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.