October 12, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
C. S. Lewis

“I didn’t go to religion to make me “happy”. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” C. S. Lewis

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9

Christianity would not have spread if it were not for two early influences and forces: the influence of Paul the Apostle, and the working of the Holy Spirit given to the church and the world on the day of Pentecost. From the day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit rested like tongues of flame on the many disciples, Christianity spread like wild fire. But, it did not spread without challenges, hardships, and sorrows. But none of that stopped Paul. He persisted, even though he was imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, starved and persecuted. And yet, in the midst of one of those events, in the midst of being severely persecuted, Paul was singing hymns for the jailers.

There is a present and active theology in our world today that teaches that if your faith is strong enough Jesus will make you happier, richer, and better looking. But, that is the theology of preachers like Joel Olsteen, and other Prosperity Theologians. And to me, that is a dangerous theology, because I know too few people who have cornered the world on happier, wealthier, and prettier. I do believe that our lives are better for being followers of Jesus – and I believe that we are richer in blessings because of Jesus – and I believe we are happier as followers because Jesus has won our salvation. But, to think that our lives will be easier because we follow Jesus is setting ourselves up for an unachievable pedestal.

As Lutherans, we follow the theology of the cross, not a theology of glory. Jesus has won glory for each one of us, but that does not mean that we will see any of that glory on this earth, in this life. Oh we will have our moments. But for most of our lives we will be seeking to better the lives of others through our resources, our time and our prayers as we take up our crosses and follow Jesus. And that may not make us wealthy, but it will make our lives richer.

Pastor Dave

October 11, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
Mahatma Gandhi

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:37-42

When Jesus tells the lawyer ( the one who wanted to justify himself from the parable of the Good Samaritan) to “Go and do likewise” – Jesus is telling him to show mercy to people regardless of their religious, cultural, ethnic or gender identity. The lawyer believed that there were only certain people to whom he should be kind, accepting, and merciful. And, not allowing him to justify himself, Jesus put him in his place. Now, showing mercy can mean many things to different people, especially depending on the situation. But immediately after this parable, Jesus enters into the home of Mary and Martha. Martha complains that Mary is not helping her out as she would prefer, and Jesus supports Mary that “She has chosen the better part” by not “going and doing”.

So, what does it mean to “go and do”? In one instance Jesus implies that it means “Go” – in the other instance it seems to mean “Sit”. The secret to living the Christ-like life is finding a balance for both “going and doing” and “sitting and listening”. There are certain ways that we Lutherans believe that we receive the Holy Spirit – through hearing the Word, reading the Word, and receiving the Word in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. If we are always “doing”, we will eventually run out of the strength to continue to “do the works of G-d” because we all only have so much in our Spiritual Tanks. There need to be times when we sit at the feet of Jesus, or in the worship service, to receive some preaching, and to take part in the Sacraments, so we can fill up our Spiritual Tanks, and then continue to “go and do”.
My friends, find time to be filled by G-d’s word and the Holy Spirit through participating in worship, bible study, Word and Sacrament. And when you feel your strength has been renewed, remember the words that Jesus spoke to the lawyer – “Go and Do likewise”.

Pastor Dave