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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Transfiguration of Our Lord

One more happy time. One more glimpse of glory. One more precious moment to make a memory last forever. These are things that people wish for when they are in the midst of sorrow and suffering. One last hurrah.

In the church calendar we get one more high point before going into the somber season of Lent. We see Jesus standing on a mountain with his clothes as white as light hearing a booming voice from the Father, “This is my beloved Son, with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”

Why the glimpse of glory before the slew of sadness? So that we, who live most of our lives in the valley may know that we can listen to the Word of God and trust that He ascended the mountain of the cross for you and me.

These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Epiphany 6

Simply wash in some dirty water and be clean? Naaman thought it sounded too simply ridiculous to do, as we hear in 2 Kings 5. But he was willing to do so much more, so his servants challenged him to do what was lesser, to simply wash in the small, dirty, Jordan River.

And he did. And the Word of the Lord that came through Elisha did as it said. Naaman was cleansed. The power of God through such humble means.

How it is with us. We look for the great and the stupendous to do so that we may be cleansed and right with God. But the humble means of Jesus are enough. His Word proclaims in 1 Peter 3, “Baptism now saves you.” And it does. Simple water. Simple Words. Eternal results for you.

These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Epiphany 5

It can be tiring to always be wanted. Moms and dads of young children know this feeling full well. Whether its to show them their latest finger painting or needing help going to the bathroom, mom or dad must always be informed. And let’s not forget when they can’t actually accomplish something on their own, then mom or dad is needed immediately.

How it was for Jesus. Every town He went to, every home He entered, there was a need. Fevers, diseases, demons. A never ending job. A task to great for mere man. Even Jesus the God/man needed time to pray.

Therein lies our lesson. All of the tasks that Jesus had to accomplish were way too much for any mere man. A task to big for us. All that He accomplished He did so that we would know what eternity is like with Him.

These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.