Thankfulness

I am thankful for God the Father, who created and preserves all things, knit me together in my mother’s womb, provides for me, and defends me, all out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.

I am thankful for God the Son, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; He became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Him and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

I am thankful for God the Holy Spirit, who called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; He daily leads me to Christ, reminds me of my baptism into His death and resurrection, and forgives my sin.

I am thankful for Lori, my beautiful bride, the love of my life, my soul mate, my better half, my “rib,” the mother of our children, and the woman I am pleased to grow old with.

I am thankful for Zachary, Caleb, Michael, and Adam, gifts from God whom I am privileged to be raising, caring for, and bringing up in Christ.

I am thankful for my parents, who continue to be godly examples of our heavenly Father’s love, and my siblings, who are wonderful companions on this earthly pilgrimage to our true homeland.

I am thankful for the saints at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, whom the Lord has given me to serve with His holy Word and blessed Sacraments, and for their support, friendship, faithfulness to the Gospel, and love for one another.

I am thankful for my forefathers in the faith, those who modeled Christ to me in childhood, those who continue to model Christ to me, my synod’s faithfulness to Christ and His Word, my father confessors, my brothers in the ministry, and every sheep of the Good Shepherd.

I am thankful for good friends, their companionship, honesty, integrity, forgiveness, strength, humor, and faith.

I am thankful for this country, its freedoms, those who gave their lives in defense of its freedom, those who serve in the armed forces, those who serve in our communities, and all who are fighting for limited, constitutional government.

I am thankful for every blessing of body and soul, good gifts from the Triune God who loves us all in Christ.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,

for His steadfast love endures forever!”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Centers in Christ

Here is a sampling of what Saint Paul and Saint John say about thanksgiving. Notice that true thanksgiving is always directed to the one true God and centers in Christ!

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 15:57]

“Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Ephesians 5:18-20]

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” [Philippians 4:6]

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” [Colossians 3:15-17]

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” [1 Thessalonians 5:18]

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Timothy 2:1-4]

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” [Revelation 7:12]

Different? Better?

I received yet another flyer in the mail from yet another local “community church.” No mention of sin or grace, forgiveness or cross. Lots of babble about being a different kind of church, a better take on what Jesus came to bring us, relevant sermons, real people on a journey, an alive youth group, and amazing coffee. Really?

A different kind of church. “Different” usually means confessing something new, novel, or watered down from what the one holy Christian and apostolic Church is and teaches. Beware!

A better take on what Jesus came to bring us. How can one improve on confession and absolution, the proclamation of Christ crucified and the totality of Holy Scripture, our Lord’s true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, a life of faith toward God and love toward neighbor?

Relevant sermons. Becoming a better you. How to do or achieve X, Y, or Z. Relevant means it’s all about you, rather than being about Christ for you. If it isn’t Christ-centered, cross-focused, and Law-Gospel-divided, then it’s not relevant.

Real people on a journey. As opposed to what? Robots sitting still? Real people are sinners. Real people need the Savior. And the only journey worth talking about is the daily dying to sin and rising to newness of life that is ours in Christ.

An alive youth group. Much better than dead kids, I suppose. But what does this mean? Life—true and abundant life—is found only in Christ, not in the gimmicks found in most youth groups.

Amazing coffee. When you have nothing substantial to offer sinners, you brag about your coffee. I prefer to drink deeply of Christ, who alone quenches my thirst.

God save us from different, better, relevant, real, alive, and amazing churches!