Posts by PastorKarl (Page 4)
Protestants Protesting
Did you? Could you? Would you be so frustrated, so passionate for change that you’d attend a massive rally; maybe shouting with a sign in your hand? People from around the world are protesting things like climate change, injustice, tyranny, unfairness, etc. Contrast that passion and energy with this classic “Lutheran” joke… Q: How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? A: Change!? In general us Lutherans – the original Protestants/protesters – are better known today for…
Put God First
It sounds simple enough, “Put God First.” It seems reasonable enough, “Put God First.” It’s the first of the commandments, “You will have no other gods besides me.” (Exodus 20) Luther’s explanation of the first commandment is short, sweet and to the point enough, “…fear, love and trust in God above all things.” Yet…yet..it’s likely the spiritual principle violated most often (habitually?). It is the commandment most denied and misunderstood despite simple yet profound explanation! This is why we so…
Hardest Thing: Love Those Critical of You
The conclusion of our “Those People” worship series may likely be the most difficult to live out in Christian Love. How do we love those critical of us? Sometimes negative people express their disfavor because of their own sour spirit. For these people, there is nothing that could be done well enough. Sometimes sensitive people cannot take the least bit critique because of their own fears or insecurities. “People pleasers” chase after acceptance like a dog after his tail. Most…
Those People: The Manipulators
Have you ever been manipulated? Have you ever manipulated another for your own ends? The obvious question begs the obvious answer, doesn’t it? “Those People” are us people. To one degree or another, we’ve all manipulated others for our own purposes.So, this Sunday’s worship focus certainly applies to us all in one way or another, at one time or another. In reviewing the Biblical narrative, we’ll find there is one instance after another of someone manipulating someone else toward their…
Bringing the Love of God to “Those People” (The Overly Needy)
The Overly Needy However you define them, the overly needy person lives life like an emotional black hole. You may keep pouring the Light of hope, assistance, care or time, but it seems to be swallowed up by and almost voluntary darkness. At best they are looking for symptom relief rather than deep, substantive change. At the end of the day, the overly-needy seems to kind of befriend their plight rather than openly receive the Light. The Temptation to offer…
And Your Works Do Follow You
Labor Day Weekend has dual purpose this year for us Floridians, doesn’t it? We’ll pay tribute to American workers and thank God for their work yesterday and today. And, as the peak of hurricane season stirs, we’ll be taking precautions and laboring to prepare for a hurricane making landfall on our Florida shores. Labor Day provides a great platform to honor hardworking men and women – and we’ll use it to proclaim and distinguish the Biblical connection and distinction of…
How Big Is Your God? Part 2: Love
93 billion light years wide! That’s the current estimate of the size of the universe. And, to it, God attaches his glory. It’s really big! God’s even “bigger” than that! And if you think that’s big, wait till we try to explain, define and examine God’s Love! It’s even “bigger” than that! All summer long we’ve been invited to “get out of the boat” and walk the adventure of faith. It’s always a struggle to escape the gravitational forces of…
It’s Backpack Blessings Sunday!
So, what’s a “blessing” anyway – and why would you want one!? This is the opening question for Sunday’s, “Blessing of the Backpacks” worship at 10AM! For students, backpacks are a way of life. They contain tools for learning; snacks and lunches for eating and blessings for the soul! Yes, our purpose is to provide encouragement and opportunity for blessings of the soul! Sunday’s worship will be focused entirely on the how, what, where and why of blessing our children…
How Big Is Your God!?
The heavens are declaring the glory of God! More than simply taking up space, the majesty and magnitude of the universe tell us something about the Author of the universe. Ask this question, “What is the chance the universe formed by chance?” Mathematical professor at Oxford University, Roger Penrose says, “that it is a number that would be impossible to write out in the usual decimal way, because even if you were able to put a zero on every particle…
Focusing On Waiting On Jesus
Who here likes to wait? Even if this was a sincere question, it would be understood as rhetorical because of the obvious answer. No one. Waiting, at the very least is an annoyance. Picture here the last time you were on hold on the phone growing old listening to stupid “elevator” music interrupted by a recorded announcement telling us how we’re a valued customer and that someone will be with us shortly. Ugh! Waiting, perhaps at its worst is painful.…
Walking on Water: Believing the “Unbelievable”
The creed of the skeptic: “Show me!” The call of God: “First you’ve got to step out of the boat.” The skeptic wants first to be convinced before acting. The call of God first wants you and me to act in faith in order to be shown. God isn’t a sideshow of miracle cures and amazing supernatural tricks. This isn’t a spiritual circus or phenomenal magic show. It’s still about surrender. Letting go. Trusting God. Kingdom advancement. Peter’s water walking…
How Do You Recognize the Voice of God!?
How do YOU know the Voice of God? How do you discern God’s Voice from the voice in your head? How has the Lord spoken to you recently? In your lifetime? These issues and more spring out of Peter’s very brief and very daring proposition to Jesus (out on the water). “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14.28) Whether right or wrong, Peter was an “out of the boat” kind…