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Luke 10:25-37 Out our way, livestock can sometimes surprise you. While I won't say they have human emotions and such, there are times I wonder. The mama cow who "babysits" for the rest of the cows while they graze or go down to the water for a "girls day out." Sometimes people show as much consideration for each other, although sadly it is not as common. Back in seminary, I was introduced to a Jewish scholar and writer named Martin Buber who survived the holocaust. He often...
You can read three versions of this story in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8. As the rumors and the rumblings of the Pharisees and the religious leaders hinted at Jesus' death, the dark clouds of fear and sadness gathered over Jesus' disciples. One woman, not wanting to wait until he died to express her love, anointed him at Bethany with expensive perfume [see the parallel passage in John 12:1-8, where the woman is identified as Mary, sister of Martha and...
You know, Lord, Palm Sunday years ago was a bit different then it is today. Several of us were together, Susie smiled and shared: "When I was just a little kid, I remember one Palm Sunday when the Pastor mentioned there were some palms 'twigs' by the back door; that each one of us should each go get one. As we did, someone pushed the piano toward the backwall and a door opened. Helen kept playing lovely music. One young guy took the lead of us with palms, we followed out the f...
Matthew 25:40-45 - "As you did it to the least of these ... so you did it for the least of these ... so you also did it unto Me." Out of our way, we remember America is a nation of immigrants. Our ancestors hail from all over the globe. So while 100% American, it is not unusual to hear foreign songs from time to time. There is a German song I learned long ago, before I understood a word of German, called "Mein hut, der hat drei ecken" Translation: "My hat has three corners."...
Debt-free living. That has a pleasant ring to it, doesn't it. Those three simple words have a way of invoking a sense of freedom. They clash with today's norms of mortgages, high interest rates, credit card and consumer debt - where we spend, spend, spend on someone else's dime in a thrillingly euphoric (and often expensive) period of grace. But that grace period ends when the creditors come to call. Ultimately, we are brought to account for our indebtedness. The time comes...
You know, Lord, each and every one of us folks could tell of a single item that holds importance and joy that he or she would never part with. Patty told us of a 50-year-old recipe card that was in her mom's handwriting. Another gal shared that her lovely pink tea-cups, long ago, were her grandma's favorite teacups. Other folks may value treasured memories - a compliment that encouraged them, a grandchild's giggle, or even a special insight they had gleaned for Scripture....
Matthew 7:15 - "(Jesus said) beware of false prophets who will come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." Out our way, the various rodeo events are always well received - and especially during the state fair. A friend of mine owns a ranch store downtown and rodeo season is always a profitable one for him. But it is also a time of some laughter. Along with the rodeo folks and the real-deal cowhands, ranchers and farmers who attend, we also get some...
"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - [Jesus of Nazareth] then said to the paralytic - "Stand up, take your bed, and go to your home. And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings." Authority, according to Britannica, is the power or right to direct or control someone or something. Have you ever held a position of...
You know, Lord, Sally Ann stopped by, mentioned that spring is just around the corner, but she was pretty sure that we still might get some snow showers. She loves snow scenes, all sorts of snow words, also watching neighbor guys and their kids, make snow angels and a snowman. She'd noticed a bunny, she called him a snow bunny, and watched how he hopped here and there, she didn't know where he hid out but the bunny didn't appear to be very cold! She remembered as a child, one...
Psalm 121:1 - My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Indeed, He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Out our way, you can learn a lot from watching cattle. Now that calving season is here, watching mama and baby bond is a marvel that most humans share in the delivery room at the hospital. There is a reason David, a shepherd, wrote so many of the Psalms. I never worked sheep, but I gather that while very different critters, they do share...
The readings for tis Sunday, March 2, are from Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 and the Gospel is from John 2: 13 -15. In preparing for this article as well as preparing a homily for the weekend I came across the commentary shown below. The author of the commentary is St. Augustine one of the greatest theologians of the Christian Church. As I read through it, I was blessed by how well it broke open the Gospel reading from John noted above. So, I thought I would share it...
Weather turned cold, but - warm or cold, some loved ones flew above. Be old or young, lived near or far 'they' flew to God, with love. We miss dear ones most every day, sunshine or fog or breeze! They're missed a lot, our weather's COLD - glad they're not here to freeze! A granny 'left' - she lived down south; she been an awesome cook! She' traveled' some, did lots of things and once had lived in Chinook! 'Kim's' auntie passed three weeks ago - and Fog was all around! She...
You know, Lord, awaking to snow sometimes reminds us of thinking back, a long time ago, when we were kids and lived on the farm. When we woke, we'd peek out the window and when we saw a fluffy white blanket covering our farm, it was like an unbroken expanse of snow - so beautiful, untouched, pure and white. As we got ready for the day to do our chores, birds flocked to the feeders, gathered beneath to look for dropped morsels, kitty cats wandered around, adding their tracks....
Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, you are all one in Christ Jesus." Out our way, many ranchers prefer one breed of cattle over the other. Some run Herefords, some red Angus, others like black Angus while others prefer Charolai. Although these days most cattle graze in fenced in pastures so they don't usually get mixed up, now and then it happens. I have shared before how Charlie and I were checking Big Mike's herd up on the...
A long time ago, in a city far, far away, my wallet was stolen. Inside that wallet were a few precious mementos: a pillbox from my beloved aunt, a post-it note from a dear friend, a meaningful bit of an old bulletin. The wallet was a connection to where my heart was, and it was stolen. A few days later, someone called me with good news: they'd found my wallet! When I picked it up from this Good Samaritan, I didn't care that the cash and credit card were gone - I'd expected...
You know, Lord, S.B. stopped over, wanting to share his birthday, and to chat about his family so - here goes: "One granddaughter worked in probation, another one was a wiz at computers. If our grandparents were alive, he said, wouldn't they be totally amazed at what their off-spring had accomplished as well as be proud of all things they can do? Some cousins have covered numerous occupations: farmers and ranchers north and south; engineers are east and west. One guy, an...
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence...
Isaiah 5:20-21 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Our our way, it's all two-lane roads. The road bed is made by digging a trench on either side and loading the dirt in the middle, packing it down, and usually laying asphalt on it. Now the ditches from which the road bed was made run along on both sides. Some call it a barrow ditch but others insist it is a...
You know, Lord, sometimes, friends share interesting things; This for Valentines Day! Just quoting: You should probably tape this to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true. 1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for. 2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. 3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. 4. A smile from you can bring...
Here it is, February already! I wonder how folks are doing with their new year's resolutions as they apply to physical training/exercise? I also wonder if followers of Christ have made some resolutions with regards to godliness training? The Apostle Paul makes an interesting statement in his letter to his young pastor protege, Timothy. Paul writes: 1 Timothy 4:8: "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that...
Luke 17:6 "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed ...." Out our way, we don't see a lot of celebrities, but one day a few years back I ran into "Will Smith." OK, not the real dude, but a look alike that came pretty close to the "Fresh Prince of BelAir." As some of you know, "Doc" has a girlfriend, a gorgeous auburn colored pinto named "Babe." She is a lot smaller than Doc, but she is as smooth-as-silk in her gaits and a good ride. Unfortunately, she was raised in...
You know, Lord, when we ask You to bless us or to bless others, we are asking You to impart Your favor, protection and peace. Blessings prayed for others have a way of returning to bless the one who prayed. Yes, we are born to die and several folks we know, have recently passed on to You. Can't we just imagine how John kissed his son, Fred, tucked him into bed, and said, "Good night, and God bless you, my precious son." Then, years later, when Freddy was visiting his frail...
That special time of year has come once again ... it's the weekend of the 90th Annual Norwegian Lutefisk and Swedish Meatball Dinner at First Lutheran Church! Some of the first white settlers to this area came from the frigid and fishy shores of Scandinavia, and they brought their religion, food preferences, and work ethic with them - and not much else! This annual dinner commemorates those Nordic ancestors who made this prairie their home, where they worshipped, worked, and...
You know, Lord, 'twas fun checking February Calendar pages, seeing who had birthdays and who got married. We "knew" one child who'd been born on Valentine's Day! Neither of us knew anyone who claimed the eighth, 15th or 16th. But family and friends, loved ones, near and far were included! Alexia thought February was well-ordered, especially since she knew one guy in his late 90s. Her daughter peeked in - she'd been eavesdropping - she said, "Mommy, don't forget, we know a...
Just thinking, Lord, of some dear friends, who've simply gone ahead. Meaning family, neighbors and pals, they left us - joined the dead. We've fond memories of these dear ones and what they did while here; One Granddad did construction work; built 'much' within each year. A neighbor gal just loved to sew; she made most lovely quilts. Her garden too, a specialty, she never let it wilt. A Valley farm raised several kids; four kids just loved to sing! Played keyboard or stringed...
