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Reflections
This past week the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod held its 99th Convention. Some reflections on what was said…
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CLOTHED FOR COMMUNITY
Most Christians can readily bring to mind the call to put on the whole armor of God. You know… with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace and so on. That passage applies to what it takes to be dressed for spiritual warfare.
One of the sermons this past week at the Convention called on Christians to focus on another passage that tells us how to be clothed for community. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Next time you are getting ready to come to worship, make sure you come clothed for community!
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DON’T READ THE BIBLE!!
Yup, that’s what one of the speakers said. He said, “Don’t read the Bible.” And this guy teaches at the Seminary, the one in St. Louis! He went on to say that he instructs future pastors that the Bible was never meant to be read!
He then said, “The Bible is not meant to be read; it is meant to be re-read and re-read!
There is no point at which Christians are done rereading the Bible any more than there is any point at which humans are done with eating food.
So how is your re-reading of the Bible going? If you are have a plan to go through it in a year, you should be ½ done by now. If you don’t have a plan to be re-reading the Bible, why not start one? (Send me an email and I’ll help you.)
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IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD
So much of how we feel and behave begins with what we put in our heads. Life ultimately is driven by thinking more than feeling. Feeling is an outgrowth of thinking. And actions tend to be an outgrowth of our feelings. But it all starts in our head.
The best way to keep our feelings under control and in a positive mode is to guard our thinking… Paul writes, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
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CELEBRATE JESUS
That was the theme of the Convention. Speakers, sermons, hymns and conversations focused on celebrating Jesus.
Why not do that this weekend? Celebrate Jesus. Think on all that he has done and given to you: forgiveness, life with God, food, shelter, clothing, family, friends, country and on and on….
Celebrate Jesus!
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Have an enjoyable and safe 4th of July. Make sure celebrating Jesus with fellow Christians is part of it!