January 5, 2017 – Christmas + 11
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me… two turtle doves. On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me… three French hens. On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…four calling birds. On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… five golden rings. On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… six geese a laying. On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me… seven swans a swimming. On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… eight maids a milking. On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… nine ladies dancing. On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… ten lords a leaping. On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me… eleven pipers piping. On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, Three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree.” (lyrics, The Twelve Days of Christmas)

On this date, in 1943, George Washington Carver passed away. He was, at that time, one of only three American people to have a national monument erected in his honor. Dennis Keeney, director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, wrote in the Leopold Letter (newsletter):

Carver worked on improving soils, growing crops with low inputs, and using species that fixed nitrogen (hence, the work on the cowpea and the peanut). Carver wrote in ‘The Need of Scientific Agriculture in the South’: “The virgin fertility of our soils and the vast amount of unskilled labor have been more of a curse than a blessing to agriculture. This exhaustive system for cultivation, the destruction of forest, the rapid and almost constant decomposition of organic matter, have made our agricultural problem one requiring more brains than of the North, East or West.” ( Leopold Letter, newsletter)

Twelve days of Christmas, and on each we noted a person, a situation, a happening that is part of the history of our world. From William Passavant and the deaconness movement in this country, to the persecution of Jews in the 15th century, there have been examples of evil, and examples of G-d’s work in the world. For you and me, we need to decide how we will attempt to be a part of the future of the world in 2017. Will we allow evil to continue to run amok unabated, or will we be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ looking to spread the word and the efforts of the Gospel? This is the time of change – it is in the new year that many, many people will look to ways they can make positive change in their lives. This pastor was in a local business the other day and noticed the number of scales, exercise equipment, and workout clothing that had been set out on display, and were being purchased by customers. When people are looking for something to spark their motivation for change, often they choose the new year as the genesis for change. The same can be true for our faith lives. And, the good news is, there is nothing we need to purchase to make that change. We have all that we need – a bible, a local church, and people of faith who are looking for the same change. Today is a good day to start – find a bible study; visit a church or synagogue; meet a Pastor or Rabbi or Priest or spiritual leader and embark on a new you – a new, more spiritual you.

Pastor Dave

January 4, 2017 – Christmas + 10
Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the Senate

“He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.” Mark 6:1-6

Pastor Peter Marshall, pastor at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC was twice appointed as Chaplain of the US Senate. (Wikipedia)

On this day, January 4, 1947: “the Senate appointed Peter Marshall to be their chaplain. Senators used to come early just to hear him pray. And this is how he prayed: “O Lord our God, even at this moment as we come blundering into Thy presence in prayer, we are haunted by memories of duties unperformed, promptings disobeyed, and beckonings ignored. Opportunities to be kind knocked on the door of our hearts and went weeping away…” He died in 1949 at the age of forty-five from a heart attack.” (Inimitable Peter Marshall Took on the Senate, by Dan Graves, MSL)

Here is an example of Pastor Marshall’s prayers, he titled it: “For God’s Grace in Our Helplessness”

“We know, our Father, that at this desperate hour in world affairs, we need Thee. We need Thy strength, Thy guidance, Thy wisdom. There are problems far greater than any wisdom of man can solve. What shall our leaders do in such an hour? May Thy wisdom and Thy power come upon the President of these United States, the Senates and Congressmen, to whom have been entrusted leadership. May the responsibility lie heavily on their hearts, until they are ready to acknowledge their helplessness and turn to Thee. Give to them the honest, the courage, and the moral integrity to confess that they don’t know what to do. Only then can they lead us as a nation beyond human wisdom to Thee, who alone hast the answer. Lead us to this high adventure. Remind us that a “might fortress is our God” – not a hiding place where we can escape for an easy life, but rather an arsenal of courage and strength – the mightiest of all, who will march beside us into the battle for righteousness and world brotherhood. O our God, may we never recover from our feeling of helplessness and our need of Thee! In the strong name of Jesus, our Lord, we pray. Amen.”

Pastor Dave