Shade Tree Wisdom

Shade Tree Wisdom 2/14/12

2012-02-14T11:58:00.000-06:00

So Happy Valentine's Day

          Valentine was a physician and priest, living and working on Rome under emperor Claudius. He was martyred for his Christian faith in 270. Legend has it that he left a message for his jailor’s child on an irregularly shaped piece of paper, hence the heart shape of today’s valentines.

          St. John in his first letter writes:
” In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4, 10-12.

          On this Valentine's Day, why do we not determine to be as loving and as caring each day as we are this day? Indeed, as St. John says, “If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.”

          Trust me, such a loving, caring, cherishing attitude will outlast any bouquet of roses or box of sweets that one may buy to celebrate this day.

          Try it, and be sure God will bless that, and enrich your life.

GPD 2/14/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 2/11/12

2012-02-11T10:51:00.001-06:00

          This is quite a stretch. But I just read that the UK’s Rabbit Grand National was held in January in the dignified Yorkshire town of Harrogate.

          And what is that? You may well ask, because I plan to clue you in.

          It seems this sport of rabbit jumping started in the small southern Swedish town of Varalov, and Swedes have been raising show jumping rabbits since the l980’s.

          All it is, it seems, is to train rabbits to run a course, much like a steeplechase course, to see who does it without mistake in the fastest time.

          The race in Harrogate was won by Cheri, 2-year old Swedish bunny, who did it in just 11 seconds.

          That’s the story. Most of the people engaged in this pursuit are teenage girls. But anyone can get some rabbits and train them.

          Now, did that make your day?

          Try adding this truth from the Psalm.
              “How good it is to sing praises to our God.
               How pleasant and fitting to praise Him. . .
               Great is our God, and mighty in power.
               His understanding has no limit.” Ps. 147,1.4

GPD 2/11/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 2/7/12

2012-02-07T20:48:00.001-06:00

In my morning walk I bumped into my neighbor and we spoke a word or two about the weather and agreed that we do not remember a really hard freeze at all so far this year. But we have had enough rain to fill some of the lakes a bit and that is heartening, and I am truly thankful to God for His care.

Caught this line in the morning paper. “There are two kinds of people who don’t say much, those who are quiet and those who talk all the time”.

That struck me, because I am reading that the new phones have so many devices as equipment on them the battery doesn’t last all day.

One solution the fellow who has invented a charger that charges while he walks, walking 15 minutes gives him a minute of talk time.

Maybe a better solution is not to be talking quite so much.

A recent assigned reading was the section of First Samuel where Samuel had his first encounter with the Lord. He is awakened from sleep and thinks his mentor, the priest Eli, is calling, so he answers him. That happens three times when Eli finally realizes that it is the Lord calling. So he gives this advice to young Samuel. ”When it happens again say, ‘speak Lord, for thy servant heareth’.”

That’s what happened, and Samuel did say, “Speak, thy servant heareth”. 1 Samuel 3, 10.

Maybe that’s the best advice yet. Do more listening, less talking. For as one wise man said, “When I am doing the talking I am not learning anything new. It’s when I am listening that I learn. So it’s best to listen, and learn”.

Always good advice, then we don’t need to try to unsay the words that would have been better let unsaid to begin with. May God bless your day.

GPD 2/7/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 2/3/12

2012-02-03T15:20:00.000-06:00

It is so warm a jacket is nearly not needed for the morning walk. While I was walking, I started to think of all the hype about the up-coming Super Bowl next Sunday. The papers are filled with articles, surmises, facts and guesses. They even estimate the number of chicken wings that will be eaten, and they seem happy that carrots are ascending the ladder for nibble foods. And the cost of each 30 seconds for ads is 3.5 million dollars.

So many words. And it reminds us of life. “Careful and troubled about many things”, Jesus said of Martha’s worrying. Life is like that often. We get so busy about things that we lose sight of the thing that matters.

One summer a family we know spent a week in a cottage in northern Michigan. They had a fine week, sunny and warm, and really enjoyed their stay. Their cottage had a shuffleboard court and the family really enjoyed that. So one day they were having a game before lunch and the mother said she planned to take a book, lie in the orange life raft they had tethered to the dock, and do some reading and relaxing before lunch.

She settled down, slathered with sunscreen, and started reading. The water lapping on shore was soothing, and soon she fell asleep. OK, the family knew where she was and would wake her to lunch. When she awoke, she found herself in the middle of Grand Traverse Bay. Not tied to the dock. The knot had come untied. She was in no real danger because she was a strong swimmer, and as she woke, her husband was already coming to fetch her with their power boat.

          Her experience is what happens to many Christians, they think they are secure, and drift without knowing, maybe enticed by a friend, or excited by some innovation, or just carelessness. That is why Jesus warns again and again for us to remain strong in the faith.

          St. Paul has this comment: “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4, 3.4.

          Stick with the Gospel. “For the grace of God that brings salvation appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age”. Titus 2, 11.12. In His great love God warns us always to beware of the false.

GPD 2/3/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/31/12

2012-01-31T19:19:00.001-06:00

Ah, end of the month already. I was thinking during my morning walk of a TV program scene in which the fictional president ended each staff meeting with “Now what’s next?”

So we come to the end of the month, and we need to say “Now what’s next”. Let’s follow the advice of St. Paul. He is writing his letter to the Philippians, and he does not wail about past failures or hurts, nor does he spend time fixating on past struggles, disappointments, or disputes. No, He wrote,

“Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things that are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3, 13.14.

Each of us has disappointments in life. We need to forget them, learn the lesson they teach, and go on. Not “If only”, but rather say, “next time”.

For as the child of God, there is always the "next time”, for God has surely and absolutely forgiven and forgotten the sins you repented of. So start the month with “Now what’s next” and with God as your Guide and Counselor, the One who sent you the Savior, the month and time that lies ahead is filled with His blessing.

GPD 1/31/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/26/12

2012-01-26T11:37:00.000-06:00

          Nice and brisk for the morning walk, so I walked briskly instead of just strolling along.

          “Cowboys are said to ride for the brand. It is hard to say “I am riding for an ear tag.” And yet the USDA insists on an electronic ear tag for any cattle for the foreign market or sold across state lines. Japan, for instance, will not buy any cattle unless the meat is proved safe and “traceable” before entering the country. And an electronic ear tag will make such identifying simple.

          After the Civil War, Texas was overrun with longhorn steers, and many an enterprising person rounded them up and made a drive to the railheads in Ft. Dodge or Leavenworth, Kansas, for suddenly the meat was something the folks in the East wanted, and cattle became a commodity. How to mark your ownership? In 1541 a Spanish conquistador, Herman Cortes, used three crosses burned on the hide of his cattle.

          Branding was the best way to quickly see who the steer belonged to, and brands such as the flying w or the lazy r became well known names. So a rancher could more quickly and easily identify what he owned.

          All the naming brought to mind the Christian. For we are not alone, for “I am the Good Shepherd, and I know my Sheep, and am known of mine”. John 10,14.

          So how do we become God’s sheep whom He calls by name? St. Paul explains in Titus 3, 5-7: “He saved us through the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he pored out on us generously through Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” And to the Galatians Paul wrote, “All of you who were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.” Gal. 3,27.

          The hymn sung at many baptismal services runs like this:
              “Baptized into Thy Name most holy,
               O Father, Son, and holy Ghost.
               I claim a place, though weak and lowly,
               Among your saints, your chosen host.
               Buried with Christ and dead to sin,
               Your Spirit now shall live within”. LSB 590,1

          That is a comforting truth to cherish, is it not?

GPD 1/26/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/19/12

2012-01-19T12:20:00.001-06:00

          What a fine morning for the walk, cool, wind-still, for the most part, quiet. Not even my faithful dog came by. Probably sleeping and dreaming of past pleasures. But nice for me.

          So after breakfast and our morning devotion, I tackled something that needed to be tackled, bringing my address book up to date. It needed doing, for there have been many changes, some written in, some pasted with a name sticker, and some so faded they were nearly unreadable.

          While I was busy doing that, I remembered a letter someone had sent once about visiting an aunt in a nursing home. It was an aunt she knew, but saw only now and then at some family reunion. But suddenly, this aunt ended up in a nursing home nearby, and it fell on this niece to do the family visiting.

          Well, you know how that goes. She went, and they chatted for a bit about the weather and the food in the home and such things. But in 15 minutes it dragged. She hung in there for an hour and promised to come back again, but almost dreaded it, for they seemed to have nothing in common. Then she found an old address book of her aunt's and took that along for the next visit.

          It proved a life saver for them both. She read a name and her aunt remembered a picnic, or an evening visit, or a family affair. The book proved to be the spark that was needed to enliven their visit, and the hour went by so pleasantly and quickly for them both. Visits became a rare treat, instead of a chore.

          Keep that hint in mind when your turn comes for such ‘duty’ visits.

          My own address book, it’s still a work in progress. Several classmates started a round robin when we graduated from the Seminary and kept it up for 50 years. Now most of them are gone. So the chore becomes a sort of sad thing.

          It is lightened by the fact that “blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them”.

GPD 1/19/12

Shade Tree wisdom 1/17/12

2012-01-17T15:37:00.000-06:00

          Funny in a way, isn’t it? I mean how we do our best to insure our existence against harm, loss, etc. So here is a retired couple, never harmed anyone, sitting at home when an intruder smashes his way in beats the wife to death, hurts the husband, both in their 80’s, and steals some jewelry.

          Again, here is a ship load of passengers, over 3000 of them, enjoying a relaxing trip, some for the first time in their lives, trusting the ship is in competent hands, equipped with all necessary instruments for their safety, and hitting a reef – which lay outside the assigned route, by the way – and losing their lives. Tragic, we say. And it is.

          What are we to do?

          For the Christian there is but one solution. One must to Psalm 91, for example. Here we read David say,
              “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
               Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. V.1

               Then “I will say to the Lord, ‘He is my Refuge and
               Fortress; God, in Him I trust’.v.2.

               So, “Under His wings you shall take refuge, His truth
               Shall be your buckler.” V.4

          And this wonderful promise is also in this psalm:
              “For He shall give his angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.
               In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone v.11-12.

          This is the Word of the Lord. May it bring us peace.

GPD 1/17/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/14/12

2012-01-14T00:14:00.029-06:00

It was around 30 degrees for the morning walk, but it was wind-still, so it was not bad at all.

Especially when I thought of the pictures one saw of that fishing village in Alaska that had over 100 inches with more in the offing. The snow was so heavy, it’s not the light fluffy stuff we sometimes get here, but heavy with moisture. Anyhow it is so heavy that three fishing boats anchored in the harbor sank under the weight.

Now the news is about the Russian oil tanker making its way to Nome with a cargo of needed oil. A U S Coast Guard ice breaker is leading the way, and at last reports they were nearing their goal. The tanker carries a mile of hose to off-load its cargo, and the need is there because ice prevented the usual final oil delivery by barge in early November. The latest information is that this effort is successful and the oil is being delivered to Nome.

All this talk about the problems dealt to the world with too much snow reminds me again of Holy Scripture.

I quote from Psalm 19,
“The heavens declare the glory of God,
And the firmament showeth His handiwork.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
And night unto night showeth knowledge.
There is no speech,
Nor language,
Where their voice is not heard”. Psalm 19, 1-3.

I pray this quote will remind us again that there is a God who works in this world of ours, and it is always for our good.

GPD 1/14/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/10/12

2012-01-10T11:56:00.000-06:00

          Nice this morning after that storm and several hurricanes that hit the area yesterday with nearly 4 inches of rain. Officially last year was the driest in Texas in history, so there was not too much complaint about the rain, though it did flood areas and one school had to send large trucks in to rescue some children from the flooded building.

          One thing such a flood does teach us, that when authorities say it isn’t safe to drive through, don’t. But one always sees people pushing cars out of the flood to dry ground. They do not have what the bible says we need, a teachable spirit.

          Proverbs 3,7 teaches “be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord, and depart from evil”. The entire chapter teaches humility.

          That spirit listens to words such as this, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path”.3,5.6.

          Reading the third chapter, for that matter, the Book of Proverbs with such a teachable spirit will lead to wisdom with the decisions we make and the way we live.

          Check some other nuggets from chapter 3. “for length of days and long life, and peace,. Shall they add to thee.” V.2 Or “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace”. V.17. Then “Keep wisdom and discretion” v,.21b. and “thy foot shall not stumble’ v.23b.

          Remember, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3,16. For St. Peter tells us that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1,21.

          So the teachable spirit leads to wise decisions, and God’s blessing.

GPD 1/10/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/7/12

2012-01-07T19:38:00.022-06:00

          It’s often the little things that matter. An example is the other morning when a heavy sea fog had drifted along the coast, and smoke from burning fires added to the gloom along the highway near Port Arthur, Texas, and 79 cars, travelling at speed, crashed into each other, and not a single life was lost.
One driver described it as “driving into a tunnel. I hit my brakes, but crashed into the car in front of me.” And no lives were lost because, authorities said, “People stayed in their cars till help arrived”.

          In another instance a thief broke into a parked car and stole a briefcase and a computer, which had a device that one could track it. The thief also got two tickets plus a parking ticket for the Texans football game today. (As soon as the theft was reported, those tickets were automatically nullified.) But the police also have the home address of the thief. Little things.

          The Christian life is made up of just such little things, beginning with doing what God commands. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction”. Prov. 1,7 For the Psalm teaches, “I am wiser than my enemies, I have better insight than all my teachers, because I think of the truths you wrote. I understand better than the old men, because I follow the way you want me to live..” Psalm 119, 98-100.

          David had learned this before he even tackled Goliath. Armed wih his shepherd’s staff and a sling, he went out, he said to the braggart, “The battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17,47. And so it happened. “Little things’.

          I believe that what the lord lays before me as truth, is truth, and I can and do depend on this truth which teaches, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” A simple gift from God.

GPD 1/7/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/4/12

2012-01-04T12:24:00.000-06:00

What a pleasant morning it is indeed. I stepped out for my morning walk just as the children next door were getting into the car to get a ride to meet their bus. We exchanged ‘good mornings’, and I burst into:

“Oh, what a beautiful mornin’,

Oh what a beautiful day.

I’ve got a wonderful feeling,

Everything’s goin’ my way”.

I sang mostly to myself, for they had to hurry to catch their ride. But then, I enjoy my singing.

          But ever have that sort of feeling to begin a day. You’re alive, have the day sort of planned, looking forward to getting things done, and the day is just beginning, Wonderful.

          I believe the reading the Psalms slowly and with insight gives just such a feeling. God is there, our God, the Mighty One, who created heaven and earth, is there. He sent His Own Son to rescue us from the sin we were born with, to make us righteous through His work. So that we can and do believe
“In Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sin, from death, and from the power if the devil. Not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death.”

          And, knowing that, it is a beautiful morning, for I am walking under His Care and in the faith He planted in my in holy Baptism.

          Dr. Luther had it right, when things got tough and there seemed no solution, and it looked as if there was a dead end with no help in sight, he would say, “Baptizo sum”, I have been baptized.

          May I wish just such a day and belief for you, my friend?

GPD 1/4/12

Shade Tree Wisdom 1/1/12

2012-01-01T12:42:00.028-06:00

Happy and Blessed New Year 2012

I stand here at the threshold of this year somewhat astonished and very, very grateful for the years the Lord is giving me. So many years he has planned for me that I have outlived the ‘three score and ten’ the Psalm (90.10) speaks of.

Standing at the threshold of a new year perhaps is a good time to reflect a moment on what is now ended. Good times, and also several burdens, and through it all the Lord in grace sent strength and wisdom to survive. For this we are so grateful.

At age 120 Moses climbed Mt. Nebo. At age 91 I find a cane helpful when I stand after kneeling for the Holy Supper.

In my morning walk I use no cane. I do have a walking staff hidden behind my study/computer room door. A friend who grew up in the foothills of the Rockies often took hikes there, and he said in such a mountain hike a staff was essential to help over rough parts of the trail and especially when the walk became steep. It said one developed a rhythm, making walking easier with a staff. So, one of these days I might just try it.

Meanwhile, for the new year ahead of us, may I offer two suggestions. The first is after Jesus had sent out the disciples and they returned with their reports, rejoicing that “even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name.” (Luke 10,17) And Jesus said, and this is my suggestion and hope for you , “Rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven”. (Luke 10,20)

Because in Holy Baptism the Sprit planted faith in your heart and you became “sons of god, which we are”. May the year keep that faith strong and growing during 2012.

The second suggestion comes from Eccl. 9,10, “Everything your hand finds to do, do it with your might, because there is no work or planning, knowledge or skill, in the grave, where you are going.”

Let your work life reflect your enthusiasm for the things at hand. Be the one whose wisdom is helpful, and be a person easy to live with. God will bless that sort of life.

So, may 2012 be rich in blessings for you.

GPD 1/1/12

Shade Tree Wisdom The Year end 2011

2011-12-31T12:30:00.022-06:00

“The year You gave us is now ended.” And there is a certain sadness about leaving. Many thoughts are crowding my mind, clamoring for attention, and for possible solution, or action, or whatever.

With my years I tend to hear the word of the Psalm,
“Cast me not off in time of old age; forsake me not
when my strength faileth.” Ps. 71,9

But the psalm continues with this heartening word:
“O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and
Hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Now also, when I am old and greyheaded,
O God, forsake me not; until I have showed
Thy strength to this generation, and Thy
Power to every one that is to come.” Vv. 17.18.

Life is so interesting, isn’t it? Each day brings its joys as well as its little problems crying for a solution. It’s always enough to keep one busy, and interested, and alive.

Here in Texas we suffered a drought that damaged crops and trees, the entire State suffered, not only from that but from many, many destructive fires that swept large areas, including some housing developments.

I look out of my window at two stumps, each measuring nearly 3 feet across, of pine trees that have stood there ever since we moved here. 90 feet tall, and dead, and so had to be removed. (An exercise all in itself, for they stood but 12 feet from window.)

And yet, the year is rich with God’s blessing in our lives. He granted health, mobility, activity, friends, and a Church that brings us spiritual food regularly. What more can one ask?

So we leave the old year, look forward to the new, and ask God to bless the going always. May it be so in your house too.

GPD 12/31/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/28/11

2011-12-28T12:20:00.020-06:00

“When the days begin to lengthen,

The cold begins to strengthen”

The old saying holds true, does it not, for the temperatures are dropping, close to zero in some places already.

But the date was my father’s birthday and the entire family came together, bringing themselves, and food, to take advantage of a reason to get out of the house once more. So our house was full of uncles and aunts and cousins, except the teenagers, who came, then they got together and went skating at the lighted public rink in nearby Brown Deer.

Uncle Oscar and Uncle Robert settled down in the corner of the sun room with their chess game. The aunts busied themselves admiring various crochets scarves and shawls and then making coffee, the uncles usually ended up with a game of sheepheads at the kitchen table, and the youngsters were scattered all around playing games, talking, or getting into some kind of, (usually innocent), mischief.

No, my Father wasn’t inundated with presents. This was just an occasion in the winter for getting together, because the winter with its deeper cold and snow was setting in, and most people were home bound unless they had an emergency.

The happy evening ended with lunch, including sandwiches, cakes, cookies, and teenagers just home with their rosy cheeks and happy chatter. Then, as people were leaving, often it had started to snow a bit and the softly falling snow lent almost a dream-like quality the frosty night air.

But, before disbanding, the entire group sang a hymn, usually harmonizing, and ending with the reading of some Scripture by my Father. Then their feeling was, “Now let the winter begin”. God bless this house.

GPD 12./28/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/27/11

2011-12-27T22:46:00.000-06:00

          It’s cool this morning and the walking was pleasant in these final days of the year 2011.

          In one of the parishes I served one of my predecessors had taken this week to write a history of that year. It made for interesting reading and was quite helpful when it came time to write the story of that Church for their centennial celebration.

          Such a look back can be helpful and healthy for a person.

          One Church General Confession has these lines:
               We have offended against Thy holy laws,
               We have left undone the things we ought to have done,
               We have done those things which we ought not to have done.
               And there is no health in us.”
Strong stuff there.

          Ah, January, and the year lay before us. Our resolutions were firmly made and stated out loud, “This year we would. . .” But many of them were already memories by the middle of the month. Better this time around, right?

          Month followed month. We did our daily living, worked, rested, spent leisure time, planned, succeeded, failed now and then, and grew as a Christian person. And for the most part we were content with our lot, and happy to live the lives we were living.

          We got along fairly well and others looked at us, some cherished us, others maybe abided us, still others maybe quarreled or argued. But that is all part of life, isn’t it?

          So here we stand near the end of the year, looking back maybe with wonder that we did so much and advanced so far, maybe a bit down because there were things we left undone, again. All in all, a satisfying year was it not?

          For the things “we ought not to have done,

“There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared”.

Rest on that promise, and the year is well spent. Give God the glory.

GPD 12/27/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/24/11 Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T13:27:00.000-06:00

“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n,

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

the dear Christ enters in.”LSB 361,3.

For the message to the shepherds by the angel was:

“Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings

Of great joy, which shall bet to all people..

For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a SAVIOR, which is Christ, the Lord.” Luke 2, 10.11

So let us rejoice and sing:

“Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.” LSB 364,3

This Christmas Eve, I am again overwhelmed with the glory and grace of a loving God, who sends His Son to earth to live, suffer, die and rise again so the promised salvation story will be completed.

“Glory in excelsis deo”

GPD 12/24/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/22/11

2011-12-22T16:49:00.000-06:00

          Nice rain overnight, so the air was rain-washed again this morning. And since the local paper did not double bag, it was a sorry mess, unreadable and useless.

          A news item mentions the Christmas bird count which goes from December 14 to January 5. This is the 112th annual count that the Audubon Society does. The result is knowledge of where birds flock, where they are more abundant, and where less etc.

          The count is very good and does track bird distribution. Any person who volunteers can help. Just get in touch with the local people. And thousands of people are doing this, and we are not even aware that it is going on.

          Seems to me, in this Christmas Season, we will have all kinds of services, helpful work, much of it done behind the scenes, as it were.

“How silently, how silently,

The wondrous Gift is giv’n,

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in”. LSB 361,3

          This Christmas, let us keep that truth in mind. Jesus is born in a stable, humbly, He enters unannounced, silently, Angels sing of this, and shepherds come to visit, and worship, and so do the wise men from the East later on.

          The real noise begins when King Herod bumps into the knowledge of this King born, and he orders murder to “get rid of this distraction”. That is what He regards this King. Someone who will disturb the even way of his wretched life.

          That is the real reason we see today cries about a manger scene on public property, or sneers at the Lord whom we worship, and all this other commotion caused by the enemy.

          Our reaction, why, millions of Christians in this world live their lives of service and honor to give God glory in what they are, say, and do every day. That is what they are, and do, because Christ lives in them, as St. Paul tells us. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of god, whose you are?”

GPD 12/22/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/20/11

2011-12-20T10:25:00.000-06:00

          They report a massive snowstorm hitting areas in the Midwest right now, and we had a nice overnight rain so that the air this morning is nicely cool and rain-washed.

          It strikes me how concerned people are for the comfort and well-being of people they do not even know and may never see again. Yet, for example, the owner of a motel along the highway to a Colorado Ski resort is quoted as saying, “We always keep several freezers and refrigerators well stocked during this season. They may not get to ski but they won’t be hungry”. Another, a mail carrier in Kansas, says, “I won’t be sent out in this because I’ll just get stuck, but this is Christmas, and my customers are waiting for cards, letters, and packages. I’ll do my best to get them there by Christmas.”

          Life is made up of little things like this isn’t it? Just this morning I was at the post office mailing several packages. I had gone early and was there when the windows opened. My wait in line was only 12 minutes. And the clerk, who had had a busy day yesterday, was pleasant, smiling, knowledgeable and sent me on my way with thanks. And I imagine she also has shopping to do, and a house to decorate, and cards to send.

          An article in the paper this morning reminds people to remember the invisible people in their lives with tips and thanks at Christmas. Mentions dog walker, night doormen, paper carriers, and the list goes on. Just stop a moment and ask yourself just how many people stand ready behind the scenes to serve you in your daily life? Impressive, isn’t it?

          That is the reason the Christian is ever ready to “Give thanks unto Him, and praise His Holy Name”. For it is really God behind the scenes, seeing that the world goes on in spite of the mess we make.

          Christmas, the gift of God’s Son, to be born and be one of us, is God’s gift, and that is right on time, and is our salvation. Bless His Holy Name, Alleluia!

GPD 12/20/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/16/11

2011-12-16T09:44:00.014-06:00

          This morning the weather is so balmy one can almost imagine we could be in the Valley for the winter.

          But, have you noticed the absolutely gorgeous color around the church and in other areas of The Woodlands? Seems nearly as bright and festive as if we were back in northern Michigan for the Fall color season.

          Strikes me the hand of God sends us these blessings, and for the most part, we either ignore them altogether, or accept them as our due.

          And that suggests that President Harrison made the right call when, in the latest Lutheran Witness, he used his column to call for repentance.

          We are about to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, who took on Himself the form of flesh, became one of us, then lived, suffered, died, and rose again, to pay for our sins.

          And we do have them, for the bible called us sinners. “Behold, I was shape in iniquity, and In sin did my mother conceive me” and “there is no truth in us”.

          The majesty of the universe and the beauty of God’s creation, let it remind us daily of God’s great love for this, His creation, mankind, and do let us start with “Repent, and believe the Gospel, for the kingdom of God is near.”. Bless His Holy Name.

GPD 12/16/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/10/11

2011-12-10T10:50:00.000-06:00

A blessed Christmas to you

Christmas cards and family notes

Fill our box.

Let this be our message

Of this season to your house.

St. John, in his first letter,

Well describes the result of this wonderful birth when he writes,

“See how the Father has loved us?

We are called God’s children,

Because that is what we are.” 3,1.

So,

“Go tell it on the mountain,

O’er the hill and everywhere,

Go tell it on the mountain,

That Jesus Christ Is born.”LSB 388

A Blessed Christmas 2011 indeed.

GPD 12/10/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/8/11

2011-12-08T18:43:00.000-06:00

Yes, I was out this morning walking and greeting this cold day. I will admit I did it, instead of wishing, I mean I wore a sweater under the jacket, and also a pair of gloves. I have nothing to prove and will do anything for my comfort these days.

Before worship last evening I was looking at the Chrismons on the tree there in the corner, and I wondered about their origin, and why many Christian churches use them during this season. A little research showed that the term “Chrismon” is copywrited by Mrs. Frances Spencer in 1957. She had originated the concept and used it at Ascension Lutheran Church Danville, Va. Chrismons are patented designs and are hand made in white or gold. White for the sinlessness of Christ, gold for His glory. Sometimes there may be a touch of red for the blood spilled at death.

Chrismons are often a fellowship and a Christian education project. The symbols used represent many theological and biblical concepts, and we can and do learn some of the background Christians have always used for identity. In ancient times, for instance, a man meeting a stranger would maybe draw a fish in the dust. If the other responded, he knew he also believed Jesus Christ was Savior.

For us, let it be just one more reason to worship during these Advent times of preparation and awaiting the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, “Born of Mary”.

GPD 12/8/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 12/4/11

2011-12-04T21:06:00.001-06:00

The mystery remains. Biologists ask, “Why does one red headed duck have white feathers on the head?” The duck was hatched, one of a batch, in a marsh in northern Canada and took its flight to the marshes of the Texas Gulf coast. But unlike all the others in the flock, it has white feathers on its head, not red. And it remains a mystery to scientists who study such things.

Here is another. Yesterday I needed to go to Best Buy to get some ink cartridges for the printer – wish had had the ownership of that patent – and the place was swarming with people. The speakers were playing – guess what - “Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.” For what purpose? To drive sales for the season. And the mystery is that it seems to be working.

I asked the clerk at the register, ‘Do most of these people buy something?” She said, ‘Well, some come to play games, but most do buy.”

The mystery is, “How does this prepare the heart for the Birth?” Here is one suggestion, read and ponder this truth from St. Peter. "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1, 12-21

GPD 12/4/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/30/11

2011-11-30T12:05:00.000-06:00

          Nice walking, and I fell to pondering. I often do that while walking because the quiet seems to be conducive to that. It means to weigh in the mind, to reflect quietly, soberly, deeply about a subject. And what engaged my attention this morning? I was reflecting on some verses from Psalm 119.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

          There is rich food for thought. Isn’t there.

          Our trouble today is that we rarely take time to ponder such issues because we are so busy simply getting through the day. The jobs at hands needs our best efforts, and then the evening lies before us, but there is a game to play or a show to watch or a friend to call, and before we know it, it’s time to retire.

          We are not in the habit of just doing some quiet thinking, are we? And the lack is our loss, for when we do finally to some pondering, we often find truths that are hidden to the casual eye, but suddenly strike us as important.

          The Psalm writer was aware of that, so he says,
               “This has been my practice,
                I obey your precepts.”
          Because,
               “Your Word, O Lord, is eternal,
                It stands firm in the heavens.” v.56.89

          All I can suggest is that you do take time each day for a quiet moment to ponder. (Thus endeth November).

GPD 11/30/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/29/11

2011-11-29T10:31:00.000-06:00

          Walking is pleasant these days. No breeze to speak of, just nice and cool. Finally feels a bit like Fall.

          With the first Sunday in Advent just behind us, we are reminded that the Church year is stating anew. And we are planning for the coming of the Lord Jesus as the Babe in the manger.

          The world around us is, of course, bent on celebrating, buying, preparing for entertainments of all kinds, meetings with friends and neighbors, and all the rest of it.

          The local paper recently carried an article on just such invitations. It aimed to offer some hints to either accept or reject such invites. If you turn one down, do it with grace and never ever tell a lie. If you’d rather just stay home and listen to music or read a book, it is perfectly fine to say, “I have other plans, I’m sorry” and stop there.

          But the year’s beginning suggests some cleaning up too. Because we live in a world that offers many fine things, but also quite a bit of ‘drek’, stuff that we would rather not have around us. However, just living means our hearts and minds can accumulate clutter. By rubbing shoulders with the world, we may unknowingly and inevitably pick up thoughts or develop habits that are not at all in keeping with the Christian life.

          St. Paul spoke of this when he says to the Christians at Corinth, “Do you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you received from God? You are not your own; you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” 1 Cor. 6,19-20.

          So we can and do look eagerly to the birth of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

GPD 11/29/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/25/11

2011-11-25T12:56:00.000-06:00

I pray your Day was filled with everything good; family visiting, eating together, maybe sharing recipes for leftovers, and all that the Day promises. Good. It was a nice, sunny day here and we did see family to visit, catch up, and, well, eat a fine meal.

An item in the news caught my eye. Seems Georgia pecan growers are having to hire protection firms to watch their crops, because stealing pecans from trees is on the rise. One 5 gallon of pecans selling for as much as $ 175.00. One reason is the demand from China. Seems the Chinese have developed a real taste for pecans.

The item above simply shows the world in which we are to live “as children of light”. In his letter to the Church at Thessalonica, St. Paul is urging the people who are children of the day to “act like it”. The end of chapter five of the first letter lists the behavior patterns Christianity will bring. High among them is this word, “And in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. 1 Thess 5,18.
In everything give thanks.

We take so much in our lives for granted, don’t we?

Recently a pastor friend reported with joy they had found a talented organist for their worship services.
And that reminded me that in the entire 40 years of active ministry, I always had an organist. Some had been trained by our Colleges, others were self taught,. One was a lad just entering High who went on to study music at Indiana university school of music. My input, have the hymn selection in their hands a week before so they could practice.

There are so many other things in my ,life, as I am sure they are in yours, that we simply take for granted and hardly ever stop to say “I thank you for the work that you do”. So, when you finish reading these lines, do take the Bible, turn to the first letter to the Thessalonians, and read again the fifth chapter. Then may God bless your doing as “the children of light.”

GPD 11/25/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/20/11

2011-11-20T17:38:00.000-06:00

          Isn’t it funny what affect a birthday has? This morning – and it was warm and pleasant here on the Gulf Coast where it seldom snows – I found myself grumbling to people about the lack of snow, just because I was born during a snow fall in far off Wisconsin. Outside of that, birthdays aren’t bad.

          Quot libros, quam breve tempus. Translation – so many books, so little time.

          I throw that bit of wisdom in because the birthday netted two books. One, a Baldacci, one of my favorite mystery writers. Gripping tales. The second has this title, KILLING LINCOLN by O’Reilly and Dugard.

          Yes, that’s the O’Reilly with Fox News who used to teach history. It purports to dig into the history of the rebellion which backed Booth in shooting the President.

          I also helped assemble a 300 piece puzzle – a genuine Ravensberger, and there sits a yet to be opened jar of honey roasted cashews. No, I don’t plan to bring them along next Sunday to share.

          To top it all the Sunday gave us a time to worship, praise the Lord, take time to meditate, and be glad that “This is the day that the Lord has made,
We will rejoice, and be glad in it”.

GPD 11/20/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/18/11

2011-11-18T11:20:00.001-06:00

          Many of you mentioned blessings and events. The day set me to remembering what life has taught me. No, I won’t share the whole load, but just some things that stick out.

          Duane Brown is a left tackle on the line that protects the quarterback on the Texan football team. He said, “It was a rude awakening. You work so hard to get here, and then you find the hard work is just beginning.”

          Life is like that. You work hard to achieve a goal, graduation for instance, and get a job, and then you keep on working to improve your work ethic and grow in knowledge and understanding of what that work requires, and how to do it better.

          The ministry is that. You finally graduate and are called to a church. Then the real work begins, daily reading and study and prayer, weekly intense study for a sermon, Bible classes, and confirmation classes. And the sick and the shut-in calls, and the plate gets kind of full.

          But such effort finds its daily blessings also.
The poet said it.
               “The heights of great men reached, and kept,
                Were not attained by sudden flight,
                But they, while their companions slept,
                Were toiling upward in the night.”

          Another lesson; learn to listen, really listen. One sage said, “I learn much when I listen, nothing when I talk.”

          God’s complaint to Israel, ”My people would not listen to Me; Israel would not submit to me, so I gave them over to their own stubborn heart to follow their own devices.” Psalm 81, 11.12. The lesson, learn to ask questions and then really hear what the reply is. For often just the right question will open the door to what the problem really is.

          So finally, 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. And when the Lord hears, forgives, and heals, we are blessed.

GPD 11/18/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/17/11

2011-11-17T13:27:00.000-06:00

          Today is November 17th, and according to Google’s age calculator that makes me 91 today. And I am ever thankful for the years the Lord has allowed me. I ask myself how have I used these years?

          My father remembered the date well because it was the day in which he first was able to use the new barn for his herd of dairy cows.

          One of the highlights of my early years was reaching age 16 and getting my first driver’s license. Just sent a quarter to the state capital and back came this bit of paper. All they wanted was proof of age, no eye test, no driving test, just US mail. The cost has increased considerably since then, and the State of Texas demanded that I get eye glasses. I guess that happened around age 85 or so.

          And going to Concordia in Milwaukee to start the long trek that ended when I was ordained into the Holy Ministry on September 9, 1945. I, who had never slept in any place but the quiet country, suddenly transported to a noisy city where a streetcar clanked past every half hour day and night. What an adjustment.

          Then graduation, cum laude, and the first call as assistant at Immanuel in St. Charles, Missouri. Then to a dual parish in Mexico and Vandalia, Missouri. Happy years of work and blessing.

          The next move was to northern Michigan, then nearly 17 years in Adrian Michigan followed by some 11 years in Detroit, from where I retired on my 65th birthday. Then we moved to Texas because we wished to see the grandchildren grow up, and they have. I guess they are all taller than I am, much so. And a source of blessing and contentment..

          But the world has changed since I came into it.

          Then most people still believed there is a God, and most had a conscience, knew the basic Scriptures, probably could recite the ten commandments, and tried their best to use them as a guide for the way they lived. So they knew the difference between right and wrong. And had a guide to give them direction.

          I find today people are often simply content to “follow the leader”. Someone called this a herd mentality, never looking to see where it would lead just going the way the crowd did. Without asking whether it might be right or wrong.

          An ancient prayer of confession includes the lines, “we have erred and strayed from Thy way like lost sheep”. The great temptation today, it seems to me, is not being willing or able to make such a confession.

          But I have also found there are still many good, honest, people, quietly serving their God, living their Christian lives, and having a quiet influence on their world. That is our hope for which we pray. They are the ones who believe, “His eye is on the Sparrow, and I KNOW He watches me.” Bless God for His faithfulness.

GPD 11/17/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/16/11

2011-11-16T11:37:00.000-06:00

          It seems to defy all reason, but there it stands tall, in the middle of the backyard, a red Cana blooming in the middle of November. Where did it get enough moisture to do that is a mystery I will not solve for you.

          It reminds me that God’s nature is sort of a thing that God works, “we know not how”. But it also points to a great truth we sometime forget. God did say that “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt.16,18.) He was speaking of His Church.

          In an article in the November Lutheran Witness, President Harrison harks back to Emperor Constantine who converted to Christianity A.D. 312. Shortly thereafter the Church received all kinds of privileges from the government, and forgot the One Thing Needful, and as a result lost its strength and weakened. The State church in Europe, Harrison writes, is “a theological disaster”. It is always so when a church forgets its mission, to preach the Gospel.

          Today the Church faces all kinds of difficulties, often direct opposition. So we tend to say “poor me”. When we do have at hand what the first President of the Church said in one of his first convention addresses. “The Only weapon we have is the Gospel.”

          So let us take courage in this time of change and challenge. The Lord’s promise is still true, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. And the times to the end are filled, for us, right at hand, with opportunity to tell the good news that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, paid for the sins of the whole world.

          In it all, remember the lines from an old Gospel song?
               “His eye is on the sparrow,
                And I KNOW He watches me.

          May the Lord bless your day and fill it with treasured fruitfulness.

GPD 11/16/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/11/11

2011-11-12T10:10:00.001-06:00

          I started this on 11/11/11, but is now11/12/11. The first date is a palindrome. Numerologists rate it highly as a date to start something new. So the news today reports a flock of people rushing to Vegas to be married. But this date has no magic in it. It happens that way because of the calendar.

          I prefer another claim for blessing, that is written in the Psalms especially. I offer Psalm 62, 5-6, as a promise to believe and live by. It reads so:
               “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone.
               My hope comes from Him.
               He alone is my Rock and my Salvation,
               He is my Fortress,
               I will not be shaken”. Psalm 62, 5.6.

          Now here is a promise with some substance, one to lean on, one to trust, because it is from Almighty God.

What more need we, my friend?

GPD 11/12/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/8/11

2011-11-08T10:37:00.000-06:00

          It had rained a bit just before my morning walk, so it seemed muggy, and if there had not been a pleasant little breeze now and then, it would have been unpleasant. But for today the weather people say 50% chance of thunderstorms in the late afternoon, and we will take that.

          Suppose if I had stuck my nose out before venturing forth I might have procrastinated, and finally did no walking at all. Look at what it brought to God’s children at the entrance of the promised land. God had said, “You have stayed here long enough” Deut.1,6. So Moses sent 12 good men to spy out the land. They were amazed at what they found, but ten of them gave a bad report, “They’re giants. We can’t possibly beat them”. Joshua and Caleb reminded them of God’s promise. We can do it because God promised. But they hung back just the same, and taught us.

          Procrastination always leaves out God’s promises. And so causes things to look different than they really are. AND, procrastination is contagious. Fear begets fear. So it misses the Lord’s blessings.

          Their procrastination cost them 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. It is always easier to put off, to make plans, to say “tomorrow”.

          In “The Wealthy Barber” the town barber asks Mr. White, the richest man in town, the secret of wealth. Mr. White said, “wealth beyond your wildest dreams is possible if you follow this golden rule. Invest just 10% of all you make for long term growth. If you follow that simple guideline, someday you’ll be a very wealthy man”. (Pg 30 The Wealthy Barber-David Chilton). The secret is to begin.

          To drift is simple, and easy, requires no backbone, no skill needed, no backbone needs stiffening, needs no planning, no effort, no work. No goals to meet, no deadlines set, no work to finish. To say “Tomorrow I will begin” is always the talk of weak people.

          In Ecclesiastes the Preacher writes,
               “Whatever your hand finds to do,
               Do it with your might.
               For in the grave, where you are going,
               There is neither working,
               Nor planning,
               Nor knowledge,
               Nor wisdom”. Eccl, 9,10.

          Finally, remember,
               “the quiet words of the wise,
               Are more to be heeded,
               Then the shouts of a ruler of fool.” 9,17

GPD 11/8/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/2/11

2011-11-02T15:01:00.002-05:00

          We recited the Creed in the service on Sunday. We do it every service, and I am glad to join those other millions to confess our faith out loud and boldly.

          It is not so much that we “put Jesus in the center”, but that God reminds us again how things simply are. It reminds me who Jesus Christ is, and what God planned to heal my sins and bring me to eternal life.

          To hear all those other voices chiming in so that the sound is loud enough, is a bold thing to do. Especially in this culture where everything seems to go by vote and nothing is taken as true any longer. To stand and say, “I believe” means that I am saying out loud and before everyone that I find this truth TRUE. I am doing what Jesus said,
               “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,
               Him will I also confess before My Father,
               Which is in heaven.” Matthew 10,32

          And St. Paul when he writes his letter to the Romans, said to them – and they were living when confessing Christ might prove fatal, said,
               “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth
               The Lord Jesus,
               And shalt believe in thine heart that God
               Raised Him from the dead,
               Thou shalt be saved”. Romans 10,9

          So when I recite the Creed I am given a touchstone by which to guide my days, one that does not change, and that is true direction for the living of my days.

          When I say, “I Believe” I am reminded again that my God is Eternal, a caring, loving, personal God to whom I matter. I am not alone, I am never alone, because the One of whom I say “I believe” has promised that He would be with me “even to the end of days”. God bless us all as we recite and confess our belief.

GPD 11/2/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/1/11

2011-11-01T11:21:00.000-05:00

          A little heavier jacket was welcome this morning, but the air was so fresh and the morning a delight. Fall weather is moving in at last.

          Yesterday was Reformation which we observed on Sunday. It is good for a church to stress that Day, especially if it turns our thought a bit to the history of the Church, and her work that lies in our past which assures us that we, at this late date, still have the Truth of Scripture. That the faith alone in the work of Jesus Christ done for us is what bolsters the faith and the Lutheran life.

          So when we sing that great Reformation Hymn of Dr. Luther, the words mean much and shows the dangers they faced when they fought for the Truth of the Gospel, and tried to show false teaching and false practices. With that in mind, these lines mean much.
               “And take they our life,
               Goods, fame, child and wife,
               Let all these be gone,
               They yet have nothing won,
               The Kingdom ours remaineth.” LSB 636,4

          In 1877 Rev H. C. Schwan, who would be elected as president of the LC-MS a year later, preached for the 300th anniversary of the Formula of Concord at the Synodical Conference in Ft. Wayne. He showed that soon after Luther died the church faced all kinds of problems. Many led it in false ways, chose different directions, wrangled about procedures, and the Formula of Concord brought the Church back to the truths of Scripture.

          Throughout our history there have been dark times, and the need always is to remain true to what God set down in His Holy Word. “Add thou not into his words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Prov. 30,5.

          I am glad this is My Church. One that holds to the truth of the words expressed therein, for that is what promises me salvation and eternal life.

          I have been doing much reading in “At Home In The House of my Fathers”, a collection of essays, sermons, convention addresses from the first hundred years of our existence as the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. They show how through times of stress like the civil war and the first world war, Vietnam, the rise of modern technology, the Church has been faithful to its roots. Rev. Mathew Harrison did most of the work to gather this material.

          I pray your celebration reminds you, too, of God’s rich blessings to our Church in Christ Jesus.

GPD 11/1/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/25/11

2011-10-25T10:18:00.000-05:00

          Well, I started with a jacket. After all, I said to self, it is nearly the end of October, so a jacket is a must. I was wrong, and soon had it over my shoulder. It was warm, and muggy.

          Today the church notes the 200th anniversary of the birth of Dr. C.F.W. Walther, the first president of our synod. A Pastor, Professor, theologian, scholar, author of Law and Gospel, as well as other basic texts, God’s gift to this young church here in America.

          I am glad my church looks to its roots for truth. Herman Sasse writes, “It is always a sign of deep spiritual sickness when a church forgets its fathers.” Why?  Because the life of the church finds its strength from the teachings of truth their fathers believed also.

          The greatest eras of the church, the times when she is strongest begins with the cry, “back to the Scriptures”. Note how often the psalms write of what God did for the fathers. Psalm 22,4. “The fathers trusted in You, and You delivered them”. Hilkiah, the priest, found the book of the law, read it to his king, and Josiah started a time of repentance and restoring Israel.

          Jesus began His ministry with “Today this Scripture (Having read Isaiah), is fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4,21. And Luther began there, “Back to the Bible”, and started an explosion of study and enrichment and growth.

          That is a reason to remember Dr. Walther. He taught and lived this truth, led and guided a young church and helped it set a solid foundation on the Confessions and the Scriptures. We remember that with thanks, and do well to build on that solid foundation.

          In 1844 Walther put this statement on the masthead of the Lutheran Witness:
“God’s Word and Luther’s doctrine,
Shall not pass away now and forever.”

GPD 10/25/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/20/11

2011-10-20T12:17:00.000-05:00

          It had cooled down quite a bit as the weatherman said it would, so I was prepared with a jacket, and needed it. Then I met a lady with her dog, and she was wearing only a short sleeved blouse. So I said, “No jacket?” She said, as she hurried along, “I thought the walking would warm me up, and it hasn’t yet. And it didn’t seem this cold when I left the house.”

          Appearances do deceive. And the crowd could just be wrong.

          A devotion in Portals of Prayer recently reported that a third grade class had a new class pet, a bunny. One asked, “Is it a boy or a girl”? And the teacher asked, “How do we find out?” One bright girl said, “Let’s take a vote.”

          That’s the modern way, isn’t it? Do what the crowd does. Go along with popular opinion. And that may be wrong. Last night a report said children ages 11 and 12 were engaging in sex. “Well, they’re all doing it”.

          But there is a moral law that speaks of right and wrong, and that is not taken by vote, rather it is set by God.  This says, “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.” Ps. 119,4.

          The Psalm also describes what happens when God is ignored. “The wicked freely strut about, when what is vile is honored among men”. Psalm 12,8.

          Oh, we have made so much progress in technology. Today children are mostly “wired”, they text, have facebook pages, are in constant touch, and parents have lost control and no longer seem able or want to, set some standards for living. And the result shows.

          It shows in letters to the editors or advice columns, in crowded psychiatrist offices, in rampant suicides. Lord, help us.

          My prayer for us all is that we take this to the Lord, asking for direction, for strength to speak of the ONE solution, the life and death of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. May the lord keep us in this faith till He calls us to Himself.

GPD 10/20/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/18/11

2011-10-18T09:10:00.002-05:00

          It was a cheerful and breezy day for the morning walk, and even the children I met on their trek to meet their bus sounded cheerful. What a fine morning, turning into a pleasant day.

          But Fall weather just reminded me of high school football season, and I sort of have a longing for those Friday nights with its foray to the Pancake House in Grosse Pointe. Our youngest daughter was spending her sabbatical year with us taking courses at Wayne State University, and our youngest son and his wife would drop by after work, and we enjoyed our weekly Pancake Feast at the Pancake House.

          The place was always busy, and their specialty was apple pancakes. A veritable feast. Today their recipes may be found on Google, then it was secret. Our daughter did lots of research in the public library in their cook book section, and she finally did find a recipe that tasted like the original. One of the secrets is using tart apples. But it does take some patience and the proper equipment. But the end result is worth the effort. But even when she succeeded at home, the taste was different when we ate it among the bustle and busyness of the crowd at the the Pancake House.

          Funny, isn’t it, how a mind runs to pleasant experiences. I guess that is what makes memories so wonderful. We can and do remember pleasant experiences from the past and use them to bolster the present.

          I pray your life is rich with such memories also. They tend to remind us how the hand of the Lord gently leads, guides, directs, and upholds us when we our need seems to see no solution, don’t they.
"I will be with you, even the end of the age” is His promise, and memories remind us of the truth of that.

GPD 10/18/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/15/11

2011-10-15T19:03:00.002-05:00

          I offer this as a prayer to end another busy and work filled week,.

               Lord Jesus, since You love me,
               Now spread Your wings above me,
               And shield me from all harm.
               Though Satan would devour me.
               Let angel guards sing o’er me,
               This child of God shall meet no harm. Amen
          LSB 880,4

GPD 10/15/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/12/11

2011-10-12T12:03:00.000-05:00

          We are now in the second week of October and it was still so warm for the walk this morning that the breeze from a passing car actually felt good. Amazing, but cooler weather is in the offing.

          Alexis de Tocqueville, who lived in the eighteenth century, was a French historian and political thinker who toured America in the 1830’s to see how this nation worked. One of his conclusions, offered in his book Democracy in America, is that “The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money.” What a bitter truth. Because that seems to be happening to us.

          Thomas Jefferson saw this, “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who will not.”

          The Pilgrims discovered this right away. They decided on a system whereby everything belonged to everybody. That simply did not work, because so many of the ‘everybody’s’ did not carry any part of the supply burden.

          Loren Steffy, a financial columnist, points out that these marches on Wall Street and other cities are partly protesting the fact that the financial system has been corrupted. He points out people are protesting because CEO salaries increase even though their company stock tanked. Or banks get massive government help and return that favor to taxpayers with higher credit card fees and offer less than 1% interest on savings.
Life isn’t fair, is it?

          But let’s remember there are rules that God has built into the fabric of this world. St.Paul reminds us of one. In his letter to the church at Thessalonica he wrote, “Even when we were with you we gave you this rule, ‘if a man will not work, neither should he eat’.” 2 Thess 3,11.

          Let me close with one other word from St. Paul. This when he wrote the letter to the Galatians, “Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Gal. 6,7. This touches on the law of consequence. For every action, there is a like reaction. The truth we must learn to accept in this uneasy situation.

          Paul ends his letter with this blessing, “. . .what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule. . .the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” Gal. 6, 15-18.

GPD 10/12/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/8/11

2011-10-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

          The news from here is that there is a real possibility of some thunderstorm activity tomorrow and the next day. Which to us is very welcome news indeed.

          Right now there is a golf tournament going on at a local course, the Insperity Championship Golfers over 50.

          Which reminds me of the traveler who had 3 hours between flights, so he decided to go to a nearby course and get in a quick nine holes. He was teamed with an elderly golfer, seemed like a nice fellow, played pretty good golf too. At the 9th hole a large pine stood right in the way to the green, so the older golfer shot around and had an easy second shot to the green. The traveler started to aim the same way when the other fellow said, “When I was your age, I just shot over that tree.” So the young fellow thought to himself, “If he could, so can I”. He tried, hit the tree and landed in the rough with a terrible second shot. “Of course, when I was your age, that tree was only 6 feet tall.” said the other guy.

          The golfer was tripped up by a law of physics, wasn’t he?

          That comment leads me to the laws built into the world, laws we count on and make use of for our purpose. Such as the law of gravity, or of friction, or of compression, or inertia and relativity. A golfer, for instance, uses compression when he hits the ball, as well as the spring built into his golf club. Then he counts on gravity to keep his ball from going to the moon, but falling back to earth.
We count on such laws for our very survival. God placed them there, and all we do is use them. If we misuse them, we run into the law of consequences. And that is what people often forget. There are always consequences. Every act has its consequence. For example, you have a test coming, or a large bill to pay at a certain time, and you fail the test because you do not prepare, or do not make the payment because you used those funds for other things, you suffer the consequence.

          Created this world and we live in when we use His laws. That is why the Christian always prays, “I give thanks for all thy daily benefits, given out of pure mercy and love to me, richly and daily.”
This is most certainly true.

GPD 10/8/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/4/11

2011-10-04T10:10:00.000-05:00

          What a relief and change, cool enough for a light jacket. The air was so nice, cool, fresh that I prolonged my walk a bit. I also found that the neighbor’s children have to walk three tenths of a mile to catch their bus. Well, the time calls for some sacrifice. After all, I walked half a mile through hip deep snow drifts some days to get to school, and I can say that because there is no one around to gainsay me.

     “This is the day that the Lord has made,
     Let us rejoice, and be glad in it”.

          With that Psalm many Lutherans begin their worship hour. It reminds right away where we are and for what purpose, to rejoice and be glad in worship because we long to hear the Word. And that is so often forgotten in this day of change.

          But then, you heard the joke about the man with the written list who remembered the meeting, while the man with the special device forgot. So change is not always all it was meant to be.

          I was reminded of this when I read about the curator for the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden in the NY Botanical Garden. He came on board five years ago and said, “I inherited a rose garden that had been doused with weekly sprays for 20 years”. He had come to oversee a renovation, and just then NY City banned the use of harmful chemicals in public places. And without their chemical cocktails, many roses could not perform. So he replaced, and began using compost, leaf mold, fish emulsion, and other organic matter to restore the depleted soil to health. He reported with joy that earthworms have returned to the garden soil. And roses bloom best when they grow in healthy soil, and that is what nature supplies, and nature’s best tool is the earthworm, that busy underground gardener who turns and mixes and aerates and deposits rich castings to enrich the soil. Result, healthy soil.

          We are living in an age of rapid change. Change is inevitable, some for the good, other changes, not.
But we live in it, so it is wonderful that our God has given us a sure guide.

     “Change and decay in all around I see,
     But Thou who changest not, abide with me.”

          When we remember that, we can and do live securely, knowing Whose we are, and what God has promised us. And we are thankful.

GPD 10/4/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 10/1/11

2011-10-01T20:20:00.000-05:00

          Hello, October, where we’ll see crisp and sunny fall days, cool nights, bright moonlight, some light rains, leaves to rake and mulch, colors to enjoy, apples to pick and fresh apple cider to drink.

          The work of the Church goes into high gear with Zone rallys and plans to make and the future bright with anticipated work and God’s continual blessing.

          Here at our home we have been seeing the effects of that year-long drought. We have lost trees, several nearly 100 feet tall and the trunk measures 36 inches in diameter. But for a day we were running what amounted to a wood lot. The trees cut, and result hauled away to be mulched and sold perhaps as firewood. Sad to see this, but it looks around us as if many trees died because of the drought, and the cleanup will take a long time, and cost much money. But, if you look closely at the forest floor, you’ll see young seedlings starting their own growing, and so the Lord does replace what drought, or fire, for that matter, takes away.

          For Scripture is correct when it says,
     “The heavens declare the glory of God,
     And the firmament showeth His handiwork.
     Day unto day uttereth speech, and
     Night unto night showeth knowledge.”

GPD 10/1/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/30/11

2011-09-30T11:35:00.000-05:00

          The final day of this month, and what is left yet to be done. Well, one never reaches the end for the time to honor and glorify God by the things that we do and say in our daily life.

          What makes this often hard is the attitude of the God-haters. Their speech and action toward anything that looks or honors Christianity is hard to understand, until we read the Bible.

          The Bible tells us that a rejection of God actually leads to a more hate-filled attitude toward him. St. Paul said it clearly, “Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind. . .to become haters of God”. Romans l, 28-30. That is the sad result when people turn away from God whose handiwork is so clearly seen, “so that they are without excuse”.

          So how to respond to this? St. Paul again supplies correction in his letter to Timothy. ”A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach patiently, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them, repentance, so that they may know the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil. Having been taken captive by him to do his will”. 2 Timothy 2, 24-26.

          Thus ends the month, with the Word of God ringing in our ears. We pray He gives us the wisdom and the strength to do it to His glory.

GPD 9/30/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/27/11

2011-09-27T09:43:00.000-05:00

          It was so warm and muggy this morning that the breeze of a passing car felt welcome. Can one imagine – toward the end of September still.

          St. Paul mentions a common malady when he speaks of people “having itching ears”. For this is always a very real concern. One of the favorite expressions of former President Reagan was “Trust, but verify”. He was concerned that he knew the real reason for this or that action.

          Just that was St. Paul’s concern when he writes to his young co-worker, Timothy. Remember, St. Paul taught the way of salvation was “by grace you are saved and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2,8.9. And it is that what it was about. They want to bring in their own philosophy, their own reasoning, their own plan. The moment we do that we are in trouble.

          So this warning, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 1 Tim. 4,3.4. The trouble comes when we “dote about questions and strife with words, out of which comes envy, strife, railings, and evil surmising.” 1 T.6,4.

          You noticed how Jesus dealt with questions? He answered with another question, so there was nothing left for his enemies to debate.

          The message, “Thy Word is Truth” is the truth we must live with always. God bless such living.

GPD 9/27/11

Shade Tree wisdom 9/23/11

2011-09-23T11:56:00.001-05:00

          Cool this morning with just a slight breeze as befitting the first day of fall. It reminds me of nippy air and a bite to the wind, and the end of the summer growing season, for now the harvest is in full swing.

          One of the chores for the fall days was gathering the potato crop. We hurried home from school, changed into work clothes, and went out to gather that crop where it lay in long furrows, left there by the potato digger. This machine, horse drawn, dug the potato, shook the earth from them, and left them in long rows to be gathered into the wagon. Long shadows showed night was near, and when the wagon was filled, Dad drove it next to the special window in the basement, so we could send them tumbling into the special cold bin in the basement for storage. That had to be finished before night, because frost was in the offing, and they could not be touched by frost, for that would ruin the crop, and our winter eating.

          And that poem by James Whitcomb Riley always springs to mind.
     “When the frost is on the punkin and the fodders in the shock,
     And you hear the kyouk and gobble of the strutting turkey cock.

     Oh, it’s then the time a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,
     With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest.”

          With the coming of Fall in its season the year starts to near its end, and it is time for some ruminating and contemplating about our life, is it still under God’s care, are we still practicing and living our faith, have we grown, and are our lives enriched by deep study, careful thought, living experiences?

          We pray, “Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits.”.

GPD 9/23/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/21/11

2011-09-21T16:16:00.000-05:00

          Kind of warm this morning, but no breeze, and nothing to impede the morning walk either, so I did my walk.

          A Swedish man, Carl Gustaf Boberg, a pastor, an editor, and a member of the parliament, went for a walk where he was caught in a sudden storm. When it was over, he looked out over the clear bay and heard a church bell in the distance, and the words of “How Great Thou Art” began to take form in his mind. The poem was first published in 1891, was brought over to the US by Dr. Orr of Fuller Theological Seminary after he heard it sung in India. It became popular when George Beverly Shea sang it at a Billy Graham Crusade in London.

          Today it is familiar to most Christians. You’ve probably either heard it or sung it in some place.
     “Then sings my soul, My Savior, God to Thee,
     How great Thou art. How Great Thou art”.

          Yet, when we get into some trouble, we forget, and scramble around to find a solution or an end to the problem. When our plans fall apart, and there does not seem to be any solutions, how do we deal with frustration and delay?

          Isaiah 26, 3.4. is an anchor for our soul.
     “You will keep him in perfect peace,
     Whose mind is stayed on Thee.
     Because he trusts in You.
     Trust in the Lord forever, for in Him
     Is everlasting strength.”

          Isn’t that a word to memorize and look to. When troubles come, and they do seem to pop up unexpectedly and from strange places, then turn first to Him and remember what He has promised you. “Lo, I will be with you always, even to the end of the age”. He provides the solution, or supplies the strength to endure. Bless His Holy Name.

GPD 9/21/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/19/11

2011-09-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

          Woke this morning to the tune of a gentle rain fall. How pleasant and soothing was the sound.

          What brings you comfort?

          In a Bible Class one time we were talking about passages that were special to each of us and brought us special comfort. Among them, of course were the favorites, such as Psalm 23, 130, Matthew 6, 25,34. 1 Corinthians 13, Philippians 4 and others.

          It brought to mind an article I read in the local paper recently about bee keeping. One man who does it claims it soothes him and gives him a certain feeling of doing something worthwhile with his spare time.
Not only do his bees gather nectar, but they pollinate crops, orchards, fruit bushes, and make honey at the same time.

          One of my Pastor neighbors was a bee keeper. He would set the hives into fields whose owners requested them, and he would gather the honey when the hives were brought back to him for the winter. For him, it was a relaxing chore, easy to do, did not require much time, and was relatively relaxing. He boasted that he never was stung.

          And it helps keepers understand more clearly how the Lord has provided for everything in His creation.

     "So, bless the Lord, O my soul, and all
     That is within me, bless His holy name.
     Bless the lord, O my Soul,
     Forget not all His benefit."

GPD 9/19/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/16/11

2011-09-16T14:02:00.000-05:00

          The harvest moon is still there, and this morning I was thinking of the Indians who called it that because it was harvest time. Among such harvest was wild rice, an Indian staple. They harvested the rice from canoes, gliding into the rice fields and holding the loaded rice heads over the canoe to thresh them. When the canoe was full, they simply paddled to shore and unloaded. It is late September or early October, the air is crisp and fresh, and slowly, methodically, the rice is harvested. Some is left for the birds, the rest cleaned and stored against the coming winter. And life as they knew it and understood the need went on.

          While I was working on this Shade Tree piece someone forwarded an email about the story of the life and death of Jesus, sculpted in metal and set for display on a field near Groom, Texas. Groom is on Highway I-40 some 70 miles east of Amarillo in the Texas panhandle. Which stirred a memory of an old Gospel song
The Old Rugged Cross. A line or two run:
“On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame”.

          In a case before the US Supreme Court it was called “A Powerful Christian symbol”. In the first century, St. Paul, writing to Corinth, said that Christ had sent him “to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1, 17-18.

          Like the slow harvest by Indian women through the years, so the Cross of Christ is and remains forever true, a symbol of just what had to be done to pay for the sins we daily commit, and for that we are thankful to God. The death on the cross happened by God’s design for the salvation of all who believe it happened for them,

GPD 9/16/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/15/11

2011-09-15T11:20:00.000-05:00

          The full moon is still hanging low in the western sky when I walk. It is warm, but there is a slight stirring of a gentle breeze. So I enjoy it under this what the Indians called ‘corn’ or ‘harvest’ moon. It was so named by the Indians because now corn, squash, beans, pumpkins and wild rice were ready for harvest, and this moon gave them light to work late into the day.

          But right now, it hangs over a quiet neighborhood which is not even disturbed by snorting yellow boxes since schedules and routes have been changed. So, the world may be in turmoil – and the news beats at us in every newscast - but right now there is this “peace that passes all understanding”. Not only in the area, but in my heart because Jesus died on the cross and paid for my sins. Paul writes of this as “nailing it to the cross”. That’s where it happened. The death of Christ made the payment that we could not. Now we are Righteous before God.

          It almost seems sometimes as if we are living in an angry world. Things that weren’t supposed to happen are happening, and the mess gets deeper and wider as we try to ‘manage’ it with our own plans.
It is just then we need to turn to God’s Word, so rich in promise.

          Lamentations is a book of remose, of wailing, of heavy hand on sin. But right in the middle of it this:
     “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.
          Because His compassions fail not.
     They are new every morning,
          Great is Thy faithfulness.
     The Lord is my portion, saith my soul;
          Therefore will I hope in Him.
     The Lord is good to them that wait for him,
          To the soul that seeketh him.
     It is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait,
          For the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3,22-26

          The day will be warm again, and no rain seems near yet, but God is there, as He said. Bless His holy name and walk in His peace.

GPD 9/15/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/13/11

2011-09-13T11:18:00.000-05:00

          I picture St. Paul has a medium-sized man, dressed in a brown travel robe, sandals on his feet, staff in hand, always accompanied with one or two younger men. Maybe there is a small donkey to carry books and parchments. The robe is travel worn and shows much use, stained now with signs of travel, and there are spots that look like dried blood on it. He looks weary, but there is a fire in his brown eyes that compels attention.

          Now I see him in Athens in the Acropolis, that famous place where philosophers spend their time gathering, discussing, debating, and always ready “to hear some new thing.” They regard this new comer with some reservation, but willingly give him an audience. So when he starts to speak, he grabs their attention with his first words.” Men of Athens, I observe you are very religious in all respects”. Acts 17,22., “for I even found an altar ‘to the unknown god’.” V.23a.

          Then this, “What you therefore ignorantly worship, this I proclaim to you” v.23b. St.Paul then speaks of God as Creator who “gives to each one life with an appointed time”. In short, GOD made us, he said, and we are under His care, so that now “All everywhere should repent.”

          Then the conclusion: “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring that men everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 17, 30-31. Some sneered, some ignored the speech. Others said, “we want to hear more of this matter”.

          This is the way the Gospel message spreads, by people who tell the story. The Holy Ghost works through that word we speak, maybe haltingly, hesitantly, briefly, but the Lord has promised this, “I will be with you, even to the end of the world”.

          So we, living in the year 2011, need only check the record to see that the Word does go “into all the world”. The Word that tells us of what God has done through Christ, God’s Son, who came, suffered, died and rose again to open the way to eternal life for all who believe in Him.

          So, no matter how you picture St. Paul, remember he was just one of God’s messengers to tell the wonderful story to sin-blind people.

GPD 9/13/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/11/11

2011-09-11T10:06:00.003-05:00

          On the anniversary of 9/11/2001

          There will be fine moments of memory, still the mayor of NY has opted not to have a prayer lest “we offend anyone”. That, of course, is always done and excused by the phrase of ‘political correctness’. Such a fine ring to it, honest, sincere, and utterly false.

          What ever has happened to doing a thing because it is right, or good, or just simply needed. When did we start living our lives in fear of ”offending anyone”. Why, first of all, is it always the persons who still have principles who are found in the wrong by practicing them? Because this is not “politically correct?

     I confess with Psalm 8, as follows:

“O Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth.

Who has set Thy glory above the heavens.

What is man, that Thou art mindful of him,

And the son of man that Thou hast visited him.

O Lord, our Lord,

How excellent is Thy name in all the earth.”

Psalm 8,1.4.9

GPD 9/11/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/7/11

2011-09-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

          So, the walking was wonderful, cool, a slight breeze, and I am glad it was only very slight because that will help contain those fires raging in our State. Many homes already destroyed, acres the size of Connecticut burned. So having no wind is surely helpful to give the fire fighters some respite from their labor. Maybe they can get a handle on fires and contain them.

          But there is another fire raging that is fueled by anger, ill-conceived thought, even outright hate. The fire of a tongue out of control. So I read again Luther on the eighth commandment which he describes in his Large Catechism.

          He says one of the treasures indispensible to us is our honor and good name, for it is not possible to live honorably among men in public disgrace or contempt.

          What leads me to read that section again is the climate we seem to be in here in the United States. A climate where hate and thoughtless comments flow freely, and no one seems to bother any longer to “Put the best construction on everything”. Simply put, that is the advice of Dr. Luther.

          And it is advice as Christians we ought to follow regularly. Let’s not get caught up in the fervor of election speech. Let us be honest in our dealing. Let us speak truth with one another. Let us be what St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5,9.12 “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. . .Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

          So let us say and live always to give God the glory.

GPD 9/7/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/5/11 Labor Day

2011-09-05T13:05:00.000-05:00

          The new month brings a nice breeze for the morning walk, but since it is Labor Day there is no school, so no rumbling of the big yellow boxes. Therefore, it was really quiet, and a temptation to walk a bit farther to enjoy the fine day. So I did.

          Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 when Congress passed a bill to establish the first Monday in September as a national holiday, and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. Recent research supports the report that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, founded it.

          History often records the struggle of labor for better working conditions and more ‘say’ in the work force. Such unrest ended in harsh struggle in the auto, the coal, and the iron industries especially. Even today there are often pockets of discord, though much is settled by quiet discussion rather than violence.

          But we do live in a world torn apart by the struggle for wealth and power and dominion over others. It is a world that has fallen deeply into the clutches of the enemy, the father of lies, the fallen “prince of this world”. (John 16,11.)

          In our own daily lives, we also struggle for ‘control’ so we can work our jobs and satisfy our daily needs and wants. We are tempted to place our trust there. It is good to remember the God who satisfies our wants and cares for our needs, and to pray to Him first.

          As sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father, we have nothing to fear. The Lord Jesus Christ sits at the Fathers right hand and governs all things for our sake,

          Our Psalm reads, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid.” Psalm 27,1.

GPD 9/5/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 9/3/11

2011-09-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

          People used to sort of joke about it whenever someone got lost when they had been invited to a summer cottage and took several hours to get there. Mostly because he was just too stubborn to listen when his wife suggested this was their turn.

          I thought of the couple who did this and reached that place where they weren’t talking much. So in their driving they passed a pasture where several mules were grazing and he asked, “Relatives of yours?” She replied, “Just by marriage”.

          What we are talking about here is pride. When St.Paul is writing in his letter to Ephesus he marvels that the power of the Gospel has broken down “the middle wall of division between them”. The power of the Gospel has united them in the Church. The ancient world was divided into Jew and Gentile, and that wall is broken down by the power of the Gospel.

          They were looking at circumcision, but Paul wants them to see the real truth. It is only the Power of the gospel that had united them.

          Pride. Look at the Church today, or look at the world, it is just filled with pride which leads to prejudice, and a blindness to see any other viewpoint. Prejudice is one of the greatest curses in life and it is generally grounded in pride. It is an absolutely blinding force.

          How does it work? It prevents us from seeing that there really usually are two sides to every issue, and it demeans any opponent, so will not really try to find a solution.

          The only solution is for men to see his own sinfulness and his own need before God, and recognize that the Only power that forms the Church is the power of the gospel, nothing else.

          And that is what we must remember when pride raises its head, that what we have is all a gift from a gracious God.

GPD 9/3/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/30/11

2011-08-30T11:25:00.003-05:00

The city of Houston is 175, and the paper printed special sections detailing some of the history and highlights along the way. My mind went to Longfellow’s Psalm of Life. Remember this?

Lives of great men all remind us,

We can make our lives sublime,

And departing, leave behind us,

Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o’er life’s solemn main

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

          That sort of epitomizes the culture. A sort of ‘can-do’ attitude. The history is full of events like that. When Galveston was destroyed by a hurricane in 1900, people were afraid to ship goods to Galveston, so the people of Houston deepened and widened a bayou to make the ship channel, making Houston a deep water port. This is one of the busiest ports in the country today. 2,000 trains move goods to and from ships.

          The city has also benefited from major gifts from its citizens. One Texas Governor was a man named Hogg. He had three children. The third, a girl, he named Ima. The children’s legacy was property simply awash in oil, and their gifts to the city of lands, parks, and buildings is outstanding.

          The Wortham family, among other things, gave Houston the Wortham Center for the arts. The Center was completed five months ahead of schedule and 5 million under budget.
          William Marsh Rice, whose fortune founded what is now Rice University, was murdered by his valet who was conspiring with one of the lawyers to get that fortune. They were caught before they could change the will.

          The playing floor of the Toyota Center, the basketball venue, is 32 feet below street level. Constrution of the center resulted in 315,000 yards of excavated soil, the most ever.
          There are nearly 6 miles of tunnel system under the city, and the Galleria gets about 24 million visitors each year.
          I started with Longfellow, I end with this from Robert Frost.

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

In such history, as in any history, we find reminders of great deeds as well as underhanded stuff in plenty. So for a Christian, it also reminds me of this word. “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid”. Which always puts things in perspective.
GPD 8/30/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/27/11

2011-08-27T11:37:00.037-05:00

          Rummaging through some files the other day netted me this. We always enjoyed it, so I am sending it along, It is a fruit plate the Hyatt in Dearborn, Michigan served for a suggested light lunch during the hot months.

Served on a small plate on lettuce leaves.
Slices of melon
Slices of honeydew
Slices of fresh peach, apple, orange,
Strawberry, grapes, banana
Maybe slices of kumquat or some such.
Offered with scoop of sherbet, yogurt, or cottage cheese.
Plus a plate of various crackers.
Coffee, iced tea, water.

          That’s it, and it was really enjoyable on a warm day.

          I know it’s late in the year, but I did not rummage sooner. So use it now, or file it for another day. But it is a tasty treat for a light lunch.

          May the Lord bless your day, and keep in mind the people all along the East Coast while Irene sweeps by.

GPD 8/27/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/25/11

2011-08-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

          We did get some rain last night and this morning, but the forecast is for weather reaching 102 for several days in a row. The rain wasn’t heavy, just enough to keep me from walking. I told you I was beyond the time when I enjoyed walking in the rain.

          This morning I was thinking of anniversaries and birthdays and other causes for celebration. And one I remember was aunt Regina’s 40th birthday. The family had gathered, spent the evening visiting, playing board games, several uncles were in the far corner bending over a chess game. And time moved along. But when that time came when things came to sort of a pause, uncle Robert took out his violin and started to play. Some Straus waltzes, some German Lieder, then he started familiar hymns and people started singing.
Now you know when Lutherans sing they harmonize. It seems to be their nature. So the women started and then the men chimed in, and the house rang with the joy of it. (just as an aside, to this day I enjoy doing that when there is no one too near to hear).

          It brought to mind the Maennerchor the church I grew up in still had, just men’s voices to enhance the service. We had such a group at Living Word for several years.

          Then food was set out, sandwiches, cake, and coffee or orange soda, and that sort of brought an end to it . But when we left the house to go home, the air had a nip to it, and some frost lay on the grass, and people talked about needing to finish the fall plowing and shocking the last of the corn crop to be ready for the coming winter.

          It was such a pleasant evening, left us all with a feeling of being loved, wanted, and belonging. And it is a feeling that makes life a bit richer still.

          I hope you, each, do have such experiences to file in your memory bank.

GPD 8/25/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/24/11

2011-08-24T14:27:00.000-05:00

          An earthquake in Virginia that is felt all along the East coast and causes the West coast to snicker at the reaction to this “little tremor”. What’s next? It is a reminder that we are not in charge at all.

          Indeed. Some think we are living in “last day” times because the Church and believers are under attack, both directly and slyly, indirectly. This goes back to God’s warning to Cain (Genesis 4,7). God warned, “sin is crouching at your door”.

          The truth is that the devil is always active, so our Lord has armed us for this continuing battle. Ephesians chapter 6 details our weapons, verses 10 to 20 describes our armor. One weapon is “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

          The devil is hard at work “to steal, kill, and destroy,” but Jesus promises that the disciples will “overcome the enemy, nothing will harm you” Luke 10,19. And “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16,33.

          So where is the greatest danger? In the sneaky attack, the unexpected road, the seemingly innocent way. Satan is the one who shows us “the way that seemeth right unto man, but the ends thereof are death.” Prov. 14,12; 16,25.

          For an example, our Lord promises to forgive our sins and “remember them no more” (Jer.31,34b) Ps. 51, 1.2 tells us, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from sin.” Micah 7,19 says our sins are “drowned in the depth of the sea.” Is there anything clearer and plainer than that?

          But when our sins are forgiven, we often get the feeling of “why did I do that? What made me speak to my friend that way? I can never make it right.” Such thoughts trouble us. What they are, of course, are the “flaming darts of the evil one”.(Eph. 6,16), for which the Lord provides us with “the shield of faith”. In short, believe the promises of God with all your heart.

          For if you do not, you’ll be thinking, ‘I’d better forgive myself or I won’t have any peace’. But listen to yourself. What the Lord hears is you saying, “It’s too good to be true, my sins can’t be gone that easily.” And often you’re not even aware of expressed doubt. That’s how the devil tricks you.

          That’s how he works. Remember, he is never up to good, for he is a liar and murderer from the beginning.

          Believe the promise of God, "I have overcome the world” is the word for us to cling to.

GPD 8/24/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/23/11

2011-08-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

Please pardon me if I do not mention the Houston summer heat, the unending heat that makes people long to hear of a tropical storm entering the Gulf with its promise of rain and wind. Then it is good for us to remember these words spoken by David when he was under pressure.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

And His ears are attentive to their cry. . .

A righteous man may have many troubles,

But the Lord delivers him from them all.

The Lord redeems His servants,

No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.”

Psalm 34,15.19.22

Maybe experiencing a summer like this will wakes us up to what technology makes us lack. Because information is so cheap, we don’t pay much attention to it. Instant information allows us to bypass the years of study that leads to real expertise. It has removed the need to engage, to be curious, to learn first hand. So, even when we know exactly where we are, we don’t really know where we are.

Some years ago Ruth and I took a bus tour through some of the western states. I remember one person on that tour had maps of the region, and he was so intent on seeing where we were on the map and that he missed the grandeur of the scenery surrounding us. He took the tour with us, but never really understood why he was doing it.

Technology puts much knowledge at our fingertips, but forget not that knowledge is different from wisdom. Wisdom is using that knowledge and knowing just where and how it fits into life. A thoughtful think piece last Sunday bemoaned the fact that many Universities sent graduate students to teach many freshmen classes, so, the writer claimed, really cheating the freshmen out of what they were paying for. For, the writer argued, these graduates may have knowledge, but did not have the wisdom or experience to really teach usefully and make the subject viable.

Just this morning a columnist interviewed a local business man who gets along without a cell phone. She wanted to know how he managed that. He said, “By being on time and being patient”. He doesn't like what it’s done to American civility. “Once that rings, it doesn’t matter where you are or with whom, you answer. It’s more important”. He likes the peace and freedom it brings him.

So back to Psalm 34, “No one who takes refuge in Him shall be condemned for His ears are attentive to their cry.” For in all this hustle and hurry, God cares, and He knows and blesses His children, and that gives me peace.

GPD 8/23/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/20/11

2011-08-20T13:31:00.003-05:00

There was a red fox in my backyard yesterday morning. He was sitting there on my back lawn, sort of medatively scratching behind his ear, and checking out the area. That is, if the nature of a fox is to meditate on anything. Traffic was bowling along 100 feet behind him and in front stood a line of occupied houses with some backyards being used for pets and play areas. It looked as if he did not have a care In the world.

It reminded me of a prayer many use for a table prayer.

“The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord,

And Thou givest them, their meat in due season.

Thou openest Thine hand,

And satisfies the desire of every living thing.”

Psalm 145, 15.16.

That’s the promise, and God fulfils it daily for us all.

When Moses was preparing to leave Israel, he blessed them, tribe by tribe. To Asher he said in his blessing, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be”. Deuteronomy 33,25. Note it well, he is speaking of a day, not a week or days but for the exact time when you need it.

O, the Lord taught Israel to depend on His promise to care for them.

It took 40 years, and then they still often forgot. But when they needed food, God sent them manna. It is recorded in Exodus 16. The direction was to pick enough for one day, and keep none for later. When they tried to keep some, it was bad. However, on the day before the Sabbath they picked enough for two days, and that stayed fresh and usable. So each night they went to bed wondering if they could really trust God to send it tomorrow too. And He did, till they finally entered the promised land, where there was plenty of food at hand.

These days sees millions of students starting a new year. Remember the word of promise, “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” That is the promise for us all. The work we are assigned in a course, the plans we make, the life we lead, all are under His care and attention, and the help we need is always just in time.

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians (4,6) writes, “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” to which St. Peter adds this, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you”. 1 Peter 5,7.

Then find Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.. . God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. God shall help her, and that right early. Be still and know that I am God.” Vv.1.7.10

May your life be rich with His blessing and His promised presence to give you the strength for the moment.

GPD 8/20/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/19/11

2011-08-19T11:42:00.000-05:00

        So, you have never even known there is such a place as Ausservillgraten, Austria. There are people who live there, call it home, and no doubt love it. And things happen there to make the morning news in far-off Houston. A German couple was hiking in the mountains around the town when they were attacked by a goat. You heard that right, a goat. For two hours the goat hassled them, till finally the man caught it by the horns and literally dragged it down the mountain where police managed to pacify it. No charges were filed, but the owner does have to pay for the lady’s torn slacks.

        That has really nothing to do with what follows, but it will sort of stick in your memory for a while because it is unusual, won’t it?

        Memory is wonderful, we have really two, short term and long term.

        But memory does play tricks, because often we remember what we really wish were true. So many people keep a diary or a sort of day book. I remember my father used the wall calendar for his record. This date I started the fall plowing, or planted the oats on this day, and the corn then.

        And this calf was born etc. So his wall calendar became a sort of running commentary on the daily farm workings, and it helped keep him on schedule. And this record helped him understand if certain crops were planted early, they produced more and brought a better return.

        The written record proved it.

        Much depends on how we read the record, either as written, or we add to it to make it say what we might wish it said. This brings me to a little Book. The title is The Prayer of Jabez. In religious terms we speak of eisegesis or exegesis. The first reads into the record of Scripture what we might want it to say, the second wrestles with the words written to find out the meaning.

        The little book sold millions of copies, the pastor who wrote it claimed he prayed it every day for half his lifetime. The problem is that much of what he wrote about the prayer is simply what he wished it said. One reviewer said that is like saying diamonds are found in this field of gravel, then placing one in the field, finding it, and showing that as proof. He called this way of reading the Bible despicable. For one can then make the bible say anything one wants it to say, and this sort of Bible reading is ‘rancid baloney’, in the reviewers words. It is misleading.

        I pray you read the Holy Word of God as He offers it, and therein lies rich blessing. Give God the glory, and watch out for goats in Ausservillgarten.

GPD 8/19/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/16/11

2011-08-16T12:26:00.000-05:00

Well, given we set a new record for consecutive days of over one hundred degrees, the walking was quite pleasant, with a Sturgeon moon hanging low in the western sky.(An August full moon is called a ‘Sturgeon moon’ because during August the fish is most easily caught for some reason. The Sturgeon is native to the Great Lakes.)

The moon did remind me of the ending of a bedtime prayer I learned in my youth, The prayer ended with the reminder that the moon in the sky was watching over the sleeping earth, so it was safe to go to sleep.

It brought to mind the frantic life so many lead, our thoughts twisted and turned this and way and that by words, words, words, endless and often mindless words. Words selling and promising and enticing us to go that way, or this. Politicians have teams of advisors who are ‘expert’ in using words to persuade, allure, and sell, above all, sell, their particular agenda as the only one for the country.

An article in the paper speaks of children learning to compromise as they start a new school year. That means finding a solution that suits each.

That begins with listening to each other, really hearing what they are saying, instead of just waiting till they finish so you can speak your own piece.

Jesus had this problem with the Sanhedrin membership. “You search the Scripture, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they ate they which testify of Me,” John5,39-40. They read their Bible only to see what they wanted to see, and never did discover the truths about Jesus.

Sadly, that is too often true about religions, isn’t it? Folks just hear or believe what seems in their best interest, and they so often settle for that instead of seeing the whole picture, that where sin is, there needs to be a way for that sin to be paid for, and that way was Jesus death on the cross.

The quiet morning walk with that full moon hanging there reminds me always that God is still in the heavens, and that things with him are right for me, and serene, and at peace. I pray this same peace of God calms your troubled hearty and brings you quiet rest.

GPD 8/16/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/15/11

2011-08-15T14:19:00.001-05:00

      Well, at least you can tell your grandchildren, “I lived through the terrible summer of ’11. Let me tell you about hot and dry, trees were dying and people were sweltering, and I survived Thanks for asking, but don’t remind me again, hear?”.

      Sunday’s sermon here was based on the Gospel reading for the day, Matthew 15, 21-28, which is the story of the Canaanite woman who came to Jesus asking Him to heal her daughter who was possessed. And Jesus not only ignored her, He insulted her. The sermon dealt with the testing such a situation brings with it.

      We all, I am sure, have times when it seems as if the Lord is not paying attention to our prayers, and seems not even to have us in mind, but is more interested in other things than our little problem. The problem which is so large to us, and so pressing and urgent.

      In my devotional reading this morning I read Psalm 44. He speaks there of the wonderful things he has heard “from our fathers, what you did in their days, the days of long ago.” V.1. Then this complaint, “But now you have rejected and humbled us. . .you have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.” v.9.11.12..

      It ends in this high note,
“Rise up and help us,
Redeem us
Because of your unfailing love.”v.26.

      And that is always the word we cling too, the enduriong promises of God which say, “I am with you, even to the end of the age.”

      That, too, is a truth you must share with your Grandchildren. God is our God forever and ever. Amen.

GPD 8/15/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/13/11

2011-08-13T15:27:00.007-05:00

     It continues hot, hot, hot, and dry. Vegetation is showing the effect of lack of rain, and we wonder why this drought now? It is comforting to know, then, that “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my easy your ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55,8.

     Admit it, we are often troubled by the way things are going, wonder how it will all come out, and puzzled by what happens, or pleased and delighted at the way the thing does come to pass finally.

     The Poet (William Cowper), expressed the thought this way:

“God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform.”

     Then he goes on,

“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace,
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.”

     Now join the disciples after Jesus left them. He had given them this, “do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father which ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, and you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence,” Acts l,4.5.

     They asked when? And Jesus said, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own power, but You shall be witness to me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in all Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1,7.8.

     We don’t hear them say, ‘We’d better reserve the big arena, mount an ad campaign, and get the word out. Let’s set up teams and hit more places at once.” Jesus tells them just the opposite, “Wait for the promise of the father”.

     The world is dying. People need the message of the gospel. In our day we plan, we set up programs, we make sure everybody’s pencil is in place, but we often forget what Jesus said, “Ye shall receive power after that the holy Ghost is come upon you”. The world looks at the church to see whether the Gospel they speak of has made any changes.

     A missionary to the Indians managed to have them gather to hear what he had to say. They listened gravely as he spoke of the Gospel, that brought hope to life and made changes in lives. The listened gravely and then the Chief spoke, “We heard your story, now we will look to see if the white man whose religion this is will show these changes.”

     That is what the world looks for in the Church, and the message becomes clouded when the life does not muster up. That is the change the Holy Spirit brings to us, fellow believers. He changes the heart, and that shows in attitude, character, behavior, and life. Let us pray that this always happens to us also.

GPD 8/13/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/10/11

2011-08-10T11:36:00.002-05:00

There is a picture on the front pages of the paper this morning that you probably saw on your TV news last night. It is hard to believe, but it shows a semi standing nearly erect entangled with the structure that caries the highway numbers and exits etc on the highway. No one is quite sure what happened, was it driver error, or malfunction, but the semi was one of those that has a system to lift the front for unloading, and somehow this was activated and the truck raised just in time to hit the structure crossing the highway. Traffic each way was re-routed for many hours, travel was interrupted, vacation plans changed, many were inconvenienced by the simple mistake.

Maybe this seems funny to the person watching from afar, but for the ones involved, its huge.

It strikes me life is often like that, a little mistake here and there changes into something that we can’t handle.

Turn to the Bible. Joshua chapter 9 has just such a story. Under Joshua the Israelites had complete success, destroying Jericho and Ai. The news went out, so the people of Gibeon devised a strategy. They sent a delegation claiming they were from a far country and wanted to make a treaty. As proof they offered their stained travel clothes and the dry bread they carried, which, they claimed, had been freshly baked when they left their home country.

Now listen, “Then men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not inquire of the Lord, then Joshua made a treaty with them to let them, live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it with an oath.” Joshua 9,14.15. So, when Israel reached Gibeon, they did not destroy their cities, but “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community. So the leaders’ promise was kept.” 9,v.21. That may be true, but the command of God was cast aside, for He had ordered complete destruction lest they lead Israel into imitating their false idol worship. Which happened later to her shame and suffering.

For us, the strength lies in hearing, and doing, the Word of the Lord for His blessing.

GPD 8/10/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/9/11

2011-08-09T15:22:00.002-05:00

On my way to church I had a program on the radio that features religious music, anthems etc. This Sunday I heard a cathedral choir from the north of England sing that wonderful hymn.
“The Church’s One Foundation, is Jesus Christ, Her Lord.”

The Hymn teaches that the Church is God’s handiwork. “From heaven He came and sought her, to be His holy bride. With His own blood he bought her, and for her life He died.” LS 644,1.

The words are so pregnant with meaning, and so comforting to hear and know they are true. “Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth. Her charter of salvation, One Lord, One faith, One birth.” And I thought, “I belong among them, the millions in every corner of this earth, believe Jesus Christ died for us.”

So what, when “Though with a scornful wonder, the world sees her oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed. Yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, ‘How long’? And soon the night of weeping, shall be the morn of song.”

Yet the promise is “She on earth has union, with God, the Three in One.”

To hear these rich enduring promises sung by the Cathedral choir was an enriching experience filled for me with wonder of it all, and the comfort of knowing that every word of God is true. So I nearly missed the light, which brought us to the end of the program and brought me back to earth.

An earth that lately seems filled with dire news, the stock market is down horribly, the predictions for the future are dire, the fighting for position for the coming elections becomes more intense each day, and the times are indeed scary. And I wonder if this is how the early settlers felt when under Indian attack which seemed imminent and the cavalry was still not coming over the hill.

And then I remembered that I belong to a Church that God builds, sent His Son to die for, and that this God cares for me, and each of us. And I am still content.

GPD 8/9/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/5/11

2011-08-05T13:35:00.002-05:00

The paper ran a report on water levels on selected Texas lakes. Two are over 98% full, and two are under 55% full. Which means tree stumps stick out and boats are left high and dry. This is the worst drought in nearly 50 years. Pray the Lord to send needed and wished-for rains.

Poet William Cullen Bryant observed a flock of geese on their flight to their winter range and composed “TO A WATERFOWL”. The poem ends with this:
“He who from zone to zone,
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,
In the long way that I must tread alone,
Will lead my steps aright.”
There is a truth we must pay attention to, for it speaks what the Bible constantly teaches us. That, as the song says, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I KNOW He watches me.”

What brings this to mind is my reading in the Book of Ecclesiastes, often little read, often even ignored, because the message seems so depressing. What this Book does too is simply picture what happens when people live ‘under the sun’, that is, with God out of the picture, ignored, even sneered at, and His Children, the Christian, held in derision because of their faith.

The opening, verse 2, reads, “Meaningless, meaningless, says the Teacher, utterly meaningless. Everything is meaningless.” And He goes on – remember, this is a wealthy king speaking – to show how senseless and fruitless things ‘under the sun’ turn out to be.

Now and then a flash of understanding. 5,19, “Every man may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil. This, too, is a gift of God.” Then this flash from ‘under the sun’ in 5,10, “Whoever loves money, never has money enough”. Isn’t that on display in the NFL negotiations, “You can’t afford me”, and “I have to think of my family”. You hear such expressions even when many salaries have many dollars guaranteed whether there is further production or not.

So the Book ends with this note, “Fear God, and keep His commandments, this is the whole duty of man.” 12,13.

I end with this for the Christian.
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book,
Before one of them came to be.” P. 139,16.
And I am content with God’s rich and daily gifts.

GPD 8/5/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 8/2/11

2011-08-02T14:24:00.002-05:00

It continues hot, and the paper said the weather seems to be holding older people hostage, afraid to get out in the heat. Maybe here is wisdom that comes with the years.

Here is a quote that gives food for thought.
“He who provides for this life,
But gives no care for eternity,
Is wise for a moment,
but a fool forever.”
-John Tillotsn

History shows that God’s people never have it easy. Oh, there are stretches of easier living for them. But in most places and at most times, God’s children are ever under assault. Sometimes by hostile assault, sometimes by smiling seduction.

People who believe Jesus Christ died for their sins and so offers life eternal don’t find an easy time of it. Never have – never will. Their identity or their life is under constant threat, sometimes openly, often subtly.

And yet, they survive, and thrive. The pressure often tends to strengthen their resolve and deepen their convictions. Because they are driven to look deeply at what their Lord lays before them in the Holy Bible.

An early church father expressed it, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”.

Jesus reminded us, “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16,33.

So Psalm 71 speaks to us truly.
“In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge,
Let me never be put to shame.
Rescue me,
And deliver me in your righteousness.
Be my rock of refuge,
To which I can always go;
Give the command to save me,
For you are my rock
And my fortress.”
Such a person is wise for eternity, for His trust is in God’s promise.

GPD 8/2/11

Shade Tree wisdom 7/29/11

2011-07-29T13:24:00.002-05:00

“This is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it”. Psalm 118, 24. In my rejoicing I slowed, then stopped, as a duck family slowly walked across the highway. They looked neither left nor right, just ventured across, and traffic stopped, to allow them to cross.

But the great cause for rejoicing is that this is our 66th wedding anniversary, and my mind is flooded with memories, of that day, and the years together under God’s rich blessing all these years.

The day was warm and sunny with a slight breeze that ruffled tree leaves. It was pleasant, you know, the kind one gets in July only in Wisconsin. The church bells rang as we approached the church, then the hymn Ruth had chosen for our processional. A happy choice indeed.

“Lord, take my hand and lead me upon life’s way,
Direct, protect, and feed me, from day to day.
Without your grace and favor, I go astray.
So take my hand, O Savior, and lead the way.”
LSB 722,1

Then the dinner, and celebration, leaving us with a stock of warm memories. As I write these words I am waiting for tomorrow when Ruth is scheduled to come home from rehab where she has been spending time after she broke a bone in her foot and had to learn to put weight on it again.

Meanwhile I am going visiting with a rose in my hand to remember and quietly celebrate the day.

Here I have the Kodak picture frame running family pictures. There is a Christmas family picture, another at Hidden Lake Gardens, a favorite Sunday afternoon visiting place for the family. Here is one at the Lake, and yes, here comes our youngest riding her unicycle. That was all she wanted one Christmas, so we found one, and she taught herself to ride. She learned it well enough to surprise us when she rode in the town’s fourth of July parade. That got people all excited,” Look there”, they’d say, “She is riding a unicycle. Isn’t that Pastor’s daughter?”

And now the lord has given grandchildren who all are sources of joy and blessing daily. And tomorrow is our first great granddaughter’s first birthday. My cup runneth over, great is Thy faithfulness.

“Lord, when the shadows lengthen, and night has come, I know that You will strengthen my steps toward home.
Then nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend, So take my hand and lead me, until the end,.” V.3

GPD 7/29/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/27/11

2011-07-27T12:28:00.003-05:00

Warm and humid this morning. I had barely started when a girl came whizzing by on a bike and gave me a cheerful “Good morning”. I had hardly gone twenty feet when she came by from the other direction. I said, “Forget your coffee?” “No”, she said, “My money. I was going to buy a sweet roll.” Early morning excitement in The Woodlands, don’t you see?

“The eyes of all wait upon Thee;
And Thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand,
And satisfies the desires of every living thing.” Psalm 145, 15.16

We are in the middle of the grilling season, so I am going to send a recipe for that perfect steak.
Ask the market to cut a steak ¾ inch thick.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you want to serve it.
Salt and pepper each side.
Preheat the oven to 450.
While it warms heat a 9 or 10 inch cast iron griddle on the stove, melt 1/2 of butter and sear the steak on both sides for 2 minutes.
Then place the skillet with the steak into the oven and turn off the oven.
In 15 minutes remove from the oven and place it on the cutting board.
In 5 minutes or so slice the steak across the grain and serve and wait for the applause.

You may add a tossed salad. Better yet, get a head of lettuce, cut into quarters, serve two quarters on a chilled plate with blue cheese dressing.

Finish with a piece of cherry pie home made, or a scoop of vanilla.

If you must add a baked potato or potatoes O’brian. That’s the perfect meal. I have done this, and it works. Just be sure you wear a glove when you remove that hot skillet from the oven.

Addenda to shade tree: Better used peanut oil, not butter.

GPD 7/27/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/25/11

2011-07-26T09:39:00.002-05:00

I was reminded recently of a line from the musical, THE KING AND I in which the king sings,

“When I was a boy, world was a better spot,
What was so, was so, what was not, was not.
Now I am a man;
World has changed a lot,
Some things nearly so,
Others nearly not.”

When Christ came as The Truth, He gave us a common center to rest on. “One Lord, One faith, One baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all” Eph. 4,5.

And when we come to accept this by the Holy Spirit, it gives us a common bond of interest between people, uniting us in one under one head, Jesus Christ.

The problem lies in the fact that not all accept this Truth. When Jeremiah was sent as prophet, the Lord gave him this word. “Announce this to the house of Jacob and proclaim it to Judah. Hear this you foolish and senseless people. Who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.” Jer. 5,20-21.

You, however, belong to the elect. Jesus said, “You have not chosen me, I have chosen you.” John 145,16. Not because you are special in any way, or more worthy, but simply because the Lord loved you. Check this out in Deuteronomy 7, 6-8.

Now to such St. Peter writes a letter. It’s from the old fisherman who has fallen and been restored through forgiveness. He writes to “A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2,9.

Peter writes further, “I will always remind you of these things even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made known to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.” 2 Peter 1, 12-15.

We live in perilous times. Let us remember always we are His children, under His caring, fatherly eye “until the end of the age.”

GPD 7/26/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/22/11

2011-07-22T20:42:00.002-05:00

Some places had as much as two inches, so the area benefited from rain, though spotty, wet here, dry next door. Appreciated very much thanks to the Lord. So the walking was in rain-washed air with a slight breeze to make it just fine.

I read a Chinese proverb that says,
“If you are patient in one moment of anger,
You will escape one hundred days of sorrow.”

There’s just a lot of wisdom in those words. What is it we often say,
“Do it in haste,
Repent at leisure”.
And it reminds me again of our loving God. He planned our life so we could be free from having to repent of deeds or words spoken in haste or anger.

So the Lord gave us the Ten Commandments, not to fence us in, but to keep us from making stupid mistakes. For these ten cover nearly every phase of life, do they not?

In the spring when cattle were first left out to pasture, they tended to find holes in the pasture fence and get at green alfalfa and founder. So our first duty was to make sure the pasture fence had withstood the forces of winter cold and frost and was tight. Because cattle seemed to have a genius for finding any holes.

Our problem exactly, we are always trying to find loopholes, reasons why this does not apply for this situation, after all, is the word, we are living in 2011, not in the Victorian age any longer.

We forget that life is messy at best, not easy or simple, and we need help on finding the best way. That help is what the Lord offers us in the Ten Commandments. These Ten words cover every situation and offer us guides and direction for every situation.

Temptations lie all around and offers us many opportunities to do the wrong thing. A small example, the temptation to eat an apple while shopping for our groceries and not mentioning the fact at the checkout counter. We think, after all, the store has lots of apples and won’t miss just one.
“In vain we all old notions fudge,
And bend our conscience to our dealing.
The Ten Commandments will not budge,
And stealing will continue stealing”

The Commandments are not there to “spoil our fun”, but to allow us to live with a clear conscience and sleep as God’s Child.

So be patient in a moment of anger,and spare yourself one hundred days of sorrow.

GPD 7/22/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/19/11

2011-07-19T10:56:00.002-05:00

It’s raining slightly even as I write these welcome words, but I look out of my window and also see a dying tree in the nearby distance. The drought is taking a toll indeed, and much moisture is necessary to gainsay that. Let us keep on praying for that.

“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the
House of my God,
Then dwell in the tent
Of the wicked,.” Psalm 84,10.

That’s a pretty strong word to speak, and mean it. But it does fit right into the entire theme of that Psalm. “My soul yearns even faints, for the courts of the Lord.” V. 2, he writes. And then, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you” v.4.

Does this fit our eagerness of worship in this year also? Do we come, anticipating, longing, and leave filled, satisfied, strengthened and encouraged for the week?

During my years in active ministry I often would find a worshipper still in the pew, Bible open on the lap, reading the words of God again and settling them more firmly in the mind, or discussing quietly with a friend what these particular Words of God’s book mean for their life.

Because that is what worship does. It lift us up to higher ground, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, from much activity and haste, to hear from God. To see again how rich the blessings of God are in our life, and to be heartened to know that God is here with us, in this place and this time, to be “in us”, as Paul teaches us. We belong here, because we are part of His flock, made so by Holy Baptism. What a glory is this.

So, my Christian friend, fellow believer, sister and brother in Christ, let our time of worship be so rich and fulfilling, so strengthening and satisfying, for us also, that, with the Psalm, we say, “My soul longs for the courts of the Lord.”

So, my son, “The Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” Prov.2,6

GPD 7/19/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/14/11

2011-07-14T10:14:00.004-05:00

The longer this heat persists, the more I feel the words spoken by the psalmist:

“Do not cast me away when I am old,
Do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Ps. 71,8.

It is July, and the heat extends nearly to the Canadian border through the Midwest, and there seems to be no letup in the near future. The Tropics are quiet also, no storm stirring. A small system crossed the coast in Mexico but it brought only rain, no winds and destructive forces.

The continued heat seems to sap one’s energy and causes us to long for better.

And I am wondering whether St. Paul had such moments that caused him to confess, “When I am weak, then I am strong”2 Cor.12,10. For when he had been praying to have a ‘thorn in the flesh’ removed, the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” V.9. So he learned again to lean entirely on God.

When we forget that, lean on and trust God, we are in trouble. And maybe this weather reminds me again that God is there always and keeps the promise He made us all, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”

For this world is in great need of divine wisdom and help. Our country is trying to deal with debt and crisis, and in the debate they seem to forget that one thing we ought to do first and foremost and pay down debt, not raise the limits some more.

The generation before us put a man on the moon, built an interstate highways system, an incredible network of airports, the intercostals waterway, a strong electrical grid, a higher education system that attracted thousands from around the world, and hospitals second to none in innovation and service. And they did it with very little debt.

It seems today all we can do is line up at the public trough.

We pray,

Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget” Thee.

GPD 7/14/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/11/11

2011-07-11T10:42:00.002-05:00

We had a nice rain shower yesterday afternoon. It lasted only a while, but you could almost hear the ground swallow and see the trees standing just a bit taller for that drink.

This morning it was rather pleasant out and birds were singing. I looked to see if I could spot that bird in the tree, but I could not see the bird till it moved a bit, then it was easy, but the camouflage was excellent. And I thought again how carefully this world is crafted and planned by our All Mighty God.

Well, it is July and there is no need to rush through the walk, why not lean on my staff – yes, I use a staff now and then – to see if I could spot the singer. And it was a pleasant moment.

July is also National Ice Cream month. More of that is sold on Sundays than any other day, and it takes some 50 licks to finish the average scoop of ice cream in a cone. Go ahead, get a cone and enjoy it while sitting in the shade and watching the children in the park.

I have been re-reading Matthew chapter 6, 19 – 34 again. Good reminder of the goodness of God. Here are bits from MSG, “There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless, in the care of God. And you count far more than birds.
“Give your attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

GPD 7/11/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/8/11

2011-07-08T20:35:00.000-05:00

It’s July, and the living is easy. Days warm and inviting us to slow down and rest, to enjoy a summer breeze, to look at the colors God provides all around us, to spend a day in a hammock reading a long neglected book, to have a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade near at hand, and to visit with family and get acquainted all over again.

It’s July and our motto ought to be
QUOT LIBROS QUAM BREVE TEMPUS
Really, all right, this is what it says, ”so many books, so little time”.

Maybe time for a walk in a field with the dog. But even in July, keep your eyes open and observe, not just see.

One summer day in 1948 a Swiss amateur mountaineer and inventor took his dog for a nature hike. When they returned home, both were covered with burrs clinging to his pants and the dog’s fur. Instead of cleaning the stuff off, he took some to his microscope and saw all the small hooks that clung to loops here and there, and his mind envisioned a faster with stiff hooks and soft loops. He combined velour and crochet and called it Velcro.

George de Mestral, together with a weaver in France, perfected a fastener and the thing is patented in 1955. Now it is used everywhere as a fastener on clothing, shoes, and other items, and is a common item we all recognize as very useful.

Slow summer days often lead to ideas for solutions to problems. For when the mind slows down, it tends to work with the sort of thing that we are engaged in and leads us to solutions we can use.

Or it may be that a time for reflection will help us untangle a relationship that has gone awry and seems beyond hope, then comes a thought that leads to a fine solution and brings together people who really need each other.

So it is July. Slow down, even sit down for a while, take a nap under a shade tree, play with the dog, or the grandchild, and find time to really see God’s world in which He allows us to live.

The Psalmist said,
“As for God, His way is perfect.
The word of God is flawless.
He is a shield,
For all who take refuge in Him”. Ps. 18,30.
So do have a fine summer, relax, enjoy, and remember your summer motto: QUOT LIBROS QUAM BREVE TEMPUS.

GPD 7/8/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/6/11

2011-07-06T10:35:00.002-05:00

Well, here is a line from yesterday’s paper. It says all we need to know. “Have you ever noticed that there is no one harder to shut up than the person who has nothing to say”.

What does that remind you of? The first person that came to my mind is today’s politician. A person of many words, and when it is all finished one asks, ”What did they say?” Endless meetings, regular reports, many promises, but little production.

And it reminds me so often of the Church today. Jesus, remember, said,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father that is in heaven”. Matthew 5, 14-16

And the thought gives us pause to ask, “Are we then such a light in this world of ours? Does our speech speak the Gospel of a Christ risen after He died to pay for the sins of mankind? Do we eagerly share the good news?” God give us the wisdom so to do.

GPD 7/6/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/4/11

2011-07-04T17:56:00.003-05:00

We had rain, some reported as much as three inches. I believe we had about half as much, but the air was rain-washed and cool this morning. Felt good and refreshing.

Now here comes a walker toward me. He’s got a rather pleasant look on his face so I think, “Well, why not,” and I started with
“She’s a grand old flag
She’s high-flying flag,
And forever in peace my she wave."
Well, he joined me in the singing, and here came two ladies who use this route fairly regularly and they joined in also,
“She’s the emblem of,
The land I love,
The home of the free and the brave."
Then from a person up the street airing her dog comes another voice, and a person setting out some garbage joins us,
“Every heart beats true,
For the red, white, and blue.
With never a boast or a brag.
Should old acquaintance be forget,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag”.

We finished the song, wished each other a happy Fourth, and each went our separate ways. I believe we all felt just a thrill of love for the country we live in. the land of the brave and the free.

Indeed, we have this hymn in the LSB number 965.
“God bless our native land,
Firm may she ever stand,
Through storm and night.
When the wild tempest rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Do Thou our country save, by Thy great might.

So shall our prayers arise,
To God above the skies,
On Him we wait.
Thou who art ever nigh
Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry, God save the state.” # 965 LSB

May God’s rich blessing rest on our nations in these perilous times.

GPD 7/4/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 7/1/11

2011-07-03T15:10:00.002-05:00

Walking is humid still. As a matter of record, the paper reports Houston has endured the hottest June on record with 7 days when the temperature reached 100 degrees when typically it has only 3 such days a year.

But I have something much better to talk about since this is the first day of the second half of the year.

Jesus ended His Sermon on the Mount with these words.

“These words I speak to you are not
Incidental additions to your life, homeowner Improvements to your standard of living.
They are foundational words.
Words to build a life on.
If you work these words into your life, You are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.
Rain poured down,
The river flooded,
A tornado hit,
But nothing moved that house,
It was fixed to the rock.
BUT if you just use my words in Bible studies, And don’t work them into your life, You are like a stupid carpenter, who Built his house on the sandy beach.
When the storm rolled in and the waves came up, It collapsed like a house of cards.”
Matthew 7,24-27 MSG

You have discovered in the first half of 2011 that we Christians are still being battered and tested, so I lay into your mind the closing words of St Peter in his second letter where he writes:
“Be on your guard, and don’t let men without principle sweep you off your feet. But grow in grace and knowledge of your Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever.” 2 Peter 3, 17.18.

So may God bless this half of the year for your walk in Him.

GPD 7/1/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/29/30

2011-06-29T11:50:00.002-05:00

The walking was humid this morning, no breeze was stirring at all, but I got my time in anyhow. It is still dry and fireworks are strictly forbidden lest a spark catches grass on fire.

“In vain we call old notions fudge,
And bend our conscience to our dealing.
The Ten Commandments will not budge,
And stealing will continue stealing.”

Remember memorizing that? James Russell Lowell wrote these words back in the 1890’s. So disregarding or treating lightly the Word of the Bible is nothing new to our day.
Our day seems to bear out what the Scripture says:
“The wicked freely strut about,
When what is vile is honored among men”. Psalm 122,8.
Our day sees the things of God slighted, ignored or ridiculed.

It brings to my mind what the apostle Paul said when he wrote his letter to the Romans. He began it by speaking of their faith and expressed his desire to visit them to bring the Gospel of which he was not ashamed to them personally.

Paul then speaks of the “wrath of God revealed from heaven against godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known of God is clearly seen.” 1,18. Then he speaks of the results of being so disobedient, for the result is that “God gave them over”.(See vv,24,26,28.) It is not that God sends disaster, just that He allows sins to reap its own rewards. We forget when we speak of the wrath of God we are not speaking of human petulance, irritation or vengeful vindictiveness. That is not God’s wrath. God’s wrath refers to his holy anger against any sin. A Holy God cannot abide sin, hence his wrath.

God’s wrath has been obscured by people who speak only of the love of God. The wrath has been obscured by theological and moral blur. The Christian religion has become a journey into a fog and God is dismissed with a smile or a smirk.

Our Lord ended his sermon on the mount with the builders of houses, one on sand, one on a rock which stood in a storm, and said His words were like that. Hear them and obey, stand firm; hear and not do, and disaster strikes.

Lord, give us strength and wisdom to hear Your Truth.

GPD 6/29/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/21/11

2011-06-21T15:48:00.002-05:00

Fires are raging in East Texas and people are being evacuated. Today there is some talk of possible rain, and we surely need rain. A soaking will be helpful, and it is in the Hands of Him who created the world and is in it always. Pray.

History shows there are tipping points, times when events go either one way or another. Athanasius stood at such a point, and because he stood firmly in the faith, we have the expression of what he fought for all his life in the Athanasian Creed. He did not write it, but it is His work that was the impetus for this writing.

Who is this man? And what did he have to fight about?. Athanasius was the bishop of Alexandria for 45 years, about June 326 to May 373. Of these years, he spent 17 years in five exiles ordered by four different Roman Emperors. The fight was doctrine. Arius from Libya said Jesus was born of God, so does not exist from eternity, and his heresy caught on. To Athanasius this was a matter of life and death, salvation was at stake, and he fought for the fact that Jesus is the son of God from eternity. The creed says it, “In majesty coeternal.” “Co-equal_ with God the Father. The Trinity in substance and in unity." And because Athanasius prevailed, we have the Bible teaching truly and clearly given. So we today benefit from battles fought long ago, but fought steadily and firmly in spite of great odds.

Athanasius stood at a tipping point for doctrine, and we recite the creed with thanksgiving for the salvation expressed there. Jesus, the very Son of God, died for the sins of the world.

GPD 6/21/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/20/11

2011-06-20T20:55:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Trinity Sunday, and most Lutheran Churches recited the Athanasian Creed to emphasize the three-in-one of the Godhead. It is on page 319 in the Lutheran Service Book. Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier, three in one, the Triune God of the Bible.

Yesterday was also Father’s Day. The day when people remember fathers, either as having been a blessing, or not.

Lucy is observing the day by telling Charlie Brown that her father has more credit cards than his, and can shoot better golf, and is a better bowler, and Charlie acknowledges all that. Then he interrupts her tirade. ”Wait a minute, don’t say any more. Just come with me, I want to show you something”. They stand in front of a barber shop and Charlie Brown says, “This is my Dad’s barber shop. He works in there all day long. He has to deal with all kinds of people. Some of them get kind of crabby. But you know what. I can go in here anytime and no matter how busy he is, he’ll always stop and give me a big smile. You know why? Because he likes me, that’s why”. So Lucy says, “Happy Father’s Day, Charlie Brown.”

Seems to me that pretty well describes the kind of Father I pray that you have. Maybe he didn’t pitch the winning game, or have a home run in High School championship game, or always have time for your games. But the Psalmist says, “I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of evil men I hate, they will not cling to me.” Psalm 101,3.

That kind of Father leads by example, is kind and caring with his always thoughtful advice, is helpful when you have something to work out, is there with wise counsel. A Father who leads you to faith in Jesus Christ, and explains why and how the wisdom of the Bible works in life today.

If such is your Father, then Happy Father’s Day, and be grateful.

GPD 6/20/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/16/11

2011-06-16T08:51:00.003-05:00

For some reason my attention was drawn to the obituary page of the morning paper. I knew none of those mentioned, ages ranged from 45 to 98, and several just fell asleep, others died after a lengthy illness, all left people who mourn their loss and will miss them.

And the words of Psalm 90 came to mind.
“The length of our years is seventy years, or eighty
If we have the strength. Yet their span is but trouble
And sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”
And so “teach us to number our days aright,
That we may a heart of wisdom” Ps. 90,10.12.

And I wondered, I have lived beyond that by the grace of God, and I am thankful and remember this, also from the Psalm,
“Even when I am old and gray, do not
Forsake me, O my God,
Till I declare your power to the next generation,
Your might to all who are to come.” Ps. 71,18.

A mailed postal reminds us the hurricane season is upon us and offers to trim trees that may need it so the danger from falling limbs would be lessened.

And that brings to mind St. Peter’s word:
“I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” 2 Peter 1,13. So, after he was gone, they might be well versed in the teaching about Christ, their Savior.

And just there, I believe, is the reason the Lord has given me these extra years. Maybe I can speak a word that will throw some light on what now is dark for you. Or a word that strengthens you along the journey you are on and the work that you do. Or some words to comfort you during times of grief and worry.

Yes, there are things that interest me. How will the grandchildren fare? What will happen in this country. Will troubles in the world finally find a solution.

But above all, I know this, and the obit page reminds me again, “I know whom I have believed, and at the latter day I will see Him, for he has told me, 'I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, you may be also'” John 14.

I believe Jesus died for me, and is my Savior. And so I am content.

GPD 6/16/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/14/11

2011-06-14T14:51:00.003-05:00

In 1777,on June 14th, the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. The original stripes stood for the original thirteen states and the stars represent each state, so now there are 50.

The Flag Code was amended by the 94th Congress on July 7,1976. According to the Code, “During the rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present . . . shall stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. . . When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the manner they would if the flag were displayed,”

So Happy Flag Day.

It is the blessing of God on this land that allows us to have the freedoms we enjoy, and the blessings "that follow a life rich in doing what lies at hand to do, doing it well, and to the best of our ability.”

May God bless America.

GPD 6/14/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/13/11

2011-06-13T10:46:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the Sunday of the Pentecost. Pastor called it the Birthday of the Christian Church.

The years, some of them, have been kind, but many have also been hard and distressing and filled with anguish for the Christian Believer in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and Savior.

They fulfilled exactly the words of Jesus, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be not dismayed, I have overcome the world.”

Indeed, the history of the church shows exactly that. There were times of nearly explosive growth, as in the first Day 3,000 become Believers, and then “These people have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine”, was the complaint of the Sanhedrin. Acts 5,28.

In their joy of this Good News they simply could not be silent. Paul describes them as so filled with their news that it simply spilled over. This is the way we read His word, “Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” 1 Thessalonians 1,5. The word St. Paul uses is plethora, a word that suggests a cup filled to brim and overflowing. The picture is of a Christian so filled with the gospel that when he is bumped into, it was not their own reaction or irritation that came out, but the NEWS of the gracious life-giving Son of God. It is the power of the Spirit given by their Lord for them that showed and worked through them to spread the Gospel.

It worked so well that the Sanhedrin complained, “These that have turned the world up-side-down have come here also,” Acts 17,6. Then, as now, the bitterest opposition came for those who thought they “were doing God service” in their actions.

This very Gospel, the news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and rose from the dead, is still being told to people who are living in darkness. The Light brightens their lives because it shows them a way out of their plight.

Quietly, often slowly and nearly unnoticed, this Gospel is being spread in the world, and the Lord bless it with results.

That is what Pentecost calls to mind. The Birthday of the Church which still grows, and is blessed. Thank God.

GPD 6/13/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/9/11

2011-06-09T09:39:00.003-05:00

The song runs

“I’m but a stranger here,
Heaven is my home.”

Meanwhile, I am here, often confused, bewildered, dismayed, or simply have the feeling of being forgotten.

The Psalmist knew that feeling too when he said, “I am a stranger in the earth, Oh, how I need a map.” And our God not only supplied the map, but He is present in my life each moment. I know that is true because he tells me it is. And He shows His presence by sending His Son to suffer and die in my stead. That means that the sin I do, and the sin I am born with, is paid in full. This is, as St. Paul says, “the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

The Psalm describes God’s presence when he writes, "he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121 3.4.

So, when such moments come, when we feel all alone, left out, forgotten, we need to recall these promises. Or Jesus saying to His disciples when He gave them their final orders to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen”. Matthew 28,19-20

So we can “run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12,lb. Because we are in God’s hands, and “I Know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29,11.

So, I may be a stranger here, often beset and troubled by events and disasters, but I am in God’s hand always, and so “It is well with my soul”. And I am thankfully resting in His care.

GPD 6/9/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/7/11

2011-06-07T17:14:00.003-05:00

“You see, but you don’t observe”.

That is the way Sherlock Holmes used to chide his sidekick, Dr. Watson. He meant to tell him he made no connections. They both saw the same thing, but Holmes noticed what it meant for the problem they were trying to solve.

The Lord Jesus is teaching the same thing in the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 6 where he says, “Behold the fowls of the air; they sow not, Neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?” Matt. 6,26. Then He speaks about the beauty of flowers growing in the fields, and suggests that even Solomon could not dress more beautifully than they. V.28.29.

And that is the point of this Shade Tree Wisdom. That we tend to see, but not observe. Just look around to see the beauty the Lord lays before you daily. Right now fields are covered with Indian Paint Brush and Bluebonnets and other beauty, and all we seem to be able to speak about it how hot it is and that we are setting new records daily.

Dr. Watson really tried to emulate his friend’s reasoning, but was always amazed at the result which Holmes could draw from the same picture they had both looked at.

You and I can stop in our busy days to really see the beauty the world is filled with. No, it’s not just disaster and disarray, it is form and beauty and rich and lavish color for our eye to enjoy. Let us take a moment to thank God for the care He lavishes on the world for our eye to see and enjoy daily.

GPD 6/7/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/6/11

2011-06-06T10:53:00.002-05:00

A number of my classmates and I said, like many graduates do, “Let’s keep in touch”. We kept a Round Robin going for 50 years. That may be some kind of record, and if these letters were now available, they would show, I believe, the early Book of Acts being carried out.

Last Thursday was Ascension Day, and that is how the book of Acts begins, with the story of Jesus when He ascended into heaven. The last word to them was, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth”. Acts 1,8.

When we read this Book of the history of the early Church, we must be overwhelmed by what we read. People are being changed, cowards turn into heroes, sinners are transformed. Fear, greed, and jealousy are expelled by a force something beyond normal human experience.

Our Church today might do well to listen what they were doing. They went throughout their world, and their message was not to proclaim man’s sinfulness, but that the Man Jesus, whom many had known personally, was really God’s own Son. The proof of this was Christ’s Resurrection, a shining fact to which many of them were eye witnesses. The good news was that if they believed this the Holy Spirit was there to change them. Those who believed were “Followers of The Way”.

Often our emphasis is “All have sinned, and come short.” Luke, knowing nothing of man’s depravity, simply says of Cornelius that “he was a devout man, and one that feared God. . .and gave many alms to people, and prayed to God always” 10,2. No less than an angel says, “thy payers and thine alms have come up as a memorial before God,” 10,4.

And Peter, who suddenly sees this, blurts out “Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted of Him,” 10,34-35.

In this story of the early church, the bitterest enemies of those who knew God would be those who only thought they knew God. And that situation hasn’t changed much.

Read the Book of Acts again, and marvel at the simplicity and undeniable humility of their faith, and the result of it. “These people have turned the world upside-down” was the charge against them.

GPD 6/6/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 6/1/11

2011-06-01T12:25:00.002-05:00

We are still dry along the Gulf Coast, but an item in the paper this morning reminds us that Allison dumped 26 inches of rain on some areas around the Gulf in less than twenty four hours. So we do best to let the weather situation in the hands of God who created it all.

In 1998, dissatisfied with the job being done with keeping the Vietnam Memorial Wall clean of bird droppings etc,Jan Scruggs, of the Veteran’s Memorial Fund, took action. He began by giving 37 toothbrushes to visiting vets from Wisconsin and they cleaned the wall. Other organizations, church groups, boy scouts and just volunteers show up at 6:30 Saturday and Sunday each week to scrub the memorial clean of the dust, bird droppings, fingerprints, and wash the walk.

“It’s a show of respect, for they are not just names, they are people who gave their lives. We consider it an honor to keep the memorial pristine”.

All they use is water, some mild detergent, and soft brushes. It takes about an hour.

It is heartening to note such an article in the daily paper. This spirit of volunteerism, doing the thing that I see needs doing without being told, or being paid for it, often is missing in our day of “What’s in it for me”, isn’t it. And that is a sad commentary on our age.

GPD 6/1/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/28/11

2011-05-28T14:06:00.002-05:00

The season of graduations is upon us, and we are offered on TV snatches of speeches delivered to graduates. These usually have a heavy emphasis on YOU, do this expect that, or some other bromide.

Then the graduates are given the news that the job market is not really in their favor today, so they might have to look some time, or it might be wise to go on to graduate study.

Then we read that a committee had asked a Pastor who was scheduled to offer the prayer at a memorial service at a National Cemetery to give them a copy beforehand so they could edit it to make it “more general”. A judge shot that request down this time, citing freedom of speech.

Then, sadly, we read of accidents after graduation parties resulting in tragic deaths.

And we wonder why there can be such a mess in what we regard as a serene and quiet atmosphere.

A good place to look for answers for it all is the Bible. St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesian Church, speaks of mankind as being “Dead in trespasses and sins”. And explains that statement.

This letter, as all the letters, is teaching and application. What God did, and what it means for the Christian life. And St. Paul makes it very clear that it is all God’s doing. Man is just the recipient. God does the work through the Holy Ghost. Ephesians l, 4-7. He has done what in His kindness He planned to do. Before He made the world, He who loved us appointed us to be made His sons by Jesus Christ. In Him He choose us to be holy and blameless before Him. In order to praise the glory of the love He gave us in His dear Son, who bought us with His blood to forgive our sins and set us free.

Without that, we were “dead”, “in time past you walked according to the course of the world”. What a statement, and what does it mean “The World?” In the Bible it means an outlook apart from God. It does not mean the physical world, but a mentality, an outlook, apart from God. God is shut out. Life is planned without God. That is the world. The world, as Paul says, that is ruled by “The prince of this world”.

And once that becomes clear, it explains people’s behavior, for it is not controlled by the Holy Spirit, but by the flesh. Romans chapter 12 calls on Christians to “be ye transformed”.

The Letter gives us this, “You has he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”. You are led by the Holy Spirit, you think differently, your outlook on life changes, you become more and more “like Him” who died and rose again to give you life. And that makes all the difference.

Thank God for His care and love for us.

GPD 5/28/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/24/11

2011-05-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Kind of strange, isn’t it? Here I am taking my morning walk. The sky is bright and air is cool, the grumbling buses are on time on their usual morning run, birds are singing cheerfully, the day promises to be filled with sunshine and easy summer weather. All seems serene. Till I pick up the morning paper and read of the disaster in Joplin, waters still rising along the Mississippi, the mid-East is still in unrest, and the president’s flight plans have been changed slightly because of a volcano in Iceland.

And the opening lines of the Sunday Choir Anthem strikes me.
It reads,

“Though mountains slide into the sea,
And waters rush where fields should be.
Though monuments and nations fall,
Your holy city stands through all.
When nothing seems to stay the same,
You teach us your eternal name.
I am forever Who I am,
Above you, beneath you, around you and within you.
Be still, and know that I am God.”

[I Am Forever Who I Am – Richard W Wiegman/Kurt E. vonKmapen]

Most of the time, our lives run along a track we know well, are familiar with, and can handle. It’s our life, after all.

It’s when things come along and interrupt the life, as the events I mentioned in the first paragraph, that life gets filled with stress, with fears of the unknown, and anxieties and worries. Unless we have a steady anchor, a touchstone, it can become hard.

And it is just for such times that the Christian does have an anchor. He hears His Lord and God, Jesus Christ, say to him, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14,27.

Jesus speaks to you, let the Word and the Promise bring peace when troubles come.

GPD 5/24/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/21/11

2011-05-21T12:09:00.006-05:00

Right now it’s raining in Dallas, and my informant says it is supposed to rain for the next several days. I pray it comes down this way too. We are dry in Texas.

Farmers in eastern China had been jumping into planting watermelons because of the sharp rise in its price. Often first time growers, and not familiar with chemicals, had been overusing some growth chemicals, that, with much rain, led to their watermelons bursting in the field. About 20 farmers were affected, loosing some 115 acres of melon. The report indicates how farmers are abusing certain growth chemicals which Chinese regulations do not forbid. Many farmers reported chopping up the fruit and feeding it to hogs and fish.

The report caught my eye because it illustrates just how so many treat religion. The Apostle John wrote his Gospel to show that “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” John 20,31. So John writes this:

“And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us,
And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-
Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John bore witness of Him and cried out saying,
'This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me
Is preferred before me, because He was before Me.
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
For the Law was given through Moses,
but grace and truth Came by Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time.
The Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father,
he has declared Him.” John 1, 14-18.

The law of Moses demanded daily sacrifice for sins. Hebrews describes this, those high priests daily needed “to offer up sacrifice, first for their own sins, and then for the people’s, for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. That is why John cries out, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” John 1,29.

It’s all done. We are saved by “grace are ye saved, and that not of yourselves, it is a GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2,8.

Those Chinese farmers forgot the bountiful hand of God in nature, and wanted to quicken harvest, make it bigger, and have larger profits. So they lost everything.

Which ends my thought. Many religions insist on “what must I DO?”, and so lose the salvation offered freely by the death and rising again of Jesus Christ. Believers hear the welcome words, “I remember their sin no more”. Join them, know Jesus is “the propitiation for our sins”.

GPD 5/21/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/17/11

2011-05-18T07:58:00.003-05:00

Cool enough for a light jacket, and this morning I watched as two of those big yellow boxes met on our quiet street, and they each needed all the street they could use to pass by. Outside of that, nice walking on this nice morning with birds busily singing.

Lots of news, besides the waters flooding the midsection along the Mississippi River. We pray for those who have to leave whatever they’d accumulated to waters, hoping there will be something left when life returns to normal.

Other news is that The Woodlands will host an Iron Man competition starting Saturday morning with a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Woodlands, then a 112 mile bike ride, which is followed by a 26.2 mile run. There are some 2800 entrants from all over, so hotels and venues here will be busy. No major streets will be closed and city workers will be on hand to keep traffic moving.

Then Drayton McClane sold the Houston Astros for 680 million to a group of investors. He was the owner for 17 years and saw some good years and some down years also. Among highlights for him was to have two super stars, Biggio and Bagwell, play their entire career with this team.

And the government has reached its debt ceiling again. I really believe the politicians are finally getting the message and are trying to bring the debt down. [As an aside, I think if some housewives who know how to live with a strict budget were in charge the debt would not be what it is, for they would insist that politicians would also be paying what they proposed.]

Here are the words of Agur, the son of Jakeh:

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield
Unto them that put their trust in Him.
Two things have I required of Thee; deny them
Not before I die.
Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me
Neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food
Convenient for me.
Lest I be full and deny Thee and say, Who is the Lord?
Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of
My God in vain.” Proverbs 30, 6-9

GPD 5/17/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/11/11

2011-05-11T13:42:00.002-05:00

The news is full of flood pictures. It’s a picture to sadden the heart.

Here is another. It was really ugly, the scene I am about to describe. Jesus had come to the Temple early and was teaching many, when the quiet class was rudely interrupted by Scribes and Pharisees shouting for attention, and dragging along a woman, whom they held by the arms and roughly dragged and pushed along till they got her thrown at Jesus’ feet.

Their claim, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, In the very act. Now, Moses in the law commanded that such should be stoned. What do you say?” John 8, 4-5. John explains, “This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him”. V.6 A trap for Jesus.

Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not.” V.6. Interesting that this is the only place where the Bible tells us He wrote something, and we don’t know what He was writing. Was it things like ‘extortioner’, or 'thief’, or 'liar’. Or even a dishonest act?

They were intense in their questioning, so after looking at them, He said, “The one who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” He lifted the entire thing to a higher court. Then He wrote some more. As they watched that finger move, they, one by one, dropped the stones they held ready, and quietly drew away, shuffling into the crowds till they are lost in the multitudes, till the woman lay there alone.

The lesson Jesus taught is only the guiltless have a right to judge. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged, forgive, and you shall be forgiven” Luke 6,37.

Then He turned to the woman and asked her directly, “Where are those thine accusers, has no man condemned thee.” John 8,10. She answers with a sob, “No one, Lord.” That is all she says. We don’t know her name, where she was from, or really anything about her. But we do know she was changed. She offers no excuse. She has been accused, convicted, judged, but not condemned. She has been forgiven. And her head is up, she is different. Forgiven.

Remember always that God is willing to forgive sinners, and we are all sinners. That is the burden Jesus lifted from us when He died on the cross, for He paid it all, so we can be declared righteous and holy. Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Therefore, “be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Eph. 4,32

How can we be sure? Jesus said so. But “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father in heaven forgive you trespasses.” Matthew 6,15. Blunt words, honest truths; not sentimental. So for peace in your heart, be forgiving. “We pray, Forgive us our sins, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST
US”. May The Holy Spirit teach us so to do.

GPD 5/11/11

On Mother’s Day 2011

2011-05-08T19:57:00.001-05:00

It was a mother who carefully packed her baby boy into a crude, probably home-made, Ark of bullrushes and slid the contraption among the reeds of the Nile. The same mother who then raised him for a princess, meanwhile teaching him the truths he then grew up with, about the God in heaven.

So today we remember mothers.

Do we recount the many times when she taught us, or the times we rebelled, and she denied herself that needed new dress because you simply had to have that pair of jeans, (The same pair that hung in the back of the closet and was hardly ever worn).

Do we recall the times she sat with us when we had a fever, and got up during the night to see to our comfort, to comfort the whiny child, to ease the pain with a soothing, cool hand, and her calming presence.

Or how about when she said, “Because I said so” and we forgot she spoke from years of experience.

Or when she stood by, wanting to speak, but allowing us to learn our own lessons because we were simply too mule-headed to learn in any other way.

My friend, thank God for such a mother, who taught you, cherished you, cried with you, rejoiced with you, and prayed for you, as she does still, that her child, a Child of God by Holy Baptism, will grow into the person you are now, giving God the glory and the thanks for this Gift, Your Christian Mother.

GPD 5/8/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/5/11

2011-05-05T10:22:00.002-05:00

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
Keep the door of my lips”. Ps. 141,3.

The Message translates “Post a guard at my mouth, Lord, Set a watch at the door of my lips.”

The commandment reads: “You shall not give false testimony against thy neighbor” and explains it means “to put the best construction on everything”.

Some of the same men who crafted the Constitution also helped craft the constitution of Virginia, and in that they had this sentence, “No free government, nor the blessings of freedom, can be preserved. . .but by frequent recurrence of the fundamental principles.”

The first principle ought to be listening when the psalmist says, “Careless talk may ruin everything.” Ps. 13,3.

Ever hear so many different opinions about the Bin Laden thing? Seems everybody has an opinion, and wants to state it. Some of these are careful, well-thought-out and filled with sense. But so many are just strident expressions that need to be shouted on any media on which they can get a hearing.

I offer this prayer for such times.
“O Lord, in these tumultuous times,
Preserve me from the tyranny of words,
And tune my ear to Thy Word,
I pray this In Jesus’ blessed name.
Amen”.

GPD 5/5/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/4/11

2011-05-04T11:26:00.002-05:00

A bit on the cool side this morning. My friendly dog joined me for a bit and I noticed he was wearing his fur coat, so my jacket did not seem out of place. He left after a short time and went back to his warm place.

Yesterday I had to get an item from the Home Depot. I rarely go to these places. They are huge. So I asked the clerk when I got there where I would find my item. She called an older worker and asked him, and he told me, ‘Down this aisle and it’s at the far end”. I said, “Why is it that whenever I go to these places it’s always at the far end?”

He grinned and said, “It’s the law.”

I said, “What?”

“The law of the canny retailer”, he said. ”They put such items at the far end so you get a chance to walk past much other stuff to buy. Like milk and bread at the grocery store.”

I know that law, as you do too. BUT I also have a law, it’s “The law of the prudent shopper.”

“What’s that”, you ask. Why, never go to any store without a list. And never buy stuff not on that list. That’s just common sense. And it is the secret of successful living.

Have a plan and use it faithfully. Use the plan to guide and direct you, help you make decisions in life, help find your way though the problems that rise in your way at work and at living.

That, by he way, is God’s way. When the children of Israel were about to get to their promised land after 40 years of wilderness travel, Moses gave them words from God to live by. We read in Exodus 24,3, “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments, and all the people answered with one voice and said, 'All the words that the Lord has said we will do'.” In verse 7 they repeated the promise and added, “and be obedient”.

“I am a stranger in the earth, Oh, how I need a map”, and the Lord supplies that map. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” Psalm 119,105, (See Deuteronomy 4,2.Prov.30,6. Rev. 22,19.) That is the secret, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1,12. May God bless the keeper of the list.

GPD 5/4/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/1/11

2011-05-01T15:35:00.004-05:00

The estimate is that more than 2 billion people watched the wedding last Friday. Everything seemed to go well. Some 5,000 police were on duty, and the crowds were in a happy mood. Everything was taken care of. There even were grooms, dressed inconspicuously in long brown coats, to sweep up any horse droppings. Neat touch.

So the party is leaving the cathedral and the crowd is out front, cheering and being happy. Meanwhile, one person, dressed in a black robe, probably had some part of the service, is wending his way homeward along the side of the cathedral. Nobody is around, so he turns a hand spring, then another. And the camera catches him in the act. In that gesture we see the relief that it is all over and everything went fine. The person is happy. He shows his exuberance with that handspring.

No, I never did that after a wedding, though I do know just the feeling of a job well and properly done with no unexpected glitches. And everything turned out as planned.

That’s the sort of feeling every student has when he turns his final paper and completed project in on time, and finishes the last exam for the year. The feeling of “I’m finished, and I did the best I could”. That feeling of satisfaction, of a job well done, a planned task taken care of successfully.

For us Christians, Good Friday offered such a feeling. When our Lord Jesus, on the cross, cries out “It is finished”, and then He “bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”

That means we can and do now say to one another “Peace be with you” For “He is our peace”. For by His dying He won for us our salvation since He paid the price our sins cost.

We rejoice, therefore, just a much as that functionary who turned his handsprings. For we can, and do, believe and say, “I am God’s child by Holy Baptism.” That is God’s Easter gift for you and me.

GPD 5/1/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 4/28/11

2011-04-28T11:15:00.002-05:00

Reporters have gone to the queens class to learn how to curtsy, bow, and drink tea properly. So, I find the reason why that pinkie is extended when you drink tea is not a snobbish invention, it is meant to help balance the tea cup. Try it. It actually does.

One of the high points of any marriage is the exchange of vows, the solemn promises made to each other. Promises that lately seem to have little meaning any longer. That is sad.

Our Lord Jesus once said, “Just say yes, yes; no, no, anything more than that comes from the evil one”. Matthew 5,37.

Poet James Russell Lowell wrote:

“Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide,
In the strife for Truth or Falsehood, for the good or evil side.”

The same poet is also maybe best known for these lines:

“Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne.
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown.
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own.”

In the distant past when people were planning to “make a name for themselves” by building a tower to reach to heaven, God “confounded their language, that they did not understand each other, and left off building.” Genesis 11,7

It seems different people have a hard time understanding each other. Our time seems rife with people talking past one another. An important person makes a speech, and analysts take twice as long telling us what he meant. Any lie is explained with “he misspoke”. Other harsh speech is explained “Oh, that’s just politics.”

That really makes it hard to find out what the truth really is, doesn’t it? Truth becomes especially critical in these times when our country is in a sad state, deeply indebted, so much so that too much of our national product is paid out in interest! And I have not yet heard any politician offer a practical solution to the problem.

BUT, there is good news. We just celebrated Easter, the Risen Savior of the world. This Jesus declared, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father buy by ME”. That is truth.

St. Paul makes this statement, ”You can trust God, that what we tell you isn’t yes and no. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, whom I, Silas, and Timothy preached to you, wasn’t yes and no, but in Him there is come and is a yes. For all God’s promises He is the YES that makes them true.”2 Cor. 1,18-20.

I pray you know and accept this truth. Jesus Lives, and is our Savior.

GPD 4/28/11

Shade Tree Wisdom 4/25/11

2011-04-25T10:41:00.002-05:00

So, may your days be rich in satisfaction for a work well done,
For a life lived under His blessed care,
For family and friends who enriched your Easter season,
And for a worship that brightened your life with renewed hope
Of eternal life in the Risen Christ.

Edmund Burke, 18th century British statesman who supported the revolution, said, “The writers against religion, while they oppose every system, are careful never to set up any of their own”. Burke was right, we see billboards and signs which make fun of and sneer at religion. But they are careful only to say things like “If we are nice to each other, things will always work out”. Sounds sophisticated, and true. But it simply is not true, because we are sinners. The problem is we are not nice, we are not good, we are sinners.

How many leaders have we not seen brought down by some sort of nefarious dealings, or actions they could not keep hidden, or words spoken that came back to haunt them. Or leaders in the business world cut down by some behind-the-scenes dealings.

Such decriers may sneer, but they have nothing to offer, because nothing can take the place of faith.

Look around, The Soviet union spent 70 years in an uncompromising position against any religion. The result was moral decay and spiritual bankruptcy. Which is why in a quarter of its public schools, it is teaching Christianity, ethics and values.

America has not yet discovered the price a nation pays when it walks away from God, The prophets tell us, history tells us, and the Lord Jesus Himself tells us. Trouble follows when we abandon Him.

So celebrate Easter, Thank God He loved us enough to send His One and Only Son to die for our sins. Celebrate the forgiveness of sins He has won for us. Believe, “Christ Jesus is the propitiation of our sins, but not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Happy, Blessed Easter Because HE LIVES.

GPD 4/25/11