<![CDATA[Bible Lutheran Church

<![CDATA[Bible Lutheran Church - BLC Blog]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:53:51 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Love]]>Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/love

In the 22nd chapter of Matthew Jesus was being confronted by the authorities of the day. In an attempt to trip Him up, they asked Jesus to identify the greatest commandment. Jesus replied:

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

“Love” is such an over-used word. It almost never carries any depth in our society because, as a people, we have a tragically limited connection with God, Who is Love.

In my blessed life I have the joy of knowing the love of my children and of my grandchildren. The love Deb and I share is a daily blessing. The love of my family, as a whole, strengthens it all. And it doesn’t end there. You, my brothers and sisters in the faith, stand with me in the love of our Savior, Jesus.

This is a magnificent panoply of blessings.

We have stepped into the season of Lent again. No greater nor more perfect action of love ever existed (nor ever will exist) than the path our Savior Jesus took for our salvation. There’s an old Lutheran Hymnal (first published in 1941) which has a hymn for the Lenten season titled “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed.” The first verse says “Alas and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die. Would He devote that Sacred Head for such a worm as I?”

The answer, of course, is “YES HE DID.”

One day … one blessed day to come … we will all step from this time and place into our heavenly home. On that day, because of the blessing of Faith given to us by the Holy Spirit, we will bow in holy gratitude for the Faith. On that day we will see our Lord Jesus as He truly is. On that day we will be in the joy-filled presence of our Heavenly Father and we will be given to know what Love truly is.

While we wait for that day of glory, we can now enjoy “Thank You prayer time” with Jesus about the Love with which He has filled our lives.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Too Big]]>Thu, 11 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/too-big

If you’ve been around a sufficient number of years you may have heard Mom or Dad remind you that you’re getting “too big for your britches.”

It was the gentle warning, in direct connection to some activity or attitude of mine, that was meant to interrupt that behavior and re-direct my attention to a more acceptable direction. You might remember something similar. If I failed to respond to that gentle reminder, something more direct and memorable would be on the way.

Please do not misunderstand. My Mom and Dad blessed me beyond description by being the people of Faith that they were. They provided life examples in connection with their strong Faith. Still … from time to time, like every child, I needed a clear reminder.

Take a little walk down memory lane with me. Over the past twenty or thirty years we, as a society, as a nation, have enjoyed some truly amazing developments. Medicine is certainly one such field of development. Taking an even more simple area, how about the telephone service we all enjoy? Today we walk around with cell phones. We can call just about anyone, no matter where they happen to be in the world. In that little cell phone, we also have a camera, a GPS system, access to the internet and a computer that is so far beyond the computers used by the first man-landing on the moon as to make us think/feel we can accomplish just about anything.

Then comes a sorrow, then comes a problem that rolls over us like a bulldozer pushing an old shack down. We have all seen some of that over recent months. COVID comes to mind (obviously) but there are so many other things that impact us and are beyond our personal abilities to control or diminish. Could it possibly be that these things can remind us that we’ve gotten too big for our britches? Could they even be understood as blessings because they direct our harried field of attention to our Heavenly Father?

Isaiah, chapter 43, includes a beautiful promise – a wonderful pronouncement from our loving God. Verses 1, 2 and 3:

“But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Isaiah 43:1-3

To us, the created, from He who created us: “Fear Not!” Talk with Him in prayer about everything, both delightful and troubling. He always hears and always acts out of love for you.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[FIAT]]>Tue, 19 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/fiat

The second new car I ever bought was a 1972 Fiat, model 128. It was a good little car. It rode well and handled well.

The fuel economy was excellent (you may remember the focus on fuel economy in the early ‘70’s). At that time I do not believe I gave a thought to the interesting choice of a company name by the folks who engineered and built the car; Fiat.

If you take a moment to look at the word itself, it speaks about “a command or act of will that creates something without or as if without further effort”. Wow! Even though I did like my little Fiat 128 car, it’s pretty hard to connect that classic definition with the vehicle. When you get right down to it, if you want to think about “fiat” in a classic setting it is necessary to begin at Genesis 1:1.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Fiat, absolute authority, belongs to God.

That’s a pretty big leap from a 1972, four-door automobile to the absolute authority of the Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is also a “faith-empowered” leap which brings us to the truth that God’s “fiat” of unchanging and unchangeable love is why He came here in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the “faith-empowered” leap which brings us to the absolute knowledge, the complete assurance that in our Savior Jesus we are now and will be – for eternity – children who reside with Him in the perfect peace and joy of heaven.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your perfect love which never wavered. Because of Your perfect love, our Lord Jesus came here to bring us back to complete communion with You. In perfect harmony with Your will, Your Holy Spirit instills the faith in us that we need in order to hold these truths and enjoy Your mercy and love, both now here in time and in eternity to come.

In the name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Hope]]>Tue, 05 Jan 2021 15:41:24 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/hope

There are many times during the course of a few days when most of us use the word “hope.” It might be a conversation with a neighbor out by the mailbox;

“I hope you have a fun visit with your grandkids next week.” It might even be an unspoken thought connected to some activity or event of the day. “I sure hope it doesn’t rain. That lawn has to be mowed today.” If you live in the far north and it’s mid-winter, it might be “I sure hope this car will start today.

We use that word quite a bit. It is not the way “hope” is used in Scripture. In the body of New Testament Epistles, written by the Apostle Paul and by the Apostle Peter, there are over a dozen instances where they used the word hope. In each and every case it is not the anticipation of some future condition that may or may not take place. In each and every case the “hope” Paul and Peter reference is sure and certain because it is based on our Lord Jesus. It is based on God Himself – in Whom there is no shadow of change.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

The focus of our hope baffles the world. It confuses all who understand “hope” in the way it is used by folks who talk about the weather or about a football game. Paul cautions us to not follow that path. He wrote to his protégé, Timothy, saying

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

The fact is, our “hope” is based on our Savior, Jesus Christ. The fact is, our hope is not looking for something to be or for something to happen. By faith we already KNOW we have a destiny in the eternity of heaven. Dear friends, we do not hope for that because our Lord and Savior has guaranteed that by His life, death and resurrection. Jesus has sealed our destiny in heaven by His righteousness, with which our Heavenly Father credits us because of the gift of Faith placed in us by the Holy Spirit.

Our hope is not about “what”. Our hope is about “when”. In the letter to the Hebrews (chapter 6, verse 19) it says;

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19

As the Apostle Peter wrote –

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13

I do hope you have a great new year in 2021. But that’s not the “hope” we all have at the heart of our Faith in Jesus Christ. May His blessings flood all your days to come, assuring you of the HOPE that is certain in His salvation of us all.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[True Christmas Joy!]]>Wed, 23 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/true-christmas-joy

The past several months have been very taxing and stressful for many folks. This year many of the traditional practices have been set aside.

Over the months we have limited our travel options and have known family and friends who have suffered an impact from COVID. In a way, all this seems to come to a crescendo now as Christmas Day approaches. Many of us will not have the joy of family gatherings that have been infused into our Christmas celebrations.

It would certainly be a wonderful Christmas present if, by some great miracle, all the precautions we’ve been exercising and all the changes which have been placed into daily life could be completely gone. Wouldn’t that be a super Christmas present? Everyone could get back to the pattern of life that we had before the pandemic issues, before the political pressures. The qualities of life, which are normally just part of each day, would return

Often, at Christmas time, we are fond of remembering the way Christmas was celebrated when we were young. One of my favorite memories of Christmas is the Christmas Eve service at church when I was a young boy. It was a large church, made of stone. The sanctuary had a high, peak ceiling with dark, wooden, arched beams crossing over the pews. The evening service was lighted more softly than a Sunday morning service.

The Christmas tree was covered with white lights and the candles placed in each window up and down the side aisles gave a warm, soft glow, a counterpoint to the snow falling outside. Thinking back to such Christmases past, it is easy to long for the qualities that seemed to saturate those days.

Matthew’s Gospel helps us with this spirit, chapter one, verses eighteen to twenty-five:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

It is such a blessing to think about that first Christmas detailed for us by the Gospel writers. Through Faith, we can view that most special night in our mind’s eye. It is beyond our imagination to grasp what it must have been for The Lord. Our God is the one who loved us so much that He came right here among us so that we could know Him. He came here as an infant so that He could truly be one of us and so that we could learn to approach Him with love in our hearts and joy in our step and a song on our lips.

The ultimate gift from God for His people.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Driving at Night]]>Wed, 09 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/driving-at-night

One of the first things I was taught when learning to drive was that it was essential to be more cautious when driving at night. If you’ve counted enough birthdays you may remember when “quad headlights” became the standard on new cars – four headlights instead of the typical two. Of course, the idea was to have more light in order to drive more safely at night.

Limited ability to see at night is almost like an illustration of our complete inability to see the future. Oh, we consider many factors to attempt an informed anticipation of tomorrow or next week or beyond – but we’re just guessing.

Sometimes, as people of Faith, we are given to compartmentalize our thinking and feeling about daily life. One “compartment” is directly connected to our freedom from sin’s condemnation. Our Lord’s words of both guidance and forgiveness are absolute proof of that freedom.

The Apostle John quoted Jesus:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Because of God’s love, because of His grace and mercy, we have the absolute certainty of eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior. We hold this through the gift of Faith.

What about those days, months and years from now until eternity beckons?

The Psalmist wrote:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps 119).

Our loving Heavenly Father spoke through Joshua, Chapter 1:9, and tells us:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Dear Christian friends, both our eternity in heaven and the daily, moment-by-moment assurance of God in our lives is His loving gift.

He never wavers. He never backs off to leave us to our own devices. Because we know Him through Faith, we are also given to trust Him when our limited (or non-existent) ability to see the resolution of a difficulty or the unfolding of tomorrow could be a stumbling block.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy of You in our lives here and now and for the joy of the eternal day to come. As You walk with each of us, hour by hour and day by day, bless us with increasing trust in Your perfect Love and Will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Thankfulness]]>Tue, 24 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/thankfulness

Over the past couple of days a friend from my high school years and I “bumped into each other” on social media. Brad and I had not been in contact since 1965. One of his first comments was “strange world we live in.” He gets no argument from me. Indeed, hardly a day passes without some item in the national news - or even local news - that makes a person almost throw up their hands in frustration and confusion

Indeed, this may be an intensified feeling at this time of the year. You and I know and feel the uncountable blessings from our loving Heavenly Father. They fill our lives. We live in a nation that has enjoyed and still enjoys God’s blessings. Arguably, we have been blessed as a nation beyond any in history. Even so, over more recent years our annual national day of thanksgiving has gradually become more focused on things like college football or bargain price shopping than on worshipful thanksgiving

Our friend, the prophet Isaiah, was called to give clear messages to a nation of people who, though richly blessed by God, had turned their hearts and minds in other directions. There is clear pronouncement of Law in Isaiah, accompanied by equally clear declaration of the resultant recompense to follow. AT THE SAME TIME, Isaiah also gives the sweet message of forgiveness and salvation to God people, to those who’s hearts and minds and souls are held closely in love by God - but who’s earthly lives were in an environment of dire threat

Please allow me to share words from Isaiah. This happens to be one of my wife’s favorite Scripture passages.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:1-3

May your Thanksgiving be filled with the joy of thankfulness for blessings known and unknown. May the grace of God our Father, the love we have from our Lord Jesus and the peace we know through Faith instilled by the Holy Spirit be the full nourishment of the day – and of every day to come.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Is it That Time of Year?]]>Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/is-it-that-time-of-year

Here we are, back at the threshold of “that time of the year”. If you think about it, the clarion-call of the world really begins the climb to its crescendo. The world wants you - actually, it NEEDS you - to focus and worry about so much that is temporary and trivial.

There’s an impressive list of that stuff. When should the Thanksgiving Decorations be put on display? When should they be taken down in favor of Christmas decorations? Which party (or parties) should I attend? How big should the turkey be this year? Have all the Christmas gifts been purchased, or at least listed? This year we may have been spared some of the pressure surrounding the schedules for sporting events at several levels. Perhaps we could think of that as a “mixed COVID blessing.”

All this stuff belongs to the misdirection the world offers to deceive us. There’s an old saying; “worry is like paying interest on a house you don’t own.” Through Faith, we are given everything we need to ignore and reject the cacophony.

From Luke, Chapter 12:

“Then Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens; they do not sow or reap. They have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’”

Luke 12:22-26 NIV

You did notice, I imagine, the statement “Then Jesus said to His disciples”. Go ahead, have a look in a mirror, disciple. His promise, His blessing, His never-wavering love IS FOR YOU.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[If Faith were the Beat of Every Heart...]]>Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:24:24 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/if-faith-were-the-beat-of-every-heart

" Psalm 85:6 Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

For a while now it has seemed to be increasingly easy to find issues over which there is a disagreement between folks. In fact, some days it almost feels as though we are inundated with contentious issues and with the ardent views of folks on one side or another of a given issue. Our focus, our mental and our emotional focus are being pulled and challenged.

There is a marvelous blessing mixed in with all of this. In fact, there are marvelous, multiple blessings mixed in. The very first and the most wonderful is that you and I have been given Faith in our Lord Jesus. This beautiful truth IS the one focus that comes before any other. When there may be issues “of the world” about which levels of disagreement may exist, they simply fade into unimportance in the Light and Truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ.

It is essential to lean on, to breathe the air of this blessing. Though I am given to any manner of human weakness, Word and Sacrament are God’s gracious power to hold my focus on this blessing.

There is an attendant blessing which harmonizes with it. We have the joy of sharing our focus. We have the joy of sharing the power and depth of our Faith with family. We have the privilege of sharing this blessing with anyone who crosses our path. Even better, when those windows of opportunity for sharing come along, we do not depend on our own strength or wisdom for the sharing. He, God, who blesses us also gives all that we need to share and be a blessing to others.

Take a day. Actually, you probably do not need an entire day to see how deeply our national society, our world society, needs this focus. If Faith were the beat of every heart then the issues which divide us would be mere nuance. They would become an opportunity for a shared solution.

To that end, please join me in a prayer for NATIONAL REVIVAL – for WORLD REVIVAL.

Dear Heavenly Father – Your grace and mercy are perfect and all-powerful. Please hear our plea for powerful revival, for sweeping acceptance of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Use each of us as tools to bring this about. Give each of us the joy of knowing Your work in our lives for the purpose of Your work in all lives. We desperately need revival, Father. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN

Pastor Rod

" Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Christ Who gives me strength.

]]><![CDATA[How Many Lutherans … ?]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/how-many-lutherans

There’s a joke you may have heard. “How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb?” The answer is “CHANGE?!?”

If you have had occasion to drive around in the areas of Rincon and Pooler and Garden City – or in the greater area in general – you have certainly noticed the many changes. Huge new buildings are being constructed. Over the most recent decade there have been significant increases in resident population. There has been a lot of change and all indications are that it will continue.

That joke about we Lutherans plays on the fact that we have not been a group which easily adopts change. Even so, change we do. The truth is, change is a challenge, whether it is for the positive or in the opposite direction. Change makes planning difficult. It turns holding expectations into an uncertain process

Here’s the good news. In fact, here’s the Good News. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Our forgiveness, our rescue from sin and from the eternal punishment that belongs to sin – does not, indeed cannot change. It is founded on the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and He does not change.

You and I know and believe in the Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our Lord is there, He is God. There is repeated testimony throughout Scripture that God does not change. In the circles of scholastic Theology the term “immutability” is used. Scripture uses more plain-spoken terminology.

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” (Psalm 102:25-27)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

The list of Scriptural testimony continues. Listen, it does not matter when we see all sorts of change going on around us, whether good or bad. Our Faith, our Salvation, “rests on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

Change? Nope! Not a chance!

Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[More Than a Symbol]]>Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/more-than-a-symbol

Yesterday I was driving in an area of the community where a creek ran through, under the road. The banks were filled with trees, the ground covered with green growth. It was a slow traffic moment and I’m glad of that. For a short time it was an opportunity to look down the little stream. That’s when I saw the eagle. He was probably fishing. During the few moments I was able to watch he worked from one over-hanging limb to another, always looking down into the water.

Birds fascinate me. I admit it. I’m not what anyone would call an ornithologist, or even an avid bird watcher. Even so, their energy and movement always impress me. This is especially true when I see some of the larger species. Their flight patterns and mastery of the air capture my attention and imagination. Even though the eagle I saw was not in full flight he was majestic in his concentration.

Scripture makes dozens of references to birds. Often they are spoken of in ways that reveal a humble scope of function. In Matthew’s sixth chapter the Lord tells us “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” On another occasion, He said even not a single sparrow falls from the sky outside of God’s attention.

There is another imagery involving birds. This calls thoughts of a mighty eagle to mind. God gave this insight to Moses and it is recorded for us in Psalm 91.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.”
Psalm 91:1-4

The same One, the Creator of every beautiful bird and the panoply of stars, the same One who designed and set the course of rivers and commanded the changes of season; He is the One who created you. He is the One who loved you from before the beginning of time and the One who loves you today. He is the One who is your refuge and fortress. Of all of this you can be absolutely certain because His Son, our Lord Jesus came here for the true purpose of making us the protected and treasured children of the Most High God.

The next time you see the magnificent flight of Canadian Geese, cruising through the air in harmony with each other, remember that He who designed them and enables them to go from day to day has designed you and has enabled you to go from day to day and to the eternal Day. Your faith, a gift from our loving Heavenly Father, is the wings under which you are protected. Thanks be to our Lord Jesus.

Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Stuff to Think About …]]>Mon, 21 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/stuff-to-think-about

OK … OK … not just “think about” but also feel.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always realized that winter here in the United States meant it was summer in Brazil or Argentina. Over the years I simply never bothered to apply that to the other seasons of the year; fall here is spring there, and so on. Big deal, right?

Simply put, it is a big deal! We have seasons because the earth rotates on an axis that is tilted about 23 degrees from vertical. Living here in Savannah, Georgia, the summers can get pretty warm. The folks who live in northern Alaska experience some serious cold during the winter. If the earth’s orbit was a little closer to the sun or a little farther away our planet would be a far less comfortable home

Isaiah 45:18 “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens (He is God!), Who formed the earth and made it (He established it; He did not create it empty, He formed it to be inhabited!); ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’”

My guess is that you’ve thought about the precise harmony that shows up throughout creation. The solar system works the way it does because God made it to work the way it does. Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom because God made it that way.

When the activity we read about in the first chapter of Genesis was just getting started, when the very first second of time itself clicked by to the next second, your loving Heavenly Father already knew your name. At that very moment our Triune God knew every single detail there has been and everything that is yet to become known. He knew your name and my name and all the stuff folded in every moment of my life and your life – and He loved us still.

God’s love has always been the center of His creative work. God’s love is the reason our Lord went to the cross for our sins. God’s love is the reason you and I were blessed by the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism.

The next time you see the blossom of a flower just beginning to open or the next time you see a leaf beginning to turn from green to a yellow-gold color of fall, remember that God’s Love is the basis, the source for all our blessings.

Pastor Rod

PS: Looking up the phrase “God Created” brings seventeen Bible references to light. Five are in Genesis (1:1, 1:21, 1:27, 2:4 and 5:1). Deuteronomy 4:32, Isaiah 42:5 (in addition to the one seen above), Ezekiel 28:13, Malachi 2:10, Mark 13:19, three in Ephesians (2:10, 3:9, 4:24) 1st Timothy 4:3, Hebrews 11:3 and Revelation 4:11.

]]><![CDATA[Worry – The Easiest, Most Difficult Thing]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/worry-the-easiest-most-difficult-thing

Our backyard features a number of bird feeders. When there is time during a morning to sit with a cup of coffee, watching the birds swoop in and out, it’s both relaxing and entertaining. Since we’re coming to the close of summer there aren’t so many recently fledged young birds coming in and out of the yard. Earlier in the season it was often much easier to spot them.

Many times they hadn’t worked out the fine art of a gentle and smooth landing yet. It would be fair to think of some landings on a feeder as almost a crash landing. Even so, food was there to be had and the take-off always looked more skilled.

There’s a verse from the tenth chapter of Matthew

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:29

Watching the birds in the backyard brings this to mind. At the same time, it’s important to remember why Jesus made this point to His disciples – and to us. Verse 29 is together with a sub-set of verses from chapter ten, verses twenty-six to thirty three. Some of the modern Bible publications will sub-title these verses as “Have No Fear.”

Chapter ten is a record of the Apostles being sent out on their first missionary trip. In sending them, Jesus was pretty plain-spoken about the obstacles and opposition they would experience. It’s not completely wrong to say that you and I are on our first and only missionary trip, called life. Like the disciples, we are called to be witnesses to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Sometimes it truly feels as though that’s much easier said than done.

Sometimes it feels as though the opposition is not just an individual who holds some viewpoint that stands against our faith. There are days when it can feel as though even the world itself steps up to inhibit or even prevent and derail our walk of faith.

Let’s face it. You and I are not able to do this in and of our own strength. It’s far too easy to feel the pull of worry because there are health problems or financial problems or family problems. It’s far to easy to make the list and mentally step through it, forgetting that each of us is of far more value than many sparrows.

Your loving Savior Jesus not only said that – He demonstrated it during every moment of His life and especially during those final hours, ending on the cross. He continued to demonstrate it when He returned following the Resurrection for the people to see Him alive and victorious. He continues to demonstrate it today and every single day in your life and mine.

Matthew 10: 29-32 “ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Don’t worry.

Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[True Strength]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/true-strength

It’s very easy to see or hear a TV or radio message about good exercise. Other advertisements encourage us to pay attention to weight management. If you have an interest in joining a gym for enhanced exercise or an interest in beginning a program for weight loss or weight management the choices are many

Everyone can easily agree that a person’s physical strength and stamina are helped by both exercise and healthy living styles. When you and I pay better attention to these things the days come and go with improved ease, at least in connection with the physical demands we all face at one level or another.

If you open a Bible search software, or look in one or another type of Bible dictionary, and look for the word “strength” there will be dozens of references throughout Scripture. Have a look sometime. Many of those references are about people in some difficult circumstances when their personal strength just wasn’t enough. It’s easy to think of Samson. His physical strength is well known. When you read the history of his journey in Judges the accounts of his prowess are there as well as the details of failure.

Finally it was the strength of Samson’s faith-connection with God that proved to be his real empowerment.

We all have challenges to strength. Some of them, a few of them, are about physical strength. Often the challenge has more to do with issues that would cause worry and even distress. These things would steal our mental focus. They would even, perhaps, disturb sleep and sap both mental, emotional and physical resources.

The Apostle Paul certainly had a few experiences that could rock anybody’s world. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to share with us about these things. You may already be very familiar with the letter to the Ephesians. Even so, have a look at chapter six again, especially verses ten to thirteen:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:10-13

Blessings … now and forever,

Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[..And So We Are]]>Tue, 11 Aug 2020 13:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/and-so-we-are

There’s an old hymn, written in 1864. You’ve heard it any number of times, I’m sure. “For the Beauty of the Earth” is a graceful reminder of the grandeur that surrounds us in creation. It also draws attention to the joy which flows from the most profound element of creation; love itself.

Let's take a moment and have a listen.

If you have had an opportunity to sit outside on a cloudless night, away from the background lights of a city, then you know the astounding view of a dark sky filled with star-points of light. Some of the stars are gathered more closely in the bands of the Milky Way. Some of them are spread out over the rest of the deep velvet of space. Just the thought of counting them is outside the bounds of the imagination.

Sitting under that miraculous display of glory, the record in the Word comes to mind.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. (Genesis, Chapter 1:14-15)

He is the one Who brought the universe into being from nothing by the power of His speaking.

He is the one Who filled every aspect of the creation with the miracles of life and love which surround us.

He is the one Who knew you in every detail and through every moment of your life even before the first star gave light.

He is also the one Who gives His loving attention to even the most inconsequential details of life.

On a recent morning, the sun just rising above the horizon, I was out in the yard giving some of the flowers an early drink of water. The mornings this summer have arrived with humidity and temperature conspiring to make even the air feel heavy. And then He expressed His love in small and gracious detail. A soft and gentle breeze made its way into our yard from somewhere out on the ocean miles away.

Please never think, for even a moment, that our loving Triune God turns His attention away from even the little details of your day-to-day. It was His love that made all there is. It was because of His love that He also came here in person. It was because of His love that our Lord Jesus gave even His own perfect, sinless life so that the eternal glories of heaven itself are a gift to you.

When you see the decorated night sky or when you feel the cooling breeze, you experience His love even to the tiniest detail.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Little Children]]>Fri, 31 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/little-children

One of the true blessings of life that Deb and I enjoy is that we have grandchildren. Some of them are not children any longer, in the normal use of the term.

One of our granddaughters visited with us for a week. Sophie is an adult these days, but she continues to also be our grandchild.

During this visit, we have played “tourist” a little bit with her. More importantly, we have traveled down the treasured paths of “remember when” which crisscross through the years that have flowed since Sophie truly was a little girl – even a baby.

The days of this sharing have been blessings which I know you can easily imagine. They are also a blessing from God in a way only He could arrange.

There’s a phrase we see several times throughout the New Testament. I know you have read it and also heard it read many times. One of the most familiar uses is during Baptism … “Let the little children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)

If you continue reading there in chapter 10 of Mark you can be reminded of how fully open the door to the Kingdom of God is. The Lord Himself reminds us that each of us enters the Kingdom as a little child. We are blessed to be in God’s Kingdom, blessed to be His children, in spite of the fact that we bring nothing to the table. Like a child who wakes from sleep in the morning and brings only hunger to the breakfast table, we all receive the blessings for which we have not toiled but that are given to us by our loving, eternal Heavenly Father.

“Little children” is used a dozen times in the New Testament; in Matthew twice, in Luke and John, in Galatians and seven times in John’s first letter. Reading them feels like having God’s loving arms surrounding me. Here’s one of those hugs.

1 John 2:12 - I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His Name's sake.

Blessings ..

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Give Me a Hint]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/give-me-a-hint

Now there’s a thought that could be either a plea or a challenge. If tomorrow is my birthday and I know that wrapped gift sitting there is for me – it could be a challenge. With the right hint, I could choose from a group of possibilities – all good possibilities.

There are times when “give me a hint” might be connected to some pretty difficult circumstances. Most of us have offered one of those prayers that go something like this; “Lord, give me a clue – please. Give me some direction here, please”.

Right now life is awash in many strange difficulties. It might be a situation connected to all the virus and violence incidents. Is it OK/safe to travel yet? Some folks are faced with very difficult employment settings. How can I feel safe even going to the store? Going to a Doctor’s office has always been pretty simple. The process has become more complicated. It could be any of the many other situations in life which need some sort of plan.

Even when life is not tainted with the extra cautions and problems seen recently, it is often difficult to plan things out. The more complex or distant the objective, the more difficult the planning process becomes and the less certain the outcome.

Naturally, there’s a very good reason for this difficulty with planning. We have zero control over the future. There is nothing about tomorrow – or about sixty minutes from now – which we know with certainty.

There are amazing comfort and confidence in God’s message to us through His servant, Paul. Have a look at Romans, chapter 8.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

All things work together for good. Listen friends, that’s not me saying this. It’s not even Paul saying this. God, Himself looks you square in the eye and says “I’ve got this!” Paul may have even been remembering what Jeremiah wrote by God’s inspiration, six or seven centuries earlier: “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans for good and not for evil, to give you hope and a future.”

Heavenly Father, in Your perfect love and mercy, keep us each close in mind and spirit so that we only and always turn to You during every season of life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Blessings in Disguise - Are We Listening??]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/blessings-in-disguise-are-we-listening

There are hard lessons in life. Of course, we’ve all heard the phrase “blessing in disguise.” Think about it. How many times have you had a challenging experience of some kind, which lead to something very positive?

A guy I know had a frustrating morning when a power tool shorted out one of the electric circuits in the house. It should have been an easy click on the breaker to get back in business. It didn’t work out that way. The minor problem of no power to the grinder led to a discovery. There was a short in the electric panel itself. It’s easy to see the hidden blessing. The electrical short didn’t burn the house down because it was discovered.

It isn’t always easy to see a blessing that might be the result of a crunch. About three thousand years ago, the people of Israel were taken off into captivity in Babylon. They were held in Babylon for over a half-century. Jerusalem was ransacked by the invaders. Parts of the city, including the temple, were destroyed. Even this hard lesson was a blessing in disguise. The Scriptural record says this happened because they had turned away from God. God did not turn away from them. He brought them back.

Our nation may be setting itself up for a hard lesson. It has been on a trend for a long while now. There was a time when businesses were closed in honor of Sundays. There was a time when prayer in public school was common practice. There was a time when taking the Lord’s name in vain was simply not heard in movies, much less on radio or television.

Today, as a nation, we have come to accept sin at so many levels. The recent weeks have seen street violence in many cities. Worse, there has been clear evidence that even a modicum of appreciation and respect for God is dissolving. Who would have imagined worshippers being fined for attending church in the United States? It happened in Mississippi.

A hard lesson may be coming. Even so, always remember that our Heavenly Father does not turn away from His children, no matter the circumstances. Our line of communication with Him is open, twenty-four seven. He always hears our prayers. He always answers our prayers with the answer, which is best for us.

Three messages from our Loving Father come to my mind:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Pray, Praise and Give Thanks!

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[What's the Chance???]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/whats-the-chance

If you watch a local TV morning news report while you begin your day, you will hear a weather forecast. It is nearly certain the forecaster will refer to chance or probability in some fashion or another. “The rain will hold off this morning, but most of the area has a chance for scattered showers – maybe even a thunderstorm – sometime in the late afternoon.”

Who can blame them for saying “a chance”? Even this afternoon, even the immediate future can’t be anticipated with 100% certainty. We can forget about next week or next month. Our national wrestling match with the coronavirus is a sterling example of uncertainty. How often have you heard the phrase “in these uncertain times” spoken in news reports, on TV commercials and even in general conversation lately?

Our little dog Oliver does not deal with uncertainty at all. He cannot abide there being any unresolved element within his scope of daily life. If a squirrel is sitting on top of the backyard fence, Oliver is not able to turn and walk away. He waits for the squirrel to either leave or comes down into the yard—either way, the situation has to be resolved.

For any of us, it is uncomfortable – at best – to have any uncertainties looming on the horizon of life. You might be thinking about something like that right now. You might be thinking about some uncertainty that tip-toes out there on the edge of the day or about another that stomps around, kicking stuff over.

Let’s get the biggest stomper first. Let’s look at the most significant uncertainty, the thing that defeats everyone, death. Our Heavenly Father inspired Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

Talk about words to live by .. words to live by eternally. You probably noticed the verbs;
“foreknew”, “predestined”, “called”, “justified”, “glorified.” They are all in what we call the past tense. It is all a DONE DEAL. Because of the faith placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, our justification has been accomplished. Your eternity in heaven, your glorification, is accomplished. It is not some probability, some statistical chance. It is done! Jesus said it. “It is finished!”

An amazing, God-empowered, freedom comes with the defeat of death. You and I have been made free from the nagging uncertainties that come and go. Ohhh .. they still come and go. Some of them even stomp. But our Heavenly Father gives us all we need to deal with them as they flow or stomp along.

In the sixth chapter of Matthew verses 31-33:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So … what’s the chance that the stuff that tip-toes or the stuff that stomps can have a lasting effect?

ZERO!!!

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Time Flies...]]>Tue, 02 Jun 2020 12:30:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/time-flies

If you’ve already experienced over four decades of birthdays, it may have started to feel as though time flies faster and faster. If you’re looking at things from the view of a young child or a teenager, it might seem that waiting for the next birthday or for getting a driver’s license takes almost forever. You can’t fight time, right.

A few years ago, we were on a road trip from Savannah to North Dakota. Two of our grandsons, both under ten at the time, rode with us. “When will we get there?” That was the question after about six hours on the road. It was already after the evening meal stop. They were getting tired of the ride. Of course, the “when” was still many hours away.

I asked them if they knew the secret about time travel. The boys didn’t. “If you go to sleep, you’ll travel in time. Give it a try.” My suggestion met with some skepticism. Even so, they gave it a try. With the continual motion of the car and already being tired, they dozed off. When they woke up a few hours later, we were two or three states down the road. To them, the passage of time was instantaneous. “See where we are? You traveled in time,” I said.

Our Heavenly Father tells us about time. One of the most familiar messages from Him is in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes.

For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.

During these recent weeks, most of us have experienced a somewhat different flow to life. In that change, there may have come a less pressured feeling about time; there may have come a changed focus. The tic-toc of minutes and hours have always included shared smiles with family and friends. They have always chronicled both the triumph over difficulty and the warm joy of quiet victories. The rolling passage of the days has brought us to weddings and births as well as the shared comfort of a loved one has gone home.

There are beautiful blessings mixed within the folds of time. If you accept the thought, even these weeks of change have included unique blessings. The experience of not being able to attend church together has underlined, has emphasized the joy of shared Sunday morning worship. The moments of sequestered quiet have provided times to chat with God without the competition of a busy schedule.

His gift of time is an amazing blessing!

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your blessings that fill each 24 hours of time. Thank you, especially for the faith-blessing that we know. You are with us in each minute of each hour. Thank you for the blessing that we know we will be with you when time itself is no more.

In Your Holy Name. Amen.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[A Photograph of God's Love]]>Thu, 21 May 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/a-photograph-of-gods-love

Here’s something great!

As you know graduating high school seniors around the nation have experienced a major interruption in the traditional features of this right-of-passage.

continue reading...

Mrs. West, the Principal of Poplar Springs High School in Graceville, Florida (yup, the town is named Graceville) wanted to do something to off-set this sad circumstance. She was being interviewed on a national news media outlet about her solution.

Mrs. West decorated the drive leading to the school with very large photographs of each student. Each photo was in its own frame, one after the other on happy display along the drive to the school.

The news media interviewer asked Mrs. West how she came upon this solution. She said, “the answer is simple …. Prayer.”

The action itself and her testimony to our Loving God are a marvelous witness to us all. You might not have a circumstance which allows you to post photographs, but God gives each of us ample opportunity to witness, to confess our faith.

Picture yourself being that photograph of our Lord’s love. Each of us has experienced God’s blessings. There are really amazing blessings like the birth of a child or a grandchild. There are “everyday” blessings like good weather or a green grass lawn. Amazing blessings and daily blessings are all opportunities to be that photograph of our Lord’s love.

I’m reminded of Psalm 46:10 -

”Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”

I’m also remembering Matthew 28:20 -

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We want to take a moment here to recognize our 2019/2020 high school and college graduates.

Drew Dasher graduated from South Effingham High School. In the Fall, Drew will attend Georgia Southern University, with a major in Business/Management.
Caroline Dasher graduated from South Effingham High School, dual-enrolled her Junior and Senior year at Georgia Southern University. Caroline will continue attending Georgia Southern University in the Fall, majoring in Exercise Science.
Alex Dasher graduated from South Effingham High School. In the Fall, Alex will attend Kennesaw State University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish.

Hunter Morgan graduated South Effingham High School. In the Fall, Hunter will be attending college majoring in teaching.

Ginger Vorel graduated from South Effingham High School with honors. Ginger will be attending Shorter University in the Fall, majoring in Nursing.

Jennifer Blanton – graduated from Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort, South Carolina December 2019 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.

Kaley Hahn graduated from the University of GA in December 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Shawn Sanderlin - graduated from Ga Tech in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics.

Harrold Wheeler III graduated from the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources in December 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry Resources.

Congratulations!! May God's blessings be with you as you travel the path ahead.

What a great God we serve !!!!

Dearest Lord Jesus – fill my heart, fill my days, with the Sonshine of Your love. Make the Joy You give be the Joy that fills me in every circumstance. In Your Holy Name. Amen.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Flowers of Life]]>Mon, 11 May 2020 19:01:07 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/flowers-of-life

PHOTO COLLAGE CREDIT: DEB STEPHENSON

I like flowers. I don’t know much about them, but I like them. Except for the most well-known (like a rose), it would be unusual for me to even know the name, but I like them.

Some folks have this ability to arrange bouquets that become a piece of art. The colors and the composition draw the eye and the blossoms almost have a light of their own.

You and I know someone Who is the Master of flower arrangements. Above are a couple samples of His handiwork.

“Stop and smell the roses.” How many times have you heard that? It’s a great thought. We get pretty busy with this and that – day after day. Even though every minute of every day is decorated with blessings from our Heavenly Father, it is way too easy to skip on by while thinking about that next detail in life.

The first light of morning opens the door to the colors of the world around us. If you’re like me that first cup of coffee and the planned schedule for the day step in front of the blossoming glow of dawn. There is a chorus of music from the birds as they go along. That music is one of His blessings for us. The laughter of children, the smile of a friend, the flavor of the cookie, a soft and warm breeze against the face .. the list is endless. Even the rich taste of the first cup of coffee is a blessing from Him.

It’s way too easy to miss taking a moment to watch the butterfly skip from one flower to the next.

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27

Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for answering our greatest need, the need for You and for the Blessing of Salvation that You provide.

In Your Name. Amen.

(Enjoy the flowers too. That’s why He gave them to us.)

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[Overwhelmed...Take Heart]]>Wed, 29 Apr 2020 16:40:15 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/overwhelmed-take-heart

Life can follow challenging paths. It can lead to frustration and anger. It can bring sadness; even grief and loss may be included. All of this can generate fear. The path can unfold even more: exhaustion, drained feelings, and the experience of all energy – emotional and physical – having been spent.

A young lady I know, has struggled through all these feelings over several years. Overwhelmed by all this, she asked: “Can I tap out now?”

It would be easy to have a lengthy discussion about how or even why life brings us to such circumstances. Most of us have found times in life when everything felt like a blind alley, a dead end with no hope in sight. When the overwhelming troubles of life flood into the days and nights, it’s tempting to think God is too busy to worry about me and my situation.

He is not.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this to the Christians living in Rome. During those years, the faithful were under intense persecution by Roman authorities.

Paul wrote:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

Even in their nearly impossible situation, these sisters and brothers in the faith are directed to the “God of hope.”

Know and trust that our Heavenly Father loves you without reservation. His love is so great that His Son went all the way to the Cross so that you can know and experience God’s love. He tells each of us about His love over and over.

A thousand years before Jesus walked the earth, God said: “take heart and wait for the Lord.” Jesus said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” Our Lord’s never-changing promise is, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” God’s words of comfort and promise fill the pages of Scripture.

Dear Heavenly Father … Reach into my life with comfort and strength, with love and rescue. As I see doors closing and see the light closing down, shine into my life with the light of love and open the doors You have chosen for me to use. In the name of the true and only Light of Life – my Lord Jesus - Amen.

+Pastor Rod

Ref: Psalm 27, John 16, Hebrews 13

]]><![CDATA[The Focus]]>Wed, 22 Apr 2020 12:45:16 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/the-focus

It’s pretty easy to think of many things which plague us, some of the time or all the time—the Coronavirus springs to mind. There’s a whole host of things of one kind or another that get into our days. We can get wrapped up in a litany of problems and challenges.

There’s an old saying: what goes up must come down. Applied to our lives, that could be restated. “What we give attention to becomes the focus of our minds and hearts.”

Have a look at an even older saying. The Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation in Philippi. It’s a great letter! In the closing chapter (4th Chapter) Paul gives this wonderful guidance. It’s even more wonderful when you know and recognizes that every word of it is inspired by God Himself.

Finally … whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

There is an entire section of psychology which seems to have been directed and inspired by these words. The message from it is “what goes in controls what comes out.” In other words, if one allows his or her focus to rest on bad news, on negative emotions, on contentiousness of any kind – if these become the focus, then one’s life is driven by them.

Think about the pattern of your own life. Problems cannot be swept under the rug. They must be met in a reasonable fashion. That aside, I’ve had the so-called bad day. You have too, haven’t you? For me, a “bad day” is often awash in a roving focus on the negative stuff and negative personal opinions. Does that sound familiar?

Please allow me to offer a slight paraphrase of Paul’s words. Whoever is true, Whoever is pure, Whoever is excellent, Whoever is worthy of praise – think about Him.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for being the truth, for being without sin for us who cannot escape sin by ourselves. In Your eternal Grace and Mercy, accept our thanks and praise. Help us to always have You foremost in our hearts and minds.

In Your Precious Name. Amen.

+Pastor Rod

]]><![CDATA[You are Mine...The Rescue]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2020 16:00:00 GMThttps://www.biblelutheranchurch.org/blog/you-are-mine-the-rescue

It was 2009, January 15th of 2009 to be exact. Sixty seconds after take-off the Airbus 360, US Airways Flight 1549, ran into a flock of geese.

You probably remember this event because it was the focus of every news report. The hero of the story is Captain Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III. We all came to think of him as “Sully” With no engines working at all and with no opportunity to reach the nearest landing field for an emergency touch-down, Sully radioed the famous statement; “we’ll be in the Hudson.”

Within a minute and a half – yup, 90 seconds – Captain Sullenberger piloted his engineless jetliner into a glide path that brought it and the 150 passengers and the crew to a belly landing in the Hudson River. Nobody died in the event.

Before Sully himself left the sinking aircraft he went throughout the craft to make sure everyone else had escaped. Truly a famous rescue account!

It’s almost as wonderful as the rescue with which we are blessed. In the forty-third chapter of Isaiah you can read this wonderful promise:

It’s enough to take your breath away. By ourselves, we are on that spiritual glide-path down into the abyss. We are like that ill-fated Airbus 360; no power from ourselves to choose any other course. No way to lift our wings to flight, to life.

And then our loving God tells us...

This is the power of the Resurrection, the sure and certain hope of Easter.

Because our Savior redeemed us, because He blotted out our sins, we look forward to an eternity to sing the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ.

HAPPY EASTER!

+Pastor Rod

]]>