Peter’s Posts

We are 2000 years plus into the new era. For Christians it is easy to take for granted that God would come to earth and visit us. Sometimes it is easy to accept without much thought that he would come as King and creator of all of creation and yet be born in a most humble state. Born to peasants and sleeping in a barn, his cradle a feeding trough.

Mary’s song “God with us” starts out with our grandchildren singing “Away in a manger” and then Mary and our son Aaron Loeffelbein sing Mary’s song.

As I listen I try to take away the 21st century knowledge of the event and listen with fresh ears to the message that God has come to live among us. It was and is miraculous.

Click on the link to listen for free. If you like it, please share. We are using you folks that read these posts as our free sample hosts to spread this music out to ears that are longing to hear some good news, God with us.

James 3

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”

Today’s chapter starts out with this statement, and it’s true, I am a sinner, I mess up. I should probably not be doing this. I don’t have it all together. In my posts I quote the Bible so there will always at least the words of the Bible, it is truth you can trust in. Listen to what the bible is saying, that’s the part that isn’t flawed. The rest is me telling you how I am applying the words of the Bible to my life.

“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

The tongue, the fingers, in my case, the heart and brain behind what I communicate. Not many People hear me speak but there are a few who “hear”my thoughts by reading my words here. My buddy Steve Selig gets to hear my unfiltered rants. We ride together to and from work. Work can be frustrating and difficult. I have said things, things that hurt, things that defame, things that are destructive. I am fortunate to have a good Christian friend who can listen to me without judgement but who can correct or redirect me back to the life of a Christian, the life of forgiveness and mercy, for others and for myself. We can’t unsay something like we can’t Un-ring a bell. We can’t un-splash a pond. So it is with our words. There is forgiveness in Jesus and there is value in guarding what we say, carefully considering the words. There is no back button in speech.

“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Using Gods wisdom can result in people turning to Jesus to have their sin forgiven, a harvest of righteousness. I am one of those flawed yet forgiven people. Will you accept Jesus gift of forgiveness today? Today is the only day we get. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow never arrives. We have today. What will we do with it?

(Originally posted 11/20/19)

I read Luke chapter 15 yesterday. It is a collection of 3 parables. All 3 talk about something lost and the seeker of the lost thing. The most famous of these is the prodigal son. For some reason on this day I was captivated by the first story, the lost sheep.

“4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Luke 15:4-7 NIV

I have been that lost sheep. God sought me out and found me and gathered me up and carried me back home.

Where are you today? There are only two options, in the sheepfold or out of the sheepfold. If you are out, God is seeking you, not to punish you but to gather you up and bring you back to the safety of his flock.

Later on in Luke Jesus says this about himself and mission “10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10 NIV

When we decided to record Mary’s second album we already knew some of the challenges of recording independently. One big challenge is there is no distribution network and there is no support or promotional platform. Last year when we released the CD we did a couple of concerts. This year Mary is doing some local spots. I decided to post a song from her album at least 5 days a week from November through December. I just want folks to hear the music that rings through our house all season long. The album is called “The Whole Year Long” because the message of Jesus is not just for December and Christmas but it is for every day and every season. The message is that God loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to die for us, to pay a debt of sin that we cannot pay, and that payment enables us to become God’s children, to be adopted into his family and live with him forever.

Please take a couple of minutes and listen to Mary’s title track, “The Whole Year Long”.

If you like it, please share it with a friend.

James 2b.

Or not 2b. That’s not the question.

“14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Can a we have a saving faith in Jesus without it changing our behavior? Is our faith in Jesus real if it doesn’t prompt us to act on the behalf of those around us with needs that we can meet? Real faith will change us. Real faith will not only cleanse our hearts, cleanse our minds, break chains from the past, change our thoughts and emotions but it will also cause us to do. Do stuff. Do stuff for people. Otherwise this faith in Jesus is not faith but an idea about or an opinion of Jesus. It’s not faith in Him until it grabs ahold of us and we start sharing the love we have been given with others.

The 2 examples James gives us, Abraham and Rahab acted on what they believed and showed by their actions that their faith in God was real.

At the end of the storm in Spokane this week there were 206,000 people without power. No heat, no way to cook, no lights, no refrigerators. 2 of those households are my kids. I’m not sure how I will help but can it be just “stay warm guys, love ya”? How will I help? How will my faith take action? (This was 3 years ago. I didn’t get an opportunity to help)

Where can I help?

Closer to home I have friend who has appliances that aren’t working and can’t afford a repairman. Will my faith move me from my couch to my garage to get my tools and to his house to help?

“26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

It is cloudy and cold. The days are short and the nights are long. The leaves have fallen and the flowers and vegetable gardens are all finished for the year. There is no color, except for the monotone bland grey-ness. What can save us from all this winter blah?

Snow.

Please click and listen for free to the cute little song co-written by my granddaughter Molly and my wife Mary. Performed by Molly and Mary.

James 2

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

Maybe it’s contagious. This wealth thing. We tend to want to hang out with wealthy people. Remember the show “lifestyles of the poor and destitute”? No wait, that wasn’t it, it was the “rich and famous”. Our human nature wants to associate with wealth and success. Could it be that we think it might rub off? At the very least, rich people have cool stuff. Cool stuff is fun and expensive and so it is rare. Hanging with rich people we might get to play with their stuff. But human nature is almost always counter to Christian belief and practice.

The kingdom of God is upside down to the world. Our king laid down his life and died for us. Our king washed his friends feet. Our king never had a palace or a throne or a scepter. Our king was born in a barn and slept in a feeding trough. Our king carried his own cross.

Christianity is counter cultural and sometimes counter intuitive. It doesn’t always make sense.

“5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?”

Favoritism = adultery = murder. That is not good math. Not in my mind. It’s like saying a penny equals a million dollars because favoritism is a penny sin, murder? That’s a million dollar sin. Am I right? No. I am completely wrong. Sin = all other sin. Sin is sin.

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”

There is hope. Our God is merciful. He expects us, once we have experienced his mercy, to extend his mercy to the world around us.

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Mercy. Not getting what we do deserve. Grace. Getting what we do not deserve. They are what distinguishes Christianity. That and the fact our savior rose from the dead. Yes, I said fact. Feels harsh to leave it there but I’m going to.

No I can’t. Jesus loves us. He died to wash away our sin. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and now He lives to intercede on our behalf. Will  you consider accepting His gift today?

(originally posted 11/18/15)

 

James 1

I said earlier that I would be studying Titus and 2 Timothy next but I read chapter 1 of Titus and it was so similar to 1 Timothy that I felt it may be better to take s one book detour. I felt compelled to read James. So James it is.

This was written by James, Jesus’ little brother. He was a leader in the Jerusalem church which was at the time, headquarters for the entire church.

“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Right away we are slapped with 2 counter cultural statements. Be joyful when being tried and believe in someone we can’t see. Not only believe that they exist but also believe that they can do what you are asking of them.

There is so much in this chapter. That I will take two days to cover it.

The next statement is not only counter cultural but counter intuitive. Getting rich and having lots of stuff gives us a lower status as s believer than being poor.

“9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.”

The one who possesses lots of stuff is in turn possessed by the stuff. You have to take care of it, house it, maintain it, care for it. There is much to be said for a simple life. Living simply by choice is different than being made poor by circumstance.

We have been poor. God provided everything we needed.

I am off subject.

“12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The trial that James speaks of here is believing in Jesus even if that means losing everything we possess, up to and including our lives, because we believe in Jesus. At that time in Jerusalem People were being told to renounce their faith or die. Many died. They would first lose their family, be thrown into prison, all of their belongings would be taken away and at the end of that they would face the question, do you believe in Jesus? If they renounced him they would get it all back. If they continued to believe they will be killed, by stoning, beheading or by crucifixion.

How is this like the world we live in today? It’s a reality for many Christians.

Here is what I believe. Jesus, he really lived, he really died, he really came back from the dead. He really ascended into heaven and he really is coming back to get us. He did all of that because he loves us and wants to spend eternity with us. His death paid for our sin, when he came back to life he showed his power over death.

This confession may cost me my life someday but it gives me eternal life from today onward.

The thing is that being a Christian does not guarantee me anything in this life. Not safety, not wealth, not health. “12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Mary added three instrumental songs to the list of her Christmas CD, Silent night and Auld Lang  Syne and Wexford Carol. At work I have a new work space and it’s noisy so the company bought me a nice set of noise cancelling headphones. They don’t actually cancel noise unless I play music so I have been listening  to her recordings on a loop since late October. I love all of the songs but her thoughtful and emotional renditions of familiar tunes relax me and help me think. I hope that you will click on the links below and listen. It’s free and it’s beautiful. If you like them, please share. Posting the songs this way is one way we can distribute our holiday presence to the world.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2qYgvFKfjE

Psalm 139

God is watching

“1 You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand—

when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!

Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,

and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”

God knows us. He is watching over us. Not to squash us like a bug, but to help us. He sent his only son Jesus to do what we couldn’t do. To pay for OUR mistakes.

God loves us. Even as I type these words I wonder if it it’s true for me. I think it is. If it’s true at all it’s true for me too, and you. God is watching over us because he is a good father and he loves us.

(Originally posted 11/15/16. I would say I am more secure in my relationship with God today than I was 3 years ago. But I still identify with those who feel estranged from God. I write these posts to tell whoever will read them that God loves us. God really really loves us. He sent his son to suffer and die in our place just so he could reestablish our relationship with Him.)

God with us. That is a concept that God proposed long ago, before Jesus came. One problem, Our God of the bible is an invisible God. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[a] a sign: The virgin^[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[c] will call him Immanuel.” God, the invisible immortal, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God, will become a human. Why would God do this? “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Mary used the lyrics of away in a manger and wrote a beautiful new song that contemplates the magnitude of this event, God becoming one of us, God being with us.

The recording starts out with our 4 oldest grandchildren singing “away in the manger” then Mary sings and our son Aaron Loeffelbein joins her.

Please take a couple minutes and click on the link and listen. Enjoy the music and marvel at the message, God with us.  If you like it, please share.

 

I think i May have driven past Jesus on the side of the road.

I saw a sight the other day on my way to work that was so unusual that it almost seems like it was a dream. As I came over a rise I saw a car pulled over on the other side of the road. It was early morning and very dark but the horizon had just started to lighten up. The car appeared to be running, the headlights were on but as I continued on my way and came alongside I saw flames licking out of the front drivers side wheel well. The car was on fire. There was a person standing by the back of the car who watched me as I drove past. I didn’t stop. I don’t carry a fire extinguisher or any first aid gear so i didn’t think i could help. My plan was to reach my destination and call 911. I wasn’t to my destination yet when I saw a fire engine with its lights flashing, whiz past me in the direction of the burning car.

This morning my bible reading took me to Matthew 25. It starts out with the parable of the brides maids, then tells the parable of the talents and ends with the story of the final judgement where The King will separate the sheep and the goats.

He uses their behavior to separate them, the sheep from the goats. He doesn’t mention church attendance or a giving record. What behavior does he use to discern whether a person has behaved like a sheep or a goat?

““Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Matthew 25:34-40 NLT

These verses do not specifically mention seeing a burning vehicle on the side of the road. If I take it literally I may excuse myself. But what if I listen to the heart of what Jesus is saying. He says the sheep were the ones who saw someone in need, someone who was among “the least of these” and then did something to help.

Last week I read James 4. I read the entire chapter, all 17 verses. Only one stood out, verse 17.

“Remember, it is a Sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

So I drove by a person who was stranded at the side of the road with his car on fire. That is bad and it is also not good. According to my interpretation of Matthew 25, and in the heavenly perspective, that person was Jesus. Whoever the person was, I still don’t know their name but I do know that they were in need and among the “least of these”. Forgive me Jesus for missing an opportunity to help. You saw my need and left heaven and came and lived in time and space and dust and dirt and pain and suffering and then you died to pay for my sin. Because of what you have done, I know what it is to be in need and to be helped. Help me and I will stop and do what I can next time I see a need because of all that you have done for me. Not just on the road to work but on the road of life.

I want to live like a sheep. 

So help me please God.

The suggestion to add this song to Mary’s Christmas album came from an unlikely source. When Mary’s older brother Scott who is a lifetime musician but whose musical tastes tends toward the extremes of genres, heard about our Christmas project, he suggested an old Scottish hymn, Tàladh Chríosda. Traditionally it is sung on Christmas Eve during midnight mass. It is a lullaby written from the mother Mary’s perspective.

Mary sings the first verse in Gaelic.

Please click on the link and listen. If you like it, please share so more people will hear this beautiful rendition of an old Scottish lullaby for the baby Jesus, God, who put on flesh to save us.

The Moon is out.

Psalm 136

“1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.

His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,

His love endures forever.

5 who by his understanding made the heavens,

His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,

His love endures forever.

7 who made the great lights—

His love endures forever.

8 the sun to govern the day,

His love endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;

His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt

His love endures forever.

11 and brought Israel out from among them

His love endures forever.

12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder

His love endures forever.

14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,

His love endures forever.

15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;

His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;

His love endures forever.

17 to him who struck down great kings,

His love endures forever.

18 and killed mighty kings—

His love endures forever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites

His love endures forever.

20 and Og king of Bashan—

His love endures forever.

21 and gave their land as an inheritance,

His love endures forever.

22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.

His love endures forever.

23 He remembered us in our low estate

His love endures forever.

24 and freed us from our enemies.

His love endures forever.

25 He gives food to every creature.

His love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His love endures forever.”

The moon was God’s idea. The moon, he created it. He spoke into being. There once was no moon or stars but God created them and now they exist and we gaze at them and wonder.

I give thanks to this God, my God who can create moons out of nothing and suspend them in nothing to brighten up my night.

(Originally posted 11/14/16)

Mary wrote a song, I don’t know how long ago it was, and she called it Glory. Her Dad loved that song. Almost every visit to our house, or if we were in a place with a piano, public or private, her dad would request that she play her song Glory. We couldn’t fit it on her first album and Harold was very disappointed but when we did the second one, we knew Glory had to be on it. Unfortunately Harold didn’t get to listen to Mary’s second album.

You get to listen. You can click on the link and listen to the song for free. If you like it, please share.

 

 

1 Timothy 6

“6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.”

Slavery was a reality, just part of life. If a person was enslaved and a believer, they should be the best slave possible. Respect their master, even more if the master is a believer. I am not a slave but I still have people in authority over me. My direct boss is a Christian. I need to respect him and do my best for him and for Jesus who is watching us both.

And speaking of making money:

“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Money is a reality. We need it to do what we have to do. Even good and Godly activities take money. Money is not the end, it’s a means to an end. For about $15 we can provide a kid whose parents are in jail a Christmas present through Angel Tree. For $30 a month we can support an impoverished kid in a 3rd world country through compassion international. There is Samaritans Purse and shoebox gift program. There is no end to the needs of people. There are people who need help right where we live. Make as much money as we can not so that we have more but so we can give more.

“17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

If I could have a sign off I think this next quote would be it.

“11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”

Yes! Amen.

(Originally posted 11/13/15)

My wife Mary grew up in the 60’s and 70’s in the little town of Ephrata Washington. Christmas was about family and fun and food. She wrote a song about one special Christmas that she got to share with her cousins.

Click on the link and listen and linger in the memory and the glowing snow globe-ish wonder of a child’s view of Christmas.

 

I apologize for the grossnicity of this but I have come to the conclusion that we are not fed by what we poop out. We are fed by what we digest.

I recently met with my pastor Rory Lewellyn and we were talking about some struggles I was having. He said that he thought part of my problem was I wasn’t assimilating the word that I was reading. To Paraphrase, I wasn’t digesting the word.

It wasn’t too long after that that God gave me a picture of what Rory was talking about. It was big pile of red poop. On my daily walk I came across a big pile of red poo. Not red with blood, red from whatever the pooper had eaten. Upon closer inspection (not too close) I could see fruit pits, like from cherries.

I read in the book of James this morning. Here is what I read: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:22-27

Read the word, then Assimilate, digest, act on, allow it to change, guide and direct me.

Is the study of God’s word having an effect on me? Is my life changing? Am I doing the basics of caring for those in need around me? Am I guarding my tongue?

Is the word of God in me coloring my life? Or just coloring my “poo”?

Hmmm.

We have a very creative granddaughter. Her name is Molly. She takes piano lessons from her grandma Mary. When Molly was 7 she wrote a little song, just a chorus, about the joy of the first snow. When grandma Mary was putting together her music for her Christmas album she decided to add some verses to Molly’s chorus and then record it. I think it is a delightful song because it captures the childhood joy and anticipation in what can become a drag and a drudgery to adults – snow. The song is called “a white sheet of snow”.

Please click on the link and listen for free. Mary’s album is available to purchase from several different outlets but this morning, just click the link and listen and remember the joy of a wintertime snow. Molly and Mary perform the vocals.

1Timothy 2

“2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

There are no conditions on this urging. It doesn’t say, if he is a good guy, if you like him, if he is treating you well, if you agree with their policies. None of that. Just “pray, intercede and give thanks” for our kings and those in authority. I’ve mentioned my prayer list before. There are no politicians on it. That can’t stay that way. Who needs Jesus’ help more than our leaders?

“5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.”

The reason for Paul to peach and teach. The reason for me type on my phone at at 4:45 in the morning. Jesus loves us, and he died to forgive all of our errors, all our mistakes. Jesus loves me, peter, now you say it, Jesus loves me, ______. It’s true. Jesus loves you.

Next Paul requests that women dress modestly.

Then he says something difficult to understand. “11 A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”

The denomination I attend was founded by a woman, Aimee Semple McPherson. Our denomination ordains women. We don’t take this passage literally, we assume it was a cultural thing. It’s there so I quoted it. Don’t let what could be controversial side track the main message.

Jesus loves us and died for us. Male or female, tell the world about Jesus.

(Originally posted 11/09/19)