Halo slippage

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Church Culture

Hey, all you Bible study and Sunday School fans! 

How do you change a culture in a church? 

I had this all ready to post on Facebook and deleted it. I did not want to sound frustrated and judgmental on social media. While it is true that I am frustrated, it is certainly not true that I am judgmental. I really do need some help with ideas for getting children together on Sunday morning to hear the encouragement that can be found in God's Word when facing a world full of temptations. So, here it is on my blog. The blog that gets touched about once a year. One of these days I will set my procrastination self aside and post to my blog on a regular basis. But for today, here it is, this is it, take it or leave it...I love you all with a love that comes from knowing that I am a redeemed child of God.
Today I shared God's Word with just 2 young people. They are in 7th grade and sure could use some extra help with the things that they deal with on a daily basis...help from peers, not just this old lady. Those 2 seventh graders were the ONLY children in our rather large congregation that attended Sunday School this morning. Any ideas on what to do? I grew up in a congregation where all children, LES included, were encouraged (and expected) to attend Sunday School. That was how we, the LES kids, got to know the non-LES, the people with whom in the future we would serve on committees and boards. We live in a world where 50 Shades of Grey is no longer pornography hidden under a mattress, but a best seller that becomes an award-winning movie!  Please, friends, help me with some ideas!
I know this may offend some people and I do understand that there is nothing  anywhere that says we must attend Sunday bible study. But I am also sure the women's bible study would love to outgrow the faculty meeting room!  And I am pretty confident the Pastors would not turn down any volunteers who come up with a bible study topic that they feel comfortable leading on a Sunday morning.
The devil is working hard....we must work harder....
Have a wonderful, sun shiny Sunday!

Judgmental Christian or Concerned Fellow Believer?

Why do we as Christians think that we can make moral judgments? In the Old Testament, God commands his followers to make moral judgments. Ezekiel 3:18-19 tells us to warn sinners to turn from their evil ways. ”When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.”  In the New Testament Jesus asks why people are not judging and instructs in the proper method for speaking to someone who is openly sinning. Luke 12:57: “Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?” Matthew 18:15: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” Read 1 Corinthians chapter 6 to hear what Paul tells the believers in Corinth. He speaks specifically to all forms of sexual immorality and how we are to handle such sins.

The media and social advocates are very quick to point out the sins committed by people of faith but often tell us that Christians are too judgmental.

Christ does have much more to say on the topic of judging. In Matthew 7:1-5 we read: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” 

Christians are often called judgmental when we are pointing to behaviors that the Bible says are unacceptable. We, as followers of God’s teachings in the Bible, point out sin because we are commanded to do so, so that others may hear what God’s Word says about behavior and lead lives according to God’s will.

Having said this, we are also commanded to not judge an individual unless absolutely certain that a sin has been committed. Therefore, I feel that many times our actions speak louder than words and these words of Jesus are important to remember: Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Is this really a Christian nation, a “one nation under God”? Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principals and The Ten Commandments are the basis of many of our laws but ‘a Christian nation’? I think not. We are blessed to live in a country where our ancestors built a society that would give us freedom to worship as we choose. We are now coming to that time in our history when the taint of sin has become more and more evident as we again here the words spoken to Eve in Old Testament: “The serpent said to the woman, ‘Did God really say?’” Satan also tried to tempt Jesus using scripture, “If you are the Son of God, he said, "Throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " 

As a Christian, I can’t stop pointing out the Biblical definition of immoral behavior. As a Christian, I must do everything in my power to live according to God’s command. As a Christian, I will pray that I am not lead into temptation nor will I lead others into temptation. As a Christian, I will pray for the forgiveness of sins for myself and for others. As a Christian, I will try to set an example for and use words that give strength to others that are struggling to find the way in a sinful world.  As a citizen of the United States, I will abide by the laws of the land while pointing to those laws that make behaviors legal when they are contrary to God’s laws. 

Unfortunately, time does not stand still so my blog sits while I move through time. How do I  motivate myself to continue writing? If you know the answer, please respond in the comment section.

There are things that I could write about but dredging up the past impacts too many lives. As Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, "1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

"I hate snow!"
"I hate this weather!"
"I hate my job!"
"I hate school!"
"I hate math!"
"It's too hot!"
"It's too cold!"
"Did you hear about....!!!!"

Hating is so easy for us but....love? God gives us the weather, and he is there with us whether we are at work or  in a classroom. He gives us the ability to find ways to heat and cool our homes and vehicles. He gives us the ability to communicate in so many amazing ways and yet we still delight in repeating stories...stories that are not always designed to build someone up.

We are so blessed and yet so filled with hate. I am not writing this as someone who is blameless. Recently in Youth Bible Study we talked about something that Paul wrote to Timothy, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." I admit it, I need to put on that badge that states very boldly "Worst Sinner"! 

We can't always change what is happening around us but we can change our attitude. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians,  "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God....   You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."  Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Imitators of God, children of light, and dearly loved children...these labels seem to be in direct opposition to the badge we wear, Worst Sinner! Say thank you to the Lord and put a cover over that badge that reads, Redeemed!

A Parental Vent

Two phone calls from one of my children on the fourth day of illness isolation have triggered an urge to vent. Maybe I am showing my age, or my concern for my children and grandchildren, or I am just too close to a situation to give an unbiased yet Christ-centered opinion.
The question: "Is the song Gangnam Style appropriate for use by WELS LES cheerleaders when putting together a dance routine?"
My response: "No!"
I had not thoroughly researched the entertainer PSY or the background of the song itself. I am giving you the link to the Wikipedia article so you can read the the accolades yourself. 
My first exposure to the song came long before I even knew what I was seeing. Check out the Fox NFL team's version on YouTube. I don't know if they regretted their decision as Fox News would have us believe but I just didn't get it when I saw it because I had no point of reference.
I finally saw the performer on the news when PSY performed at a concert attended by the President and his family. Although he didn't give a 'shout out' to PSY, President Obama did shake PSY's hand giving rise to all kinds of headlines.

From ABC: Obama Meets Psy Amid Flap Over Rapper’s Anti-U.S. Lyrics
From NBC: Obamas Attend Annual Holiday Concert in Washington, Psy Performs Despite Scandal
From CBS: Well, I actually couldn't find a headline that spoke to the situation, unless "PSY Performs for President" is all you want to hear.


In a 2004 performance in Seoul, Psy performed a song that had these lyrics, “Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law, and fathers. Kill them all slowly and painfully.”  He was singing about US soldiers serving in Iraq. In essence, he was singing about my son and my family....I do take it personally!

So, if I could plead total ignorance to who the young man is or his history, I could sit and laugh and enjoy the song. Isn't that what we do? We plead ignorance or laugh and give it a 'pass'. We say nothing when a child wears an article of clothing supporting a performer whose life is a cesspool or we sing along with lyrics that contain language that we would not normally use until that language becomes our own. 
Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

As I was busily searching the web for a recipe for a gluten free pumpkin dessert, a thought popped into my head; "Why don't you just try an old recipe that you rework to become gluten free and then blog the recipe, the picture, and a review?' So, here I go, off to the kitchen to make a pumpkin recipe for tonight that is not a disaster that will have to be replaced by store bought cookies!

St. John's Lutheran School

A new school year is about to begin!

Do you have concerns or worries? How will my children be treated by other children, teachers, and support staff? Will my children like hot lunch this year? Is there enough time for my child to get help in math? 

These are all legitimate concerns but with the help of friends, teachers, pastors, and support staff children can and will have a happy and productive year.

The first step is to pray with and for your child. The Bible tells us to "pray continually".  Ephesians 6:18 says it in this way, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Prayer is a powerful thing! God has taught us to pray and tells us that our prayers are heard by him and answered. 

For more information about praying for children please follow this link Prayers for Your Children.

God bless your year!