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Wednesday’s clinic was the busiest of the week. We saw 650 patients, dispensing over 2,000 prescriptions. When we arrived at the church, all of the preschool children were assembled for the opening devotion, in their pink smocks. (Different age groups wear different colors.)

My breakfast of fried eggs didn’t sit real well this morning, so with a “rumbly in my tumbly” I got to make a few trips to the outhouse. Fortunately, I felt better after lunch and had no other problems for the rest of the trip. Molly, however, did get sick and Donna wasn’t feeling well with. Always a possibility on trips like this.

Our team gets along really well and works well together. About half have been on trips before and have some great experiences to share.

 

As Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage through the kings following David and Solomon, he includes some good ones, like Uzziah, Jotham and Hezekiah. He also includes some who weren’t good, like Joram, Ahaz and Amos. Some, like Manasseh, started evil and ended their reign good. I think that there is an interesting assortment of rulers to fill out the fourteen between David and the exile.

Continue reading “Mathew 1:6-11 Royalty” →

 

One Bible verse that a lot of people seem to know and like to quote is, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1 NLT). If you express disapproval of a certain behavior, dislike someone's attitude or speak unkindly of another person, you can almost be sure that someone will start throwing these words at you.

Does that mean Christians not allowed to express disapproval, point out obvious sin or even have an opinion? Many people would “judge” us for doing so. But Jesus was judgmental at times, especially when it came to someone who flaunted their piety, showed no mercy, and refused to believe He was the Messiah. Old Testament prophets like Ezekiel were told it was their job to warn people about sin.

So what did Jesus mean when He spoke those words?

Here are those words in context from Matthew's gospel:

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT).

If you're going to point out someone's sin, be prepared to have your sin addressed, too. Don't be a hypocrite and pretend you're better than someone else. Come clean about your own “log” (sin) and need for God's grace and forgiveness. Then you can talk about the “speck” that someone else needs to deal with.

The law of God, which does specify right and wrong behavior, shows us our sin and condemns us. It makes us aware of our need for a Savior, and drives us to Him for forgiveness. That's why we point out sin. Not to condemn, but to proclaim the gospel.

The important question is, “What's your motivation?” Are you expressing disapproval to make someone look bad? To make yourself look good? Or to proclaim Christ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today our high school youth group serve up a barbecue dinner for the congregation to raise money for out trip to the National Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Youth Gathering in San Antonio this July. Pulled pork, chicken, slaw, baked beans and strawberry shortcake. We got a ton of support from the congregation and are well on our way to covering all our expenses.

How did we put on a successful event? Here are a few helpful tips.

A very visible and hard-working youth group. While the parents did the cooking, it was the youth who handled the ticket sales, handled publicity, set up the event, served the food and provided the entertainment. I am very thankful for the efforts of young and old alike, as well as the support of our congregation.

A simple, inexpensive and appealing menu. Everyone here likes barbecue chicken and pork. We prepared the pork in crock pots the night before, marinated the chicken night before, cooked it the day of, and added some last minute clam chowder from a native Bostonian who knew how to do it right.

Youth talent. Magic, music and balloon animals, all done by our youth. They’ve got so much to offer!

Lots of prayer. I had my doubts, but it turned out to be a great day. God was good (as He always is).

We’re going to make it after all!

I met the gentleman I mentioned yesterday at the Volusia County Library Center, where I have never been before.  Actually, a very nice place off of Beach Street near the river.  I recognized him right away and we had a short but great conversation.  We prayed together.  Yes, he needed a little financial help and I was ready with that.  Talked a little about his past and his future.  He’s got a strong faith and really wants to come to church, but I think he’s underestimated the distance from his new place to our church (about 35 miles)  With no transportation, I’m not sure how things will turn out.

He and his wife have only been here a week or so, and only gotten back to their faith in the last few weeks.  I said I’d call him on Friday night when  he had moved to  his new place.  I guess we’ll see what happens.

I heard this staccato phone message at my office, just before I headed home after services on Sunday:

“Name:  Rick.  Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx.  Terminal cancer.  Missouri Synod Lutheran.  Call me.”

The message was left at about 9:20 on that Sunday morning.  Guess he didn’t think I’d be busy at that time.

Yes, I called him today.   I called out of duty rather than compassion.  I’ve gotten calls like this before.  The conversations usually head in the direction of needing some financial help.

I caught him at work, roofing a house.  While his condition was terminal, he was making a go of it and actually doing a little better.  He’d soon be moving to Palm Coast, would be heading back to church, and could I meet him to talk.  I didn’t realize he was a few towns away, so it would have to be tomorrow.

I’ll probably spend most of my time with him listening to his story.  And I may give him a little money.  I am pretty sure I won’t ever see him at church.  This will be one off those ministry moments that will bring me in touch with someone I won’t see at church, but need to know about.  The world is filled with people in that situation, most of whom I will never get to know.  So here is my chance to learn a little about life from another point of view.

I’ll let you know what happens.

This is the tie I wore today.  I only get to wear it once, maybe twice a year, like today, as we celebrated Epiphany.  Were there three of them?  Did they look like that?  Where did they really come from?  Who knows.  The account of the wise men’s visit is filled with mystery, but they are a staple in our celebration of Jesus’ birth.  And as I told the congregation this morning, their arrival is a game changing performance, fulfilling prophecy that Jesus came as Savior for all, Gentiles and Jews alike.  Good thing for us.  I think we only had two people from Jewish backgrounds among us this morning.  The rest of us were non-Jews.

Some year I’ll plan ahead and have some frankincense and myrrh on hand to show people.  Gold I can get my hands on.