HIS tears.

“Jesus wept” John 11:35

I read this verse recently and I remembered that this was the Bible passage that many of us hoped to draw for our memory verse in 1964 when Pastor Heidemann was assigning us confirmation verses.  It is hard to imagine that the Son of God ever wept but while reading the news headlines these days it seems that this sinful world has many reasons to bring tears to the eyes of Jesus.

Tears came to His eyes when He came to the tomb of Lazarus.  Theologians assert that the tears of Jesus were tears of anger as He saw what the sin of this world had done to Lazarus.  The tears of Jesus could have been tears of sadness at the thought of bringing Lazarus back to life as he had to come back to this sinful world.

The tears of Jesus were tears of compassion.  One can imagine that Jesus might be smiling upon you for having compassion on this child who attends the Lutheran school in Ouanaminthe.  There may be a tear of joy as this child receives his daily meal, from you, in this sinful world.   Thank you for showing compassion to the children being blessed by Trinity HOPE and consider the compassion that God had for you by sending His Son to die for you on the cross.  The words from a Statler Brothers song seem like a wonderful way to close this devotion, hope that they will touch you and possibly bring a tear to your eye.

“There were tears in the eyes of Jesus; there were nails in the palms of His hands.  There were thorns in his brow and only God could know how much pain he could withstand.  There was blood all around the hillside as a mother mourned her loss, and we all stood to gain from the heavenly pain on the other side of the cross.  On the other side of the cross, the side that no one could see; hung the Spirit of things yet to come, hung the future of you and me.  And what He gave that day on the cross not one bit of love has been lost.  Hold my hand, stand up and say if you were there on that day; on the other side of the cross.”

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

Are you searching for a direction?

“But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’” Genesis 32:12

Have you ever doubted God’s direction for your life’s journey?  Ever get to the fork in the road and just go in the scenic route?  Yogi Berra was quoted as saying, “if you come to a fork in the road…take it.”   God gives us a single direction and often, we know which way we are to go.  Jacob did as he told God, “You said I will make you prosper.”  Our difficulty with God is that He keeps His promises in His time and not ours.  His will is accomplished in His ways and too often we don’t understand how that is taking place in our lives; God is faithful.

The Haitian word for faith is ‘gen konfyans’ and the children in the attached photo have much faith; anpil gen komfyans.  We all have times when we doubt His presence in our daily lives and lose patience waiting for His promises to be fulfilled.  God is faithful; was faithful yesterday, will be faithful today and again tomorrow.

Their school at Torbeck will once again have food prepared tomorrow.  Our Triune God is faithful and will always remain faithful to His children.  I close today with the words from the hymn ‘Great is Thy faithfulness’ which was a poem that written by Thomas O. Chisolm in 1923.

“Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not as Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.  Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!   Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!  Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!  Great is Thy faithfulness!”

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

Desert dweller.

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.  I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”  Psalm 63:1-3

David wrote these words when he was in the Desert of Judah.  Have you ever been standing outside and alone in the middle of a desert?  Just the thought of that degree of heat causes my mouth to get dry; my lips are almost starting to feel cracked and waxy.  The most important thing to David’s mind on this day was knowing that God loved him. 

A person who understands that God’s unfailing love in their life is on their way to eternal glory.  The children eating lunch attend school at Bois Marchand in the Artibonite District.  Their school is located on the North edge of Gonaives and there are cacti within a stone throw of this school.  It was very hot on this day but these children understand God’s unfailing love and they, like you and I are on our way to eternal life.

There is a peace that comes from knowing that God has our best interest at heart.  How do they and you and I know that God truly loves us?  Please, just take a look at the cross.  He knew us before we were born, before the foundations of the universe were laid; He set a plan in place that would offer forgiveness for sins we had not yet committed.  He placed you where you are to help these children He placed at the Bois Marchand School.

Sometimes we look at our hardships living in North America, and they may seem HUGE but I ask that you consider your blessings and then take another look at these children eating their only meal of the day…in a desert.  Hardships here and there; with all the things He has done for you, could you not take a few hardships for him?  Trust Him.  Trust His love.  Feed His sheep.

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

Trust our Lord.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."  Ephesians 6:10-11
Oh boy, its Monday morning and I’m not sure if you keep track of the stock markets but last week they seemed to be heading South.  Do you suppose that this small child from with the chair on his head could walk onto the trading floor and stand up on his chair and yell at the top of his voice “STOP THIS MADNESS”?  What could he possibly accomplish?  Would anyone listen to him?  I read a quote yesterday that might apply to this boy with his chair.  “To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.”  Let that be on your mind today.

Sadly, there are people in our world that will read the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians and imagine that God is telling ‘them’ to be strong and trust in their own wisdom and strength; after all, they are in control of their destiny.  Our Triune God has not instructed this world to be strong in ourselves or in our resources.

The little boy from Cap Haitian would probably get some attention in NYC, but not because of his financial might, but rather because of the oddity that he would bring.  Our Lord is telling us in Ephesians to be strong in the Lord.  Do not put your trust in worldly wisdom, wealth or strength; turn back to Him who created you and blessed you with the possessions that you have.

This young child does not have much more than the school uniform that he is wearing.  He doesn’t own the chair.  He does have Jesus and is being fed by somebody like you who have shared a portion of their providence for his lunch.  Thank you for sharing with those who have less…much less.

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

Sharing Hope.

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Timothy 2:1-2

Saturday morning and words from the Apostle Paul.  Many theologians have said that this message could have very well been the Apostle Paul’s last words from inside a Roman prison.  At this time of writing, Paul knew it could be his final contact with Timothy because his execution was most likely imminent.  It is important to know that what gives hope in the face of a painful death like the one Paul encountered.  Paul, in his letter to Timothy, gave two points that should keep a believer strong: gaining strength in the grace of Jesus Christ and gaining strength in all the testimonies in the Word of God.

Do you know people who might be in a similar situation as was facing Paul in prison?  You have most assuredly been entrusted with the Word of God throughout your life.  Are there reliable people within your voice or touch who will share your love of Jesus Christ and knowledge of the Word of God with others after you have gone?

The young girl in the photo is from Ouanaminthe.  She attends the Lutheran school there and she is praying; giving thanks for her noon meal and for people like you who are helping her to be qualified to teach others along her journey about the grace of Jesus Christ and God’s Holy Word.

I recently heard the song ‘Whispering Hope’ on Alexa which was written by Septimus Winner in 1868.  The words reminded me of this small child living on the Northern border of Haiti; in her own type of prison.  Her soft witness will change lives because of your answering of His call to prepare others to share the Good News of a risen Savior.

“Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard; hope with a gentle persuasion whispers her comforting word.  Wait till the darkness is over, wait till the tempest is done.  Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone.  Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.  If, in the dusk of the twilight, dim be the region afar; will not the deepening darkness brighten the glimmering star?  Then when the night is upon us, why should the heart sink away?  When the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day.   Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.  Hope, as an anchor so steadfast, rends the dark veil for the soul; whither the Master has entered, robbing the grave of its goal.  Come then, oh, come, glad fruition, come to my sad weary heart.  Come, O Thou blest hope of glory, never, oh, never depart.  Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.”

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

Leaning on HIM.

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

Ah, its Friday; TGIF.  I read an interesting quote recently that was attributed to nobody.  “There are two things I've learned; there is a God…and I'm not Him.”  And then there was a devotion that I read recently that stated God’s care includes people of all ages; those in diapers unable to walk, those in jeans and sneakers running everywhere and those wearing diapers, using walkers who can ‘run’ nowhere.  We are all God’s children, no matter our age, our physical ability, our status in the eyes of this world, the color of our skin or the type of blood flowing through our veins.  We all need God…all the time; we need God cause we ain’t HIM.

God’s care includes and does not exclude.  When infants and small children were brought to Jesus he didn’t say “take them away, I am too busy.”  The children in the attached photo are attending school at Petit Amis in Caredeux and they would be welcomed by our Savior to sit on His lap, tug on His arm and share their love with Him who came to save us.

Our Savior, the Good Shepherd invites us to ‘come’ and be with Him here and one day in Heaven.  We place our faith in Him, lean on Him and call upon Him daily.  I heard a favorite song this morning, ‘Leaning on the everlasting arms’ by Elisha Hoffman that was published in 1887.  It is such a wonderful reminder that there is a Savior to lean on, no matter who we are, where we are or what we have done; He is always there.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.  What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.   Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.  What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.”

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

Don't be afraid.

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.  “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  Matthew 14:25-27, 33

I listened to a Devotional app recently and the speaker was focusing on this scripture reading from Matthew and asking, “So, what are you afraid of?”  We read in Matthew 14:22-33 what Peter and the other disciples feared; a ghost.  Peter, the brave one, asked Jesus to make it possible for him to walk out on the water and be with Him.  Peter walked out and then began to sink when he realized where He was and satan brought his mind back into this sin filled world and the power of gravity.

What fears do you have in your life’s journey?  Health, money, relationships, wrong directions taken or non-productive temptations?  The children who attend the school at Bienac 4 in the Artibonite District fear that when they go to school, the pot of food will be empty and the fire will be out.  The vodou priest is telling them that God does not love them, Jesus is still in the grave and the power of the Holy Spirit cannot match their evil spirits.  The 141 children attending school here check every morning before going to their desk to make sure the fire is burning, and they like us and the disciples can exclaim “truly you are the Son of God.”

So what are you afraid of today?  Worried that your donation will be too small and insignificant?  Around forty-seven dollars will fill the pot at Bienac 4.  God continues to fill the pot at 270 schools in Haiti every day.  “Truly, you are the Son of God!”  Alexa shared the song ‘Have no Fear little flock’ recently and the words in verse one are a gentle reminder that we truly have nothing to fear.  “Have no fear, little flock, have no fear little flock.  For the Father has chosen to give you the Kingdom, have no fear, little flock.”

Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the suffering; honor all men; love and serve the Lord; rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.  And may almighty God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit bless you.

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

HE has plans for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Have you heard the saying that “even the best laid plans will go wrong”?  Back in 2011 when I was preparing to retire, several co-workers and a few friends from Church asked what my future plans were?  My retirement was earlier than the magic age that our world tells us is correct, but I advised to them that even though the voices in my head may not be real, they have some good ideas!

I have never heard of anybody in Haiti ever retiring.  The men and women reach an age where they can no longer put food into their bodies and they go to live with relatives and die; that is not my plan.  The attached photo is of some of the children and teachers at the Lutheran school at Bongnol which is located in the Artibonite District.  There are 105 children attending school here and for me that is 105 reasons to volunteer my labors for Trinity HOPE to help feed these children while they learn about Jesus Christ.

As long as my feeble fingers can type out a daily devotion or my body can travel and give a presentation that will help to feed 62,000 children in Haiti; that is what I will do.  What are your plans for retirement?  Have you given any thought to helping feed children in Haiti when you retire or even before you pick that date?  These kids need you and your talents.  Imagine how many could be touched by your life or by your legacy when it is your time to leave this world.  I was listening to Amy Grant sing on my MP3 the song ‘I can only imagine’ recently and the words placed thoughts about what the future will bring.

“I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side.  I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me.  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?  Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?  Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?  Will I sing Halelluja, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  I can only imagine when that day comes and I find myself standing in the Son.  I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you.  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?  Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?  Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?  Will I sing Halelluja, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine; yeah I can only imagine.”

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

Having doubts?

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  John 20:27

There was a phrase in Pastor Luke’s online sermon recently that placed its hooks into my thought process when he said “Jesus has changed everything!”  Being a Lutheran, change is not always deemed to be good, necessary or a desired direction.  But his statement is so true; the resurrection of Jesus Christ has changed everything; for you, for me, for this child in Haiti and also for Thomas who needed ‘real’ proof that Christ had risen from the dead before he would believe.

Have you ever doubted?  Have you ever caught yourself doubting the truth of the resurrection?  The girl from Cap Haitian probably has a family member that still doesn’t believe that Jesus conquered satan and rolled away a huge stone to reveal His empty tomb on Easter.  Vodou followers do not accept the resurrection story; they will tell you that Christ was crucified, died and was buried; nothing more to see here.  Thomas needed proof; the vodou priest needs proof.

It is interesting to imagine how our Heavenly Father will use this child to tell the truth of her risen Savior to her family, neighbors and friends; that is what God is preparing her to do.  The Apostle Thomas doubted until he came face to face with Jesus and then he believed and would later bring news of the risen Christ to India.

Jesus Christ has changed everything.  His death on the cross and resurrection provides the hope of salvation for this world of sinners.  In our remaining days we need to share the message of Easter with ears that have not heard.  It is our pleasure to help to send this child from Cap Haitian to share the Easter message with the lost vodou followers in her city.  Everything has changed; He is risen!  I close today with that last three verses of the hymn ‘Abide with Me!’ that was written by Henry F. Lyte around 1847.

“I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?  Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?  Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!  I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.  Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?  I triumph still if Thou abide with me.  Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.  Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!”

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 are you from?

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.”  Isaiah 51:1

Monday morning question.  What part of this earth did you come from?  Where did your lungs get that initial filling of the outside air?  The two small children in the attached photo live in Cap Haitian, Haiti.  I am certain that their nostrils drew their first breath of air from inside of their home, most likely on their parent’s bed.  The mission team worker next to them, Paige, I seem to recall she was from Kansas City.  My lungs were filled in Seward Memorial hospital and your lungs probably drew that first lung filling inhalation in a clean hospital in North America.

These two girls and Paige and you and I all have one thing in common, we are all united in the same belief of a risen Savior.  It doesn’t matter from which quarry we come from.  Ancestors from Germany, England, France, Africa or Haiti; we are all His children here on earth and will be together in Heaven one day.  In the two decades since I took this photo I have retired and live in Normal, Paige has become a doctor and I’m not sure what these young girls are doing along their journey; but they are His children.

I listened to a song from Alexa recently, ‘Let there be peace on Earth’ sung by Vince Gill and a small child.  Listening to the two of them brought back memories of me singing ‘Lavi’ with children in Haiti about the same age as these two girls.  One day, you and I will be singing praises to our Triune God together in Heaven, singing with our brothers and sisters from this generation and generations before us.

 “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.  Let there be peace on earth; the peace that was meant to be.  With God as our father, brothers all are we.  Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.  Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.  With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow.  To take each moment and live each moment with peace eternally.  Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

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