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The first 9 years Cheryl and I were married, we moved 9 times. Part of that time was spent in college and seminary and vicarage/internship, and then my first call to serve in Oklahoma. The ninth move brought us Sherman to the house in which we lived for 28+ years as I served as pastor of Grace Lutheran in Denison, Texas. It was a good home, the first one we had ever owned. There was an addition, then remodeling and many changes over the years.  We repaired storm damage and did all kinds of maintenance. I planted trees, built a patio, crawled through the attic running wires and cables, built shelves and cabinets and laid tile. There was an assortment of colors and coats of paint inside and out. A lot of our blood, sweat and tears were in that house.

Our family was raised here. It was our home. There were countless celebrations and gatherings held there during that time. We have lots of memories, both good and bad, from our time there. And we are truly grateful for all the blessings God has gave us in that place. But it all came to an end in April 2016.

We entered the next phase of this adventure of life here on earth together. Cheryl and I were ready to see what God had in store for us in the days ahead. We moved (for the tenth time) to temporary quarters on our property in Bells, Texas. We started building the home into which we would retire.

As we were going through that time, I was reminded of a hymn that I learned as a child and that still holds a special place in my heart. Here are two of the stanzas that I especially love:

I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear, Heaven is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev’ry hand;
Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home.

There at my Savior’s side, Heaven is my home;
I shall be glorified, Heaven is my home.
There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest, Heaven is my home.

We have since built the log home of our dreams. Our kids and grandkids come and visit as often as possible. In retirement we have started traveling around the country like we hoped we would be able to do. We have also been able to make some international trips. We enjoy our journeys, but we still like coming home.

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know the one in control. What I am certain of is that heaven is my home. My Lord Jesus, who paid for the sins of the world (including mine) with His life and His death, said:

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am
going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). 

My spot is ready and waiting. I thank God for that assurance. Of course, there is a bit of anxiety that goes with that move, but in the end I try to say with St. Paul:

“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:23).

Until that day, I’ll keep enjoying the temporary quarters that I have here on earth.

A man came home to find a crisis in the house. His three-year-old daughter’s pet turtle had died. She was crying, and the man tried to remedy the situation. The offer of another turtle was rejected, since she already knew you could not simply replace living things like you could a toy. So he suggested a funeral. Since she did not know what a funeral was, he said it was a festival in honor of the turtle. She didn’t know what a festival was either, so he continued explaining until he said, “Actually, a funeral is like a birthday party. We’ll have cake and ice cream and lemonade and balloons, and all the children in the neighborhood will come over.” “All because the turtle died?” she asked. Success at last. Her tears began to dry. She was happy, even joyous at the prospect of what was going to happen. All because the turtle had died. The father was pleased with himself. He had argued his case successfully, and the party would remedy the situation. Then the unexpected happened. They looked down, and the turtle began to move again. He was not dead after all. In a matter of seconds, he was as lively as ever. The father didn’t know what to say. But the little girl did. She looked at the turtle, then her father, thought about what had been planned, and said, “Daddy, let’s kill it!”

That attitude is what many take to try to solve problems. It is the same way the he Jews in Jesus’ day tried to get rid of that popular new Rabbi from Nazareth. Death as a solution. The enemies of Jesus and the demons no doubt had a celebration of some kind when Jesus was killed. But Jesus rose again, and has now given those who believe in Him cause for constant rejoicing, celebration of life here on earth and anticipation of the everlasting life with Him in heaven. His death and resurrection give us the solution we need. We believe and wait for the day we will hear the loud voice from the throne saying:

Revelation 21:3-4 “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

From the perspective of faith, we can say Death is THE solution. Not our own death or the death of our enemies. Our death is the entry into another existence with God, but this is true only because the death of Jesus paid for sins, and His resurrection is our victory. Because of His death, and His resurrection, we have the solution we need.

Revelation 14:13 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

Our world today often looks at death as a solution.

• Palestinians and Israelis continue to retaliate by killing each other because of boundary disputes: Death as a solution.
• A young man is teased and bullied at school, so he walks in one day with a gun and starts shooting classmates: Death as a solution.
• A gang member sees his girlfriend talking to another boy, so a drive by shooting results in the death of both of them and a few bystanders: Death as a solution.
• A sniper disagrees with a political candidate so he attempts to shoot and kill him: Death as solution.

I guess we should not be too surprised. The first death recorded in the Bible was supposed to be a solution to a problem. The sons of Adam and Eve quarreled, and Cain tried to solved it by killing his brother. That attitude has continued through history. The Jews thought death was the solution to the problem of Jesus. He was a trouble-maker. He was stealing their followers: put Him to death. What they did not know is that they were playing right into God’s plan!

Years ago a teacher in our church preschool told me about her time teaching in another school when Good Friday fell on April 1. A little boy in her class ran up, played a trick on her, then ran away shouting “Good Friday! Good Friday!” I’m glad he got his holidays mixed up, because that story showed me something: The devil must have been rejoicing that Jesus was dead. Our Lord laughed and said, “Good Friday!” The Jews must have been satisfied with themselves, thinking they had resolved their problems: Jesus smiled and rose and chuckled “Good Friday!” The disciples were despairing: Jesus leapt into their midst and proclaimed “Good Friday!”

The Jews thought the death of Jesus was a solution, and it was, but not the way they thought. They were partially right. His death was part of God’s solution to the problem of your sin. But it was only part of the solution.

1 Cor 15:13-14 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

If His death was all there was, then, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:19, you and I are the most pitied of all men. But there is more. Christ is alive. He has risen. He lives. He played the biggest prank of all time on the devil, the world and sin by bursting from the tomb and shouting not only “Good Friday” but also “The Day of Resurrection!” DEATH IS BEATEN! Jesus Lives! The victory’s won!

This world tries to make death the solution to their problems. What so many fail to see is that there has already been a death that provided the solution to all the problems you will ever encounter. And the reason the death of Jesus was that solution is because He not only died, but He also rose again. His victory is yours through faith. Because He lives, you will live also.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

A few more thoughts on this tomorrow.

A married couple had a huge fight, serious enough for the wife to storm out of the house, vowing never to return. On the back steps, she nearly trips over something she had never seen before — an Aladdin’s lamp. She picks it up, rubs it gently, and sure enough, a Genie pops out! He tells her that he will grant her three wishes, whatever her desire! Naturally, she is overjoyed. But the Genie cautions her: “I must tell you that whatever you get, your husband will get twice as much.” She is not thrilled about that, but agrees to the rules. The first thing she asked for is a million dollars and “Poof,” it lay at her feet. She leaps for joy, but the Genie reminds her that her husband just received 2 million in the house. “Are you sure you want to go on?” the Genie asks. Although a little less enthusiastic, she says, “I’d like a pile of diamonds three feet high!” Poof, again. Right next to the money was a pile of diamonds. “I don’t mean to dampen your fun, but your husband is sitting in his Lazy Boy recliner with two piles of diamonds. Maybe you’d like to forgo your third and final wish?” She thinks for a minute, and then she says, “No, I’ll take that last wish. What I want you to do … is scare me half to death!”

I think that story illustrates the state of our world. Many people look at death as a solution to problems. They think killing someone will make our world a better place. Does that sound right to you?

Most of us have gone through the agonizing experience of seeing loved ones die. Senator Hillary Clinton gave a speech at the University of Texas a number of years ago, while she was still the First Lady. It was the day before her own father died. In that speech, she said, “When does life start? When does life end? Who makes those decisions? How do we dare infringe upon these areas of such delicate, difficult questions? … These are not issues that we have guidebooks about.”

I find it ironic that the person who made that statement is a staunch supporter of abortion. Those who identify themselves as “Pro-Choice” maintain that if the child is not wanted by the mother, death is the solution. They have no problem infringing on that delicate question and making a decision.

The most troubling thing about that quote from Mrs. Clinton for me is the last part: “These are not issues that we have guidebooks about.” Oh, Really? Her husband once popularized the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Maybe it would be best to answer her the same way: “No guidebook? IT’S THE BIBLE, STUPID!” This is where God tells us that He has given life for death, that Christ has been raised from the dead, that those who put their confidence in Him will live, that Jesus has destroyed death, that death is not the solution! The Bible is where God tells us that life is the solution He has given. Consider these passages.

John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

2 Timothy 1:10 but it [the grace of God] has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

I will continue my thoughts on this tomorrow.

Stuff appears on my calendar that I have never heard of. The most recent was “National Use Your Gift Card Day.”  The third Saturday of January is the day you are encouraged to use the gift cards you received for Christmas if you have not already done so.  It was started in 2020 by Tracy Tilson. She discovered that nearly $100 billion per year is spent on holiday gift cards, but as much as 3% of the cards will never get redeemed. So she promoted the idea and it gained traction in the retail industry, with major chains supporting the holiday.

Can you imagine someone getting a gift card and not using it? People do it all the time. And sadly, the same is true for so many people when it comes the to gift God offers.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In confirmation class, I often used this illustration that went something like this. Imagine if I were to take out a wad of $100 bills right now and place one in front of each and every one of you. I would tell you that is yours. It is a gift from me. You didn’t earn it. It is something I am giving you. At the end of class, some of you pick up the $100 bill and take it with you. Others leave it sitting on the table. Some of those who took the money home stuck it in a drawer and forgot about it. Others actually spent the money. So who got the benefit of the offer? Who missed out? Would it make sense to leave it on the table? Or take it but not use it? Why would you not take advantage of that gift? Yet that is exactly what most of the world does with the gift God gave them in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8–9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

People will hear the message that God let Jesus die for the sins of the world, and that you get the benefit of what He earned by believing in Him. But they reject it, they say it is fantasy, or they say it is too easy and too good to be true. The offer is there from God, there for the taking. But they leave it on the table.

You have received the greatest “gift card” you could ever hope to get. A “get out of hell free” card, a “get into heaven free” card. All because of what Jesus did for you. Don’t forget to use your gift card.

I just remembered that Cheryl and I got a gift card for Dairy Queen for Christmas. We will be using that today.

Psalm 103:1-8 (RSV) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.

A man walked up to his pastor and said, “I can understand ‘God bless me,’ but how can I bless God? What does it mean when we sing ‘Oh bless the Lord my soul?’” The pastor asked the man, “Do you have any children?” “Yes,” he replied, “a boy who is five and a girl who is six.” “Do they give you Christmas presents?” “Sure,” he replied. “Where do they get the money?” He laughed and said, “I give it to them.” “That’s exactly it,” the preacher answered. “You pay for the Christmas presents your children give you. You watch them plan and whisper their secrets and get excited at the prospect of surprising Daddy. Then on Christmas they come and say ‘Daddy, here is a blessing for you.’ It came from you, but it was a blessing because it came back with their love.”

Maybe that is how we should think of Stewardship: Blessing God. Christian stewards/managers want to  “bless” Him with our entire being, declaring our praise and thanks. That is why many of the newer translations say “Praise” instead of bless in this Psalm, but the Word is the same one that speaks of God giving to us. When it is addressed to God, though, it is understood in the sense of blessing Him with what He has first given to us. I try to make that my understanding of stewardship. All too often it gets reduced to talk about money, which is a disservice to what stewardship should be.

Did you hear about the little boy who saw the offering plate coming down the aisle, so he pulled off his clip-on tie and put it in the collection plate? His mother asked him why he did that and he said, “The pastor is always talking about giving you ties and offerings.”

As amusing as that may be, the little guy had the heart of wanting to give from what had been given to him. That is the heart of a Christian steward. God does not ask you to bless Him with anything He has not first given to you.

I remember a time I was repairing a section of fence around my back yard. I had to dig 8 new holes for fence posts. I was using an old, manual post hole digger. The clay in our yard resembled concrete and it took several days to dig those holes. After I had dug one or two, Cheryl saw how hard I was working, brought me a drink and asked, “Don’t they have something you can rent to do this.” My reply was, “Yeah, but right now I have more time than I do money.” As I thought about that later, I wondered how my complaints to God about finances compared to the thanks I had given Him for the abundance of time I had. Should I not be blessing the Lord with the things He has given to me? Shouldn’t we all?

That is what we should all consider when we think of our stewardship. What has God given you that you can use for Him? What talents and abilities has God given that you can use to bless His holy name? Everything you have comes from the one who owns it all and freely gives it to you. And if that were not enough reason to give back to Him, the Psalmist puts it in perspective.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy… 

That is what God has done for each of you in sending Jesus Christ into this world. The death of Christ in your place and His resurrection from the dead forgives your iniquity, heals your diseases, redeems your life from he pit and gives you the crown of life.  Your faith in Jesus assures you of these blessings. The proper response is Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

May that be your understanding of Christian Stewardship.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Growing up in Dallas in the late sixties and early seventies, after we came home from school we could turn on the television and watch reruns of “The Lone Ranger.” I remember watching the Masked Man and his horse Silver, along with his faithful companion Tonto riding that little pinto named Scout. They would go everywhere together. And one of the things Tonto always called The Lone Ranger was “Kemosabe.” We are told that word meant “faithful friend.” And that is what those two were to each other. Faithful friends. No matter what kind of scrape they got into, or if they got separated, they would go find the other and do whatever was necessary to help each other out. They looked out for each other. Tonto and the Lone Ranger were they for each other. A faithful friend is something good to have.

When God was about to lead his people into the Promised Land, Josua was taking over for Moses. He was given the daunting task of leading that massive throng of people into the land promised to their ancestors. You can imagine that was not going to be easy. Their history had shown they were not always cooperative in following their leaders. But as Joshua took the leadership role, God gave Him the assurance that He would always be with him. God would be his faithful friend, his “Kemosabe.” That is the kind of assurance we all need to hear, and it is one Joshua especially needed at that time.

Whatever challenges you are facing right now, remember that God has promised to be your “Kemoabe,” your faithful friend. He was with Joshua, and He was also with His disciples. As He sent them out to make disciples of all the world, He promised He would be with them always. God will be that faithful friend in any and all circumstances.

We know He is our friend. Scripture gives us that assurance over and over again. One of the greatest reminders of that is this passage:

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

That is what our Kemosabe, our faithful friend, did for us. Jesus came for that very reason. And He laid down His life for His friends, for us, so that we could have forgiveness and the certainty of salvation. Our friend is with us.

Our lives include a lot of waiting. Some of those times are easier than others. This past  Saturday, I took my brother, who lives in Dallas, to the hospital for his second hip replacement. I took him in six years ago when he had the left one replaced, and he let the right one go too long (in my opinion) before having it done. We had a rather significant snowfall for our area that shut things down for a few days before that. I was going to drive down early Saturday morning to take him, but the icy conditions and a forecast of roads freezing over again during the night led me to go down Friday afternoon so that I would not have to drive sixty miles in the early morning on “black ice.”

The next morning I took him on mostly clear roads without incident. He was told to be there at 5:30 a.m. for his 8 a.m. operation. He was a bit apprehensive, but ready to get it done. One of the doctors told me it would take about 45 minutes to an hour. We prayed with the doctor, then I went out to the waiting room. His surgery started on time. And I waited. And waited. An hour came and went. Fifteen minutes later, still no news. I prayed and wondered if there was a complication. Another fifteen minutes and still no word. Ten minutes more and still nothing. The waiting wears on you and your imagination starts to run wild. Family members texting and asking if you have heard anything yet adds to your concern. Then an aide asked me to come back to the consultation room. I waited there for the doctor to arrive. When he came in, he said everything was fine. He asked if I had any questions, so I asked if there was a problem that caused it to take so long. He said something about his anatomy presented a challenge and they couldn’t use the prosthesis they intended to use and had to get a different one which wasn’t designed to be inserted in an anterior incision like they had made but he managed to make it work and everything was good. And it was. An hour later I was in my brother’s room and the physical therapist had him up and walking with a walker and he was doing great. Sunday morning he was home again.

As I reflected on this, I realized that the surgeon had a totally different perspective than I did. He was in control of the procedure and had the knowledge and skill to do what was necessary to accomplish the desired result. But I was “left in the dark” as it were while I was waiting. I didn’t have all the information that I was craving. Nor did I need it.

I think that is how it is in our relationship with God. He is in control and doesn’t tell us everything we want to know. He tells us what we need to know, and He takes care of everything in the way that will be best for His children. That is best displayed in the person and work of Jesus. God did exactly what was needed to satisfy His judgment against our sin in a way that would enable us to be forgiven, rescued, redeemed and saved. Jesus paid it all and we get the benefit of His payment by putting our faith and trust and confidence in Him.

When you find yourself waiting for something, and the anxiety starts to creep in, remember the who is in control. You are in a loving relationship with Him because of your faith in Jesus. He will care for you. Reflect on and take consolation from these passages.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Lamentations 3:25 (NASB95) The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is in control. Always. Trust Him.