October 15, 2022 — Empty Shell — Rev. David J. Schreffler

I have come to see the empty shell
Abandoned either for Heaven or Hell
Or some existence beyond our sight
And beyond our perilous fancies flight.

The face is clearly yours my friend
I know every crease from end to end;
But it lacks that certain animated tone
That uniquely separates life from stone.

I see the hint of a passing smile
Pasted on with makeup, thread and wire;
Could it be that death can bring joy
Or is this well-place wax a ploy?

I have so much to tell you now
If only you can hear somehow;
I suppose you are still here, still near
That even death will not interfere.

So hear me out while I have the chance
You have moved on to the eternal dance
Crossed through the gate from life to death
While we journey on….you will rest.

Tho’, that is not my thought of death
I do not think that you will rest;
Instead I sense your journey anew
Into places this earth just cannot view.

You will see dimensions that redefine glory
When I see you there, you will tell a story
Of creatures, stars, and unearthly places
Not glimpsed by our eyes or felt by our senses…

You see, death will never be the end we dread
You leave us here — yes we say “You are dead”
But you live now in other places of glory
Death Be Not Proud – for life is your story.

So, I will miss you but, you do not care
One more time I reach out to brush your hair;
Then close the casket and say goodbye
If we must be born, then we also must die.

Pastor Dave

October 14, 2022 — Sharing Out of Our Abundance

“After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Acts 15:7-11

“But let not, brethren…let us not be divided by things earthly and insignificant: I mean, by wealth and poverty, by bodily relationship, by enmity and friendship; for all these things are a shadow, nay less substantial than a shadow, to those who possess the bond of charity from above. Let us preserve this…and none of those evil spirits will be able to enter in, who cause division in so perfect union; to which may we all attain by the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ…”    John Chrysostom (344-407) “For All The Saints”, volume II (p. 364)

John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both church and political leaders, and for his ascetic sensibilities.

“Consider how [Jesus Christ] teaches us to be humble, by making us see that our virtue does not depend on our work alone but on grace from on high. He commands each of the faithful who prays to do so universally, for the whole world. For he did not say “thy will be done in me or in us”, but “on earth”, the whole earth, so that error may be banished from it, truth take root in it, all vice be destroyed on it, virtue flourish on it, and earth no longer differ from heaven.”

This is a quote from John Chrysostom on his teachings on the Lord’s Prayer. He was concerned with how the rich might use their resources for the purpose of caring for the poor. He saw the danger of wealth and how it could divide people instead of being used to care for others. It is a teaching that is so needed in our world today — how we should look to share out of our abundance instead of stashing away our resources in bigger and bigger barns for our use alone. When we share out of our abundance, we are just beginning to make this world just a little bit more like heaven.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, like John Chrysostom we too seek to live united and to not allow the things of this life to divide us. Help me to have a humble heart and to search for ways to share my blessings with others. Amen.

Pastor Dave