Mrs. Hartley

Elizabeth Hartley 1892 - 1985

In 1971, when I was 9, I started attending Versailles Baptist Church with Mrs. Hartley.  She was a widow who lived across the street from the bus stop.  During the winter months, and on rainy days, Mrs. Hartley would invite us kids into her house to wait for the bus. 

Mrs. Hartley had a garden in her backyard; she drove an old silver car; she once gave me whiskey with honey to stop hiccups.

And sometimes, on the way home from church, we'd stop at the cemetery, and Mrs. Hartley would visit her husband and son's gravesite. 

But what I remember most about Mrs. Hartley was the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about reading the Bible.  As a young girl, she had memorized the Sermon on the Mount and had recited it in front of the church.

When I was 10, I bought my first Bible, a black King James Version, just like Mrs. Hartley's Bible.  I tried to memorize the Sermon on the Mount, but managed only the first chapter.  

But my inability to memorize didn't deter me for long.  Since that young age, I have consistently read God's Word.  It's a "lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  And I have Mrs. Hartley to thank for that.

When I tell this story, most people don't realize how young I was or how old Mrs. Hartley was - she was in her 80s.  

Today's society is all about youth, success, beauty, how much something is worth.  We often fail to consider or recognize the value of old age, wisdom, and just simple kindness.  

But Mrs. Hartley did.  She passed on her faith and her love of God's Word to a young girl who lived in her neighborhood.  The fruit of her sharing is beyond value.  

And, it's a lesson for all of us.  

First, don't discount the influence and contribution of your very oldest church members.  

And, second...keep serving and sharing, even when you're old and think you have nothing of value to contribute.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

**When visiting her grave, I saw that her son, Kenneth, was a fellow Marine who was killed in action in Korea.  Semper Fi, Kenneth.

A Willing and Happy Heart?

I recently read a list of tips on avoiding dementia, and I mentally checked "yes" for those items that I do.  It's almost like a report card.  I think all of us read through these types of lists, just to reassure ourselves.

Martin Luther taught that every day we should pray through the Ten Commandments.  It's easy to read those laws and to mentally check "yes" thinking I'm okay with obeying them.  I might covet now and then, but who doesn't - basically I don't really break God's laws.

Commenting on Romans, Martin Luther talks about the true purpose of the law and how people mistakenly think they can obey and satisfy His law...

...not knowing how much the law demands, namely, a willing and happy heart.

Luther's saying that it doesn't matter if you can keep the letter of the law, but your motives and intent must also be correct, your heart must be right.  And Luther didn't make this up.  He got it from Jesus. 

...everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment....Matthew 5:22

...everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.              Matthew 5:28

Looking back through the Bible...

• Eve's sin started with delight and desire.
• Joseph's brothers were jealous of him.
• David looked on Bathsheba with lust.
• Jonah was angry with God for showing mercy.

All of these sins come from a hard, sinful heart.  And so it is with us, with me.  I may keep the outward demands of the law, but my heart is not right.  I inherited that from Adam - original sin and my sick heart.

But, Jesus.  The prophets said:

I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20

It started with baptism...and continues.  The more I read God's Word, the more I recognize the sickness of my own heart.  I read through those Ten Commandments, confessing that I break them all.  It's the heart of flesh that now recognizes my sin and also sees His goodness and mercy. 

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

"The Law of Medes and Persians"

While reading in Ezra recently, I was reminded of my early homeschooling years.  Whenever I tried to renege on a planned outing or change plans for the day, my sons would proclaim, "Law of Medes and Persians.  Law of Medes and Persians!"

The "Law of Medes and Persians" is referred to in several Old Testament books.  This "law" was a policy that forbade all previous laws from being revoked.  In essence, any law or decree written during the Medo Persian Empire became a permanent ordinance.

And a permanent law seems bizarre to our American way of thinking.  In our society, laws and policies change daily depending on who's in office.  But rather than being problematic, the Law of Medes and Persians actually had some advantages.

Stability - Permanent laws meant a sense of stability for the government.  And, the governed people knew what to expect.

Caution - A permanent law would not be written or approved in haste.  It was likely to be thought out, wise, and prudent.   

But the Law of Medes and Persians isn't just a history lesson.  God's character is actually similar to this law, and I think of that every time I read those Old Testament passages.  Consider:

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it?  Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19

Our God keeps His promises; He does what He says He'll do.  He promises to hear our prayers, and indeed He does.

Also God's very name proclaims His eternality, His sameness, that He always is, that He doesn't change, and that He can be counted on:

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3:14 

But most significantly, the gospel is a truth that cannot be changed:

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14 

Jesus came to earth at a specific time, at the time of Pontius Pilate, and He sacrificed once and for all.  Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection can't be undone.  It's finished, and it proclaims a salvation that can't change.  That's greater and more precious than any Law of Medes and Persians.
 

VBS and Martin Luther

Pastor C as Martin Luther

October 31, 2017, will mark the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation - the date that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg.  This week, to celebrate that anniversary, my church's Vacation Bible School is welcoming Dr. Martin Luther as our guest teacher.


 
This is the second year that I've overseen our VBS event.   It's not exactly what a Marine Corps officer would do, but whether you're leading Marines or heading up Vacation Bible School, leadership is the same, and I tend to approach and evaluate everything from that perspective.

We do a few things differently than the traditional VBS format, but what's surprised and delighted me is that VBS is a great opportunity for church members to plan, work, and fellowship together.  

It seems that everyone has a different talent to share - from decorating, leading music, teaching, cooking, organizing games, or just enjoying and playing with the kids.  And I've seen relationships and friendships cultivated, teamwork built, and encouragement given. 

In his Smalcald Articles, Dr. Luther says that God shows His goodness and gives His grace "also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren."

Life is hard; faith is hard; ministry is hard.  I struggle daily, as my flesh fights against the Spirit within me.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17

It's important for our spiritual growth to spend time dealing with the issues of the heart; and this is an area that "consolation of brethren" is of great benefit.

I like that word - consolation.  It means: comfort, moral support, encouragement, relief, solace, reassurance, help.  

Our hearts can overwhelm us; relationships and problems can seem insurmountable.  

But laughing together, crying together, working in the kitchen, decorating, cleaning together...all of that, together with a brother or sister in Christ...it makes the load a little easier to bear.

And that's the way God intended it - as Jesus has borne the sins of the world, as He has borne my sins...we are to help, support, and encourage each other in this life, in our struggles, and in our faith.

I'm sure Martin Luther didn't have VBS in mind when he wrote the Smalcald Articles.  But all those outreach and fellowship events are opportunities for "consolation of brethren."

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Settlers of Catan - It's Life

Our family's favorite game is Settlers of Catan.  It's a board game, and the object of the game is to build roads, villages, and cities in order to gain points.  The first person with ten points is the winner. 



Before each game the various tiles and numbers are randomly placed so that every game is unique.  Since dice are used, a certain amount of luck is involved, and some strategy is required.

But what fascinates me about Settlers of Catan is how social the game is.

Players receive cards to "build" based on the roll of the dice.  However, any player rolling a 7 is allowed to "disadvantage" other players.

First, that player gets to move the Robber to a different tile, thereby limiting cards to any player on that tile.  

Second, the player rolling a 7 can also steal a card from another player. 

Even though everyone is mindful that the object of the game is "to win," I will often steal from the player who just stole from me...whether or not it helps my game.

And it gets worse...there are hurt feelings and pouting based on where the Robber is and who's stealing from whom. 

And it gets worse...trading cards between players is allowed...but those who are mad will refuse to trade with the offender - even though a trade might be to their advantage.  

I am fascinated at the passion shown in this game.  It's just a game, but hurt feelings and vengeance abound.

My husband will often take a different approach - instead of joining the stealing, he will place the Robber on a desert area and refuse to steal from anyone.  It's a different type of strategy because everyone remains "happy" with him, doesn't hinder his play and will gladly "trade" with him.

We play this game as if winning means that we're important, that we matter, that we actually win the title "The Lord of Catan."

And isn't this just like life?  Every day, we play to our own advantage, seeking our own interests.  Life is like a game that we have to win.  And when things don't go our way, we get bent out of shape and our relationships suffer.  Our feelings are affected, and we respond in kind.

Life is such a roller-coaster, trying to win, to be successful, seeking love and approval from others, or condemning others...until we remember where we truly stand.  

We stand before the throne of God, sinners who are loved and saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus.  

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

We don't have to win or be successful, and we can enjoy life, enjoy work and leisure, enjoy playing games...because Jesus is the only Lord of Lord and King of Kings, and our victory is in Him. 

Wonder Woman

Ok - I admit it.  When I was a kid, I watched Wonder Woman. And I dreamed...and knew...that one day I'd be like her - pretty, smart, wearing a cool outfit, and flying an invisible plane.  It's a familiar and comforting memory for me.

I've found that reading fiction and seeing movies often give me context for thinking about the Christian faith.  That context helps me to process and understand my faith.

When I read that, in the new movie, Wonder Woman's mother tells her, "They [mankind] don't deserve you," I made plans to see the movie.

My thoughts...

1.  On the way to their mission, Wonder Woman (Diana Prince) and Steve Trevor pass through the trenches of World War I.  Diana wants to help the people who are suffering and dying because of trench warfare, but Steve tells her that she needs to look at the big picture, that she can't save everyone.  She counters that looking at the big picture might be his way, but it's not her way, that she came for all the people who are hurting and she is going to do something...now.  And she does.  A very cool action scene follows.

When I saw the exchange between Steve and Diana - I thought of Jesus who came for all sinners.  Jesus knew the big picture, but He also took time to care for the hurting and needy people around Him.

2. Wonder Woman's enemy is the villian Ares.  She thinks that, once she kills Ares, mankind's problems will be solved.  She later realizes that men will always have an element of evil, and she decides her mission is to stay and help them.

In today's world, many people think that we can solve all the world's problems...if we just believe correctly, follow science in a certain way, or have the perfect political system.  I like that the movie recognized that all men are sinful, that our world needs help.

3. My favorite scene...Diana is on a bridge, walking and passing by hurting and wounded people, especially soldiers.  There was something about the compassion, the empathy in her eyes...it touched me.  I thought of Jesus, walking among us, seeing hurting people, seeing the needy and the hopeless. 

I later asked my 17-year old son what he thought of that scene.  He said, "That's probably how Jesus felt."  

When I can enjoy a movie, and make those faith connections, for me, that's time and money well spent.

The Real Jesus...

In 2013, I participated in a study that explored the journey of American Christians who were moving towards or had become Confessional Lutherans.  LCMS Pastor Matt Richard conducted this study for his doctoral thesis.  

Pastor Matt recently wrote a book, Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?  I bought the book to support Matt, and last week, during some waiting around time, I started reading it.


The premise of the book is that many Americans, including many Christians, embrace and teach a false Jesus.  These twelve false christs include:

• The Mascot - who cheers on his followers to pursue whatever makes them happy. 

• The Option among Many - a Jesus who is one road, but not the only way, to God and eternal life. 

• The Social Justice Warrior - who fights against oppression and works for just political and social causes.

Pastor Matt introduces each "false Jesus" with a compelling story of actual people who follow that particular Jesus.  

I was expecting the false versions to be superficial, and certainly not plausible to a thinking Christian.  

I was wrong.  

Each false Jesus is much more substantial than I realized, and I could see how some of our more popular Christian writings and teachings have led to these false beliefs.

Matt's book also includes two items that I found helpful.

First, in each chapter, Matt gives advice on responding to adherents of that false christ.  The advice is both sensible and easy to follow.

Second, each chapter contains break-out paragraphs, or mini-lessons, on key terms and concepts.  These include topics such as:  Free Will, Keswick Theology, the Two Kingdoms, Good Works, and many, many more. 

As I approached the end of the book, I was thinking, "This is really good, not what I expected, and I'm glad I'm reading it." 

Then, I got to the conclusion - the real kicker.  For the Real Jesus, Matt tells his story.  

And I choked up, because I knew what was coming.  I've heard Matt's story, and it's my story.  It's our story.  In Matt's words:

There is truly no bottom to the pit of our sinful nature, and as I was made aware again of the depths of my own depravity, I realized I needed an even greater Savior than I had previously understood...the real Jesus did not despise my crushed, collapsed, and broken heart but came to me with forgiveness, life, and salvation.   

And He comes to each of us with that same forgiveness, love, and salvation.  The Real Jesus is much more precious, unique, and authentic than any of the false christs we may invent.  

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.            Matthew 11:28-30