Posts by PastorKarl (Page 8)
The Freedom of Boundaries!
Introducing a worship series to lead us through the remaining summer months – “The Freedom of Boundaries: In Praise and Celebration of the 10 Commandments.” The objective for this worship series of God’s Word on boundaries – to be able to know them by heart and accept them in your heart as God’s loving command. They are a curb to keep us secure; a rule to see how we’re measuring up and a guide for daily living designed to strengthen…
To Whom Do You Cling in Need?
“Clingy-ness” implies being too close too much of the time; as when an anxious child clings to his fatiguing mother. On the other hand, clinging can imply hanging on for dear life – as gripping a life raft in a stormy sea next to an overturned boat. Even more – in the Biblical, spiritual sense it can mean clinging to Christ as the only means to eternal life; the only hope for true and lasting joy. Clinging or perhaps, “abiding”…
Think About What You Think About
What are you thinking about? It turns out, “thought” is more powerful than you might have thought. Do just a little online research and you’ll discover thought is powerful and creative. You’ll find the Einstein quote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge…” Or, if you venture down the philosopher’s trail Soren Kierkegaard is quoted as saying, “Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.” Yet, well before these smart people discovered the power of thoughts, the Bible was…
The Peace OF God
June 10 The Peace of God Oh, the difference a preposition can make. Here’s an example from the Oxbridge Proofreading and Editing Resource web site. Here’s a less obtuse, more profound example. The Bible doesn’t promise you’ll get peace from God. St Paul promises we get the peace of God! If you open his mail to the Philippians, you find this quote, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ…
Do You Ooze Gratitude?
Do You Ooze Gratitude? Now, I know “ooze” is typically used to describe less-than-favorable circumstances, but I love how it captures the essence of slow, steady, outpouring. So, for better or worse I’ll ask again, do you ooze gratitude? St Paul’s second and last letter to his spiritual son, Timothy, provides a list of sins and shortfalls indicative of the “last days.” (2Tim. 3) The list includes being ungrateful. Perhaps you know this intuitively. Maybe you remember being “ungrateful” to…
Do You Remember?
Do you remember? Memorial Day was first celebrated after ~620,000 lives were lost on both sides of the American Civil War. The war ended in 1865, about 148 years ago. Remembering to bless the Lord for all his benefits (Psalm 103) was written about 1000 years before the birth of Jesus, so, about 3000 years ago. Jesus’ Upper Room transformation of the Passover into the Lord’s Supper was centered on Jesus’ imperative, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22.19)…
Prayers for Students & Families Afraid but Not Surprised
Gracious God, We come before you on behalf of families in need of your grace, your calm and assuring Spirit. We need your Love to change us from the inside out; to create new hearts from hearts of stone; to heal minds disturbed. Father, we’re no longer surprised by the depravity of destruction – but we are afraid. We beg for your Mercy to enter into the most isolated darkness loved ones now feel. Use us as you see fit…
Just Breathe!
Just Breathe There’s a sacramental quality to a deep breath. A sacrament combines an earthly element with Divine Truth; visible and invisible elements, to bring the grace of God to bear. And so, with baptism there is the visible water and the invisibility of God’s Word! “Baptism…now saves you…” as Peter writes (1Peter 3.18) The grace of God comes to bear even in those who cannot understand it! The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is designed the same way for…
Anxious for Nothing Part 4: Rejoicing Always!?
Rejoice, Always!? (Really, Always!?) It can sound like spiritual hyperbole, can’t it!? God has everything under control. It boggles the imagination – even spurs inclinations of resistance – that horrible injustices, terrorist evils and suffering from painful disease are somehow strangely a part of The Plan in God’s design. It may even fuel doubt and tilt the soul toward unbelief. Even more ghastly is that during any or all of this we might participate in St Paul’s imperative to, “Rejoice…
Rejoicing in the Lord’s Mercy: Part 3 of “Anxious for Nothing”
Rejoicing in the Lord’s Mercy You are Guilty! Did you do it? Is it your irresponsibility that caused this? Did you forget? What are you hiding? You’re lying! You’re not providing the whole story. It’s your fault! You’ll never amount to anything. You’re a failure. Did you cheat? These internally driven and externally experienced accusations (and many more like them) are a part of our daily human existence that wreaks havoc on the soul. Our guilt, either real or perceived,…