Shade Tree Wisdom 8/31/15

          The Book of Acts ends its story of Jesus Christ’s life in these words

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

        So ends the Book of Acts in telling the story of Jesus’ life and acts.  So we need only to share the story ,which is really on-going still.

          And our task is to tell this wonderful saving Word “into all the world".  And that’s not really all that hard a task, is it.  So let’s get busy.

GPD 8/31/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/29/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/29/15

          Fittingly enough, the Book of Acts begins by telling the story of how the Church on earth began and still is doing the work of the Church on earth

.So this is how the story of the Church is told:

“In the first book, of Theopholis,I have begun with

All the Jesus began to do the teach,

until the day He was taken up ,

after He had given commands to the

Apostles whom  He had chosen.

He presented Himself alive to them,

After His suffering by many proofs,

Appearing to them 40

Days ad speaking about the

Kingdom of God.

And while staying with them He

Ordered them not to depart

From Jerusalem, but to wait  for

The promise of the Father, which

He said you heard from me; for John

Baptized with water, but you will be baptized

With the Holy Spirit not many

Days from now.”

Acts  1, 1-4.

          That was the beginning of the Church as it began t carry the Saving word of Jesus the Only Savior from sin. And they it boldly, like Peter and John with the beggar at the temple door,

“What I do have I give I give to you.

In the name of Jesus Christ

Of Nazareth, rise up

And walked.”Acts 4,6.

 And the beggar did walk. So they were bold, did not hesitate, were neither timid nor lacked courage, for they believed in the message.

And that is the message of salvation the Church still had, and proudly, yes with courage, dies “go into all the world”. And God still gives the increase, as first it is reported, that God “Added to the Church daily them that should believe.”

And they give us the example, and God gives us the courage, to indeed “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel. And God ever blesses.

GPD 8/29/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/28/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/28/15

          The Gospel of John ends with these encouraging words:

“Now there are also many

  other things that Jesus did.

Were every one of them to be written,

I suppose the world itself

Could not contain

\the books that would be written.”

          That is the ending  of this marvelous story of our saving Lord’s earthy life. Now it becomes  our yoyfull  duty to tell is urgently to a waiting ear in this sin-riddled world of ours .So, as the worker would say,. “let’s get cracking”.

“Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor, learn to wait.”

                   So there lies the ending, leaving it up to us who read and know it to tell that wonderful story of salvation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Gpd 8/2/8/15

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Shade Tree Wisdom 8/27/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/27/15

          It somehow seems fitting that the Gospel of John begins with an introduction.

“In the beginning was the word

And the word was with God,

And the word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through Him,

And without Him was not

Anything made that was made.

In Him was life. and the life was

The light of men.

          The light shines in  the darkness

And the darkness

Has not

 overcome it.”

John 1, 1-5

          Somehow, that beginning of the life story of Jesus Christ seems all together fitting for our day. For John gets right to the point when He calls Jesus “The light of the world”, and seems troubled that modern man doesn’t  seem to pay much attention Many indeed ignore  Jesus’ word of salvation and guidance that He so freely offers.

          And reading that  is critical for our day, because we so need the salvation and the  wisdom that God alone can give. Let us continue the pray that result wll be achieved. May God bless the work.

GPD 827/15

ShadevTrecWisdom 8/27/15

Shade Tree  Wisdom 8/27/15

          The Gospel of St. Luke begins with the reason he is writing, explaining himself in this way:

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to

 compile a narrative of the things that

 have been accomplished

 among us, just as

 those who have  from the beginning

 were eyewitnesses and ministers

 of the word have delivered them to us,

it seemed good to me also, to me also,

 having followed all things closely for some

time past,

to write an orderly account

for you.”

St. Luke l,l-3

          Quite a fine statement, “an orderly account’, for us who came years later to have, read, study, and make our own, almost as if we had been thee. And that is why this Gospel was written, so we can cherish it and know that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again for our salvation. So study and make it truly your own.

GPD 8/27/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/25/15

Shade Tree  Wisdom 8/25/15

          The Gospel of St. Mark, which begins by speaking of the messenger to come, ends this way:

“And they went out and preached

Everywhere, while the Lord

Worked with them

And confirmed the message

By accompanying Signs.

St. Mark l6,20

          Os the Gospel begun in a hurry to get the word to the waiting world, ends with the disciples doing exactly that.

          Surely, surly an example for us who have this saving, exciting and energizing, story of salvation through Jesus Christ.

“Let us then be up doing with a heart for any fate

Learn to labor, learn to wait.”

GPD 8/25/15

hade Tree Wisdom 8/23/15

Shade Tree  Wisdom 8/23/15

          This is the way of Gospel of St Mark begins:

The beginning of the Gospel

Of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah, the prophet,

         

“behold I send me messenger

Before your face,

Who will prepare your way.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

·        prepare ye the way of the Lord,

·        Make His paths straight.”

·        T. Mark 1,1-2

GPD 8/223/15

Shade Tee Wisdom 8/0/15

Shade tree Wisdom  8/20/15

        The Book of Psalms ends with these encouraging words:

“Let every living

Breathing creature

Praise God.

Hallelujah!

Psalm 150,last verse.

GPD 8/20/15

        (And while I am writing this thunder is crashing outside my window)

        

Shade Tree Wisdom8/16/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/16/15

        A prayer for this day:

“Direct us Lord, all our doings

With your most gracious favor,

And further us with your continual help,

That in all our works begun,

Continued and ended.

In You may glorify Your holy name and finally,

By your mercy obtain

Eternal salvation;

through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

-Starck’s prayer book

G.P.D8/16/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/15/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/15/15

          Did you ever get caught in some foolish action and then tried to explain it? And the more you talked, the worse it got. And you found yourself nearly babbling some senseless explanation that made no sense whatever. Solomon had it right when he gave us this advice:

“He who restrains his lips is wise

Proverbs 19,19.

          The Message offer us this translation:

the more talk, the less truth.

The wise measure their words.”

          So, next time you are caught that way, shut up and remember the word of advice before it’s too late. OK?

GPD 8/15/15

ShadeTreec Wisdom 8/14/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/14/15  In the first chapter of his letter to the Roman Christians Paul wrote:

“For what is known about God is

Clearly seen, for God has shown

It unto them”.

Romans l,19.

          St. Paul is quoting a Psalm they knew very well. The 19^th.

“The heavens declare the glory
of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork,. . .

There is no speech , nor are there words,

Whose voice is not heard.

Psalm 19,1.

          So St. Paul is reminding them of what ought to be obvious to them.

Just as it is to all of us. God is in his heavens, and things are going to His eternal plans,

GPD 8/14/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/13/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/13/15

          The days calls for help in speaking our thoughts. Scripture reminds us to keep our sights on things that ‘are above’. That’s hard to done until we remember some things Scripture tells us. For example, this:

“The law of the Lord is perfect,

Reviving the soul. . .and “the laws of the Lord

are true.

And righteous altogether.”

Psalm 19,7.9b.

          Really helpful advice in today’s world; I offer in that spirit.

GPD 8/13//15

          

Shade Tree Wisdom 8.12.15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/12/15

          Whistling Pines Gold club near Sheboygan, Wisconsin is the scene of the next  PGA golf tournament beginning this week . I refer to this event because it reminds me of the Savior. He once said “My sheep hear My voice” John 11,27and in Zechariah the prophet used this:

“I will whistle for them

And gather them. For

I will redeem them:

Zechariah 10,8.

          The Savior make us a promise we can rely on, and do. Just being alive in our busyness  makes us feel secure because He made us such a wonderful  promise.

GPD 8/12/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/11/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/11/15

          Jesus was asked by a certain rich young man wht he needed to do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus told him to keep the commandments. “Well, said he, I’ve done that all my life”. Then Jesus told him to sell what he owned and come and follow.” And report of St Mark was :

“he went away sorrowing

For he had great

Possession.”

Mark 10,233

          Jesus taught that it is hard for those who had wealth to enter the kingdom”

          This will give us something t think about. We tend to cling to what we have. But give it some thought. Who gave us the ability to earn and buy? Who makes it possible for us to share?

          The years tend to teach that it truly is“ better to give than to receive”.               And we will find that such giving is one of the joys of having.

GPD 8/11/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/10/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/10/15

          St. Matthew lets this stand as the final Sentence in the Gospel”

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And lo, I am with to the end of the age.”

St. Matthew 28,20.

          What  promise to leave us who are so often beleaguered and beset with problems of every stripe. No matter, always remember “I am with you.”

Just keep in mind who s making us this promise. The wise Christian has often said, I am not in the boat alone.”  So repeat that when troubles arise.

GPD 8/10/15

                                                                                                                             

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/8/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/8/15

          This morning I can’t seem to forget a hymn verse that speaks its truth to my heart:

“You are the Way; through you alone

Can we the Father find;

In You, O Christ, has god revealed

His heart and will  and mind.”

LSB 520,1.

          I trust this touches your heart as well.

GPD 8/8/15

hade Tree Wisdom 8/7/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/7/15

          The great Debate last night. Candidates presenting themselves to us  as candidates for the office of President of the United States in these turbulent times.

Poised, wise, knowledgeable, understanding affairs of the world. An awesome responsibility, is it not. My prayer is this:

“One things needful, Lord this treasure,

Teach me highly to regard, All else, though it first give pleasure, is a yoke that presses hard

Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,

No true lasting happiness ever deriving.

This one thing  is needful, all others are vain,

I count all as loss that I Christ may obtain.”

LSB 536,1

          Samuel choose David as Saul’s successor   because “the Lord looketh after

the heart”. Lord, help us make wise choices.

GPD 8/7/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/7/15

          The great Debate last night. Candidates presenting themselves to us as candidates for the office of President of the United States in these turbulent times.

Poised, wise, knowledgeable, understanding affairs of the world.  An awesome responsibility, is it not.  My prayer is this:

“One things needful, Lord this treasure,

Teach me highly to regard, All else, though it first give pleasure, is a yoke that presses hard

Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,

No true lasting happiness ever deriving.

This one thing  is needful, all others are vain,

I count all as loss that I Christ may obtain.”

LSB 536,1

          Samuel choose David as Saul’s successor because “the Lord looketh after

the heart”.  Lord, help us make wise choices.

GPD 8/7/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/6/15

          There was a time when the Apostle Paul had reached the end of his rope.  So Jesus offered this word:

“My grace is sufficient for

Thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12,9

          That truth is all that is necessary for us to face storms and strife which may face us daily.  They might seem overwhelming for us, but always remember who is in the boat with us.

GPD 8/6/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/5/115

          Many people enjoy stories like that of  the Good Samaritan, because most of us  like to think we would also be helpful.

“That every word and deed and thought,

May work a work for thee.’

LSB 852,3b

          Unfortunately that isn’t always the case.  We might wish it were, and pray  fervently the Lord give us such a spirit to actually be helpful.  Suppose we try a bit harder to make it true, eh?

GPD 8/5/15

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/2/15

                   It was this sort of day that started shade tree.  It was a sunny, lazy sort of day when we were sitting under a shade tree, idly chatting about this and that, when the idea popped in my mind. Why not  Shade Tree Wisdom that would speak of items of interest, or that struck the attention for a moment.  So Shade Tree Wisdom was born, and here is today’s offering from St. John:

“I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.”

John 14,18

          A good truth to remember in difficult times.

GPD 8/2/15

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Shade Tree Wisdom 8/1/15

          Let’s begin the month on a high note.  A Gospel hymn fills the bill in my estimation.

          It’s that well beloved Gospel hymn of other days, “I love to tell the story”.

And this is what you may remember.

“I Love to tell the story

Of  unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory.

Of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story,

Because I know ‘tis true;

It satisfies my longing,

As nothing else can do.

“I love to tell the story,

‘twill be my theme in glory;

To tell the old, old story,

Of Jesus and His love.

         Truly.  A  fine way to begin on a high note, isn’t it?

GPD 8/1/15