How do you respond to the birth of Christ?

Luke 2:1-20

How are we to respond to the birth of Christ?

It is wonderful that we go to church and witness the re-telling of the story. It is amazing to finally sing those familiar songs the department stores have been playing. It is great to get together with loved ones and surround a table with a feast of food, laughter and fellowship. But, is this how we are to respond to the birth of Christ?

I think of the shepherd’s response as they received the news from the angel of the Lord. They hear the Messiah has come in the form of a baby, an unexpected message. At first they were terrified. But, then, they leave, with haste, to see the newborn King. They leave their sheep, their livelihood, and begin their trek to the city of David. Overwhelmed with this Good News, they share it with anyone who will listen to what the angel of the Lord had said. Only after they witnessed to Mary and others, would they return to their sheep.

How are we to respond to the birth of Christ?

Let us respond like the shepherds…with reckless abandonment. Let us drop everything and run, with haste, to share this wonderful message of salvation with anyone who will hear it. Sure, this will happen at church and around your dinner table, but let us not forget those who aren’t here yet. 

May the light of Christ compel you to run at breakneck speed sharing this Good News with anyone who will listen. Your sheep will be there when you return.

Pastor Steve

The greatest story ever told

John 1:6-28 bits and pieces.

Have you ever heard the story about the kid who went into his backyard with a baseball bat and ball?  He would proclaim with pride, “I am the greatest hitter in the world.”  Then the ball would be tossed in the air and he would swing the bat with all his might and…strike one.  He again bellowed, “I am the greatest hitter in the world!” The ball would again be tossed up and with his tongue showing slightly through his teeth he would swing that bat…strike two.  “I am the GREATEST hitter in the world!”  This time he was sure he would hit that ball.  He tossed it up and gave his very best try to hit it…strike three.  As he stood there holding the ball and bat he proclaimed, “I am the greatest pitcher in the world.”

If you are like me, you probably have wanted to be the greatest at something.  Sports, art, music, writing, parenting and dare I say, even Christian.  In our lesson this week we have John the Baptist who did not want to be thought of as the greatest.  In fact he went to great lengths to make sure people knew he was not the greatest. 

John was a very popular fella in his day and people were coming to him from all over the countryside to listen to him.  He was so popular that some started believing that he was the Savior that had been promised or at least maybe he was a prophet like Elijah.  He assured the people that he was neither the Savior nor one of the prophets.  He was just a man who was there to tell them about the one who was coming that was the greatest. 

Most of us will probably never be the greatest, but we can, like John tell others about the One who is the Greatest.  Today you are invited to tell others about Jesus.  I can’t think of anything greater to do.e went so far as to make sure others knew that he was not the greatest.zx;clkc;lsdhljsdhf;ksjakjsd;kjhflas

Steve

You are part of the narrative!

Mark 1:1-8

In this gentle beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we meet one of the most amazing characters in this narrative.  John the Baptist burst on the scene with his acetic garments and bits of locust in his teeth, preparing us for what is to come.  He plays such an important role in the narrative.  Granted, he is imprisoned and beheaded soon after and his character disappears from the storyline before Jesus’ ministry takes off.

So often this is the case in scripture.  An important character is introduced to compel the narrative forward, spreading the gospel message, and then disappears as quickly as they were introduced.  Take for instance Simon of Cyrene being pulled from the crowd to carry the cross of Christ. His small part in the narrative moves us closer to the sacrifice of Christ and the salvation within. 

You and I are called to continue the act of carrying the narrative forward.  Our names may not appear in any fancy book, but our Christ like actions become new chapters in this Gospel message of salvation.  Where will the story take you this day?   

Blessings on your journey,

Pastor Steve    

4 out of 5 dentists agree

“Were not ten made clean?”  Jesus replies to the one who actually returned.  From our Gospel lesson (Thanksgiving text) this coming Sunday, we hear our Lord speak to a healed Leper who returns to give thanks to Jesus for curing his disease.  1 out of 10 returned.  Wow!  Those odds are somewhat staggering.  Dentists have higher odds on toothpaste agreement.

Only one returned to give his praise for what had just happened. How often are we like those other nine?  How often have we been so blessed with a talent, a gift, or a blessing, that we run off and show others with a sense of pride and accomplishment?   I know I have patted my own back a few times in my life.  I pray that I can have the faith like the Samaritan Leper who returns to give praise for his life…for his very breathe.  I pray that we can beat those odds and fall down at the feet of Jesus and thank him for the blessings He has bestowed on us.

Luke 17:11-19

Blessing to you this day

Praying for Larry

Gracious God watch over Larry Keene. And watch over those nurses too will ya.

And so it begins...again

I am sitting in my new office at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio.  I am one of two pastors to serve this fine community of faith and haven't a clue as to what I am really doing yet.  HA.  I left a congregation in the country to come to the big city and I have never been so tired.  This is my second call and I am now focused on Stewardship, Evangelism and Worship.  Pastor Dawn Silvius is my team pastor and she is such a blessing to be around.  We have begun a wonderful relationship and I appreciate her wisdom and years of experience.  I am looking forward to the future and what might become.  My family is adjusting, Elisia is in school and Sam has begun a day care program on Tuesday and Thursday.  This is week one for me.  We shall see.  Blessings on all who find this blog.  Please feel free to follow