This month will be the tenth anniversary of that tragic day September 11, 2001. Many of us remember that shortly after 9-11 people returned to church and even started attending for the first time in their lives. So, for the next few months there was an increase in churches across America. People were searching for answers to what had happened. They had seen with their eyes the collapse of buildings that they thought would always be there. What many people held to be a solid, stable images in their lives had collapsed. And they were left with questions on what is happening in the world and where our society headed?
Since that day there have been changes in the way we live our lives. We now use terms that were unknown before that day like Homeland Security and TSA. As a country we’ve become involved in Middle Eastern wars and other conflicts around the world. Life has changed for us and has brought with it a certain amount of uncertainty.
The history of the world is the story of great events that impact people and their lives. It’s not new that people are left wondering what will happen after traumatic events they have little control over. During the Reformation people believed that it was the end of the world. To those at that time the world didn’t appear as it had and many were convinced the end was near.
Martin Luther was approached by those wondering what would happen when the end came. He was in his garden doing work and his reply was very simple, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
We can’t spend our time wringing our hands and wondering what will happen. Christ has told us He will always be with us during those challenges of our lives. When he appeared to them after his crucifixion — As they cowered in a locked room in fear of the world outside. He said to them, “peace” as He confirmed true peace by showing his pierced side and hands. There was no need to fear because He had conquered sin, death, and the devil.
During the next couple weeks the media will relive those 9-11 events with news stories and covering memorial services. People will again feel uncertain with those questions about what will happen. We, a believing community can be steadfast and remind those worried about uncertainty that there’s hope and stability. That despite the feelings of collapse we know that Jesus brings true peace to people’s lives.
Pastor Jerry
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But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10:33-34).
Neglect is one of those things we seem to not realize that goes on in a church. And people seem to be dropped through the cracks by churches because it may not fit some preconceived plan or ideology about who should attend church. Every community has forgotten people outside their doors. They are the disabled, the ill, those who are dealing with emotional and mental issues. These are the forgotten people that many in the church haven’t reached with Jesus.
For example about 90 percent of the blind community is unchurched. Meaning they have no experience of being taught about Jesus and His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. There are similar numbers found within the deaf community, the physically handicapped, and those suffering from mental illness. Even children get lost and ignored because parents stay at home because they’ve been made unwelcome at church. Continue reading »
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But God has so compose the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12: 24 – 27 (ESV).
When I was at seminary, the students (and wives) would volunteer time to help out the seminary community. It would range from stocking shelves at the campus food bank to helping students move in and out of their homes in the Fort Wayne area. One friend, a big guy who had played football at Colgate University, used to say his spiritual gift was heavy lifting. Because every time someone was moving they would come looking for him to help move the big furniture.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. — Psalm 46: vv 1 – 3 (ESV)
In the past couple years this psalm has become important for me. And I’m sure that many of you reading this will come to the same conclusion as you consider your own past few years.
We’ve come through a lot these past years and it’s still uncertain what’s in store for us. We’ve seen financial markets collapse, homes foreclosures and unemployment in record numbers, plus wars and terrorism seeming to go on unending. In our own lives many of us have dealt with personal tragedies from family loss and illness. For many of us it seems as though the waters roar and foam.
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PASTOR’S CORNER
E-mail: jblawson01@gmail.com
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Is. 55:11)
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E-mail: jblawson01@gmail.com
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Rom. 14:8, ESV)
The other day when going through my devotion the reading was by Joseph Sittler, a theologian who taught at the University of Chicago. What he wrote was about life after death and what Scripture indicates or doesn’t about eternal life. To quote:
“The Bible really has nothing to say about eternal life. That sounds like a shocking statement, but it’s literally true: There is not a single clear and concrete word in the Bible about life after death. It affirms that life with God is life with that which does not die. But any specification about life after death is steadily avoided by the biblical writers.”
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