Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Songs for the Soul"

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Psalm 108:1
   

He grew up in a world of war for most of his young life and early adulthood. Soldiers burned his hometown. Later he and his wife lost four of their five children. Today is the birthday of hymn writer Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676), one of the most cherished poets of the early Lutheran church. His hymns, still found in our hymnals, reflect a deep faith forged in the fire of trials and tribulations.

As a pastor, Gerhardt practiced the Christian love and charity he preached, never turning a beggar, orphan, or widow away from his door. One historian described him as “a man of faith ready to dare or suffer all things for God’s sake.” Despite the troubles he knew all his life, his heart poured love of God in Christ, still enriching our worship over 300 years later: “Why should cross and trial grieve me? Christ is near with His cheer, Never will He leave me. Who can rob me of the Heaven That God's Son for my own To my faith hath given?”

During Lent, we remember his hymns of great faith lighting his way through darkness: “O love, how cheering is thy ray! All pain before thy presence flies; Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away Wherever thy healing beams arise. O Jesus, nothing may I see, Nothing desire or seek, but Thee! Jesus, Thy boundless love for me.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Creche"

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
   

I have a small collection of crèches made by craftsmen around the world I keep out all year. I like to see the holy family as crafted by Asian, South American, and African artists; it helps me see the Savior born for all nations.

One morning I found the Peruvian baby Jesus on the floor with both hands broken off. Apparently my new puppy had been “investigating” the manger. I immediately found another location for my nativities. Later I saw a message in the mess: We are to be Christ’s hands in the world, sharing the Good News of His salvation and showing His love.

Too often my prayers focus on what I need (forgiveness, always; help, often) or for His solution to problems that seem beyond my reach. Not often enough do I offer my hands to God, to serve His people in this place. During Lent we focus on the passion of our Lord, the nails that pierced His hands, His feet. We see His love stretched out on the cross, but sometimes we forget that our resurrected Lord gives us, His disciples, the power and command to be His hands, doing His work.

We can serve Him by taking His Gospel into all lands and neighborhoods through our words and actions. For me, that means supporting missionaries around the world and serving Him in my own community. As I love my neighbor, I love my Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Lessons from the Pecan Tree"

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:33-34
   

Southerners say to plant your garden when the pecan trees bud out. Late bloomers, pecan trees bud when the freeze is over and warmer days are guaranteed.

As the pecan tree buds this month, it pushes off the last clinging pecans––scattering them across the ground long after pecan harvest has ended. Even though new life is not visible, it sheds the old to make way. Pecan trees show that to put on the finery of new life, you must get rid of the past that clings. What an excellent reminder during Lent to cast off the sins that cling so that we can experience the budding of new life. And Jesus offers a way: “Sell your possessions ... give to the poor.”

Following Jesus to Mississippi, we had to sell the house we had renovated on a tree-lined street within walking distance of our church and a shop that sold homemade bratwurst. I couldn’t see what good could come from losing something I cherished. Then I met—and fell in love with—the children in The Quarters. Children crowded into our three-room rented house, filling it with love.

Today a Lenten pecan sits on my desk. It reminds me that nothing in this world is as precious as the new life we have in Jesus, giver of salvation and all true treasure.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Good Samaritans"

The Samaritan woman said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can You ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” John 4:9-10
   

Some friends showed us a side of our Southern city that was disturbing: the back door to the doctor’s clinic, the restaurant that refused them service, the segregated movie balcony, the drinking fountain designated “colored.” Thankfully official segregation is over, but its shadows remain.

When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water, He went against discriminatory custom. Jews did not touch a Samaritan’s cup, much less drink out of it. Yet Jesus not only asked for the cup to drink from, but talked to a woman. At a hot dusty well in an obscure village, Jesus gave her living water of eternal life in Him. Through her, He reached her whole community.

It is painful to remember the prejudice that treated others as less than full citizens entitled to every right and privilege of this great nation. This is clearly the work of man, not God. Jesus shows us boundless love. Through Him, we can tear down walls that divide and build bridges of love and understanding.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given one Spirit to drink (1 Corinthians 12:13).

[Soldier4Christ]

"Soul Food"

"I am the Bread of Life.” John 6:48
   

While in Mississippi, I helped a friend clean out her aunt’s freezer. When we lifted the lid, I almost fainted. There, sitting on top of bags of flour and cornmeal, was an entire pig’s head. A city girl, I wasn’t used to food staring back at me.

“Wonderful,” my friend said. “I’ll cook you up some jowls and dressing. You’ll love it!”

Many cultures use “every part of the pig but the oink,” but for my neighbors, cooking pigs’ feet, tails, jowls, and intestines went back to days of slavery, when those were the only parts of the pig they got.

Today it’s called “Soul Food” and you can find it on many tables, North and South. A distinctly African-American cuisine, Soul Food celebrates delicious meals prepared creatively from little or nothing. With the right touch, cooks we know can make even the smelly mess of empty pig’s intestines—chitterlings—taste good.

During Lent we remember our own need for “Soul Food”—the Lord’s Supper. Jesus gives us His body and blood to keep us in Him now and eternally (see John 6:54, 56). Through Christ, we are forgiven and freed to reach others with His all-embracing love.

True to her word, my friend invited me for hog jowls and dressing. I closed my eyes and tasted the most marvelous melt-in-the-mouth dressing I’ve ever eaten. In the Lord’s Supper, refreshing food for my soul, I "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:.

[Soldier4Christ]

"March for Rights"

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28
   

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the march for voting rights, an important date in my city of Selma, and the nation. On March 7, 1965, 200 African-Americans began a peaceful march seeking the right to vote. As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, they were met by state troopers with police dogs, tear gas, and billy clubs. National networks interrupted programming to show the violent images of troopers attacking the innocent marchers in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Five days later President Lyndon Johnson proposed the Voting Rights Act to Congress.

The Civil Rights Movement brought to the nation’s attention the terrible and dangerous inequities for African-Americans living in the South. Men and women of faith, led by Christ’s freeing Gospel, risked everything to create a better world. I am proud that many members of my church were part of this movement, seeking rights for all guaranteed by our nation’s constitution but denied in practice. I am proud to belong to a faith where my Savior showed no partiality and offered saving grace and mercy to all.

It seems appropriate to celebrate the Civil Rights movement during Lent, because it is at the foot of the cross that we all stand equal—equally sinners, equally saved. In Jesus Christ our Redeemer we find the power to love all people despite the cost.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sign of the Cross"

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
   

Have you ever counted the number of crosses in your church? Ours has 10 just in the chancel area. In your community? In the Bible-belt South, I counted 114 in 10 blocks before giving up.

I have crosses in my home, my office, and my jewelry box. But my favorite cross is one I carry with me: the sign of the cross. It’s a “prayer in action,” which goes back to the early centuries of the church: Using my thumb and first two fingers (three reflecting the Trinity), I touch my forehead, middle chest, left, then right shoulder with the words: “In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

In making this cross, I show my faith in the Triune God and my redemption in Christ crucified. Making the sign of the cross, I remember that I am sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with Christ’s cross at my baptism. With this cross, the pastor assures me of forgiveness of sins, blesses the Holy Supper, and gives the benediction.

During Lent, as we reflect on the cross, we join with Christians through the centuries by making the sign of the cross, a practice Martin Luther encouraged during home devotions. The cross shows the cost of our redemption: the holy, innocent, bitter suffering and death of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. I claim that I am His and He is mine under the sign of the cross.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Gentle Hands"

And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16
   

I remember visiting my grandmother as a child. We would sit on her couch, leaning into each other, and she would gently rub my arm while telling me stories of her childhood. I remember many of her stories, but even stronger is the memory of her gentle touch.

Our world is too often marked with violence: in our homes, communities, and war-torn countries. Men’s hands bruise, beat, and pierce today and every day, as they did to our Savior. Yet Jesus gave this world His gentle, loving touch, beginning with the youngest, most vulnerable. The little children others tried to shoo away, Jesus reached out to embrace, to touch, to bless.

Every Sunday I see Jesus’ love for children re-enacted. Our pastor reaches out to bless the children when they come forward with their families during communion or when they leave after the benediction. His affirming handshake and soft words of greeting offer a "gentle touch" to us all, children of God.

Too often in my impatience, I neglect to give a “gentle touch” to those around me. Sometimes my words bite, my look rejects, my hands stay immobile, unused. How I need to recall my Lord’s love for others. I recall my grandmother’s touch—love wearing skin. During Lent, I see my bruised and beaten Savior, still reaching out, offering love and forgiveness. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He touches and heals the servant’s ear (see Luke 22: 51). In Jesus, I find the power to gently touch those around me.

[Soldier4Christ]

"As You Grow Older …"

Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. Psalm 71:17-18
   

One way to know you are growing older is the number of conversations that begin with, “As you grow older ...” These are not happy talks! “As you grow older” is usually followed with a recitation of troubles—failing eyesight, weight gain, muscle aches, dental troubles, and so on. All yours, it seems, as you grow older.

Despite our culture’s obsession with youth, growing older doesn’t have to depress us. We can see it as an opportunity to grow deeper in our faith. “As you grow older,” you can grow in your appreciation for worship, morning devotions, prayer, the fellowship of believers. “As you grow older,” you can reflect on the years of God’s steady hand in your life and recite His saving grace.

Our Lenten journey begins with ashes, a reminder of our mortality due to sin, a sure conviction that we are growing older, every one of us. But from this beginning, we can grow through Lent into people who more deeply love and revere our Lord, whose suffering and sacrifice we remember.

I may not like the discovery of another gray hair or wrinkle any more than the next person, but I know that as I grow older, with God’s grace, He will help me grow wiser and kinder, more able to show others His timeless love. I can echo David: "I was young and now I am old yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken” (Psalm 37:25).

[Soldier4Christ]

"Breathing Lessons"

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4
   

Jawund is an active nine-year-old who loves sports and ‘xplorin’, something easy to do with woods and cousins all around. But Jawund’s lungs cannot keep up with his energy. Often he is forced to bed with medicine and a breathing machine. Jawund has asthma.

Watching his small body struggle for air, I am reminded of a prayer we often hear in the rural South: “Thank You, Lord, for waking me up this morning and giving me the breath of life.” At first I was unimpressed with this simple, familiar prayer. Then I listened to a little boy wheezing and gasping for air.

The prayer, I realized, is a great way to start the day. In it God leads me to recognize the one who is the author of life, from the first breath He breathed into Adam (see Genesis 2:7). God’s breath sustains us through His Word, which is God-breathed (see 2 Timothy 3:16), and through the Holy Spirit, which Christ breathed on the disciples (see John 20:22).

During Lent, we remember the suffering Savior, who for our sakes "breathed His last" (Mark 15:37). His victory over death means that He will be with us even after our last breath leaves our body.

Just for today, I will practice a new Lent tradition. Each hour, I will pause. As I breathe in and out, I will remember: Every minute of every day I am sustained by the very breath of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Worship on Wednesdays"

But I, by Your great mercy, will come into Your house; in reverence will I bow down toward Your holy temple. (Psalm 5:7)
   

Every Lent I look forward to worship on Wednesdays. Midweek services help me focus on Christ and His Lenten journey in the midst of business and busy-ness. An hour’s worship half-way through the week is an important interruption: a spiritual boost.

However, I notice by the third week, I am no longer so keen about Wednesday worship. It becomes inconvenient; if I work late, I get to church hungry and tired. If I go home first, I have to rush. Yes, the special service throws off my whole week.

While making a mad dash from work to church one Wednesday, I realized how skewed my perspective had become. Less than half-way through the 40 days of Lent, I was already whining about one extra hour I spend at church. Clearly it was time for change. In the silent sanctuary, I confessed my hurried impatience and half-hearted intentions. I released my world weariness, seeking God’s quiet peace. As darkness curtained the windows, I reflected on the cross and Christ’s sacrifice for my sin.

Waiting for the first chords of the organ, I saw my family of faith around me, a smaller, more intimate group, in work clothes, uniforms. I welcomed their quiet camaraderie. The deeply reflective hymns mirrored my feelings. The special liturgy awakened my spirit. Worship on Wednesdays is like coming home, reminding me of the values I learned in childhood, when church was not optional. Midweek services give me the opportunity to follow Jesus out of commitment, not convenience.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Candy Christian"

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3
   

I was taking some children home from Bible Club when one of them asked for another piece of candy. I knew she had lots of snack foods at home and did not need more candy; I said no.

“You’re not a very good Christian,” she replied.

I’m not sure exactly how I responded. Maybe I explained that Christian love is not demonstrated by candy distribution. Perhaps I told her that “being a Christian” is a faith-gift from God in Jesus, not found in bubble gum wrappers. Maybe I said that what you want isn’t always good for you.
However, since then, I have caught myself in her dilemma. I want what tastes good, not necessarily God’s good. I want to decide what is best for me and when I don’t get it, I blame God for not loving me. God’s will for me—forgiving wrong, loving enemies, sharing the Gospel, helping the helpless—requires a selflessness that runs flat up against my inherent selfishness.

God gives perfect gifts to His children, as He gave His Son to us for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. During my Lenten fast of sweets, I remember that my cravings are not always—or ever—healthy. Denying these small desires is a way to relinquish other substantive desires and remain squarely within God’s good will.

Help me, Lord, to echo the psalmist’s cry: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).

[Soldier4Christ]

"Inclined To Listen"

I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2
   

I’ve never met 20-year-old Ryan Fitzgerald of Southbridge, Massachusetts. Even so, I think he must be someone very special. Last week Ryan, who is unemployed and lives at home with his father, realized he wanted to do something worthwhile with his extra hours. Unlike many who might take a course at the local Community College or take up knitting (both of which are admirable pursuits), Ryan posted an ad on the Internet. In his short video, Ryan gave his cell-phone number and offered to be there for “anyone who needed to talk.” He said, “I never met you, but I do care.”

In less than a week, more than 5,000 people had taken Ryan up on his offer. Did you get that? 5,000 PEOPLE! Ryan’s only difficulty is that his free cell-phone minutes are only good on the weekends. Monday through Friday, he has to pay for all of his benevolent conversations. Ryan’s willingness to listen has the potential of costing him a fortune. I wish him well!

Thinking about Ryan with his cell-phone glued to his ear, I remembered the above text from the book of Psalms. A quick reading of those words will remind us that Ryan is not the only caring person in the world who is ready to listen to anyone who needs to talk.

But today, I ask that you do more than skim over those words. Think about them a bit. Especially, I’d like you to picture in your mind’s eye this thought, “He inclined His ear to me.” The Psalmist is saying that the all-powerful Lord, the Triune God who called the universe into being with a word, is ready to listen to His fragile, little children. Can you see our Father, sitting on His majestic throne, leaning forward and inclining His ear so that He doesn’t miss a single word that comes from the hearts and minds of His blood-bought children?

Twenty-four hours a day, with no cell-phone costs, God’s ear is inclined for you. Seven days a week, without any waiting or busy signals, the Lord’s ear is inclined to hear the prayers you offer to Him. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, the Father’s ear is inclined for your prayer today.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Troubles"

"I have told you these things so you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
   

A faith-filled Christian in our Mississippi neighborhood talked about always going to God in troubles. He had seen many: his arms bore scars from burns, his heart was weak, and he had experienced terrible racism. “All of us know troubles,” he said. “We are either in trouble right now, we just got out of trouble, or we are heading toward it.”

At first I thought he was a pessimist or that I, as a Christian, was exempt. But God’s Word tells me my neighbor was right. David writes "a righteous man may have many troubles" (Psalm 34:19). Jesus, perfect Son of God, knew there would be troubles in this world. Sickness, job loss, wayward children, disloyal friends, natural disasters are just some of the troubles we face in this sinful world. So He promised peace—His peace.

Troubles hit hard and seem impossible when we try to handle them on our own. My neighbor knew that we need God’s Spirit-filled strength to tackle tough times. Through the Sacraments, we are filled with the power to face the world’s troubles. Martin Luther recognized the trouble-quotient of life: “We should be happy in the present in such a way that you remember also the day of adversity.”

Trouble is part of this world; but during Lent, we take heart as we remember that Christ in resurrection has overcome the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Radio Zimbabwe"

“And the Gospel must first be preached to all nations.” Mark 13:10
   

My grandmother’s radio, sitting on top of her refrigerator in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was tuned every Sunday morning to The Lutheran Hour. Her church worship was enriched by the Gospel message she heard over the early-hour airwaves.

My father continues the radio tradition, tuning in to The Lutheran Hour at daybreak, and so do I, with a twist: I read the Lutheran Hour sermon by e-mail.

In church on Sundays, I worship with another Lutheran Hour listener: my friend and her son from Zimbabwe. She tells of visiting her German neighbors in Harare, whose powerful radio picked up stations in South Africa. Suddenly she heard a familiar voice; she was listening to The Lutheran Hour. She had listened while studying in the United States, but her own radio was not strong enough to pick up the broadcast when she returned home. “I was so excited, I told them, ‘Don’t turn the dial,’” she said. “Every week, I would go to their house to listen.”

A half-world away, we tuned together to The Lutheran Hour. The Gospel we heard there and from the pew shaped our hearts and lives to follow Christ to this same ministry in Selma. Today we together worship our Savior, under whose cross we sit, and in whose name salvation is preached mightily around the world to generations of listeners.