HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

"The apostle Paul gave us the divine perspective in human relationships--not only in marriage but in every dimension of life. He wrote, 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves' (Phil. 2:3)." James Dobson, Men's Devotional Bible

THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Isaiah 61:1-2  "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the suffering & afflicted. He has sent Me to comfort the broken-hearted, to announce liberty to the captives & to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of God's favor to them has come . . . The Living Bible

SO MUCH MORE

"You have a Savior who is greater than your limited desires. You want entertainment but are given so much more--a bloody cross of forgiveness. You want a circus but are given so much more--an empty tomb of life. You want physical health but are given so much more--eternal life. You want wealth but are given so much more--rich mercy & grace. You want prosperity but are given so much more--an identity in your Baptism, a clear conscience in Absolution, & assurance in the Supper." Matt Richard, Minute Messages

LIFE THOUGHTS

"No death, not even in physician-assisted suicide or embryo destruction pleases the Lord God. And these practices pose spiritual dangers as well as physical ones. So, He has commissioned each of us to warn our neighbors--& especially our brothers & sisters--against them. We have not only the responsibility but the privilege of ushering them to a sacred escape." Grace Lutheran Church bulletin

DEATH IS DEFEATED

"Let your hearts be glad & at peace, fellow believers in Jesus. He has gone to prepare a place for you in heaven. He has promised to come again to take you home to live with Him in heaven forever. He will do it. His resurrection previews your future resurrection. This glorious Gospel truth enlivens & gladdens hearts amidst sorrow. This is the joyous, divine truth that I, & all pastors, have the joy & privilege to share, especially in funeral sermons & on All Saints' Day.

"Death cannot defeat Christians. Those who remain faithful until death will receive their crown of life given to them & paid for by Jesus who has triumphed over the grave. They will stand in that innumerable throng before the Lamb forever. This is the glorious Gospel fact that all Christians share in this dying world:  Death has been defeated by Jesus, & those who believe in Him will live forever. This evergreen message never gets too old to share from the pulpit, in hospice care or at the dinner table--or at a funerals, whether at the 50th funeral or the 500th. Alleluia! Christ is risen!" John Zimmerman, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2021

A BAPTISMAL HYMN

God's Won Child, I Gladly Say It (LSB #594, Sts. 1, 4-5)

God's own child, I gladly say it:  I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity.

Death, you cannot end my gladness:  I am baptized into Christ! When I die, I leave all sadness To inherit paradise! Though I lie in dust & ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes:  Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.

There is nothing worth comparing To this lifelong comfort sure! Open-eyed my grave is staring:  Even there I'll sleep secure. Through my flesh awaits its raising, Still my soul continues praising:  I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise.

We sang this hymn at church yesterday, on the occasion of the baptism of 3 children. It's one of my favorite hymns, & I intend to have it sung at my funeral. We sang it when our grandson Bentley was baptized. I got emotional then, & it still has the power to get me emotional now.

A LENTEN HYMN

In Silent Pain the Eternal Son (LSB #432)

In silent pain the eternal Son Hangs derelict & still; In darkened day His work is done, Fulfilled, His Father'w will. Uplifted for the world to see He hangs in strangest victory, For in His body on the tree He carries all our ill.

He died that we might die to sin And live for righteousness; The earth is stained to make us clean And bring us into peace. For peace He came & met its cost; He gave Himself to save the lost; He loved us to the uttermost And paid for our release.

For strife He came to bring a sword,The truth to end all lies; To rule in us, our patient Lord, Until all evil dies:  For in His hand He holds the stars, His voice shall speak to end our wars, And those who love Him see His scars And look into His eyes.