jesus just as I am.

I often wonder about the authors of hymns.  In what circumstances did these words come to be written?  In this case the author is Charlotte Elliott.  Hers was a Christian home.  She was surrounded by a family deeply committed to their faith.  Charlote gained fame as a poet, she possessed both literary talents and wit.  But at the age of 32, a serious illness left Charlotte disabled.  She struggled with feelings of uselessness and depression.

During this time of inner turmoil, she met the Swiss minister and hymnologist, César Malan.  He gave gentle encouragement for her to “come to Christ just as you are.” We’re told that on one occasion in 1834, Charlotte’s entire family was away, attending a church charity bazaar.  Left home alone, she struggled with feelings of isolation and despair.   Recalling Malan’s words of encouragement, it struck a chord with her.  She began writing. She poured out her heart’s cry for acceptance, not through any merit of her own, but through the unconditional love and grace of Jesus Christ. 

Her lyrics speak directly to each of us as we make our journey of faith.  She acknowledges the doubts, fears and conflicts that often accompany our journey.  She reminds us that we can come to Jesus just as we are, that we will find rest in Jesus’ love and acceptance.

I’d like to share with you a version of this beloved hymn, sung by the Nagle Brothers.

Judy

At the age of 19, I took a job at a state school for the deaf and the blind.  While working there, I learned sign language. Fast forward to now, I’m still using this language and sharing my knowledge through teaching ASL to interested students. There are occasions where I am asked to interpret for a deaf person, but more commonly now, I am asked to sign a song that is being sung. Signing songs, in my opinion, is beautiful as you get to “flow” to the music through signs. Recently, I signed a song for a concert chorus.  After the concert, a gentleman approached me and said, “I could not take my eyes off your signing. For some reason, I tried to immerse myself in your movements, as if I was deaf. Something happened.  I think there was a spiritual moment for me, as you signed Sweet Silent Night. I cried.  Thank you for sharing your gift.”

Wow! I was so moved by his comments. My heart was touched. I will share with you, I experience the Holy Spirit each time I sign a song. I feel God through my arms, hands and expressions. Sometimes, I, too, find tears welling up in my eyes. God loves us unconditionally and moves within each of His children. All of us! Seek Him. He is there with you, as close as your breath. However, you “feel” him, through whatever language you use and understand, trust His love, a gift you can treasure. Jesus loves me and you too! Matthew 28:20 ” I am with you always, even unto the end of the earth.”

Jill

Easter is the most important Christian holiday, honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion. It signifies the foundation of the Christian faith, representing victory over death and sin. It is not just one day filled with colored eggs and chocolate bunnies, but it is a 50-day period of time beginning with the 40-day Lenten season of reflection.

This is where we currently find ourselves…at the beginning of Lent. We don’t celebrate the Lenten season, but we observe it. Some fast which teaches us dependence. When we willingly set aside something we enjoy, we are showing we need God more than we need what we temporarily sacrificed.

Repentance is also central to Lent. It is a time to confess our sins, forgive others, and release issues by which we have been burdened. By clearing away all those distractions, we make room for renewed joy.

Acts of kindness and generosity are also an important part of Lent. Serving others reflects God’s unconditional love for us and shifts our focus away from ourselves to those in need.

By observing Lent in this fashion, by the time Easter has arrived, the hope is our hearts will be willing and open, grateful and, ready to celebrate the victory of the resurrection with deeper faith and renewed hope. Thanks be to God for His greatest gift to us!

Patty

 I have always loved the Gospel readings for Transfiguration Sunday. It is a special day that announces the beginning of Lent and a deeper look into the life of Jesus’ ministry on earth. I wrote this blog several years ago and I thought that I could expand on it. However, upon re-reading it, I realized that it already contained most of the new stuff that I wanted to write about, so here it is as it was.  

In the Transfiguration event, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to an unnamed mountaintop.  There the glory of Jesus is revealed, Moses and Elijah joined with Christ and the Father’s voice is heard admonishing the apostles to “Listen to My Son”.  What an awesome event!  

Peter is so thrilled and excited that he offers to build three tabernacles to house Jesus, Moses and Elijah where they would live forever.  Peter included.  His comment: “it is good for us to be here,” indicates that he doesn’t want to leave and go back to the mundane world at the foot of the mountain.   

He does not want to leave, but he must leave. Peter is instructed by Jesus to wait to share what he has seen until after Christ’s death and resurrection.  Poor Peter, imagine what a shock that bit of information was to him. 

We, however, are not under the same restrictions that tethered Peter.  We can spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.  Assist, if you will, with keeping the Light shining in a world which can get very dark.  How can we do this?  

I can do this; you can do this with the help of the Holy Spirit sent to guide us.  Do not underestimate the power of smiling at someone on the street.  Do not underestimate the power of an encouraging word to a clerk struggling with a difficult customer.  Do not underestimate the power of your love for someone who feels unloved.  Do not be afraid to act as Christ’s representative here on earth. 

Do remember that He loves you unconditionally. Spread the word that His love is endless, universal and unconditional! 

Terri