Deus Misereatur

  (The following has two reasons for existence. First, I have been pondering Philippians 1:25-26 for the last year, especially since I am growing older. This is part of my personal reflections for myself. Second, this is also for my congregation as we prepare to ordain/install new deacons and an elder and recognize many other church ministry leaders in our congregation on 8 September 2024. You can listen to this here: " Remain and Continue .")   [24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. [25] Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, [26] so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:24-25) Brothers and sisters, life is given to us for the service of others. I know that our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, but we’re also made to live in service of others. And that recognition says quite a bit to

  [This is from my letter to my congregation sent out today - 4 September 2024] Yesterday (Tuesday) I received a phone call from our neighbor across the street from our house. Labor Day (Monday) was a perfect storm for them. While they were out of town and traveling back to OKC, some kid in a Go-Kart lost control of his contraption and it slammed into their garage, destroying the bottom panel of their garage door. The hole left was big enough for a grown adult to easily crawl through. The kid was fine, but simply drove away without telling them (it’s all recorded on a security camera). On top of this – something I didn’t know – is that our neighbor lost her sister suddenly a few days before. And they were out of town helping her grieving brother-in-law get the house in order to sell. The kid slamming into her garage door just tipped her over into a dark emotional pit. After they returned home on Monday, Anna and I went out for a walk. [1] Our neighbor was out in the yard yanking up we

  Lord, you said, “ Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” We pray for your church here and world over, including Lutheran Church of Our Savior, The Lord’s House, Lord of Love Lutheran, and Madison St. Church of God. Instead of her looking for earthly fame or fortune, please replenish her with your own steadying strength, stabilizing aid, resilient love, long-lasting commitment, unwavering godliness and sound doctrine, so that her treasure and heart will always be deposited with you.   You also warned us, “ No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. ” We pray for heretics and hucksters, for those w