A very noticeable thing happened a couple of weeks ago in worship.  Three people walked out of the church... Sunday morning, mid-service.
​Just got up and left.
They weren’t even sneaky about it.

Worship continued, but they weren’t there.
Actually… it was right in the middle of my sermon.
Can you believe that? The audacity! 
 
The exact details have faded slightly, but no doubt I was midsentence inspiring all the pew-sitters that morning. Nevertheless, they got right up and walked right out of the sanctuary.
No matter how much of a homiletical masterpiece I was delivering, they left. Departed. Gone. Hit the proverbial road.  And I loved it!
 
Still makes me smile every time I think about it.
Kudos ladies. I hope they do it again!
 
Here’s what I noticed…  At one point, in the middle of my rousing sermon I looked up and saw three moms, just outside the sanctuary, on the narthex floor. Backs toward me, engaged in conversation with each other. With each mom was an ankle-biter. Technically, I guess that means that six people walked out of the church, mid-service.  Even better!  I could not tell you who it was or how long they were out there. They may have been members. They could have been visitors here for the first time.  Honestly, I have no idea. But I do remember seeing them. I remember thinking, “How cool is that?!”  And I remember sending up a quick post-sermon prayer thanking God for their presence.
 
In all my years of pastoring, when kids are fussy or babies are crying in church, I hardly even notice. I wouldn’t call it oblivious; it sounds better to say that I’m in my preaching zone.  But even if I did. They are not a distraction. They are not a disruption. They certainly do not need to be removed.  They are a beautiful blessing, a welcome reminder of how important it is to be a church filled with people of all ages—young babies and seasoned veterans.  Of course, the mortified parents feel a bit differently; they are embarrassed and panic. They bombard their little ones with goldfish crackers and squeezy applesauce, anything to get them to sit still and keep them quiet!  Tired moms and dads faithfully doing the right thing even when it’s not so easy.  Flustered as they may have been, how reassuring then for those moms a couple weeks back to walk out into the narthex and immediately see that they were not alone.  Many of us have been here before—children fussy and bouncing with energy at church, in a movie theater, at a concert, in a restaurant.  It is likely that anytime kids “act up” in church their anxious  parents feel as if the eyes of everyone in the church are shooting daggers at them, silently rebuking them to keep their kids under control.  Not me.  Not here.  Not ever.  Hopefully not you either.  I’ll look at them, smile, and silently thank God they are here. 
 
It would be so much easier for parents of little kids to stay home. Less stressful. More relaxing. Stay in the jammies. Turn on Mickey Mouse. Enjoy another cup of coffee.  No fuss, no crying, no tantrums. It has been many years since our kids were that small, but I remember Calie telling me that she wasn’t sure she heard a single sermon for at least the first six years of our kids’ lives while in their toddler stages. (She may not listen to my sermons now either, but she can’t blame the kids anymore. 😊) 
 
Perhaps it would be easier for all of us to bail on worship.  But God is pleased when we gather—not because everything runs smoothly, not because every child sits quietly, and not because every parent feels put together… but because His people come. We come with noise and need, with distractions and fatigue, with crying babies and wandering minds—and still, our gracious God meets us there. He graces us. He restores us. He blesses us. The sound of little ones in the sanctuary is the sound of life, of our Christian faith being carried forward. Little ones in the pews remind us that our church—by the working of the Holy Spirit—is not fading but flourishing. Not every church is so fortunate. A quiet church is often a church without growth. This old proverb, of which there is no known author, is true: “If You Don't Hear Crying, the Church is Dying.”  I recall reading a similar quote, that said “The noise of children is the sound of the next generation worshiping.”
 
So dear friends, please join me in rejoicing over every holy interruption and embracing every holy cry. Celebrate the screams. Embrace the tantrums. Delight in the occasional distractions.
Smile and make silly faces at the little ankle-biters among us.  Encourage the parents, no matter how old their kids are.

Let’s welcome it. Let’s give thanks for it. 
For our God is indeed “giving the growth!”
 
Oh, one last thing… this does NOT give you all permission to get up and walk out of church mid-sermon this coming Sunday!
 
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14 NLT)

“Therefore we must have young people in the church, for the church must continue to exist.” (Martin Luther)

Happy (Day-After) Tax Day!  You know what they say? “There are only two certainties in life—taxes and death.”  How true that is, and fortunately neither one of those things need cause us great concern or worry.  In that vein, I’m recycling this devotional thought from several years ago.  Easter reminds us, we’ve got a guy for that! 😊
 
Hopefully, you got all your taxes taken care of for yesterday's deadline. No doubt you are now anxiously awaiting your bountiful refund check from our beloved national treasury.  We’ve all seen the H&R Block commercials suggesting that we can “get our billions back!”   Needless to say, I’m still looking for mine! For many people, tax season is stressful and burdensome. Not at all for me. During the months of January and February, I gathered up all my necessary documents and financial information so that I could send it off to my tax guy.  It is so nice to have someone else take care of it.  There are nuances of self-employment and clergy allowance that I don’t pretend to understand. Every year, laws and requirements change a bit. It is an immense relief to not have to worry about any of it. No headaches crunching numbers. No anxiety trying to reconcile the final amounts. No need for me to invest in the newest TurboTax software.  It is a wonderful, burdenless feeling to put the papers in the mail and then not have to fuss about it. No stress at all. My tax guy will work through the mess, comb over the details, and make sure all my files are in order.  He’ll make sure the government gets its due.  He’ll make sure I don’t land in jail or get flagged by the IRS.  To be sure, I do have to pay for the services of my tax guy. But it is worth it. It is a tolerable investment to have a capable, reliable guy take care of things that I can’t do myself.
 
Can you sense where I’m going with this?  Today, as we stand in the afterglow of Easter.  The energy and excitement of Easter Sunday may have dissipated a bit as we quickly had to get back into a normal work week routine. Our “He is risen indeed!” choruses have faded somewhat as we find ourselves in between Sundays.  Now we gear up for the home stretch of the school year, spring planting, and other outdoor activities. We start thinking about summer vacations, fishing trips, and full days at home with the kids or grandkids.  Yet we dare not so quickly or easily close the book on Easter; Easter has a lasting impact.  The joy and celebration, the good news and victory of Easter still rings loud in our worship and in our lives.  Like taxes, we are all forced to face the reality of death.  We’ve dealt with it personally and we see it constantly on the news.  Easter reminds us that death does not win, because we have “a guy” that takes care of it for us!
 
That’s the Easter message—because Jesus conquers death, so do we!  Sin, death, evil—it is so nice to have someone else take care of it. No need to worry.  No further work or effort needed from us.  We don’t even have to pay for His services.  Our guy, our Lord Jesus, makes sure all our spiritual affairs are in order—free of charge!  He has covered the bill Himself, written in His own blood. We no longer need to fret over what may happen to us; Jesus assures us that He is always with us.  He offers us a hope that can stare death in the eye and proclaim, “Oh death where is your sting!”  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)  Throughout our time upon this earth, we have “a guy” who takes care of us.  1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”  Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of us. 
 
We stand secure knowing that the inevitable and guaranteed certainties of life are already dealt with.  They are handled. No need to worry. Nothing more to do on our part.

My tax guy has my taxes done.  

My death & sin Guy has the rest under control. 

Time to relax and enjoy the spring weather.  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!
 
“A dead Christ I must do everything for; a living Christ does everything for me."  (Andrew Murray)

Blessed Easter week to you all. Christ is still risen!

Did you notice the grammatical nuance of what we say at Easter? Christ is risen! We use the present tense. Not “Christ has risen” or “Christ was risen.” We use the present tense because this is still our current reality. Christ is risen! Here. Now. In this very moment.

That might not seem like a big deal, just semantics and wordplay. But a comforting truth lies within. The events of that first Easter is not just a past event we remember, but a present reality we still live in now.  It isn't just a historic event to celebrate once a year; it is our ever-present reality. Because Jesus conquered the grave, He is not merely a distant, historical figure, but a living Savior who is actively present in the ordinary moments of your life right now. His Great Commission promise still reverberates today, "Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the ages."  Because He lives, our hope is not fragile and our joy is not temporary. Even, or especially, in uncertainty, Christ’s presence anchors us. He is still at work for us!

When fear, doubt, or grief settles into your day like heavy weather, the resurrection declares that love has outlasted hatred and life has outrun death. He is the “first fruits,” meaning His resurrection power is available to you today to overcome obstacles, calm fears, and wipe away tears.  Let the truth of the empty tomb shape your confidence. Let the enthusiastic cries that filled our church this past Sunday still be on your lips. The Risen Christ walks with you here and now—in the tension, in the questions, in the chaos and unrest, and in the quiet spaces. Jesus is near, personal, and constant. With you. Always.

Live today with the unwavering assurance that because He lives, you are never alone. He is your ever-present help and your living hope!

Soap Box Warning!

My apologies... this got a little longer than I intended, but it is especially relevant considering conversations, questions, and social media posts I have seen shared by fellow Christian brothers and sisters. I do think it's worth the extra few minutes to read!
 
During the past two weeks, I have seen multiple online videos of politicians (from both sides of the aisle!) and “pastors” claiming the banner of Christianity, that completely butchered the Bible. With no shame or remorse, just arrogance and Satan-crafted confidence, they wield verses as weapons to highlight their superior piety and intelligence. People taking select verses to validate their personal argument—with no regard for their reckless and irresponsible misuse of the timeless, authoritative scriptures.  Sad, though true, we live in a moment when Scripture is quoted everywhere—on social media, in political speeches, on protest signs, and in sound bites meant to persuade. No matter what side of any given issue a person is on, they weaponize scripture to exalt themselves and demonize others. They pick and choose to validate feelings. Verses are pulled out like slogans, trimmed to fit agendas, and wielded as moral cover. The problem is not that Scripture is being quoted. The problem is how it is being quoted; it is regularly being detached—from its context, from Christ, and from the total authority of God Himself as revealed from Genesis to Revelation.
 
This is not a new problem. The apostle John warns the early church, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1) This testing is not cynical suspicion; it is faithful discernment. Lutherans have long understood that the Word of God is living and active, but it is not clay for us to reshape. We dare not make it do what we want, conform it to our own image or opinions.  Scripture is not validated by cultural approval or political usefulness. Scripture does not ebb and flow with our fluid feelings. It does not oscillate or morph by the standards of the culture or the leanings of the day.  Scripture validates us—exposing sin, calling to repentance, and proclaiming Christ crucified for sinners.
 
When Scripture is quoted by culture, politicians, or self-ascribed religious experts, the question is not merely, “Is that verse in the Bible?” but “Is it being used as God intends?” This careful practice of responsible discernment is called Biblical Hermeneutics. It is the discipline of rightly interpreting Holy Scripture according to its context, purpose (intent), and Christ-centered meaning. It asks not only what the text says, but how and why God is speaking through it. Just a couple of weeks ago, had we not been snowed out in church, you would have heard the account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. The devil himself deceptively quotes Scripture, yet he does so while twisting its meaning and severing it from God’s promises. (cf. Matthew 4) He manipulates the text for his evil objective. A verse ripped from its context can sound righteous, while ultimately leading away from Christ. This at best unhelpful; at worst, it leads to destruction.
 
The authority of Scripture rests in what it does and in who it comes from. All Scripture fundamentally points to Jesus Christ. As Martin Luther taught, the true test of interpretation is whether a passage “drives Christ.” When Scripture is read apart from Christ, it can be reduced to moralism, ideology, or weaponized proof-texts. When Scripture is used only to justify power, excuse sin, or sanctify personal preference—without repentance or grace—it has been emptied of its true authority. This is a very dangerous game. We hijack the truth, turn to self-idolatry, and essentially kick God to the curb. 
 
But when read through Christ, as intended, the entirety of the Bible exposes sin honestly and proclaims forgiveness boldly. The Word always has that purpose: to kill and to make alive, to accuse and to forgive, to drive us from ourselves and into the mercy of Jesus. Truth be told, if the scriptures don’t make you squirm uncomfortably from time-to-time, then you’re probably not reading it right.  This is why the Church must remain a place where Scripture is heard in full: law and gospel, judgment and mercy, cross and resurrection. We test authenticity not by how loudly a verse is proclaimed, but by whether it agrees with the whole counsel of God and points to Christ. As Jesus says, “The Scriptures… bear witness about me.” (John 5:39) Testing Scripture’s use is not arrogance; it is humility. It confesses that God’s Word stands above culture, above parties, above leaders, and above our own hearts. It acknowledges that we, too, are capable of misusing God’s Word for comfort—without truth or truth without love.  So, return again and again to the Word as it is preached, taught, and confessed in the Church. Listen carefully. Ask hard questions. Listen for distorted voices. Be wary of misinterpretation. Refuse easy slogans. Let the scriptures interpret the scriptures. Most importantly, cling to the promise that the same Word that exposes falsehood also delivers forgiveness—freely, fully, and finally—in Jesus Christ.
 
Sermon over. Thanks for hanging on! 😉
 
Quite frankly, this issue has always frustrated me. When it comes to God… everyone’s an expert. Self-proclaimed of course.  “Well, the God I believe in would…”  Really? I don’t think so. Just because I have a car doesn’t mean you want me working on your car! Just because I also have a heart… doesn’t mean you want me performing a bypass surgery! 

​Check the book, and let’s allow God to speak and act for Himself.
 
“God has already said everything He needs to say—it’s our job to strive to understand it.” (John MacArthur)
 
“Nothing helps more powerfully against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts than occupying oneself with God’s Word, having conversations about it, and contemplating it.” (Martin Luther)

Are you ready for some football?  ​Each year the NFL crowns a champion in what fans lovingly call “The Big Game.” Last year’s Super Bowl was the most-watched television event in American history with 127.7 million viewers.  Will you be numbered among the millions tuning in this year?  After two weeks of buildup and anticipation, this year’s matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots takes center stage on Sunday.  Super Bowl Sunday is all about victory. Two teams prepare all season for one game, one moment, one trophy. Fans hope, cheer, and trust that this will finally be the year. (Unless, of course, you’re a fan of one of our pathetic, local NY teams.)  But even the best team can lose. One play can change everything. An interception. A missed field goal. One mistake can undo months of preparation. One thing is for certain... come late Sunday night, one team and fanbase will be ecstatically celebrating a Super Bowl victory; the other, not so much.
 
As believers in Christ, we gaze at a victory far greater and far more certain than any football championship. Repeatedly in scripture, we are reminded that the struggles we face in life—sin, suffering, doubt, fear—have already been decisively defeated in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, the outcome is not in doubt. There is no overtime, no last-second collapse, no heartbreaking loss. No sitting on the edge of our seat, nervously chomping on our fingernails. Spoiler alert! The outcome is already known. At the cross, Jesus definitively took on sin, death, and the devil—and in His resurrection, He won decisively—for all time and for all people. The score wasn't even close!  The Apostle Paul doesn’t encourage the churching by saying that God might give us victory, or that we have to earn it, train for it, work really hard for it.  He says God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Book it. Count on it. It'd one. That’s good news, especially when life feels more like a losing season than a championship run. When guilt weighs heavy, when grief lingers, when fear whispers that the score is already decided—Jesus reminds us that the game is over, and He has already won. “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)
 
Super Bowl victories fade. Team championship apparel wears out. Records are broken.  Powerhouse teams and dynasties eventually start to age or get broken up. The banners may stay up in the rafters, but the fanbase quickly moves into a “What about next year?” mindset. But Christ’s victory is eternal. Baptized into Him, we live every day knowing that forgiveness is ours, death is defeated, and our future is secure—not because of our performance, but because of His. So… enjoy the game. Or the commercials. Or the food. Or the halftime hoopla. Take it all in. Cheer loudly. Stuff your faces. Celebrate the spectacle of it all. But remember... long after the trophy is handed out, the stadium is empty, and the confetti has all been cleaned up... the greatest victory still stands—Jesus Christ is risen! 

​We are the victors, redeemed and forgiven. 

​If you’ve ever tried to get a passport, you know it is not for the faint of heart. You gather documents like a detective on a cold case: birth certificate (original, not a copy), proof of citizenship, photo that somehow manages to look nothing like you, forms in triplicate, and fees that must be paid exactly right. Don’t you dare think of using anything other than black ink, and—of course—you better not show up to the Post Office without an appointment. Finally—don’t forget there is an expiration date. Wait so many years and then you get to do this whole wonderful process again.
 
Miss one thing? Back to the beginning. Wrong form? Rejected. Photo slightly smiling? Absolutely not. The passport process is not interested in your intentions. They want perfection.  They are run by rules, orders, and restraints. Oh, that and money—fees for this and charges for that. And honestly, that makes sense. Earthly governments work on requirements. You earn, prove, qualify, and wait.
 
But then we come to eternal life—and everything flips. Thanks be to God, the kingdom of heaven does not operate like the passport office.  There is no application form for salvation. No photo ID required. No background check. No fee. No “processing time.” No line to stand in nervously hoping you didn’t forget something important.  Instead, Jesus says: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
 
Thus, we breathe a deep sigh of relief. Because if eternal life required documentation, we’d all be sent home for missing paperwork called “righteousness.” If salvation depended on effort, we’d all be stuck in a fruitless holding pattern forever.  But Scripture is clear: “By grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8–9)  In other words, eternal life is not earned—it is gifted. No stamps, no signatures, no approvals needed. Christ has already met every requirement on our behalf. His perfect life is credited to us. His death pays our debt. His resurrection opens the border we could never cross on our own. And here’s the best part: unlike a passport, this gift never expires, never needs renewal, and can’t be revoked because you filled out something wrong.
 
So yes, in the event you need to get a passport or renew a license, go ahead, and gather your paperwork. Double-check your forms, and stress a little over your necessary documents. That’s fine. But when it comes to your place in God’s kingdom, rest easy. Fret not. Your name is already written in the book of Life; it’s been there since your baptism. The approval has already been granted. And the welcome is already waiting. 

Family movie nights are great this time of year. All cozied up, under fuzzy blankets and wearing festive jammies. Surrounded by Christmas decorations, sweet smells of the nearby Christmas tree, and enjoying special treats. Earlier this month, our family watched The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. We have seen it many times. We've seen all the versions. It is one of the many, many movies we enjoy watching this time of the year.

“The Grinch hated Christmas!
The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why.
No one quite knows the reason.”

Let’s be honest, we all have times where we resemble the mean one who is as cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel. You may not be a nasty, wasty skunk... but you do probably get occasionally grinchy. You're not alone. Overwhelmed by all the things we convince ourselves we have "to do" before we can enjoy the season. Indeed, we all have moments of “grinch-ness” during this time of the year; and there could be all sorts of reasons for it. Maybe it’s because we will not get the Christmas bonus we were waiting for. Maybe we are told that we will not get the one gift we really want this year. Maybe our Christmas tree has prematurely keeled over and lost all its needles. Maybe the one gift our kids/grandkids really want has us racing all over the place. Maybe the fun, old-fashioned family celebrations have gone awry. Maybe we are left to celebrate alone at home this year. Maybe our friends won’t let us play any games with them. Maybe we feel like we’re melting under the heat and pressure of all we still have to do. Maybe we are just sad that we can’t go home for the holidays or be surrounded by family. Maybe our spouse or child is a scrooge. Maybe the bells of Christmas are too hard to hear over the distracting noise of worldly politics and hardship.

​Maybe… Maybe… Maybe…
 
Whatever the case… let us find time to rejoice in the reason for this season. Mary was the first recipient of the Christmas story and after she heard and experienced it all she spent time to let it sink in. The angels, the shepherds, the birth of the Savior… “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Take time this Advent season to treasure up and ponder the gift of Jesus. Open your Bible. Find a devotional booklet. Spend a few minutes in prayer. This will be worth the time and effort to fend off unwelcome grinch-ness during this Christmas season.

"Cheer up, dude. It's Christmas" (The Grinch)

This past Tuesday morning, while raiding the Walmart shelves of all their pre-built gingerbread houses, I was within earshot of two employees talking with each other. They were loud, and clearly not happy.  I have no idea what the context of their conversation was, but some of the phrases I overheard them say were: “How were we supposed to know?”  “That might be true, but I had no idea.” “Well, no one told me.” Their tones were clearly infused with much exasperation and annoyance.  Again, I have no idea what their gripe was about. I quickly carted up my gingerbread boxes and went on my way. Curious though I was, I did not want to eavesdrop on their frustrations. However, their complaints come to mind as we near our Last Sunday of the Church Year this coming weekend.  As I’ve mentioned in church recently, the last weeks of the church calendar focus on the return of Jesus.  “And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the end, whose kingdom will have no end.” (Nicene Creed)
 
Jesus is coming. Again. In Glory. With a purpose. To establish His Kingdom and usher in a new creation. To sift the wheat from the chaff, to separate the sheep from the goats, to divide the righteous from the unrighteous.  In this moment, all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. This is the beautiful, comforting promise of the scriptures. When will this be? Of course, no one knows.  Thus, in the meantime, we have a job to do.  The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:14, “How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them?” (CEV) This is not a desperate plea only for the church to raise up pastors and missionaries. This is a directive for all of God’s people to be vocal about their faith. They echo the words of Jesus from a couple of Sundays ago urging His disciples to look for the opportunities around them to bear witness (cf. Luke 21:13).  As Christians, we have been declared righteous by God—only by His grace revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  This means that whenever Christ does return, we have nothing to fear. We are saved already and will be kept forever safe in the hull of His church. 
 
This is not an exclusive club; it is open to all. 
And... there is always room for more!
With the holidays approaching, can you invite a friend or neighbor to hear the Good News about Jesus, the Word made Flesh, with you? 

How about at our Thanksgiving Eve worship? Advent by Candlelight? Advent Luncheons? Live Nativity? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day worship? How about a local Christmas concert? A movie or play based on the Nativity story? A Sunday worship service (no matter where that might be)? Invite them. Sit with them. Take them out for a meal or hot cocoa afterwards.
 
Opportunities abound here at church, and in many other places this time of year, to engage people with the hope and joy of Jesus. Going back to the perturbed words of the Walmart employees… how else could they know? What if no one tells them?  Not about some new store policy or shelve-stocking mandate, but about the reason for our Christmas celebrations!
How will your dear friends and family know, unless you speak up and invite them?
 
“Love people, serve people and point them to Jesus when they ask why you care.” (unknown)
 
“I believe as we work, God will always give us opportunities to tell others about his Son. ... We are there to reach out to love them and to save them, and as a Christian, I do this in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Franklin Graham)
 
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, [doing so] with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

Psalm 99:1 declares: “The Lord reigns; let the nations tremble.”   In every age, God’s people have looked around at the world and wondered what’s happening. Leaders rise and fall. Nations boast and threaten. Policies change. Uncertainty spreads. Divisions increase. Hostility gets louder. It can be easy to feel anxious or powerless as we watch the news or think about the future. But God’s Word reminds us of something far greater and far more certain: the Lord reigns. 

Our God is not surprised by the events of this world. He is not wringing His hands or trying to regain control. He is not shocked; He is not mocked. From His throne, He rules over all things — presidents, parliaments, wars, and economies. Even when earthly rulers seem powerful, their authority is only temporary and permitted by the One who holds all power in His hands. As the prophet Daniel said, “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others” (Daniel 2:21).
 
To be sure, much of our reality and God’s action is thus veiled in mystery. We cannot pretend to know or fully comprehend the works of God; so much remains hidden. We will never fully grasp all the things God allows to take place—whether we applaud them or are offput by them. Nevertheless, for those who belong to Christ, this truth is not meant to make us fearful but comforted. Because the same Lord who reigns over the nations is also the Lord who hung on the cross for our salvation. His sovereign rule is not cold or distant — it is loving and purposeful. He rules for the sake of His people, for the good of His Church, and for the glory of His name.
 
So… when the headlines seem heavy or politics seem chaotic, we remember—Jesus is still Lord. He always will be. God not only preserves His creation, but He is actively involved in caring for it. He exists in it. He is present in our modern-day context. Our crucified, risen King sits on the throne even now. His kingdom cannot be shaken, and His promises cannot fail.

• “This, therefore, is also essentially necessary and wholesome for Christians to know: That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that He foresees, purposes, and does all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible will.” (Martin Luther)

 

• “For if you doubt, or are too proud to acknowledge, that God foreknows and wills all things, not contingently, but necessarily and immutably, how can you believe, trust, and rely upon His promises? … The greatest and only consolation of Christians in all adversities lies in knowing that God does not lie, but brings all things to pass immutably, and that His will can neither be resisted, changed nor hindered.” (Martin Luther)

 

• “Most Christians salute the sovereignty of God but live like they believe in the sovereignty of man.” (R.C. Sproul)

 

• ““If I go to Jesus, he’s not under my control. He lets things happen that I don’t understand. He doesn’t do things according to my plan, or in a way that makes sense to me. But if Jesus is God, then he’s got to be great enough to have some reasons to let you go through things you don’t understand. His power is unbounded, but so are his wisdom and love.” (Tim Keller)

God has a funny sense of humor.  After sharing with you all this past Sunday morning, how my family thinks I’m the G.O.A.T., I was quickly put back in my proper place.  Yesterday, at our NJ District Pastor’s Conference, I was given some very humbling news—at least for me and the rest of the preachers in attendance.  According to most recent research and statistics, pastors are the least effective persons when it comes to actually bringing outside people into church.  You read that correctly.  I am the least effective.

Apparently, I’m not as important as I think! People see a preacher coming and they run the opposite direction. For the most part, studies show that before a preacher can even begin a conversation with the intent to invite people to church, their audience is already compiling excuses in their heads and looking for a quick exit from the conversation.  Bummer! 
 
But… all hope is not lost!  The good news is that YOU are the ones who have the power. You are the effective outreach-ers to our community on behalf of our church. You are the effective bringers of the Gospel. You are the listened to inviters for our community. And you don’t have to go stand on a soapbox in the middle of a crowd; you can stay off the random street corners.  The same research shows that most fruit is gathered and collected as you engage people you already have relationships with—seeking to connect people to Jesus where you live, work, and play.  Jesus wasn’t joking when he said, “the harvest is plentiful” (Matt. 9:37). 

This crop is indeed ripe for picking, and it is filled with our closest friends, neighbors, and coworkers. And I’ve seen it happen here!  The evidence is in church on Sunday mornings, about 3-4 pews from the front, on the pulpit side of the sanctuary.  Longtime member Janet, about a year ago, invited her friend Ellen.  Ellen has been coming ever since.  Months later, Janet and Ellen invited Susan. Susan has been coming ever since.  All three of them have more recently invited other friends to join them—and they have.  Ellen and Susan will be in our New Member Class in the New Year.  Perhaps they’ll have a few other friends sitting beside them. These three ladies tell me that their goal is to “fill up an entire pew.” 

Praise God! 😊
What a wonderful, goal.
One that we should all have.
Let’s fill up these pews!