Lord, Have Mercy!

As I write this, the death toll from the earthquake in Turkey is approaching 20,000. It is sure to go higher in the days ahead . . .

Lord, have mercy! Have mercy on the people of Turkey. Preserve the lives of those still awaiting rescue. Give strength to those working so hard at rescue and recovery. Provide for those who have lost everything.  And above all, we pray, may this affliction open the ears and hearts of those who do not know You to hear Your Word of love, forgiveness, and Your great victory over death and the grave. In the days and weeks ahead, may they find comfort and hope in You, that perhaps some good will come out of this tragedy. Hear us, O Jesus. Amen.

Disappointment

I'm sorry I haven't posted here more. It was our intention to post here once a week, at least. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's hard to keep up! 

Maybe you know how I feel. Maybe it's that way in your life as well. You have so much to do and so little time that you can't get it all done and feel like you're letting people down. And when you do get things done, it's not good enough. You're disappointed. In yourself. It's tough.

So is God disappointed with you, too? Well here's the good news: NO! Oh, He doesn't want us to sin and it's not good for us when we sin, but He loves you always and always wants the best for you. That's why He sent his Son, Jesus, to die for you. To take all your sins and shortcomings and disappointments to the cross and bear them for you, and then to give you all the forgiveness, love, and joy of God.

You're never going to be perfect. You're never going to live up to everyone's expectations, or your own expectations. But in Jesus, you don't have to. In Jesus, you are a dearly loved child of God. In Jesus, you have a Father in heaven who loves you. Always. 

So next time you feel like a disappointment, look to Jesus and rejoice in Him. And then go back out, back to life, back to the long to do list, and know that He'l use you as a blessing to others.

A Favorite Picture

Even though it's January 5th, it's still Christmas! The Christmas season in the church is 12 days. (That's where the well-known song came from.)

I thought I would share one of my favorite pictures of the Nativity with you . . .

Most pictures of Jesus's birth focus on Mary with Joseph in the background. This one (from Concordia Publishing House) shows Joseph delightedly holding Jesus with Mary sleeping - since she had just given birth! Maybe because I am a father, I like this perspective.

Do you have a favorite picture of Jesus' birth? Why is it your favorite? What a wonder, that God would do this for us, come as a tiny baby to be our Saviour by ultimately giving that life up for us on the cross. What love! Love for you.

Christmas Is For You

Who else would do this for you?

The Son of God was born for you.

He was laid in a manger for you.

He came to be with you, wherever you are.

He came to be with you, whoever you are.

Is life tough for you? He knows what that's like.

Is life sad for you? He knows that, too.

His love is for you.

His forgiveness is for you.

For He wasn't just born for you, He died for you, too. 

And then rose from the dead. 

That you might live with Him. Forever.

Who else would do this for you?

Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Gift

'Tis the season many are trying to find the perfect gift. Maybe you? It can be hard and frustrating, in the midst of a season that is supposed to be joyful.

So it's a good time to remember that we have already received the perfect gift, the gift of the Son of God given to us on Christmas. Our heavenly Father knew what the perfect gift was, the gift that we needed most. That was not hard to know! But giving it . . . yeah. It meant the cross, suffering, and death. But that's how much your heavenly Father loves you. So He gave His only-begotten Son, the perfect gift FOR YOU.

You're worth it.

A New Beginning

Did you know that many churches use a different calendar than the world does? It is called "the Church Year." It began yesterday with the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is a Latin word that means coming and during this season we prepare to remember when our Lord came as the baby in Bethlehem, His promise to come again in glory on the Last Day, and that He is coming to us even now in His Word and Sacraments. In other words, we do not have a God who stays far away from us, or who demands we find our way to Him and be good enough for Him - He comes to us! And that He comes to us now not to condemn us, but to help and save us.

I don't know about you, but that is good news to me! So whatever you are going through, whatever trials and troubles, struggles, doubts, and fears, we have a God who cares and who comes. That's a different kind of God! And He really is, different than all the other gods in this world. He is a loving Father, whose Son came to be your Saviour, and who now sends His Spirit to help you. 

So that baby in the manger of so many Nativity scenes? That's not just a baby! That's your God, come to be with you, love you, and save you. 

God's Own Child

Follow this link to listen to the hymn, God's Own Child I Gladly Say It, sung by the youth at a Higher Things conference. (Look in the comments for the words.)

Whatever you are going through in your life, you have a Father in heaven who loves you, a Saviour who died for you, and a Spirit who strengthens you. You are never alone. Turn to Him and rely on Him.