Well, I now have 3 blogs so I'm not sure how often I will be updating this one. Be sure to check out the Higher Things Blogs at http://higherthings.org/discussion/blog.html
Now how about a Lenten Hymn!
1. Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From His sacred veins!
2. Grace and life eternal
In that blood I find;
Blest be His compassion,
Infinitely kind!
3. Blest through endless ages
Be the precious stream
Which from endless torments
Did the world redeem!
4. Abel's blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.
5. Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Angel hosts rejoicing
Make their glad reply.
6. Lift we, then, our voices,
Swell the mighty flood,
Louder still and louder
Praise the precious blood!
The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #158
Monday, March 20, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Where in the World is God?
A crucial question plagues the world today: "Where in the world is God?" The skeptics put it this way: "Where in the world is God, anyway?" For them the tragedies and perplexities of life are just too overwhelming. They can't make any sense out of it-- how a God who is supposedly good and all powerful could allow such things to happen. In fact, they're not at all sure that there is a God.
But for us, its not a question of the existence of God--it's simply a matter of where we can get in touch with God. The problems of life and the nagging burden of sin make this question an urgent one. We all need to know: "Where in the world is God? How can we contact him?"
There's nothing we human beings would rather do than climb up into heaven and get the straight scoop from God. But this arrogant idea that we can get in touch with God through our own power ignores the fact that there is a great barrier between God and man: the wall of sin built by man himself. That wall is so high and so strong that no human effort can penetrate it. That's why i's so laughable that people would eventalk about coming to God on their own.
But, though we could not come to him, he has come to us. God, the creator of teh hole universe, came down to planet earth. he came in lowly weakness, clothed in human skin and bones. And even though it meant death--even a horrible death on the cross--he humbled himself so that he could take all our guilt on himself and remove forever the barrier of sin.
This is the God we have. He comes into this world to rescue us. He shoulders his cross and carries our sin in his own sinless body and then ultimately dies our death. Remarkable, isnt it? This God of ours will stop at nothing to give us his love.
Where in the world is God? We have a God who comes down to meet us in the word of his gospel. Even to touch and handle the living flesh of Jesus is not beyond our reach, for he condescends to attact his word of promise to the earthly elements of bread and wine. And in that Word made visible, we have athe sign and seal of our redemtion and the encouragement to faith and hope and love. "For you," he says to every weary soul weighed down by sin and plagued by trial, "for the forgiveness of your sin." The real presence of Jesus in his Holy Supper is not some dry doctrine, but liveing reality. We have his Word on it.
Where in the world is God? Not far away. In the precious gospel of Jesus, his Son, he is in your mouth and in your heart, throughout this Lenten season, and even into eternity.
Jesus, I will ponder now on your holy passion. With your Spirit me endow for such meditation. Grant the I in love and faith may the image cherish of your suffering, pain, and death that I may not perish. Amen.
-Taken from "Triumph at the Cross" by Rev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil-
But for us, its not a question of the existence of God--it's simply a matter of where we can get in touch with God. The problems of life and the nagging burden of sin make this question an urgent one. We all need to know: "Where in the world is God? How can we contact him?"
There's nothing we human beings would rather do than climb up into heaven and get the straight scoop from God. But this arrogant idea that we can get in touch with God through our own power ignores the fact that there is a great barrier between God and man: the wall of sin built by man himself. That wall is so high and so strong that no human effort can penetrate it. That's why i's so laughable that people would eventalk about coming to God on their own.
But, though we could not come to him, he has come to us. God, the creator of teh hole universe, came down to planet earth. he came in lowly weakness, clothed in human skin and bones. And even though it meant death--even a horrible death on the cross--he humbled himself so that he could take all our guilt on himself and remove forever the barrier of sin.
This is the God we have. He comes into this world to rescue us. He shoulders his cross and carries our sin in his own sinless body and then ultimately dies our death. Remarkable, isnt it? This God of ours will stop at nothing to give us his love.
Where in the world is God? We have a God who comes down to meet us in the word of his gospel. Even to touch and handle the living flesh of Jesus is not beyond our reach, for he condescends to attact his word of promise to the earthly elements of bread and wine. And in that Word made visible, we have athe sign and seal of our redemtion and the encouragement to faith and hope and love. "For you," he says to every weary soul weighed down by sin and plagued by trial, "for the forgiveness of your sin." The real presence of Jesus in his Holy Supper is not some dry doctrine, but liveing reality. We have his Word on it.
Where in the world is God? Not far away. In the precious gospel of Jesus, his Son, he is in your mouth and in your heart, throughout this Lenten season, and even into eternity.
Jesus, I will ponder now on your holy passion. With your Spirit me endow for such meditation. Grant the I in love and faith may the image cherish of your suffering, pain, and death that I may not perish. Amen.
-Taken from "Triumph at the Cross" by Rev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil-
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Fasting During Lent?
"The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. Sundays are not counted because every Lord's Day is a "little Easter" in the Church. Lent corresponds to the 40 days that our Lord Jesus fasted in the wilderness, in which He overcame the temptations of the devil. "
What do you all think of fasting or giving up something for Lent? I dont give up anything for Lent, but I know some reasons people do. So I ask, First, Do you give up anything for Lent. and second, what are your reasons for doing it?
Lord, Who throughout these forty days
For us didst fast and pray,
Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins
And close by Thee to stay.
As Thou with Satan didst contend,
And didst the victory win,
O give us strength in Thee to fight,
In Thee to conquer sin.
As Thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and chiefly live
By Thy most holy Word.
Abide with us, that so, this life
Of suffering over past,
An Easter of unending joy
We may attain at last.
What do you all think of fasting or giving up something for Lent? I dont give up anything for Lent, but I know some reasons people do. So I ask, First, Do you give up anything for Lent. and second, what are your reasons for doing it?
Lord, Who throughout these forty days
For us didst fast and pray,
Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins
And close by Thee to stay.
As Thou with Satan didst contend,
And didst the victory win,
O give us strength in Thee to fight,
In Thee to conquer sin.
As Thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and chiefly live
By Thy most holy Word.
Abide with us, that so, this life
Of suffering over past,
An Easter of unending joy
We may attain at last.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Ash Wednessday
“Almighty and everlasting God, our Father, because You hate nothing that You have made and You forgive the sins of all those who are penitent, create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from You, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” (Collect for Ash Wednesday)
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