Don't be too harsh! *grin*

[KagomeShuko]

Okay, so, I've decided to try starting this new thing about writing on at least one and up to all of the lessons for the upcoming Sunday. It just so happens that I was inspired when I read the lessons tonight. Don't be too harsh, okay?
------------------
First Lesson: Zephaniah 1:7; 12-18
Psalm: Psalm 90:1-12
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

“Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.”


As we get closer to the first Sunday in Advent, the lessons seem to remind us that not only did the world wait for Christ’s first coming, but we are in a constant state of a second Advent waiting for Christ’s second coming. While Zephaniah surely focuses on Christ’s first coming, it doesn’t make the lesson any less void for us.

Last Sunday (Nov. 6, 2005), the readings for Pentecost rather than the readings for All Saints Day included the story of the ten virgins. Zephaniah says that the day the Lord returns it will be dark for those who are complacent. Surely the five virgins who did not bring enough oil were those who were complacent. They were not ready.

Every year there’s somebody that is proclaiming Jesus is going to return that year. There’s always a new reason. People stand on street corners, in front of crowded shopping centers, in public parks, and anywhere else they can gain attention proclaiming that Jesus will soon return to earth. While they are certainly enthusiastic, this certainly is not the behavior that God expects from His followers. While God wants us to be ready, He doesn’t want us to be overly zealous. Sometimes this can be a problem for us.

Ever since Jesus ascended, people have been waiting for His return. Jesus’ disciples thought that He was going to return during their lifetimes. God had already surprised the Israelites by sending a tiny baby and a man who died on the cross instead of a king who overthrew the government. Surely that was not the Messiah that was promised. Yet, Jesus’ disciples taught from scripture. They taught how Jesus was the Messiah, but don’t think they did it on their own. In fact, they often asked, “What does this mean, Lord?” and “How can this be?” They only taught because Jesus taught them. However, they learned things in accordance with the scriptures. Once again, Jesus had surprised them as He never returned in their lifetimes. Surely the disciples had never imagined that Christianity would be a religion known around the world and surely they didn’t expect it to be around for over two thousand years.

Jesus was supposed to come back and take everybody to heaven. Yet, in the Psalm today, it tells us something important. The psalm tells us that a thousand years is like one day to God. For God, Christianity has been around perhaps two to two and a half days, and each day –which could possibly be thousands of more years, or Jesus could return tomorrow – the return of the Lord is near.

The Bible tells us to be awake, and not complacent. “Being awake” doesn’t mean to avoid sleep forever. When I was young I used to get confused, as I knew we needed sleep. I wondered how we were supposed to stay awake all the time and watch for Jesus. 1 Thessalonians tells us that in order to “stay awake” we need to keep following God – to not be complacent.

This brings us to the Gospel lesson. Many people know this lesson. The slave with five talents earned five more talents. The slave with two talents earned two more talents. The master was happy with both of them. However, the slave with one talent buried his talent and the master was not happy.

In biblical times, talents were money. However, it is quite convenient that today, we call our gifts and abilities talents. God blesses each of us with special skills. If God is to be happy with us, we should use our talents for Him. It is not necessary that we be extremely outgoing. God doesn’t say that we must use our talents in a certain way. We just need to follow God. Some of us may be like the slave with five talents and be extremely outgoing. We may do everything we can to help others and advance the ministries in which we work and volunteer. Some of us may be like the second slave and just be outgoing enough to share our talents. Our reward will obviously not be money, but happiness, and perhaps learning something new as well – and this way we gain more talents.

While sometimes this may seem like a problem because we say we need to love on another and from 1 Corinthians 13 we know, “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious. Love does not boast.” However, using our talents should not be boasting about them. We should simply do what we do to glorify God. It doesn’t matter if the talents are respected or not. God respects every talent He gives us. He made each and every person they are for a reason.

God just doesn’t want us to be complacent like the slave with one talent who did nothing but bury it. We can bury our talents and not use them whatsoever. Yet, if we do that, how are we following God? The master says that the slave could’ve at least put his talent in the bank so it gained interest. If we are shy and we really don’t want to do much, we can still use our talents. In the privacy of our own homes, we can praise God and work for Him. The smallest talent matters to God, and the more that one talent is used, the more it can grow. Just don’t bury it and never use it. Stay awake by following God and using your talents.

Be prepared for the Second Coming of the Lord and boldly proclaim, “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.” May God always bless you and keep you. Amen.

[AngelusSax]

I enjoyed this very much. I look forward to reading more from you.

[saami]

Last Sunday (Nov. 6, 2005), the readings for Pentecost rather than the readings for All Saints Day included the story of the ten virgins. Zephaniah says that the day the Lord returns it will be dark for those who are complacent. Surely the five virgins who did not bring enough oil were those who were complacent. They were not ready.

Every year there’s somebody that is proclaiming Jesus is going to return that year. There’s always a new reason. People stand on street corners, in front of crowded shopping centers, in public parks, and anywhere else they can gain attention proclaiming that Jesus will soon return to earth. While they are certainly enthusiastic, this certainly is not the behavior that God expects from His followers. While God wants us to be ready, He doesn’t want us to be overly zealous. Sometimes this can be a problem for us.


Thank you :thumbsup:
Perhaps those virgins that ran out of oil were thinking Jesus was coming sooner - like those who said Jesus was coming in 1942, 1988, 2000, or will in 2005 ( 7 years short of 2012 the end of the Mayan calendar cycle). Being prepared is not assuming too much it would seem.

[AngelusSax]

Heheh, we had a guy in our church, when talking about the rapture and end times, say "You know how many ends of the world I've lived through?"

Flippant but poignant.

[KagomeShuko]

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95:1-7a
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46

If I may be bold, I am going to make one statement. Everything is God's. Oh, I guess all Christians wouldn't consider that so bold of a statement, but it is a bold statement nonetheless, isn't it? Today's world is so filled with consumerism and concern about property rather than people that it seems pretty bold. God certainly isn't concerned about physical items here on earth - at least, not in the sense that we're concerned about them. He certain cares about the needs of his people while we're here on earth.

Why say all of this? It certainly seems like today's lessons from Ezekiel and the Psalm are telling us that everything belongs to God. The Psalm is praising the Lord, it says that all things are His and He made them. It seems that this is often forgotten in today's world. Every item on earth is God's. It can only be ours in the sense that we have it right now, but it will always be God's. We'll always be God's too. Every single thing is God's. Even those people who do not believe are God's. Their unbelief doesn't keep them from not being His people. Of course God would want them to believe, but they are still God's nonetheless.

Paul writes to the Ephesians giving thanks because of their faithfulness. In his letter, he also reminds them that Christ is the head of everything. He reminds them that the church is the body of Christ.

The lesson in Matthew today tells of how God will separate people one from another based on their acts towards others. It is the same message given in Ezekiel. The strong and fat sheep do not help the weaker sheep. God separates the strong sheep from the weak sheep.

While the image of a shephard in the scriptures is usually comforting, in these passages, it isn't so comforting. Christ is separating people by works done or not done.

This gospel lesson is never an easy passage for me to read. Sure, most people may say that I'm nice and I'm kind. It feels great being told that. However, I'm only human and I know there are plenty of times that I've certainly not helped when I could have helped.

I don't always stop for somebody that's broken down on the side of the road. Not too much later, usually the words, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me" are echoing in my mind. Yet, it's too late. "Does this make me a bad person?" I wonder.

What about that one person I may see who needs food or money? Society says to be safe. That's understandable. Don't just hire somebody to do some type of work. Yet, at the least, couldn't I have bought some crackers or a piece of pizza and given it to that person? Why did I not do that? Why did I leave them standing in the parking lot without so much as an offer? "Does this make me a bad person?" I once again wonder. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."

In those times, have I disappointed Jesus? Surely, I must have. However, I can't be righteous, either.

Thankfully, it is not me who determines if I am righteous. It is not ourselves who determines if we are righteous. Our righteous comes from God through Christ. Our good works are produced by our faith. We can humbly repent and ask for forgiveness and Christ has granted us this forgiveness. He granted it for us when he died on the cross, and the offer never expires. It is just that Christ knows when we are purposefully not helping. Christ knows when it is an oversight, when we feel bad that we don't have money to help, when we fear for our safety. Christ is there to forgive the sins of not helping.

Thus, we can rejoice and say "O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"

May God always bless you and keep you. Amen.

[BethMae]

"The lesson in Matthew today tells of how God will separate people one from another based on their acts towards others. It is the same message given in Ezekiel. The strong and fat sheep do not help the weaker sheep. God separates the strong sheep from the weak sheep."

Does this mean that we are saved by works and not by grace?

[KagomeShuko]

Nope, it is not an issue of salvation at all. Refer to repenting and asking for forgiveness - which comes from faith. Faith is what produces work. We are NOT saved by works.

[KagomeShuko]

Advent Never Really Ends

Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

If you know me well, or just read a lot of things I write, you know that Advent is my favorite time of the church year. I see all the times of the church year as important and love them all, but I absolutely love Advent. I think that the lessons for this first Sunday in Advent give the best reasons why I love Advent so much.

Chapter 64 of Isaiah, starts with the pure expectation and joy of God coming to earth. Isaiah's first words are, "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down." However, as Isaiah continues, he gets into the depravity of sin. Yet, he begs God to remember that we are indeed his people, and even through the lament, he never gives up hope.

The psalmist also laments, but he laments with a pure hope of God coming to be with His people. While these two lessons definitely orginally dealt with the first coming of Christ, and we are focused on remembering the first coming of Christ during the season of Advent, they are also pertinent for this time. We should have the same hope of Isaiah and of the psalmist.

1 Corinthians and Mark let us know that Jesus is going to come a second time. Mark lets us know that we do not know when Jesus will return, but that signs will continue to appear as the time nears. Things may seem scary. We may still sin, and we need the forgiveness of God that was given to us through Christ's death. We need to remember the hope of those who hoped for the first Advent. We must also remember that we are in a constant state of the Second Advent as we await Christ's second coming.

These lessons are great lessons for a first Sunday in Advent, however, they are also great lessons for every day of every year. They can be read to rekindle the hope inside and to recreate the feeling of hope on the outside as well. Don't fear lamenting that we are sinners, but also have hope and rejoice in the fact that Christ has come and Christ will come again. Lament in the old Adam, rejoice in the new Adam.

May God watch over you as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Lord.

Recommended Listening: Four Candles by Jonathan Rundman
Recommended Hymn: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (http://www.lutheranhymnal.com/wov/wov630.mid), a Yiddish Folk tune (Tif in Verdele)

[KEPLER]

The Bible tells us to be awake, and not complacent. “Being awake” doesn’t mean to avoid sleep forever. When I was young I used to get confused, as I knew we needed sleep. I wondered how we were supposed to stay awake all the time and watch for Jesus. 1 Thessalonians tells us that in order to “stay awake” we need to keep following God – to not be complacent.

Funny; I had a brief episode as a child very similar to this. I grew up in a Hal Lindsay-esque church and someone had given a sermon on the thief in the night... I spent the next week or so TERRIFIED that I was going to miss out, and I slept with my light on.

Nice post.

[KagomeShuko]

If you've been wondering why I hadn't posted this eariler, it's been a very busy week! Anyway, moving on. . .

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Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Righteousness and peace shall go before the Lord. (Ps. 85:13)
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8

So, we're still waiting for the Lord, the Savior, the Christ. Seems there's not much else to say at times. What else can one say about waiting?

In Isaiah, the prophecy about John the Baptist is made. We revisit the idea of a thousand years being like a day. Each lessons tells us to try to stay on a path and in Isiah it tells us how hills and valleys will be made flat.

I don't know how many of you have ever taken upper level math courses, but I have. I certainly don't remember everything. However, I can remember thinking that I'd never take Calculus, yet, in 12th grade, there I was sitting in Calculus class - often discussing how to do problems with my classmates, if not almost debating at times.

I know, I know, so what does this possibly have to do with the lessons for Sunday? Not a single thing mentions math.

The thing is that before I took calculus, I could stare at a calculus problem, but all I could see was tons of numbers, letters, and symbols. Maybe by the time I had taken Algebra II, I knew what they all meant. However, I didn't know how to solve those problems. Perhaps after tons of trial and error, I could solve the problem.

My road to solving a calculus problem was full of hills and valleys. It was a difficult road. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but I knew that the solution existed. I just had to be very patient about it all.

It was quite like those people who were waiting for the Lord to come - and it should be quite like us still waiting for His second coming, in a way.

It was only after I learned techniques in Calculus - and why things were solved the way that they were, that I could use shortcuts to arrive at the answer to a Calculus problem. A problem that may have taken me all day to solve could've easily been solved in five minutes by then.

So, it is easy for us to see that Jesus the Christ has come once. The road is not as bumpy. coming to faith is easier now. There are not so many laws and rules. Jesus is the way. He is the road just like those math processes were the road to solving Calculus problems, Jesus is the road to faith. If we stay with Him, we'll be good to go.

They say that the road is straight and narrow, and it is, but we all wander. This is when we find ourselves back in God's amazing love, forgiving us and bringing us back to the straight and narrow. From here Jesus speaks peace.

May God grant you peace and forgiveness. Amen.

Recommended Listening: Voice in the Wilderness by 4Him

[KagomeShuko]

I did write this before Sunday - I just didn't get it posted here before Sunday!


(http://www.greatestjournal.com/community/jesusgeeks/) Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

For many, many years the Isrealites and Jews waited and waited for the promised Messiah. They were expecting a great king and for things to be right. The words in Isaiah may have been a bit confusing, but at most were comforting. They promised redemption and comfort. It seemed things would be right. To the Jews, the thought of this being accomplished through a great ruler, a great king - never a simple man who would spend days with outcasts and days in the wilderness. The fact that it says the Lord loves justice went hand in hand with the levitical laws that they followed. As Christians, we can look back and see that the justice, righteousness, and peace that is mentioned comes only through Christ - however, the statement gave the Jews comfort and hope and this way they could still have faith.

So, just as the Jews had faith in the Messiah's first coming, we need to have faith in Christ's second coming. It is interesting that John did not write his gospels like the others. He does not start with Jesus' birth, but rather with Jesus coming to the Jordan. It is quite surprising at the lack of faith of some of the people near John. Why did they ask him the questions that they did? Were they people of little faith as it can sometimes seem or were they just confused. Surely, we can definitely agree that we are sinners. what if a person in your congregation suddenly made an announcement like John the Baptist had made? What if a man in regular clothes of the day walked forward? Would we want to hide like Adam and Eve in the garden because of our sin? Would we feel fine in letting Jesus know our sins and transgressions?

I know that if that happened suddenly that I'd probably at first be afraid and feel like hiding. I cannot truly say what I would do afterwards. However, I would have to have faith and I'd have to know that this truly is Jesus - and that I would not let anything overcome my faith.

Isaiah tells us to hope - and to keep that hope. Through Jesus the Christ comes great things.

So, with this, it is best to take Paul's advice to the Thessalonians and "rejoice always, pray without ceasing." Listen to prophets and to the spirit - yet test everything. Pray about it. Keep the faith. Do not let evil things take hold of you. This is where things become a problem - after all, we are just human. The old Adam always fails and is always full of sin. It is what makes us feel so ashamed. Yet, we must remember that Christ forgives sins - this happens when we repent and when we have faith. We do not do this work, it is only through Christ that it happens. So, hope, have faith, and let Christ be the one who gives you peace.

May the love and peace of God be with you always. Amen.

[KagomeShuko]

This has been online over at my myspace, I just didn't get around to posting it over here. :blush:

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
In today's gospel, Gabriel tells Mary that she is going to give birth to Jesus - a miracle that a virgin should conceive a son. Almost every Christian and maybe even almost every person on earth knows this story. As Christians, it is a very important story - the story of our Savior's beginning. The child was born to save us - by his death on a cross.

However, there's more to this story than simply that one point. When Gabriel first greeted Mary, her reaction wasn't a simple greeting in return. She found the greeting odd and found that it confused her. She did not answer, but she thought about the greeting.

Here, the angel did not stop, but rather continued with, "Do not be afraid, Mary." We can assume that not only was Mary confused, but she was also scared. Every day a person is confused, scared, or both. Venturing out into ministry or simply evangelism and discussing your faith can be scary. Mary, just like many of us, was afraid. Yet, God didn't go back and choose somebody different. God used Mary.

Gabriel told her how she would conceive a son and name him Jesus. Yet again, Mary was confused. She did not understand how this could happen and she questioned Gabriel. We may feel called to do a certain ministry, but we may not know how. There should be no shame in asking God how things are going to be or should be done. God is there to listen to us and to guide us in His way. Asking questions to know how to do things only helps us get them accomplished.

The words with which Gabriel ends are important for us to remember as well, "Nothing will be impossible with God."

At that Mary said, "Here am I." As we await the coming of our savior, let us not be afraid of asking God for directions and help us to commit to his will in saying, "Here am I."

Recommended Hymn: Here I Am, Lord.

[KagomeShuko]

The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas! Our Savior is born! Rejoice, the Lord has come!

The world waited with anticipation for a savior - the Promised One, the Messiah. Then, one dark night, a young woman and an older man arrived at an inn and a baby was born. A star shone in the sky and angels sang announcing His birth, and the shepherds listened and followed the star and found their Savior and spread the word.

In Isaiah, it says that the people dwelt in darkness. Certainly the shepherd and those awaiting dwelt in darkness, but we must also remember that we are those people. We dwell in darkness. Whenever we focus on our own life, when we remember that we live in sin, we are those people dwelling in the darkness. Jesus is our light. Jesus shines through our darkness every day.

When Jesus brings light into our darkness, it makes us want to lead good and godly lives as it says in Titus. Jesus is our hope and our salvation, our rock in whom we trust. He makes us want to be better people while always providing us the light we need - it is never our duty to provide the light. The light just makes us want to be better, in essence, to reflect it to other people in the world - and let the light cut through their darkness.

Let us rejoice in the birth of our Savior, an ever-living and ever-loving God and Lord. We are His forever.

Let us, with the psalmist, sing a new song of hope, of joy, and of peace.

May God bless you as we celebrate the arrival of our Savior.

Recommended Hymn: The First Noel (17th century English carol)
Recommended Listening: Arise Shine by Lost And Found; Indian Creek by Alathea

[KagomeShuko]

The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Dawn

Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:1-20

This morning we continue celebrating the birth of our Lord. It is still A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Isaiah tells us that God will establish Jerusalem. While Jerusalem, as a geographical location, is known as "the holy land" this is NOT that Jerusalem. This Jerusalem is all those people who believe in Christ. We are Jerusalem, we are Zion, we are the Holy People.

Once again, we read the narrative of Christ's arrival in the flesh on earth. Christ, fully God, fully man - a paradox of faith that can never be described - 100% God and 100% man. There is nothing else. There is no 50-50. Jesus, God in flesh, Immanuel - as a baby, lying in a manger, born among the straw and animals - not even safely in an inn or a home. Born out in a stable, laying in a manger, our Lord, Immanuel. A wonder, a miracle, our Saviour - a true time to celebrate.

Titus write something that is very important to the whole story. God did not send Christ because of anything we did - or anything anybody did. God sent Christ because of His Grace, and only because of His Love and Grace. We cannot earn our salvation on our own. It is through faith in Christ that salvation comes.

So, let us rejoice with the psalmist and say "The Lord is King; Rejoice in him!"

Recommended Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King.
Recommended Listening: Faithful One by Alathea

[KagomeShuko]

The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14

Those who believe are given the power to become sons and daughters of God.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I say rejoice!

We are STILL in the midst of celebrating Christ's birth! He has come, Alleluia!

A tiny child, lying in a manger, born for us, all of us who believe.

This child was not any ordinary child. He was and he still is, Jesus, the ever living and ever present Lord. As Hebrews tells us, Jesus was higher than the angels. This is very special. For only God is higher than the angels. The Bible tells us that humans are lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7) and that Christ was only made lower than the angels for awhile (Hebrews 2:9), and this is only referring to Him being in the flesh.

As John proclaims, the Word, being Jesus, already existed in the beginning, and the Word was with God and the word was God. Today, the Word still is God. We continue to celebrate that the Word became flesh and lived among us.

Let us now with the psalmist rejoice in the victory of Jesus Christ our Lord, for he came not to condemn, but to love and save us.

He has come! Alleluia!

Recommended Hymn: Joy to the World (Text: Issac Watts Tune: ANTIOCH, George F. Handel)
Recommended Listening: Emmanuel by Alathea

[KagomeShuko]

Isaiah 61:10—62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40

December hasn't been an easy month for me. One of my dad's coworkers died. My grandpa's girlfriend died. I liked both of them. It leaves me wondering about the death of my grandparents and my parents at times. Surely, my parents aren't that old, but my dad does have a lot of health problems and he's on about five medications. I definitely don't want them to die, but dying is inevitable.

I know, this seems like a strange topic to start with when we're still in the midst of celebrating our Savior's birth. However, when it comes to thinking about death, sometimes I cannot help wondering about what I'd inherit. I'm certainly not wanting to inherit lots of stuff. I may have a lot of things, but I really don't care that much about materials. In fact, I know, that if I inherit anything, it'll probably be my parents debt.

Yet, I consider myself very rich. How, you ask? Simply from the message given in Galatians! I am God's heir through Christ! I am God's child! How could I be any richer than that? All believers are God's children! We are all God's heirs! We are rich beyond our wildest imaginations!

Yet, not only are we rich, Isaiah tells us that God sees us as His treasures as well! What a blessing! We do nothing to earn such a thing! We are God's heirs and God's treasures.

Can you imagine how blessed Simeon must have felt to know that he was holding God's own Son, the Promised One, the Messiah, and that the promise of not dying before seeing the Messiah! Simeon was then ready to die whenever God saw the time was right. He praised God and said words similar to what some of us may know from some of the liturgy used in church:

Lord, now let Your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to lighten the nations and the glory of Your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

So, let us with the psalmist praise the Lord, praise God, and urge everybody and everything to praise him. After all, he is a great God, a loving Father, an eternal friend.

Recommended Hymn: What a Friend We Have In Jesus
Recommended Listening: Smiled On Me by Alathea

[KagomeShuko]

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

January 6 is always Epiphany. Epiphany arrives on January 6 just as sure as Christmas eve is December 24 and Christmas day is December 25 - at least in the Western churches.

We tend to put wise men or the magi at the nativity scene, but this really is not a correct representation. Epiphany celebrates when the magi found the baby Jesus - and as Matthew says, they were now in a house. At least a day had to pass, if not a few weeks or more.

The magi finding Jesus fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah that Jesus would become the light to the kings. The shepherds had already heard the news and started to come the evening of Christ's birth.

Isaiah once again tells us that the people in darkness will find a light. Those people were not people who were necessarily actively seeking a light. These were simply people who believed the message of the good news that was proclaimed. Both shepherds and kings believed. The good news of Christ was not limited to a certain economical status. It was and still is intended for all.

In Ephesians, Paul makes the message clear that Christ is for EVERYBODY who chooses to believe. There were people who believe that Christ came only for the Jews, but Paul told them otherwise. He said that Christ came for the Jews and the Gentiles.

Everything comes from God and from Christ, even our belief in Christ. It's when we want to know the truth that Christ comes to us. When we try to CHOOSE belief or to CHOOSE to try to understand, we are in as much darkness as those that do not believe. We are the people in darkness. Our human nature only makes us want to understand. We are in a constant darkness in our doubts, our sins, and sometimes even our wonderings. However, we are also in a constant light. That light is the light of Christ. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the only ones that can truly cut through our darkness and make us see.

Just as the magi "found" Christ (after all, God provided the star and guided them and provided everything), let us "find" Christ every day in our lives.

Recommended Listening: Arise, Shine by Lost And Found; Are You Out There Tonight by Greg Adkins; Indian Creek by Alathea
Recommended Hymn: Bright and Glorious Is the Sky (text: Nikolai F.S.. Grundtvig; tune: DEJLIG ER DEN HIMMEL BLAA [I'm told the tune name translates to "pretty is the blue sky")

[KagomeShuko]

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
First Sunday after the Epiphany
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11

These lessons focus on the baptism of Our Lord. This event always happens the first Sunday in Epiphany. For those of you that do not follow the church year, this is usually the third Sunday after Christmas.

Surely Jesus did not need to be baptized. After all, what would be the point in being baptized in your own name? Yet, Jesus said that he did need to be baptized to fulfill everything and for things to be "right."

However, of course, it might be odd to say that one did not believe in Himself when He is the Messiah.

The whole point of the matter is, Jesus was to fulfill things. The example He was to make needed to be made. He wanted those people who believed in Him to be baptized in His name, so He Himself needed to set the example.

So, now we are baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are not baptized with a human baptism. God is the one that works through the water when it is combined with His Word. We are simply servants. We perform acts, but God is the one that does all the real work.

Now, lately I've been wanting to rant about things that really aren't worthy of a rant. It makes me so glad to see tons of Christians on the Internet in many different places. The one thing I continuously see, however, are prhases such as the following:

I chose Jesus
I give my sins to Jesus
I asked Jesus into my heart

While I'm okay with the fact that people use these phrases, they simply do not fit into what I believe - call it my theology - Lutheran theology - if you like, as that's what it is. However, it also seems to be what I find in the Bible. I do not find phrases like those above in the Bible.

I don't think I have the "best" theology. God is teaching me new things every day. I certainly did not have the "best" theology a few years ago.

I've written some poems where I've written such phrases as "those who choose to believe." However, the fact is that we don't truly choose to believe. Our belief only comes from God. When we want to know the Truth, God comes into our lives and lets us know the Truth. It's as simple as that. If we were not baptized as infants, knowing the Truth, will compel us to want to be baptized. After all, once we know the Truth, we'll want the Holy Spirit to be with us, as having the Holy Spirit is a way of getting to know the constant truth. God provides it all - even this want to be baptized.

So, here is where it seems we are really TRYING to choose, behave, and do what is correct, but in reality, it is still God that is doing everything. It is amazing to see such things. When God enters our hearts, we are His. It is not our choice. It was never our choice. Our desire to please God only comes from God.

The only things we can truly do is repent and tell God that we are horrible sinners living in a world of sin. We can certainly behave and do good, but we still sin. God knows every little sin that we commit. This is why he sent Jesus - to die for those sins. Jesus died for those sins - redeemed those who don't block the Truth from their hearts - because we confess that we sin, and thus God forgives our sins because of sending His Son.

Nothing is truly done on our part. It just seems that way at times. It is the same with baptism - God is the one that urges us to be baptized if we are not - or for parents to have their children baptized. We are not truly the ones who choose.

However, if Jesus had not been baptized, there probably would have been a lot of questions as to why we should be baptized. Jesus needed to set the example. Plus, the people gathered there got to know that the Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus at that time and know that he was God's beloved Son.

Recommended Listening: Be My Dad by Agape (Dave Scherer - www.hiphopoutreach.com)
Recommended Hymn: On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry (text: Charles Coffin; tune: PUER NOBIS)

[KagomeShuko]

1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51

I often just stay in my bed in the morning. I lie there and I pray and I wonder why I am on earth. I wonder what my purpose could possilby be. Sure, I had some answers once, twice, thrice, and more. Yet, that question seems to constantly arise in my mind. Does that sound familiar?

I once thought that perhaps my purpose in life was just to make whoever was going to be my husband happy. I did whatever my boyfriend wanted when I thought I had found the man that I was going to marry. It now makes me very ashamed, even though I know that it's been over a year and a half and that God forgives and people forgive.

Paul tells us that our bodies are temples. I didn't treat my body like a temple during that time, but there's certainly more to it than that. If we deny Christianity and if we try to be part of a different faith, we aren't letting our bodies be temples for Christ. The different faith is the prostitute. We give our bodies to a prostitute.

Then, there was Samuel who had thought Eli was calling. Once he knew it was God, Samuel didn't want to tell Eli many of the things that God said. Often, we don't want to tell others the good news. What inhibits us from telling the good news to people? We certainly don't need to force it and to shove it down their throats, but why can't we just tell them what we believe? What's so bad about that? We are often giving into those who openly admit to giving their bodies to prostitutes.

Yet, God knows every one of us. He knows every person that lives. He knocks at our hearts asking them to open them to Him. When we do that, we are forgiven. There are certainly things we still don't want to say, but God is with us. He helps us and He guides us. He always has the least likely thing just ready to surprise us. It's something we never expect in the slightest. Right around the corner, and suddenly, we see the miracles and suprises. We find all the connections that God provides. They are truly amazing.

Even Philip, one who believed that the Messiah would come, said, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Then, Jesus walked in his presence and everythig changed.

May Jesus walk in your presence and let everything change for you.

Recommended Listening: Are You Out There Tonight by Greg Adkins; Fearfully by Lost And Found
Recommended Hymns: Here I Am, Lord; God Whose Almighty Word (Italiam Hymn - LBW 400)

[KagomeShuko]

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:6-14 (Psalm 62:5-12 NRSV)
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

Grace and peace be to you from God our Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

There was a time that I would chat in a Christian chat room. Now, this really isn't a story about myself, per se, but a realization of what God can do. Because I would chat there, I would also end up chatting with individuals on instant messengers. Of course I talked to many great Christians, but I also found myself talking to self-proclaimed atheists who seemed to be searching rather than disbelieving.

I talked one boy, Mark. Mark wanted to know how I could believe in God if I never saw God. He could accept that God was a spirit, but he couldn't seem to handle the fact that I still didn't know how God looked.

There was a lot of questions, but it eventually came down to one answer. My simple answer to him was that God could look however He wanted to look. Upon this answer, Mark asked me, "Does God have a purple hat?" I had started to respond that I didn't know, but I quickly changed my answer - for I did know, and I knew much better than answering "I don't know" to somebody who was searching after the answer I had just given. The answer was that God had all the purple hats in the world because everything is God's.

The line of "God has a purple hat" still makes me laugh today, but that's besides the point.

Mark and I continued talking almost every time both of us were online together. He seemed to open up about faith. It never got to where he was talking about finding a church or a group of Christians for fellowship, but I prayed for him and I still pray for those searching and I certainly hope that Mark was able to really want the truth and God would enter.

The Gospel today tells of how Jesus recruited some of the least likely disciples. He didn't end up with educated people following Him. Instead, there were fishermen following Jesus. These fishermen often said things like "Lord, we do not understand" and argued among themselves over Jesus' teachings. However, Jesus still used them. Without disciples, the Good News would not have been spread. Somehow, these "stooges," as I like to call the disciples, were able to spread the word.

Just like God was surprisingly able to use me. I'd have never thought I could do this on my own. Sure, I may be "educated," but to witness was not something I'd do purely by myself or even necessarily want to do. However, there I was, a high school student witnessing to a person who was doubtful of God's existence.

I don't know about Mark, but I do know that some other people had thanked me for helping them change their lives. They needed to know that they were loved. They needed to know that God existed. Surely they gave me way too much credit. I did not deserve this credit, but they were often gone before I could refuse telling them to thank God. Those people, God forgave. Many of them had been deceitful and had told many lies. There were even some that had caused major trouble among some of my friends. However, they soon became good friends. They loved the Lord - God forgave them, just as God forgave the Ninevites, even though Jonah thoguht it was not fair. After all, it is God that knows the human heart, and not us humans. God knows us better than we know ourselves.

It would seem these things would've kept me focused completely on Christ. It would seem these things would've kept my friends focused completely on Christ. However, they didn't. We grew. We became curious. We wanted relationships. We wanted to know things of the world. We explored on our own. It never seemed that we truly lost faith. I know I didn't quit believing in God, Jesus and what He did, the HOly Spirit, or forgiveness. My friends always seemed to believe, too. However, we were out in the world. It was a new experience. We strayed. Our hearts were lustful. We wanted fun. We wanted to know about things like love and sex. We trusted the ways of the world instead of trusting God.

In 1 Corinthians it tells us that everything is changing. The message is to keep our hearts focused on God and Christ more than anything else in the world. It certainly did take awhile, but most of us returned to faith. We believe in Christ, forgiveness, God's love. We knew that God knew better than we did. Thus, just like God forgave the people who doubted and forgave the Ninevites, he forgave us, even though we knew that we did not deserve His forgiveness. We still know that we do not deserve God's forgiveness. Yet, we receive it simply for repenting.

God is amazing, as the psalmist well knows. He sings that faith and salvation come from God alone. This is true. Let us sing of God's love, grace, and forgiveness. Amen.

Recommended Listening: So Help Me, God by dc talk
Recommended Hymn: Chief of Sinners though I Be (text: William McComb; tune: Gethsemane by Richard Redhead; LBW 306)

[KagomeShuko]

Forgot to post this when CF came back online. . .oops. . .

Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28

So, the one true reason I write these is to help me grow in faith. If it helps others to learn and to grow in faith, that's wonderful. It's amazing to see what God can do. I've always been amazed even by the short responses I get to these writings. I'm never upset. I am amazing humbled by the little things that are said. I often don't know what to reply to people. I can only say that God is amazing, and while it's never false and never tiring, I figure that they already know this.

Admittedly, I had quite a bit of trouble with these lessons. I read them and it certainly seemed like a lot of commands about what we should not do. There didn't seem to be any message of we're humans and are therefore sinners, but here's God. It wasn't clear. It seemed to be hard to find both law and gospel in these lessons.

I had my notes and with those I set out to crosswalk to try to find some commentaries that might help me to understand a bit more. I found some and while they may not have said much different than the lessons, just the few things definitely helped.

Corinthians keeps telling us that we can eat all foods. However, don't eat foods that are sacrificed or dedicated to idols if there are people who believe idols exist. However, it is okay to eat those foods if there are only people who don't believe in idols and know that there is only one God. It almost seemed as if Paul was saying that here we can control ourselves completely. He was telling us that we could make others sin. While I'm sure we can do that, I wondered where God came into the picture.

Then, in Deuteronomy, it talked about how prophets should not credit words to God if they did not hear them from God. It would seem obvious that such a thing shouldn't be done, but I know that there are false prophets who will say that God said anything to them. If they want people to believe the words said, they'll say it was said by God.

Suddenly, the authority of Jesus is mentioned in Mark and the psalmist is rejoicing. It seemed very disconnected.

While I had the suspicion, it certainly helped to read that Deuteronomy was ultimately pointing to Christ and that we should heed Christ's words. That made more sense. Then for Corinthians, it made sense that when listening to Christ's words we'd understand that there was only one God. Thus, the idols wouldn't matter, unless we were trying to witness. Nonbelievers and weak believers would want to know why we were eating food sacrificed or dedicated to idols when we believed in God. To keep this from happening, the easiest solution would be to not eat that food.

So, it comes down to while we are to try to listen to Christ, we aren't always able. Yet, we want to try and set that good example and this is done by believing that there is one God -there is the Father, there is Christ our Savior, there is the Holy Spirit. All this comes through faith. Then, there is the fact that belief, while part of faith, is different from belief alone. In Mark, the unclean Spirit knew Jesus. It believed in Jesus. Jesus existed. Yet, it did not have faith. There was no trust. It simply made a man seem like he was crazy. As James 2:19 tells us, "even demons believe."

Demons believe, but they do not have faith. As it says in Matthew 7:21, everyone who simply calls upon the name of the Lord will not enter heaven. They need to do the will of the Father. Being able to do the will of the Father comes through true faith. True faith comes from putting all trust in God. It comes from knowing, loving, and yes, even as the psalmist says, fearing God.

One may ask how can we love and fear God. While we certainly should not constantly be afraid of God, we must remember that God is all powerful. God can do anything He wants at any time. So, we should fear God, as being in total awe of His wonderful and awesome powers. While we need to remember that God loves his children, too. So, the beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.

May we always put our faith in God and may we fear and love the Lord above all things.

Recommended Listening: Lions by Lost And Found
Recommended Hymn: Bind Us Together (words by Bob Gillman)

[KagomeShuko]

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c (Psalm 147:1-11, 20c NRSV)
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39

Grace and mercy be to you from God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

On February 5, 1597, in Nagasaki, Japan, six Franciscan friars (missionaries) and twenty of their converts were crucified because of an intense suppression of Christians in Japan. Amazingly, 250 years later, a community of Japanese Christians was found. They had survived without Scriptures, pastors, and ministers as well as with only very sketchy doctrines of faith. Yet, they were still completely committed to Jesus Christ.

While it must have been difficult for those first converts to lose their leaders and peers in such a tragic way, the leaders must have known something that let them really talk to these people and to get them to listen to the message.

Of course, it wasn't all just the leader, it was God, too.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul says that he became like a Jew to tell the message to the Jews. He became like those under the law to spread the Good News to those under the law. So while Paul was still himself, there were ways that he could talk to certain people. The missionaries must have known how to talk to these certain Japanese people. They must have been able to evangelize knowing that it is rare for establish groups to accept a complete stranger into the group.

Yet, this knowledge was not something new. In Mark, we see that Jesus is going to minister and cast out evil demons. However, we know that Jesus was not so easily accepted into many cultures. In fact, it was not a popular thing to follow Christ. Jesus says that he came to proclaim the message. He knew what He was there to do, and He went about doing it.

We know that there were times when Jesus knew He would not be accepted, but he tried anyway. We know of times when Jesus did "become" like his "audience." He told James and John, two fishermen, that they would become fishers of men. Jesus used something that they could understand. He didn't first tell them about a shepherd and sheep or about a woman and her lost coin. He told them about fishing for men.

These missionaries had to have prayed that Jesus could help them. They must have looked at the ministry of Jesus.

Then, these leaders were suddenly taken from a group of committed Christians. Those that they had welcomed were soon taken from them. They must have been extremely hurt. However, just like the psalm tells us, God heals. They must have been taught enough to know this.

God was able to keep the underground group of Christians thriving for over two hundred years. There must have been plenty of times that they felt abandoned, sick, and like they just wanted to quit.

However, as Isaiah says, we are never hidden from God. So, being that we are never hidden and that God heals, these Christians in Japan were able to survive.

When we are feeling down and lonely, we should turn to God. He will always be there to help. When we are feeling like we can do it all by ourselves, we need to remember that God is there and He is the one that will help.

God is always there for His children. All it takes is a simple prayer.

February 5 is the commemoration of those Japanese missionaries. We respect the work they did and let it set an example for us, the faithful. We pray to God that we can be faithful and brave like those men.

May God always help you to be faithful in all times of life.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: Faith Like A Child by Jars of Clay
Recommended Hymn: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (LBW #230, Words: originally by Martin Luther; translated by Catherine Winkworth; Tune: Erhalt uns, Herr)

[KagomeShuko]

2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45

Grace and peace unto you from God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

These lessons seem to have the theme of God or Jesus telling a person to do something and then the person turning and doing something different. It seems like quite a common theme in the Bible - Adam and Eve, Noah, David, Jonah, and so many others.

Yet, there's a good reason that this theme occurs so much. It is simply human nature to try to do things our own way. It is human nature to go opposite of God's commands.

I know that I have often had these troubles. When I was in high school, I worked closely with a missionary designing his websites and trying to help earn money for his missions, doing that my own way. Nothing helped. It apparently wasn't God's will for me to help collect money for his missions. I ended up with about $10 that, if memory serves correctly, was sent to a little toy shop that had donated toys for orphans in Russia.

I was never sure what to do. When I prayed, it was just to keep in contact and work on webpages. Those were my gifts. I could handle those things. Yet, there were many times I tried different fund raisers that just weren't meant to be for this mission.

Lately, it's been with jobs. When I first started job hunting, I focused on journalism careers. After all, I had majored in Mass Communications and I liked writing, so I figured that those were my best options, though I had never gotten even one interview when it came to journalism.

Upon searching things about ministry while preparing a Vacation Bible School one summer, and reading some articles by George Baum, I ended up finding Youth Specialties. Before even finding this organization, I had written up a Youth Ministry resume based on the fact that from word of mouth from one of the girls I mentor, her church would be losing their youth minister. God was working, though I wanted to ignore Him. Looking at my youth ministry resume, I realized that even if I took out all the part time jobs I had held that it was much more impressive than any regular resume for any other job.

I did go to Youth Specialties' National Youth Workers' Convention and I went to the ELCA's Extravaganza a few months after that. During these times I finally just realized who I was. I found that I was a youth minister. I found that it is what I had been doing as a volunteer anyway and I learned that Youth Ministry is a valid profession.

I learned. I started pursuing this field.

Just like Naaman went to the King and just like the leper came to Jesus, I had started what I was supposed to do. However, I still tried many things on my own. I wrote things that were focused upon me. Part of it was being conditioned to write things for other jobs in that manner. However, part of it was just my unwilling flesh to follow how God wanted me to work. Naaman didn't want to bathe in the Jordan. The leper didn't want to keep quiet. I didn't want to do as God wanted, either.

We all do this in our lives. Sometimes it is noticeable and other times it is not.

It has also been that way with pursuing the opposite sex. I'd try my hardest rather than letting God handle things.

Perhaps you leave God's will in your professional life. Perhaps it is in your personal life. Perhaps it is in both. It really does not matter. It is always in our knowledge and in God's knowledge.

Yet, just like God spoke through Elisha and the people with Naaman to get him in the right direction and just like Jesus still loved the man who was leper even though he went proclaiming the miracle making Jesus' plans difficult, God and Jesus are always there for us.

I have learned that I know God has the perfect man and the perfect job for me out there somewhere. I can have feelings that maybe I know who and where, but I know that I may not be right.

I know that I need to trust God and to just do what the churches ask of me in applications. I just need to be completely honest and not write things that are trying to make me seem like "the best candidate" for the job. I just need to share with them the talents with which I have been blessed. I also know that I just need to be myself when talking to the opposite sex.

However, that doesn't keep me from straying. I still try things that I really want that God really didn't want me to do.

Yet, God and Jesus are still there. They listen to my prayers. They are there listening and loving and caring. The psalmist is right in saying that sorrows and pains only stay for a short time. Many times these sorrows and pains are brought upon us only by our actions that we take rather than following God's commands. However, God and Jesus never stop loving us. They never stop caring for us. God always sends His Holy Spirit to be with us. We are never alone, even though we may often feel that way.

So, whenever we feel lost, we need to remember that God is there. Our actions are often those God would not have us take. We simply do them because of being human. Yet, God still loves us. He is there to take care of us and to direct us to the right path.

While some claim the straight and narrow path is the only way, we truly do not stay on that path. Only God redirects us to that path. We are on a long and winding road - and God's path is straight and narrow. We stumble across it and perhaps walk on it for a few steps, but once again, we become human. We cannot do the right things ourselves. It is always God that let's us to the right things.

As Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians, we are racing for something imperishable. That is an eternity with God. There is a footpath to God, but it is one where nobody stays on track. Only God can bring us back to that track. There is hope that one day we'll all be able to be on that straight and narrow footpath to God, racing for our eternity with him, at a slow and steady pace.

Yet, for now, we are human. All we can do is pray and try our best to do what God tells us to do.

May God bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and be grateful to you. May he look upon you with favor, keep you in His path, and grant you His peace. Amen.

Recommended Listening: Let Me Be Yours by Jonathan Rundman
Recommended Hymn: I Want Jesus to Walk With Me (With One voice #660; Tune: Sojourner; American Spiritual)

[KagomeShuko]

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 41
2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Mark 2:1-12

Grace be unto you from God, the Father, Jesus, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Promises, promises, promises. We all make promises. How many times do we say things like, "I'll do it tomorrow, I promise!" Then, if we're like most people, somebody else probably does whatever it is that we promised to do.

I know that it's often that way in my family. It's often that way with the promises I make. It's not always that way. It's not even meant to be that way. It's usually just that somebody decides they are going to do it rather than waiting for me to not be doing something else and able to do it.

Sometimes I'm not feeling well and so I don't get around to doing things.

Sometimes somebody just happens to find something before I find it.

Yet, they are still promises made and not kept.

Sometimes promises are made and not kept on purpose.

Promises.

Think about some promises that were made to you and not kept. Now think about some promises you made and weren't kept. Don't get angry. Don't get upset.

Promises.

We all make them and we all break them.

We're all at fault for not keeping promises that we make.

So, what does this have to do with anything? There's one thing and that is that God always keeps His promises. God will never break a promise that he makes.

Isaiah says that he will have a new way - and indeed, God did have a new way - Jesus. God, through Jesus, forgives us our sins - including breaking promises.

The people in Mark showed such faith that Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins. Jesus was not saying that the man was a paralytic because of his sins. Yet, He forgave him His sins. It would've been easy for Jesus to just heal the man, but forgiving the man of his sins also made the Pharisees question Jesus' authority. This is when Jesus healed the man.

Of course, the people still had to have faith. If they had not had faith, Jesus would not have healed the man or forgiven his sins. The reason for first forgiving sins was to teach the Pharisees a lesson.

As the Pharisees watched, Jesus healed the paralytic to show his authority.

As Corinthians tells us, God has sealed the Spirit in our hearts. He will not leave us.

So, we need to forgive those who do not keep their promises to us. Then, we need to turn to God and confess our sins, and all our broken promises, let God forgive us and the others. Then we can join the psalmist in asking God to bless us.

May God bless you richly and forgive your sins each and every day. Amen.

Recommended Listening: Blessed Be Your Name by Tree63
Recommended Hymn: Chief of Sinners, Though I Be (LBW #306; Words: William McComb; Tune: Gethsemene by Richard Redhead)

[KagomeShuko]

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
Last Sunday after the Epiphany
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

This Sunday, the last Sunday after the Epiphany, we celebrate the transfiguration of Jesus.

Sometimes it seems a bit odd that we celebrate the transfiguration. After all, Jesus is always our Lord. Jesus always reigns in glory. Why do we celebrate such a thing?

Yet, we could ask the same thing for other church celebrations as well. Jesus was already born. Jesus has already risen into heaven. The church year follows the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Perhaps it's odd because we know that by this time the disciples already knew that Jesus would reign in glory.

Yet, this one event makes it official. There is no doubt for Peter, James, and John. Still, Jesus tells them not to tell anybody until he has risen from the dead.

Jesus already has opponents such as the Pharisees and the rulers. There is no need for more controversy.

Jesus, Peter, James, and John are up on a mountain, out of the sight of the people. Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah, most likely concerning His humiliation and death. While Jesus knew this was coming, it is still not an easy thing. After all, He as fully God and fully man. He still had feelings.

Basically, this was Jesus getting ready. . .and wanting some of his followers to know what was to happen.

Peter, James, and John saw a sight that was beyond what one could possibly imagine. Jesus' clothes became so white, whiter than any bleach could make a material, and they were there to witness the event.

So, what does any of this have to do with us other than what we believe? What does the story of Elijah and Elisha have to do with the transfiguration?

Well, Elisha was faithful to his father, Elijah just as God wants us to be faithful. Elijah was transfigured as well. Elijah's transfiguration was a foreshadowing of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. While Elijah did not die a physical death on earth, God took him into heaven. He was no longer on earth. Thus, he did die. Elisha took it that way, too.

Transfiguration. The thing it has to do with us is that we need to be willing to let God transfigure us.

I know that at times I was not willing to let God transfigure me. I'm sure that sometimes I'm still not willing and don't realize this. We're all guilty of being unwilling to let God transfigure us.

Transfiguration. It's an odd word at times. Trans means "over," "across," "opposite to each other," or "on the other side." A figure is a shape. It can be a physical shape or a substance or a personality.

When I was in high school, I had a list of things I thought I'd be: a writer that was probably a journalist, a mother, and a youth minister. I thought I'd study religion in college, but I found that it was not offered at my college as a minor or a major, so I decided on theater for a minor. I loved it. I did not know that youth ministry was a career. I did not know that there were special programs at seminary for family and youth ministry. I didn't learn these things until after I had graduated from college.

I pursued journalism, always failing to find a job for one reason or another. My other jobs never lasted for a long time, either. I worked and even overworked myself in these jobs, but for some reason, they never lasted.

Yet, I didn't let God just take complete care of me. I always tried to do things somewhat on my own.

Finally, I just surrendered to God and started pursuing Youth Ministry as I had promised. I don't know my next step. I don't know where things will take me. I just continually pray and I know that if I am meant to go to seminary first, the funds will somehow be there. However, so far, they are not, so I pursue youth ministry and continue to volunteer my time for youth ministry. I have found an identity as a youth minister and that I do fit in as a youth minister very well. We seem to have the same type of ideas and personalities. I had never imagined such a wide range of people being programmed quite like me. It was amazing when I saw that.

So, from finding myself, I still tried to do things on my own. However, I also just pray God uses me. I pray that God leads me where He wants me to go.

We're all guilty of things like this. Everybody tries to get ahead on their own. Everybody tries to do things with God's help and control. It may be something extremely small such as a paper or one little task that needs to be done for an event. It may be big like a career or a relationship.

We all try to take things into our own hands. We simply do this because we are human.

Yet, when we turn to God, he transfigures us to be the people he made us to be.

We often know this, but we still choose to ignore it at times.

God speaks to us in many ways. We know that God transfigured Jesus and that He transfigures us because we can see that in the Gospel. When we let God come into our lives and follow His word, we proclaim Christ and Christ shines through us.

God is always calling us to be His and to do His work. God calls the whole earth to do His work. It's only those who refuse to open their hearts to the truth that never truly see the Gospel for what it is. It is veiled to them. It is "a storybook" to them simply because they refuse to know the Truth. Yet, all we can do is keep following God so Christ shines through us and we are witnesses to those who choose to close their hearts to the truth. We just have to let God continually transfigure us.

It is not our work, but it is God's work.

Just as God transfigured Jesus to let the disciples know He would reign in glory, may God transfigure us for His purpose on earth. Amen.

Recommended Listening: New Creation by Lost And Found
Recommended Hymn: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (HS 1991 #782; Words: Charles Wesley; Tune: LUCERNA LAUDONAIE by David Evans)

[KagomeShuko]

Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-18
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Grace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

So, it's Lent. Jesus' glory has been revealed. Now, it's time for us to be somber, serious, and calm. Jesus is on His journey to his death and resurrection.

This is rare for me. I'm writing on the lessons after the day has occurred. I don't usually do this. I wish I could say I had this really great reason for not writing something Tuesday or yesterday, but I don't. All I can simply say is, "I was distracted," and I was. I don't even have a good reason for being so distracted. Something must have been on my mind, but I could not place it. Whatever it was, it's gone now. The reason for not writing and posting earlier today is that I was with my sister and we waited almost all day so she could have a latex allergy testing. I was sitting in a hospital waiting room for hours. It was a good time for reflection.

So, it's lent. During Lent, many people give up something. Others are more focused on spiritual things. Many call it a "spring cleaning" of the soul. Some people try to give more of themselves and try to be of more service. Some are simply reverent of the fact that it is Lent. Each person observes Lent in a different way.

The thing about Lent is that it is a personal journey with God. Some may try to act like it's not. There are those who come bragging to people that they are doing so much or that they have given up something for Lent this year. They seem like they are trying to make others feel worse by their bragging. Yet, in Matthew, it tells us to beware of practicing this piety before others.

Now, there is nothing wrong with letting somebody know what you're doing if they ask or if they wonder why you aren't eating or drinking something certain. It's okay to let people know if you are looking for support from Christian brothers and sisters. However, to brag about it goes against what the scriptures say. God wants our spiritual practices to be between Him and us. He certainly welcomes group worship. There's nothing wrong with that. Yet, if that's the only thing a person does, there is no intimacy between that person and God. It's piety by lack of any other spiritual discipline.

I have things in my spiritual discipline. While I share this, this is one of my joys and I am totally humbled by things people tell me when they read my writings. I am even disappointed in myself for being distracted. Yet, this is not just for me. It is mainly for me, but it's also for whoever else would like to read. I have things that are just for me as well. Those things won't be mentioned. God knows them and they are not for bragging. I do not think I am more righteous than anybody because of what I do. I just know that I need these things.

The season of Lent. Paul write in Corinthians that people have endured less than desirable situations for their faith. Perhaps this is some of the thought behind the "giving up something for Lent." The people who do this know if they need it. They know what God is calling them to do.

I've felt God calling me to write this, yet I was distracted. I felt bad about it all day long. I turn to God and ask him, "be gracious to me, a sinner, uphold me, I am yours, Lord."

While Lent is a serious season, we are gearing up for a wonderful celebration at the end of these 40 days. We'll be celebrating the resurrection.

So, in Joel, it says that the day of the Lord will come. Indeed, it will. Jesus will die on the cross and it will be black all that afternoon. The Lord will spare his people. Jesus will be resurrected. The message will spread. This is the good news for us. So, right now, it is time to get closer, to grow in faith, to cleanse our souls.

We'll be ready to celebrate the single act that certainly saves us from being human, from being constant sinners. We'll feel close to God and more reverent for the big celebration.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: Ashes by Jonathan Rundman
Recommended Hymn: Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult (LBW #494; Words: Cecil F. Alexander; Tune: Galilee)

[KagomeShuko]

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-9 (Psalm 25:1-10 NRSV)
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

Grace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What an odd set of lessons. That was my first thought upon reading these Bible passages. Yet, they aren't really that odd. They all involve suffering and God's grace. Only the Psalm does not mention water.

Yep, Lent has just started. We have over a month for this "time of suffering."

First, there's Noah and his family. God has found Noah to be faithful, not truly perfect, but faithful, unlike the others on the earth. So, Noah and seven other people will be saved. They'll have to be on an ark stuffed with all kinds of animals. It will rain for forty days and forty nights.

I know that perhaps it doesn't sound like suffering. We all see the pictures that are drawn for children. It looks so very sweet with all the animals and their heads hanging out the windows. Then there's Noah standing on the ark.

Yet, think about it. There are animals on this ark. Anybody who has owned any type of pet knows what animals do besides eat. These animals had nowhere else to go but on that ark. Eight people, all on one ark, not even able to go outside comfortably because of a violent forty day storm.

So, because Noah wanted to please God, he built the ark. He stayed on the ark. He sacrificed his own comfort. Then God came and he saved Noah and his family.

In the Gospel of Mark that Jesus was baptized. He was drove in the wilderness and temped for forty days. We do not know every one Jesus' temptations, but here he is in the wilderness. He's not with any people. He wass in the wilderness, alone. The story is also in Luke 4. Satan is tempting Jesus with food and authority. Jesus is hungry and probably feels unappreciated sitting in the wildrness with the animals. Yet, he answer Satan with scripture.

1 Peter emphasizes baptism. It is through baptism that God cleanses us. Jesus was tempted after He was baptized. God used water to cleanse the earth of evil and to save Noah.

A few years ago for Lent, the congregation of St. Paul focused on Noah. We sang a song that went "When Noah was a lad / the earth was very bad / and everything was dark and evil / to trust in God above / and share Jehovah's love / was something that was never done." Now, it went on to talk about how Noah obeyed God and how God saved Noah, of course. The song wasn't that negative.

We'd love to think the earth today is totally different. Yet, all we have to do is look at the news, if not some of our neighbors, to see that there plenty of people who don't love God. They won't turn to God, they won't talk to God, they'll deny any existance of any god.

Then, there are those who are fighting wars over religion. Where is God's love in a war? So, maybe they aren't the same problems as Noah, and there are more than eight people, yet, the earth is still suffering.

Yet, there are those who believe and who want to share God's love. That does make a difference.

Does it really cause us to suffer to simply share God's love? Is it that hard?

Whatever we do for own spiritual discipline is wonderful. Yet, there's one thing we can always do and that is to share God's love with at least one person. Forty days may seem like a long time. Yet, the earth is still suffering. Forty days, but they aren't forty days filled with all kinds of smells from animals and animal waste. Forty days, but not forty days of being alone in the wilderness without food. Forty days that can make a difference because of one simple thing - sharing God's love and spreading the good news.

Reflect, remember your baptism, know that God has cleansed you, and spread the good news.

Amen.



Recommended Listening: Flood by Jars of Clay
Recommended Hymn: Go to Dark Gethsemane (LBW #109; Words: James Montgomery; Tune: Gethsemane by Richard Redhead)

[KagomeShuko]

Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:22-30 (Psalm 22:23-31 NRSV)
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38

Grace and peace be to you from God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

So, it's Lent and so many people are focused on what they are doing for Lent. People may ask others, "So, what are you doing for Lent?" As I mentioned before, this really isn't all that great of a practice as what each person does and shares during Lent is their own spiritual journey and not a right for bragging.

However, during these times we try to stick to our Lenten journeys, there are times when we feel that we just cannot commit to our promise for yet another day. We lament for the past days of Epiphany and are antsy for the days of Easter.

Yet, the one thing that we have to remember is that while we are doing these things, it is our faith in God and Jesus and what Jesus did for us that will help us keep our promises.

Genesis and Romans talks about how Abraham had decendents of many nations. It seems like this is such a great and amazing thing on his part, but in reality, it was all God.

Abraham and Sarah doubted that things would happen. They didn't doubt God, but they were old. Their bodies were not in the condition for making or bearing children. However, Abraham had faith in God. In general, he did what God told him to do. Now, Abraham lied many times, too. He did things on his own as well. He tried to make his own path, but God never let him stray. Abraham had enough faith that he'd be in God's sight.

There's a great book by Neil Connelly called St. Michael's Scales. In it, Keagan Flannery has blamed himself for his twin brother, Michael's, death for as long as he can remember. Keagan figures that before he turns 16, he must make amends to Michael.

One can read the book and deny God in it. They can totally say that there are many other things at work.

However, the book is based mainly at a Catholic school. There's many mentions of saints and miracles.

It is hard to find any faith in Keagan's journey. However, because of the way the book ends, there must have been some faith.

God used a wrestling team to help Keagan. Keagan found friendship and a purpose in life. Faith can be denied in the story, but for a person who has faith in God, they can see faith in the story. They can see how God used these people in Keagan's life.

Just when Keagan was saying, "I can't do this any longer," along comes a group of people who help him and give him a purpose in life.

I'm sure we all have those times when we simply feel like saying, "Lord. I. Cannot. Do. This. Any. Longer." It may be one task or a long term situation. It is not our own works that will help anyway. As long as we have faith, God will help us through each and every trial in life.

In Connelly's story, God helped Keagan. God helped Abraham. God helps us.

Jesus lets us know that we must have faith. If we are ashamed of Him, He'll be ashamed of us. Let us let God guide us in our Lenten journeys as we have faith in Him.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: Overwhelmed by Peder Eide
Recommended Hymn: How Firm A Foundation (LBW #507; Words: "Keen"; Tune: Foundation

[KagomeShuko]

Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22

Grace and peace be to you from God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Oh, I remember now!"

How many times have you said that? How many times have I said that? Yet, it's too late when we remember. The test is over. The person who asked the question is gone. You've already returned from that shopping trip.

"Oh, I remember now!"

It doesn't seem so grand when you realize that it's too late.

Jesus told the Jews that he would rebuild the temple in three days. They surely doubted him because it had been being built for forty-six years. This would be impossible! There wasn't a single chance that he could rebuild a temple in three days.

The Jews did not understand what he was saying, though. Of course, neither did the disciples. They did not understand then, either. Most likely they stood there agreeing with the Jews. "Surely this man cannot build a temple in three days!" It wouldn't have mattered that they had seen Jesus perform many miracles.

Yet, Jesus still kept these disciples. Did they listen to Him all that well? Probably not. They followed Him. They believed Him to be the promised Messiah. Did they learn? Not really, Jesus had to explain every parable he told. Would we understand Jesus' parables? I probably wouldn't understand at first, either, except that I got to read Jesus' explanation and I was taught what they meant. I only understand parables now as I know how they work. The same goes for the disciples.

"Oh, I remember now!"

Yep, I just broke that commandment. Now I remember what it says. It's a good thing that we have a loving, forgiving, and graceful God. Look at those commandments. How many of them do we break during a typical day?

How many times do we worship something else rather than God? Aren't you glad that God says that he rejects those who reject Him? He doesn't say that He rejects those who don't repent for using His name in vain or for worshipping something other than Himself. There are so many things we worship in a typical day, most likely, forgetting that these are blessings God has bestowed upon us. Those of us in developed countries forget about those in third world countries who are glad to simply own one pair of flipflops or just a simple empty water bottle. They are glad to simply be able to eat a meal. What about those Starbucks things we order? Sure, it's okay in America where we can afford them. However, we support them in other countries where they charge a day's wage just for a cup of coffee. What are we worshipping then? It certainly seems we're worshipping money and not God. Yet, God is there. He listens and He forgives us of our sins when we repent.

God is wiser and stronger than any of us. He is the strongest and the wisest. He sent His Son to die for us. Then Jesus was raised and ascended into heaven.

Jesus was raised on the third day. On the third day? "Oh, we remember!" cry the disciples. Jesus would rebuild the temple in three days. Jesus was raised on the third day. Only after Jesus was raised did they remember His words.

Yet, did God still use these people? Of course He did! Without these people, we'd have no Bible. We'd have no Gospel. We would not be able to tell the good news as it would not have been told. God used these forgetful sinners to spread His word. Can you imagine a world with no good news? Things are bad enough, aren't they? Yet, we'd have no good news to tell.

Thankfully, that is not true. Praise God for the good news of the suffering, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus the Christ.

So, when we feel lost, we must remember one thing: God uses us as we are. He does not pick and choose. He gives us gifts and He helps us use them. Let us join in the psalmist, knowing that God is the only right and just force in this world in asking, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Amen.

Recommended Listening: "As Is" by Peder Eide (this is available as a free download when you sign up for Peder's mailing list at http://www.pedereide.com (http://www.pedereide.com/)
Recommended Hymn: In the Cross of Christ I Glory (LBW #104; Words: John Bowring; Tune: RATHBUN by Ithamar Conkey)

[KagomeShuko]

Fourth Sunday in Lent
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Those of you who read my writings other than just my writings on the lessons know that I've had a struggle this past week. The shock I experienced certainly enraged my anger. It was difficult for me to reconcile everything.

However, this also led to some great discussions. These lessons are very appropriate for this time.

It is shocking to me that one would argue that God is male with me. I did not argue for the case of "God is female." My position is that God is gender neutral and has both male and female aspects.

God transcends all human understanding. I also looked and found that when something like a spirit is gender neutral, in English, it is appropriate to refer to it as a male. So, our English language of referring to God as a male can be from that.

I looked and researched about the Holy Spirit as female, wisdom as female, and God as female. I came back with the same faith that God does not have a gender.

However, I was quite distressed upon seeing herchurch. I have placed the two definite things that bother me, but it's not seeing God's female aspects or even God as a female. The debate with the main person calmed and we're fine again. I doubt we'll ever agree.

I've ran into a few who have basically refused to acknowledge the Bible as God's word or as even containing God's word. That's one thing of which I cannot agree. I became quite impatient with the ways people were responding.

I was impatient just ike the Israelites became impatient with the journey to the promised land. In that situation, God punished them by sending snakes.

Thankfully God did not send snakes to attack me. However, the anger was bad enough.

I tried to look at herchurch with respect after researching, but in no way could I reconcile the usage of idols in their worship.

People would bring up things like the snake on the pole. However, the people did not worship this snake on a pole. God told Moses that when the people had a snakebite, they should look at the snake and the snakebite would be healed. It was something small, not meant to be worshipped.

I am calm and composed now. Arguments have toned down and some discussions have even come to a stop. While I some of us may not agree, we're content with what has now been said.

For the most part, it seems that I and others would agree that God is a gender neutral being, the Great I AM, who transcends our understanding.

The Psalm tells us that God saves His people from distress. God definitely brought me from the distress of being presented with this church and the arguments.

Of course I need God's forgiveness. We all do. I was not right in getting so angry. I am sorry for hurting peoples' feelings. I was humbled by writing an apology. It certainly seems to be the way it's always going to be for any believers. It doesn't say exactly how the Israelites felt about having their snake bites healed, but I'd imagine that were very grateful.

Now, like the Israelites looked to the snake on a pole, we turn to Christ who died on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

We probably all know the one verse in these lessons. I doubt I even have to say the book, chapter, and verse number for you to know if you've looked to see the lessons. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

It's that right there, the Gospel message, that is important. We know, just like it says in Ephesians, that we are dead in sin and that we constantly sin - but that only through God's grace we are given life and eternal life at that.

So, we can argue over things all day long. We can argue over the gender of God. We can argue and argue and argue, but we will get nowhere. It is only in believing in Christ that we will find God's grace. Thank God for His Grace, for we all need it.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: Abba, I Belong to You by Peder Eide
Recommended Hymn: My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW #94, Words: Samuel Crossman; Tune: RHOSYMEDRE by John D. Edwards).

[KagomeShuko]

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-13 (Psalm 51:1-12 NRSV)
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever gotten ready for a big event? Maybe you were getting ready to go on vacation. Probably at least a week before you leave, you start making a list of everything you'll need. You might start packing and every day you probably look at that list and you may add yet another item.

Clothes, cosmetics, soap, and so forth. Oh, I forgot pajamas! I need to pack pajamas!

So, then the day comes. You think everything is packed and you see one last thing. It needs to be packed into your suitcase.

You arrive at your destination and then you realize you forgot something - better go buy it.

It's not what you wanted, but it'll do. It works.

Ever since the days before Christ came to earth, God was telling people and trying to prepare them for a new covenant. It was kind of like His list. There are many prophecies pointing to Christ Jesus. God's list. This is what I'll need to save my people.

So, some people finally realized that God was the only person that could save them and could make them clean, even without Christ. The psalmist states that God is the one that can make him clean. Yet, there were many who didn't believe.

So, once Jesus came to earth and was telling people what would happen, He continued that list. He knew all of God's plans, but the list included disciples. The list was not finished. People had to know that something big was going to happen. Many did not understand, of course, but Jesus tried to let people know.

When Jesus said that he would be taken up from the earth and that many would be drawn to Him, he wasn't talking only about his resurrection and those who came to believe. He was talking about his death. He would be taken up from the earth because he would be nailed up on a cross. Many people would gather because that was the tradition. They'd gather around those who were being crucified.

It wasn't a pleasant part of the list, but rather than making sacrifices to God, this was God's plan. He would sacrifice His Son.

Hebrews tells us that Jesus was made perfect. Of course He was made perfect ever since He was on earth. Yet, he also suffered. He was just as human as any of us, too, only perfect. He was the only human that could ever not sin. He was certainly tempted by sin, but He never gave into sin like we do every day. God sending His Son to be human and the best sacrifice and then to be raised. God's list.

We prepare to remember that Christ died for us. Perhaps as Lent is coming to an end we have a list of things. Perhaps some of those who have given up something for Lent are making a list of things they can always do without or perhaps they arem making a list of things they'd now like that Lent is going to be over.

So, whenever we make lists, let us remember God's ultimate list - the one He made with the plan to save His people.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: The Serious Kind by Jonathan Rundman
Recommended Hymn: What Wondrous Love Is This? (LBW #385; Words: American Folk Hymn; Tune: Wondrous Love)

[KagomeShuko]

SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
PALM SUNDAY

Procession with Palms
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1—15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 [40-47]

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wow. It's hard to really write something related to lessons that are so familiar. I could write a lot of things that would make it easy to write, but I'd just be regurgitating a lot of information.

There are plenty of topics aobut which I could write, but none of them really seem to go with these lessons.
What does one say about these lessons without constant repetition?

Ah, but God does provide insight, understanding, and inspiration.

The minute I write that first word, "Grace" I seem to enter into a different state of mind - even different from the one that was spent in prayer and reading the lessons.

The disciples, as I may have mentioned, I like to think of more as "the twelve stooges" rather than these great guys that are all hyped to be great followers - or at least they are when we are younger.

Here they are again, denying that they will not leave Jesus. They will not deny Jesus. Not His "best followers." That would never happen.

Yep, just like us, right? Well, okay, maybe not to that extreme. Yet, how many times do we say that we will not do something that is considered wrong or immoral in our minds? How many times - maybe a day or maybe years later - have we ended up doing that thing.

I've definitely found myself in those situations. It may feel right at the time. It may not even make us feel guilty for awhile. Yet, it's there lurking eventually.

The one thing about which we can be grateful: God forgives us. All we have to do is confess and repent.

This year the commemoration of Deitrich Bonhoeffer happens to be on the same day as Palm/Passion Sunday. At one point Bonhoeffer was a pacifist. At this point there was no way he would want to kill anybody, let alone he'd probably not want to injure or hurt somebody. He was a peaceful man.

He became part of a group that planned for the assassination of Adolf Hitler.

After Dietrich Bonhoeffer was arrested, he wrote many things in prison. We can read his writings, but we can never truly know what he said to God, or exactly how he felt, about the things he had done when not a pacifist.

Yet, we know one thing, he was a great theological thinker and he certainly believed in God's forgiveness.

The world is full of broken, rundown people. We're all those broken and rundown people. We're those people who think we will never betray a person. We're those people who think we'll never due something that is against our current morals.

We're those people who constantly do what we thought we'd never do.

Yet, in knowing that, it is all part of why Jesus died that death on the cross, so we can be forgiven and have eternal life.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: Love Song For A Savior by Jars of Clay
Recommended Hymn: Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed (#98 LBW; Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: Southwell by William Daman)

[KagomeShuko]

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14
Psalm 116:1, 10-17 (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 NRSV)
I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. (Ps. 116:11)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It is Maundy Thursday. Lent is coming to an end, but we cannot celebrate the resurrection without Jesus' death on the cross. So, on Maundy Thursday we remember the Last Supper and Jesus' betrayal.

There have been some interesting news stories lately with the discovery of "the gospel of Judas." It says many things which some scholars have debated or some atheists may have brought up as points that maybe God didn't work as we had expected. Of course, we were no there, so we can never know for certain how God worked with Jesus' betrayal by Judas Iscariot.

Most of the news stories I read simply say that the "Gospel of Judas" is pretty much the same except that Judas was the most trusted disciple and that Jesus had actually asked Judas that he betray Him. It does seem a little odd. Most stories also say that the writing is not worthy of the name "gospel."

It hasn't really shaken my faith. I had figured such a thing had to be somewhere. I had figured that Judas was somehow highly exulted in some places.

So, the Jews have Passover and observe it every year. The Christians have Holy Week. Some Christians observe Passover as well. It is a beautiful tradition and one can certainly understand more by participating.

A lamb was sacrificed on Passover to keep the firstborn from being killed. The Lamb was sacrificedin order to give us eternal life. There's not much more I can really say. Here's what Jesus did for us - simply put. This cycle of observance will nto end until observing the ressurection of Jesus. It's a journey filled with many thoughts and prayers. It's a time of reflection, of how unworthy we are and how grateful we should be. It's a time of realizing God's amazing Grace.

I could recount story after story of when I did not feel worthy enough for many things. Yet, nothing would compare to the tremendous sacrifice of Christ on the cross. I could delve into theology about Holy Communion and what different denominations believe. We do remember, but that's not the message here.

We are unworthy sinners, but because of faith, God sees us as saints.

My good friend Michael Bridges often tells a story in concerts. I don't remember the exact words, but it goes something like this:

If I had a child, I think it would be funny, - not that I think it would be funny to have a child, George and his wife have two daughters and they assure me it's not funny - but I think it would be funny to name the child "Steve" and spell it's name "T-I-M." People would come up to the child and ask, "What's your name?" and it'd say "Steve." Then they'd say, "But it's spelled 'T-I-M'" and it'd say, "Yes, but it's pronounced 'Steve.'" That's just how God sees us. Our names are "S-I-N-N-E-R-S," but God pronounces it "Saints."

Sinners, and Saints by the Grace of God. Nothing more and nothing less.

Recommended Listening: Where Do We Go From Here by Lost And Found
Recommended Hymn: Chief of Sinners Though I Be (LBW #306 Tune: Gethsemene)

[KagomeShuko]

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42

I - Prophecies of Christ's death; being lifted high and not looking human; dying for our sins
P - "
H
J - passion story

Grace and Peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

So, I didn't write yesterday. The main reason was I didn't have time to write. Had I tried to write something, I would've been late to Good Friday service. However, going to good Friday service also lets me write a bit more.

After all, what more could there really be to say except what was already said yesterday? I could muse on and on about how Jesus was crucified. I could probably write volumes on that, but what good would it do in this case? I still don't have much time today as it is, but I have more time.

I never have really looked at the lessons assigned by Sundays and Seasons or the ELCA worship for Holy Week. I've never realized that Psalm 22 is assigned to Good Friday. I'd imagine like most people, Psalm 22 is experienced on Maundy Thursday along with the stripping of the altar. I don't think I've experienced it any other way.

However, it does make sense. Maundy Thursday is about Jesus' death, but it is more about the Last Supper. Good Friday is the day of the reading of the Passion story. Jesus goes to pray and he's arrested.

He's tried before the Jews and Caiaphas tells Pilate that under their law, he cannot be killed. There's no sympathy for Jesus from the Jews - there's still that desire to have him killed. After all, to those who did not believe His message, he was a blasphemer. So, Jesus is given to the Roman government. The people there also want him killed. Thus, Jesus is crucified. He's put among the common criminals of the day and crucified because of disbelief and fear.

Yet, Jesus knew He had to do this. While His human body surely did not want to die as most humans do not want to die, Jesus knew He would be the Savior. He knew he would rise on the third day. He knew He was the sacrifice.

The service at St. Paul was outside and it seemed almost too happy for a Good Friday service. The sky was sunny and the weather was cool and breezy. Yet, there a congregation gathered under an oak tree. The Passion was read and the somber hymns were sung to the accompianment of a flute. It was still "Good Friday." Yet, it is only good in one sense - it is good in that we know the outcome. We know what is yet to come. . .

[KagomeShuko]

Isaiah 55:1-11
Psalm 114
Romans 6:3-11
Mark 16:1-8

Alleluia! He is risen! Alleluia!!!

Alleluias are back! Jesus is risen! Isn't it such a great feeling to shout "Alleluia!" to the Lord, the most High God? I know it is for me.

I could stop writing here. Isn't that the message? Jesus died and now that He is risen, it wasn't just any ordinary death? We know that He truly was and is God's Son?

Oh, yeah, but there are those lessons sitting up there. What about them?

Well, first of all, those definitely aren't the only readings for the resurrection! There were twelve Old Testament readings and responses. However, I definitelly don't have time to write on twelve passages of scripture this evening. I wasn't even sure which lesson I'd use, so I prayed to God. I didn't get a clear, "Use this lesson" answer. Rather, I got, "pick something, you know that a message will be provided."

It is kind of odd for me to even be typing "Alleluia" at the moment. I've never prepared anything like this. Oh, I've certainly prepaired for "Easter." I've dyed eggs and filled plastic eggs with candy. However, I've not written about any of the lessons.

Preparations. Sometimes they're fun and other times they're not so fun.

My belief is that faith is always a journey. You go where God calls you. For a time I was searching and I ended up in a Seventh Day Adventist church. Mainly it was helping with the music there. I would play piano, as badly as I play piano. I would try to direct a children's choir. I would sometimes play recorder.

However, I also participated. The reason I was there was I was learning about the denomination from a friend and there was the whole idea of the Sabbath. What I was told sounded great in theory. What I eventually heard turned me away from that denomination.

I was a bad Seventh-Day Adventist.

Yet, I had chosen to be baptized. I had done a study on Revelation that Review and Herald, a Seventh-Day Adventist publishing company, had published. It had ever tint of SDA theology. I learned some interesting stuff. I learned a lot of what I'd say is only theory. Much of the SDA community calls it fact.

However, it's that baptism. God prepares us to be His children in baptism. He marks us as His own.

Now, I got the wonderful symbolism that happens when baptism is done by immersion. I was dipped backwards into the water and pulled out so very quickly. It was an amazing experience of a cleansing "burial" and "resuurection."

However, I was already God's child. I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran church. I did not need that second baptism.

God says who ever does not believe - not whoever is not baptized. However, a believer will most likely want to be baptized as it is definitely a sign of being God's child. After all, Jesus was even baptized by John, and it is God's Word along with the water that makes baptism very special.

I love that first verse in Isaiah 55. One of my favorite verses of the Bible is Revelation 22:17. I use part of this in the rare times when I sign something. I sign, "Come, take the water of life as a gift." Read Revelation 22:17 and then read Isaiah 55:1.

Yep, belief in Christ. Baptism with water - being marked as a child of God. The water of life.

Christ is risen! Alleluia! Come, take the water of life as a gift!

Recommended Listening: Easter Song by Keith Green
Recommended Hymn: Christ is Risen! Alleluia! (#131 LBW; Tune: Morgenlied)

[KagomeShuko]

Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1—2:2
John 20:19-31

A - all were one, if we lived in a perfect world, it would always be this way.
P - unity
J - there is no darkness in Christ, if we say we do not sin, we are not in Christ (verse 1:10)
J - Jesus appears to the disciples

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We don't live in a perfect world. Oh, I know that people already know this. I also know that everybody has their own version of a perfect world. Maybe that's one reason we will never live in a perfect world.

Why do I mention this? What does it have to do with the lessons at all?

Well, it seems that the majority of the lessons deal with unity. In acts, it says that all the believers were one and nobody needed anything.

If we lived in a perfect world, things would be that way for everybody.

Is that all I have to say? No, it's not.

Today, I went to look at some messages in a MySpace group called Protestants. I had joined the group simply because I was invited. I didn't look at the group until today. When I went to the messages, I found a bunch of conceited and arrogant posts rather than any unity. It made me feel very sad. I still respect each of those people as a Christian brother and sister. Yet, I could not stay part of such a "community."

I've run across conceited and arrogant poeple in other communities of which I am a member, but it's never been so overrun by that type of person. There has always been a sense of camraderie there that's not only about theologicial doctrines.

The gospel is about Jesus appearing to the disciples. This is a major part of the faith - Jesus really had risen from the dead. The disciples were probably in a very dark place before Jesus had risen. Yet, The Lord stood before them and performed signs. The Lord provided light into their lives.

1 John tells us that there is no darkness in God.

This leads me to tell you about my time in the Seventh-Day Adventist church. I was searching, like most people do, for where I felt at home and where I belonged as a Christian.

I could talk about a lot of things that went well or that I did. I could talk about how much I admired and respected the people of that church. I could talk about how I still admire and respect them.

However, I knew that wasn't the place for me. If in Christ, there is no darkness, I wasn't finding a place with no darkness.

One Saturday as I was still there, I overheard the Pastor talking and he definitely said that "Sunday churches were the devil." Here I was thinking that they at least respected people who worshipped on Sunday.

As time I passed, I learned more. They were really strict on the dietary laws. They insisted that the members should follow them. I wasn't having a very good time when I was in the mindset that I needed to follow all these rules. It was really a dark time. I wasn't enjoying life.

The one that I really could not handle as it is important to me was that I was not supposed to go to any theater events. I was not supposed to go out and enjoy myself. According to their rules, I could only sit at home, pet my dog, and read - mainly the Bible or any of Ellen G. White's writings.

Of course school was allowed. However, even many of the books and movies that were used for school were not approved in the Seventh-Day Adventist church. They did not even approve of the Contemporary Christian Music that I enjoyed. The response I would get was, "This is Christian Music?!?!"

Being a part of the Seventh-Day Adventist church was like having to live life under a rock. While I can respect them as Christians, I cannot be a part of that church.

I know that Jesus was guiding me all along. However, I just did not know it back then. I know it now and I know that Jesus is constantly leading me today and always.

When the people at the Seventh-Day Adventist church said that we were no longer sinners, I couldn't accept that theology. I wanted to know what they considered lying at the least. Was that not a sin? Surely those people were sinning every day.

I had a great understanding then of being simultaneously saint and sinner. I knew that this only happened because of Jesus death and resurrection. God seems me, a lowly sinner, as a saint. This is how God sees all the lowly sinners who believe. It is amazing. It gives each of us light - the light of God, the light of Christ.

If the faith community you are in doesn't give your life light, then it isn't the right faith community for you.

While I could not be Seventh-Day Adventist, it doesn't mean that I don't see them as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I do, and I rejoice in the fact that in that sense, there is Christian unity.

Recommended Listening: Because He Lives by Lost And Found
Recommended Hymn: Lord, Keep Us steadfast in Your Word (LBW #230; Text: Martin Luther; Tune: Erhalt uns, Herr)

[KagomeShuko]

Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48

Grace, peace, mercy, and forgiveness be to you from God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I read through these lessons a few times and am still somewhat unsure of what I will write here. I just pray and rely that God will use me to write a message.

These messages that so many of you compliment are not what I consider "mine." I certainly may have written the words, but I depend on God for what to write. I do write about my experiences, but I never know what I'm going write. When I write about my experiences, God is using my writing to help me learn as well as others.

I can only imagine what the authors of the books of the Bible thought when they went to write their experiences and what they witnessed. Here were the people that were many times first or second hand witnesses of Jesus ministry and miraclesss - they knew that had to record them in order for the stories to last.

If it weren't for these people, God's whole plan could've faded away like last year's best selling novel. That's hard to imagine. It would just be gone. The amazing ways that these stories fulfilled the prophecies written years before the birth of Christ - without working with others, without readint the others' writings - being the same. Just gone.

I write, but in no way do these writings have such a huge impact. It's great if God uses these writings to impact one person's life. I have the philosophy that when it comes to ministry if an event or a piece of writing affects one person's life in a positive way, it was worth every effort - no matter how small or large.

The gospel points out that all the apostles doubted, yet we tend to give the adjective of "doubting" to Thomas while viewing the other apostles as faithful. Why? It's not the way that it happened. The others apostles doubted. Thomas just wasn't there. In some gospels he was late to the party. He was no different from the others.

It is our human nature to doubt. For about a week when I was in confirmation classes, I wondered if there was a God. However, I made the most horrible agnostic. I kept praying to God to ask if He was there. I realized that I couldn't deny all the things that God had done in my life.

In first John it says that those who have faith in Jesus are not sinners. This is only true in the fact that He forgives our sins. It is not saying that those who have faith in Jesus are now incapable of sinning. For, our human nature makes us sinners. By abiding in Jesus, we have a savior who forgives and takes away our sins - the sins that we commit every day. Since He is pure, we are made pure.

When I read this passage, though, I am reminded of a time when I was still attending the Seventh-Day Adventist church. I was sitting and one of the elders asked if we were sinners. My immediate answer was a yes, but he started preaching about we were not sinners. I was greatly troubled with such a thing. I wondered how he could say something like that. The church had quite a few children - ones who would argue, disobey their parents and the pastor - just like any children. It wasn't something anybody would consider a problem. They were just things that people would consider "being children." Quite a few of them were siblings and so there were a lot of arguments. I wondered how a person could teach that this was not sinning. How was it not sinning to act loving towards other Christians and then say they were under the influence of the devil simply because they worshipped on Sunday?

I went back to the Bible and the lovely liturgy of the Lutheran church that comnes directly from the Bible. "We confess that we have sinned and if we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins. . ."

It was there all along. We are indeed sinners. We are saints (not sinners) by the grace of God. What a wonderful message.

It's the Easter season, and it's still all about the message of Jesus resurrection - how God's plan makes this all possible for us.

Amen.

Hallelujah! He is risen!

Recommended Listening: What if I Stumble by dc talk
Recommended Hymn: Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing. (LBW #363; Tune: Truro; Words: Brian Wren)

[KagomeShuko]

Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18

Grace, peace, and mercy be to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What makes a good friend? What makes an enemy? If we are Christians, should we really have enemies? What defines a miracle?

There are so many questions that can be asked. There are so many questions that don't have a difinitive answer because to each person there will be different answers.

Yet, there's one thing we can all do, and that is to read the scriptures. We can see what the Bible says about being a friend and about being a caring person.

Will we say thing we regret? Of course we will. what can we do? We can apologize and ask forgiveness. Will we be hurt by things others say? Yes, we will. what can we do? We can forgive them.

The ultimate idea of love is that we can give up our lives to help another.

We hear of the stories, but rarely do many people experience them. We rarely have known the family where the mother died saving her children in a car crash. We rarely know of the fireman who died helping to save the elderly woman trapped in her apartment.

Yet, we know the stories are there. True love.

Even if we are never faced with such a circumstance to where we would be put in a position where we'd have to give our lives, we can help others generously.

Our words will often betray us. We can also simply say, "I love you" to people, however, do our actions show that we love them? We can say the most honest things. we can discuss what happened in the past with an understanding with a friend that it doesn't matter now, it happened, and if asked, we'll tell.

However, do our actions still communicate that of love?

When we believe in the risen Lord, the Holy Spirit is in us and among us. A person will be known by the fruits of the spirit.

Sometimes I wonder how compartive shopping cart riding, flying paper airplanes, playing tag, and making up names to fake countries can possibly be ministry. It doesn't seem like ministry in any way.

Neither does playing a collectible card came and discussing school. Yet, those are all things I've done in ministry.

To me, it all comes down to Youth Ministry. For some people it may seem really strange. However, to me, it's showing these youth that I care. By joining them in these activities, they know I care about them. I want to know about their lives. I want to know about their hobbies. I want to know how school is going. with these things, I can help to serve them better. It helps me to know what to do for them. It lets me know what they enjoy.

While there are still Bible studies and discussions, there's all those activities that are done with the youth. It's letting each of them know that I'm interested in their lives.

Surely, youth ministry is not the hardest calling a person can have. I truly respect and admire missionaries and those out in mission fields and doing service projects. However, I realize that God has not called me to this field. I always used to feel so bad because I didn't do a certain thing while this other person did.

Yet, I knew if I went to do that certain thing, something would have been wrong. They term me as "allergic to the sun." I have scoliosis which often results in a sore back if I can't rest and stretch when it gets sore and it'll get worse and worse if I can't rest.

It took me quite a few years and quite a few conversations to understand that God doesn't call everybody to be missionaries if they are called. He doesn't
call everybody to go out into the mission field. I could always help on my own. I can still give to the food pantry. I can still donate. I can still help the homeless people I see on the streets.

I can give directions to the new person lost in the city. I can join in a game of tag, dodgeball, kickball, volleyball, scrabble, trivia persuit, a DDR competition - and not worry about losing horribly - as I probably would with most - just because I show that I care about the lives