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Blessing a Home

Today I will attend and participate in the Blessing of a home. It is a Habitat for Humanity Home here in Grayson County, Texas, where I live. I have worked with Habitat for Humanity for a number of years off and on, but I have been more involved the last several years. I was involved in most stages of this build, and am happy to see this family of seven finally take possession of their home.

This is the opening prayer I plan to use today.

Peace to this house, to those who will live here, and to those gathered here this morning. We pray.

Lord of all, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your greatest gift to us, your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, it is in His most precious and holy name that we ask you to be with us as we have come together to dedicate and bless this home. We thank you that this day has arrived. We are grateful for all those who have worked and contributed of themselves, their time and resources to make this day a reality. May this family see this home as a gift from you and your goodness, and may this home be a place where you are not only welcome, but are also the Lord and Master. We thank you for the forgiveness and life and salvation that you have provided freely through Jesus for all who will believe in Him, and we pray all this in His Name. Amen.

A lot of other folks will speak after that, and then I will offer this blessing of the home.

Matthew 7:24–29 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Let us pray:  Almighty God, we ask you to bless this home, those who will live here, and their possessions. Make this a holy place, not just a building, but a home that is built on the foundation of Your Word and promises. Draw this family closer to you. Keep them safe. Lead them to live lives that show You and Your goodness to their neighbors. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

We consecrate and dedicate this home in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May this one true God be and remain in this home and all who live here. Amen.

May this be true in your homes as well.

Blessing a Home2022-12-17T08:50:42-06:00

Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord

This week Cheryl and I attended the mid-week Advent Service where our son-in-law is the pastor. His services this year had the theme Ponder, Pray, and Praise. This service emphasized that we should indeed Praise the one who kept His promise to send Jesus, who accomplished our forgiveness, life and salvation through His life, suffering and death.

That reminded me of this Advent Hymn. Read – or sing – these words today and let this mind be in you.

Let the earth now praise the Lord, Who has truly kept his word
And at last to us did send Christ, the sinner’s help and friend.

What the fathers most desired, What the prophets’ heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year, Stands fulfilled in glory here.

Abram’s promised great reward, Zion’s helper, Jacob’s Lord
Him of twofold race behold Truly came, as long foretold.

As your coming was in peace, Quiet, full of gentleness,
Let the same mind dwell in me Which is yours eternally.

Bruise for me the Serpent’s head That, set free from doubt and dread,
I may cling to you in faith, Safely kept through life and death.

Then when You will come again As the glorious king to reign,
I with joy will see Your face, Freely ransomed by Your grace.
(Lutheran Service Book 352)

Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord2023-11-24T09:02:45-06:00

Follow the Science?

“Follow the science.” That seems to be a mantra in our world today. Science has all the answers.

I remember back in the 70s the scientific community told us we would run out of gas and an ice age was coming. Back then, Ecologist Kenneth Watt declared, “By the year 2000, if present trends continue, we will be using up crude oil at such a rate…that there won’t be any more crude oil. You’ll drive up to the pump and say, `Fill ‘er up, buddy,’ and he’ll say, `I am very sorry, there isn’t any.’” (Yes, back then someone filled the tank for you, checked your oil and washed your windshield. But I digress.)

Mr. Watt also made this prediction: “The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years,” he declared. “If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.” Both of those predictions were made around the time of the first Earth Day in 1970.

In recent years, the scientific community has been warning us of global warming. And we keep discovering more and more oil reserves that the government won’t let us access.

When Covid hit, we were told masks would not help. Oh, wait, yes they will … Everyone must wear them. At the same time, multiple studies have determined that surgical masks do nothing to reduce the transmission of Covid or other viruses.

And what about those Covid-19 vaccines? We still hear ads telling us of the need to get yet another booster, that vaccines will lessen the intensity of Covid-19 if you still get it after being vaccinated. Some studies say it is effective, but other independent research says that the vaccines are ineffective.

Follow the science? How? There are conflicting reports and “Science” is constantly changing! The confusion should not be surprising. We live in a fallen world, a world in a state of decay, which will eventually wear out. Scientists use the empirical method to draw conclusions, but we have seen that the evidence changes over time. While science has made invaluable contributions for the betterment of our world, it is not infallible.

Let me suggest something better. Follow the star. The star of Bethlehem. That is what some Magi, who could be classified as scientists, did a long time ago.

Matthew 2:1–2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

They knew something was up. They followed the star to the real Star of Bethlehem. They used the empirical method, too, going to see this newborn king for themselves. His name is Jesus. And when they found Him, they worshipped Him and presented gifts to the King.

Matthew 2:10–12 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

You can follow Him knowing He does not change. Sure, there are those who have tried to change the message by adding to it or subtracting from it, but we can go back to the source, the Bible, and read it for ourselves. God’s love incarnate, born as one of us to take the punishment our sins deserve and conquer death for us as well. The one born “King of the Jews” is the Savior of all people. That does not change. It is a gift God offers and gives freely to any who will take Him at His Word and believe.

Follow the star.

Follow the Science?2022-12-15T08:59:14-06:00

This is Christmas

A band formed at Warner Pacific College in 1999 under the name “Call Box.” They were a campus worship band.  The Band changed their name to “Kutless” in October 2001. They chose their name because of Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NRSV). Because of this, the band says, “He took our cuts for us… leaving us ‘Kutless’.

Like most bands, they released a Christmas album. It contained a couple of original songs, one of which is below. It reminds us of the real purpose and meaning of Christmas, which I think is important for us to remember in our Advent preparations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20HoJZecNqM

THIS IS CHRISTMAS

Do you find it hard to sleep tonight
Resting by the Christmas lights
Could there be something you forgot
Beyond the bows, and mistletoe
The tree with presents wrapped below
There’s more to this than you had ever thought
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year

What is Christmas If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger
What is Christmas without Christ

Remember how the story goes
God’s gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes
Beneath the star, one great and holy night
The shepherds heard the angels sing
The wise man brought an offering
Peace on Earth began in Bethlehem
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year

What is Christmas If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger
What is Christmas If the angels never sang ‘Glory to the new born King’
What is Christmas without Christ

There’d be no gloria In excelsis deo
Gloria In excelsis deo

What is Christmas If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger
What is Christmas without Christ
This is Christmas It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger
This is Christmas Because of Jesus Christ
This is Christmas Because of Christ
Because of Christ

During your preparation this Advent, especially today, remember these words:  “This is Christmas It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger.”

 

This is Christmas2022-12-10T13:18:00-06:00

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a Child and yet a King;
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

(Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus, Lutheran Service Book #338)

Another Advent Hymn for you consideration as you prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth again this year. This one was written by one of the most prolific hymn writers, Charles Wesley. A hymn that alludes to many Scripture passages in every phrase, it was written to reflect the dual purpose to the Advent season: remembering that Jesus came once as we pray and prepare for His coming again.

The repetition of the word “born” emphasizes that our Lord already came once, what we celebrate at Christmas. We should remember that God’s people waited for His first coming longer that we have been waiting for His return. But we can be assured that He will come again, because God is faithful to His promises. In our preparation for His long-expected return, we recall that He was born to:

  • Set us free
  • Release us from sin and fear
  • Give us deliverance
  • Be a child and a King
  • Reign forever

I especially appreciate the grace-filled proclamation in the last line: “By thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.”  Jesus came to do what we could not do, and earn what we could not earn. His merit is imputed to us through faith, which gives us the assurance of forgiveness and being raised to live in His presence forever.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus2022-12-10T11:34:32-06:00

Love Came Down at Christmas

Every so often, something hits our planet from out of the clear blue—like  meteors or space junk. Most of us would be amazed if we knew how many spy satellites, weather satellites, research satellites, and broadcast satellites circle over our heads day by day, and of course, what goes up sooner or later must come down.

But space debris isn’t the only thing that can hit us from out of the clear blue.

  • The factory where we work closes, or our company is sold and our friends are laid off—all of it out of the clear blue!
  • Life is good, and then one morning in the shower we discover a lump where no lump should be—out of the blue.
  • Retirement is perking along, much as we had hoped, and then one afternoon we check our portfolio online and watch in horror as the stock and bond markets both plummet simultaneously. That’s not supposed to happen, but it does, hitting us—out of the clear blue.
  • A troubled young man cannot deal with the pain in his life so he goes into a school with handguns in order to make others hurt as much as he does. Too many times we have seen tragedy occur—out of the clear blue sky.

Many of life’s surprises, the things that hit us out of the blue, aren’t all that welcome. But Christmas is different. Christmas is the biggest surprise of all—and the happiest! Not because of the parties and decorations or the presents and cookies. Not because of the music and family time. Not even because of the wonder and laughter of little children.

No, Christmas is the biggest and happiest surprise of all because, totally out of the blue, love—from God—came down at Christmas. True love. Eternal love. Love that will not let you go. Love that does everything you need. Love came down at Christmas.

None of us deserves that love. In fact, every human being who has ever lived has rebelled against our gracious Creator, choosing to go our own way. We’ve thumbed our noses at him, objecting to his laws and thinking we can live more happily and fully by violating them. God’s judgment should roar down, engulfing the planet and every individual on it like a ton of bricks. If that judgment came, it should surprise no one, for God has made his will crystal clear in his Word; yet we have all disobeyed it.

But God has a surprise for you. He delivered it himself on the very first Christmas. He himself was that gift! Love came down at Christmas, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Out of the clear blue, while we were still sinners, Christ came for us. It’s a huge and happy surprise!

Peace. Joy. Hope. Gifts that come to us out of the blue, with God’s love that came down at Christmas. All of these gifts are undeserved. The Bible says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Do you believe that? You better believe it! Love came down at Christmas. Peace came down at Christmas. Joy came down at Christmas. Hope came down at Christmas. So many gifts—and all of them wrapped up in Jesus, our Savior.

We are preparing to celebrate that gift again. In many congregations, the color for the season of Advent is blue. It is on the altar and pulpit and the pastor’s stole. That can remind us that out of the BLUE came God’s gift. Love came down at Christmas.

Love Came Down at Christmas2022-12-10T11:01:29-06:00

Patience in Advent

James 5:7–11 7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

We don’t like to wait for things. Our world today is used to having things almost instantly. You order something from Amazon and get upset if it doesn’t arrive the next day, or in two days at the most. If you go to the store and they are out of something, you are incredulous that they don’t have what you want. How does this compare to 50 years ago when you would order something through a catalog and wait for weeks or even months for it to arrive?

Patience is not a virtue everyone possesses. But it is one that we need. Whether it is waiting for family to arrive for the holidays, or waiting for the time when you can exchange and open presents, sometimes you just have to wait. Doing so patiently makes it easier on everyone.

The people of God had to wait for the Messiah to come the first time, they had to patient for first coming. And even though they did not all accept Him for who He was, Jesus came in city of His kingly ancestor, David, unceremoniously. But come He did. And He accomplished what He came to do: “He will save His people from their sins.” He opened His kingdom to include anyone who would believe in Him, they would all be “His people.”

The epistle reading for this Third Sunday in Advent point to His second coming. We have to be patient for His return. It is certain. It will happen. If we die first, we will be with the Lord. If we are here when it happens, our faith in Jesus will usher us into His presence for eternity. The one who came in relative obscurity the first time is coming again to take His people to be with Him forever.

So we are told to wait. Patiently. James used the examples of the prophets and Job to show us what waiting patiently looks like.

Our waiting should not be just sitting around doing nothing. We should be sharing the Good News of the one who came once and is coming again with our friends and neighbors and all who will listen. We need to introduce them to the Lord who is full of compassion and mercy.

Our patient waiting should also remember that our God has been patient with us. Peter wrote about that.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

There is still time for others to come to repentance and live through faith in Jesus. That is why, in our patient waiting, we need to share what we already know about Him with the world.

 

 

Patience in Advent2022-12-10T08:54:00-06:00

Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come

Come, Thou precious Ransom, come, Only Hope for sinful mortals!
Come, O Savior of the world! Open are to Thee all portals.
Come, Thy beauty let us see; Anxiously we wait for thee.

Enter now my waiting heart, Glorious King and Lord most holy.
Dwell in me and ne’er depart, Tho’ I am but poor and lowly.
Ah, what riches will be mine When Thou art my Guest Divine! 

My hosannas and my palms Graciously receive, I pray Thee;
Evermore, as best I can, Savior, I will homage pay Thee,
And in faith I will embrace, Lord, Thy merit thro’ Thy grace.

Hail, hosanna, David’s Son! Help, Lord, hear our supplication!
Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown, Bring us blessing and salvation,
That forever we may sing: Hail, hosanna! to our King.

(The Lutheran Hymnal #55)

This is the first hymn in the section that has the heading “Advent” in this hymnal. It was written in 1664 “auf Deutsch” and translated into English in 1923. “The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal” published in 1942 says “The hymn has long been a favorite Advent hymn in the Lutheran Church.

It was based on Matthew 21:5-9, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The one who was hailed as king on Palm Sunday was the king who was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, the one of whom the Magi asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews.”

Since Advent means “coming,” it is appropriate that this hymn begins with the invitation, “Come, Thou precious Ransom, come, Only Hope for sinful mortals.”  The one whose birth we are preparing to celebrate was just that: our only hope. We could not atone for our sin, but He could and would and in fact did!  His purpose in coming to earth was to be the “Ransom” that would set us free from sin and death and guarantee our forgiveness.

The second stanza should be our fervent prayer, imploring Him to enter and abide in our hearts so that we can enjoy the riches He came to earn for us:  forgiveness, redemption, life and eternal salvation.

We should indeed forever sing and shout “Hosanna”, which means “Lord, save us,” because we know Jesus is the only one who can do so.

Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come2022-12-09T08:56:32-06:00

It’s About the Cross

Today’s song for reflection is entitled “It’s About the Cross.” I first heard this song about 12 years ago. It was by a group called “Go Fish.” The following is from their website

Go Fish started in 1995 when Jamison Statema and a friend from church started an acappella group in Minnesota.  Their goal was to use music to follow Christ’s call to be “fishers of men”.  That has never changed!

From 1995-2000 they gained a regional following by touring locally while also releasing several successful independent projects.  

In 2000 they were signed to Inpop Records and went on to release Infectious and Parade.   Songs like You’re My Little Girl and Savior (which reached #1 on Christian radio) fueled sales while they significantly increased their following with their live show.  They traveled extensively opening for artists like the Newsboys, Rebecca St. James, FFH, Salvador, Ginny Owens, and several others.

In 2003 Go Fish released Splash, their first album for children.  The response was unlike anything they had ever seen and the decision was made to focus solely on making great music for kids that wouldn’t drive parents bonkers!

Since then, Go Fish has produced 8 children’s albums along with the Christmas album Christmas With A Capital “C” featuring the title track along with It’s About The Cross.  All of these projects have been produced by Statema and Darren Rust with Statema responsible for most of the songwriting duties.  

(https://www.gofishkidsmusic.com/about)

This song speaks of the true meaning and significance of Christmas.  I’ve printed the lyrics below and you can listen to it here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=825531144462568

It’s not just about the manger Where the baby lay
It’s not all about the angels Who sang for him that day
It’s not just about the shepherds Or the bright and shining star
It’s not all about the wisemen Who travelled from afar

Chorus:
It’s about the cross  It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once So that we could be born again
It’s about the stone That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday It’s about the cross

Verse 2:
It’s not just about the presents Underneath the tree
It’s not all about the feeling That the season brings to me
It’s not just about coming home To be with those you love
It’s not all about the beauty In the snow I’m dreaming of

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it’s the ending that can save you and that’s why we celebrate

It’s about the cross It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once So that we could be born again
It’s about God’s love Nailed to a tree
It’s about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me
It’s about the stone That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It’s about the cross

I especially like the words of the bridge:  The beginning of the story (His birth) is wonderful and great, But it’s the ending (His crucifixion to pay for sin) that can save you and that’s why we celebrate.

Carry that thought with you today.

It’s About the Cross2022-12-05T08:39:04-06:00

Born to Die

I’ve been pointing you to hymns this week to aid in your Advent preparations. Today I want you to consider a much newer song. My youngest daughter introduced me to this when she came home from college one year for Christmas, and I have loved it ever since. It is entitled “Born to Die” by Shane and Shane. Their website gives this information:

“Shane & Shane is the combination of solo artists Shane Barnard and Shane Everett. After meeting in college, Shane & Shane began writing songs and touring the country leading worship. Over 15 years later, they’re writing more music than ever, with no intention of slowing down. Their desire has always been to glorify the Lord instead of themselves and they do so by writing music that is biblically based, lyrically rich, and sonically engaging.”    (shaneandshane.com)

I love the Scriptural truth spoken through this song. Here is one video I used in worship services, and the Lyrics are below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtMXB9HZw-w

When the babe was born In a manger on the hay
God saw a veil torn He saw Good Friday
He was born to die

Gold laid before the Christ Incense, His presence is sweet
Myrrh to signify Victory over death’s sting
He was born to die

It came in a dream To Joseph late one night
That Herod sought the King But could not take His life
He was born to die

He said, “You don’t take my life
You won’t take my life
You don’t take my life
I lay it down”

We came here today To celebrate His birth
But let us not forget Why Jesus came to earth
He was born to die

Born to Die2022-12-05T09:04:54-06:00

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