Sloth noun \sloth\

sloth noun \ˈslȯth\

• the quality or state of being lazy
• not wanting to act or work
• the spiritual apathy or laziness that slowly lets go of Christ and His gracious gifts

synonyms

• apathy
• idleness
• indolence
• laziness

antonyms

• ambition
• diligence
• motivation
• zeal

Holy Scripture

• The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. [Proverbs 12:24]
• Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. [Proverbs 19:15]
• Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. [Ecclesiastes 10:18]
• Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [Romans 12:11]
• And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [1 Thessalonians 5:14]
• We command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. [2 Thessalonians 3:6]
• The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to … live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. [Titus 2:11-14]

Prayer

• Almighty God, send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that He may rule and direct us according to Your will, keep us from the sins of sloth and idleness, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth that we, being steadfast in faith, may increase in all good works and in the end obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #183 For the Holy Spirit, adapted]

Wrath noun \rath\

wrath noun \ˈrath\

• a strong vengeful anger or indignation toward another person
• an irrational temperament and the seeking of vengeance

synonyms

• anger
• malice
• retribution
• vengeance

antonyms

• concord
• harmony
• meekness
• reconciliation

Holy Scripture

• A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [Proverbs 15:1]
• A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. [Proverbs 29:22]
• Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:19]
• Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. … Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [Ephesians 4:26, 31]
• Now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice… [Colossians 3:8]
• I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling… [1 Timothy 2:8]
• Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [James 1:19]

Prayer

• Lord Jesus Christ, in Your love for us and for our salvation You suffered the Father’s wrath upon the cross. Deliver us from anger and resentment, hatred and revenge. Grant that we may forgive as we have been forgiven and stand reconciled before You in Your righteousness and purity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [LSB Pastoral Care Companion, #799 Times of Spiritual Distress: Anger and Bitterness, adapted]

En·vy noun \en-ve\

en·vy noun \ˈen-vē\

• the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with the desire to possess the same advantage
• looking at others with an evil eye

synonyms

• bitterness
• jealousy
• resentment
• spite

antonyms

• care
• concern
• friendliness
• goodwill

Holy Scripture

• A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. [Proverbs 14:30]
• “From within, out of the heart of man, come … envy … All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Mark 7:21-23]
• Let us walk properly as in the daytime, … not in quarreling and jealousy. [Romans 13:13]
• Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. [1 Corinthians 13:4]
• Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. [Galatians 5:26]
• Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. [James 3:16]
• Put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. [1 Peter 2:1]

Prayer

• Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially when tempted with envy or jealousy, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #209 In Times of Temptation, adapted]

Greed noun \gred\

greed noun \ˈgrēd\

• the selfish desire to have more of something
• placing the love of things above the love of God and neighbor

Synonyms

• avarice
• covetousness
• craving
• stinginess

Antonyms

• contentment
• generosity
• happiness
• thankfulness

Holy Scripture

• A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. [Proverbs 28:25]
• “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” [Luke 12:15]
• I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of … greed … not even to eat with such a one. [1 Corinthians 5:11]
• I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [Philippians 4:11]
• Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: … covetousness, which is idolatry. [Colossians 3:5]
• Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. [1 Timothy 6:6-8]
• Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]

Prayer

• Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #195 Against the Love of Money]

Pride noun \prid\

pride noun \ˈprīd\

• the selfish belief that you are more important or better than other people
• an exaggerated opinion of oneself
• the root of all sins

Synonyms

• arrogance
• conceit
• haughtiness
• smugness

Antonyms

• gentleness
• humility
• meekness
• restraint

Holy Scripture

• Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. [Proverbs 8:13b]
• Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18]
• “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matthew 23:12]
• “From within, out of the heart of man, come … pride … All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Mark 7:21-23]
• For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment. [Romans 12:3a]
• Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant, [1 Corinthians 13:4]
• Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [Philippians 2:3]
• People will be lovers of self, … proud, arrogant, … Avoid such people. [2 Timothy 3:2-5]
• “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” … As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. [James 4:6, 16]
• Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, … Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you. [1 Peter 5:5-6]

Prayer

• O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #216 For Humility]

Congregational Christmas Letter

Dearest children of the Heavenly Father:

Each week another candle on the Advent wreath is lighted, telling us that Christmas is nearer. Christmas is the Father giving us sinners the greatest gift of all: Emmanuel. And where there is Jesus, there is hope, peace, joy, and love. The four candles on the Advent wreath, each representing one aspect of our new life in Christ, remind us of this:

Hope

“Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles; in Him will the Gentiles hope.” [Romans 15:12]

Peace

“You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Israel, … and He shall be their peace.” [Micah 5:2-5]

Joy

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” [Luke 2:10-11]

Love

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16]

In the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ, we live together as brothers and sisters. As God’s family. Rejoicing in each other’s joys. Sharing in each other’s sorrows. Carrying each other’s burdens. Praying for one another. Forgiving one another. Encouraging one another. Building one another up. As the body of Christ, we can do no less.

Whoever you are, whatever your past, whatever temptations and sins afflict you, whatever doubts have plagued you, whatever trials and tribulations might overwhelm you, you have a Savior who came to bring you hope, peace, joy, and love. For you He was born. For you He was baptized. For you He lived. For you He suffered. For you He died. For you He rose again. For you He ascended. For you He sent His Holy Spirit. For you He established His Church. For you He gives gracious gifts in Word and Sacrament. For you He still intercedes. For you He is preparing a room in His Father’s house.

As Advent gives way to Christmas, so the four candles will give way to the Jesus candle in the center of the wreath. He is, after all, “the Light of the world” (John 8:12) who brings hope, peace, joy, and love to our troubled hearts and lives. Enlightened by “the true Light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9), “let your light shine before others”—this Christmas, in the New Year, and always—“so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

On behalf of Adam, Michael, Caleb, Zachary, Lori and myself, God’s peace and goodwill to you. Now and always!

In Christ, Pastor Mumme

Suicide with Dignity

Dignity. It’s the hot topic right now. Especially for those who want to exit this life on their own terms. It’s all rather confusing. We are supposed to mourn the suicide of Robin Williams but celebrate the suicide of Brittany Maynard. Why? Both ended their lives on their own terms. Why aren’t both of these suicides considered tragedies? We have suicide prevention hotlines on the one hand and doctor-assisted suicide on the other hand. If we really want to empower individuals to die on their own terms, why aren’t we passing out guns, knives, ropes, and cocktail drugs together with “how to” pamphlets? After all, her body... her choice! His body... his choice! That’s the mantra these days.

It’s bad enough that our culture has bought into the lie that suicide is dignified. It’s worse that many who profess to be Christian are doing the same thing. Here are a few examples of individuals in Holy Scripture who died on their own terms:

• Abimelech, rather than having others say that he died at the hands of a woman, died on his own terms—presumably with dignity—by having his armor-bearer thrust a sword through him. [Judges 9:52-54]
• King Saul, rather than dying at the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines who had wounded him, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by falling on his own sword. [1 Samuel 31:1-6]
• Ahithophel, rather than living with the disgrace that his counsel was not followed, set his house in order and died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by hanging himself. [2 Samuel 17:23]
• Zimri, rather than being taken prisoner after he conspired and killed the king, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by burning himself along with the king’s house. [1 Kings 16:18]
• Judas, rather than living with the regret of betraying Jesus of Nazareth to the Jewish leaders for thirty silver coins, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by hanging himself. [Matthew 27:5]

What dignity. What a triumph that these brave men died on their own terms. What courageous examples for us to follow when our backs are up against the wall of discomfort.

Dress suicide up in a prom dress. Cover it in chocolate. Wrap a pink bow around it. Put a cute puppy in its arms. It’s still suicide. And it’s still tragic. So why are we celebrating it?

Let us do what we can as family, friends, and neighbors to care for those who are terminally ill, bring hope to those who are at the end of their rope, and comfort those whose future seems bleak. As Christians we have much to offer. We have a Savior who underwent suffering and death and then rose triumphantly on the Third Day that we would be partakers of His new life. Baptized into His death and resurrection and living from His gracious gifts, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. In life and in death. God, the author of life, will take us home on His timetable. And then there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, no more death. For the former things have passed away. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!