Cool Lutherans

One of my friends, Tracy, had a temporary roommate.  Tracy's roommate was finishing up a job assignment in town, while her retired husband was at their new home in another state.  June was going to be joining him as soon as her job assignment was complete.

Our small group from church will do things together outside of just doing church-y things.  We attended a dinner and a play together and June came along.  She came to our house when we had bible study here.  It was after we finished studying the Gospel of John and decided we would compare it to the movie, "Son of God."  We had dinner together and watched the movie over two weeks' of meetings. We are a group that likes to laugh and have fun, as well as dig into scripture.

At our last weekly meeting, where we are beginning to study Ruth, Tracy reported that June is happily in her new place and adjusting to their new life in their new community.  June and her husband decided they would look for a Lutheran church because she thought we were so cool as a group.  We whooped it up and praised God when we heard this news.  We were chuckling at the thought of someone thinking we are cool.  I think she was attracted to the Jesus in us, the delight we can have in being with one another, we were just being ourselves.  No program, no agenda, just sinners learning of their Savior.

Mid-night Adventures

You've had these kinds of nights if you're over your teenage years.  You wake up about 2:30 am either to get a drink of water or to use the bathroom.  You pad around the house in the dark, searching for what you want.  You stumble your way back to bed, slide back in, pull up the sheets and lay there.  Tossing and turning, unable to get back to sleep. Oh, it's maddening.

Our window has been ajar at night to let the cool breezes in after the warm days.  It's always easier to sleep when it's cool at night.  I could feel the cool air, and I could hear the neighbors.  They were newer neighbors. Apparently, they can be quite chatty at 2:30 am.

I listened.  Back and forth they called to one another without regard for anybody else.  Oh, how I wanted to blame my sleeplessness on them. It wasn't their fault. I lay there eavesdropping. I couldn't understand them.

"Whooo.  Whooo."

"Whooo."

My irritation turned to joy. I had heard one voice on previous occasions, but now there was back and forth banter.  Our lone owl neighbor was chatting with a friend!  I continued to listen. Never having seen these neighbors, I imagined they were Barn Owls, big and burly.  I refused to get out of bed again, so I continued listening.

Then I began thanking God for these owls who were keeping me company and bringing delight in the middle of the night. They stopped hooting.  Did they begin to hunt?  Maybe they will get a few gophers that permeate the neighborhood and terrorize all our plants.  It's still quiet except for the beginnings of the workday, as a few trucks were on the freeway.  My thoughts turned to the new heaven and new earth where we will dwell with God's creatures the way we are meant to dwell with them. They will live with us the way they were meant to.

What sleepless delight.  Praise God.

Who Possesses Salvation

Salvation belongs to the Lord;    your blessing be on your people! 

Salvation is possessed by God.  He is the owner of it, He distributes it as He pleases, He is liberal with that distribution of salvation.  It is not something we own, it is not something we distribute, it is not for us to horde.

Yes, I hear the objections already.  "BUT, it's now mine.  God gave me my regeneration!"  I would urge you, if you have this objection or one similar to read that quote from Psalm 3 again.  The plain text says Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Our Heavenly Father dispenses salvation through a variety of means:  baptism, hearing The Word, and at The Lord's Table.  It is He who keeps it and gives it to us.  It is why we never outgrow our need for the Gospel, it is the milk that we yearn for like newborn babes with childlike faith.

Are you fearful because of Psalm 3?  Does that make you uncomfortable?  I hope it does if you believe salvation is your possession.  Why do I hope you are uncomfortable with those words?  Because it means you know what they are saying is true.  When you wrestle with God over scripture's plain reading, you and God both win.  You get each other in the end.

Here is the promise of God in dispensing His salvation:

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Cling to that!

Living Picture

Every Sunday the scene is the same.  It is like clockwork.  This white-haired, humble couple walks up the center aisle and sits on the left hand pew.  It is always the same pew, the second one.  It is always the same spot, near the edge.  He leads her to their place, then takes her walker and places it where she can easily grasp it later.

Some Sundays she can stand up with the congregation, and other Sundays she cannot. He is always at her side, like a mirror.  Standing or remaining seated.  Holding hands. Encouraging. Never embarrassed by his bride.

Several Sundays, Pastor and the elders have had to come to them as they did not go forward for communion.  They could not.  She could barely lift her head.  He remained faithful by her side.  We all waited as they received from Jesus what we had already received, His Body and Blood.

Last Sunday, they were sitting in their pew, their place.  He placed her walker, as has become their custom, in an attainable place.  The time for communion came, and he helped her to her walker.  Together they approached the Lord's Table, together they received communion.  He helped her back to their pew, their place.  I watched with tears welling in my eyes.

What a beautiful picture of Jesus and His Bride is this couple.  They do not know how many people watch his tenderness to her, and see how she is so dependent upon him.  We, too, are dependent on our Savior, our true husband, for everything.

Thank you, Jesus, for this living picture of you.

Life Strains and Strangeness

Suffering is something common to every human being.  We all know it very well.  Rather than facing it we will try to make it go away in many fashions.  Busy-ness, mind altering drugs or alcohol, working too many hours, avoiding thinking about what pains us can be a costly ordeal.  Not just in finances, either.

In Christian circles, it is often not okay to suffer.  We don't want to hear of others' pain, and we don't want to reveal ours for fear of looking weak and needing help.  When I am too honest, I have experienced people shutting me out of groups, or just trying to shut me up by talking on top of me or giving me some kind of Christian cliche.  

Suffering comes to each of us in different ways.  It can become our undoing, as well as the beginning of new freedom.  Yes, freedom.  Suffering allows us to let go of all things and cling to Christ.  That is true freedom.


“God is not interested in what you think you should be or feel. He is not interested in the narrative you construct for yourself, or that others construct for you. Rather, He is interested in you, the you who suffers, the you who inflicts suffering on others, the you who hides, the you who has bad days (and good ones). And He meets you where you are.”    from "Glorious Ruin:  How Suffering Sets Us Free", Tullian Tchividjian

Mulberry Bushes and Weasels

Recently, I have been listening to brothers and sisters in Christ struggling with what exactly is the gospel, the good news, that we have the joy of telling others. I hear "Repent and believe" is the gospel.  But is it really?

"Repent and believe."
"Believe what?"
"Believe the gospel."
"What is the gospel?"
"Repent and believe."
"Believe what?"
"Believe the gospel."
"What gospel?"
"Repent and believe."

over and over and over....

The trench going around the mulberry bush gets deeper and deeper as it goes round and round and never arriving at a destination.  Let me be the weasel and pop you out of that trench.  The gospel is the good news that your sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ Jesus!  Get out of the ditch, and proclaim good news to those who are broken and burdened.  The gospel is not "Repent and believe,"  it is "Your sins are forgiven because of Jesus!"  Go, and create faith in your neighbor and free them from bondage by proclaiming what Jesus has done.

Pop!

You Son or Daughter of So-and-So

I'm a few days behind in my bible reading plan, so this morning I was able to catch up.  1 Chronicles was my beginning book.  I groaned, thinking of reading all those names.  Son of so-and-so, son of so-and-so, over  and over for chapter upon chapter.   There are little nuggets that stand out among the lists of names, such as the musicians who served in the temple, or the warriors who fought many battles.

It dawned on me that each of us is a son or daughter of so-and-so.  Geneologies were important to show who you belonged to and who will belong to you.  Past and future connections.  For Israel, it was a tie to the promised coming Messiah.  For you and I, while we may not know our geneology, we are connected to people from the past and in the future through our faith in Christ Jesus.

While reading I saw how important family connections are to our Heavenly Father.  So important, they are named in Scripture.  He also names us in our baptism, places the name of the triune God upon us; adopts us into His family; clothes us with His robe of righteousness;  runs out to greet us when we stray, eager to forgive us; desires us to be reconciled to Him.  All of this from the "boring geneologies in 1 Chronicles".

As our own small family experiences growing pains today, I know we are still family no matter the distance between us.  We are close, even though separated by miles.  On the other side of the bittersweetness of today, will be new growth for all three of us.  God is so good to give us families.  In our families we can find an example of the love our Heavenly Father has for us, although these earthly families have faults.   Today, our family can feel the pain of separation that our Heavenly Father felt with His son, Jesus Christ.  We can also see the healing and joy on the other side of that separation!

Thanks be to God for making me a daughter of so-and-so!  Thank you Heavenly Father, for my husband and daughter!  Thank you Heavenly Father for my parents, and my brother and his family!  You have blessed me indeed.

Boldly Going Where Angels Fear to Tread

Have you ever stood before a judge in a courtroom?  It is full of ceremony and stiffness.  "All rise!" says the bailiff as the judge enters the room.  "You may be seated!" the bailiff pronounces after the judge takes his seat.  "First case on the docket today is People of the State of California vs. James Smith."  Then the lawyers announce their presence, and off they go into formal presentation.

That used to be how I felt coming before our heavenly Father.  It was a fearsome thing to pray to God, the judge of all creation.  Groveling was the approach of the day, attempting to be humble, averting my eyes lest He see me in my ugly sinfulness.  "Lord, if it be your will .... "

God is still the judge of all creation, but I am His adopted daughter.  He is a loving Father and never gives me rocks or stones when I am hungry for bread.  I can bring all my emotions to Him and not be afraid of His answer.  Ugly emotions, scary emotions, ugly thoughts and scary thoughts.  He listens then shows me in His word that I am forgiven because of His grace, expressed in Jesus Christ, my savior.

Praise Him!

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  ~Hebrews 4, ESV

These Words Seemed to them an Idle Tale

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words,  and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,  but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.  ~ Luke 24, ESV

Discouraged was the word that described my feelings.  There were words and ideas being thrown around that exposed their devaluation of women.  We are all such sinful beings who need a holy savior.  There are times when our friends become our enemies, and they may not even realize it.

Among believers there are at least two ditches that we can fall into:  Some believers will extend the admonition for women to be orderly in church, and ask their husbands questions at home, to all areas of life.  By doing so, they silence half the Christian world, making them irrelevant and causing division.  Why would I, a woman, stick around to be dismissed?

The second ditch women endure is to be disrespected by bawdy views and voices.  With this view they think our mouths are shut because we have become objects.  So we are also viewed in this ditch as being idle tale bearers, good only for the selfish purposes of another person.

Am I offended?  Yes.  Are these men and women forgiven in Christ Jesus?  Yes.  Do I wish they would see women differently?  Yes. Will I forgive and repent over my being offended?  With Jesus' help, yes.

Thankfully,  Jesus sees women wholly.

"These Words Seemed to them an Idle Tale" is what scripture tells us about the apostles when Mary, Joanna, and another Mary report the news that Jesus is risen.  I took great delight in reading that in Luke 24 today.  We live under the curse of the fall, and the tower of babel.  The fall brought in sin, and placed a wedge between women and men; and the tower of babel put communication breakdown among all of us.

Here is why I took great delight in those words ... these words seemed to them an idle tale ... it is a misperception, a miscommunication, a result of the fall.  Those women took the news to others.  The others dismissed the good news that Mary, Mary and Joanna brought, and struggled with Jesus' death and resurrection for a longer time.  The women already faithed!  Jesus gave the lowly-valued "idle tale bearers" the gift of faith first because He loves us.

The good news is that Jesus sees men wholly, too.  And my ranting does not diminish His love and forgiveness for you.

Nobody Listens to Me, and other lies

"Why don't they listen to me?  I have some things they could hear.  They listen to other people."  And here begins the party of pity.  Particularly when discussing theological ideas we want others to believe the same way we do, come hell or high water.  Oftentimes, both hell and high water arrive on the scene of the conversation.  "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I guess I'll go eat some worms" says the schoolyard rhyme.  We've all been in that schoolyard.

We cannot force people to believe or hear us.  That is the job of the Holy Spirit.  We need to repent of the jealousy that comes along with our words being rejected while they listen to our friends.  We become jealous of our friends who have gained an audience.  May the Holy Spirit bless THAT conversation.

Our children appear to us as if they left the faith.  We have done all that we can as parents, and even what we have done is not perfect.  We are sinners teaching other sinners.  Pray for your child that they can hear the words of another prophet that brings them Good News of Jesus' forgiveness.  May the Holy Spirit bless THAT conversation.

The job given to us is to bring Jesus before the eyes and ears of others.  Leave the results with the Holy Spirit.  He points to Jesus perfectly, sometimes through us, sometimes through others, sometimes through Word and Sacrament.  Bring your family and friends before the throne of God.  He is good at recovering His sheep.

I am reminding myself of this as much as I am reminding you.  Here is the good news for you and me:  Jesus forgives you of your jealousies and frustrations.  He took that upon himself on the cross, so you can be free and joyful. He is faithful.  Praise Him!

Rainy Day in April

The day was unusual.  It is almost May and I had to use my windshield wipers, I was underdressed for the weather with my lightweight turquoise  jacket.  I arrived at work a couple of minutes late, but so did everyone else except our faithful janitor.  We were all huddled around the stairwell and desks talking about kids and young adults leaving churches, sometimes leaving faith altogether.

We left work around the lunch hour to attend an inter-denominational symposium regarding the topic of why kids are leaving churches.  Non-denominations, Nazarenes, Anglicans, Reformed, Calvary Chapel, and Roman Catholics were all present.  We shared lunch together and listened to presentations by four presenters.  

What we found out is that we have a lot in common.  The slow fade of young people is everywhere.  Somehow, we have failed our children.  Intergenerational relationships seemed to be the most talked about topic.  A need for generations to tell one another that we need each other, reconciliation, asking forgiveness of older generations for pushing them aside while the newest and greatest church scheme was implemented, was also discussed.

Were there feelings of hopelessness?  Believe it or not, no.  I walked away with much hope.  It is in our brokenness and weakness that Jesus shows up.  We all confessed that our churches are broken.  We all confessed weaknesses.  Jesus, help your church.  Christ, have mercy on us.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~2 Corinthians 12

Continuous Line

While lolling about and watching a movie, we were practicing our abilities at blind line contours.  We laughed at the results.  Many cyclops, monkeys, and Punches of Punch and Judy fame emerged on our papers.  Then something clicked for me.  Line contours made me think of the continuing existing self.

The continuing existing self is our attempt to clean up our old nature and make it behave in order to please God, it's a feeble attempt at not needing a Savior to rescue us.  A line contour is an art exercise where your pen never leaves the paper and your eyes look only at the subject you are attempting to outline.  Both of these have one continuous line, both end up with non perfect results.  One practice is more deadly than the other. 

The Holy Spirit kills that continuing existing self in order to create a new creature of faith.  It is wonderful to reckon onself dead to the law so that one can be hidden in Christ.  I have a new master who loves me, not the old master that has pointed bony fingers.

Look! Over There!

Ever listen to that old song, "Lookin for Love in All the Wrong Places"?  The title alone tells of a common human error.  We look for love in the wrong places, and we look for God in the wrong places.  Some Christians will look for God where He does not reveal himself.  They will try to seek God in election, or in predestination.  God has not told us to look for him there.

It is in Christ that we are to look to for understanding.  We see Father in Jesus, when he heals the sick; and when he chastens the pharisees.  We see Father in Jesus, when he spends time with sinners.  We see Father in Jesus, reconciling the whole world to himself while on the cross.  We see Father in Jesus, triumphant and resurrected.

Two Kinds of Righteousness

"We set forth two worlds, as it were, one of them heavenly and the other earthly.  Into these we place these two kinds of righteousness, which are distinct and separated from each other.  The righteousness of the law is earthly and deals with earthly things; by it we perform good works ... But the righteousness (of the gospel) is heavenly and passive.  We do not have it of ourselves; we receive it from heaven.  We do not perform it; we accept it by faith, through which we ascend beyond all laws and works."  Luther, "Lectures on Galatians"

"This is our theology, by which we teach a precise distinction between these two kinds of righteousness, the active and the passive, so that morality and faith, works and grace, secular society and religion may not be confused.  Both are necessary, but both must be kept within their limits."  Luther, "Lectures on Galatians"

Thank you, Luther, for clearing away some cobwebs for this reader.

Feeling Forgiven Part Two

Upon first realizing the gospel of our forgiveness of sin for the sake of Jesus, we can react in many ways: tears, crying, happiness, joy. Ultimately the underlying response of all the outward manifestations is great joy.

In our faith life, we sometimes must know we are forgiven by the words of Christ through scripture or the mouths of our friends. We may not feel forgiven, but the truth is that Jesus has declared us to be so. Then there are times when we do feel the forgiveness of Jesus. Those times are full of joy and feeling light as a feather.

When I am aware of my forgiven state I share the gospel with others more freely, without hindrance. The joy bubbles over and life is enjoyable. There are times when it is a quiet joy, as well. No matter what others say, I know my state with my Savior, the lover of my soul.

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. ~Luke 7, ESV

Golden Calf Days of Yore

Remember the good ol' days? Most of us think they exist. We talk about them fondly. "Life was simpler then. Less complicated and easier to manage." I remember being young and the concerns that plagued me and others over schoolyard politics. Will I be the last one chosen for the dodgeball team? Is Suzy going to try to trip me during jumprope today? Must I suffer that embarrassment again?

Some even go so far as to think the early church had things easy; that those were the good ol' days. A reading through Corinthians should dispel one of the notion that those days were a breeze.

There are days I want to return to my fictitious golden days of yore. The times when I felt I could control God, or manage Him. He was so prettily packaged with a flower, the Calvinist TULIP. I thought it was a sure foundation; I thought it explained God in a very logical, easy-to-understand package.

Now, God is God. He hides from me, except in Jesus. I only know Him through Jesus, The Word and Sacrament. No more peering behind the cross to try to keep Him contained. Trying to look into the why's of God creates speculation. Scripture tells us to avoid speculation. Speculation causes doubt and uncertainty. Clear words are muddied, and sometimes completely turned upside down to mean the exact opposite of the word.

My vision must stop at the Gospel. The best place to stop is at the Gospel. The gospel contains my justification and my sanctification. It is at the cross where Jesus' love for me shines brightest. He loves me, He saves me, He gives me life, He gives me righteousness, He gives me faith. We must return to the assurance in the Gospel. Always.

Bare Naked Lady

So unprepared was I for what happened last week that I was completely blindsided by the Law and it's accusations against me. I thought I was preparing a simple gospel lesson and devotion for children. You can read the devotion in the blog post here. It snowballed into what seemed a ceaseless rail of accusations that swept others into the overwhelming speed of my own sinful avalanche.

Upon reviewing my devotion for the kids with my co-worker in the Lord, she told me that children should not be told that Jesus died for their sin, that it was too scary of a concept for them. I ignored that advice and went ahead with the lesson I had developed. I was interrupted several times during my devotion, and given a look of surprise that I had gone ahead with the lesson as planned. I left feeling confused, as if I had done the wrong thing.

Then while talking to some friends after this experience, which they were unaware of, I misinterpreted some things that were said. I thought they were suggesting we end our friendship. Feelings of rejection and being in middle school again were resurfacing. Amazing how long those hurts stay with us from when we were not yet teens. Then in an attempt to encourage that rejection I said some very unkind things. Thankfully, two of the friends responded quizzically with, "Julie, this isn't like you. What is going on?" One brother in the Lord helped me to see what had happened.

To my wounded friends, I am so sorry. Forgive me.

Being new to understanding God's word in terms of Law and Gospel, this was my first awareness of a spiritual attack. My conscience and sins were being thrown before me. I needed to run to Jesus for refuge. In my confusion, I came out swinging with deadly words. My faith was on trial and I did not know what to do about it. I had forgotten to remind myself of the Gospel; that Jesus paid for all my sin, past, present, and future.

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ~ 1 John 3:19-23

Since this incident, I have talked to my co-laborer with the children and we talked about what happened that afternoon. We know one another better now. I will continue to tell children that Jesus loves them and died for them, because it is true.

The Knockout Punch

"God wants us to obey His commands!" Was the cry by the majority of people when asked this question regarding Joshua Chapter 1: Summarize the message of this chapter in one sentence.

One lone voice answered, "Faith displays itself in action."

If you recall, Joshua 1 tells us how God commissions Joshua to take the place of Moses, God promises Joshua that he will conquer the land and no one will be able to oppose him, if he meditates on the law and does not swerve to the left or to the right. Refresh yourself by reading it, dear Reader.

God's command in scripture is that we believe Him and walk in the confidence that He does not lie. To some they hear scripture say: if we obey all that God commands us to do, we will have success. They want to climb a ladder up to God, rather than believe what God tells us when He comes down that ladder to us.

Climbing up a ladder to God is no different than all other religions of the world. There is a penance one must do to achieve Nirvana, by emptying all self; Allah weighs your good deeds against your bad deeds and may capriciously disregard your good deeds. Christianity is completely upside down from the idea that we can climb up a holiness ladder to have a relationship with God. God became man for us and for our salvation.

Joshua 1 is a wonderful chapter on faith and what it looks like. Joshua believed God and put that faith into action. To obey is to believe. It is faith that obeys, without faith we cannot please God. Faith acts on God's promises. Faith sees God's promises. Faith believes.

Begone Unbelief

Doctrineless doctrine. What is that? A doctrine is a principle, position, or policy that is taught or advocated. It is impossible to have a doctrineless doctrine. It is an undefineable phrase. One cannot say, "We have no doctrine", because that, by definition, is a doctrine.

In matters theological, it is all about doctrinal distinctions. A doctrineless doctrine would have us denying essentials of Christian beliefs, and declaring unbelief not a sin; after all, there can be no doctrine. Yet this phantasmagorical doctrineless doctrine would be overstepping its bounds.

On the other side of the road is the idea that you must have all your theological ducks waddling behind you in a straight, orderly, logical fashion. They must all waddle together, with the same step. The cries of "consistency" and "logic", often attend with the little ducks. Logic, while we do need and use it, is a worldly wisdom that at times opposes what God says in His word.

Beware of both of these ditches.

Passive Aggressive

Faith is passive in that we receive it from Father. He gives us faith. It is His gift to us, and with that faith we become His child. It is perfect faith when it is passive, and we are being done unto by God.

Baptism of an infant is a perfect picture of this. The infant is present, babbling and looking at Mom and Dad and Pastor. Water is applied to the infant, and the infant passively receives it.

Our faith is not aggressive. Unlike Augustine, who thought we are given faith, then we add to, and improve, and exercise our way to perfect faith. Scripture makes it plain that we are put to death as a sinner, and raised as a saint. That is perfect, passive faith.

Faith is aggressive on Father's part. He pursued us with great love, and we can see his aggressive love for us in Jesus. Jesus living in our stead, dying for our sins, resurrecting first, so that we may follow.