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Dear Fellow Saints,

I admit … I’m not a fan of winter.  I don’t mind a little cold and maybe a couple inches of snow on the ground around Christmas.  But, growing up in southern Arizona, I’m a fan of warmer, sunny days starting around January 2^nd and continuing until Spring arrives on the calendar.  Among other things, I’m a gardener who likes to dig in the dirt.  This time of year is hard for me because I’m itching to get busy with my planting.  I’ve done all my prep work … I can’t wait to plant.

God is a planter too.  He plants all over the place and His Word is filled with planting images.  Some of those are images of healthy green plants, abundant fruit, and growth.  Some are images of infertile soil, shriveled up plants, and crops choked to death by weeds.  The prophet Jeremiah, speaking to God’s people in Judah – bathed in the worldliness of idol worship rather than worship of the one, true God – says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.  He is like a tree planted by water … it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8) At the same time, God warns His people saying, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord … He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.” (Jeremiah 17:5-6) 

God created all people everywhere.  He gives each and every one of us the gift of life!  Unfortunately, many choose to plant themselves far from the streams of living water found only in God’s Word and Sacraments.  These people may think they know best how to provide for themselves and how to live the life God has given them.  They trust themselves and the world around them instead of the one true God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  In doing so, whether they know it or not, they are depriving themselves of the nourishment God desires, more than anything, to give to His people.  Without this nourishment, they become dried up shrubs incapable of bearing fruit and living the life God intended for them.

On the flip side, led by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us through the cool waters of baptism, we become like a tree planted by water.  We learn to trust God and His Word in our lives.  We learn to trust the Holy Spirit to lead us by God’s Word, even when that Word might not seem to make sense.  Like water nourishes a plant – enabling it to grow, produce leaves, and generate fruit – immersing ourselves in God’s Word regularly nourishes us into a fulfilling relationship with Him where we trust Him to hear our prayers … and trust His will when He answers them.  We trust His promise to forgive and cleanse us of sin when we disobey Him.  We put aside our anxiety and trust His leading to be His eyes and ears, His hands and feet in the world.  Through us, His will is done as He transplants shriveled shrubs, trusting themselves, into fertile soil – enabling them to join us in bearing endless fruit for His kingdom.

                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have something extremely important to say.  It’s vital to your life.  “ព្រះយេស៊ូវស្រឡាញ់អ្នក”[1] … “Preahyesaouv sraleanh anak.”[2]  Please, heed this warning!  What?!  You don’t get it!  Okay, listen again, “حضرت عیسی آپ سے محبت کرتے ہیں”[3] … “Tum yesuh Masih ko piryarey ho.”[4]  Please … listen … know this life-giving fact … make it part of your life!

Over past several weeks, Paul has reminded us God has given us several gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).  We don’t have the same gifts, but the variety comes together in one body, the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).  Whatever the gifts, they’re not given for personal enjoyment.  They’re given to communicate the Good News that all “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) Helping others believe in Jesus … to have life in Him … is why Paul makes the point he makes in 1 Corinthians 14:12, “… strive to excel in building up the church.”  God calls on His church to do more than rest in the certain knowledge we’re saved through faith in Christ.  He calls us to spread this knowledge – to those struggling in faith – and to others so they can come, through the Holy Spirit, to also believe … joining the Body of Christ to use their gifts to “build up the church.”

All God’s people’s gifts are needed to “build up the church,” including “speaking in tongues.”  But, if someone speaks in tongues, a spiritual gift, and nobody can understand them; it’s like screaming in Khmer or Urdu, “Fire!” in a theater to warn people.  However, if someone interprets, another spiritual gift, people can understand.  Understanding, leads to knowledge and action.  Paul shows us all God’s people need to use all their gifts to “build up the church.”

There are challenges to using our gifts – for example, lack of confidence in our abilities.  God comforts us, “Don’t worry.  I’ll always be there with my faithful people.” (Jeremiah 1:6-8) He asks us to “Follow Him in Faith.” 

You’re going to hear that phrase, “Follow Him in Faith,” often.  January 6^th was a big milestone for First Lutheran – the 45^th anniversary of the first service involving those who’d become the congregation we see as a “light on a hill.”  Many, including Al and Sally P. and Jim and Ardith H., “Follow(ed) Him in Faith” to “build up the church” over 45 years.  What’s next for us who “Follow Him in Faith” the next 45 years?  God has blessed us with many gifts … unused land, a thriving preschool, and many facilities.  Imagine using them more fully to “build up the church.” Not the structures, but, the people – the faith of those who believe, as well as, bringing more into faith.  In the coming months you’re going to hear how God is calling us to “Follow Him in Faith” as we start a campaign to build facilities to enable us to serve more neighbors in new ways while taking advantage of existing spaces to enhance our worship of God … the provider of all things.

By the way … “ព្រះយេស៊ូវស្រឡាញ់អ្នក” ... “حضرت عیسی آپ سے محبت کرتے ہیں” … “Jesus loves you.”

                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

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Dear Faithful Friends,

When I was a kid around the time of a special gift giving day … say my birthday or Christmas … my parents would ask, “What would you like as a gift?”  Depending on the time of life I was in, the answer varied.  But, I generally had faith they would give me that gift … or … knowing me so well, something even better.  Then, I’d live in hope.  This hope helped me extend the reality of the future gift to my present time.  For example, I’d imagine playing catch with the new baseball glove I asked for.  In my mind, the glove was so real it was almost like I had it already.  Yet I waited in hope for the big day.  And finally, Christmas arrived … and there was the glove.  Even better than I imagined it. 

St. Paul famously writes, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) In our Lutheran confessions we have the “Three Solas” … “Sola gratia, sola fide, sola scriptura” … we are saved “by grace alone, through faith alone, as promised in scripture alone.”  “Hope,” which comes from the Greek word “ἐλπίς (elpis)” implies “a reasonable and confident expectation of a future event.”  Clearly, as Christians, we are confident in God’s promises that we’re forgiven our sins and will receive eternal life.  However great that seems, it’s like my “baseball glove.”  I can imagine what that means, but living in my own sin and the brokenness of the world today, it can be hard to see clearly.  So, Paul reminds us, “For now we see in a mirror dimly …Now I know in part …” (1 Corinthians 13:12) “Faith” and “Hope” … they allow us to see now, in some way, what God’s promises might look like someday. 

The exciting thing is we also experience “Love” in part today.  We experience “ἀγάπη (agape)” … sacrificial, servant love … when our brothers and sisters in Christ willingly, for no reason at all comfort and help us during our times of need ... or when we assist others in their need.  But, unfortunately, due to the effects of sin in the world, “agape love” doesn’t seem to last.

But Paul affirms, “faith, hope, and love” will remain for eternity.  Of the three, love will be the greatest.  “Faith” in Christ, His death and resurrection, ensures we receive the gift of forgiveness of sin.  In faith, we know that we’re being made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our “hope” gives us a glimpse of our future … our home in eternity.  We don’t know what that looks like in reality.  But hope gives us an idea.  Love is the greatest of the three.  Why?  In heaven, we’ll still live in a faith that trusts God’s Word.  We’ll still live in hope that we’ll experience the unimaginable possibilities of the perfect life our Father intended us to live.  But, above all, we’ll see “face to face” … we’ll “know fully” … what we can only imagine, at best, partially today.  St. John tells us.  “God is love.” (1 John 4:8, 16) God isn’t faith or hope.  He is love.  We’ll experience “Love” firsthand.

                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There’s a first time for everything!  I remember some of the firsts in my life.  First time I rode a bike without training wheels – exhilarating.  First day of school – intimidating.  First time I drove a car by myself – freeing.  First time I preached – both a bit nerve wracking and exciting.  It was at Concordia Lutheran Church in St. Louis where the congregation was a mix of Seminary professors and nice families all sitting there … waiting for me to proclaim God’s Word to them. 

In Luke 4 we witness one of Jesus’ firsts as He started His earthly ministry.  Jesus had just left the devil in the dust, fending off Satan’s temptations.  From the wilderness temptations, Jesus made His way back to His hometown Nazareth.  He went to the synagogue to do what He always did … worship His Father in heaven.  But this time was a little different.  Someone gave Him a scroll … with the words of Isaiah on it.  He read,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind...” (Luke 4:18-19)

Then, He gave His first sermon to commence His earthly ministry saying, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) But, rather than shout “Hosannas!” that the Messiah was with them, His hometown neighbors, who only knew Jesus as Joseph’s son, were aghast!  They’d seen Jesus grow up before their very eyes.  They knew His parents, Joseph and Mary.  Words were fine, but without proof of miracles, signs, and wonders they couldn’t believe Jesus was anything more than the carpenter’s son.  In fact, they were ready to ride Him out of town on the rails and run Him off a cliff.  But Jesus, the Son of God, wouldn’t be deterred.  Ironically, by means of a miracle, He simply passed through the angry crowd intent on murder.  He went on about His business … proclaiming good news to the poor in spirit, freeing people from the captivity of sin, and opening eyes to see that salvation came only through Him.

Jesus not only came to the people of first century Palestine, but also to people across the world and across the ages.  His first sermon was His announcement for everyone that He is the Savior of all mankind.  He is the one His Father sent to free His creation from sin and death, to provide eternal life, and to usher in the new creation – a new heaven and a new earth – that will be just as God intended when He created all things in the first place.

As we hear this gospel with 21^st century ears, we hear that not only did Jesus came to free the people of Nazareth and Capernaum and other places in the ancient Middle East.  He came to free us.  He proclaims His good news and liberty to us through His church.  Our eyes are opened to His Word, heard in our worship services, bible studies and devotions, and our prayers as we listen to Him.  Let us live in His presence each and every day of our lives.

                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

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Dear Saints of First Lutheran,

Championship time reminds us, “It’s not how you start … but how you finish.”  In other words, “Save the best for last.”  As a Steelers fan, things were looking good early on.  Now … well the Steelers are golfing, fishing, or healing.  I’m also a Red Sox fan.  They started the year on fire.  Struggled a bit through the middle.  But they saved the best for last and won the World Series.  It’s not how one starts, but how one finishes.

Jesus’ first miracle turned water into wine.  He’s at a wedding enjoying the festivities.  Jesus has been baptized and some heard His Father’s voice, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) He called a few disciples.  But He hadn’t really done much in His ministry.  At this wedding, Mary, His mother, informs Him the party is out of wine.  Jesus says in essence, “So what. What’s that got to do with anything?”  But Jesus listens to His mom’s request and promptly turns six jars filled with water into wine.  When the host tasted the wine Jesus created, he was amazed saying, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then the poor wine.  But you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:10) Jesus first miracle looks to save the best for last. 

Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus does many truly miraculous things.  He heals lepers.  He returns sight to the blind.  He restores mobility to the crippled.  He shows His mastery over nature by stilling storms, walking on water, and multiplying fish and bread to feed the hungry.  Jesus even raises people from the dead!  But these miracles pale in comparison to what He saved for last.

Jesus claimed to be God.  He did things only God could do … chief among them, forgiving sins and restoring peace between man and God just as God had promised through His prophets.  Yet, despite these acts, His own people failed to see Jesus for who He truly was … the Son of God.  Instead, they saw Him as one who claimed to be God – a blasphemer who deserved to die.  So, they had Him crucified.  Three days later, Jesus, saving the best for last, showed them He truly was the Son of God.  He rose from the dead to new life.  In doing so, He proved, in the end that He is indeed who He said He was … that He had the authority to claim to be … the Son of God.

The Son of God saves the best for last for us too.  We all have moments of triumph in life.  We experience the joy of achievement.  We might even contribute to the excitement of many victories.  But, we also experience sorrow and suffering.  Then we die.  All along though, we also live in peace, through faith in Christ, knowing that as high as our highs might be … or as low as the lows are … the best will be saved for last.  When our Lord, Jesus Christ returns on the last day, we will join Him in the eternal wedding feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.  The best wine will be ours for eternity.

                                      Your Fellow Saint,

                                                                                                Pastor Jim

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There was a time when I carried six different ID Cards.  I knew who I was, but the Air Force didn’t recognize my Wyoming driver’s license.  The Pentagon didn’t acknowledge either of them.  I worked in a special place that didn’t accept anyone’s identification systems.  I needed special IDs for each place.  Then I needed another ID to access my computer.  And finally, to get books at the county library, I needed a library card.  Again, I knew who I was … but to prove it, I needed a wallet full of 2 1/8 x 3 1/4 inch cards.

In Jesus’ day ID cards didn’t exist.  But, if Jesus were ministering along the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, you can bet He’d need one.  Despite everything written about Him through the ages, if you were to ask people today who Jesus was, you’d get an amazing variety of answers.  Once you got past the “Jesus … He’s a pretty good guy” statement, the field is wide open on His identity.  Some might call Him a great religious teacher or philosopher.  Others might call Him a great leader.  And some might even call Him a mighty prophet, right up there with Moses and Elijah.  Then, some might even say He’s God.

True enough, Jesus didn’t carry a small, wallet-sized ID card identifying who He really is.  But the gospels were “Written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31) 

If I didn’t have the proper ID with me, one of the ways I might be able to gain access to the place I was going would be to have someone with proper credentials vouch for me.  This person, trusted because they had the proper ID, would say they trusted me and would be responsible for me.

St. Luke tells us about Jesus’ baptism.  After John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, the Holy Spirit visibly descends on Jesus and a voice from heaven vouches for Jesus’ true identity saying, “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) With these words, God the Father vouches for who Jesus truly is … the Son of God.  A great religious teacher – yes.  A great leader – yes.  A mighty prophet – yes.  And so much more – God!  He did things only God can do … forgiving sins and raising people from the dead for starters.  For His claims to be God, He was executed because nobody believed Him.  Nevertheless, Jesus proved His true identity by doing another thing only God can do … defeating the power of death and rising to new life.  Rising from the dead He validates His identity … He is God.  As such His promises to us … the forgiveness of sin and eternal life … are most certainly true. 

In baptism our Father gives us our true identity … sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Christ.  Then the Holy Spirit descends upon us, dwells within us, and gives us faith.  By faith in the Son of God, we believe His promises – forgiveness of sin and admission to eternal life in His new creation.

                                                                                        In Christ,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

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Dear First Lutheran,

This week we began Epiphany.  An “epiphany” is “a sudden grasp of reality through a strikingly simple event.”  We’ve heard of “Aha” moments … when the “light bulb suddenly comes on.”  That’s an epiphany … an “Aha” moment.  Today we celebrate the “Aha” moment when we realize Jesus, the Son of God, was born not only to save His own people, the Israelites, but also non-Israelites … Gentiles.

God our Father promised a Messiah to save His people.  However, as the years became decades and decades became centuries, this promise seemed to be for nothing.  But God is faithful to His promises.  Including a Messiah to save His people.  God’s Word tells us about many “Aha” moments leading to Jesus’ birth.  There’s Mary living her life, preparing to become the wife of a man named Joseph.  Suddenly, “Aha!” – the angel Gabriel reveals she’s to become mother of the Messiah.  Then, Joseph, Mary’s husband to be, finds out Mary is pregnant with somebody else’s child.  Suddenly, “Aha!” – an angel of the Lord appears saying, “It’s okay … this child is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Messiah to save His people from their sin.”

 Then there’s the Magi, Gentiles who aren’t supposed to know God’s Word.  They’re astronomers who look at stars, God’s creation to bring light into the darkness.  God reveals the birth of the Messiah to them also.  Centuries before, while the Jews were exiled in Babylon, it’s possible these Magi’s distant relatives worked for a Jew named Daniel.  Through Daniel, God exposed them to His Word.  Through this Word and a special star God created another “Aha!” — God led these Gentiles to His Son, who came to save not only the Israelites, but all mankind.

Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose from the dead to pay the price required by sin … death … and to give all who believe new life in Him.  Yet, despite this miraculous turn of events, many still didn’t believe.  One day a man named Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute those who did believe.  Suddenly he was blinded by the light of Christ.  In yet another “Aha!” – God selected Saul, who we know as Paul, to be His messenger to the Gentiles.  Paul tells us, “Though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God.” (Ephesians 3:8-9) Through Paul, Gentiles, as well as Jews, received the “Aha!” that all, through faith in Christ, are part of God’s family.

It never ceases to amaze me the lengths our Father goes to deliver His promises to His people.  God uses His Word, proclaimed through many surprising people and events to ensure all can be saved by His grace and mercy through His Son.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we receive His gift of “Aha!” – faith in God’s promises and belief in His Word that we’re saved from the eternal effects of sin.  We’re forgiven.  We receive His gift of eternal life.  What a glorious epiphany this realization of the truth of God’s promise is for each of us.

                                                                                        In Christ,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim