Cross Encounters

Despite what we see or think, the Church is really one and dynamic. That truth is a hidden reality. The truth of the Church is found in Jesus – in what Jesus uses to come to us, in the people who gather to meet him, and in the words used to explain what is going on!

God is with us even in the unexpected – and no matter how frustrating, problematic, or troublesome – God brings good from all things for nothing is unexpected to him.

We have routines for all sort of things in our life. Discipleship involves incorporating encounters with Jesus into our life – daily, routinely even – not out of fear or self-promotion before God – but because the relationship with God who loves us so enriches everything in our life.

Christians do not seek to be martyrs but because Jesus is who he is, Christians do want to witness to him in all circumstances.

Seeing, role models, good examples are very important! However, through faith Christians live who they are in this world – new creations in Christ – by what they hear – God’s Word – more than by what they see.

May the Church treasure its songs while encouraging more to be written. God is always worth our praise!

It can be such a turmoil – but with a focus on Jesus and on others – others may say that we are coping best.

Truth is not based in sincerity but in something objectively measured. For Christians that means Jesus and who he is and what he has done for us.

We cannot get away from it when things in life crash. Let us be honest about it. God is honest about it. Look what Jesus did because of human error – even worse – sin.

Religion? Science? Governments? Or really is it simply you and me? And that is why Jesus is the solution rather than the problem.

In Christian Baptism, the baptised and Jesus are linked person-to-person – personally so that we become who we are in Christ.

Where accountability is flaunted if possible in the world, Christians seek to be accountable to Jesus – not because of rules or fear but because Jesus’ grace gives living the best meaning and purpose.

We don’t grasp Christmas or The Epiphany – they are more than just stories from the past – until we understand that these events happened and are actually and truly for all people. Yes, FOR YOU!

No matter the year, Christians know that now is the time of salvation which is there for people all the time – thank you, Jesus!

There is so much violence in the past and still today that the message of the Prince of Peace can seem simply ludicrous – except to Jesus’ followers who seek to follow him.

Should we be?

Whether we feel as if we’ve been kicked in the guts or we’re on Cloud 9, Jesus in the Divine Service helps us not be depressed or conceited as we focus on him and he directs us to live well with those round us.

In all the ups and downs of the Church, in all the ups and downs of our life, God is faithful.

Thank yous are always more than just words.

Wherever our mortal remains might be, those in Christ always remain with the Lord because the grave is not the end of the story.

If the Lutheran Reformation is only historical and not for today – for people today – then what is the point?

There is a lot of confusion about saints today. Most commonly thought of as ’super good people’ the biblical idea is of people touched by a holy God to be his people in this world and so all those in Christ are saints and called to live that identity.

Without words there is no life; there is no us. What words matter to you? Why?

Emojis communicate. God’s emoji to us is Jesus. Perhaps a black cross on a red heart would best declare in an emoji the foundation of the relationship God establishes with us and reminds us that God is for us not against us.

We can’t create God’s blessings to us but we can certainly cut them short. Only with Jesus can we have life in all its fullness.