August 31, 2010
I have spent my morning trying to coordinate my calendars. I have been taking the information from all the separate pieces of paper cluttering my desk and putting it on my computer calendar which will sync to my phone calendar. I am trying to find available dates to plan even more activities! The calendar is starting to look overbooked! As I plan for this upcoming year, I am reminded of the wise words of Proverbs 16. The first 3 verses of chapter sixteen read:
1The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
We use our human thoughts and reasoning to make what we think to be good plans but God has the final say in all things. He sees the big picture. And even more importantly He sees the spirit in which we make our plans and do our work. Commit your work to the Lord. Any work done in faith and accompanied by much prayer will be established according to God’s will.
Heavenly Father,
Help us to plan all our days with prayer that our work would be in accordance with Your will. May all our efforts give You glory. And when we fail miserably, we thank You for Your steadfast love and mercy which offers us forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name we pray.
Amen
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
First Day of School
Today is the first day of school at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. My baby just walked in to her last classroom at Good Shepherd. She is now an 8th grader. I don't think that I have ever cried on the first day of school--with the oldest or the youngest! With the oldest, there were still too many little ones at home. With the youngest, it was time for a break! When she started all day school in first grade, it was the first time in 21 years that I did not have a little one home during some part of the day!
Today isn't a crying day but it is a reflecting day! Reflecting on the blessings of a Christian education and knowing that it will not end thanks to Metro East Lutheran High School. But the insight into the daily life of the school at Good Shepherd that can only come from being a parent will somewhat change. I still will be teaching 7th grade Catechism in the school (God willing) and will still know many of the moms and students through my ministry work at Good Shepherd. But it won't be the same. I know from past experience that this will also end the extra insight into the daily life of my child. I won't have those chance opportunities to see her during the day. This is the last year that she can just buzz my office if she left something at home or needs permission to take a Tylenol! It's a step toward the next season of life for both of us.
Our school theme this year comes from Isaiah. It reminds us that the God who redeemed us will never forsake us.
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine." Is 43.1
Fear not! I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future. Or as Bob the Tomato so eloquently put it:
God is bigger than the boogie man.
He's bigger than Godzilla,
or the monsters on TV.
Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man.
And He's watching out for you and me.
May God watch over all students and their families. And I especially ask that He would help me enjoy and appreciate this last year as a Good Shepherd Lutheran School parent!
Today isn't a crying day but it is a reflecting day! Reflecting on the blessings of a Christian education and knowing that it will not end thanks to Metro East Lutheran High School. But the insight into the daily life of the school at Good Shepherd that can only come from being a parent will somewhat change. I still will be teaching 7th grade Catechism in the school (God willing) and will still know many of the moms and students through my ministry work at Good Shepherd. But it won't be the same. I know from past experience that this will also end the extra insight into the daily life of my child. I won't have those chance opportunities to see her during the day. This is the last year that she can just buzz my office if she left something at home or needs permission to take a Tylenol! It's a step toward the next season of life for both of us.
Our school theme this year comes from Isaiah. It reminds us that the God who redeemed us will never forsake us.
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine." Is 43.1
Fear not! I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future. Or as Bob the Tomato so eloquently put it:
God is bigger than the boogie man.
He's bigger than Godzilla,
or the monsters on TV.
Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man.
And He's watching out for you and me.
May God watch over all students and their families. And I especially ask that He would help me enjoy and appreciate this last year as a Good Shepherd Lutheran School parent!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"wise for salvation"
Proverbs 2:1-6 (English Standard Version)
The Value of Wisdom
1My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
2making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
3yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
With the start of school this week, a lot of attention is focused on learning. Teachers are planning their lesson outlines for the year. There are goals set for what each child should learn during this academic year. My daughter is getting ready to start her last year at Good Shepherd. My son just went to freshman orientation for his first year of college. I’m excited for all the wisdom they will gain this year. But these verses remind me of how wisdom comes from the Lord. While I want my children to be wise and competent, I am even more concerned that they become wise in the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. I want them to be “wise for salvation.” as we read in 2 Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (English Standard Version)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
This wisdom doesn’t end with a graduation. This learning continues throughout our lifetime. The start of the school year also starts a lot of other activities and opportunities.
Take advantage of some of those “learning” opportunities at home and at church as you attend Sunday School and Bible Class on Sunday mornings, have family devotions, take advantage of worship opportunities and attend other weekday Bible studies.
Heavenly Father,
Keep us ever focused on Your Word that we might receive true wisdom so that we might become “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” May we always seek and treasure Your wisdom.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
The Value of Wisdom
1My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
2making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
3yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
With the start of school this week, a lot of attention is focused on learning. Teachers are planning their lesson outlines for the year. There are goals set for what each child should learn during this academic year. My daughter is getting ready to start her last year at Good Shepherd. My son just went to freshman orientation for his first year of college. I’m excited for all the wisdom they will gain this year. But these verses remind me of how wisdom comes from the Lord. While I want my children to be wise and competent, I am even more concerned that they become wise in the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. I want them to be “wise for salvation.” as we read in 2 Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (English Standard Version)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
This wisdom doesn’t end with a graduation. This learning continues throughout our lifetime. The start of the school year also starts a lot of other activities and opportunities.
Take advantage of some of those “learning” opportunities at home and at church as you attend Sunday School and Bible Class on Sunday mornings, have family devotions, take advantage of worship opportunities and attend other weekday Bible studies.
Heavenly Father,
Keep us ever focused on Your Word that we might receive true wisdom so that we might become “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” May we always seek and treasure Your wisdom.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Back to school. That seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. Today was the “Day of Spiritual Renewal” for the church workers in the Southern Illinois District. At the opening worship service this morning, we heard the Gospel lesson from last Sunday from Luke 12. We read in verses 22 & 23: And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
You know, one hour on Sunday is just not enough for most of these texts. I heard the sermon about worry on Saturday night at Good Shepherd Lutheran, spoke to the preschoolers about this during the sermon on Sunday morning at Good Shepherd Lutheran, and then heard President Mueller preach an excellent sermon on this again this morning. What a blessing! I suppose that means I should be through with all worrying! NOT! Satan continually puts those worrisome thoughts into our heads.
I mentioned to the preschoolers on Sunday that they might be both excited and nervous about the start of school. Maybe they are going to school for the first time. Maybe they are going to a new school. Maybe they won’t know anyone on their first day. Maybe this is their first time away from Mommy. Those are real worries for many children. Older children worry about fitting in, about their hair and clothes and shoes, about their new teacher, about making the team, about their grades. Back to school brings worries for parents, too. They worry for their child’s safety and for their happiness. And the teachers—even the experienced ones—worry about this new school year. What will the students be like? What will their parents be like? Will I be able to make a difference?
As we enter in to this fear of the unknown, one thing is certain. We are not alone. We do have a friend with us in all situations—our best friend, Jesus. And even as we worry about all the uncertainties of life, Jesus reminds us in verse 32 why we needn’t worry: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
We have the kingdom! We have forgiveness! We have the gift of eternal life! God has taken care of our sin problem (and what problem could possibly be bigger than that?) through His son, Jesus Christ. Trust Him to take care of everything else as well.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for Your gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Please fill us with Your peace as we face the many uncertainties of life, confident of the certainty of Your care for us.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen
You know, one hour on Sunday is just not enough for most of these texts. I heard the sermon about worry on Saturday night at Good Shepherd Lutheran, spoke to the preschoolers about this during the sermon on Sunday morning at Good Shepherd Lutheran, and then heard President Mueller preach an excellent sermon on this again this morning. What a blessing! I suppose that means I should be through with all worrying! NOT! Satan continually puts those worrisome thoughts into our heads.
I mentioned to the preschoolers on Sunday that they might be both excited and nervous about the start of school. Maybe they are going to school for the first time. Maybe they are going to a new school. Maybe they won’t know anyone on their first day. Maybe this is their first time away from Mommy. Those are real worries for many children. Older children worry about fitting in, about their hair and clothes and shoes, about their new teacher, about making the team, about their grades. Back to school brings worries for parents, too. They worry for their child’s safety and for their happiness. And the teachers—even the experienced ones—worry about this new school year. What will the students be like? What will their parents be like? Will I be able to make a difference?
As we enter in to this fear of the unknown, one thing is certain. We are not alone. We do have a friend with us in all situations—our best friend, Jesus. And even as we worry about all the uncertainties of life, Jesus reminds us in verse 32 why we needn’t worry: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
We have the kingdom! We have forgiveness! We have the gift of eternal life! God has taken care of our sin problem (and what problem could possibly be bigger than that?) through His son, Jesus Christ. Trust Him to take care of everything else as well.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for Your gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Please fill us with Your peace as we face the many uncertainties of life, confident of the certainty of Your care for us.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
At our church, we give parents the option on Sunday morning of sending their preschoolers out to the narthex during the sermon. They hear a simplified version of the sermon, sing songs and pray. Usually, whichever pastor isn’t preaching, does the children’s message. On Saturday I realized that we had a pastor on vacation so I could probably assume that I was doing the children’s message. Sometimes I don’t realize this until the middle of the service on Sunday morning! I shared a verse with them last Sunday that Pastor was sharing in the sermon.
1 Timothy 6:10 (New King James Version)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
That is such a misquoted verse. It doesn’t say that money is evil but that the LOVE of money is a root of evil. That love of money and of the things it can buy is where many evils start to grow. We all need money. We all like money. We all (adults and children alike) like the things money can buy. The problem comes when we love money and the things that money can buy MORE than we love God. We love God because He first loved us and gave Himself up for us. None of those “things” we love has ever done that nor can they ever do that. I gave each of the kids a penny and asked them to drop it in the offering plate. (Kids don’t always like to let go of that money! Adults, either, for that matter!) Every time they put money in the collection plate they should remind themselves, “I love money. BUT I love God more.”
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the many gifts you give us on this Earth. Help us to receive these blessings with thanksgiving. Help us also to hold loosely to these earthly blessings while we hold tightly to the gift of life and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. May You always be our first love.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:10 (New King James Version)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
That is such a misquoted verse. It doesn’t say that money is evil but that the LOVE of money is a root of evil. That love of money and of the things it can buy is where many evils start to grow. We all need money. We all like money. We all (adults and children alike) like the things money can buy. The problem comes when we love money and the things that money can buy MORE than we love God. We love God because He first loved us and gave Himself up for us. None of those “things” we love has ever done that nor can they ever do that. I gave each of the kids a penny and asked them to drop it in the offering plate. (Kids don’t always like to let go of that money! Adults, either, for that matter!) Every time they put money in the collection plate they should remind themselves, “I love money. BUT I love God more.”
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the many gifts you give us on this Earth. Help us to receive these blessings with thanksgiving. Help us also to hold loosely to these earthly blessings while we hold tightly to the gift of life and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. May You always be our first love.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Thoughts on Convention Opening Service
This has taken me three weeks to write. Three weeks ago we were in Houston for the LCMS convention. I was so excited to have my daughter experience an opening service. I still have great memories of my first several back in the 70’s. Coming from a small town and a small church, that was quite an experience. Opening services were amazing—large crowd and everyone (especially the men) singing with great gusto. I wanted that experience for my daughter. Unfortunately she did not get it. Someone in their great lack of wisdom tried to design one worship service with a little bit of everything in it in an effort to please everyone. It didn’t work. Individually much of the music was great, collectively it was a disaster. And the service just didn’t flow. From where we were sitting the drum was painfully loud and distracting. Even the songs that should have been easy and familiar to sing became difficult. You didn’t know when to come in and it was very hard to follow the melody—especially when they did things like suddenly throw a jazz beat accompaniment in on one of the verses of “The Church’s One Foundation.” Many of the songs with the “praise band” made for great entertainment but I wasn’t attending a concert, I was attending WORSHIP. And the laser lights only added to the theatrics.
After the service my daughter and I were walking back to our room with my sister and 2 other women (I think they sincerely enjoyed the service). One of the ladies turned to my 13 year old daughter and said, “I want to hear what a young person thought about that worship service.” At this point my daughter shivered and said, “Oooohh, it was too ‘pop’py. They tried to make it like the ‘pop’ular music and that’s just not right.” SCORE! The poor lady had to pick her jaw up from the floor. I was so proud of my daughter. She nailed it! She has attended concerts and loved it—but she recognizes that it is not the same as worship. I do need to add that these were wonderful ladies and we did still talk and spend time together for the next several days!
Now, to prove that I am not totally against drums, I would like to share a youtube video from Rev. Jonathan Fisk. I would invite you to watch the whole thing but the part that fits this topic is at 2:25-5:25.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mb5YfX6Y4o&feature=related
BTW. The opening service is available to watch for a few more days(30 days following the service)at the following link. See for yourself.
http://www.lcms.org/ca/convention/vids/saturday/opening_worship.html
After the service my daughter and I were walking back to our room with my sister and 2 other women (I think they sincerely enjoyed the service). One of the ladies turned to my 13 year old daughter and said, “I want to hear what a young person thought about that worship service.” At this point my daughter shivered and said, “Oooohh, it was too ‘pop’py. They tried to make it like the ‘pop’ular music and that’s just not right.” SCORE! The poor lady had to pick her jaw up from the floor. I was so proud of my daughter. She nailed it! She has attended concerts and loved it—but she recognizes that it is not the same as worship. I do need to add that these were wonderful ladies and we did still talk and spend time together for the next several days!
Now, to prove that I am not totally against drums, I would like to share a youtube video from Rev. Jonathan Fisk. I would invite you to watch the whole thing but the part that fits this topic is at 2:25-5:25.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mb5YfX6Y4o&feature=related
BTW. The opening service is available to watch for a few more days(30 days following the service)at the following link. See for yourself.
http://www.lcms.org/ca/convention/vids/saturday/opening_worship.html
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