WHAT’S SO OUTRAGEOUS ABOUT GRACE?

By Rev. Jody Rinas

TV game shows are popular with many viewers, not to mention the eager contestants. When you spin the wheel at the Showcase Showdown on The Price Is Right, or on Wheel of Fortune, there’s no guarantee of winning, but the prospect of going home with a big prize or just some cold hard cash is exciting.

When I was serving as a pastor out west, our circuit congregations organized a popular week-long summer camp for young people out at the lake.

the text summer camp written with chalk of different colors in a chalkboard, on a wooden pier on the sea, slight vignette added

One of the time-honoured camp traditions was collecting items left lying around the grounds and taking them to the Lost & Found table in the mess hall. At supper time the items were displayed for campers to claim. But, to get their stuff back, they had to work for it. These naughty campers had to sing a song, do a dance, recite a poem, or come up with something else to charm the crowd. While putting on a show was not exciting for the performers, it was always amusing to see what these pressured campers would do to get their property back.

Despite the fact that Lutherans don’t like change, one year we witnessed a new spin on this old tradition. Our camp director cleverly created a custom “wheel of fortune.” When the campers claimed their lost items, they now had to spin this homemade wheel which would determine their punishment: cruel rigours such as reciting a nursery rhyme or sucking Jell-O out of a dish without using your hands. True humiliation, indeed!

Offering a slim hope of salvation from embarrassment, one of the spaces on the wheel was “Saved by Grace.” If you landed on this space, you’d get your stuff back scot-free, and you could just walk away without having to do anything. A big prize for nervous contestants, if not prize money.

But what do you think the audience thought of this “Lutheran addition” to the wheel? It was a real eye-opener to see, when the wheel landed on “Saved by Grace,” how the mob reacted. They thought it was funny the first time it happened. The second time, however, they got mad and grumbled. They thought these irresponsible campers should have to do something to make up for their “sins” of leaving stuff lying around as eyesores littering the camp. On a human level, their annoyance could be understood — people were being deprived of fun at another’s expense. “Saved by Grace” became a stumbling block to their sport, foolishness to those who expected that you should “contribute your effort” or at least show your penitence. But to others, a chance for grace seemed an honourable mention that should be allowed and even taught at a Christian camp. A Christian community, moved by a spirit of forgiveness, would allow sinners a fair chance—in this case, one sliver on the wheel’s many slices where you could land.

In 2017—thought by many to be the 500th anniversary of the Reformation—we Lutherans in many and various ways turned the spotlight onto this outrageous teaching of God’s grace. Still, every year, the epistle for Reformation Day points up the righteousness of God that has been manifested apart from law. This gift is given through Jesus Christ for all who believe. A man is justified by faith “apart from works of law.” That is, man does not have to perform and satisfy any crowd in order to be judged acceptable.

Too, our Sunday gospels routinely teach similar lessons. The king sent out messengers to the street corners to invite to the celebration as many people as they could find, for his feast was ready. Or tax collectors and prostitutes who simply believed the preaching they heard and thus entered the kingdom ahead of the priests and elders. Then there’s the too-deep-in-debt servant who could do nothing but be forgiven an unforgivably large loan. Or Joseph, who held no grudge but freely forgave his brothers even though they had done him wrong.

Though we like to get things for free, God’s favour is, strangely, not a favoured teaching in many circles. It might even be ridiculed. It doesn’t seem logical to people who are naturally self-reliant.

Grace is obnoxious both to the proud and to those who think themselves better than others. You are annoyed when others are let off the hook while you had to slave and sweat. You didn’t get a break; rather, you “earned” it. You did not get yourself into a mess. Therefore, you needed no grace. You accomplished what others did not.

Grace is an offensive teaching because we are hardwired for self-accomplishment. It is hard to receive help from others. At times we refuse help, don’t ask for help, or accept help only while explaining that we could’ve gotten by without assistance. This is a dog-eat-dog world, and we want to prove ourselves able in the contest of “survival of the fittest.” A demonic dictator within us drives us to discharge the necessary duties. We must contribute something.

Sinners, however, are unable to contribute, so deep is their corruption. God saw our problem and therefore sent His Son to give us His riches at His own expense. This Son lived a perfect life. Neither conceived nor born with sin, He never sinned against God or conscience. His thoughts never strayed. He was righteous and always did the right thing. Only He, of all people, on His own merit and worthiness, deserved to live forever in paradise. But instead, He took the punishment of hell for us, and died on the accursed cross for us. Very God in the flesh, Jesus Christ and His righteous death was sufficient in exchange for you and your unrighteous life. As an exchange, He gives us His holiness, taking our unrighteousness to Himself, His riches freely given to us.

By God’s grace you are reading this today. Thanks be to God, Christ died for you, rose from the dead, opened heaven for you, and makes it known to you. God made His salvation ready for you and calls you to it. There’s nothing you need do. That is His grace. If it seems easy, that’s because it is. If it seems a priceless gift, that’s because it is. If it seems outrageous, let it amaze instead of annoying you. All for free, a very big prize is yours, longer lasting than many piles of cold hard cash.

As God has told us in His Word, His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than ours. But then, if His thoughts and ways were not higher than ours, we probably wouldn’t need Him or His grace.

Rev. Jody A. Rinas is pastor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Clifford, Ont.

Published in Tapestry, Fall 2021

Making a Gift

by Allen Schellenberg

Our sincere apologies for posting this earlier today with an incorrect title.

When I meet with individuals to discuss their estate planning gift options, they often ask the question, “Should I gift a set dollar amount or a percentage of my estate?” On the face of it, this seems like a fairly easy question to answer, but it is far more complex a question than one might think.
Prior to answering this question, it’s important to note that whichever plan is made, it normally would not come into force until the passing of the second spouse. This may seem obvious to some, but it’s good to know the future needs of a surviving spouse are taken care of first, and typically, it’s only when the deceased has already been widowed, or is single, that the gift clause would actually come into effect.
The easy part to answer, addresses the basic question, “a set dollar amount or a percentage?” If it is a set dollar amount, legally this gift must be made after all funeral costs, taxes and other debts are paid, BUT prior to any designated gifts given from the “residual” of the estate. Interestingly, I have read of instances when individuals used a set dollar amount, assuming what their estate might be worth when they pass. This became problematic when medical or care facility costs expended much of their estate in their later years, and the amount designated for charitable causes now consumed most of the remaining estate. Even if it didn’t make sense, the executor is legally bound to fulfil the gift clause. For this reason, the Foundation typically recommends stipulating a percentage of the estate. This is also in keeping with God’s word, wherein it states, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV). I interpret this to mean, God asks us to not only give willingly from the blessings He has given us, but also to give in proportion to how we have been blessed. Of course, when one creates a will, rarely do we know what the value of our estate assets will be at the time of our passing, and when the gift clause goes into effect. By stipulating a percentage of our estate, the amount of our gift will change in keeping with the change in the value of our estate.
The second part of the answer is much more complex. What do people mean when they share a desire to gift a percentage of “their estate”? For most people, this means gifting some percentage of the entirety of their estate, which might include: a house, vehicle, registered funds, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, life insurance, and pension benefits (ignoring personal belongings). However, the actual gift clause, made within the will, designates the gift be made from “the residual” of the estate. So, what exactly is “the residual” and how is it different from “the estate”? First off, it’s important to realize that a person’s estate is comprised of two distinct parts: those assets that pass through and are covered by the will, and those assets that are NOT covered by the will. Assets with their own beneficiary clause, generally have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WILL. This includes all registered funds (RRSP, TFSA, LIRA), insurance policies, and pension funds, assuming the beneficiary clause on each of these assets names an individual(s) and not “the estate.” The remaining assets, without their own beneficiary clause—home, vehicles, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and all other belongings—are covered by the will and are used to determine the value of the “estate residual.” In effect, the “estate residual” only refers to the amount remaining after converting these assets into cash—and paying all debts (funeral, taxes, loans, etc.).
Therefore, if an individual wanted to tithe “their estate,” and simply gifted ten percent (10%) of their “estate residual,” it’s apparent their gifting goals will not be met. It really depends on which of the assets listed above form the makeup of their estate, which then determines which assets contribute to their “estate residual.”
From my experience, rarely does simply tithing the “estate residual” meet the charitable gifting goals of those who wish to tithe “their estate” as a thank-you gift to God. It’s for this reason we encourage a conversation with a Foundation Gift Coordinator, who will review your assets, and recommend a structure for your gift, such that your gifting goals for family and charitable causes can both be met. Go to http://www.lutheranfoundation.ca to contact the Gift Coordinator in your region.

Allen Schellenberg of Lutheran Foundation Canada regularly shares information with readers of Tapestry about estate planning. The Foundation assists Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Canada with their Gifts for Growth Fund.

Making a Will

by Allen Schellenberg

When I meet with individuals to discuss their estate planning gift options, they often ask the question, “Should I gift a set dollar amount or a percentage of my estate?” On the face of it, this seems like a fairly easy question to answer, but it is far more complex a question than one might think.
Prior to answering this question, it’s important to note that whichever plan is made, it normally would not come into force until the passing of the second spouse. This may seem obvious to some, but it’s good to know the future needs of a surviving spouse are taken care of first, and typically, it’s only when the deceased has already been widowed, or is single, that the gift clause would actually come into effect.
The easy part to answer, addresses the basic question, “a set dollar amount or a percentage?” If it is a set dollar amount, legally this gift must be made after all funeral costs, taxes and other debts are paid, BUT prior to any designated gifts given from the “residual” of the estate. Interestingly, I have read of instances when individuals used a set dollar amount, assuming what their estate might be worth when they pass. This became problematic when medical or care facility costs expended much of their estate in their later years, and the amount designated for charitable causes now consumed most of the remaining estate. Even if it didn’t make sense, the executor is legally bound to fulfil the gift clause. For this reason, the Foundation typically recommends stipulating a percentage of the estate. This is also in keeping with God’s word, wherein it states, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV). I interpret this to mean, God asks us to not only give willingly from the blessings He has given us, but also to give in proportion to how we have been blessed. Of course, when one creates a will, rarely do we know what the value of our estate assets will be at the time of our passing, and when the gift clause goes into effect. By stipulating a percentage of our estate, the amount of our gift will change in keeping with the change in the value of our estate.
The second part of the answer is much more complex. What do people mean when they share a desire to gift a percentage of “their estate”? For most people, this means gifting some percentage of the entirety of their estate, which might include: a house, vehicle, registered funds, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, life insurance, and pension benefits (ignoring personal belongings). However, the actual gift clause, made within the will, designates the gift be made from “the residual” of the estate. So, what exactly is “the residual” and how is it different from “the estate”? First off, it’s important to realize that a person’s estate is comprised of two distinct parts: those assets that pass through and are covered by the will, and those assets that are NOT covered by the will. Assets with their own beneficiary clause, generally have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WILL. This includes all registered funds (RRSP, TFSA, LIRA), insurance policies, and pension funds, assuming the beneficiary clause on each of these assets names an individual(s) and not “the estate.” The remaining assets, without their own beneficiary clause—home, vehicles, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and all other belongings—are covered by the will and are used to determine the value of the “estate residual.” In effect, the “estate residual” only refers to the amount remaining after converting these assets into cash—and paying all debts (funeral, taxes, loans, etc.).
Therefore, if an individual wanted to tithe “their estate,” and simply gifted ten percent (10%) of their “estate residual,” it’s apparent their gifting goals will not be met. It really depends on which of the assets listed above form the makeup of their estate, which then determines which assets contribute to their “estate residual.”
From my experience, rarely does simply tithing the “estate residual” meet the charitable gifting goals of those who wish to tithe “their estate” as a thank-you gift to God. It’s for this reason we encourage a conversation with a Foundation Gift Coordinator, who will review your assets, and recommend a structure for your gift, such that your gifting goals for family and charitable causes can both be met. Go to http://www.lutheranfoundation.ca to contact the Gift Coordinator in your region.

Allen Schellenberg of Lutheran Foundation Canada regularly shares information with readers of Tapestry about estate planning. The Foundation assists Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Canada with their Gifts for Growth Fund.

Magic…science…or something better?

Man dowsing wirh dividing rod to locate ground water under surface or currents of earth radiation to check home for safe zones.

The eight-year-old girl came bounding down the stairs from her second-floor bedroom. How could she have slept so late on such a special day, she internally reprimanded herself. “Where are you going in such a hurry?” asked her mom.

“He’s here! I hear the truck coming down the lane,” was her reply. “I want to see this.”

“Well, make sure and tell everyone to come in for breakfast when it’s all done,” her mom commanded as the girl ran out the door.

Her grandparents from a mile down the road were there too and they greeted her in their usual way, Grandma with a wrap-around-your-whole-body-push-the-air-out-of-your-lungs hug and Grandpa with a pat on the head. They too had come to see. As the two strangers got out of their truck, her dad welcomed the old man with a friendly handshake, and a nod to the younger companion who had driven the truck. Then the older of the two reached into the box of his truck and brought out a “Y” shaped willow. It looked long enough to roast two hotdogs if that was what he wanted to do, but she knew that he hadn’t come to their yard expecting a wiener roast. The party trudged out to the farmyard and near to the feedlot. Over time her dad’s herd of cattle had grown, and with more cows came more calves, and with more calves came more feeders that would be enclosed in the feedlot, and with more feeders came the need for more water. And she couldn’t help thinking as she watched the man with the willow stick, “Is this magic or science?”

The eight-year-old girl came bounding the stairs from her second floor bedroom. How could she have slept so late on such a special day? It was Sunday. Her baby brother was being baptized today. She heard the church bells. She could hardly wait.

The congregation sang the baptism song:
Baptized in the name of the Father,
Baptized in the name of the Son,
Baptized in the name of the Spirit,
Member of God’s family you become.
We call on You Lord, Giver of all good,
Receive this child now through Water and the Word.
May their family, Lord, Live in the True Way,
Examples of your love, And pray to You each day.
Father be with them, Jesus be their Friend,
Spirit, guide them through the faith, To a glorious end.

The little girl watched as the parents and godparents came forward, and the pastor performed the rite of baptism.

It was declared that now the child was a member of God’s family. She had seen this before, but her eight-year-old brain was starting to ask questions. In the car on the way home, her dad said, “Baptism isn’t magic, and it isn’t science. It’s faith. The water that is used was probably water from the tap, but because the pastor speaks the Word of God it becomes baptismal water. No magic, no science, but a gift from God.”

She wasn’t sure how the man using his willow stick was able to find water, but knowing that God’s Word with the tap water made it a baptism brought a smile to her face. No magic, no science, but faith was a better way to know she was a child of God.

Patricia Lach Kreutzwieser, Moose Jaw, Sask.

For the score to the baptism song, contact the author via Tapestry’s editor-in-chief at tapestry@lutheranwomen.ca.

This story is taken from Tapestry, Winter 1994, a publication of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing. An order form can be found at https://lutheranwomen.ca/publications-and-forms/tapestry. The magazine is published four times a year and is available in print, large print, audio and via download.

©2023 LWML-Canada

X MARKS THE SPOT – A TREASURE HUNT OF Xs

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From Tapestry, Winter 1994
by Doreen and Laurie Schaeffer, Simcoe, Ontario

Please prepare for this study by prayerfully singing “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now” LSB: #902

Read responsively Psalm 103

When my children were small, getting a letter from Grandma and Grandpa always brought excitement. Grandma closed her letter with “xxxxx,” and the boys would come running to get their kisses. That was a letter to treasure. Love for one another in our family is a wonderful blessing from God.

So often, though, in the rush of daily activities, we forget the Source of our greatest treasure. We find ourselves hunting for the flashy treasures of the world – money, possessions, power, fame. These treasures are like fool’s gold – bright and shiny, but not worth very much.

Get your Bibles ready. Hunt for the treasure in the following situations.
#1 It’s election time. Candidates X, Y and Z are debating the issues on national TV. Candidate X steps to the microphone and says, “Our country is really in a mess. The previous administration has only made matters worse. If elected, I have the solution to these problems. Vote for me – I have the answers!”

Look up Isaiah 40:8 and John 14:6. Where is the real treasure?

#2 You are watching prime time TV. In the program little Suzy is being stalked by an unknown assailant. The only way the police can bring the attacker to justice is by catching him in the act. Constable X assures Suzy, “There is nothing to worry about. I’ll have policemen stationed all around you. There is no way this guy can hurt you. Trust me.”

Look up Genesis 28:15. Where is the real treasure?

#3 You are on the phone to Mrs. X with an important question about LWMLC work. She’s not home but her answering machine says, “You have reached the home of Mr. and Mrs. X. We can’t come to the phone right now. Leave your name, number and message after the beep. If we get the chance, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. BEEP.”

Look up Isaiah 65:24. Where is the real treasure?

#4 You are relaxing with a popular magazine. While thumbing through the pages, your attention is arrested by the following advertisements: Try Diet X!!! You’ll be thin and beautiful! Your family and friends will love you!” “Buy Sonja X’s Aerobic Video! Take inches off your tummy! Trim your thighs! Have the Perfect Body! Be happy!!!” “Medical Authorities urge: Take Multivitamin X!!! Feel Better!!! Boost Energy!!!”

Look up Matthew 14:13-21; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 55:22a; Exodus 15:26b. Where is the real treasure?

The Greatest Treasure
Around my house are various keepsakes, mementos of my years at home as a child with my parents. I am reminded of their loving care, how they brought me, as a baby, to the waters of Holy Baptism, how my father directed me to take my concerns to the heavenly Father after sharing them with my earthly Father. They brought me to the greatest treasure.

Look up John 3:16 and John 11:25-26.

Sing: “Jesus, Priceless Treasure” LSB #743

Dear heavenly Father,
Out of Your wonderful love for us through Christ Jesus, You have freely opened to us Your treasury of promises and blessings. Through the death and resurrection of Your only Son, Jesus, we have received forgiveness, eternal life, a home in heaven and Your promise to help, protect and love us. For these blessings we praise You, dear Father. In the days ahead, help us to share the treasures of Your love with our families, co-workers and all those whom You place before us. Give us the strength and ability to act in Christian love. All this we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

This study is taken from Tapestry, publication of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing. An order form can be found at https://lutheranwomen.ca/publications-and-forms/tapestry. The magazine is published four times a year and is available in print, large print, audio and via download.
©2018 LWML-Canada

Music Marks the Spot

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This story is from Tapestry, Winter 1994. Theme of the Winter 1994 issue was “X Marks the Spot,” hence the name of this article. It was written by Renate Bishopp, VP Mission Projects, Manitoba & Saskatchewan District in 1994.

As a child in my native Germany, I remember being quite intrigued by a story of young men in search of the Blue Flower. I don’t recall much of the story itself but I know that this elusive flower meant happiness and was exceptionally rare. The one finding the flower would be rewarded with the hand of a beautiful, but sad, princess and live happily ever after. And so the young men would set out over hill and dale, in and out of danger, to find this treasure. I often wonder when I see a blue flower why it makes me smile. Can it really make one happy?

When I ask myself if I am a happy person I would probably answer, yes. I enjoy simple things, particularly the wonders of God’s creation. However, there are times when my feelings are hurt, when I am disappointed or tired; sad about things that I cannot change or am too reluctant to change. I need a fix, a magic that will make it all better.
To some people this fix comes in the way of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, other diversions like movies, gambling, or running. For me it is music. When the need arises I curl up in the corner of my couch and listen. Handel’s Messiah is my absolutely preferred work. I turn the volume up a bit so that the “cobwebs” clouding my mind may be blown away.
With the first few bars of Sinfonia I feel the chains springing from my chest. I can breathe easier. I want to sing along but the soprano is too high and the alto not always easily recognizable. I also attempt tenor and bass parts. After all, it is just God and me listening.

Now it is Christmas, and it is Easter, and all of life in between. I marvel at the author who knew where in Scripture to find the right words to the music, or was it the other way around? I don’t care. Listening to the Messiah becomes a devotion, and therein lies the magic. It is being absorbed in God’s Word.

I owned a record of the Messiah years ago; some of my family members have participated in singing with the symphony. Parts were being practised at home, sections repeated over and over again. I really should get tired of it all.

There are several pieces missing on the record and I need them all. One Christmas my husband surprised me with the complete work. I was ecstatic. “He was despised and rejected of men…” that’s the one I was missing (Isaiah 53:3). Yes, someone hurt my feelings and I felt rejected! Jesus didn’t deserve being rejected and He bore it. So can I! I feel better already. “Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4-5). What comfort!

“Why do the nations so furiously rage together, why do the peopole imagine a vain thing” (Psalm 2:1-2)? I know war and strife are nothing new and God knows about them. “He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, the Lord shall have them in derision” (Psalm 2:4). “Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:16). As the great chorus swells so does my heart.

King of kings and Lord of lords! Thank you for being my God. “I know that my Redeemer liveth…” (Job 19:25-26). And finally the “Amen.” I take a deep breath; I feel good. God’s promises are always true. My dark clouds have been taken away. I have found my blue flower. I say a quick prayer of thanks. “Stossgebet” is what we call it in German; a brief prayer of thanks or a cry for help right now as the need arises, thrust at the throne of God. I think God likes this kind of prayer since He commanded us to “pray without ceasing.” I go away humming!

For me, music marks the spot.

 

This story is taken from Tapestry, Winter 1994, a publication of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing. An order form can be found at https://lutheranwomen.ca/publications-and-forms/tapestry. The magazine is published four times a year and is available in print, large print, audio and via download.

©2018 LWML-Canada

 

My Treasure – My Hope

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From Tapestry, Winter 1994
Anne Taylor, Laurentian District Editor in 1994

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE TREASURE?
Discuss treasure in relation to: Exodus 19:5 (compare 1 Peter 2:9); Psalm 119:162; Proverbs 15:6, 16; Proverbs 18:22; Matthew 12:35; 2 Corinthians 4:7.
What did the following discover about treasure?
Solomon – Ecclesiastes 2:8-11
The rich fool – Luke 12:16-21
The two home builders – Matthew 7:24-27
What advice does Matthew offer regarding treasure in Matthew 6:19-21?
Compare material treasure with spiritual treasure.

 

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF HOPE?
How is hope expressed in the following? Joshua 1:9; Job 19:25-27; Psalm 30:5; Psalm 119:81-116; Psalm 146:5-6; Isaiah 26:3; Lamentations 3:22-25; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 4:18-21; Romans 8:23-25; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 4:6-7; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 13:5-6; Revelation 2:10.
What hope is given to the following?
Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:15
Abraham – Genesis 15:5
David – 2 Samuel 7:16
To us – Isaiah 41:10, 13; Isaiah 43:1-2; Micah 7:7-9
What is our hope? See Acts 26:13.
How is our hope challenged in 1 Peter 3:15-16?
What is our hope? See 1 Timothy 1:1.
What is Jesus’ hope for us, His redeemed and sanctified people? See Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8.
The title of our Bible study is “My Treasure – My Hope.” DO THE TWO THOUGHTS GO TOGETHER?
How do they fit together personally for you?
What were Paul’s comments regarding “My Treasure – My Hope” in Philippians 3:7-11?
Close by singing “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” LSB #575, 576.

May Christ be our greatest Treasure and the fulfillment of your every hope!

 

This study is taken from Tapestry, publication of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing. An order form can be found at https://lutheranwomen.ca/publications-and-forms/tapestry. The magazine is published four times a year and is available in print, large print, audio and via download.

©2018 LWML-Canada

If God really loved me

If God really loved me – PDF to print

The following story was published in the Winter 2008 issue of Tapestry and submitted to the Canadian Church Press awards competition in 2009. It is one of several award-winning articles published in various issues of this publication by Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada.

by Marlo Schalesky

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” It’s such a simple song. I learned it as a child and sang it probably a thousand times. I never thought to doubt it, until a few short years ago.

It was my thirty-fifth birthday. Thirty-five is a milestone of sorts, when all the good statistics for pregnancy decrease while the bad ones take a giant leap forward. Of course, I’d always planned to have a house full of children by the time I was thirty-five, so the stats weren’t going to matter. But my plans obviously weren’t the same as God’s.

Wise Men reach the right spot for treasure

Wisemen Reach the spot – PDF to print

Magazine theme: X marks the spot – looking for treasure

From Tapestry, Winter 1994
by Rev. Fritz Schmitt, Ontario LWML District Pastoral Counsellor in 1994

Read through the account of the Wise Men worshipping Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12 (you may also want to check out the Old Testament references to this story in Micah 5:2 and Numbers 24:17).

Most of the artwork involving the Wise Men suggests the star they followed acted like some sort of beacon leading them to the treasure they sought. But how much did the star actually lead them and why did they make the journey to see Jesus?

1. From Matthew 2:1-2 we can tell they are probably not Jews and probably from outside the Roman Empire. What treasure (advantage, benefit, blessing) would they be able to find in paying homage to a foreign king in a foreign land who would have to struggle against foreign domination of His people?
What do people in our day and age expect to gain by giving gifts to politicians and powerful leaders of their own country.
2. What was it (vs. 5-6) that helped the Wise Men find the treasures they sought, more than the star, the ruling priests and the scribes could?
Does this suggest what we should use more than anything else to find a true and lasting treasure for ourselves?
3. When they are finally led to their destination the Wise Men leave treasure instead of taking some back with them, or did they exchange one treasure for another? If the latter, what did they take back with them?
4. Can the Wise Men and their actions tell us anything about the cost and the effort involved in locating the treasure that God has promised us?
5. Is there a risk or commitment involved in the treasure here?
6. How is God involved in the Wise Men’s journeys and searches?
7. How might the Wise Men’s actions demonstrate a proper regard for material treasures in comparison with eternal treasures?

 

This article is taken from Tapestry, publication of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing. An order form can be found at https://lutheranwomen.ca/publications-and-forms/tapestry. The magazine is published four times a year and is available in print, large print, audio and via download.
©2018 LWML-Canada

The Vocation of Soldiering

Vocation of Soldiering-PDF to print

This story, winner of an award from Canadian Church Press, is from Tapestry, Spring 2007. It was written by Rev. Victor Morris, Chaplain, Canadian Armed Forces.

One of my favourite verses to use with the soldiers I serve is Psalm 144:1 – “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”

Their reaction is usually, “You’re kidding, Padre! That’s in the Bible?!”  The shock value of this usually leads to some great discussion as we move to Romans 13 (see below). In the first seven verses we hear about God’s design of order, justice and authority in this world. In describing this authority St. Paul writes:

“…For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.  He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (vs. 4).