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, we didn’t have school, but I had a committal for a funeral in the morning.  Then yesterday I had to take Beast (the six month old pug) in to be neutered.  While he was out, they did x-rays on his legs and found that he has a broken hip.  So today we see a specialist.  So it’s been a crazy week.  But today, we take pause and begin that reflective season of Lent.

Luther concludes the Second Commandment in his Large Catechism:

Behold, thus we might train our youth in a childlike way and playfully in the fear and honor of God, so that the First and Second Commandments might be well observed and in constant practise. Then some good might take root, spring up and bear fruit, and men grow up whom an entire land might relish and enjoy. Moreover, this would be the true way to bring Up children well as long as they can become trained with kinnness and delight. For what must be enforced with rods and blows only will not develop into a good breed and at best they will remain godly under such treatment no longer than while the rod is upon their back.

But this [manner of training] so spreads its roots in the heart that they fear God more than rods and clubs. This I say with such simplicity for the sake of the young, that it may penetrate their minds. For since we are preaching to children, we must also prattle with them. Thus we have prevented the abuse and have taught the right use of the divine name, which should consist not only in words, but also in practises and life, so that we may know that God is well pleased with this and will as richly reward it as He will terribly punish the abuse.

I like Luther’s focus on the children.  I like his special emphasis on training them with “kindness and delight.”  Maybe he is the source of the saying that you attact more flies with honey and vinegar.  But he is right, if we are training our children with kindness and a positive outlook, then it will go a long way.  I also agree that if you just deal with them through punishment, once they are older and that punishment isn’t a threat any more, they are going to abandon everything you have tried to instill in them.  I think you need to use both positive encouragement and some punishment when appropirate.

I wonder if Luther understood the positive effect that there would be with having parents focusing on training the children rightly?  If the parents are constantly reminding their children to keep God’s name holy, then they are going to be positively using God’s name in a right manner.  They will, by training their children, going to be training themselves.   I wonder if Luther encouraged that on purpose.

This afternoon is going to be busy.  Each Ash Wednesday I take time before church to watch the Passion of the Christ.  It just gets me in the right mood for worship.  But then we have a 3pm appointment with the puppy specialist.  They say that will take an hour.  Then I need dinner.  Then church is at 7pm.  I may be busy, but I pray it is meaningful.  Have a blessed Ash Wednesday.

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 grab my half packed back and my cell phone and my clothes that I laid out and I head to the bathroom to get ready.  Well, all of a sudden I hear an answering machine saying, “I’m sorry, but we can not take your call at this time, please stay on the line and leave a message.”  In a moment of panic, I clicked the phone off, not knowing who I called at 5:30 in the morning!  Thankfully, it was my sister-in-law, and since she is in the Eastern time zone, it was 6:30 and she would be the one person I know would understand.

Luther continues in the Large Catechism:

This is also a blessed and useful habit and very effectual against the devil, who is ever about us, and lies in wait to bring us into sin and shame, calamity and trouble, but who is very loath to hear God’s name, and cannot remain long where it is uttered and called upon from the heart. And, indeed, many a terrible and shocking calamity would befall us if, by our calling upon His name, God did not preserve us. I have myself tried it, and learned by experience that often sudden great calamity was immediately averted and removed during such invocation. To vex the devil, I say, we should always have this holy name in oor mouth, so that he may not be able to injure us as he wishes.

For this end it is also of service that we form the habit of daily commending ourselves to God, with soul and body, wife, children, servants, and all that we have, against every need that may occur; whence also the blessing and thanksgiving at meals, and other prayers, morning and evening, have originated and remain in use. Likewise the practises of children to cross themselves when anything monstrous or terrible is seen or heard, and to exclaim: “Lord God, protect us!” “Help, dear Lord Jesus!” etc. Thus, too, if any one meets with unexpected good fortune, however trivial, that he say: “God be praised and thanked; this God has bestowed on me!” etc., as formerly the children were accustomed to fast and pray to St. Nicholas and other saints. This would be more pleasing and acceptable to God than all monasticism and Carthusian sanctity.

It’s just this simple, if we are talking with God, praying to God, calling on Him in times of help, then chances are we aren’t sinning.  And if we are, how bad could the sin be?

Luther’s comments here remind me of Deuteronomy 11:19-21, “¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ²⁰ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them,as long as the heavens are above the earth.”

If we are calling upon God while sitting and walking and when we lie down and when we get up He will be on our minds often.  Moses wants us to keep God in the front of our mind all the time.  It’s for our benefit.  It will keep us out of trouble.

So have a great day and try not to butt dial anyone.  God bless.

So I’m coming out of the gym today and looking at all the cars and a question comes to mind.  Why do they need handicapped parking spots outside a gym where people are working out?  Even if they are coming to walk a treadmill, walking a few extra feet would be good for them.  I guess they could be coming for physical therapy, but again, walking a few extra feet would help the process.  I’m not against handicapped parking.  I used it when I ruptured my Achilles tendon.  It’s just one of those strange questions that pops in your mind as you go about your day.

Martin Luther continues from the Large Catechism,

Therefore I advise and exhort as before that by means of warning and threatening, restraint and punishment, the children be trained betimes to shun falsehood, and especially to avoid the use of God’s name in its support. For where they are allowed to do as they please, no good will result, and is even now evident that the world is worse than it has ever been and that there is no government, no obedience, no fidelity, no faith, but only daring, unbridled men, whom no teaching or reproof helps; all of which is God’s wrath and punishment for such wanton contempt of this commandment.

On the other hand, they should be constantly urged and incited to honor God’s name, and to have it always upon their lips in everything that may happen to them or come to their notice: For that is the true honor of His Name, to look to it and implore it for all consolation, so that (as we have heard above) first the heart by faith gives God the honor due Him, and afterwards the lips by confession.

Here again we have Luther concerned for the behavior of children.  They need to be taught at a young age to honor and respect God.  Their best teachers are their parents.  If the parents are swearing and cursing and using God’s name in vain, guess what the children are going to do?  They look up to and admire their parents and they are going to do the exact same thing.    The best teaching tool parents have is their own example.

Sometimges us parents forget the awesome responsibility  we have.  Our children are a great gift from God.  We have tremendous influence on who they become.  We need to be good examples in behavior, church attendace, speech and in everything we do.  Our actions mold and shape what our children will be.

I thank God for my two children.  They have grown up to be upstanding young people.  I saw that in my son in how he was able to find a new venue for his wedding reception after the original place lost electricity.  He jumped on the phone and made some calls and a new reception was born.

Here on February 15, there are 15 days left until Spring and only three days until pitchers and catchers report!  Yes, warmer weather is on the way.  God bless you and your family today and everyday.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  What did you do for your spouse today?  I sent my wife flowers last week.  Proflowers was having a special, $19.99 for a dozen roses.  But after the handling fee and taxes they came to $33.  What kind of special is that?  They have lasted over a week.  They were pretty.  Then we went out to dinner with Kristen on Friday.  Today, we are having reuben flavored brats with saurkraut and thousand island dressing on them.  Sounds romantic doesn’t it?  Okay, maybe we’ll hit the hottub after dinner.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism,

Thus you have the sum of the entire commandment explained. And with this understanding the question with which many teachers have troubled themselves has been easily solved, to wit, why swearing is prohibited in the Gospel, and yet Christ, St. Paul, and other saints often swore. The explanation is briefly this: We are not to swear in support of evil, that is, of falsehood, and where there is no need or use; but for the support of good and the advantage of our neighbor we should swear. For it is a truly good work, by which God is praised, truth and right are established, falsehood is refuted, peace is made among men, obedience is rendered, and quarrels are settled. For in this way God Himself interposes and separates between right and wrong, good and evil. If one part swears falsely, he has his sentence that he shall not escape punishment, ad though it be deferred a long time, he shall not succeed; that all that he may gain thereby will slip out of his hands, and he will never enjoy it; as I have seen in the case of many who perjured themselves in their marriage-vows, that they have never had a happy hour or a healthful day, and thus perished miserably in body, soul, and possessions.

I don’t think Martin Luther ever sat in a hot tub.  Maybe he visited a hot spring somewhere.  I know England has some.  I don’t know about Germany.  I am pretty sure that he would have had to take an oath sometime during his life.  He made several vows as he became a monk.  He testified at several Diets, I’m pretty sure he would have had to swear at those.  To take a oath or swear to tell the truth in important matters is perfectly fine and dandy.  To “swear to God” about something trivial like, “I swear to God that those flowers cost over $30.”  Well, that’s not that necessary, especially if they only cost $25.  If we are going to take an oath, if we are going to swear, we better be telling the truth if we are involving God in the matter.  Again, if it’s important, God wants to be involved.  Otherwise as St. Paul says, “Let your yes be yes and your no, no.”

Have a wonderful and blessed Valentine’s Day.  My wife released a dozen doves in her mind for me today.  It was so sweet.  But after 27 years of marriage, so you really need any more cards or candy on a Hallmark holiday?  God bless.

I have no idea how Kohl’s stays afloat.  My wife was working customer service there on Saturday.  My daughter and I are at home.  I get this call from Jan and she says to come to the store that they are having this huge sale.  So, Kristen and I get in the car and drive to Kohl’s and there is indeed a huge sale.  Clearance items are 70 – 90% off and there is another 40% off that, plus her 15% discounts.  So I am wearing a suit that cost less than $60.  My  wife bought Packer’s jerseys for the kids for $6.50 (origionally $60).  My daughter found a pair of dress boots for $12.  They were originally over $200.  In all, we saved over $1,100.  I have no clue how they make money.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism:

Besides this you must also know how to use the name [of God] aright. For when saying: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God, in vain, He gives us to understand at the same time that it is to be used properly. For it has been revealed and given to us for the very purpose that it may be of constant use and profit. Hence it is a natural inference, since using the holy name for falsehood or wickedness is here forbidden, that we are, on the other hand, commanded to employ it for truth and for all good, as when one swears truly where there is need and it is demanded. So also when there is right teaching, and when the name is invoked in trouble or praised and thanked in prosperity etc.; all of which is comprehended summarily and commanded in the passage Ps. 50, 15: Call upon Me in the days of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. For all this is bringing `t into the service of truth, and using it in a blessed way, and thus His name is hallowed, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer.

Martin Luther never shopped at Kohl’s.  I don’t think they have any branches in Germany.  Not to mention that Luther lived during the 1500′s before department stores were popular.  What Luther does know is how to use God’s name properly.  Luther, even as a monk before the Reformation, was big into prayer.  While it is probably true that his main motivation for praying was to seek God’s favor and cut down time in purgatory, the fact of the matter is that he still prayed a lot.  He  used God’s name properly.

There is that story about Martin Luther that he would spend an hour in prayer each and every day.  And when there was a day that was jam packed with no time for anything that it was those days when he would spend two hours in prayer.  How wonderful it would be if every Christian did this.  Our lives would be much richer.  We would be much closer to God.  His name would be on our lips much more.  It would be a great blessing for us.

In confirmation today we are having a quiz on Baptism.  Then we start with the Lord’s Supper.  I like teaching the Lord’s Supper.  It’s just a wonderful gift from our Lord.  So have a good day.  Stay warm.  Stay out of the snow.  God bless.

For devotions this morning, one of the teachers read a devotion by Billy Graham about the bumper stickers that read, “God is my co-pilot.”  It’s a nice thought.  But as Rev. Graham pointed out, God doesn’t want to be our co-pilot, He wants and deserves to be our Pilot.  He wants control of our lives.  It’s when we are in control that all sorts of bad things happen.  How does that saying go, “Let go and let God.”  Think about it.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism:

For by nature we all have within us this beautiful virtue, to wit, that whoever has committed a wrong would like to cover up and adorn his disgrace, so that no one may see it or know it; and no one is so bold$as to boast to all the world of the wickedness he has perpetrated, all wish to act by stealth and without any one being aware of what thy do. Then, if any one be arraigned, the name of God is dragged into the affair and must make the villainy look like godliness, and the shame like honor. This is the common course of the world, hich, like a great deluge, has flooded all lands. Hence we have also as our reward what we seek and deserve: pestilences wars, famines, conflagrations, floods, wayward wives, children, servants, and all sorts of defilement. Whence else should so much misery come? It is still a great mercy that the earth bears and supports us.

Therefore, above all things, our young people should have this commandment earnestly enforced upon them, and they should be trined to hold this and the First Commandment in high regard; and whenever they transgress, we must at once be after them with the rod and hold the commandment before them, andconstantly inculcate it, so as to bring them up not only with punishment, but also in the reverence and fear of God.

I don’t think I would have liked being one of Martin Luther’s children.  I probably would have been in trouble often.  But I agree with his point.  Parents today are to soft on their kids.  Rather than telling them to get down of the sofa they ask then and say please.  I can’t believe how many times I’ve seen a parent plead and bargain with a child of three or four rather than simply telling them to stop.  After all, the parent is a good 100lbs bigger.  My parents spanked me.  I survived.  Luther believes that, “we must at once be after them with the rod.”  I am totally against child abuse, but the Lord made the back side soft for a reason.  I’m just saying.

So, I had the salmon last night with the black beans.  As I was getting ready to put it in the oven, I had a spark of inspiration.  A couple weeks ago we made some homemade gardinerea.  It’s a mixture of green pepper, red and yellow pepper, jalapeno, onion, garlic, and other veggies chopped fine, soaked in salt water for a day, then drained and rinsed and preserved in an oil/vinegar solution.  It tastes so much different than store gardinerea.  So I put some of that on the salmon and it was pretty good.  I think I’ll put some in my salad today now that I think about it.  It adds just a hint of spice.  Yum.  Have a blessed day.

I had popcorn for dinner last night.  Jan was working.  The kitchen was clean.  I didn’t want to mess it up.  I didn’t want to do dishes.  So I grabbed my trusty Whirlly Pop from the pantry and made popcorn for dinner.  There was no butter on it.  Just salt.  It was tasty.  And since it’s made with olive oil, it’s not terribly bad for you either.  I just don’t know what I’m going to have for dinner tonight.

Luther continues with the Large Catechism:

Here, then, let us learn and take to heart the great importance of this commandment, that with all diligence we may guard against and dread every misuse of the holy name, as the greatest sin that can be outwardly committed. For to lie and deceive is in itself a great sin, but is greatly aggravated when we attempt to justify it, and seek to confirm it by invoking the name of God and usiig it as a cloak for shame, so that from a single lie a double lie, nay, manifold lies, result.

For this reason, too, God has added a solemn threat to this commandment, to wit: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in van. That is: It shall not be condoned to any one nor pass unpunished. For as little as He will leave it unavenged if any one turn his heart from Him, as little will He suffer His name to be employed for dressing up a lie. Now alas! it is a common calamity in all the word that there are as few who are not using the name of God for purposes of Lying and all wickedness as there are those who with their heart trust alone in God.

It happens to all of us.  We are in a hurry.  We are trying to get a job done.  That five minute job has taken us a half hour.  We rush.  And somehow we hurt our hand, finger, toe or whatever and we shout out in pain God’s name in vain (yes, the rhyme was intentional).  Most often, we don’t even know we did it.  We are just focused on the pain.  But what does Martin Luther say, “every misuse of the holy name, as the greatest sin that can be outwardly committed.”  Really?  The greatest sin that can be outwardly committed?  Worse than murder or rape?  This is God’s name afterall.  My name, go ahead, use it in vain.  I probably will never know.  But this is God’s name, the Almighty and all powerful, the all-knowing — and He knows.

It is a very difficult thing to control the tongue.  But just because it is difficult doesn’t mean we should not try.  Just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t mean that we should do it too.  This is God.  His name is Almighty.  His name shows us who He is.  As the Creator of the world He deserves respect.

So what shall I have for dinner tonight.  Jan will be working again and the kitchen is still clean.  I think I’m leaning towards some salmon fillets we have in the freezer with some black beans.  I’ll report later on how it was.  Have a wonderful and blessed day.

We had bucatini for dinner last night.  Unless you are Italian you probably have no idea what that is.  Bucatini is a pasta.  It is about 10″ long.  But we aren’t talking spaghetti here.  It’s like a 10″ straight macaroni.  Every once and a while we get down to Tenuta’s in Kenosha.  We only go every once and a while because it is usually an expensive trip for us.  They have all kinds of pasta there that are all fairly inexpensive.  We saw the bucatini and decided to give it a try.  So, last night my wife was in charge of dinner and we gave it a try.  It wasn’t bad.  It was a little difficult to cook because while one end of the pasta was in the water, the other end was sticking up out of the water.  It didn’t hold sauce very well.  But I ate and I was nourished and that’s what dinner is all about.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism with the Second Commandment:

From this every one can readily infer when and in how many ways God’s name is misused, although it is impossible to enumerate all its misuses. Yet, to tell it in a few words, all misuse of the divine name occurs, first, in worldly business and in matters which concern money, possessions, honor, whether it be publicly in court, in the market, or wherever else men make false oaths in God’s name, or pledge their souls in any matter. And this is especially prevalent in marriage affairs where two go and secretly betroth themselves to one another, and afterward abjure [their plighted troth].

But. the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters, which pertain to the conscience, when false preachers rise up and offer their Lying vanities as God’s Word.

Behold, all this is decking one’s self out with God’s name, or making a pretty show, or claiming to be right, whether it occur in gross, worldly business or in sublime, subtile matters of faith and doctrine. And among liars belong also blasphemers, not alone the very gross, well known to every one, who disgrace God’s name without fear (these are not for us, but for the hangman to discipline); but also those who publicly traduce the truth and God’s Word and consign it to the devil. Of this there is no need now to speakfurther.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand Luther.  I have to look up some of the words he uses because we don’t use them often.  Today is was, “abjure.”  So I Googled adjure and found that it means:

So, football is over for another year.  We are at that boring part of the year with no football and no baseball.  I’m sorry, I just can’t get into professional basketball since Michael Jordan is retired and the Detroit Pistons are really bad.  I love Red Wing hockey but I can never seem to find them on television.  So I have to wait for the playoffs and those don’t come around till May and June.  So I guess we just have to be content with real life.

Martin Luther begins the 2nd Commandment from the Large Catechism:

As the First Commandment has instructed the heart and taught [the basis of] faith, so this commandment leads us forth and directs the mouth and tongue to God. For the first objects that spring from the heart and manifest themselves are words. Now, as I have taught above how to answer the question, what it is to have a god, so you must learn to comprehend simply the meaning of this and all the commandments, and to apply it to yourself.

If, then, it be asked: How do you understand the Second Commandment, or what is meant by taking in vain, or misusing God’s name? answer briefly thus: It is misusing God’s name when we call upon the Lord God no matter in what way, for purposes of falsehood or wrong of any kind. Therefore this commandment enjoins this much, that God’s name must not be appealed to falsely, or taken upon the lips while the heart knows well enough, or should know, differently; as among those who take oaths in court, where one side lies against the other. For God’s name cannot be misused worse than for the support of falsehood and deceit. Let4this remain the exact German and simplest meaning of this commandment.

The 2nd Commandment is probably broken more than any other.  Even people who don’t believe in God seem to use His name a lot.  Why is that?  If you don’t believe in God, why would you say His name so often.  Leave it out of your vocabulary.  I don’t believe in Alah and I NEVER use his name.  So if you don’t believe in God, why use His name.

Of course, Christians misuse the name of God all the time. We don’t even know we are doing it most of the time.  It is too natural.  But that too is wrong.  (Time out, I need to go to Confirmation class).

Okay, Confirmation is over.

Rather than using God’s name in a worthless manner, why not use it good and properly in prayer.  When we ask God for help and strength He hears and answers us.  Whenever we are tempted to use His name in vain, why not stop and use His name in a good way in prayer?  I think I’m going to give that a try this week.

So, over the weekend, I got free onion rings from Burger King.  And because I went on Papa John’s website and guessed the coin toss correctly, I should be getting a free large Papa John’s pizza and 2 liters of soda free.  I just have to go up to Oak Creek to get it.  I like free food!

So, I go back to the gym this morning and do my 40 minutes on the treadmill.  I’m leaving and coming to the office, and I look over at the glass that I ran into  on Tuesday.  And there for everone to see is my nose print.  No blood or anything, just a smudge made by my face.  No one would probably know what it is but me.  So if you are going to Gold’s Gym by Hobby Lobby and look at the glass on the right as you leave and see a smudge at eye level (eye level if you are 5′ 10″), that’s where my face hit the window.

Martin Luther concludes the First Commandment in the Large Catechism:

Saul was a great king, chosen of God and a godly man; but when he was established on his throne, and let his heart decline from God, and put his trust in his crown and power, he had to perish with all that he had, so that none even of his children remained.

David, on the other hand, was a poor, despised man, hunted down and chased, so that he nowhere felt secure of his life; yet he had to remain in spite of Saul, and become king. For these words had to abide and come true, since God cannot lie or deceive. Only let not the devil and the world deceive you with their show, which indeed remains for a time, but finally is nothing.

Let us, then, learn well the First Commandment, that we may see how God will tolerate no presumption nor any trust in any other object, and how He requires nothing higher of us than confidence from the heart for everything good, so that we may proceed right and straightforward and use all the blessings which God gives no farther than as a shoemaker uses his needle, awl, and thread for work, and then lays them aside, or as a traveler uses an inn, and food, and his bed only for temporal necessity, each one in his station, according to God’s order, and without allowing any of these things to be our food or idol. Let this suffice with respect to the First Commandment, which we have had to explain at length, since it is of chief importance, because, as before said, where the heart is rightly disposed toward God and this commandment is observed, all the others follow.

It is just too bad that we can’t keep this Commandment.  If we could just pick one Commandment to keep, and then keep it, this would be the one that I pick, because if we  could keep this Commandment, we could keep them all.

Luther is correct in choosing Saul and David to look at.  Saul was a great warrior and served God well for a while.  But as Luther says, after a while, he put his trust in his power and might.  Then you have King David.  He comes from little Bethlehem.  He is the youngest and smallest of the boys.  When he tries on Saul’s armor to go out against Goliath it is too big.  Yet, David’s heart is in the right place.  He is upset that Goliath was taunting the One True God.  He fights Goliath, not for himself, but for his God.

If we all fought for God the way David did, Christianity would have a much better reputation today.  People attack our views, our morals, our stand against certain since and the label us as intolerant.  No, we aren’t intolerant, we are just following the One True God who says those things are wrong.

If we rallied around God the way we rally around our football teams, our churches would be full every Sunday.  God forbid if we miss watching a football game.   But we miss church and we don’t even miss it.  True, my sermons aren’t as exciting as Wayne Larivee’s call of the game.  There is no dagger to my sermons.  Maybe there should be.  But this is the one day we come to worship our God who created us and Redeemed us.  Okay, enough preaching for the day.

Happy Ground Hogs day to one and all.  Give the mild Winter, Spring must be coming early no matter what Punksetony Phil says.  Have a blessed day!

 

Welcome to February!  What a wonderful day it is!  No snow.  And I didn’t walk into a wall this morning!  So no bloody nose.  Of course, I didn’t get up to go to the gym either.  I just couldn’t get out of bed.  Oh well.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism:

But, alas! here is the failure, that the world believes nothing of this, nor regards it as God’s Word, because it sees that those who trust in God and not in Mammon suffer care and want, and the devil opposes and resists them, that they have neither money, favor, nor honor, and, besides, can scarcely support life; while, on the other hand, those who serve Mammon have power, favor, honor, possessions, and every comfort in the eyes of the world. For this reason, these words must be grasped as being directed against such appearances; and we must consider that they do not lie or deceive, but must come true.

Reflect for yourself or make inquiry and tell me: Those who have employed all their care and diligence to accumulate great possessions and wealth, what have they finally attained? You will find that they have wasted their toil and labor, or even though they have amassed great treasures, they have been dispersed and scattered, so that the themselves have never found happiness in their wealth, and afterwards never reached the third generation.

Instances of this you will find a plenty in all histories, also in the memory of aged and experienced people. Only observe and ponder them.

It is a real shave that the world does not know the One True God.  They have no clue what they are missing.  Over the weekend a family was returning home from a visit with family members when another car crossed the median and slammed head on into the minivan.  The mom and two children were killed, leaving the husband and a three year old child.  The remark in the newspaper was, “I don’t know how people without faith in God get through something like this.”  True, the husband is also a pastor, but the statement is still true.  How do they get through things like that without God.

Luther makes a big point about possessions.  People make all kinds of money.  They collect cars and mansions.  For what?  When they leave, they leave it all here.  Prince Fielder will be making 214 million over the next 9 years.  Really?  For playing baseball?  That’s just crazy.  He can’t take it with him.  Sure, maybe his family can waste it all.  But unless he has faith, unless he believes in the one true God, he isn’t going to know the richness of heaven.

I’ve got chapel.  We are talking about Jesus authority.  It should be cool.  So have a great day.  Don’t walk into any walls.  God bless.

Well that was fun.  I get up and go to the gym this morning and spend my 40 minutes on a treadmill and finish and shower and get dressed and I’m walking out of the place to go to my car and then to work.  I’m not really paying attention.  I’m thinking of where I parked my car and looking out the glass doors toward the cars.  But instead of walking through the door, I walk into the glass wall that serves at the front wall of the building.  My nose and face hit the wall and stun me into reality.  By the time I get to my car, blood is dripping on to my new winter coat, my pants, the trunk of my car, my front seat.  It’s a mess.  Fortunately, I have three pairs of khaki pants so I just home and change after devotions.  Is that the way the day is going to go?

Martin Luther continues talking about the First Commandment in the Large Catechism:

But terrible as are these threatenings, so much the more powerful is the consolation in the promise, that those who cling to God alone should be sure that He will show them mercy that is, show them pure goodness and blessing not only for themselves, but also to their children and children’s children, even to the thousandth generation and beyond that. This ought certainly to move and impel us to risk our hearts in all confidence with God, if we wish all temporal and eternal good, since the Supreme Majesty makes such sublime offers and presents such cordial inducements and such rich promises.

Therefore let everyone seriously take this to heart, lest it be regarded as though a man had spoken it. For to you it is a question either of eternal blessing, happiness, and salvation, or of eternal wrath, misery, and woe. What more would you have or desire than that He so kindly promises to be yours with every blessing, and to protect and help you in all need?

We really are blessed.  Just the fact that I have three pairs of khaki’s to wear shows how blessed we are.  Many other people in the world don’t have that much clothing.  They just have the clothes on their backs.  The fact that I have $10 per month to spend on a gym membership shows how blessed I am.  Martin Luther writes, “those who cling to God alone should be sure that He will show them mercy that is, show them pure goodness and blessisng not only for themselves, but also to their children and children’s children.”  Still, I have seen many families who just have problem after problem thrown at them and they have strong, strong faith and trust in God.  Why does that happen?  They worship the same God I do and yet it seems at every turn, they meet trail after trial.  Why?

I really don’t have an answer.  And trust me, I’m not asking God to start laying trial and temptation on me.  I don’t need trail and temptation.  I am thankful for what I have and I pray God continues to be generious to me.

Everyday is Thanksgiving.  Spend a few minutes today refectiong on how blessed you are by God.  And if you dont’ feel blessed, focus on the reality, YOU are going to spend ETERNITY in Heaven with our Lord.  If that isn’t a blessing, I don’t know what is.  Have a blessed and bloody nose free day.

It’s January 30th already?  It’s hard to believe the first month of January is almost already gone.  And we enter a 29 day February.  Secretly, I always wished that February 29th was my birthday.  If that were the case, I would be a mere 11 years old, 12 as of this February 29th.  Nice.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism:

He has also demonstrated this in all history, as the Scriptures abundantly show and daily experience still teaches. For from the beginning He has utterly extirpated all idolatry, and, on account of it, both heathen and Jews; even as at the present day He overthrows all false worship, so that all who remain therein must finally perish. Therefore, although proud, powerful, and rich worldlings [, who surpass even the Persians in wealth] are now to be found, who boast defiantly of their Mammon, with utter disregard whether God is angry at or smiles on them, and dare to withstand His wrath, yet they shall not succeed, but before they are aware,they shall be wrecked, with all in which they trusted; as all others have perished who have thought themselves more secure or powerful.

And just because of such hardened heads who imagine because God connives and allows them to rest in security, that He either is entirely ignorant or cares nothing about such matters, He must deal a smashing blow and punish them,,so that He cannot forget it unto children’s children; so that every one may take note and see that this is no joke to Him. For they are those whom He means when He says: Who hate Me, i.e., those who persist in their defiance and pride; whatever is preached or said to them, they will not listen; when they are reproved, in order that they may learn to know themselves and amend before the punishment begins, they become mad and foolish so as to fairly merit wrath, as now we see daily in bishops and princes.

So Martin Luther maintains that God is not soft on keeping the First Commandment.  That, “He overthrows all false worship, so that all who remain therein must finally perish.”  In the end, that is true.  If they do not place their trust in Jesus, they will suffer eternal damnation.  To our eyes, watching them in the world today, they seem happy and bliss.  They seem to be enjoying life and the riches they have.  But in the end, they can take none of it with them.  They may enjoy during this life.  But the next life won’t be so fun.

The internet is so amazing.  Because I didn’t know who Sardanapaluses and Phalarides were I Googled them.  I would suggest you do the same and see what Wikipedia says about them.  They were downright nasty people.  What amazes me is that Martin Luther knew who they were and what they had done without the internet.  He was a brilliant man.  He was knowledgable in so many areas.  He is well worth reading.

It looks like it’s going to be a very mild week.  Only 31 days left until March 1st and meterological Spring.

 

My wife’s parents gave her a Spring cleaning for her birthday.  We finally got around to scheduling it for this Saturday.  Olga will be coming to the house about 9am to clean.  Thanks Mom and Dad!  So what does my wife do?  She’s been running around the place cleaning and straightening.  There won’t be anything for them to do when they get here!

Martin Luther continues the Large Catechism,

In order that it may be seen that God will not have this commandment thrown to the winds, but will most strictly enforce it, He has attached to it first a terrible threat, and then a beautiful, comforting promise which is also to be urged and impressed upon young people, that they may take it to heart and retain it:

[Exposition of the Appendix to the First Commandment.]

For I am the Lord, thy God, strong and jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

Although these words relate to all the commandments (as we shall hereafter learn), yet they are joined to this chief commandment because it is of first importance that men have a right head; for where the head is right, the whole life must be right, and vice versa. Learn, therefore, from these words how angry God is with those who trust in anything but Him, and again, how good and gracious He is to those who trust and believe in Him alone with the whole heart; so that His anger does not cease until the fourth generation, while, on the other hand, His blessing and goodness extend to many thousands lest you live in such security and commit yourself to chance, as men of brutal heart, who think that it makes no great difference [how they live]. He is a God who will not leave it unavenged if men turn from Him, and will not cease to be angry until the fourth generation, even until they are utterly exterminated. Therefore He is to be feared, and not to be desisted.

More than once, I’ve had people suggest that it’s not fair for God to punish children for their parent’s sins.  Funny thing is, these were Christians saying that.  What they don’t understand is that if mom and dad aren’t Christians, then the children aren’t going to be Christian either.  If the children somehow happened to become Christian, everything would be fine.  What God is doing is just sharing with us the most like outcome and show us that the results last more than a lifetime and up to four generations.

The passage is meant to be a comfort and promise for us Christians.  Because of our faith, God promises to show mercy.  Because of our faith, we will love Him in return and try to keep His Commandments.  We should take comfort in our relationship with God.  Many blessings come from that relationship.  It is an amazing thing.

One of my professors at the Seminary shared with us this idea, that Christianity is always one generation away from dying out.  If my generation doesn’t share the faith with the next generation, Christianity would be in danger of dying out.  That is a scary prospect.  It is meant to wake us up so we see the necessity of sharing the faith.  What he left out of the equasion is the Holy Spirit.  God, the Holy Spirit, isn’t going to let that happen.  He is constantly working in the hearts of people.  But, we do need to keep our eye on the ball and share our faith whenever we have a chance.

I need a haircut.  Why is it that I always to two extra weeks before getting my hair cut?  I don’t know why I don’t just go every four weeks.  I need to call today to see if Julie is working today.  Nobody touches my hair but Julie.  My wife and I were at Walmart walking past Cost Cutters and Jan needed to buy some hair product.  The next thing I know, she is coming back saying that Julie is in and Jan is going to get a quick trim.  I was standing there lamenting the fact that I needed my hair cut and one of the other girls working there says to me, “I can cut your hair.”  Sorry, but no.

Anyway, have a great day.  Enjoy this warm weather.  Only 35 days left until Spring.  God bless.

 

Last week I was reading through the Journal Times newspaper and saw a picture of Mayor Dickert reading to students at some school.  I quietly thought to myself, we should get him to come to Trinity and visit and read to our students.  Then I heard yesterday that he is doing just that, today.  I guess he will be here about 12:30 and will be visiting and reading to some students around 1:30.  Of course, I have an appointment at 1:30 to visit one of my shut ins.  I just think it’s neat that he is taking an interest in our schools and spending some valuable time visiting them.  Too bad I don’t live in Racine so I can’t vote for him.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism on the First Commandment,

I’m sure you’ve heard the pastor say something along the lines of, “They are called the 10 Commandments not the 10 Suggestions.”  God didn’t put the Commandments out there as Guidelines.  They are what He expects.  They are His demands.  And what He demands most and first is that He is the only God in our lives.  As Luther says, we should “not regard it as a joke.”  This is serious business.  If we can’t keep this First Commandment, there is no way we can keep any of the others.

Well, we called our sixth principal last night.  Of course, that doesn’t count Pastor Eseman who was paster, teacher, principal when we first opened.  Our principals have served for 13, 36, 21, 24 and 8 years (all double digits except for the last one).  We have been very blessed.  Our prayer is that Mr. Greg Hasseldahl will give this deep consideration and accept the call.  God bless and have a blessed day.

So, I was at the gym three days last week and once so far this week.  I should be able to go tomorrow and Thursday.  My problem is Friday’s.  I don’t want to get up early and go.  But once I get up, I have to let the dogs out and eat and go out again.  Maybe I’ll get up at 7 on Friday and just sneak out of the house, do my 40 minutes on the treadmill and then come home and deal with the dogs.  “Deal with the Dogs,” sounds like a reality television show…

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism,

Therefore no man should presume to take or give anything except as God has commanded, in order that it may be acknowledged as God’s gift, and thanks may be rendered Him for it, as this commandment requires. On this account also these means of receiving good gifts through creatures are not to be rejected, neither should we in presumption seek other ways and means than God has commanded. For that would not be receiving from God, hut seeking of ourselves.

Wouldn’t it be neat if God were at the grocery store at the check out, checking us out?  Then we would know that our groceries come from Him.  Or imagine that God signed our paychecks every week.  Then we would know that our income comes from Him.  Or what if we had to interview with God so we could get our job.  Then we would know that our job comes from Him.  It would make Him much more popular.  We would realize that all good things come from God.  For some reason, instead, God uses our parents, employers, farmers, grocery stores and so many others to give us stuff from God.

Luther continues, “Therefore no man should presume to take or give anything except as God has commanded.”  Since God is the one who gave my neighbor his puppy, if I go and steal the puppy, I am telling God that He didn’t do a good job discributing puppies.  We are saying that we are smarter than God in distrubuting the wealth.  If I steal, I am playing God.  On the other side, even if we don’t have much, we need to be content otherwise we are complaining that God didn’t do a good job distributing the stuff.

It all helps if we just thank God who gives all good gifts.  Thank God so that we know that our stuff comes from Him.  Thank God for what He does each day.  Thank you God.  Thank you Jesus.  Thank you Holy Spirit.

So, I complained about the cold weather last week, I better remark at how wonderful it is to be close to 40 on January 23!  Only 38 days until meterological Spring!

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism:

But let this be said to the simple, that they may well note and remember the meaning of this commandment, namely, that we are to trust in God alone, and look to Him and expect from Him naught but good, as from one who gives us body, life, food, drink, nourishment, health, protection, peace, and all necessaries of both temporal and eternal things. He also preserves us from misfortune, and if any evil befall us, delivers and rescues us, so that it is God alone (as has been sufficiently said) from whom we receive all good, and by whom we are delivered from all evil. Hence also, I think, we Germans from ancient times call God (more elegantly and appropriately than any other language) by that name from the word good as being an eternal fountain which gushes forth abundantly nothing but what is good, and from which flows forth all that is and is called good.

“We are to … expect from Him naught but good.”  This is still something we don’t always great right.  A dear loved one comes down with cancer and we believe it is from God.  We say, “God has a plan.  He won’t give you any more than you can handle.”  My dear friends, the cancer is NOT from God.  God is ALWAYS good.  He does not cause bad.  He may use bad for His good purposes.  But He does not cause it.  We live in a sinful world where bad things happen to relatively good people (we still sin, so not one of us can claim to be wholly good).  While God may strengthen my faith through seeing me through a difficult situation, we cannot blame God for causing the difficult situation.  He is totally good.  He rescues us from bad.  He protects us from evil.  We take shelter in Him.  He is our amazing God.

Lots of fun stuff to do today.  Confirmation with our 8th graders, cover letter for contribution statements, more programs to load on this computer, all fun stuff.  May God be with you as you complete your day.  God bless.

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,

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.

I don’t know what is going on.  Suddenly, yesterday afternoon my computer locked up.  So I rebooted it and it took 40 minutes to reboot.  I did it again and again it took 40 minutes to reboot.  I ran some virus protection software and it found nothing.  My computer goes through a defrag every Wednesday so that’s not the problem.  I couldn’t get anything done.  Suddenly, after moving back home, the computer seems to be working okay.  But don’t think I’m going to try restarting it any time soon.

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism on the First Commandment,

Because we can’t literally see, hear, feel, taste or touch God, we don’t fully consider the consequences of our sin.  To be sure there are times when we feel guilty.  But it is usually because we feel bad for hurting someone else.  When was the last time you felt disappointed in yourself for just sinning against God?  Do you ever worry about going to Hell?  A parent stopped me the other day, crying, she was standing with her son who also had tears in his eyes, he told me, “I’m worried that I’m going to go to Hell.”  He was serious.  I reassured him that he was baptized and that came with a promise of eternal life.  I told him that his name was written in the Book of Life and that nothing could erase it.  That seemed to ease his fear.  But if it weren’t for Jesus, all of us should have tears of fear like that.  We sin and we sin greatly.  Every once and a while, it’s good to be afraid and to consider the consequence of our sin.

What is the consequence of throwing your computer through a window?  I know that one, suffering the wrath of your wife for having to buy a new one.  But this one is only two years old.  I guess every once and a while, the Lord reminds you that technology isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  We need to rely on Him and not technology.  Think He will write my sermon for Sunday?  Have a blessed day, stay warm!

According to my sources, today is Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day!  It’s only January 17th!  Can’t you stick with a resolution for 17 days?  That’s not even three weeks.  It’s probably true that most people forget their New Year’s Resolution after the 1st.  I’m trying to exercize more and lose weight.  I was at the gym three times last week and once already this week.  I’m going to keep it up, at least into February…

Martin Luther continues in the Large Catechism…

Thus you can easily understand what and how much this commandment requires, namely, that man’s entire heart and all his confidence be placed in God alone, and in no one else. For to have God, you can easily perceive, is not to lay hold of Him with our hands or to put Him in a bag [as money], or to lock Him in a chest [as silver vessels]. But to apprehend Him means when the heart lays hold of Him and clings to Him. But to cling to Him with the heart is nothing else than to trust in Him entirey. For this reason He wishes to turn us away from everything else that exists outside of Him, and to draw us to Himself, namely, because He is the only eternal good. As though He would say: Whatever you have heretofore sought of the saints, or for whatever [things] you have trusted in Mammon or anything else, expect it all of Me, and regard Me as the one who will help you and pour out upon you richly all good things.

This is exactly why it is impossible for us to keep the 10 Commandments.  God expects our “entire heart and all our confidence to be placed in God alone.”  I can’t do that for five minutes, let alone an entire lifetime.  As we noted above, people don’t keep their New Year’s Resolutions for more than 17 days, how are they going to please the Almighty God for their whole life?

Luther alludes to another problem we have.  We can’t “lay hold” of God.  We can’t touch Him with our hands.  We can’t look for Him in a locked chest.  We trust Him with our heart.  Now, you Packer fans trusted the Packers to bring you another Super Bowl.  You can see them.  You can watch them.  You can hear and listen to them.  If you go up to Green Bay you might even get lucky and touch them.  We can’t see, hear, feel or touch God.  It’s all by faith and trust and it’s not easy.

But that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.  Working through His Word and the Sacraments, the Holy Spirit builds faith in God and draws us close to Him.  That same Holy Spirit helps us to focus on God rather than money, wealth, our abilities or anything else.

One thing is for sure.  We can’t trust the weathermen.  They are wrong too often.  But they seem to have this storm down right.  I’m just not looking forward to the dropping temperatures.  Stay warm.  Drive safe.  Place your trust in the Lord.