International Prayer Day First Monday each month 10 am
A day of peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
Peace; will you and I ever see a time when there is true peace in this world? Peace in the streets of our neighborhood? Peace within our State? Peace within our Synod? Peace at our place of work? Peace in our family? Peace within our country? Look around, there will never be any peace on this sin filled earth until we humans have made peace with our Triune God.
Our fallen world will never, ever be a dwelling place of peace until peace finds a place in the heart of every sinful man and woman. How many countries are now experiencing war within their borders? How many countries have foreign troops within their borders to help establish peace? There is a saying “war does not determine who is right, only who is left.”
Back in the day, while living in Haiti, a convoy of United Nations MINUSTAH troops made me feel ‘at peace‘ and safe as their presence brought a sense of order to a country where there was none. Several Haitian friends told me that they wanted the UN to leave Haiti…but it seemed like there was a lot less trouble with their presence within the Haitian borders. Today, the solution to ending the gangs in Haiti may mean that the UN might come back to Haiti and attempt to restore ‘peace’ once more.
Peace in our country and peace among other nations will never come as long as sinful human beings continue to seek peace on our own terms; as long as we continue to cling to the things within us that make wars inevitable.
We live in a troubled time. The man in the attached photo is walking next to a tent village near the Port-au-Prince airport that had been there for over a year following the 2010 earthquake. It was over 90 degrees on that late morning in March, very hot in those tents, no electricity, perhaps a meal each day, no running water…a life style that would not set well with North America. Peace in that tent city was strained as tempers of the inhabitants flared as nothing seemed to be improving…the world is once again turning away from Haiti. Nobody seems to want to get involved.
Children attending Christian schools are taught about peace from our Heavenly Father. Peace is God’s gift and there is no way that we can manufacture it, copy it, teach others about it or force it upon another person. It’s God’s gift. Thank you for bringing peace to the life of one child in Haiti who thinks about you at meal time, and offers thanks to God for you and your gift.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
Is Hope dying?
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” Romans 4:18-20
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” Romans 4:18-20
After reading the news recently, either online or watching it on the TV, you might say it appears that our world on this side of Paradise is really going in the wrong direction. Is Hope dying here? Has anyone asked that question in a poll? How do you know when Hope is starting to fade in your life? I know a few people who have left their homes in Haiti as their neighborhoods have been overrun by gangs and there are no safe havens left in their country.
Have you seen Hope beginning to fade in your neighborhood? I often wonder about the school children learning about Jesus in the morning and then eating their Trinity HOPE lunch and what do they talk about when they walk home after school?
The Creole word for ‘Never’ is ‘Pa janm’ and I can only imagine that word must surely comes up in their conversations. These gangs are ‘never’ going to leave. I’m ‘never’ going to get married. I’m ‘never’ going to graduate. I’m ‘never’ going to see these gangs leave in my lifetime. Never; that’s when hope has not just faded, but seemingly has died; when you have reached a dead end and don’t see a way out. When we feel that we are at a dead end, when it’s hard to hold on to hope; that is when you need the Bible. Read it. Study it. Memorize it if you are able. Think about it. Pray about it. Get down on your knees and pray about it.
The Bible is full of promises, and nothing else can encourage us like it can. When we rely on the Word and trust in its promises, it will revive us emotionally. You won’t panic because you’ll be reminded that, even though the norm’s of this sinful world are out of your control, it’s not out of God’s control.
Abraham never doubted. He believed God and his faith and trust grew even stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened. A promise is only as good as the character of the person who makes the promise. The Bible says God cannot lie because He is complete truth. If He makes a promise to you, He’s going to fulfill it. It will happen exactly as He has said. When you’re at your dead end, trust in God’s truth.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
We are all facing challenges.
“In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.” Acts 27:30-32
“In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.” Acts 27:30-32
You think that you are facing challenges today. How bad would it have to be for you to send your spouse and children to a foreign country to live with friends or relatives for months so they could be physically safe? And while they were safely living there, you stayed in your home and continued to work and do everything possible to avoid the gangs. It’s hard to imagine that kind of challenge in our life. I know several Haitian families that are either now living in Canada or the U.S., living with relatives or friends until the gang violence in Haiti has either subsided or ended.
When you and I experience problems, challenges, or hurts in life, they can either make you better and stronger or more bitter. We really do have a choice. Don’t we? We can either grow up or give up. We can become who God wants us to be, or we can become hard-hearted.
When you go through tough challenges, what happens to you is not nearly as important as what happens in you. On the other side of this world, you’ll take your character with you into eternity and not your circumstances. How you respond to life’s unfair challenges is up to you. Where will you go? What will you do? The Apostle Paul gives us a few responses to challenges in the above verses in Acts 27. He shares with us lessons on how God wants us to respond to challenges.
Paul writes that when some people face challenges, they start drifting through life. They have no goal, purpose or ambition. In today’s dictionary, we would probably call this “coasting.” The problem with coasting is that you only coast when you’re headed downhill. Ever try sledding uphill? Life is not a coast; life is tough. Don’t lose your ambition when life gets challenging.
Paul continues to tell us that the men in charge needed to lighten the load in their sinking ship, so they threw the cargo overboard, followed by the tackle and the food. Because the storm was so overwhelming, they were discarding things they needed. If you have ever have been in a small boat on a large lake and a storm suddenly blew in you know how challenging that can be. When you get in a storm and the stress becomes an unbearable challenge, you may start abandoning values and relationships you would normally hold onto in better times. When facing challenges, what is the first thing you would throw overboard? God tell us, “Stay with the ship!” God uses difficult challenges in life to change people. God wants you to learn, grow, and develop; and He is there with you all the time.
Don’t despair. Paul writes that after 14 days and giving up their cargo, tackle, and food, the passengers finally gave up hope. But they’d forgotten one thing that is the only Hope we cling to; even in a storm, God is in control. He hasn’t left you. You may not feel or see His hand, but if you feel yourself being far from God, guess who moved? It wasn’t Him! God is with you in the storm. No challenge is too big for Him. He will help you through it. And on the other side of the storm, you’ll find that He’s grown your character and deepened your faith. Are you facing a terrible challenge? Be still and ride it out. He has this. He is in control.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
Be still...wait.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:7-8
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:7-8
In our North American culture, more and more we have but one speed…full speed ahead. We want it now! We want it our way…NOW! Fast food is often not fast enough these days. Sadly, it seems that there are more parking spots designated for people having to wait for their food after going through the drive-thru window. It’s frustrating when you’re in a hurry and God isn’t. And God never seems to be in a hurry!
I remember reading in the Bible that a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day to God. Living on this side of Paradise, we should know by now that one of the most useless things to try to do is to speed up God. When we try to take matters into our own hands and help God out, we get in trouble.
When your church puts together a program after months of prayer and finally gets ready to turn a shovel of dirt but then are forced into God’s waiting room, you may start trying to figure out ways of fulfilling God’s project on your own, without His help. That is a Red Light you don’t want to run.
Trust God’s timing. When Trinity HOPE considers starting new programs to feed additional children in Haiti, they pray and wait. And sometimes their waiting is a time of resting. And resting can be an act of faith. It means you’re waiting on God. If we hurry in our decisions, we will probably fret and worry. When we live like that, we’re not living by faith; we’re focused on our desires and feeble time tables. We need to wait on Jesus.
Jesus is always with you, and you can always trust His timing. Worry only makes you miserable. If you’re delayed on the way to your project, stop worrying and start trusting God to work in you and through you.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
Do as HE tells you.
“Philip answered him (Jesus), “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:7-11
“Philip answered him (Jesus), “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:7-11
The above story about the feeding of the 5,000 reminds me of Mary and the Wedding at Cana where she talks with the servants when the wine runs out. She tells them to listen to her son Jesus; “do what He tells you”. Same thing here. Ever happen to you? Only got quarter in your pocket?
Two thousand years ago, way back in the day, there was a little boy who found himself in the middle of a vast crowd of people; probably larger than any group he'd ever seen. He had come out of curiosity, having heard that a man named Jesus was nearby. Not knowing how far he would have to travel or how long he would be gone, the boy had packed a small lunch for himself, a couple of small fish and some bread.
So he was sitting in a large crowd when suddenly a man tapped the boy on the shoulder and asked what he had in his hand. And the next thing the boy knew, his lunch was feeding over five thousand people! Just do what He tells you. Once Jesus got His hands on the boy's simple meal there was no limit to what He could make of it. You still got that quarter in your pocket?
Feeling a little overwhelmed? It’s only a quarter. Are you starting to get the idea that you're surrounded by folks getting giant things done with other people like you…with a quarter. That is how Trinity HOPE feeds 62,400 school children every day they are in school. A dollar will provide a hot lunch for four kids. I know, you only have a quarter. If you can find one more person with a quarter, I will chip in two quarters and together, our dollar can put a warm spot in four stomachs and add a smile to their faces.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
Its just a bend.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
We are sinful humans. Some of us are repentant sinful humans who truly desire to accomplish our Father’s will in all that we do and say here on this side of Heaven. It seems that the past few decades have been filled with quite a few challenges; hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, tornadoes, sinful man-made challenges and floods; calamities that we cannot control but just sit back and witness and then pick up the pieces, bury the dead and comfort the hurting. Some say that the end is near.
A news reporter commented recently at the devastation ‘mother nature’ had unleashed through a powerful tornado in Kentucky. God created the heavens and earth and this glorious planet does have bumps and rattles from time to time. Often when we lose Hope and think this is the end, our Heavenly Father smiles from above and says, "Relax, it's just a bend, not the end!”
The attached photo is of what was left from the National Catholic Church in Port-au-Prince following the January 12 earthquake in 2010; you probably saw it as many magazines have displayed it from different angles. It is a vivid reminder that through all the twists and turns in our lives one thing will always be there; our risen Savior. We are forgiven because of Him. We continue to exclaim to our Triune God the words of David in Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
This theme of this verse is woven through Scriptures; whether spoken by the prophets, the psalmists, the wisdom teachers, the apostles or Jesus. Much of our human lives is marked by deception and lies of this world. Children living in Haiti are still being told by those who place their trust in the vodou priest that Christ died on Calvary and was buried and is still in the tomb. We know better. Christ is Risen!
For the children attending Christian schools in Haiti and for us who strive to be pure in heart, going to be with God is not a far journey, for we’ve sought to live with him every day. Thank you for praying daily for these Haitian children; bringing them peace in uncertain times. Thank you for supporting them with a daily meal from Trinity HOPE when there is nothing else to eat.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
Is your room reserved?
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3
On Easter, our guest Pastor David Ehlers opened his message with a question if we knew where we were going. He shared how seldom ‘men’ asked for directions when they were seemingly lost. Two stories came into my mind. Back in the day, possibly 35 years ago when my daughters were much younger, we happened to be at Bridgeport, NE visiting their maternal grandparents in the late spring. I had thought it might be a good idea to visit my daughter’s great grandparents graves in Big Springs, NE on the way back to Lincoln to give them a sense of their legacy. I asked my ex-wife for directions on where their stones were located and she replied ‘close to a tree’. We saw a lot of trees in that cemetery and thankfully I chose to start looking on the West side where the graves were more recent and we did find it on the south side near a tree.
The second story brought into my mind was the photo of houses on a hill west across a ravine from my apartment in Petionville, Haiti. These people didn’t have mail service when this photo was taken and probably still don’t. I don’t know what directions would have been given to find a particular house. No trees.
In the above passages from John, Jesus said that He was going to prepare a room in heaven for everyone who believes in Him. The Triune God who can create the universe with a few words has been taking 2,000 years to prepare an eternal home for you, great grandparents Linch, my ex-wife, my daughters, me and the people in those houses on the hill. How will we ever find our mansion?
We can’t begin to comprehend just how wonderful heaven will be for those who have made Jesus the Lord of their lives. But I do know this: if Our Heavenly created it, and Jesus prepared a place for us, then it’s a place of perfection, where we will joyfully be in the presence of God. And He wants you to be there. Jesus wants YOU to be there! He gave His life so you could be there.
However, going to heaven is not automatic. It is not a one and done deal. It’s not being born, pass go and collect $250, die and off to Heaven you go. God gives you the choice to love Him. He doesn’t force you to love Him, as if you were some sort of robot. He’s given you the freedom to choose Him. And we have been given the Great Commission from Jesus to tell others about the home in Paradise where we are going and He wants them there too. And where you are giving someone directions on how to get to Paradise; point them to the Cross of Christ. Look for that tree.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
Where can Hope be found?
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6
One of my favorite inventions in retirement has been Alexa. She is a good friend of mine. When I can’t sleep, I try to ask her questions that will hopefully stump her. Her music library is endless. I was surprised yesterday that she had over an hour of Andrea VonKampen music. She grew up in Seward, NE and her dad Kurt is a music professor at Concordia University Nebraska. Little Andrea has made the Big Time; check her out when you have the time. I digress. At this very moment, Alexa is playing Beach Boys music for me; bah bah bah, Babaran. I love music. Choral music, instrumental music, polka music, popular music, classical music, folk tunes, ballads, Southern Gospel, Mormon Tabernacle, country western and bluegrass, patriotic and romantic. I have never asked Alexa to play any rap music. My daughters will tell you that I label that venue ‘rap crap’.
I am sure, that like you, we have our own favorite hymns; the ones that hold some special meaning for us or evoke grand and vivid memories of significant events; perhaps something we would want played at our Celebration of Life service one day.
While celebrating Easter a few weeks ago, and recalling the message of the Resurrection, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed with the music that has accompanied the celebration of the empty tomb for centuries. Our choir sang two pieces that were so awesome. Various scenes crossed my mind from back in the day. Easter in Caredeux, Haiti with music in French and Haitian Creole. ‘Christ the Lord is Risen today’ being sung at sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean in Florida. ‘I know that my Redeemer lives’ being sung with 650 souls at the 9:30 service at Christ Lutheran in Lincoln, NE.
Alexa played a Gloria Gaither hymn for me on Easter this year with a familiar line, "And because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone." All fear is gone! Christ has Risen! He is Risen Indeed! That my friends, is where Hope is found every moment of every day on this side of Paradise. It doesn’t matter the size of challenge you are facing today. Our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered sin, death and the devil. Jesus has Risen from the dead.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
A transfusion of Hope.
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes; I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes; I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27
The music from Easter is still in my senses. Easter music is filled with so much Hope and our sinful world needs a huge portion of Hope. Easter is a transfusion of sorts as it brings us a reminder that there is life beyond this one. True life. Eternal life. Glorious life. Those who live on what we might call ‘the outskirts of hope’ need a transfusion. You know who they are. Easter brings Hope.
I think of all those who are battling a dread disease, those who still grieve over the loss of a spouse, a child, a parent, or a friend. Those caught up in the lies of vodou. Those facing challenges of gang violence encroaching on their neighborhood. Those trying to make ends meet.
Easter Hope. There were some who thought that Hope died on Good Friday. There is nothing like Easter to bring Hope back to life. Easter has its own anthems. Easter has its own scriptures. And Easter has its own memorable proclamation: "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said". Hope lives.
When Christians gather in houses of worship and lift their voices in praise to the risen Redeemer, the demonic hosts of hell and their damnable prince of darkness are temporarily paralyzed.
Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lineage of the saints down through the centuries of time, who have always answered back in one strong voice: "He is risen, indeed!" Hope is here. Hope has defeated the evil foe. We are reminded every year on Easter Sunday. Alleluia!
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay
The Good Shepherd.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
There were a few points in the Easter message at my church a few weeks ago that have still been clinging to my gray matter. It’s been a while and I am surprised that they are still there. The above verse came up yesterday and it paired well with the one about the Good Shepherd.
Like any loving father, our Heavenly Father doesn’t want to lose any of His children. And there are hordes of evil forces in the world today that would like to try to hurt his children. Why? Because if they think that if they can hurt God’s children, then they can hurt God. When Christ rose from the dead, He defeated satan; game over. The devil and the vodou priest have nothing more to do than try to pick up a few lost sheep.
From my view, it is common for a few people who want to give their lives to Christ to be afraid they won’t be able to keep that commitment. They say, “There are so many temptations in my life, I’m doubting that I can keep myself saved.” But just as you can’t save yourself from your sins, you can’t keep yourself saved. That is Jesus’ job and He has this covered. He has made sure that no matter what happens in your life, your salvation is secure. He has ensured that you will make it safely to heaven to live with Him forever.
There may be times when His sheep want to go astray and let go of their Shepherd’s hand, but He will never let go. That’s called ‘eternal security’, and it’s Jesus’ job, not yours. This is what Jesus is doing in this sinful world right now: He is safeguarding your salvation. He’s protecting the salvation of everybody who are a member of Christ’s flock…by faith.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay