February 5, 2015

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42

“Parents who are not religious in their character, have reason…seriously to consider what effect they are producing, and likely to produce, in their children. Probably you do not wish them to be irreligious; few parents have the (will) or indiscretion to desire that the fear of G*d, the salutary restraints of religion, should be removed from their children. Go home to your Christless house, look upon them all as they gather round you, and ask it of your love faithfully to say, whether it is well between you? And if no other argument can draw you to G*d, let these dear living arguments come into your soul, and prevail there.”
Horace Bushnell (1802 – 1876) “For All The Saints” volume I

When I was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millersburg, there must have been 25 of my classmates from school in my class. I will admit that I often did not see many of them on a Sunday morning, but their parents made it a priority that their children were taught the important aspects of the bible, and the Lutheran faith. Today, it seems many parents do not feel the same obligation upon their hearts. That means that many of our youth today are not being taught anything about religion, about G*d, about faith, and about love of neighbor.

So many religions teach some version of “love your neighbor”. Whether it is Jainism, Taoism, Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, or Christianity, loving our neighbor and treating them like we want to be treated is a universal teaching. Without religion, society becomes too consumed with individual wants and needs and loses the communal understanding of “love your neighbor”.

Throughout my years I have watched many parents drop off their children for Sunday School and then either leave for the local coffee shop or return home. But by the time the children reached Confirmation age, they either disappeared, or disappear soon after completing confirmation classes. Children are not just taught “love your neighbor” at church. Truth be told, we either do or don’t live out that same message in our homes – whether we know it or not. Every day we teach our children something about loving our neighbor through the little decisions that we do or don’t make. What will you teach your child today – what will you teach your co-workers and friends today about “love your neighbor”?

Pastor Dave

February 4, 2015

“A father said to Jesus, “I brought my son to you, for he has a…spirit; and wherever it seizes him, if dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid…” Jesus said “Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” He said, “From childhood. If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said “All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:17-24

“Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only he who is helpless can truly pray. Listen to this, you who are often so helpless that you do not now what to do. At times you do not even know how to pray. Your mind is preoccupied with what the Bible calls the world. G*d…seems so distant and foreign to you that you feel that you add sin to sin by desiring to approach G*d in such a state of mind. Listen my friend! Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of G*d with greater effect than all your uttered pleas.” Ole Hallesby (1879 – 1961) “For All The Saints”, volume I

If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we often feel like the father in the text above – we do not know what to do with our unbelief. We believe that unbelief is a sin – or at least we treat it that way. Unbelief, as is indicated in our text, is often a catalyst to belief – or at least is a catalyst to act. When we have questions, we should not keep them to ourselves to the point that we do nothing with them. When I hold bible study classes, I have noticed those attending seem to sit as far away from me as possible. Often I wonder why? I have come to the conclusion that some feel that if they sit far enough away from me, then I won’t call on them to answer a question. I have also heard folks say that some do not come to bible study because they think they need to have some prerequisite knowledge before they can attend.

None of us will ever know too much about G*d – we all need to learn and to study. Our faith is dependant on the Holy Spirit who calls us through the Gospel, gathers and enlightens us as well. And when we have no idea what to do, when we feel the most helpless, one thing we all can do is to pray – to cry out to G*d for help. Another way we can help our unbelief is to build up and strengthen our knowledge that is the base, the support of our faith lives. Knowledge does not puff up, as Paul says in his letter to the Corinthian church; but love builds up – and we will know nothing of Christ’s love if we do not do some reading, studying and some praying. As Hallesby says, “Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of G*d…”

Pastor Dave