May 2011
January 19, 2012 — The First Commandment
Pastor Jennings
So fine, my wife and I have a rare Friday off together. We are looking at taking the two puppies to the vet together (she never gets to see the vet staff ohhh and ahhh over how cute the puppies are). Then we were going to bring the dogs home and go out to lunch at a wonderful place in Milwaukee (we were doing lunch because it’s cheaper than dinner). It was a day to look forward to. True, we were supposed to get 1 to 3″ but that’s no big deal. But now they are calling for around 6″ and that could make the trip up to Milwaukee a little dangerous. So we will wait and see.
Martin Luther continues in his Large Catechism,
Thus, for example, the heathen who put their trust in power and dominion elevated Jupiter as the supreme god; the others, who were bent upon riches, happiness, or pleasure, and a life of ease, Hercules, Mercury, Venus or others; women with child, Diana or Lucina, and so on; thus every one made that his god to which his heart was inclined, so that even in the mind of the heathen to have a god means to trust and believe. But their error is this that their trust is false and wrong for it is not placed in the only God, besides whom there is truly no God in heaven or upon earth. Therefore the heathen really make their self-invented notions and dreams of God an idol, and put their trust in that which is altogether nothing. Thus it is with all idolatry; for it consists not merely in erecting an image and worshiping it, but rather in the heart, which stands gaping at something else, and seeks help and consolation from creatures saints, or devils, and neither cares for God, nor looks to Him for so much good as to believe that He is willing to help, neither believes that whatever good it experiences comes from God.
I can see how people get tied up with power and money and sports and end up forgetting about the one true God. But how people could get roped into believing in carved images and paintings and statues as objects of worship, I will never know. What is crazy about that is that people had to create those things. Someone did the carving, someone did the painting, someone did the chiseling. By definition, God is the one who does the creating, not an image that is created. Those carvings and other object can’t even breathe. If it doesn’t breathe it can’t help you in any way. It’s just not going to happen.
God created this world. He may be a spirit and doesn’t need to breathe, but He is a real entity and is all powerful. He says the word and it is done. He accomplishes things. Not only that, He loves us and showed us that love by having His Son die on the cross. Did that statue ever show love toward one, single person? Absolutely not. The only thing it is good for is standing there, collecting dust. There is another point, it can’t even keep the dust from collecting on it. How can it save you? It is so much easier to trust in the one true God. He even gives us the faith through the Holy Spirit. It’s just easier.
So, enjoy the warm 11 degrees. I hear it is supposed to get colder as the day goes on. Bundle up. Stay warm and be careful in the snow tomorrow. God bless.
February 22, 2012 — The Second Commandment
Pastor Jennings A blessed Ash Wednesday to one and all. Yes, I know it’s been a while. It’s Wednesday and I haven’t posted yet. On Monday,...
February 16, 2012 — The Second Commandment
Pastor Jennings So I get up this morning at 5:25 and I’m trying to get ready to go to the gym. I didn’t pack my gym bag the night before, so I...
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