Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Thanks You!"

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him--and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16
   

I was trained to write thank-you notes and pride myself in still doing so. My parents taught me to name the gift and tell why I liked it. Some required more creativity than others, but the message was the same: “You thought of me, you gave me something special, I am grateful.”

Despite my manners and education, my own thank you’s pale in comparison to the one I received recently from my 78-year-old friend in rural Mississippi. Miss Almeda never went to school beyond the eighth grade. Raised by her grandparents, she went to work cleaning houses at age 12. She has struggled all her life.

Today she lives on a too-small social security check and supports her sick brother. She is diabetic, blind in one eye, and has high blood pressure. But she has an exuberant faith and enthusiasm, despite life’s daily hardships.

In her letter, she told me she had been to the doctor and had no money left—not even change for Sunday school. Then she had opened her mail and found my gift. “I jumped and hollered, ‘Praise the Lord,’ all through the house. Christ used you to help me. Bless you.”

Lent is known for its somber and reflective mood. While quiet contemplation has its place, so too does jumping for joy. When I received Miss Almeda’s letter, I knew that my thank you’s to God needed a big boost. Some days I need to dance and holler “thank you” for Jesus, my Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Time for a Tune-Up"

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Romans 3:19
   

Three times in one day I got stuck behind an old car that was rattling along the road instead of sitting in the junkyard, spewing out fumes of black smoke. I was choking but couldn’t get away, wedged in a small but formidable line of cars at a traffic light.

When it happened for the third time I began to get the message. I had been having a bad day at work and I had let folks know it. I was spewing out "stinking smoke," my bad attitude over the misplaced memo, the missed deadline, the incorrect editing. I was on the offensive … no, I was offensive.

I knew it was time to change; to clean up my act. Despite the many things that can go wrong in a day, there is no reason to spew out my personal pollution on everyone around me. We live in a small community with no public transportation. There are reasons people drive marginal cars. Some may smell offensive, but there is never an excuse for my offensive behavior. Lent is a good time to commit to a change: to confess to Christ to cleanse our sins and give us the power to reflect His love in our daily lives.

It’s a daily discipline. If I forget, I know it won’t be long before I’m behind another wheezing car, reminding me to get a spiritual tune-up!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Lessons from the Night Sky"

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our LORD and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Psalm 147:3-6
   

One February evening, we took the neighborhood children out to study the night sky. We drove onto a country road, pulled over, and turned off the lights. Looking up at the velvet canopy, we were amazed at its brilliant sparkle of stars.

Tracing the long handle of the Big Dipper, we showed the children how to find the North Star—the same star that had guided Harriet Tubman to freedom, the very star that had shone over 150 years ago, leading slaves north.

Since it was Black History month, we also helped them with school reports. Harriet Tubman was a favorite because of her bravery, leading 300 slaves to freedom. Harriet followed the stars and her faith, knowing she was never alone, despite deep darkness. “Oh, dear Lord, I ain’t got no friend but You,” she cried out one night, fearing capture. “Come to my help, Lord, for I’m in trouble!”

Through many narrow escapes, Harriet always gave the glory to God: “It wasn't me. It was the Lord!” During Lent’s long nights, we can look to the sky and remember God’s faithfulness, seen in a star at Bethlehem announcing the birth of our Savior. Born to save, Jesus suffered and died, delivering us from the slavery of sin. Through His Spirit we have the power to lead others to freedom in Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What’s that Smell?"

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
   

One chilly February day, we took children to a park for a campfire cookout. They enjoyed building the fire and watching it burst into different colored flames. They appreciated its warmth. As a breeze caught the smoke, they marveled at the sweet fragrance of burning pine. “It smells good!” Antonio said. “Not like our fires at home.”

In rural Mississippi, people often burned their trash. The climate and heavy woods made this necessary, because of irregular trash pick up, rotten smells, and critters. But burning trash had a horrid odor, distinctly rancid. In contrast, our campfire smelled pungently comforting.

While roasting wieners, we talked about getting lost in the freezing woods at night. “What would you do?” we asked. “You could shout for help,” Shekela said. “You could pray,” added Hermann. Just then a chilly breeze sent up another wisp of smoke. “I know,” Antonio said. “You could smell our campfire and walk to it!”

The campfire—life-preserving on a freezing night—signaled life through its fragrance. As Christians, we can also show life. During Lent, I confess my “fragrance” is often more like the burning trash, as I try to do things my way. I repent and call on Christ’s resurrection power so that my witness might fill the air with sweet fragrance, drawing all to life in Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Leftovers"

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18
   

When a member of our church was ill, we took meals to her family for weeks. No one took leftovers, food that had been partially eaten, or food on dirty plates. We made—or bought—a fresh meal on clean dishes.

In our rural ministry, people often sent things for families we served. Many sent new toys and clothes or the best of their give-aways. Others, however, sent things that were dirty, torn, or broken. One family sent old toys saying they were getting new ones for their kids. Another family, after moving to a pricey neighborhood, sent us old mattress covers.

Some donation sites can clean and repair items (though few I know do), but we did not. While every donation was given with good intentions, sometimes I was disheartened. It was as if the giver had said: “Here’s something for people who don’t deserve any better. They should be happy with stained, ripped, button-less clothes and broken toys.”

“Not good enough” was a message the children in our neighborhood heard too often. We wanted them to know they were beautifully and wonderfully made by God, who loved them. Through Jesus, they received complete salvation—not second-hand, not left over. Lent is traditionally a time of “almsgiving.” May it also be a time we give alms that are worthy of the one in whose name they are given.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sunlight"

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
   

The first time I saw the Southern wisteria tree in bloom, I thought it was a lilac, one of my Indiana favorites. Wisteria blooms with purple flowering clusters like the lilac, so I decided to grow it to remind me of home.

I happily watched the wispy bush grow and make it through the first difficult year (difficult to be transplanted in to the yard of a Yankee). It grew each year, but never bloomed. I was glad the plant was healthy, but I cherished its purple blooms.

I finally learned that the wisteria needs full sunlight to bloom. While it can live in shade, it needs lots of sun to bring forth the flowers.

How like our Christian life! We may be able to survive for weeks without the nourishing light of God’s Word and His Supper, but we will never put forth the flowers of faith without a constant exposure to the Son-light! Jesus Christ longs to forgive our sins, the shadows on our lives and witness, and fill us with His light to shine His love for the world around us.

The season of Lent, when the days lengthen, is an excellent time to increase our exposure to Son-light. His light shines in the Word, in His life is our light. The world is full of sin with its shadows, but with the Spirit’s power working in us through the daily Word, the Son shines through.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Boring"

Worship the LORD your God. Exodus 23:25
   

It doesn’t take long working with children (of all ages) to hear the complaint: “Do I hafta go to church? It’s boring.” While I don’t say it out loud, I admit there are some Sundays I don’t feel like going to church. I know in faith I love God and want to worship Him, but sometimes my strongest human desire is for another hour of sleep.

While the world may tell me to "take a Sunday off,” God’s Word clearly says otherwise. When I reflect on all God has done for me in Christ, how could I hesitate? If I find worship dull, I have only one person to blame: Myself.

In worship God comes to me in His Word as it is read and preached. His grace is poured out through the Sacraments. In worship I have the opportunity to respond in praise. In church my focus is turned toward my Savior, not myself. On the cross I set my eyes, rejoicing in salvation. Before the altar I confess my sins and receive assurance of God’s forgiveness in Jesus. In God’s house I receive new power through the Sacraments.

Sundays are excluded from the 40 days of Lent, as each Sunday is a “mini-Easter” celebration of Christ’s resurrection. For some, that means silky chocolate desserts once a week. For all, it means Sunday is a day to celebrate our resurrected Savior, regardless of how we feel.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Speak No Evil"

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
   

A co-worker with seniority gave me information for a report I was doing. It was poorly thought out, full of misspellings, and incomplete. I ranted about it for over 50 minutes; correcting it took about five. Suddenly I heard my parents’ admonition: “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”

As a child, I never understood how “not saying anything at all” could be helpful or realistic. Now I am beginning to see the value of silence. James writes that the tongue is “a fire, a world of evil” (3:6), saying, “if anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (1: 26).

As part of my Lenten resolve to give up criticism, I decided to put a rein on my tongue. It was hard! I had to stop before speaking, realizing that my opinion did not always need to be shared. I had to practice saying something positive, even when my critical eye saw negative.

While my own standards might be high, God’s are higher. Even on the road to Calvary, Jesus showed love to His confused disciples (see Mark 9:30-32). My Lord always is compassionate toward me, a miserable sinner. I know my own efforts will fail. But empowered by the Holy Spirit, I can practice daily putting on Christ’s “clothing of compassion” (see Colossians 3:12-14).

[Soldier4Christ]

"New Every Day"

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. 1 Peter 1:23
   

Willie Mae, 72, has one dream: learning to read. Willie worked in the cotton fields from the age of eight. With long seasons of planting and harvesting she never finished school, her family desperately trying to survive as sharecroppers. But many years later, she wants to open the most important book she owns and read it. “I go to church Sundays,” says Willie Mae, “but I need me some regular time with God.”

In an age when Bibles are available in hundreds of versions, languages, and motel rooms, it can be difficult to remember the magnificent gift Martin Luther’s work of translation gave the world. While we reflect on the renowned reformer, it is good to remember his gift of the Bible—in the people’s language. In Luther’s time, lay people, literate or not, did not own Bibles. The Word was read only at church (and in Latin).

For Luther, torn by his sinfulness, God’s Holy Word was the only way to salvation: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

During Lent, I commit myself to Willie Mae’s determination and Martin Luther’s dedication to the Bible for Luther was determined to get God’s Word to the people: “Nothing is more effectual against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts, than to occupy oneself [daily] with the Word of God.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Lessons at the Track"

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
   

My office is just a half mile from home. However, between my office and my house are railroad tracks. Frequently, I get stopped by a passing freight train. Usually, I am running late. Always, I am frustrated by the delay.

Continuing my Lenten commitment to curb car crankiness, however, I decided it was time for a new response. Instead of complaining, I would count my blessings, naming them one by one, with each passing car. My first try I ran out of "blessings" long before I ran out of railroad cars. I came to realize that my habit of complaining had robbed me of joy. Every day I am indebted to God my Savior, whose mercy is new every morning, whose love never ends, and whose transforming power is always within reach. Every day I experience multitudes of blessings, even if I can’t feel or see them.

I’ve had many more train interruptions to pursue my Lenten promise. I found faster trains required quick sentence prayers of thanks—forgiveness, salvation, the Gospel, Jesus Christ, flowers, meaningful work. Slower trains let me reflect a bit longer on each gift God has given me, an undeserving sinner. As I have more days to work on this discipline, I look forward to practicing my thankfulness to God for His overwhelming generosity in His Son. I look forward to the day when the train is long gone, and I’m still counting my blessings.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Remembering Baptism"

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
   

I come from generations of early risers. I love mornings: the quiet freshness of a new day, the darkness growing into light. I love morning rituals: making coffee, feeding the birds, reading the paper, walking the dog, studying the Bible. Too many mornings, though, I get distracted, time flies, and I have to leave something out. Usually it’s my Bible Study. “I’ll get to it later,” I think. But I don’t.

My Lenten resolutions, to “fast” non-Christ-like behaviors, happen only with an equally large “feast” of the Word. Just as I need to commit to changing offensive behavior, I need to commit to growing in my faith and the fruits of faith.

In the ancient church, Lent was a time of preparing candidates for baptism. For us today, it can be a time to reflect on our own baptisms and what it means to live as God’s children. Martin Luther says baptism is “a daily garment to wear all the time.” Every day we should be found “in faith and its fruits, suppressing the old and growing the new.” Saved by God’s mercy, I seek His Holy Spirit to help me turn my thoughts away from the world toward Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. Daily commitment means changing my morning routine: feeding my soul before the birds, walking with the Lord before my dog, reading my Bible before the daily news. My prayer is that His Good News will be on my lips, in my heart, and in my deeds.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Fasting"

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13
   

I was driving on a rural road when a car pulled out of nowhere right in front of me. I had to brake hard to avoid it. I looked around: no car was coming. Why didn’t the driver pull out after I passed? Why didn’t he show common courtesy?

Every Lent I resolve to give up chocolate. Rarely do I succeed. Forty days is a long time to go without my favorite treat, though I feel guilty about such a trivial weakness. Fasting for Lent began in the Fourth Century as a discipline of self-denial aimed toward turning us to repentance, confession, and Christ. This Lent I resolved to tackle other “Cs” in my Lenten fast. The first: Car Crankiness. I would stop fuming over drivers who turn without signaling, sit through a green light, or swerve through traffic. I would also fast from the other “Cs” of criticism and complaining.

Cranky critical complaining mars my faith walk, causing me to stumble—offending God and others. These three C’s obstruct my spiritual growth and my witness. Bad habits—as natural as three meals a day—are not easy to give up. Daily I call on Christ’s redemptive power to help me shove out sin so the spiritual person can shine, even on the highway.

[Soldier4Christ]

"God's Valentine"

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
   

We had just taken the junior high kids home after Bible Club when I found a stray piece of paper on our front porch. I recognized the handwriting of Lisa, one of the girls. It was a handwritten list titled “My Best Friends.” At the top of the list: “God.”

Lisa’s parents struggled to make ends meet. They lived in a tiny house down the road, but often took in relatives. Though surrounded by poverty, Lisa was rich in faith, counting God as her best friend.

This Valentine’s Day, we can celebrate God’s great love in Christ Jesus. Unlike traditional valentine exchanges that can leave some of us feeling like empty-handed Charlie Brown, God’s “Valentine” is for each of us. His love is everlasting (see Psalm 103:17) and endures forever (see Psalm 107:1). His love is so great it reaches to the heavens (see Psalm 57:10) and so powerful that it never fails (see Psalm 52:.

Jesus Christ made God’s love visible as He walked to Calvary to carry our sins. As we meditate on His suffering for our sake, we see Love so powerful it even overcomes death (see John 3:16). Our world does not often acknowledge those in Lisa’s circumstances, but God’s love, without boundary or limit, loves her—and us—with a rich (see Psalm 145: and priceless love (see Psalm 36:7).

[Soldier4Christ]

"Together"

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:26
   

As I learned to recite the creeds in church, I noticed that no matter how hard I tried to be ready, more than half the time I couldn’t pick up on the right cue and missed the first two words: I believe. I also realized, in my confirmand wisdom, that if I didn’t say, “I believe,” the rest of the creed became just a recitation of fact. Almost anyone could say it. The whole point, it seemed to me, was “I believe.” BELIEVE.

I am happy to be a member of a church where I no longer have to fret about the timing of my creedal confession. My pastor has a solution to the dilemma: Before we recite the creed he says, “Together...” and we all know when to start. It’s a beautiful introduction to the creed and recognizes its importance in the church throughout history. Together we are the church. Together, worldwide, we confess our faith in God our Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Together we worship our saving Lord. Together we go forth to share the Good News.

Together is a beautiful word for the church, because it is the sum and substance of our worship: unity. We may have different jobs, family life, backgrounds, tastes, cultures. But on this day, at this time, in this place we are together.

Together, this Lent, we turn our eyes to the cross and Christ's sacrifice. Together we believe.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Heroes"

If it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Romans 12:8-10
   

Tonya, age eight, came to tutoring with a “D” on her test about Abraham Lincoln. I was crushed. I love Lincoln and wanted her to love my hero, too. Her teacher let her write a report to make up for the grade. As we began studying, I saw how easy I’d had it in learning about Lincoln. While Tonya’s family didn’t have a car, mine had taken us on a trip to see Lincoln’s birthplace in Kentucky. I grew up in a state where Lincoln was loved and admired, especially for his presidency during the Civil War. Tonya lives in a state where many blame Lincoln for the war. In school, we even celebrated Lincoln’s birthday—today—with a holiday.

Tonya listed the highlights of Lincoln’s presidency: freeing the slaves, giving the Gettysburg address, winning the Civil War. She was excited to learn that a group of African-Americans gave Lincoln a Bible in 1864. She liked to picture herself with them, meeting the president in the White House. She quoted his response: “In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.”

Heroes inspire us to live purposefully and to see God’s hand in our world. During Lent, we reflect on Jesus Christ who gives us eternal life and the power to live heroic lives.