ROAD TRIP UPDATE 

Tomorrow we embark on our last road trip of 2023. It will be our second trip to FL this year. We're flying to Ft. Walton Beach for a week with Lois' little sister Anita, Jerry, our brother-in-law, & I think we'll get to see our niece & godchild Lia, too. Our last visit there was over 10 years ago. We managed to escape, which was blocked by a 7-ft drift. On our drive back to Norfolk, we wondered how we were going to get back into the house. We got home, & the driveway had been cleared by Rachel's future husband Derek. I don't remember if they were already engaged, but we told her, "He's the one!" [He no longer has access to a high-loader, but he still ranks in our Top 2 Sons-in-Law.

Looks like it will be chilly & rainy there, but we'll cope. Besides a visit with beloved family members, we're looking forward to Christmas worship at Jerry & Anita's church, a dip in their hot tub, & an expedition to find a HI license plate--the only one missing from our list this year. Hopefully, we'll get to do some post-Christmas sale shopping--I'll probably stay home with Jerry.

BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME *

* Ranked by Fox News Online, 12/21

1, Miracle on 34th St.

2. A Christmas Carol

3, Elf

4. It's a Wonderful Life

5. White Christmas

6. Scrooged

7. A Christmas Story. My favorite! I never get tired of watching it.

CHRISTMAS BY THE NUMBERS *

* Courtesy of today's Omaha World Herald

Where consumers shop:  1. Online [58%], 2. Department stores, 3. Discount stores, 3. Grocery stores, 4. Clothing stores, 5. Local/small businesses, 6. Electronic stores, 7. Craft stores, 8. Outlet stores, 9. Thrift stores.

Top 10 gift card types:  1. Restaurants [30%], 2. Bank-issued, 3. Department stores, 4. Coffee shops, 5. Entertainment, 6. Online merchants, 7. Grocery stores/gas, 8. Electronics stores, 9. Food delivery, 10. Book stores. [If you're ever wondering what to get me for Christmas, this would be my #1 choice.]

Top toys on Santa's list:  For girls, Barbie. For boys, Lego.

Festive sounding places in the U.S.:  Mt. Holly, NC; Holly Hill, FL; Garland, TX; Snowflake, AZ. [These are all states where our families live. Ever visited there?]

Popular plants of the season:  Poinsettia, Christmas Rose, Mistletoe, Holly. [You may be interested to know that when we lived in Hawaii, we would order a poinsettia from church for Christmas, then plant it outside. Can't do that in Nebraska.]

According to the 2023 Christmas Price Index accounting for the "12 Days of Christmas," the total cost would be $46,729.86 [up 2.7%]. The most expensive? 10 Lord's a Leaping, $14,539.20.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE FLORIDA

"FL man claims to be Captain America with top secret info to get onto Air Force Base, DOJ says." FNO, 12/21

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"Secret to happy life? SLEEP!" Drudge Report, 12/21

TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE

> New Seventh-Day Adventist Chick-fil-A closed Saturday, open Sunday.

> Accordion player denied spot on worship band again.

> Investigators beginning to suspect Claudine Gay's novel "Larry Potter & the Sorcerer's Rock" may have been plagiarized.

LAST-MINUTE GIFTS YOU CAN BUY AT A 24-HOUR WALGREENS TO SWEEP YOUR WIFE OFF HER FEET *

* Source:  The Babylon Bee, your trusted source of fake news

> Bunion cream

> Lottery ticket [There's a 0.00000001% chance this will be the greatest gift she's ever received.]

> Combination flashlight/radio/waffle iron

> Rapid COVID-19 test [Democrats only]

> Xanax [This will help calm her down after she finds out you only got her Xanax.]

> Pregnancy test [Wives love taking these.]

> 18-oz bag of Flamin' Hot Funyuns [the gift that keeps on giving long after they're eaten]

> 28-pack of hearing aid batteries [This will show her you're thinking about a long future with her.]

> Bottle of 1000 multiple vitamins [a great way to show you love her & that you've noticed she needs some more energy during the day]

> Walgreens ballpoint pen [The lady at the counter will probably give it to you for free if you ask nicely.]

> Old lady reading glasses with a long neck chain

> A bottle of perfume that might convince her you went somewhere other than Walgreens.

ARE MARRIAGES WITHOUT CHILDREN HAPPIER?

"Several TikTok videos about DINKs have gone viral recently. They feature self-described DINK (double-income, no kids) couples, proudly talking about their child-free and carefree life, which includes spontaneous vacations and “snobby hobbies like skiing and golfing.”

"While we respect their personal choices, the underlining message these types of videos are sending is troubling. Essentially, the message is that marriages are better without children and children are a big time drain and financial burden. This is misleading. Among Americans ages 18 to 55 (the group who are most likely to have young children at home), married adults with children are the happiest. Nearly four in ten married parents (37 percent) say they are very happy with their lives, compared with 27 percent of married, childless adults . . . 

"It is true that children require a considerable amount of care, and married parents have less free time compared with their childless peers and single adults, but research shows that more free time doesn’t always translate to more happiness. Even though they have less free time, married parents tend to spend more of the free time they do have socializing with others and less time in front of screens, and these factors contribute to their higher levels of happiness . . . 

"It is about time for the U.S. to adopt family-friendly policies to boost fertility rates. A society with a declining population is not sustainable, and the cost of raising children should not solely fall on families and parents. By implementing supportive measures such as paid parental leave, a generous child tax credit, and flexible work arrangements, the government and businesses can contribute to a more family-friendly environment for working families." Wendy Wang, National Review Online, 12/21

AN ADVENT PRIMER

A friendly reminder . . . We are still in the season of Advent. Christmas is still a few days away. Advent is a penitential season. We no longer look for Baby Jesus. The manger is empty! Rather, we look for Christ's return on the Last Day. Like the Lenten season, Advent is a time when we reflect on our sin. We remember that Jesus was born a human, just like us. Because of our sin, He died on the cross--the penalty that should have been ours. But He rose from the dead on that first Easter Sunday. We are forgiven & saved! We look forward to Jesus' return. We do not have to dread His return, because He will come "to judge the living & the dead." He will return to take His people with Him to heaven to live there with Him for all eternity.

JESUS IS CAPABLE

"Jesus is capable of bringing life to any person, society, or culture no matter how hardened or hostile they have become to the Gospel. Even the most calloused sinner will discover that Jesus know how to penetrate the heart & bring life where there was only bitterness. The work of Jesus in a person's live may seem fragile at first; but like the mustard seed, it will eventually grow into something strong.

"As you pray for someone you care about, don't be discouraged if this person has not responded to Jesus. Just as a tender plant finds a way to grow in a hard & unreceptive environment, so the love of Jesus has the ability to emerge in a life that seems completely unresponsive." Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day

VERSES FOR ADVENT

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous & having salvation. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you (Zech. 9:9; Ps. 118:26). Lutheran Worship

PRAYER FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

"Stir up your power, O Lord, & come among us with great might; & because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let Your bountiful grace & mercy speedily help & deliver us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen. Lutheran Worship

AN ADVENT HYMN

Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord, LW #33, Sts. 1, 4, 5, 7

Let the earth now praise the Lord, Who has truly kept His word And at last to us did send Christ, the sinner's help & friend.

Welcome, O my Savior now! Joyful, Lord, to You I bow. Come into my heart, I pray; Oh, prepare Yourself a way.

As Your coming was in peace, Quiet, full of gentleness, Let the same mind dwell in me Which is Yours eternally.

Then when You will come again As the glorious King to reign, I with joy will see Your face, Freely ransomed by Your grace.

ROAD TRIP UPDATE 

Tomorrow we embark on our last road trip of 2023. It will be our second trip to FL this year. We're flying to Ft. Walton Beach for a week with Lois' little sister Anita, Jerry, our brother-in-law, & I think we'll get to see our niece & godchild Lia, too. Our last visit there was over 10 years ago. We managed to escape, which was blocked by a 7-ft drift. On our drive back to Norfolk, we wondered how we were going to get back into the house. We got home, & the driveway had been cleared by Rachel's future husband Derek. I don't remember if they were already engaged, but we told her, "He's the one!" [He no longer has access to a high-loader, but he still ranks in our Top 2 Sons-in-Law.

Looks like it will be chilly & rainy there, but we'll cope. Besides a visit with beloved family members, we're looking forward to Christmas worship at Jerry & Anita's church, a dip in their hot tub, & an expedition to find a HI license plate--the only one missing from our list this year. Hopefully, we'll get to do some post-Christmas sale shopping--I'll probably stay home with Jerry.

BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME *

* Ranked by Fox News Online, 12/21

1, Miracle on 34th St.

2. A Christmas Carol

3, Elf

4. It's a Wonderful Life

5. White Christmas

6. Scrooged

7. A Christmas Story. My favorite! I never get tired of watching it.

CHRISTMAS BY THE NUMBERS *

* Courtesy of today's Omaha World Herald

Where consumers shop:  1. Online [58%], 2. Department stores, 3. Discount stores, 3. Grocery stores, 4. Clothing stores, 5. Local/small businesses, 6. Electronic stores, 7. Craft stores, 8. Outlet stores, 9. Thrift stores.

Top 10 gift card types:  1. Restaurants [30%], 2. Bank-issued, 3. Department stores, 4. Coffee shops, 5. Entertainment, 6. Online merchants, 7. Grocery stores/gas, 8. Electronics stores, 9. Food delivery, 10. Book stores. [If you're ever wondering what to get me for Christmas, this would be my #1 choice.]

Top toys on Santa's list:  For girls, Barbie. For boys, Lego.

Festive sounding places in the U.S.:  Mt. Holly, NC; Holly Hill, FL; Garland, TX; Snowflake, AZ. [These are all states where our families live. Ever visited there?]

Popular plants of the season:  Poinsettia, Christmas Rose, Mistletoe, Holly. [You may be interested to know that when we lived in Hawaii, we would order a poinsettia from church for Christmas, then plant it outside. Can't do that in Nebraska.]

According to the 2023 Christmas Price Index accounting for the "12 Days of Christmas," the total cost would be $46,729.86 [up 2.7%]. The most expensive? 10 Lord's a Leaping, $14,539.20.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE FLORIDA

"FL man claims to be Captain America with top secret info to get onto Air Force Base, DOJ says." FNO, 12/21

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"Secret to happy life? SLEEP!" Drudge Report, 12/21

TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE

> New Seventh-Day Adventist Chick-fil-A closed Saturday, open Sunday.

> Accordion player denied spot on worship band again.

> Investigators beginning to suspect Claudine Gay's novel "Larry Potter & the Sorcerer's Rock" may have been plagiarized.

LAST-MINUTE GIFTS YOU CAN BUY AT A 24-HOUR WALGREENS TO SWEEP YOUR WIFE OFF HER FEET *

* Source:  The Babylon Bee, your trusted source of fake news

> Bunion cream

> Lottery ticket [There's a 0.00000001% chance this will be the greatest gift she's ever received.]

> Combination flashlight/radio/waffle iron

> Rapid COVID-19 test [Democrats only]

> Xanax [This will help calm her down after she finds out you only got her Xanax.]

> Pregnancy test [Wives love taking these.]

> 18-oz bag of Flamin' Hot Funyuns [the gift that keeps on giving long after they're eaten]

> 28-pack of hearing aid batteries [This will show her you're thinking about a long future with her.]

> Bottle of 1000 multiple vitamins [a great way to show you love her & that you've noticed she needs some more energy during the day]

> Walgreens ballpoint pen [The lady at the counter will probably give it to you for free if you ask nicely.]

> Old lady reading glasses with a long neck chain

> A bottle of perfume that might convince her you went somewhere other than Walgreens.

ARE MARRIAGES WITHOUT CHILDREN HAPPIER?

"Several TikTok videos about DINKs have gone viral recently. They feature self-described DINK (double-income, no kids) couples, proudly talking about their child-free and carefree life, which includes spontaneous vacations and “snobby hobbies like skiing and golfing.”

"While we respect their personal choices, the underlining message these types of videos are sending is troubling. Essentially, the message is that marriages are better without children and children are a big time drain and financial burden. This is misleading. Among Americans ages 18 to 55 (the group who are most likely to have young children at home), married adults with children are the happiest. Nearly four in ten married parents (37 percent) say they are very happy with their lives, compared with 27 percent of married, childless adults . . . 

"It is true that children require a considerable amount of care, and married parents have less free time compared with their childless peers and single adults, but research shows that more free time doesn’t always translate to more happiness. Even though they have less free time, married parents tend to spend more of the free time they do have socializing with others and less time in front of screens, and these factors contribute to their higher levels of happiness . . . 

"It is about time for the U.S. to adopt family-friendly policies to boost fertility rates. A society with a declining population is not sustainable, and the cost of raising children should not solely fall on families and parents. By implementing supportive measures such as paid parental leave, a generous child tax credit, and flexible work arrangements, the government and businesses can contribute to a more family-friendly environment for working families." Wendy Wang, National Review Online, 12/21

THE MESSAGE OF ADVENT

"As the King returns to His Holy City in victory, the voice in the wilderness calls out to clear the way. John's 'baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins' (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), was a call to prepare every heart for Christ's coming. God's Law continues to call us to repentance so that His saving Gospel may reside in our hearts. Christ has conquered sin, death, & the power of the devil for us. Behold, He is coming again." (Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin) 

MAGIC

"The magic of a thankful spirit is that it has the power to replace anger with love, resentment with happiness, fear with faith, worry with peace, the desire to dominate with the wish to play on a team, self-preoccupation with concern for the needs of others, guilt with an open door to forgiveness, sexual impurity with honor & respect, jealousy with joy at another's success, lack of creativity with inspired productivity, inferiorities with dignity, a lack of love with an abundance of self-sharing." (Donald Demaray, Men's Devotional Bible)

GOD PROTECTS & SAVES

"Blessed be the Lord! For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength & my shield; in Him my heart trusts, & I am helped; my heart exults, & with my song I give thanks to Him." (Ps. 28:6-7) "Facing personal crisis, David realizes he is unable to protect & save himself. He needs God to be his strength & shield. As sinners, we cannot save ourselves. We recognize our helplessness & need for God's grace. Our Savior comes, giving us His strength & protecting us from our enemies by paying the penalty for our sins." (Rev. Peter Jurchen, Engaging the Psalms)

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN

Matthew 24:30  Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, & then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, & they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power & great glory. "Christ will return at the last judgment, visible to all, to judge the living & the dead. Christian's are covered in Christ's righteousness, & shall rise to eternal, physical life." (Rev. Matt Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov 2022)

EXPERIENCING GOD DAY-BY-DAY *

* Devotions by Henry & Richard Blakaby

Loving the Spectacular:  "The world loves the spectacular. God has proven that He is certainly capable of the extraordinary, but He often chooses to work through the ordinary & seemingly insignificant. In this way He demonstrates His love & His power . . . We seek spectacular displays of God's power. We must learn to view success as God does. God is interested in the heart; He is pleased with obedience."

Impossible Situations:  "There will be times when obeying God will lead you to impossible situations. If you look at your own skills, knowledge, & resources, you will become discouraged. However, when you became a Christian, God placed His Spirit within you. You now have the resources of heaven at your disposal. The success of your endeavors will not depend on the way you use your own resources but on how you obey the Spirit of God." MY COMMENT:  Lutherans believe that we become Christians--not when we ask God into our lives--but when we are baptized.

Access:  "As a Christian, you have everything you need to live a holy & abundant life (2 Peter 1:3-11) . . . Everything you need to live a victorious, joyful, & abundant life is found in the Holy Spirit who resides within you (Gal. 5:22-23). According to Peter, each Christian, by faith, has access to these qualities:  goodness, knowledge of God, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, & love . . . If we continue to lack self-control when God has made it available, we rob ourselves & those around us . . . The key to all that God has made available to us is our faith. We must believe that God wants to build those qualities into our lives . . . If you lack any of these qualities, ask God to work them into your character, so that you will be more like Christ." 

AN ADVENT PRAYER

"Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin)

TODAY'S HYMN

"How Shall They Hear," Who Have Not Heard" (LSB 831, Sts. 1, 2, 4, 5)

"How shall they hear," who have not heard News of the Lord who loved & came; Nor known His reconciling word, Nor learned to trust a Savior's name?

"To all the world," to ev'ry place, Neighbors & friends & far off lands, Preach the good news of saving grace; Go while the great commission stands.

"Lord, here I am:"  Your fire impart To this poor cold self-centered soul; Touch but my lips, my hands, my heart, And make a world for Christ my goal.

Spirit of love, within us move; Spirit of truth, in pow'r come down! So shall they hear & find & prove Christ is their life, their joy, their crown.

 Y-M-C-A!

Yes, I realize that I already posted earlier today, BUT I AM PUMPED! I just got back from the Norfolk YMCA, where I watched my intrepid grandson Bentley play his first basketball game of the season. He plays on the Rebels, a team of 3rd graders & fellow 4th graders. [I understand that "Rebels" is not a very politically correct name, but there are no rebel flags on their uniforms, & their coach has yet to teach them the rebel yell. But I digress.] Score is not kept, but I think the other team scored more baskets than we did. Bentley scored a few of his own. Curiously, he dribbles right-handed but shoots left-handed. Although the quarters are 8 minutes long, mercifully, there is a running clock. Here's what else I learned. Although you are allowed to intercept a pass, you are not allowed to steal the ball directly from your opponent. Man-to-man defense [in the loosest sense of the term] is required, but no full-court pressure. And apparently you are permitted to run with the basketball. As befits our culture, chaos is allowed to ensue, as long as the boys have fun. The 1 ref is a volunteer, & I am not allowed to direct disparaging remarks toward him. And there you have it.

PEARL HARBOR

Over 2,400 service members & civilians died when the Japanese attached Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. From the upstairs window of our townhouse in Aiea, HI, we could see the U.S. Arizona memorial. While over 330 crew members survived the bombing of this battleship, the death toll was 1,117. We visited the memorial several times. After watching a film in the visitors center, you embark on a shuttle to the actual memorial, which straddles the sunken ship. The outline of the ship is still clearly visible underwater, & oil still seeps from the fuel tanks, which were full when the ship sunk. The names of all the crew members who died are engraved on a wall in the Memorial. It is a very solemn, sobering experience. You can still see bullet holes in some of the buildings on Hickam AFB, & there used to be a cross that was erected on the pass that the Japanese planes flew over in the Waianae Mts. If you are ever in Hawaii, you need to make this one of your stops.

My mother Janet was a teenager in Lodi, CA, on Dec. 7, 1941. She wrote about it in her diary, which my sister Carolyn has. Her family, along with many others, were deathly afraid that CA was going to be the target of a Japanese invasion, & households were ordered to observe a blackout after dark.

On to some lighter, less sobering news.

WE'RE HAPPY!

Our son-in-law Craig, who serves in the Nebraska Air National Guard, has safely returned from Qatar, where he's been deployed since SEP. Truly an answer to prayer!

MOUNTAIN LION KILLED

"A mountain lion that was struck & killed on I-394 in suburban Minneapolis WED was originally from northwestern Nebraska." (Norfolk Daily News, 12/8) While the article goes on to claim that this was accident, I can't help wondering. MN is a blue state. NE is a red state. Kinda makes you wonder.

OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL

It's 38 degrees at 9:36a, here in Norfolk, NE. Wind chill makes it feel like 28, & we are in a wind advisory. The high is supposed to reach 42. We'll see. We woke up to a raging snowstorm this morning. Well, heavy snow. Heavy flurries. Okay, flurries. But there appears to be 1" of snow on our deck!

BREAKING NEWS

"Travis Kelce flew all the way to Argentina to see Taylor Swift in concert . . . After the show, she comes off stage & he's there. She runs, jumped into his arms. And then, he ran her back 57 yards for a touchdown. It was incredible." (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Source:  latelaughs in the NDN, 12/8)

CRUISE NEWS

Lois & I have been on a few cruises; I know some of you have been, too. So, you might be interested to see these 10 Things Polite People Never Do On Cruises (msn.com)

1. Argue in the cabin

2. Pretend the cruise is a personal yacht

3. Hog lounge chairs We've witnessed this, & it's frustrating.

4. Spread germs

5. Skip the tip

6. Constantly complain

7. Drink too much

8. Let kids run wild

9. Hoard food

10. Dress inappropriately Lois made sure I wore a dress shirt & dress slacks on formal dining nights. We saw some men in tuxes. Seriously?

MOST FUN CITIES IN AMERICA (NDN, 12/7)

"To help Americans find the cities with the greatest selection of cheap, fun activities, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 65 key metrics, ranging from fitness clubs per capita to movie costs to the avg business hours of breweries." [I've listed the cities Lois & I have visited.]

1. Las Vegas, 2. Orlando, FL, 3. Miami, , 5. San Francisco, 6. New Orleans, 8. Chicago, 9. Honolulu, 12. Denver, 13. Portland, 14. St. Louis, 15. Washington, D.C., 17. Tampa, 19. Houston, 20. Los Angeles; also 45. Omaha, 74. Lincoln, NE.

CRIMINAL MINDS

"Cops putting trackers in packages to catch porch pirates." (Drudge Report)

"Woman shouts 'Happy Holidays' before bear spraying store employees." (Drudge)

NEWS FROM IOWANIA

"Controversial Satanic altar on display in IA state capitol bldg." (Drudge) I couldn't help noticing that Des Moines was not on the list of most fun cities.

TRENDING NEWS FROM BABYLON BEE *

* Your trusted source of fake news

"Hunter Biden indicted for not paying taxes on his bribes."

"Husband insists John McClane inflatable a Christmas decoration."

"Google Maps adds 'avoid poop' option for California."

"Archaeologists discover Little Drummer Boys' drum cage."

"Husband becomes Jehovah's Witness to get out of putting Christmas lights up."

"Ron DeSantis turns in killer performance slashing Trump's lead to 39 points."

"Democrats say they need immigrants to replace all the Democrats they aborted."

"Public educators warn low literacy rates may prevent kids from reading about gay sex.

LIBERAL PARENTING

A widely ignored study from Gallup and the Institute for Family Studies shows that children who are raised in politically liberal households are more likely to suffer mental health problems than kids from conservative homes . . . 

“Conservative and very conservative parents are the most likely to adopt the parenting practices associated with adolescent mental health. They are the most likely to effectively discipline their children, while also displaying affection and responding to their needs,” writes Rothwell. “Liberal parents score the lowest, even worse than very liberal parents, largely because they are the least likely to successfully discipline their children . . . 

"What is it about faith and political ideology that correlates so strongly with the mental health of children? One factor that deserves attention is the presence or absence of biblical principles that define the respective worldviews of parents." Scott Hogensen, Townhall

WELCOME TO ADVENT!

Advent is a time to rejoice over the birth of our Savior Jesus. What it is NOT is a preparation for Jesus' birth. The manger is empty. Advent is that season in the Church year when we penitentially reflect on Jesus' return. God promised throughout the Old Testament that the Messiah would be born. Those prophecies came true. Some of those same prophets, along with Jesus Himself, foretold of Jesus' triumphant return on the Last Day. We know that this promise will come to pass, because all of the Lord's other promises came true. The Last Day will be fearful, but Christians have no risen to fear Jesus' return. Ultimately, the message of Advent is the message of the Gospel. It is the message of what God has done for us, will continue to do for us; & His return will be His final act of salvation as He takes His people with Him forever in heaven.

SPIRITUAL SICKNESS & HEALING

"Just because we are spiritually sick, or just because we are near a place of healing, does not necessarily mean we want to be made well. We may attend church regularly, but choose to remain sinful. Our generation has taken many of the activities that the Bible identifies as sin & has labeled them as addictions or character flaws or the result of an abusive upbringing. We act as if having an addiction is sufficient excuse for disobeying God's commands. As Christians, we are no longer helpless victims of our sin. There is no sinful habit or past hurt that is beyond the healing touch of our Lord.

"Have you gone yea after year without receiving spiritual healing? God is capable of freeing you, but you may have become comfortable in your sin. You may not want to be healed. If you really want to receive spiritual health, God can give it today. He wants you to ask Him." Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day"

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Surprise pregnancy intimidates, & terminal diagnosis terrifies because they darken the future. But Jesus the Savior looks through walls & sees around corners (Mark 11:2-3). He has promised abundant & everlasting life as the one who both secuRes & supplies the means. God is faithful & will sustain (1 Cor. 1:9); can we confirm it with our testimony (1 Cor. 1:6)?" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

"During Advent as we prepare our minds & hearts for the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of how John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming of Christ. John the Baptist, who lived during the time of Jesus, was God's special messenger. When people were questioning who he was, he said, 'I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord' (John 1:23).' In his ministry, John the Baptist warned people about being greedy. Greed will keep us from sharing our clothes, food, & money with people in need. Jesus shared the same message when He said, 'Take care, & be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions' (Luke 12:15)." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

A PRAYER FOR THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

"Stir up, we implore You, Your power, O Lord, & come that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins & be saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live & reign with the Father & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Lutheran Worship

AN ADVENT HYMN

On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry, LW #14, Sts. 1, 3, 5

On Jordan's bank the Baptists's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Awake & hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King of Kings!

We hail You as our Savior, Lord, Our refuge & our great reward; Without Your grace we waste away Like flow'rs that wither & decay.

All praise to You, eternal Son, Whose advent has our freedom won, Whom with the Father we adore, And Holy Spirit, evermore.

2023 RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

You may not find my monthly reviews riveting, but they are a useful barometer for me. Plus, it's my blog.

> Average 1 road trip per month:  A+. Already met & exceeded.

> Lose 5 lbs:  C-. Lost-to-date = 2 lbs. Got off to a great start this year. Not so good the past couple of months. I blame road trips, Thanksgiving, a sad lack of self-discipline. DEC will make or break this one.

> Add to our National Park list:  A. Visited Biscayne NP in FL in FEB.

> Avoid desserts:  C. Thanksgiving was a killer.

> Publish my "Buzzwords" devotion book:  C-. I finished writing them & reviewing them once. My fearless editor [that would be Lois] reviewed them. I've doing my final edits, which I think I will complete before the end of the year, but it's doubtful I will find a publisher by 12/31.

> Write my "Chapter & Verse" devotion book. B. All devotions have been written & proofed by me. Net step is for Lois to proof them.

GPA:  B-

BUCKET LIST PROGRESS

We did add to our NP list. That's probably gonna do it for the year. In the foreseeable future, I see us crossing off tours of TX & CO, an Alaskan cruise, & more NPS. We signed up for a trip to the Holy Land next OCT. Not too sure about that one.

WHAT I'M READING

I recently finished reading "Crazy Horse & Custer," by Stephen Ambrose, one of my favorite authors. I've probably read at least 3 or 4 books about Custer & the Battle of the Little Bighorn, but I learned some new stuff. I started reading "Modern Times:  The World from the Twenties to the Eighties. Slow going. I'm 36 pages into a 734-page book. I'm having a hard time getting into it, but I paid big bucks for it, so I'll persevere.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

We've watched a couple of movies lately, one, based on a true story, about the espionage that fooled the Germans into thinking the Allies were going to invade Greece instead of Sicily in WW II. Loved it. The other was also based on the true story of how in 1960 Israelis kidnapped Adolph Eichmann, one of the architects of the Nazi's Final Solution, from Argentina & brought him back to Israel, where he was tried, convicted, & hanged. Very good, but not a feel-good movie.

We started watching "New Amsterdam," but put it on hiatus. Way too woke & PC. Last night we started watching "Scorpion." It has potential. We're continuing to watch "Star Trek Voyager," probably not the strongest entry in the Star Trek world, but entertaining. I started watching "Bass Reeves," streaming on Paramount+, & I'm liking it. Watched the 1st two episodes of the latest NCIS spinoff, "NCIS:  Sydney."  Looks good. Learning lots of Australian slang. Still waiting for our other Paramount+ shows to resume.

CHRISTMAS TREE CONUNDRUM

On NOV 29 I shared a post about my plans to leave the Christmas tree up & festoon it with ornaments commemorating other holidays throughout the year. I listed Presidents Day, Groundhog Day, Valentine Day, Arbor Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, & Kwanzaa. I invited my readers to share additional suggestions, & did they ever come through! Other suggestions included Easter, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, Memorial Day, Mardi Gras. More suggestions are welcome!

EVs? NOT SO FAST!

"Electric vehicles have proved far less reliable, on average, than gasoline-powered cars, trucks, & SUV's, according to the latest survey by Consumer Reports, which found that EVs from the 2021-2023 model years encountered nearly 80% more problems than did vehicles propelled by internal convention engines. Consumer Reports said EV owners most frequently reported troubles with battery & charging systems as well as flaws in how the vehicles' body panels & interior parts fit together . . . Consumer Reports noted that lingering concerns about reliability will likely add to the issues that give many buyers pause when considering a switch to the new technology, joining concerns about higher costs, too few charging station, & long charging times." Norfolk Daily News, 11/30

WHY WE LIKE OUR SENATOR

Words from Washington, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts on Oct. 7 attack

"After viewing uncensored video footage of Hamas' terror attack against Israel that killed at least 1,200 Israelis & 33 Americans, Ricketts, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations had this to say:

"Words can only begin to describe just how horrific, ruthless, barbaric, & shockingly inhumane Hamas' Oct. 7th attack was. We saw uncensored footage from Hamas terrorists shooting unarmed civilians, dismembering soldiers, & bodies of murdered & burned children. We heard terrorists calling their parents to brag about the number of Israelis they murdered. I hope Israel is successful in bringing each of these terrorists to justice. They'll be doing humanity a favor. We must support Israel's efforts to destroy Hamas so Oct. 7th never happens again." NDN, 11/30

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING

"I love the New York City Marathon. It's the only time you can brag about finishing in 34,000th place." Jimmy Fallon

TRENDING NEWS

"Private jets heading to Global Warming Conference frozen on runway" Drudge Report

"Millennials need $525,000 a year to be happy?" Ditto

MORE TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE *

* Your trusted source of fake news

"Texas Court rules marriage invalid if 'Cotton Eye Joe' not played at wedding reception."

"Two climate change activists dead after gluing themselves to Ark of the Covenant."

"Canada offers lethal injection option for cold & flu season."

"Chinese state media proclaims Gavin Newsom winner of debate."

"Chick-fil-A, Buc-ee's, Hobby Lobby merge to form most popular store of all time."

BEST THINGS TO SAY WHILE YOUR WIFE IS IN LABOR *

* Source:  Babylon Bee

1. Eve really screwed this up for you ladies, huh?

2. All this blood is making me woozy, I need to lay down.

3. My mom is here to video.

4. I'm sorry the epidural didn't work, but I believe in you.

5. I'm almost at the hospital, the drive-through was super slow.

6. Just think, we'll do this five more times.

7. I'm sorry, this is all my fault.

TODAY'S AWESOME TRIVIA *

* Source:  Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

"Those who know say tht the brain has a similar texture to warm scallops when touched."

"Every second, 995 photos are uploaded to Instagram."

AWESOME DAD JOKES *

* Also courtesy of Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

"My only plans for today are to go buy some new glasses with my wife. After that, we'll see."

"Poor Phillip lost his lip in an accident. Now we just call him Phil."

"I just found the absolute worst page in the entire dictionary. The words I saw were disgusting, dishonest, disingenuous, & disgraceful."

WAIT & BE STRONG

"The Lord is my light & my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid . . . Hear me, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me & answer me! . . . Hide not Your face from me. Turn not Your servant away in anger, O You who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! . . . Wait for the Lord; be strong, & let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:1, 7, 9, 14

EQUILIBRIUM IN MARRIAGE

"Realism demands patience & a willingness to adjust. The art of marriage, it has been said, is in maintaining equilibrium through the various changes & adjustments of life together." G.R. Slater, Men's Devotional Bible

STANDING WITH OTHERS

"From the beginning of time, God made it clear that it is not good for His people to be alone (Gen. 2:18). God designed us to be cooperative . . . During difficult times it is critical that we are walking in fellowship with other Christians. When a crisis hits, it is overwhelming to face it alone. But if we have cultivated supportive friendships, we will find strength in the comfort & encouragement of those who care about us. Interdependence is also a safeguard for us when we are lured by temptation. The consistent testimony of those who have fallen to temptation is that they isolated themselves from other believers & were not held accountable by Christian friends . . . Seek to be a person who willingly joins others in carrying out God's assignments. Strive to be the source of support & encouragement that those around you need." 

GOD'S COMMITMENT

"God is not content to have only your soul. He wants your body too. He wants all of you. Psalm 16:10 declares, 'You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead.' The resurrection proves that God does not abandon us . . . In your moment of loss & grief, God does not forsake you. In your day of trouble, He makes you to stand. In your time of anguish, He guards your heart & mind with His peace. The resurrection reminds us that God does not abandon us. We hold on to God's comforting promises . . . In His Word, God says, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).' The hope of the resurrection sends us the same message from God:  I will never leave you nor forsake you.'

In marriage, a man & woman pledge to model God's love by never leaving nor forsaking each other until death parts them. A loving marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ's love for the Church. The bond of marriage is the strongest bond between two people. The bond of grace between God & His people is even stronger." Christopher Kennedy, Jesus Said WHAT?

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN

Matthew 22:30  For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. "This is always a difficult one. Many hear this & are confused, thinking we become angels when we die. No. Jesus simply says there will be no more marrying. (What the state of the relationship in eternity will be for those married in this life, the text doesn't exactly say.) But what bothers most people is the idea that we may not recognize or be recognized by our spouse in heaven. Not so. We shall have glorious bodies like Jesus' body. His disciples recognized Him after the resurrection. We shall know & recognize each other in heaven." Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Lord Jesus Christ, You are among us in the least of our brothers & sisters. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, & open hands & hearts to respond to people with love & mercy; for You live & reign with the Father & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen. Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

A HYMN FOR TODAY

God of Grace & God of Glory, LSB #850

God of grace & God of glory, On Your people pour Your pow'r; Crown Your ancient Church's story; Bring its bud to glorious flow'r. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage For the facing of this hour, For the facing of this hour.

Lo, the hosts of evil round us Scorn the Christ, assail His ways! From the fears that long have bound us Free our hearts to faith & praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage For the living of these days, For the living of these days.

Cure Your children's warring madness; Bend our pride to Your control; Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, Rich in things & poor in soul. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage Lest we miss Your kingdom's goal, Lest we miss Your kingdom's goal.

Save us from weak resignation To the evils we deplore; Let the gift of Your salvation Be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, Serving You whom we adore, Serving You whom we adore.

CELEBRATING THANKSMAS

For quite a few years now, our family has been celebrating Christmas at Thanksgiving. Hence, THANKSMAS! We put up Christmas decorations, wrap presents & place them under the Christmas tree--a new, "skinny" tree this year, but that's another story. We welcome our children & grandchildren, prepare & serve a mouthwatering, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, eat too much, exchange presents, & enjoy the love & fellowship that flourish in our family.

Last night we worshipped at our home congregation, Grace Lutheran in Norfolk, Nebraska. Pastor Wilke delivered an inspiring sermon, & we joined with our brothers & sisters in worship, Word, song, & Holy Communion.

It seems trite to list what we're thankful for this time of year, but it's traditional, it's my blog, & I'm going to do it anyway. DISCLAIMER:  Whenever listing those things I'm thankful for, there's always the danger of forgetting someone or something. It's not that I'm ungrateful--it's that I'm not as cognitively sharp as I once was. [Yes, I was cognitively sharper at one time.] So, here goes.

I'm thankful for the many material blessings we enjoy--way more than I ever imagined. Shelter, clothing, food, health, & so much more. I'm thankful for living in a country where we enjoy many freedoms, & I'm thankful for those who serve in the military & help us preserve those freedoms. This includes 2 nephews who serve in the Navy, & a son-in-law who serves in the Nebraska Air National Guard. I'm thankful for the leaders we have who seek after what is truly good & are not driven by wrongful motives.

I'm thankful for Lois, my wife, who is a faithful help-meet. I'm thankful for our children & their spouses, whom I also count as my children, & our 5 grandchildren. I'm thankful for family: siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, their families. I'm thankful for so many good friends, & I'm thankful for the brothers & sisters who are part of the fellowship we enjoy at our church. I'm thankful for faithful pastors.

I'm thankful for the opportunities that God has given to Lois & me to serve in our church. I'm thankful for the spiritual gifts & fruits of the Spirit that He gratefully bestows on us. And I am very thankful, very grateful, for His grace & mercy, the forgiveness & salvation won for us by our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for His Holy Word, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, & the blessing f prayer. I'm thankful for those who take the time to read my sometimes insufferably long posts. And now it's time to move on.

A READING FROM PSALMS

"I will sing to the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.These all look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, & You renew the face of the earth." Psalm 104:33; 24, 27, 30

A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING DAY *

* Source:  Lutheran Book of Prayer

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good & His mercy endures forever. Lord God, heavenly Father, You have created us & endowed us with all that we are or have as a pure gift of Your 'fatherly, divine goodness & mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.' You sustain us from day to day with the gifts of daily bread in the food that we eat, the family that surrounds us, the friends we enjoy, the country where we live, & countless other benefits that we constantly receive from Your open hand.

"On this Day of Thanksgiving, cause us to gratefully remember the good gifts that You shower upon us. Deepen in us knowledge of Your goodness, & awaken our hearts to praise You for all Your gifts, especially the forgiveness of sins that You have purchased & won for us & the whole world in the atoning death of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Keep us mindful of Your mercies every day, & grant that we may thank, praise, serve, & obey You not only with our lips but also with lives dedicated to the service of our neighbors. To You, O Lord, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, be all honor & glory, praise & thanksgiving, now & forever. Amen. 

A HYMN FOR THANKSGIVING

For the Fruits of His Creation, LSB #894

For the fruits of His creation, Thanks be to God. For His gifts to ev'ry nation, Thanks be to God. For the flowing, sowing, reaping, Silent growth while we are sleeping, Future needs in earth's safe-keeping, Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor, God's will is done. In the help we give our neighbor, God's will is done. In our worldwide task of caring For the hungry & despairing, In the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, For the truths that still confound us, Most of all, that love has found us, Thanks be to God.

ONE MESSAGE FROM A SECULAR SOURCE *

* Source:  National Review Online

We must face the problems we have today. They include an epidemic of drug deaths killing over 100,000 Americans a year and shortening our life expectancy, a broken education system that is forming America’s youth to despise their inheritance, steeply declining rates of marriage and religious faith, and a culture that still takes the lives of hundreds of thousands of unborn children each year — a different kind of death of despair. We have a failure to pass on responsibility from one generation to the next. This is reflected in the lack of wealth accumulating in younger generations, who should be risking their resources for ventures of their own — the great enterprises of tomorrow. It’s also reflected in the prospect of an election between two old men that strong majorities of the country would rather not be president again. Declining fertility rates foreshadow a society quite unlike those celebrated by Adams and Lincoln — a society aging and shrinking. And then, when we look beyond our shores, we see an international scene profoundly unsettled with wars and the rumors of wars.

More fromTHE EDITORS

Harry Reid’s Judiciary

New York Gives Up on High-School Education

"These problems require statesmen of courage and character, and a strong civil society to meet them. They also require a people who are conscious of the blessings they have been given. And so, we commend our readers and ourselves to contemplate the awesome material progress of our times. We live longer than our grandparents. We make new lifesaving and -enhancing discoveries every year. We see tremendous advances in the space race, made by American companies. Like John F. Kennedy, we are thankful for our arms which give us so much security. And we commend our readers to be thankful for one another. We see Americans, with vigor, rising up to reform or rebuild institutions that have failed them. How fitting then to have a day marked out for us, as a nation, to thank God for the blessings we need, and the ones we never would have thought to ask for ourselves, the gifts He saw fit to give us in his Providence. Happy Thanksgiving!" The Editors

HERE I GO AGAIN *

* Once again, the devotional thoughts that I encountered during my quiet time really spoke to my heart.

It was the beginning of the 2014 school year at Lutheran High Northeast, & I was sinking fast. I was burning out, suffering from clinical depression, exacerbated by some physical ailments. I was working at school until 6:00 every night. Pretty soon I was working on SAT mornings, then all day on SAT. Then it was all SUN afternoon. As I worshipped on SUN morning, I was growing increasingly agitated by my to-do list, which was getting hopelessly long. I was spending virtually no time at home in Word & devotion & prayer. And the worse things got, the more I added to my time & efforts at school.

Things came to a head, when an intervention was staged. I began professional therapy & took a leave of absence. Lois & I went to a Shepherd's Canyon Retreat. All helpful, but still I wasn't catching on. I kept asking my Board for another month of leave until ultimately my Board told me that it was in my best interests & the school's best interest that I not return.

I was devastated, but I was led to understand that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose. [SEE Rom. 8:28] It was hard to see it at the time, but I was "forced" into a quiet time each morning when I could spend unhindered time with the Lord. The end of my ministry at Lutheran High turned into my ministry at Orphan Grain Train. I think, in hindsight [which is always 20/20], that my departure from Lutheran High was, in fact, a blessing for the school & a blessing for me. It was a good thing for both my mental & spiritual health. I continue with my morning quiet time, & my ministry at OGT continues.

Trust me when I say that I'm not indulging in a pity party. My experience is a cautionary tale. And I pray that my message may touch some other lives.

SITTING AT JESUS' FEET

"It is good to want to serve Christ as an expression of love for what He has done for you. Yet when your activity consumes your time & energies so that you have no time for Him, you have become too busy. You may think . . . that if you don't do the work it won't get done. That may be true, but Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything detracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from God. God will not ask you to do something that hinders your relationship with Christ. At times, serving God & carrying out His mission is the best way to know & experience God. At other times, it is more important to sit quietly at His feet & listen to what He is saying." Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day"

THE ANSWER

"Yes, Jesus is the answer, & it's precisely because He is the answer that we can venture out. Because He is Lord of all, we can walk into all & find Him Lord." John Fischer, "Men's Devotional Bible

A WORD FROM PSALMS

"O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house & the place where Your glory dwells. Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my lie with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands there are evil devices, & whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, & be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord." Psalm 26:8-12

APPRECIATING WHAT WE HAVE

"When we desire less, we are more content with what we do have. Coveting puts us in a state of discontentment with an insatiable appetite for more, making contentment impossible. Those who are content enjoy what they have rather than complain about what they don't have. We don't need to be more to be thankful for; we just need to be more thankful." Steward Builders

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Many around us despair because the world pressures them into the violence & fraud (Zeph. 1:9) of viewing death as a solution to difficulty. In the sanctity of every human life, we have riches to spare  (Matt. 25:15). Gospel hope & joy are not just for us to possess. Jesus brings us to faith & life to proclaim & put into practice." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

CONTROLLING TIME

"Today is a very important day to make our lives meaningful. Yesterday is history, & tomorrow may never come. At some point in life, we start asking, 'Where did the months & the years go?' Time is an irreplaceable commodity that God grants us, a precious period of opportunity for fulfilling the purposes for which we exist. Living as stewards, we realize the importance of time & use it properly. Wise use of time starts by living a life for Christ. If our time, energy, & focus are only on material wealth or other worldly successes, our time has been wasted." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

DIVISIONS

"When division happens in your life--in your family, church, or comminity--it's not over. God can still bring about good. He may lead the disagreeing parties to repentance, personal growth apart from one another, & ultimately reconciliation. Or He might produce a new relationship or a new ministry or a new movement in society that would not have happened under previous conditions.

"We should not seek division. Jesus did not seek division. But we also should not despair when division happens. God is still at work for good. Because of that truth, we can find true peace in Christ even in turbulent circumstances." Christopher Kennedy, "Jesus Said WHAT?"

THE UNITY OF MARRIAGE

"I've heard [marriage] compared to the Holy Trinity. In a mystery of the faith, God is three in one. In a mystery of the faith, husband & wife are two in one, so to speak. Paul . . . writes, 'This mystery is profound (Eph. 5:32). In marriage, God joins together husband & wife, uniting them for a lifetime 'till death us do part.'" "Jesus Said WHAT?"

DO YOUR DUTY & THANK GOD

"Thank God for the work He has given you to do. Do your duty every day as though you were in His presence. Be industrious, capable, dependable . . . Then these words will be fulfilled also in your life. Thou hast been faithful in little things, I will set thee over greater." O. Hallesby, "God's Word for Today"

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN

Mark 16:19 "Jesus . . . was taken up into heaven & sat down at the right hand of God." "Just where is heaven? Where is God's right hand? This means God's power, which is everywhere, by which He sustains all things. Because of Christ's divine & human natures combined in one person, He is, as God, everywhere. He is present with His saints to uphold faith & hear their prayers in the most horrid, forgotten, filthy dwelling in the world. In Christ, heaven has hold of us no matter what earthly hell we face. And joy eternal await us." Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

THANKFULNESS IS FOUNDATIONAL

"Thankfulness is foundational to the Christian life. Thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source. As Christians, we have been forgiven, saved from death, & adopted as God's children. There could be no greater reason for a grateful heart! . . . We, too, have been healed & made whole by the Savior. We are free to enjoy the abundant life the Savior has graciously given us . . . God looks for our thanks. Our worship, prayers, service, & daily life ought to be saturated with Thanksgiving to God (Phil. 4:6)." "Experiencing God Day-By-Day

TODAY'S PRAYER

"O God, almighty Father, You have shown to the world Your love in the most glorious sacrifice of Your beloved Son. Fill us with the same sacrificial love that we may offer our resources for the sake of Your kingdom & the salvation of many; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

A HYMN OF THANKSGIVING *

* We sang this at the end of communion today. One of my favorite hymns!

Sent Forth By God's Blessing, LSB 643

Sent forth by God's blessing, Our true faith confessing, The people of God from His dwelling take leave. The Supper is ended, O now be extended The fruits of this service in all who believe. The seed of His teaching, Receptive souls reaching, Shall blossom in action for God & for all. His grace did invite us, His love shall unite us, To work for God's kingdom & answer His call.

With praise & thanksgiving To God ever-living, The tasks of our ev'ry-day life we will face. Our faith ever sharing, In love ever caring, Embracing His children of each tribe & race. With Your feast You feed us, With Your light now lead us; Unite us as one in this life that we share. Then may all the living With praise & thanksgiving Give honor to Christ & His name that we bear.

JUDGMENT? OR DISCERNMENT?

"Judge not, & you shall not be judged. Condemn not, & you shall not be condemned. Forgive, & you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37) In our culture which rejects absolute truth, we are admonished not to judge. Who am I to judge those who support abortion? Who am I to oppose same-sex marriage & the transgender agenda? Well, Scripture does warn us not to judge, but it may not be that simple. I confess--I am prone to judge others, so the devotion I read during my quiet time this morning really spoke to my heart. Here's what I read.

"There is a difference between judgment & discernment. God sees people's hearts & knows their motives (Prov. 16:2) Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgment upon us all in the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)

"One problem is that we like to sit in the judgment seat & pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned! Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgmental & redemptive at the same time. It is difficult to pray sincerely for someone while you are judging them . . . 

"God commands us not to judge others, but He does want us to be discerning . . . Scripture commands us to avoid associating with scoffers or fools (Prov. 22:10; 17:12). Unless we are able to identify scoffers & fools, we cannot obey God's command. That is not being judgmental; it is being discerning. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others, so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence." [Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day"]

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Jesus often meets us in unexpected moments (Matt. 25:10). He even sometimes hides in surprise pregnancies or terminal diagnoses in order yo rescue & bless. So, we dare not ignore the poor & needy neighbors who cry out for deliverance (Ps. 70:1, 5) from abortion & assisted suicide. If we do indeed love the Lord's salvation, then let us say so." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

GOD IS FAITHFUL

"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24). "God never calls us to do something without faithfully keeping His word & enabling us to do it. We are not always faithful to do what God tells us, but He remains faithful & stands by His word to fulfill what He has promised (Is. 46:11) . . . 

"Trust in the character of God. It is His nature to be faithful. The testimony of His people throughout the ages is expressed by the psalmist, who declared:  'I have been young, & now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor is descendants begging bread'" (Ps. 37:25).

"Regardless of how bleak your present circumstances are, do not lose hope. No one has ever experienced unfaithfulness on God's part! Allow time for God to reveal His faithfulness to you. Someday you will reflect on what God has done & praise Him for His absolute faithfulness to you." ["Experiencing God Day-By-Day"]

ANGER

"Few things are more destructive to Christians than anger. Anger causes us to lose our self-control & to say & do things we would otherwise never consider. Anger, if allowed to remain, turns into bitterness that eats away at our hearts. Scripture consistently commands believers to put away anger & lists it as one of the sins of the flesh (Eph. 4:31).

"That does not mean that we cease to have strong convictions or lose our desire for justice. It does mean that we refuse to allow the sins of others to cause us to sin. Anger does not bring about God's redemptive work; far more often it hinders what God is working to accomplish." ["Experiencing God Day-By-Day"]

ANXIETY

"Ir's nothing to be anxious; but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). "'In nothing be anxious,' says the apostle. Can he mean that literally? Yes; but of course he says this only to the children of God. A child of God is one who sits, as it were, in the lap of God, held by the eternal arms. God Himself whispers in our ears:  'You are my child; & I care for My children. Simply come to Me & ask for the things you need.'

"'I protect My children. Neither people nor the devil shall be permitted to touch you without My permission; & they shall not be permitted to do anything to you but that which is beneficial to you.' Is it not thus that God whispers into your ears also?" [O. Hallesby, "God'sWord for Today"]

LOVING GOD OR LOVING OUR PARENTS?

As is often the case, I came across something in my morning quiet time that I really needed to hear.

"The 4th Commandment reminds us that God doesn't want us to despise our parents. He wants us to love & honor our parents & by extension to love our family members as His gifts to us. But that love must always be subordinate to our love for Him.

"For many of us, our problem is not that we love our parents too much but that we love them too little. When children disrespect their parents, they break God's commandment. When adult children somehow think that the they've somehow 'outgrown' their parents or surpassed them in wisdom, their egos have overrun God's commandment. When adult children ignore their elderly parents' needs in their twilight years, those children have disregarded God's commandment.

"We can repent of these sins, amend our ways, & renew our commitment to love & honor our parents. With the Lord's help, reconciliation can happen. You can strive for a healthier relationship with your mom or dad, 'forgetting what lies behind & straining forward to what lies ahead'" (Phil. 3:13).

"If your mom or dad has already gone to be with the Lord & you're feeling regret over what you may have done or left undone, believe God's Word that all your sins are forgiven & that all whose souls rest with Christ are at perfect peace. A loving mother or father would not want their children to be trapped in guilt. More so, your heavenly Father wants to lift you out of guilt by His grace in Christ. Embrace the full forgiveness He gives you in your Savior." [Christopher Kennedy, "Jesus said WHAT?"] 

PRESERVING THROUGH DIVISION

"Why would Jesus cause painful division in the family now? Because He wants to save us from a more painful & eternal separation, not only from loved ones but most significantly from God! Jesus' highest priority is our eternal salvation. Nothing compares.

"In the ultimate act of love, Jesus gave His life on the cross to save your soul. One the cross, as Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, He endured alienation from His Father, crying out, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' (Mark 15:34)" He suffered so that we would be spared from eternal punishment & be filled with true peace through the gift of everlasting life in Him." ["Jesus said WHAT?"]

A HYMN FOR TODAY

Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace, LSB #844, Sts. 4 & 5

Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak Whenever strong oppress the weak. Should I myself the victim be, Help me forgive, rememb'ring Thee.

With Thine own love may I be filled And by Thy Holy Spirit willed, That all I touch, where'er I be, May be divinely touched by Thee.