WISDOM AT EPIPHANY

January 6 is Epiphany Day, the day Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus and also recall the visit of the Magi from the east who came to see the baby.

There is an old story about the star in the east, that when it had finished its task of directing the Magi to the baby, it fell from the sky and dropped into the city well in Bethlehem. According to some, that star can still be seen by looking into the well, and the hearts of people who see it will become pure and clean.

Legends about the Magi are plentiful. People once believed there were twelve Wise Men, but now most believe there were three, based on their number of gifts. Legend even has named them: Old Melchior had a full beard and gave the gift of gold; Balthasar was younger and gave the baby myrrh; beardless young Casper gave the gift of frankincense.

Another legend says that after seeing the baby, the Magi continued on to Spain, telling people of the newborn King. Legends often add color to true stories that don't need it. Sometimes legends become so colorful they make the true story seem unbelievable. Today we don't need anything more that makes the Bible seem like a book of legends.

The Bible is God's Word, and it stands on its own. It needs no proof or justification. God offers salvation to the world through His Only Son born in Bethlehem. The baby grew to become the Savior, and all who believe in Him will benefit eternally from His work of salvation.  

Years ago on January 6, we made the first contacts to begin a new church in a town which had a forty foot lighted star high on a hill. We named it Epiphany Lutheran Church. In our eight years there, the star guided over 400 wise men, women and children to join our new congregation. I thank God for all who still seek and worship the King of kings.

 "We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2)

Wise men and women still come to worship Him!

CONFESSION IN THE NEW YEAR

I recently heard a joke about a priest and parishioner in a Confessional Booth that wasn't all that funny. But it reminded me that people often make light of the Confessional with insinuations and humor. But whatever you may think of the Confessional, confessing one's sin is a good thing, especially at this time of year.

Confession empties the spiritual dirt and dust from life. We know it's necessary to empty the dryer filter right after using or  if we have one of those new bag-less ones, empty the vacuum container after each use. If we don't empty such appliances regularly, they will work less and less efficiently until they are finally plugged with dust and dirt. 

The same is true in our life with God. If we don't repent of our sins frequently and humbly ask God for His forgiveness, the sins of daily life will clog our life and eventually make our faith so weak it's almost useless. Many a person is a walking dirt bag, spiritually speaking of course and all because we don't see a need to get rid of our sin.

Because of this we wonder why our faith in God seems weak, or why we feel far from God, or why "going to church just isn't what it used to be." The fact is, we need to come clean with God. Confession isn't just talking to the Almighty about one sin. It is coming clean with Him, confessing to Him all our sin, emptying our life's dirt bag so that our days won't be clogged with old stuff that should long ago have been removed.

Have you let God empty your dirt bag lately? Or is there some of that ugly stuff you never let go?

Most worship services I conducted during my ministry contained confession and absolution. Being able to come clean with God makes worship more helpful, maybe even enjoyable. Most Christian church services include confession and forgiveness and they should. Jesus' purpose in coming to earth was to earn forgiveness for us, so that when we ask Him in faith, He will remove our sins. "As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins from us." (Psalm 103:12)

Several years ago I found a nearly-new vacuum cleaner next to the dumpster at the end of our Arizona winter season, left by someone who didn't want it but thought it too good to toss out. I took it home, cleaned its clogged pipes and found that it worked perfectly. I still use it today. It is a name brand aptly named "Dirt Devil."

A friend told me he'd be uncomfortable using an appliance filled with someone else's dirt. I told him that's what Jesus did for us. He unloaded our dirt on the cross and unclogged our pipes with His resurrection from the grave. I think that's what I told him. If not, I should have. Jesus still cleanses our dirt, and will do so until our life ends.

What dirt does Jesus need to clean from your life in the coming New Year? 

O COME EMMANUEL

Azariah set down the last stone of the day as there was no longer enough light to see and the floor of the temple was nearly finished. He was old, exhausted and wished for an end, an end to the day, end to the project, and most of all an end to their life in Babylon. The men of his crew trudged wearily to their quarters speaking few words even though it was the first time they could openly speak to each other that day. 

"We cannot do this much longer," Mishael muttered as they walked slowly. "How much longer will the Lord God have us suffer this exile?" "Only He knows," said Azariah, "and He has not yet told us." Kenaniah, the eldest said, "The Scriptures say a Deliverer will come, so we must trust Him and wait." 

Azariah stepped inside his hut and smelled the delicious aroma of food. Sitting down on the mat next to his wife Miriam and their two boys, he lifted his eyes heavenward and said, "Let us pray. O God our Father, we thank You for this food that blesses our bodies. Come, Lord God and send Your Promised One. Save us, O Merciful God. Come, Emmanuel and end our exile here, amen."

The year was 539 BC and in less than a year God would answer the prayers of His people. Cyrus the Great had already decided to allow the Israelites to return to their own land. But Azariah's prayer would be repeated over and over, sung in prayed throughout the coming centuries until Jesus of Nazareth, the Promised One of God, would be born in Bethlehem and live to fulfill God's promises. 

Yet this song would not stop there. Early believers in Christ would continue to pray for His promised second coming, that He would again be Emmanuel, their "God With Us." In the eighth century AD, an unknown monk would compose a Latin song, “Veni Emmanuel,” in which he would plead for Christ's promised second return in glory. The song continues to this day in the Advent hymn we love, translated by Henry Sloane Coffin: 

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel 

That mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."

"Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:21) 

WHAT WE REALLY NEED

Once again a school shooting has raised its ugly and tragic head in Colorado my home state. But this time it was more personal as I watched national media cameras zero in on Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran Church, the congregation where I pastored eleven years. It showed hundreds, perhaps a thousand, youth being joined with anxious parents in the church parking lot, tearfully grateful to take their children home.

Television stations carried a short weekend clip on Shepherd Of The Hills as they ministered to school youth and adults. I felt proud and grateful their pastor and people opened church doors to the shaken students and parents and are seeking ways of providing spiritual counsel to questions.

The answers are elusive, but the cause is simple. Evil and sin are gaining a stronger foothold in American culture. But what can be done about this most obvious trend? Just another angry child taking out his vengeance? A young adult who legally possesses a weapon, a boy who turns a wrong corner in his journey? What can be done in A weary and callous nation which shakes its head at tragedy, then turns away to other things? Or political movements pointing fingers, poised to defend their own philosophy? What can be done?

It's one thing to know the answer and another to do something about it. Homes need to be strengthened, Jesus needs to be honored, not feared, and schools need to teach basics rather than trends. People of all ages need more real face time and less tech time. Teachers need our prayers, and students need good adult examples. Churches need to reach out and pews need to be filled in honoring God. 

We are told we live in enlightened times. Who needs God when we've got technology? Why talk about sin when choice is what matters? Don't talk about evil! Youth simply need more choices and schools just need more money. We don't need more God, just more human answers, more educated guesses and less religion. Then someday we will wonder why it happened again.

But one of the first responders this time was a church and its pastors. And the church went into action, not preaching but living its faith in the large parking lot, with open door for human needs, with hands outstretched and soothing voices to show the way as people to meet those they love. 

And all this because a Christian Church is where Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.

"Unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

START WITH THE BABY

Carol and I spent time decorating the house last weekend. We've added a screened-in breezeway and now have room enough for our big Christmas Tree. We had it brought down from Colorado by friends passing through town from the Black Hills on their way to winter in Arizona.

In a box of the decorations here is our African Nativity set our daughter-in-law brought back for us three years ago when she went to get their newly adopted daughter from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This ebony creche has sleek, tall figurines, so we arrange them on a small table and use a dab of Elmer's Rubberized Tack to keep the figures standing up.

As we took them out of the box, I wondered aloud where the pieces should go. Without hesitating Carol said, "Start with the baby. Put Him right in the middle in front, and the rest of the pieces will fall into place." Considering this briefly, I said, "I believe there's a message in what you just said. 'Put Jesus in the middle of things and the rest will fall into place'."

Do you believe that's true? As Christians we know in our head this should be true, but are we able to do this in our hearts on a daily basis? How difficult is it to put Christ first in our lives?

I find it very difficult. I am a guy who wants to take charge and do things my way, and this has helped me often in my ministry. I've learned this trait is a gift from God so long as I don't get proud of it. Furthermore, I am often quite direct with God as to how I would like Him to answer my prayers and even to right the wrongs in the world.

But God doesn't always follow my suggestions. He's smarter than that. it's easy to think we have most of life figured out until reality changes things, and the world quickly becomes different. Then adage is really true, "Put Jesus in the middle of things and the rest will fall into place."

Maybe that's what He meant in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

May we all put Him in the middle of things this Christmas.

SMILE!

Carol and I are watching our grandchildren a few days while our son and daughter-in-law attend a Lutheran Teacher's Conference. This is something we love to do, as it connects us to God's little ones in an intimate way.

The Sunday before last we attended a contemporary worship service at their church in Phoenix to hear the preschool choir in which our youngest grandchild sings. As I looked around the gym and its 500 adults and children, it occurred to me that I could not pastor that church. The energy level there, the activity of parents and little ones, as well as the singing and technology required an energy level I no longer have. 

The pastor preached right to our needs. He walked back and forth, making biblical point after point about three words, “Repent, Forgive, Oneness,” how God calls us to repent of our sins, be forgiven and to forgive each other, so that we can become One with each other and also One with God. Those are words that people of any age need to hear, “Repent, Forgive, Oneness.” 

Then came the moment so many were there for, when the little ones came up front to sing. With them came an armada of parents and grandparents, bearing that bane of Lutheran Worship – cameras! So many wanted to capture the little ones as they sang, “If I Were A Butterfly.” I knew the adults were going to do this, and I had dreaded that moment. 

But as the little ones sang and wiggled their fingers and jumped up and down, I did something I did something not in my plans. I turned on my iPhone camera, held it up and took a few pictures for myself! Me, Pastor Bob, the icon of worship propriety, became enwrapped in the joy of the moment so I could keep a brief memory of the moment.

The following weekend I led worship at our church in Casa Grande with its pews full of quiet, gentle old folks. A few children attended with parents but no cameras were visible. Yet I still found joy there, the joy of God's people smiling, singing, praying and fellowshipping as redeemed and forgiven Christians can do so well.

Then came another revered Lutheran tradition, a Potluck in honor of Thanksgiving! And because Pastor and his wife are honored among the winter residents (and also because we were leaving early to help take care of our grandkids), we went to the head of the line and got to sample each dish! 

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus speaks of a great feast God's People will enjoy in the heavenly realms. What that time comes, I hope it will feature my favorite potluck dishes, as well as friends and family, and especially the joy of small children singing the delight of being alive in Christ. But no cameras will be needed because we will remember the moment forever.

Smile! God's camera is pointed at you!

NO FEAR!

What makes you afraid? Today’s politics? A bad relationship? Getting sick? Death? Public speaking? Maybe it's bugs. I once saw a T-Shirt that said, “The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself – And Spiders!”  Sunday marks the end of another Church Year. Sometimes we get fearful when things end, but the end is when we must trust God the most. 

Why trust God then? Because He is our fortress. He is our strength, and He is always there to help us, in our our sickness, troubles and pain, even in death itself. If God can protect us from sin, death and even from hell, how much more will He not care for us now, today? 

God is our fortress, so we need have no fear. That's what David said in Psalm 46, “God is our refuge (fortress) and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” God is with us, therefore, NO FEAR!

Did you know there is a “NO FEAR” brand of clothing? It was created in 1989 by the Simo brothers and Marty Moates. “NO FEAR” is a line of clothing and accessories inspired from extreme action sports, and it even offers a “NO FEAR” energy drink made by PepsiCola. "NO FEAR" has sponsored Martial Arts matches, Motocross Racing, Big Wave surfing in Hawaii and that incredibly dangerous sport, "Cage Fighting." On February 25, 2011, they filed for bankruptcy. They're still around, but it appears they've calmed down a little.

Much of what we fear today comes from our own making. We fear not having enough money, or we fear for our healthcare, or we fear harm from our enemies, even though we have more money, better healthcare and are safer than at any time in human history. Whatever we may fear, God is with us to calm our hearts, so we need not be afraid. God never leaves us. 

A doctor was making a house call on a sick man. He gave him medicine and special instructions because his illness was severe. As the Doctor was leaving, the man asked, “I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” The doctor paused and said, “I don’t know.” “You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?" the patient asked. "How can that be?” 

The doctor was holding the door handle when they both heard scratching and whining from the other side. As he opened the door, a dog leaped into the room to the doctor. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “This is my dog. He’s usually at home, and has never been in this room before today. He didn’t know what was inside, but he knew I was here. So when the door opened, he ran in without fear. This is how it is with me. I know little of what is on the other side of this life, but I do know one thing: my Master is there and I want to go to Him, and for me, that knowledge is enough.”

As one important thing ends or another begins, let us not be fearful. God is with us always. He is on both sides of the door of life, there to provide our needs, show us the way and care for us.