Monthly Archives: August 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 7, 2015
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Trusting the Spirit — Rev. David J. Schreffler

imageAugust 7, 2015

“Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. If a place will not welcome you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Mark 6:7-11

“I’m a planner. Even on vacation I like to have a very detailed itinerary. And if it’s not too much, God, I would greatly appreciate a detailed outline of the next ten years. When I was ten years old I went on a vacation with my friend and her family. I came home disappointed about the trip because nothing happened the way I had planned it. So to be sent out with nothing and guided only by the Holy Spirit—terrifying! Let’s get practical. No one should leave home without their smart phone and a credit card. Right? At least give the disciples a map with friendly homes circled! Yet, there was a purpose and blessing behind sending the disciples out with nothing but the Holy Spirit. And today there is still purpose and blessing in putting down our smartphones and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us.” (Luther Seminary website devotions, Jennifer Beil, July 3, 2015)

Trust….it is a funny thing. We like to think we live with trust in our hearts, but only living life and true experiences will tell the tale of our trust. How willing are we to venture out without the things that we use as crutches in our lives — cell phones, credit cards, GPS devices, items of comfort and luxury that we are told constantly that we cannot live without? When we have exhausted all of the other devices that trick us into thinking we can trust them, hoping and trusting they will give us direction, we may finally learn that the Holy Spirit is the most difficult to use, but gives us the clearest direction — but it takes time and trust.

The Holy Spirit is easy to tap into, but requires time, focus, and determination to understand where it is leading us. When you got your first GPS device, it took time to understand how to use it. The same is true with the Holy Spirit, however, you can use the Holy Spirit anywhere, anytime, any way you discern. But it takes time, and trust.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 6, 2015
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The Mercy Rule — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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August 6, 2015

“For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!” Romans 11:32-33

“The Mercy Rule is God’s plan for disobedient sinners to know that our only hope is his endless mercy. Paul puts it this way, “God has bound all people over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.” All. Without condition. Kristen Talbot won a spot on the U.S. speed skating team in the 1994 winter Olympics. To be an Olympic speed skater she had to stay on a rigid practice and training schedule; any interruption threatened her chance for a gold medal. Yet that’s exactly what Kristen did when, only weeks before she was scheduled to compete she donated bone marrow to her critically ill brother. During an interview she said skating and the Olympics are important, but not as important as helping others. She went on to compete in the Olympics and came home without a medal. That’s The Mercy Rule. Who needs your mercy? Make it more important.”
“The Mercy Rule” (gracedowntown website for Grace Lutheran Church,
Milwaukee, WI)

Many of us know something about a mercy rule in sports. Sometimes it is called a “ten run rule” where, if a baseball or softball team scores 10 runs more than their opponent by a certain inning, the game ends immediately. Sometimes it comes in the form of a team taking one or more players off the field once they have scored five more goals than the opposing team. The Mercy Rule is put into effect to bring about more parity among teams — to even the playing field, so to speak.

G*d’s mercy rule is not that different, because it also evens the playing field. Because of G*d’s mercy, we all have the chance for eternal life — people may think they are better than others, but G*d’s mercy comes equally to all, no matter who thinks they are better, have done more, or are more righteous. Thank goodness for G*d’s Mercy Rule, or we all would be losers.

Pastor Dave