Fireworks - The Lord Works

FIREWORKS – LORD WORKS

Personally, I enjoy watching fireworks.  Besides the magnificence of the color combinations and the excitement involved, I see them as a good symbol of the work of the Holy

Spirit in the hearts of God’s people.

Consider these facts: 1) Fireworks are made by someone; 2)They do not ignite themselves; 3) When they explode they give off light; 4) Often the sparks continue to ignite each other and finally; 5) When no longer in contact with their source, they burn out.

It is the Holy Spirit, who produces the faith in the life of a Christian – new life, as it were.  As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works.  He works through the Word and Sacraments to cause us Christians to be fired up in service and to show God’s glory that others may see and believe.  Yet, when no longer connected to the source of power, Christians can “burn out” and no longer reflect God’s glory in their lives.  This latter fact is a warning to us as God’s people.

When we neglect hearing God’s Word and receiving the sacrament of His body and blood, our spiritual life can “burn out” and we can easily be lead into despair.  Satan uses every means possible, including the world and our own sinful flesh, to draw us away from owning the eternal life given us in Christ’s death and resurrection.

As we enjoy the many blessings God has given us in life, including also the privilege of living in the freedoms we celebrate again on the 4^th of July, may we never forget the freedom from eternal hell, purchased by God’s grace through Jesus Christ.  May our enjoyments of life never interfere with staying in contact with the Word and Sacrament offered each Sunday.  God wants us to worship Him and not become “burned out” on knowing the importance of eternal life in Him and reflecting His message of salvation to others.

Have a blessed summer in the Lord.

Pastor Jim

A Special Day in May

                                                           A Special Day in May

            Most Christian churches, including Lutheran, follow a pattern in our worship schedule every year.  This is commonly called the “Church Year”.  You can find a copy of it in the Lutheran Service Book. In the “Church Year” there are various special celebrations which you are very familiar with such a Christmas, Easter, Trinity Sunday, Pentecost, etc.,   Each Sunday in fact has a designated title.  Even as Lutherans we recognize “Saints Days”, not to venerate or in any way to worship them but to call attention to their example , which we as Christians want to follow.

            Other special days remind us of events in Biblical history that are important to our faith.

One such event that is commemorated but often overlooked is Ascension Day which this year falls on May 30.  It is a “movable feast” day since it falls forty days after the Resurrection (Easter) which is also a “movable feast”.  We however will take the opportunity to celebrate it on Sunday, May 26^th.

            Scripture, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, denotes that following the Resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for forty days.  During that time He showed Himself a number of times to His disciples, not only the original eleven, but to a least five hundred people.  His visible contact assured them that He did indeed rise bodily from the grave and that those who believe He died for their sins have eternal life.  This message gave them the faith to proclaim Him—the rest is history.  We are now part of His holy Christian church.

            Ascension Day was the culmination of that forty day period.  It was on that day in the sight of His followers that He visibly ascended into heaven.   As He did so He gave them (and us) the command to go, teach and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  He also promised to be with them and all believers (including you and me) until the end of time.  This is a promise in which we have assurance and certain hope.

            No matter where we are, whatever problems we have, whatever strength we need,  He is there for us, to turn all things into good as we love, trust and follow Him.  Please look forward to joining together to worship our Risen Lord on May 26th and each Sunday as we continue in the joy that is yours as a member of His Body, the Holy Christian Church.

CHILLS

April 2019

                                                     THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS:

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING  HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,  WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND,  BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,
HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER  WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE  CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS
ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND  THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS
TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER  HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE....

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE  SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,' HE BEGAN.  'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.

THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT  INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY..THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE  MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. 

HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT..  THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.

AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!'
HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.

BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK  TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.

HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP  STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.

'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD  STEP INTO ETERNITY WITaH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT  BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED  HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. '

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED.

I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE  LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN  HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.

THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND  DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE  END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO  TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.

'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A  FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT  THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.'

'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED,  GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED  HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS  AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,  I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU  THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD  TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE…

I WAS THAT FATHER  AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.' 
                                               

                                                                                   

                                                                                    Pastor James Rhiver

LOVE MONTH

LOVE MONTH?

A radio commentator recently called February the “Love Month” probably because of Valentine’s Day.  Also in the past few weeks a large billboard has been erected just west of Hwy. 141 on I-44 near Valley Park. The billboard is part of a project started by John Pogachar, a life and health coach from Spokane, Washington.  Such billboards have been erected at various cities throughout the nation. Pogachar sees this as “an effort to support areas that stand in need of love and healing.”  It is supported by donations.  

As Christians we can applaud Pogachar’s efforts but at the same time realize the message originated with God, the Author of love.  Actually, the Ten Commandments are centered on love as we well know.  Jesus emphasized this command the night before He was about to die by telling His disciples “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

Unfortunately, not all people understand the great love Jesus had for man, that His love is an    undeserved love we know as “grace.”  We, as His followers, are to extend that grace to others.  Even when we do not agree with someone or their actions, we are to love them.  We can show love by helping them to see their sin if need be, always remembering how we, too, must stand in grace because of our sins.  We can strive by the Holy Spirit’s power to be good examples of

Christ’s love and pray they will allow Him to work in their hearts also.

 Lent this year begins March 6, Ash Wednesday. The season of Lent offers an excellent opportunity for us to remember again Jesus’ great love for us in His suffering and death. Ash Wednesday and the following Sundays will feature special orders of service emphasizing His love and strengthening our faith.  These services offer you opportunities to invite others to hear the message of salvation culminating in the Resurrection (Easter), assuring us of eternal life with Him in heaven. 

May you look forward to making a special effort to join with fellow members in worship and praise during this season.   

                                                                        Pastor James Rhiver