Lord keep us steadfast in your Word, curb those who by deceit or sword would rest the Kingdom from your Son and bring to naught what he has done?
OK, I need to change how I take the dog out early in the morning. There are some things you just need to prepare for whether you are a Boy Scout or not. Many people worry about being prepared.
Every pastor I know has heard some form of statements or questions surrounding the death concerning whether a person was ready to die. For some it is something like, "Pastor, I think I'm ready to die but I don't know why I'm still here." For others it is a question like, "Pastor, how do I know if I am ready to die?"
The question is one wanting reassurance that we are prepared for death and have fulfilled everything God seeks of us so that we can be secure in God's promise of living eternally with him. It is the last glint of works righteousness before we rest in God's grace.
Today my dog , Java, and I headed outside at 5ish. Normally, I do not usually use a leash on him at that time of day as he just goes out into the grass 10-15 feet, does his business and comes straight back in. BUT as we turn the corner at the end of the barberry hedge we or rather I come face to face with a good size bear, much bigger than me, sitting on his haunches as he was licking at our sunflower seed feeder 15-20 feet away.
Fortunately, Java is busy sniffing the ground and can see nothing over the hedge. So I instantly grab him by the collar and it startles him and he backs up snapping and snipping at me in panic. Then suddenly, I am standing there holding a dog collar with no dog. Java still can't see the bear because of the hedge's height.
The bear has now stood up on all fours and is looking at me as I throw my hands high woofing at the bear. As I am woofing the dog now wants to get around me and the hedge to see what I am yelling at and so I drop on the dog pinning Java flat on his back against the ground further shocking and scaring him and leading to more scrambling and jaw snapping. By then I turn my head seeing the bear running down over the hill.
Fortunately, I didn't get bit by the dog who is still in a panic as I put the collar back on and yell at him to get in the house. From now on we use the leash. Java will wonder why the change in our routine but he never saw the bear and just assumed I was his normally crazy owner. For my part there was no longer any need of coffee to wake up.
I wasn't prepared for what was a completely unanticipated experience. Sometimes in the morning if I smell a skunk I put Java on the leash. No need to risk those consequences.
But despite having had a bear in the neighborhood and tearing up peoples' garbage did I anticipate a bear in the yard at dawn sitting comfortably licking sunflower hearts out of our bird feeder. There are some things you just don't expect.
People have struggled with death for thousands of years. They want to know what to expect and how to make sure they are prepared for it. Among the Jews some believed in an afterlife and some did not. The ancient Christian community certainly did but they didn't know what to expect. They wrestle with the possibilities. They express it as gardens, as new Jerusalems, a new city where the most precious human items become simple building and paving materials. They express it as mansions and rooms that Jesus has prepared for us. They struggle with when it will happen, soon or in God's own time. They struggle with what our bodies will be like. They struggle with many things and they above all want to know who is included and how to know we are part of that group.
People still struggle with those same issues today. They want to know that there is a heaven. They seek assurance in stories of afterdeath experiences and descriptions. And they still want to know they have everything required to receive salvation. Somewhere many people still cling to the idea that there must be something to be done, something more that can gain them certainty. They seek a "feeling" of assurance.
Where there is no possibility of that in ourselves and the human roller coaster of emotions there is only one possibility that remains, faith. All that we have is Jesus promise that we will be with him. As Luther said, "You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you." There is nothing to do to be worthy. Trust God's promise. Have faith in the Word. Jesus is always faithful.
If you have faith in Jesus promises you are well prepared indeed.
OK, I need to change how I take the dog out early in the morning. There are some things you just need to prepare for whether you are a Boy Scout or not. Many people worry about being prepared.
Every pastor I know has heard some form of statements or questions surrounding the death concerning whether a person was ready to die. For some it is something like, "Pastor, I think I'm ready to die but I don't know why I'm still here." For others it is a question like, "Pastor, how do I know if I am ready to die?"
The question is one wanting reassurance that we are prepared for death and have fulfilled everything God seeks of us so that we can be secure in God's promise of living eternally with him. It is the last glint of works righteousness before we rest in God's grace.
Today my dog , Java, and I headed outside at 5ish. Normally, I do not usually use a leash on him at that time of day as he just goes out into the grass 10-15 feet, does his business and comes straight back in. BUT as we turn the corner at the end of the barberry hedge we or rather I come face to face with a good size bear, much bigger than me, sitting on his haunches as he was licking at our sunflower seed feeder 15-20 feet away.
Fortunately, Java is busy sniffing the ground and can see nothing over the hedge. So I instantly grab him by the collar and it startles him and he backs up snapping and snipping at me in panic. Then suddenly, I am standing there holding a dog collar with no dog. Java still can't see the bear because of the hedge's height.
The bear has now stood up on all fours and is looking at me as I throw my hands high woofing at the bear. As I am woofing the dog now wants to get around me and the hedge to see what I am yelling at and so I drop on the dog pinning Java flat on his back against the ground further shocking and scaring him and leading to more scrambling and jaw snapping. By then I turn my head seeing the bear running down over the hill.
Fortunately, I didn't get bit by the dog who is still in a panic as I put the collar back on and yell at him to get in the house. From now on we use the leash. Java will wonder why the change in our routine but he never saw the bear and just assumed I was his normally crazy owner. For my part there was no longer any need of coffee to wake up.
I wasn't prepared for what was a completely unanticipated experience. Sometimes in the morning if I smell a skunk I put Java on the leash. No need to risk those consequences.
But despite having had a bear in the neighborhood and tearing up peoples' garbage did I anticipate a bear in the yard at dawn sitting comfortably licking sunflower hearts out of our bird feeder. There are some things you just don't expect.
People have struggled with death for thousands of years. They want to know what to expect and how to make sure they are prepared for it. Among the Jews some believed in an afterlife and some did not. The ancient Christian community certainly did but they didn't know what to expect. They wrestle with the possibilities. They express it as gardens, as new Jerusalems, a new city where the most precious human items become simple building and paving materials. They express it as mansions and rooms that Jesus has prepared for us. They struggle with when it will happen, soon or in God's own time. They struggle with what our bodies will be like. They struggle with many things and they above all want to know who is included and how to know we are part of that group.
People still struggle with those same issues today. They want to know that there is a heaven. They seek assurance in stories of afterdeath experiences and descriptions. And they still want to know they have everything required to receive salvation. Somewhere many people still cling to the idea that there must be something to be done, something more that can gain them certainty. They seek a "feeling" of assurance.
Where there is no possibility of that in ourselves and the human roller coaster of emotions there is only one possibility that remains, faith. All that we have is Jesus promise that we will be with him. As Luther said, "You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you." There is nothing to do to be worthy. Trust God's promise. Have faith in the Word. Jesus is always faithful.
If you have faith in Jesus promises you are well prepared indeed.
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