Lutheran Church of the Resurrection

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In good Jeff Foxworthy style, let me begin by saying, “You must be a Lutheran if…” · You believe in prayer but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. · You believe your pastor will visit you in the hospital even if you don’t notify him that you are there. · You believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during a stewardship visitation or when passing the plate. · You believe that Garrison Keeler stories are totally factual. · You serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season. · You watch a “Star Wars” movie and when they say, “May the Force be with you,” you respond, “and also with you.”

Well, how do you know if you’re a Lutheran? (more…)

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A. The Command To Rest The “Religion Police” were on patrol. They had set up their little speed trap and were just waiting to nab another violator. The way Mark tells it, this is now the fourth time Jesus had been pulled over for a violation.

The first violation was when He forgave the paralyzed man his sins. “He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” they charged.

The second violation was for eating with tax collectors. “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinner?”

The third violation involved fasting – or better put – the lack of fasting. “Why do John’s disciples fast but your disciples do not fast?”

Now, the “Religion Police” spot Jesus committing another violation of the law. “One Sabbath he was going through the grain fields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
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Thirsty! Bone dry thirsty! The kind of thirsty the psalmist was talking about when he said, “my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.” (Psalm 22:15). Dry mouth, dry bones, dry skin. Exhausted, weary, worn out. “My strength is dried up like a piece of broken pottery.” (Psalm 22:15). Scorched, parched, panting. A mouth full of sand and not enough saliva to spit it out and no one to give you a drink of water. Thirsty! (more…)