What Authority?

"And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he (Jesus) entered the synagouge and was teaching." Mark 1:21

That's where Julia is standing. In the ruins of the synagouge of Capernaum. The stone pillars surrounding date to the 200's A.D. - at least 150+ years after Jesus strolled in. Still rather breathtaking, as we were able to look through excavated floors to see the original structure below - the one he would have known. So, why bring this up? Well - we've been discussing passion this week and the very next verse can serve to fill out our understanding of our passion by seeing first hand the passion of Jesus. Mark 1:22 says, "And they were astonished at his teaching. for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes." Jesus took a tremendous risk with the message he was proclaiming. Mark 1:15 gives us the general content of the message - "the time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." In order to call others to turn around, or repent and to trust, or believe - one must be able to back up the statement by an appeal to some authority. It just so happens that Jesus is not only given, but IS the authority. As the Word of God made flesh, Jesus far exceeds any scribe. Scribes can only talk about the Word. Jesus IS the Word! That's the difference! That's the authority! As the Living Word Jesus does what He alone has the authority to do - to live in passionate sacrifice for God's people. This means saying things they do not want to hear. this means going places He where His message is not welcome. Ultimately this means going to the cross - His passion realized for us! How do we translate Jesus passion into our own? TURN AND TRUST in the authority Jesus has been given to take way our sins and to move us into a life of service in His name! 

Passion, part 2

Great responses! It's obvious that the word passion has multiple meanings for us - but what does it mean in light of faith? Take a look at Psalm 111 and 112. These two psalms are complementary partners. The first sings of the blessings of the Lord while the second paints a picture of the one blessed. If we translate this into terms of passion, Psalm 111 is the source of passion while 112 is the result! In other words, passion is that which comes from God and is lived out in us. This is why each of us may have a unique and powerful passion that is inextricably linked to the passion of others. 

In Psalm 111 the thanks and praise that are lifted up to God are a response to His passionate love for us. It's God's passion to be gracious and merciful, providing for His people by "sending redemption" - in Christian terms, that's Jesus. Only in the passionate love of God in Christ Jesus can we expect, as Psalm 112 highlights, light to dawn in the darkness. Are you wondering what your passion is? Begin with faith that God gave you Christ Jesus - freely and from His passion. You'll soon discover that the Light of the World illuminates your passionate path! With a firm and trusting heart your passion, whatever it may be, will speak volumes of the love of God! In fact, your passion driven actions will speak louder than any words. What does that look like? Easy! It looks like that which you cannot live without sharing with another! It's your God given passion that melts the hearts of the wicked by your sacrifice. Just like God's passion lives in the sacrifice of Jesus for us.

Think and pray on passion  - comment as you wish - and as always, may the peace of the Lord, His passion, be with you! 

What is your PASSION?

I want to start a conversation this week with this simple question...

What is your passion?

Think about it. Pray on it. For the rest of the blog this week we'll discover true passion by opening our hearts to God's Word.

Let's hear from YOU!

What a day...

What a day!

As I keep the news coverage streaming I'm open enough to admit that watching the Inauguration gives me a bit of lump in the throat. The pomp and pageantry, history and heraldry touch even the smallest patriotic bones in the body! The idea that our country can peacefully and even cordially transfer the position of Chief Executive from one to another is amazing and still historically unique!

If you take a look at Psalm 62, David wrote about those who didn't want to offer the same sort of respect. In fact, they wanted him thrown down, toppled from his lofty place. With their mouths they bless, the Psalmist writes, but in their hearts they curse. Now, I don't pretend to know how Bush feels about Obama, but there is one thing evident in both men - a profound respect and honor for that which stands above both men. Both men profess faith in God through the cross of Christ Jesus. Hopefully that means that they find rest in God alone - knowing that TRUE hope comes only from the Rock of Salvation - a rock that cannot be thrown down or toppled! I certainly don't envy the position and responsibilities of either of these men. If fact I've been praying for both for some time. My prayer for the outgoing President is that in his reflection of the past eight years and in his continued service for this country that his faith remains always readily upon his lips in firmly in his heart.  As for the new President, I pray that he trusts in God at all times of both trouble and joy,that our God is forever strong and loving - rewarding those who serve others with faith in the heart. As for us, the people of God and the people of America, the prayer is that we keep God first, then family and then and only then country - trusting that our rest comes from God alone and our drive to serve from what He has done for us in Christ Jesus!

Simple water...simple word

I've been asked what makes being a Lutheran any different than one who practices any other religion. In the spirit of one of my favorite professors I always pause to pose the question, "Why do you ask?" 

What I'm trying to ascertain is what the querying soul means by "religion" - what's their definition of a word we throw around like an old softball. Religion, as I understand it, is that which helps us make sense of who we are, where we've come from and what our purpose is in life. This oversimplified definition serves as the springboard to my belief that Christianity is not religion - in the proper sense. With this definition swirling in my brain my answer to the initial question is equally vague- Being Lutheran is all about simple water and a simple word. In other words, it's about faith. Faith is different than religion. Faith trusts what God has done in and through Christ Jesus. The gift of the cross that is sealed in the gift of Baptism is the foundation of faith. Faith never looks to what can be done to make sense of who we are or we we've come from or even what is our life's purpose. Faith clings to being made a child of God in Christ through water and the Word. Faith sees that we have come from the darkness of sin into the light of forgiveness, again through water and the Word. Faith gives us the purpose to go and to BAPTIZE in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching others to follow all that Jesus has commanded. This faith has the result of the presence of our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier in our lives every day - even to the end of the age! What 's the difference? Well, it's eternal - the seal of water and the Word says everything about who God is and what He has done for you! Celebrate and live in FAITH every day!

Who is YOUR God?

Simple post today...

Who is YOUR God? Is He the one who receives all credit for all things in heaven and on earth? Is He the glorious one - the source of all strength and hope? Our God is the God who creates with a Word and sustains with patience we cannot comprehend. He is a God whose voice thunders might while it whispers peace. 

This is the God who welcomes you by giving you His most precious gift - His own Son - for your life now and always. 

This is the God you have the privilege of coming to in prayer. You have the opportunity to converse with the eternal, acknowledging His glory while believing that He has an ear...even for someone as small as you! What does this say about the importance of God's gift of prayer? You must ask yourself, who is MY God? Is He a God I trust and believe will hear me when I call? Is He a God I believe will give me His grace and His mercy every moment of every day in Christ Jesus? Is He a God who knows all pain, who soothes all hurts and who lifts all heads? 

If so, friend, REJOICE! Live what You believe! Live in the confidence that all you bring to God in the confidence of faith will and has been done in the cross of Jesus! To Him alone is all glory, honor and worship of those whom He has claimed through His precious blood!