Salem is almost back to normal. Here he is as his most usual self…sleeping on his back in the kitchen - but this time exposing his incision. Quite a freak out! Stitches come out Thursday! The cat needs a bath!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Proper 8 - June 29, 2008
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248
www.zionfriedheim.org
A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42
Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838
June 29, 2008
Proper 8
The Troubler of Humankind - Matthew 10:34
Decatur Indiana is the home of the world's first monument dedicated exclusively to peace. Lady peace stands in the yard of the Adams County Courthouse. This little known fact is quite compelling in light of the Savior’s words from our Gospel lesson for today. He speaks quite plainly; I did not come to bring peace by a sword.
In our Gospel lesson for today Jesus calls upon His disciples to love Him above all others. Matthew continues from last week’s Gospel lesson with the price of discipleship. In Vv. 34-36 Jesus declares that His coming will cause dissension in families because disciples will love Him more than any member of the family. In Vv. 37-39 Jesus calls upon His disciples to take up the cross and to lose themselves in His cause. To those who do this, Jesus promises rewards, (Vv. 40-42). In this passage we have both the cost and the reward of discipleship. Let us pray to the Lord…
“O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond understanding. Pour into our hearts such love that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire.”
Introduction: King Ahab called Elijah the “troubler of Israel” because he demanded justice and obedience to God. Christ was a troubler in His day — He cleansed the temple, broke the Sabbath law by healing on it. He challenged the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and bigotry.
In our day Jesus is the troubler of our society. He is not content with a status quo based on injustice and falsehood. When conditions are evil, Jesus comes not to bring peace but a sword — conflict, fighting, dissension. Out of this conflict will come genuine peace when truth and justice triumph.
Jesus will have no part in the violence of our day because it is the product of hatred. Controversy and conflict result when truth challenges falsehood, right faces wrong, and love opposes hatred.
Though He was born the Prince of Peace, Jesus shocks us when He says He did not come to bring peace but a sword. Peace is not always possible. There are times when war is inevitable.
Christians dare not live at peace with Satan. Stand for the truth, justice, and liberty and enemies will cluster around you. Jesus was and still is a controversial figure. He makes us choose sides in the battle of good and evil.
Jesus brings a sword of conflict into our world.
1. When truth confronts error.
A. Though he was born Prince of Peace, Jesus shocks us when He says He did not come to bring peace but a sword. Peace is not always possible. There are times when war is inevitable. For us as Christians we saw this publicly last Sunday when Breanna Biggs was baptized. When she was baptized she was made a child of God and a member of Christ’s family the Church. At the same time she was made an enemy of Satan. We might have just as well placed a bull’s eye on her for this what happened to her and each of us on the day we were born again of the Water and the Word. War was declared on us by the Father of lies Satan himself.
B. Christians dare not live at peace with Satan. Take a stand for the truth, justice, and liberty and enemies will cluster around you. Jesus was and still is a controversial figure. He makes us choose sides in the battle of good and evil. So says the Joshua, If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Transition: Jesus brings a sword of conflict into our world when truth confronts error. The sword of conflict comes when right opposes wrong.
2. When right opposes wrong.
A. Jesus was referring to the fact that His coming forces people to choose sides: either they will choose to do what's right and follow Christ, or they will choose to avoid persecution and reject him. The result is that even families will be divided, as those who reject Christ turn on those who accept Him.
B. Jesus would rather have everyone repent and turn to Him, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) He was not advocating this conflict, nor was He happy about it; rather it came about as a result of people choosing to reject Him. At the end of an extremely emotional day one filled with praise and triumph we find Jesus standing off at a distance weeping over the city of Jerusalem. He does this for He knows that ultimately the people would reject Him. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! By the end of the week Jesus would be dead.
Though He was born the Prince of Peace, Jesus shocks us when He says He did not come to bring peace but a sword. Peace is not always possible. There are times when war is inevitable.
Christians dare not live at peace with Satan. Stand for the truth, justice, and liberty and enemies will cluster around you. Jesus was and still is a controversial figure. He makes us choose sides in the battle of good and evil.
Jesus brings a sword of conflict into our world.
1. When truth confronts error.
A. Though he was born Prince of Peace, Jesus shocks us when He says He did not come to bring peace but a sword. Peace is not always possible. There are times when war is inevitable. For us as Christians we saw this publicly last Sunday when Breanna Biggs was baptized. When she was baptized she was made a child of God and a member of Christ’s family the Church. At the same time she was made an enemy of Satan. We might have just as well placed a bull’s eye on her for this what happened to her and each of us on the day we were born again of the Water and the Word. War was declared on us by the Father of lies Satan himself.
B. Christians dare not live at peace with Satan. Take a stand for the truth, justice, and liberty and enemies will cluster around you. Jesus was and still is a controversial figure. He makes us choose sides in the battle of good and evil. So says the Joshua, If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Transition: Jesus brings a sword of conflict into our world when truth confronts error. The sword of conflict comes when right opposes wrong.
2. When right opposes wrong.
A. Jesus was referring to the fact that His coming forces people to choose sides: either they will choose to do what's right and follow Christ, or they will choose to avoid persecution and reject him. The result is that even families will be divided, as those who reject Christ turn on those who accept Him.
B. Jesus would rather have everyone repent and turn to Him, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) He was not advocating this conflict, nor was He happy about it; rather it came about as a result of people choosing to reject Him. At the end of an extremely emotional day one filled with praise and triumph we find Jesus standing off at a distance weeping over the city of Jerusalem. He does this for He knows that ultimately the people would reject Him. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! By the end of the week Jesus would be dead.
Transition: Jesus brings a sword of conflict into our world when truth confronts error. The sword of conflict comes when right opposes wrong. It comes when love challenges hatred.
3. When love challenges hatred.
A. Just as Jesus called His disciples by name, we too as Christians are called the same. Thus says St. Paul in his letter to the Romans, Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. These words are read at almost every funeral. They announce not only who we are, they tell us whose we are. You are a Christian incorporated into Christ’s family – the Church.
B. We have been given the same mission which is to proclaim the Good News to the ends of the earth. We do this as we support foreign missionaries as we learned of this work of Pr. Groth this past week. We do that by living the faith. Some call it “gossiping the Gospel”. Will we be misunderstood? Possibly. Will we be mistreated? At times. Can we expect the same “treatment” as Jesus warned His disciples? Of course! Yet, this is not our concern. Our focus must remain on being faithful – faithful to the Savior, faithful to His Word, and to express to others the hope which we have.
C. Though it seems hard and dangerous, the Lord gave us His assurance that He is with us all the way. His last five words He spoke before He Ascended speak volumes, “I am with you always…”
Conclusion: After you leave this sacred space the sermon really begins. Taking the higher road, the road that will lead us to the kingdom of God, is not without trials and difficulties. But our unfaltering faith as Christians will be rewarded in the end. To hate means to love less. Jesus here invites His children to love human relationships less as they love Him more.
All relationships and possessions pale in value when compared to Jesus Christ. Consequently, disciples are to ensure that nothing interferes with or transcends their relationship with Christ. The veracity of this notion is confirmed by the very words of the Savior Himself. Christ Himself says, those who love father or mother, son or daughter, more than Me is not worthy of Me. The point is clear - we must love these relation-ships less and Jesus more. Nothing must stand between us and the Savior.
What is your position, my friend? Can you make that kind of commitment? Is there anything in this world that is more valuable to you than the One who sacrificed Himself on a tree for your salvation and so ensure that you might have everlasting life? During this coming week may we think on these things!
C. Though it seems hard and dangerous, the Lord gave us His assurance that He is with us all the way. His last five words He spoke before He Ascended speak volumes, “I am with you always…”
Conclusion: After you leave this sacred space the sermon really begins. Taking the higher road, the road that will lead us to the kingdom of God, is not without trials and difficulties. But our unfaltering faith as Christians will be rewarded in the end. To hate means to love less. Jesus here invites His children to love human relationships less as they love Him more.
All relationships and possessions pale in value when compared to Jesus Christ. Consequently, disciples are to ensure that nothing interferes with or transcends their relationship with Christ. The veracity of this notion is confirmed by the very words of the Savior Himself. Christ Himself says, those who love father or mother, son or daughter, more than Me is not worthy of Me. The point is clear - we must love these relation-ships less and Jesus more. Nothing must stand between us and the Savior.
What is your position, my friend? Can you make that kind of commitment? Is there anything in this world that is more valuable to you than the One who sacrificed Himself on a tree for your salvation and so ensure that you might have everlasting life? During this coming week may we think on these things!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Salem Update III
Salem is now resting in the mud room off of the kitchen. He has found a new place to sleep – in the newspaper box. His litter box and water are a few feet away so he has everything he needs while he recuperates.
Lydia has been taking good care of our patient feeding him his morphine at 9 am and 9 pm. Only one crisis. Apparently his sister Tacy doesn’t recognize him. She was quite leery of him when he arrived yesterday and when he attempted to eat out of the supper bowl this morning she hissed and swatted at him. Apparently she can’t comprehend that her brother has returned or she refuses to concede her rank of top cat during his hospitalization. (The fact that a cat’s brain is the size of a walnut might be a contributing factor also) Salem’s grooming habits are less then stellar so he probably has hospital small on his coat. Oh the things we do for our pets!
NB: If you look closely you will notice the fat man is sleeping on a newspaper which is published in New Haven, MO
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Salem Update II
Salem was allowed to return home this afternoon after a five day stay at the local Vet hospital.
The Veterinarian was able to extract his stones and they will be sent to a lab in Minnesota for examination and identification.
Salem has been put on a moist diet for older cats and was given a fourteen day injection antibiotic so we will not have to administer pills. He has about an eight inch incision on his abdomen stitches will be removed at his next office visit.
His doctor told us he will be running a mild temp for a few days and we are to administer “kitty morphine” in liquid form for the next few days. Syringes have been provided –no needles.
Salem is not yet out of the woods. There may be some microscopic stones left or due to inflammation he may become plugged again. We’re hoping for a full recovery.
The church ground this year is planted in soy beans however the field adjacent to it is in wheat. With wheat harvest 4th of July weekend he has about a ten day recovery period to keep the parsonage rodent free.
We have a missionary who is currently home on furlough coming to our church this evening two call committee meetings at our two vacant parishes. I have a service at Bingen Wednesday evening, an adult was confirmed yesterday and two are nearing the end of Adult confirmation Thursday. There is a wedding Saturday evening. The bride I have known since she was seven. Shut-in members need to be visited as we are in the last week of the month. Finished off the sermon this morning. Hank will be home for one of his rare weekends off. If I have time there is a farm auction Thursday. Half the neighborhood should be there. The wife is a native speaking Russian woman. Lydia's visited her once. She should be a help with Russian diction. A busy week to be sure.
Salem’s return has reduced at least a bit of stress amongst the inhabitants of our house. What was the title of that song played on the radio while growing us? Sung by the Carpenters… Bless the beasts and children. Not to be confused with Nadia's Theme - the title music for CBS' Young and the Restless.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Salem update
Salem suffers from Feline lower urinary tract disease. (FLUTD) Urethral obstruction— occurs when the cat's urethra becomes partly or totally blocked—is one of the most serious results of disease of the feline lower urinary tract.
Male and neutered male cats are at greater risk for obstruction. Complete urethral obstruction or blockage is life threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
If the cat is 'blocked,' he is anesthetized and a small catheter is passed first into the urethra to remove the obstruction, then into the bladder to flush it out. The cat is then hospitalized with the urinary catheter in place for at least 24 hours to make sure there is no recurrence of the obstruction. The cat is generally kept on fluids and antibiotics.
The good doctors at our local Vet hospital have been giving Salem wonderful care. We hope to have him home in a few days.
Time in the Word - Proper 8 - June 23-28, 2008
Time in the Word
The Price of Being a Christian
Proper 8
June 23-28 2008
The Price of Being a Christian
Proper 8
June 23-28 2008
Collect for Proper 8 – O Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow it’s directing; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
Today’s lessons are uncomfortable. They give a side to the Gospel we often neglect. In the Gospel lesson Jesus says He came to bring a sword and not peace, because of a conflict naturally results when one makes Christ his first love. This produces a conflict with competing loves. The way of Christ is not easy; it is the way of the cross, a way of self sacrifice and hardship. The Old Testament points out that the truth is not always peace but war. The truth hurts because it is often negative and judgmental. Christians are called to be salt and light in this world. The role of a Christian in this world is that of a true prophet: “O thou troubler of Israel” and “Host thou fond me, O my enemy?”
A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.
Monday, June 23, 2008 – Psalm 89:15-18 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known You faithfulness to all generations. The love and faithfulness that appear here will be repeated fourteen times throughout the course of this Psalm. We trust in the mercies of our Lord because of His love and faithfulness.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 – Jeremiah 28:5-9 – A true prophet is one whose message is fulfilled. One day two preachers were speaking in the temple. They contradicted each other and yet both claimed to be prophets. Whom were the people to believe? One says God will send peace; the other promises way. Jeremiah give the acid test: the true prophet is one shoes preaching comes true. So, we have to wait and see who is right.
Here we find God’s band news. (Vv. 5-8) Most think God has only good news for us. According to this lesson, God has both good and bad news. For the rebellious and disobedient there is bad news – judgment, war, famine, and death. King Ahab referred to Elijah as “you troubler of Israel,” and “my enemy.” Micah had bad news of defeat for the kings about to go to war. To say peace because people want to hear it is to be faithless to God who brings judgment upon a sinful people.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008– Romans 7:1-13 – Paul warns Christians not to back into our former way of living. As far as Christians are concerned a life “controlled by the sinful nature” belongs to our past. The law not only reveals sin, it also stimulates it. The natural tendency I man is to desire the forbidden thing – death. Physical death and beyond that, eternal death- final separation from god – are the fruit of our “union” with the law.
Thursday, June 26, 2008 – Matthew 10:34-42 – Jesus calls upon his disciples to love him above all others. Matthew continues in this pericope with the price of discipleship. In vv. 34-36 Jesus declares that his coming will cause dissension in families because disciples will love him more than any member of the family. In vv. 37-39 Jesus calls upon his disciples to take up the cross and to lose themselves in his cause. To those who do this, Jesus promises rewards (vv. 40-42). In this passage we have the cost and reward of discipleship.
There are many rewards — reward of a prophet, or a righteous man, of a spokesperson and ambassador of Christ. “He who receives you receives me.” To accept a follower of Christ is to accept Jesus; to help a disciple is to help Christ. To reject a disciple is to reject Christ. What a high honor to be a surrogate of Christ!
Friday, June 27, 2008 – Psalm 119:153-160 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. It falls under the Hebrew letter “Resh” It is a psalm and prayer of deliverance “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life…”
Saturday, June 28, 2008 –John 11:16 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Let us ever walk with Jesus.” {LSB 685} Thomas is ready to suffer all even death for the sake of Christ. Such commitment is necessary yet impossible without faith in Christ. Our prayer: Lord increase my faith!
A simple yet heart felt Prayer – “Almighty God, grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another.”
A Prayer of thanksgiving– Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternally in Your heavenly kingdom.
A Prayer for the Proper use of leisure – O God, give us times of refreshment and peace in the course of this busy life. Grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds that we may be opened to the goodness of Your creation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK LECTIONARY © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
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