An Anniversary

Today—the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels—is the ninth anniversary of my installation as pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. God has blessed me with a wonderful flock to serve. The sheep entrusted to my care are repentant sinners who rejoice in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for them, faithful hearers who live from every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, frequent partakers of our Lord’s holy body and precious blood for the forgiveness of their sins, and beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you, members of Divine Shepherd, for your faithfulness in clinging by faith to Christ, for your love of one another, for honoring and supporting the Office of the Ministry by which our Lord Jesus feeds us, and for your friendship and support. Lori and the boys join me in giving thanks to God for all of you!

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [1 Corinthians 1:4-9]

A Prayer for Our Nation

A Prayer for Our Nation

on the 10th Anniversary of 9-11

Heavenly Father, we come to Your throne of mercy, bowed down and wearied by the weight of suffering and disaster visited upon our country ten years ago. Continue to protect this nation and to thwart the plans of any and all terrorists who seek to harm and murder. We thank You for granting bravery and courage to all those involved in the rescue efforts, and ask You to shower Your mercy upon those who were injured or lost loved ones. We also acknowledge our own trespasses before You and look to You for forgiveness, salvation, hope, and life. Turn the hearts and minds of all to You, that they might find peace in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Let us not be confounded or dismayed, so that we, children of Your grace, may courageously speak to this needy world of the hope that is within us. Make us instruments of Your peace in a world of conflict, witnesses to the power of faith in a world lost in unbelief, and bearers of the joy that overcomes the sorrow of this fallen world. Grant to the leaders of this nation and all the nations of the world wise counsel, calm thinking, and unselfish aims. Amid the tumult of disaster, build Your kingdom and turn even more souls to Yourself. Because of Your grace, we are not altogether lost but find peace and forgiveness in You. O Lord, give us the grace to seek You, trust You, and confess You; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

adapted from Lutheran Book of Prayer

Willing to Work

“If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

[2 Thessalonians 3:10]

I know many who are unemployed or underemployed in this bad economy and unsteady job market. It is during tough times like these that one’s character can speak volumes.

Some are actively and regularly seeking work, sending out resumes, going on interviews, following up on leads, collecting unemployment for a short time but earnestly desiring to earn their own wages. Others are working two or three temp jobs for wages far less than what they used to make, cutting back on luxuries and sometimes even basics to make ends meet. I have nothing but the highest respect for these hard-working men and women, and I pray that our gracious Lord will continue to care for them, provide for them, comfort them, and (most importantly) work all things to their eternal good in Jesus Christ.

Then there are those who are content to sit on the couch and collect unemployment, doing little if anything to seek a job and earn their own wages. It’s not the unemployment check that bothers me, it’s the laziness and misuse of the system by some that does. I pray that our gracious Lord will turn the hearts and minds of such men and women, instill in them a desire to work hard and earn their own wages, and (most importantly) work all things to their eternal good in Jesus Christ.

Christ’s forgiveness is an amazing thing. It frees us from our greed and selfishness, even as it instills in us a life of love and service to our neighbor. Grant this, Lord, unto us all!