Joshua 1:9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua was the successor to Moses in leading the people into the Promised Land when Moses died before the entry. The book of Joshua begins with Moses' farewell instructions to Joshua and the verse above is the very last line of that speech. These are Moses' parting words to Joshua: words to lift him up and encourage him in his leadership role for the people.
I love that Moses commands Joshua to be courageous: Moses commands him not to be frightened.... as if it were that easy. Don't be scared! I command you!
Sure Moses, no problem. Now I see the error of my ways.
So maybe it doesn't really work as a command; but if we think of these words as an encouragement they work a lot better. They work for us as well, even if we are not trying to lead people in conquering a land God promised them. You have no need to be afraid, no matter what is facing you today. Remember that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Wednesday
James 4:11-12 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbour?
This is about the simplest and clearest kind of commandment we ever get in the Bible. "Do not speak evil against one another." "So who, then, are you to judge your neighbour?" It's about as simple and straight-forward as it comes.
And, like so many things that are simple and straight-forward, it is very rarely accomplished. Judging and speaking evil are pretty common human activities - and not just in Junior High locker rooms. So if you're looking for a New Year's resolution still for this year, might I recommend "No judging." It might make this year pretty wonderful all around!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
This is about the simplest and clearest kind of commandment we ever get in the Bible. "Do not speak evil against one another." "So who, then, are you to judge your neighbour?" It's about as simple and straight-forward as it comes.
And, like so many things that are simple and straight-forward, it is very rarely accomplished. Judging and speaking evil are pretty common human activities - and not just in Junior High locker rooms. So if you're looking for a New Year's resolution still for this year, might I recommend "No judging." It might make this year pretty wonderful all around!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Tuesday
Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
The Bible is full of poetry and poetic imagery of humanity and of God. In this case, the writer of Proverbs personifies Wisdom. If you read more of the passage, it becomes very clear that this isn't just an ode to a concept - Wisdom is seen as defining God. Just like we often say "God is love," the writer of Proverbs wants us to know that God is Wisdom.
And Wisdom is referred to with female pronouns. Wisdom is given a feminine voice - a feminine Godly voice. God is Divine Wisdom - She calls out to her people to call them to learn, to reflect, to gain wisdom. Sometimes it is extremely helpful for our faith just to jar ourselves for a moment from the conventions we know so well and call God her every once in a while. Think about God as female and Wisdom calling out to you. It might open your eyes just a bit.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
in the squares she raises her voice.
The Bible is full of poetry and poetic imagery of humanity and of God. In this case, the writer of Proverbs personifies Wisdom. If you read more of the passage, it becomes very clear that this isn't just an ode to a concept - Wisdom is seen as defining God. Just like we often say "God is love," the writer of Proverbs wants us to know that God is Wisdom.
And Wisdom is referred to with female pronouns. Wisdom is given a feminine voice - a feminine Godly voice. God is Divine Wisdom - She calls out to her people to call them to learn, to reflect, to gain wisdom. Sometimes it is extremely helpful for our faith just to jar ourselves for a moment from the conventions we know so well and call God her every once in a while. Think about God as female and Wisdom calling out to you. It might open your eyes just a bit.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
Monday, January 2, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Monday
Jeremiah 31:12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.
In this season of Christmas we continue to celebrate. Even as vacations come to an end, children return to school, and parents return to work, the celebration of Christmas and what it means continues. We celebrate that the God of the universe has taken on human flesh to walk among us. We celebrate that Jesus has come into our world. We celebrate that Messiah has come!
And so we gather. We gather to sing aloud as Jeremiah prophesied. We gather to give thanks to God for all the gifts that we have received - and all the gifts that God continues to promise. Because there are yet more gifts to come, Jeremiah promises. There will come a time when our lives will be as lush and full as a watered garden and want will be no more. Thanks be to God for sustaining promises!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.
In this season of Christmas we continue to celebrate. Even as vacations come to an end, children return to school, and parents return to work, the celebration of Christmas and what it means continues. We celebrate that the God of the universe has taken on human flesh to walk among us. We celebrate that Jesus has come into our world. We celebrate that Messiah has come!
And so we gather. We gather to sing aloud as Jeremiah prophesied. We gather to give thanks to God for all the gifts that we have received - and all the gifts that God continues to promise. Because there are yet more gifts to come, Jeremiah promises. There will come a time when our lives will be as lush and full as a watered garden and want will be no more. Thanks be to God for sustaining promises!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and newsletter. Worship returns to normal schedule this weekend with worship at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour between at 9:45.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
ASLC Devotions - Christmas Eve
Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Seth and Pastor Jenn
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Plan to join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 (Family Worship), 5 (Holy Communion and candlelight), and 11 (Holy Communion and candlelight). Pre-service music one-half hour before each service time. Then, we will gather for worship on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10 am.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Seth and Pastor Jenn
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Plan to join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 (Family Worship), 5 (Holy Communion and candlelight), and 11 (Holy Communion and candlelight). Pre-service music one-half hour before each service time. Then, we will gather for worship on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10 am.
Friday, December 23, 2011
ASLC Devotions - Friday
Romans 13:11-12 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.
Now is the moment for you to wake from sleep. The pitter-patter of reindeer feet on the roof and the "ho ho ho" of a jolly old man coming down your chimney may not wake you, but now is the time to wake from sleep. The night is far gone, the day is near. It's time to wake up with excitement and anticipation. Run down the stairs! Start the coffee pot!
No, it's not time to look under the tree. It's not time to check the cookie plate to see if the nighttime visitor left any crumbs. It's time to watch for the coming of Messiah - and to watch with anticipation and hope for his coming. Merry Christmas!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Plan to join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 (Family Worship), 5 (Holy Communion and candlelight), and 11 (Holy Communion and candlelight). Pre-service music one-half hour before each service time. Then, we will gather for worship on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10 am.
Now is the moment for you to wake from sleep. The pitter-patter of reindeer feet on the roof and the "ho ho ho" of a jolly old man coming down your chimney may not wake you, but now is the time to wake from sleep. The night is far gone, the day is near. It's time to wake up with excitement and anticipation. Run down the stairs! Start the coffee pot!
No, it's not time to look under the tree. It's not time to check the cookie plate to see if the nighttime visitor left any crumbs. It's time to watch for the coming of Messiah - and to watch with anticipation and hope for his coming. Merry Christmas!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Plan to join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 (Family Worship), 5 (Holy Communion and candlelight), and 11 (Holy Communion and candlelight). Pre-service music one-half hour before each service time. Then, we will gather for worship on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10 am.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
ASLC Devotions - Thursday
Romans 10:8 But what does it say?
‘The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart’
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
This is a part of a larger argument that Paul is making about salvation where he quotes extensively from the Hebrew Scriptures. But for this week what is striking is that Paul makes very clear that we understand the closeness of the word - or is it the Word? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart."
In the events that we mark as our Christmas celebration, the Word of God, the Wisdom from on High, came near to us. God came down from a distant heavenly throne and took on flesh to walk among us. The Word came near, in the form of a crying and squirming human baby. The word has come near. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Plan to join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 (Family Worship), 5 (Holy Communion and candlelight), and 11 (Holy Communion and candlelight). Pre-service music one-half hour before each service time. Then, we will gather for worship on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10 am.
‘The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart’
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
This is a part of a larger argument that Paul is making about salvation where he quotes extensively from the Hebrew Scriptures. But for this week what is striking is that Paul makes very clear that we understand the closeness of the word - or is it the Word? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart."
In the events that we mark as our Christmas celebration, the Word of God, the Wisdom from on High, came near to us. God came down from a distant heavenly throne and took on flesh to walk among us. The Word came near, in the form of a crying and squirming human baby. The word has come near. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Plan to join us for Christmas Eve worship at 3 (Family Worship), 5 (Holy Communion and candlelight), and 11 (Holy Communion and candlelight). Pre-service music one-half hour before each service time. Then, we will gather for worship on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10 am.
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