Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“’Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’  And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them.” (Mark 14b-16)

We talk a lot about having a child like faith, but what does that mean?  A recent incident helps to illustrate the trust of children.

My family and I were visiting my dad (Doug) and my sister and family in Argenta where my dad lives.  As I was preparing to go out to the back porch to fire up the grill for lunch, a little shaver about 8-9 years old, rides his bike up, gets off, and proceeds to the back door.  I open the door and as he walks right in, he says, “Is Doug here?”  You have to understand that my dad had just met this little guy the day before out in the yard.  By the next day he was walking into the house like he was one of the grandchildren.  He walks in and starts talking to us like he has known us his whole life.

It was stated to him that we were going to eat and he could come back later.  He wanted to know when he was going to get to see the rest of the house!  While eating, here he comes again to the back door where he walks in and wants to know why it is taking us so long.  We invite him back once the dishes have been cleared.  He returns and joins us in a game of croquet.  His older brother eventually comes and gets him and the Lord provides another life lesson.

The trust of a child.  He had only met my dad, the rest of us were complete strangers, but he talked to us like we were his best friends.  I can’t describe in this transcription what a funny slice of life this scenario was.

We trust in our heavenly Father as His child.  He knew us from the beginning of the world; we were never strangers to Him.  He called us as His own in Baptism and keeps us in the true faith.  As we move into adulthood we lose some of our innocence because what we have seen or experienced.  This little fella reminded me of what complete trust looks like.  The Lord wants us to have that – come right in, talk to Me like you know Me, because you do, and know that My door is always open.  I am here for you because of My love and grace and mercy.

Now, how about a game of croquet?

In Christ,

Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

After seizing power is Russia, one of the things the Communists discovered is that the only way to destroy Christian churches is to infiltrate them so that they will be destroyed gradually, by church people themselves.  Reinterpret Scriptures to remove the deity of Christ and convert Him into a socialist.  Distort biblical sermons on charity to prove that government should confiscate property and enforce economic equality.  Strain spiritual content out of Scriptures, and religion faith in people can be broken.  God then becomes some kind of vague universal force and Jesus becomes merely a great man, teacher, philosopher, social reformer.  Such churches pose no obstacle in the path of the socialist revolution, but indeed can become useful instruments for promoting it.

As I read history from Nazism to Russian Communism after World War II one of the things that stands out is the capitulation of the church at large to the workings of a government that wants to destroy Christianity.  The state churches of Europe are prime examples of this.  They stand for nothing so who wants to be part of that?  The Christian church cannot blame the world for people leaving.  The church must examine itself.  Is it still teaching the historic faith of sin and salvation, heaven and hell, trespasses and grace?  Is Christ a Savior from man’s depravity?

The world has such a hard time these days explaining the tragedies that are happening because they miss the bigger picture of good and bad, the just and the unjust.  We have so many who pontificate about the wrong things when the answer is right in front of us.

There is hope.  What was once a church in Russia became a swimming pool.  Once Communism fell it became a church again.  A pulpit in place of a diving board!  I recently watched a “Perry Como Christmas Special” from 1974 on one of our cable channels.  The witness to Christ was incredible.  It made me think of the 1960’s and the student protests and the shootings and the riots and all manner of anarchy.  Watch the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago!  While I was too young, I am sure people were thinking – this is it – even without the 24-hour media coverage.  But it wasn’t it.  Study history and especially your Bible and you will see what the Lord can do.

The Holy Spirit can change lives and cultures.  And if that is not the Lord’s will He will comfort and sustain us in the struggles.  Christ’s death and resurrection assures our victory.  Keep up the good fight – in Jesus.

 

In Christ,

Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I love irony and how God has a sense of humor about things.  This is especially true as we hear the rich and famous say one thing and live another way.  People in Hollywood are especially good at this as well as liberal professors on our college campuses. 

 

I have two stories that drive home the point.  Paul McCartney is a well-known environmental advocate.  Back in 2005 the sponsor of his tour was Lexus because they make “environmentally responsible” cars.  The tour was great for both and in 2008 they gave McCartney a $150,000 gas/electric hybrid.  One problem:  Lexus chartered a cargo plane to send the car from Japan, where it was built, to England where McCartney lived.  The carbon emissions from that single flight equal 300 around-the-world trips in the car it carried.  McCartney can never drive the car enough to make up for the pollution its delivery created.  Ironic, isn’t it? 

 

The other one involves a Princeton psychologist who argued that short, simple words make writers seem smarter than long words do.  The ironic name of the study:  “Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity.”   

 

Man has never needed much help to look foolish.  Oh, how God must laugh at His creation and the funny things we do.  God loves irony as well.  A King riding on a donkey?  A shepherd boy taking down a giant?  A family of eight riding out a storm in a large watercraft with a number of animals?  A man riding a chariot off to heaven?  We love that God does things in ways we would not expect.  He has done that in your life, hasn’t He?  A Savior from sin?  Yes.  The just dying for the un-just?  It happened.  A perfect man giving His life for those far short of perfection?  Check.   

 

The irony of it all.  The Lord of Life having a good laugh…and we smile. 

 

 

In Christ, 

 

Pastor