WELCOME

January 2011 Sermons can now be found on the "Messages From The Pastor" page.

Preferred reading for Ash Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Psalm 32 and 143

Isaiah 58:1-12

Hebrews 12:1-14

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 15:10-32

One of my few guilty pleasures in life is reading mystery novels.  My favorite authors of course would be Dame Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Who better to solve a mystery than Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Hercule Poirot, or Ms. Marple?  Last night as I was reading one of these books, it crossed my mind that the only time God was mentioned was when something bad happened.  For instance, the Lord Jesus was mentioned, which did surprise me, but only during the prayers of the funeral for the man murdered. Another time our Lord was mentioned was when a woman lied on the stand and later confesses because she was a God fearing woman and could not live with herself.  Not a bad thing, right?  But what bothered me was what the heroine of the story said.  “I can’t believe in this God or whatever god it is she fears, I do believe in a higher power, but not one that would instill fear in people, but one that would love them no matter what.” Obviously, the author of this book, not any I mentioned above, does not understand the love God has for those who fear Him, nor does he understand the fear we have for our Lord.  The fear we have for our Lord is not a fear that knocks us on our hands and knees, shaking and groveling, as the Lord hovers above us with a hammer smacking us around.  No, the fear we have is for a loving Father, as Hebrews 12 says, who loves His children and does not want them to miss out on the good stuff He has for them. V-10.  Psalm 32:1 says “1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”.  All our readings this morning talked of God’s mercy and love for us, His children.  A pastor friend of mine from Louisiana once told me that people too often associate God to their fathers here on earth and that is a big mistake. First because God is nothing like our earthly fathers and second because we are putting way to much pressure on our earthly fathers to be something they cannot.  This pastor also has a degree in counseling.  He told me that many people, both child and adult, come to his office with a miss-conception of who God is.  Many believe He sits in a judge’s chair slamming His gavel pronouncing judgments of doom and eventually death.   During his sessions he shows people that God is not like this at all, but as Hebrews says, He is a loving Father who disciplines us so we may share in His holiness. V-10.  Put it this way.  If we ask our fellow man how we look what is their answer?  You look OK, but you can lose weight, or you’re beautiful, but not as beautiful as he/she is.  What does God say if you ask Him the same question?  “God how do I look?  You look great my child, you are perfect in every way because you were made in my image.”  Now does this sound like a God who we need to grovel and shake in front of? Our Father is a loving Father who always has His arms open to us with a ready and loving embrace.  Much like the father of the Prodigal Son, He waits for us to come home, falls upon our necks, embraces us, kills the fatted calf, and throws such a party that even the angels in heaven shout for joy. 

May God bless you all my brothers and sisters in Christ

Matt+