Just Thinking
 Just thinking is a compilation of short articles written over many years for Peace Offerings, the monthly parish newsletter.
The title "Just Thinking" was born out of the commonly held notion that when you retire there's more time to do stuff that you couldn't do before. For me, that was "thinking".
Anyway, I was encouraged by a couple of people (or was it one?) to gather the thoughts together in the hope that they might serve the best interests of the reader, the purpose of God for us, and, maybe, generate additional thinking.
A special "Thank You" to Fern Stacy, who typed and retyped and put the whole thing together; the same to Jackie Alfson, who never hesitated after copy-reading to say to me, "That Doesn't Make Any Sense"; and finally to my wife, Katherine who although unaware, was often the "thought provoker".
And finally, "Sola Dei Gloria!!" (That's Latin, I think)… "To God Alone Be the Glory!!". E.G. Smith, Pastor Emeritus
Peace Lutheran Church
Columbus, NE 68601
We have recently added new content to the Just Thinking section. This new content is also available in printed form. The Senior Youth are selling the newest edition of the "Just Thinking" series… You guessed it!… "Just Thinking 2". If you have questions on how to get a printed copy, stop in the Church Office.
|
A Few Random ThoughtsJust a few random thoughts: Have you noticed that "common decency" is really not as common as it used to be?? Disagreement does not equate with hatred… and love does not equate with agreement. As the woman said, "When I don't want what is growing within me, its called a "thing" or "fetal material"… When I do want it, it's called a "baby" or a "child". It would seem that MY "WANTING" has the power to change a "thing" into a HUMAN BEING. WOW!!!! FORGIVENESS is sometimes treated like "cheap goods", "bargain basement merchandise", "dime a dozen stuff'. NOT SO!!! FORGIVENESS IS EXPENSIVE. CHRIST DIED FOR IT!! Remember the woman caught in the act of adultery? Jesus told her, "I'm not condemning you but CUT IT OUT! DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!" (My own paraphrase.) Jesus came to SAVE US FROM OUR SIN: not to CONFIRM US IN OUR SIN… To be forgiven is to receive the power for change. |
|
Act Of War: 9/11/01This is being written one week after the act of war against our country. Other things may have transpired since then… Anyway, I WAS JUST THINKING that terrorist groups are usually quick to claim responsibility for their atrocities. To this point "mum's the word". Kind of interesting, isn't it? I was in Jr. High at the time of Pearl Harbor, so I was old enough to remember. The nation had lived through 10 years of "depression". Compared to today, we didn't have all that much then. Consequently, when gas (we didn't have a car), shoes, clothes, food were rationed and hard to find during World War II, that was no "big deal" We were used to that. Now it's different. Compared to 60 years ago we have everything and lack nothing. Do we have the "stomach", the will to BE without, DO without, LIVE without? We may well FIND out. Pray God gives us the backbone. To date: The president, the Congress and Governors all have encouraged us to pray and invoke the blessing of Almighty God. The media has covered this plus assorted prayer services (notably the one at the National Cathedral) with a kind of subtle approval. However, we have, to date, not heard dissenting voices from the ACLU, People for the American Way or other "church/state separation" folks. Anyway, God still is not allowed in the school house. As the Russian born comedian says, "Is this a great country, or what???" |
After The 45thIt's Monday morning and Jackie just hollered from her desk, "It's newsletter day" I received her message instantaneously. So much for modern electronics. I had nothing prepared. That's because I hadn't been thinking lately. But Jackie's demanding tone aroused the synapses, or whatever those brain things are called, to get thinking. So I a m thinking of yesterday and the 45th anniversary celebration. I am thinking how "out of sight good" God is and has been to me in this life: His Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my wife, Katherine, our children, their children, Pastor Klatt, The Elders, Jackie, Gene, singers, musicians… just this whole congregation… thank you for being what God, in Christ, has made you to be. |
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 18 |
