June 10, 2022 – Words of Wisdom, Mahatma Gandhi

An Ounce of Practice

“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

An Ounce of Practice

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. 

Showing mercy can mean many things to different people. So, what does it mean to “go and do”?  In the above story of Mary and Martha, in one instance Jesus implies that it means “Sit” – in the other instance it seems to mean “Do”.  The secret to living the Christ-like life is finding a balance for both “sitting and doing” — “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”.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we all need time for sabbath – time to sit and be refreshed. Help me today to take time to listen to your word, and then go wherever you lead me. Amen.

Pastor Dave

June 9, 2022 —  Words of Wisdom

Littlest is not Always Little

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” (The Lord of the Rings)

“There is the story told about a King who had a problem.  The King needed someone to help solve his problem.  Word spreads that the King has a problem, and the tallest, smartest, and fastest people in the kingdom think that they can solve it. But, as it turns out, none of those, the tallest person in the kingdom, the smartest person in the kingdom, and the fastest person in the kingdom cannot solve his problem.  However, it turns out the problem is that his crown fell under his throne, and none of them are able to reach it. But the smallest person in the kingdom can solve the King’s problem.  The King realizes that the smallest person in the kingdom can fit underneath the throne and reach it. The smallest person in the kingdom retrieves the crown, and saves the day.” (The King’s Problem)

Littlest is not Always Little

The bible is filled with people who, though small in stature or position, do amazing things for G-d and for G-d’s people.  I have talked about many of those individuals, and they are there for you to do some of your own reading – people like Zacchaeus, and David, and even Paul, who was reported to be only four feet, five inches tall. If you think about your life, I am sure there are so many people you could list who have proven that you do not have to be big to make a big difference in the lives of others. My wife’s paternal grandmother was all of four feet tall and had lost most of the fingers on her right hand in a meat grinding accident. Yet, she was the chief cook, launderer, and bottle washer in her family. There was nothing she could not do. She was a model of strength, wisdom, and faith for my wife.

Although the media and even the Marines think there should be a certain height for people to be respected and accepted (at least according to the world’s standards), this is not true for the kingdom of G-d and G-d’s Kingdom on earth. Even if you are bent over with arthritis, are cut down by some accident or disability, or are just short, you already are big in the eyes of G-d, because G-d created you. 

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, You are the Word of G-d. Lift me up today so I may be your mouth-piece, your platform shoes, and your soap box to stand before the world and “live large” the Christ-like life. Amen.

Pastor Dave