SANDBLASTED

If you follow my posts, you know that I was in a serious car accident last JAN. I've been in a dark place since then. Besides the physical pain, my clinical anxiety & depression have also taken a toll. I have felt shame in realizing how my carelessness caused anxiety & suffering for my wife & other loved ones. Some of my reading this morning during my "quiet time" really spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you, too. 

"Our bouts with physical & emotional suffering keep waking us up out of our spiritual slumber we might find ourselves in. Trouble & hardship are textbooks that repeatedly instruct us who we really are, & remind us that we aren't the towers of strength or paradigms of virtue we sometimes like to imagine we are. Suffering sandblasts us, stripping us of our sinful ways, leaving us raw & exposed--so that we might be better bonded to the Savior.

"The best courage in times of crisis isn't the kind we siphon out of the tepid, shallow pools at the bottom of our soul. For one thing, that courage will never last! The best courage is the kind that has been channeled from heaven itself--a vast reservoir wider than the human kind can conceive.

"Knowing God is ecstasy beyond compare. Walking with His Son, Jesus, is ecstasy beyond compare. Hear me on this:  It is worth anything to be His friend. Anything. No matter what the hardship. No matter how long or steep the road." Joni Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

THE RIGHT KIND OF SORROW

"The right kind of sorrow for sin yields & humbles itself instead of becoming vexed. It submits to the humiliating fact which I myself & my daily life constitute. It concedes that the Spirit of God is in the right when He points out all my wretchedness. And, instead of becoming surprised, or vexed, or dismayed, prostrates itself quietly & gives thanks to the God of grace for conviction.

"And thereupon it gives thanks for the fact that salvation is for the lost, that the physician is for the sick & not for the well. Thus my weary soul finds rest again. It has now humbled itself beneath the mighty hand of God; now it agrees with God that in me there is nothing that can stand before God. Now it rests again upon the firm foundation of grace. And beholds the wounds & stripes of my Substitute, praising & thanking God for them." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today

PRAYING THE RIGHT WAY

"Only when we pray according to God's will is He pleased to grant our requests. We will not see our prayers answered if we ask selfishly. If God refrains from giving us what we are asking, we should evaluate our prayers. Are our motives selfish? Are we asking for far less than God wants to give? Are our requests worthy of the God we approach? Do we lack the faith God requires to give us our desires? Is there unconfessed sin? God delights in responding to our requests. If we will ask according to His will, we, like [blind] Bartimaeus, will receive far more than we anticipated!" Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

WE DIE . . . AND LIVE

"We die because we have lived. We live in order to know & love the God who made us. In dying we become more real than we ever can be while part of this sorrowful world. I will die someday, & so will you. And that is a good thing." Daniel Taylor, Men's Devotional Bible 

ENGAGING THE PSALMS

"But You, O Lord, do not be far off! O You my help, come quickly to my aid."

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* Source:  Rev. Matthew Harrison, TheLutheran Witness, November 2022

Matthew 18:18  "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, & whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." In the Office of the Keys, the kingdom of heaven operates on earth. Confession & absolution performed by a pastor "is just as valid & certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself" (Luther's Small Catechism).

Matt. 18:10  "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." We cannot fathom the mystery of heaven & think only of something far away. But in Christ we are immediately present to our Lord & His blessed angels, even while we live on this earth. Luther belieed that children & all Christians have guardian angels.

Luke 24:43  "And there appeared to [Jesus] an angel from heaven, strengthening Him." Don't doubt for a minute that just as angels attended the suffering Christ, so in Christ His blessed angels attend you. Luther preached that just as a child is taken from the font & swaddled by his parents, so shall the holy angels shall swaddle you as you die & take you to the Father.

STEWARDSHIP HELPS OTHERS *

* Source:  Steward Builders

Stewardship helps others by providing people with food, shelter & clothing.

Stewardship helps others through our support of churches, Christian schools & colleges, seminaries, & other Christian organizations.

Stewardship helps others by using our time & talents in ministry in our churches & other Christian organizations

HAPPY MEN

"Experience has shown me that the men who are happiest & most content in the masculine role today are those whose fathers invested a great deal of time & energy in their lives." Stephen Arterburn & David Stoop, Men's Devotional Bible

ENGAGING THE PSALMS

Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed . . . Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength! We will sing & praise Your power. (Ps. 21:11, 13)

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

"Many times in Scripture we are promised that the one who gives will receive. "Give & it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together & running over, will be poured into your lap." Luke 6:38) "Bring the whole tithe . . . 'Test Me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, '& see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven & pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Mal. 3:10) What happens when we emphasis the latter instead of the former is the development of a 'name-it-&-claim it' type of religion in which we give only so we can get.

"1 Tim. 6:10 warns us of the dangers of this attitude. Paul wrote that false teachers "think that godliness is a means to financial gain." We know from Scripture that we have been blessed that we might be a blessing to others. Therefore, we share our wealth--our monetary wealth (Rom. 12:13), our wealth in talents & responsibilities (1 Peter 4:10-11), & our wealth in time (James 1"27)

"God blesses so we can be His instruments to support the needy & extend His Church. "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, & through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor. 9:11)."

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* Source:  The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

Luke 15:21  And the son said to him, "Father, & have sinned against heaven & before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." Sins against others are always sins against the Father in heaven.

Matthew 8:11  I tell you, many will come from east & west & recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. There are & will be believers in heaven from all the vast diversity of the one human race.

Matt. 16:16-17  Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." When a Christian confesses Christ as Savior, it's the working of the heavenly Father via the Word of the Gospel. (Eph. 2:8-9)

STEWARDSHIP IS GOOD FOR US *

* Source:  Steward Builders

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us understand the responsibility & privilege we have been given as God's people to be God's stewards. . . . "

 > "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us develop an attitude of gratitude for who God is & what He has done for us . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us to live abundantly (John 10:10) . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us focus on the intimate relationship Jesus wants to have with each of this . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps give our lives purpose & meaning . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us to be content . . . "

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Confessing the Christ means advocating the sanctity of every human life. If Jesus is indeed the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16), then He also serves as Lord of life-&-death situations & decisions. May He whose Word has plundered us out of hell's gates grant our testimony to extend this same courage & compassion to everyone considering abortion or physician-assisted suicide." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

MAKING YOUR DAYS COUNT

"No matter how feeble & faint-hearted your prayers may seem, they have very special power with God. Now is your chance to stretch your soul's capacity for God. Your patience & endurance will resound more to God's glory than you can possibly imagine . . . 

"We are always called to think of others, no matter how difficult our circumstances. You can make your days count by focusing on your family, thanking & encouraging them & finding ways to bless them . . . 

"God, the Creator of time, knows how to invest the days & hours of our lives with mighty significance. In His wisdom & with His favor. your words & acts of compassion & faith today can have an impact far, far beyond 24 hours." Joni Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

HUMBLING YOURSELF

"There is an enormous difference between the way the world honors you & the way God does. Proverbs 25:27 indicates that glory is not legitimate if you seek it yourself. When the world exalts you, you are the one who receives the credit. When God exalts you, others will praise Him for what He has done in your life. Strive to humble yourself & bring glory to God. Allow Him to be the One to honor you in the way that pleases Him!" Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

PRAYER OF THE DAY

"Almighty God, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the rock upon whom our lives are built. Help us rest securely in Your promises & find strength in Your mighty deliverance; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

TODAY'S HYMN

The Church's One Foundation, LSB #644, St. 1

The Church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is His new creation By water & the Word. From heav'n He came & sought her To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.

MAUI

Here's what we know about the tragedy. The utility company invested in clean energy rather than investing in clearing brush from around power lines. Despite strong winds, they didn't shut off power, & videos have documented power lines that fell & started wildfires. Utility trucks blocked many who tried to flee from Lahaina. [The utility company is being sued.]  Warning sirens weren't activated, & the government official claimed it was because these sirens were used to warn of hurricanes, & people would be confused if they stepped outside & didn't see an impending hurricane. Warnings were issued via texts, even though many who lived in Lahaina didn't own cell phones. [The civil defense official has resigned.] Water to douse the flames was initially diverted instead to be used to irrigate crops. Dry brush, which had contributed to previous wildfires, had never been cleared. Officials Put up roadblocks & diverted traffic back into Lahaina. Those who drove around the barriers were saved. Those who returned to the city didn't survive. Climate change has been blamed. Hmmm.

"Over 100 individuals reported missing in Maui confirmed alive, FBI confirms." Fox NewsOnline. Of course hundreds are still missing, many believed to be children.

"Hawaii senator urges tourists to keep Maui vacations amid fears of fire crushing hospitality industry." FNO

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

"Drought forces Panama Canal to reduce major shipping traffic." FNO  I've said it before & I'll say it again. I have no problem believing in global climate change, i.e., Noah's Flood. Global warming caused by our carbon emissions? Could be. Our ability to alter the climate? Hubris.

TRENDING NEWS

"Coffee shops offering pumpkin spice flavor earlier than past years as industry booms." FNO

CRIMINAL MINDS

"Beloved peacock killed with bow & arrow in Vegas." Drudge Report

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Breaking:  Trump indicted again for looking too stunningly handsome in mugshot." Babylon Bee

"Here’s an idea: To end the deception of the public, Congress should defund any special-counsel investigation as to which the attorney general’s special-counsel appointment does not comply with the special-counsel regulations.

"This would not prevent an attorney general from assigning any prosecutor of the AG’s choosing to any Justice Department investigation. It would merely prevent the Justice Department from misleading the public about its supposed efforts to ensure the integrity of its investigations — as AG Merrick Garland has done with his appointment of sham special counsel David Weiss, a high-ranking Biden Justice Department official who remains the Delaware U.S. attorney, to continue conducting the investigation of Biden family corruption, which Weiss has been sabotaging for five years." Andrew McCarthy, National Review Online

"Hours after former President Trump was arrested in Fulton County on charges that he allegedly tried to overturn the 2020 election, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) brutally scorched President Joe Biden in a "savage" takedown. Kennedy began by comparing Biden's constant lecturing of the "injustice of privilege" to being lectured about gun safety by Alec Baldwin. He then questioned the shady business dealings conducted by Hunter Biden, addressing the significant amount of money the president's son from foreign countries. 

"Did the Ukrainian and Chinese companies pick Mr. Hunter Biden because they were impressed with his resume on Zip Recruiter? No. It was his daddy," Kennedy said. The Republican Senator mocked the White House's frail picture they paint Biden to be, yet he "aggressively enabled" his son's business ventures. 

"Kennedy condemned the "sleaze" of the Biden family, who is getting away with selling out the U.S. and pocketing millions from foreign leaders. At the same time, Americans suffer from the president's damaging policies. He urged House Republicans to uncover the findings and bring justice to the American people, emphasizing the need for facts and fairness." Sarah Arnold, Townhall 

TRENDING NEWS *

* Compliments of Babylon Bee, your trusted source of fake news

> "Welp, time to get a riding lawnmower" says man surveying his 10 square feet of grass."

> Sad:  This man's parents named him "Scam Likely," & now he can't get anyone to answer his phone calls.

> Tim Tebow's friends annoyed as he keeps tebowing during friendly game of pickleball.

> Man glad he's American so he doesn't have to pretend to care about royal family.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"Worldwide, 60% of all sandwiches sold are burgers." Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader  My favorite fast food burgers are BK's whoppers, which, sadly, I'm no longer allowed to eat.

TODAY'S TRIVIA

"There's a specific Antarctica accent shared by people who live & work there for several months on end." Ditto

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

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

> Some people have a way with words & other people ...  oh, uh, not have any. (Steve Martin)

> Accept who you are. Unless you're a serial killer." (Ellen DeGeneres)

> We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules. (Alan Bennett)

> When I asked my personal trainer at the gym which machine I should use ti impress beautiful women, he pointed outside & said the ATM machine. (Trevor Noah)

HAPPY MEN

"Experience has shown me that the men who are happiest & most content in the masculine role today are those whose fathers invested a great deal of time & energy in their lives." Stephen Arterburn & David Stoop, Men's Devotional Bible

ENGAGING THE PSALMS

Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed . . . Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength! We will sing & praise Your power. (Ps. 21:11, 13)

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

"Many times in Scripture we are promised that the one who gives will receive. "Give & it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together & running over, will be poured into your lap." Luke 6:38) "Bring the whole tithe . . . 'Test Me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, '& see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven & pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Mal. 3:10) What happens when we emphasis the latter instead of the former is the development of a 'name-it-&-claim it' type of religion in which we give only so we can get.

"1 Tim. 6:10 warns us of the dangers of this attitude. Paul wrote that false teachers "think that godliness is a means to financial gain." We know from Scripture that we have been blessed that we might be a blessing to others. Therefore, we share our wealth--our monetary wealth (Rom. 12:13), our wealth in talents & responsibilities (1 Peter 4:10-11), & our wealth in time (James 1"27)

"God blesses so we can be His instruments to support the needy & extend His Church. "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, & through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor. 9:11)."

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* Source:  The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

Luke 15:21  And the son said to him, "Father, & have sinned against heaven & before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." Sins against others are always sins against the Father in heaven.

Matthew 8:11  I tell you, many will come from east & west & recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. There are & will be believers in heaven from all the vast diversity of the one human race.

Matt. 16:16-17  Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." When a Christian confesses Christ as Savior, it's the working of the heavenly Father via the Word of the Gospel. (Eph. 2:8-9)

STEWARDSHIP IS GOOD FOR US *

* Source:  Steward Builders

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us understand the responsibility & privilege we have been given as God's people to be God's stewards. . . . "

 > "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us develop an attitude of gratitude for who God is & what He has done for us . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us to live abundantly (John 10:10) . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us focus on the intimate relationship Jesus wants to have with each of this . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps give our lives purpose & meaning . . . "

> "Stewardship is good for us because it helps us to be content . . . "

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Confessing the Christ means advocating the sanctity of every human life. If Jesus is indeed the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16), then He also serves as Lord of life-&-death situations & decisions. May He whose Word has plundered us out of hell's gates grant our testimony to extend this same courage & compassion to everyone considering abortion or physician-assisted suicide." Grace Lutheran Church Bullein 

MAKING YOUR DAYS COUNT

"No matter how feeble & faint-hearted your prayers may seem, they have very special power with God. Now is your chance to stretch your soul's capacity for God. Your patience & endurance will resound more to God's glory than you can possibly imagine . . . 

"We are always called to think of others, no matter how difficult our circumstances. You can make your days count by focusing on your family, thanking & encouraging them & finding ways to bless them . . . 

"God, the Creator of time, knows how to invest the days & hours of our lives with mighty significance. In His wisdom & with His favor. your words & acts of compassion & faith today can have an impact far, far beyond 24 hours." Joni Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

HUMBLING YOURSELF

"There is an enormous difference between the way the world honors you & the way God does. Proverbs 25:27 indicates that glory is not legitimate if you seek it yourself. When the world exalts you, you are the one who receives the credit. When God exalts you, others will praise Him for what He has done in your life. Strive to humble yourself & bring glory to God. Allow Him to be the One to honor you in the way that pleases Him!" Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

PRAYER OF THE DAY

"Almighty God, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the rock upon whom our lives are built. Help us rest securely in Your promises & find strength in Your mighty deliverance; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

TODAY'S HYMN

The Church's One Foundation, LSB #644, St. 1

The Church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is His new creation By water & the Word. From heav'n He came & sought her To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

The True Meaning of Life

"The true meaning of life is to know God, Jesus says . . . No one can know God without knowing Christ." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today

Christian Growth

"As God leads you in your Christian growth, He will allow challenges that match your character & relationship to HiM . . . Do not become impatient while God is producing Christ-likeness in you." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

TODAY'S HILL-LECKBAND TEMP CHALLENGE

I doubt if I'm going to post a temp challenge every day this week, since most of us are in an excessive heat warning thru WED. Plus, I'm not going to rank either. Here goes.

* Norfolk, NE [Lois & me & our daughter Rachel]:  Today's high 101. Heat index up to 110.

* Lincoln, NE [Our daughter Sarah]:  Today's high 103. Heat index up to 115.

* Ventura, IA [My brother Mark & niece Christal]:  Today's high 93. Heat index up to 105-115.

* Beatrice, NE [My sister Carolyn]:  Today's high 102. Heat index up to 115.

* Wichita Falls, TX [Lois' brother David]:  Today's high 108. Red flag warning. [What? No excessive heat warning? I guess because they're used to this heat.]

TROPICAL STORMS

"More torrential rain coming for CA, NV as Hilary triggers flood warnings, water rescues." Fox News Online Comment:  Hillary triggered warnings across the whole country. Wait . . . What? Oh, this isn't about THAT Hillary.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

We started watching "Star Trek Discovery" on Paramount+. We had started watching "Star Trek Stranger Whatever," but realized that we needed to backtrack & catch up with STD [No, not THAT STD], which we stopped watching some years ago.

WHAT I'M READING

I'm actually reading a hardcover book:  "Into the Great Emptiness--Peril & Survival on the Greenland Ice Cap," by David Roberts. So far I'd give it 4 stars.

TODAY'S TRIVIA *

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

> Gram for gram, vanilla costs more than silver.

> Tyrannosaurus rexes nuzzled each other.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE CALIFORNIA [Source:  Babylon Bee]

> Californians prepare for hurricane by nailing plywood boards onto their tent flaps.

> Newsom's daughter finds baby in basket downriver from Planned Parenthood.

MORE TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE *

* Fake News You Can Trust

> Biden's "No Comment" praised as most rational, coherent statement he's made as president.

> Report:  Noah's wife repeatedly asked him to stop posing on prow of Ark, shouting, "I'm king of the world!"

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Most observers, and my own eyes and ears, tell us there is something wrong with our president, as he blathers that we can “lick the world,” to cite one recent gaffe in Ireland. But is that a by-product of turning 80, as Mr. Biden did in November?Not necessarily . . . 

"Clearly, something is wrong, though as happens when a person’s cognition is in decline, he has bad days and some better ones. But if age is the metric by which we judge someone’s ability to lead, what is the excuse for our vice president’s featherbrained word salads? She is 58 and should be in her political prime to everyone except Don Lemon . . . 

"President Biden should be judged, instead, on his lavishly wasteful federal spending (fanning calamitous inflation), incompetent appointees, a daily catastrophic invasion of unvetted migrants, waffling on the world stage, high taxes, avalanches of fentanyl, busybody regulation, burgeoning scandals, and his working to make elections less secure and reliable, among many other failures.

"Sure, Biden is diminished, but not because of mere longevity. As Mark Twain counseled us, “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Herbert Stupp, National Review Online 8/20

DETRANSITIONERS

"Against this backdrop, there now appears to be the first wave of young women, and some men, who have undergone “gender-affirming” treatments and now realize that they were misled and deeply harmed. They recognize that they could never have become the opposite sex, and that they were rushed into life-altering procedures when their underlying mental-health issues should have been addressed instead. Notably, children and adolescents with gender dysphoria often have mental-health comorbidities, including severe depression, anxiety, autism, self-harm, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress from past sexual abuse.

"For those who were put on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, they realize their bodies did not develop normally. Now, they are in pain and unable to carry out bodily functions necessary to a healthy life. Many of them are unable to have sex or experience sexual pleasure. For those who underwent surgical procedures, they have lost healthy body parts. If they can become mothers — which is no certainty, as infertility is often caused by hormonal imbalance — they cannot nurse their children because their breasts are gone. Their pain is psychological, emotional, and physical.

"These “detransitioners,” as they are sometimes known, feel betrayed. Their mental-health problems have not been solved by the medical interventions. In many cases, those problems are much worse and compounded by the realization that the promised cure was irreparably harmful" . . . 

"As the public debate surrounding “gender-affirming care” continues, detransitioners serve as a reminder of the irreversible nature of these medical procedures and the heavy price of the lifelong consequences." Jordan Campbell, Ron Miller, Josh Payne, Daniel Sepulveda, NRO 8/20

GOD'S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE

"God's design for marriage is for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church & for wives to respect their husbands. Christ loved the church enough to die for it, & that kind of love is worthy of respect." Mike Singletary, Men's Devotional Bible

ENGAGING THE PSALMS

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! . . . Some trust in chariots & some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:1, 7

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

Matthew 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes & Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. "Good works will not get anyone to heaven."

Matthew 18:1, 4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" . . . [Jesus answered], "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." "Heaven exists where Jesus is, & the lowliest receivers of God's grace are the greatest in heaven. Jesus earned it for all of us."

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Heaven is God's own gift for those humbled by the law & who trust in Christ. Grace flows down to the humble who are sorry for their sins, not up to the proud & unrepentant."

GOD'S RULE IN OUR MIDST

"It is as we seek God's kingdom on earth, & not our own purposes, that we gain the same mind as our heavenly Father. We become co-laborers with God by praying faithfully in agreement with His desires.

"As you seek the Lord's will, He will guide your praying. He will invite you not only to pray, but also to become involved in His activity as He answers your prayer. If He places a burden upon you to pray for an individual's salvation, that burden is also His invitation to join His activity in that person's life. Prayer will prepare you to be a servant through whom God can bring about His will on earth. Pray that the Lord's absolute rule on earth will begin in your life. Then watch to see how God uses you to extend His lordship to others." Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR

"He who made & still sustains nature & all creatures has no anxieties about over-population. The Lord our God delights in adding another human life (Is. 56:8) & wrapping the next neighbor in magnificent mercy (Rom. 15:32). Let the peoples praise You, O God, in ever increasing number (Ps. 67:5-6) - the unborn one, the impaired one, & even our Gospel-motivated voices for Life!" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

JESUS IS OUR TREASURE

"In our culture, money has taken on major importance. In the eyes of the world, our value or importance in life is determined by the amount of money & material things we've been able to accumulate. In contrast, God's people view money & things through the eyes of eternity. When Mary in John 12:3 anointed Jesus, she wasn't concerned about what people were thinking. Her purpose for pouring expensive perform on Jesus was to honor & glorify Him. Her treasure was not in things of this world. Jesus said, 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matt. 6:21). Jesus was her treasure." Steward Builders

TODAY'S PRAYER

"We give thanks & praise to You, O God, for making Your house a place of prayer for all peoples. You have blessed us with Your grace & salvation! Through the Gospel, make us voices of invitation to all people that with us they may serve You with joy & gladness all of our days. We pray this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

ON EAGLES' WINGS

On Eagles' Wings, LSB #727, St. 1

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord:  "My refuge, My rock in whom I trust!" And He will raise you up on eagles' wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His hand.

I served as head administrator & teacher at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE, from our founding in 1997 until I left in 2014. This hymn took on a special meaning for me as we were considering our school mascot. Among all the mascots we considered, we chose "eagles." One reason we chose it was our intention to provide a Christian education for our students, helping them to grow in their understanding of how the Lord raises us up on eagles' wings.

BALANCE

"Our goal is balance . . . always balance. Not either-or, but both-and. Not just tough. That alone makes a man cold, distant, intolerant, unbearable. But tough and tender . . . gentle, thoughtful, teachable, considerate." Charles Swindoll, Men's Devotional Bible

TODAY'S PSALM

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! . . . Some trust in chariots & some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:1, 7

THE FOOLISH & THE LOWLY

"So why does God elevate the foolish & the lowly to be His workers? A reason may be found in 1 Cor. 1:29:  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. It is only by God's grace that we are saved, called, & equipped to be in His service. If we come into God's work with impressive credentials, we risk taking the glory & credit for ourselves. God desires the weak & the lowly whose attitudes are like St. Paul. Paul who said, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10) God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Are you ready for duty?" Steward Builders

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Contrary to the logic of abortion & assisted suicide, human worth doesn't come from age, appearance, or ability. God's grace in creating, redeeming, & calling makes every life precious. No one else's labor or lack thereof can improve or impair it. We declare & demonstrate a righteousness based on this faith & not based instead on works of the law. (Rom. 10:5-6)" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

SHOWING GRACE

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:32) "Our actions ought to be permeated with kindness. Kindness is love expressed in practical ways; it is putting the needs of others before our own. It is intentionally seeking ways to meet other people's needs. Being tenderhearted means that we are keenly sensitive to the feelings of others . . . We show forgiveness because we, too, fall short of God's ideal. Know that God has graciously saved us from destruction motivates us to forgive others when they offend us . . . We must set aside the self-centered attitude that leads to impatience & criticism of others. Jesus did not say that the world would know Him by our miracles, by our grand testimonies, or by our vast Bible knowledge. The world will know Him by the love that Christians show to one another. (John 13:35) Are you constantly in conflict with others? Ask God to give you kindness, a tender heart, & a forgiving spirit. As you allow the Spirit to build these qualities into you, your life will be a blessing to others around you." [Emphases added] Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-by-Day

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Almighty & most merciful God, preserve us from all harm & danger that we, being ready in both body & soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen. Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

HYMNS FOR TODAY

Greet the Rising Sun (LW #871, Sts. 1, 3)

Greet the rising sun, Shining with bright force, Like an athlete strong, Set to run the course; Birds soar high above, Wildflow'rs bloom below; With the day's new light, Glad to work I go.

Lord, I will today On Your love rely; Let no evil thought Cloud the clear blue sky. Joyful & content With life's simpler things, Knowing all I need From Your kindness springs.

I AM Forever Who I AM (St. 1, 4, 6)

Though mountains slide into the sea, And waters rush where fields should be, Though monuments & nations fall, Your holy city stands through all When nothing seems to stay the same, You teach us Your eternal name. I AM forever Who I AM. Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you. Be still & know that I AM God.

Like shepherds watching for the light, Aware of dangers in the night, We hear the angel, "Do not fear, The Savior of the world is near." We run, we see, we touch, we laugh; You came to earth on our behalf. I AM forever Who I AM. Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you. Be still & know that I AM God.

Some days seem long, though life is brief, And death is waiting like a thief. When vision fades & dreams go dry, We will on unseen things rely. Our stories take up but a page, But Yours go on from age to age. I AM forever Who I AM. Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you. Be still & know that I AM God.

TO BE A MAN

"To be a man--is to possess the strength to love another, not the need to dominate over others. To be a man--is to experience the courage to accept another, not the compulsion to be an aggressor. To be a man--is to keep faith with human values in relationships, not to value oneself by position or possessions. To be a man--is to be free to give love & to be free to accept love in return." David Augsburger, Men's Devotional Bible

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

* Average 1 road trip per month:  A.  Thanks to trips to Europe in June, CA in July, MN in July, & a family reunion in Omaha last weekend, we've made 8 RT's so far, which meets our goal to date.

* Lose at least 5 lbs:  A+. I've lost 19 lbs so far this yr, despite frequent road trips & mostly because of my enforced diet after my accident.

* Add to our NP list:  A. We visited Biscayne NP in FL last FEB.

* Avoid desserts:  D.

* Do my PT exercises and/or walking at least 4X per week: C.

* Publish my "Buzzwords" devotion book: C.

* Write another devotion book. B-.

* GPA:  B

CLIMATE CHANGE?

A thunderstorm rolled through this morning. We've received more rainfall during the last 30 days than in the rest of the year combined.

WHAT I'M WATCHING

I'm currently watching "Quarterback," a Netflix docuseries that follows 3 NFL quarterbacks during the 2022 season:  Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota. What I've found out so far:  Lots of insights into the time & effort that are required of a pro quarterback. PM is everything I expected, albeit with quite a potty mouth. KC is a man of character. I didn't know anything about him; things aren't going well for him.

WHAT I'M READING

> "Red Platoon:  A True Story of American Valor," by Clinton Romesha. A true story about a devastating battle in the Afghan war. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

> I'm currently reading "Gentleman Bandit:  The True Story of Black Bart, The Old West's Most Infamous Stagecoach Robber," by John Beessenecker." An easy read.

> I started reading "Artemis," by Andy Weir, author of "The Martian," which I read & enjoyed. My brother-in-law John loaned it to me when we were in CA last month. I temporarily laid it aside when I started reading, "Gentleman Bandit." So far, so good.

OUR FEARLESS LEADER

Obvious signs Biden is innocent of any wrongdoing, compliments of the Babylon Bee

"He's a good family man who talks to 6 grandchildren every day."

"He raised an honest, law-abiding American citizen in Hunter Biden."

"He finds obeying the law just as easy as riding a bike."

"If he was actually guilty, there would be hard evidence."

"Children love him:  Just look at how they run away screaming when he shows up."