PRAYER BREAKFAST

This morning Lois & I attending the 2021 Norfolk Mayor's Leadership Prayer Breakfast. There were several hundred people there. The event was cancelled last year because of COVID. We sat at a table with others from Orphan Grain Train. Mayor Josh Moenning, who happens to be a member of Grace Lutheran, our home congregation, had a wonderful message. There were several spiritual songs, & we joined with others in many prayers, including the Lord's Prayer. We said the Pledge of Allegiance. The speaker was Rod Handley, the founder & President of "Character That Counts," a ministry that was established in July 2000. He's published over 30 books, including "Character Counts--Who's Counting Yours?" His message was very inspiring. 

Although I seriously question whether we still live in a Christian nation, I am grateful that we live in a Christian community. Despite a 6:00a start, we were really glad we attended.

PRAYER

"As you read accounts of Jesus working with a great variety of people, courageously talk to Jesus as you would with any human being. Tell Him your needs & ask Him to bring about in you the same feelings of love & acceptance that you see taking place in the people of the New Testament." Jim Conway, Men's Devotional Bible

PRIDE

"Before we get to the place of asking forgiveness from someone, for many of us there's the all-too-familiar obstacle of pride to deal with (see Proverbs 16:18). This is the issue of having to be right, no matter what the cost. This is when to admit our error might make us look bad, might tarnish our sterling reputation. It's when our fear of yielding to another--even when we know they are right, & we are wrong--puts us at a disadvantage we're unwilling to accept. In all these things, it's where we get in our own way in respect to seeking forgiveness.

"While sinful pride twists everyone's thinking, all is not lost; it is still possible to seek forgiveness & reconciliation. Maybe the goal here is to keep it simple. 'Therefore, confess your sins to one another & pray for one another, that you may be healed' (James 5:16a). With a simple, genuine confession of one's sin, a bridge can be forged between two people. Walls of distrust can begin to come down.Psychological barricades & barbed wire that keep the offender at bay can start to get dismantled. And all this is possible with a few words:  'I'm sorry. Can we talk about it?'" The Lutheran Layman, Winter 2021

TODAY'S HYMN

Son of God, Eternal Savior, LW #394, Sts. 1 2, 3

Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life & truth & grace, Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race, You, our head, who, throned in glory, For Your own will ever plead:  Fill us with Your love & pity, Heal our wrongs, & help our need.

As You, Lord, have lived for others, So may we for others live. Freely have Your gifts been granted; Freely may Your servants give. Yours the gold & Yours the silver, Yours the wealth of land & sea; We but stewards of Your bounty Held in solemn trust will be.

Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life & truth & grace, Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human face:  By Your praying, by Your willing That Your people should be one, Grant, oh grant our hope's fruition:  Here on earth Your will be done.