Shade Tree Wisdom 11/1/12

          Yesterday we had Reformation, the date Luther faced the authorities with his bold statement which ended with
              “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.
               This I cannot and will not recant, because
               Acting against ones conscience is
               Neither safe, nor sound. God help me. Amen.”

          Lutherans have celebrated this Reformation by thanking God for his mercy in sending a man like Luther, and thanking God for leading us into this faith. The Bible alone, faith alone, grace alone, is the mantra.

          An alarming note from the Pew Research Center is that Protestants are now a minority in the land. Major denominations have lost members. Many people declare themselves to be ‘religious’ without joining a particular church membership.

          They speak learnedly of “making my own way” and finding “what I think is best for me”.

          That sounds so high-minded, but is it really?

          They leave themselves without any sure guidelines, any directives, any form for behavior among people, and the result is what we see more and more in our world today, chaos.

          James spoke of gathering together as a body for worship, and “not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.” Hebrews 10,25.  And the reason for that is that we might be “spurring each other on, as we see the Big Day approaching.”

          It is interesting to note that the Word of God still spreads, faithful believers still speak the Gospel message of salvation to lonely hearts and darkened minds, and the Church grows, and God prevails. Remember, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against us.”

          For that, we thank and praise His holy Name. Amen

GPD 11/1/12