General (6)
Hymns and Songs of Host
on 2024-11-09 16:32:42
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5000 was raised for the Trinity Lutheran in Hawarden and Christ the King Lutheran Church of Spencer. Thank-you to all our 14 sister congregations for making this possible and the Concordia University Man Choir and Prof. Paul Soulek!
The Separation of Church and State
on 2024-08-17 11:38:20
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Admin Istrator
There is no such thing as true separation of church and state, but this little article will explain the concept. See James Madison for many of the issues. A better title would be religious freedom. Martin Luther developed the understanding of the right-hand kingdom being the church and the left-hand kingdom being the government. Both kingdoms have their own distinct purpose. The Church’s position is to offer the forgiveness of sins and grace on behalf of Jesus Christ. The Government’s job is to create law and order and to use laws and the sword (i.e. all means of punishment) to establish such law and order. Luther taught that the Government should not be telling the church how to be the church, in other words it should not tell the church how to forgive people etc. Likewise, the church should not tell the government how to apply the law. Why such a separation? Two case scenarios are helpful. The Baptist church might decide that the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is doing evil by baptizing infants so the government should step-in and lock up all LCMS pastors. Obviously, such an action would be the Baptist Church usurping the Federal Government to beat up another church. Likewise, the government should not say to Calvary Lutheran Church, “Church, you need to hire woman to be pastors to meet employment discrimination rights.” This would be wrong because Calvary needs to listen to God not the government. However, though there must be separation, the separation is mostly administrative, because every Christian must full live out his Christian beliefs fully both in the left- and right-hand kingdom. As a Christian working in government, I live out my faith by following all 10 commandments in public life. For example, I may use the means of the government to care for the poor and needly. Likewise, I might try to wield the sword of government to prevent suicide, abortion, and even promote healthy families which lead to better society. A democracy cannot function without moral/Christian people. Imagine a society where coveting and not putting the best construction on everything were the norm. A second example, I knew a Judge growing up, Judge Sheridan, he would sentence youth to prison and community service. He would use the full force of the law with the gavel to punish wrong doing. But he would take off his robes after sentencing the person and then work with them as a Christian sharing Jesus and forgiveness. Judge Sheridan acted both in the left-hand kingdom punishing wrong but turning around in the right-hand kingdom and sharing Jesus. Both kingdoms are upheld fully! We as Christians ultimately cannot separate our life in both kingdoms, however both kingdoms must not enforce laws over each other in the function of law and gospel. A crazy caveat: The government makes a law that a building must have fire exits. It forces its law on the church to protect the people using the building. This is the proper separation of church and state, as the government is acting by law to protect people even in the church. However, if the government says, “You can’t meet because they believe in Jesus and are against abortion,” then this would be a violation of the separation of church and state. A second caveat: Pastors do not preach for or against individual candidates running for government office, however, pastors will and should preach against the policies of the candidate. For example: A pastor should say do not vote for people who are pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality, pro-lying, prolawlessness, etc.. Instead, vote for people who will use law and order to maintain justice and order in society.” We could say, presently, this candidate is saying good things and this one is holding poor positions, but to out rightly endorse publicly would be to assume that the person would remain the same once elected to office. The elected officially very easily could do the exact opposite of what they said when running for office! This is the nature of people in public office. Religious Freedom is a better name for this concept than Separation of Church and State. This is definitely not Separation of the State from Church! Church people better carry out morals in the church! In Christ, Pastor James Travis Picture: File:The intersection of Church and State (78728221).jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Do You Want Success?
on 2024-08-17 11:32:12
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Admin Istrator
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Do you want to be successful? If you are like me, the answer is yes depending on what you mean by success. One person may define success by the number of likes they receive on Social Media; another defines success by the number of people who buy a product they make. Still others define success as having and maintaining two and a half kids, a wife, two jobs (making good money), one dog, one boat, and eight activities and living to tell about it. To be honest I like to get likes, my biggest accomplishment is over 8 million views on Google Maps and Reviews for Gluten Free food and restaurants. I am also thankful for being able to provide for my family although I do not have the dog or eight activities for the boys anymore. All these accomplishments are nothing compared to success as defined by the Bible. Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus is the giver of the abundant life or as I am talking “The Successful Life!” This month’s sermon series will follow the lectionary reading for this summer in 2 Corinthians. You will be amazed how relevant God’s Word is when it comes to success. I’m going to define success through the book of 2 Corinthians: 1. Knowing the Trinity – May 26 & 29 2. Handing out Treasure in Clay Jars – June 2 & 5 3. Living Well when my Body is Falling Apart June 9 & 12 4. Living Well in Temporary Tents – June 16 & 19 5. Putting up with Garbage for the Sake of Others June 23 & 26 6. The Act of Giving vs. Receiving – June 30 & July 3 7. Living with Contentedness – July 7 & 10 All of these unusual life style choices take place within living out our Vocations (i.e. Living as a Parent, Husband or Wife, Neighbor, Employer or Employee, Governor or Citizen.) All of the above are gifts from Jesus. Putting up with garbage does not seem successful, yet when we follow Jesus such a lifestyle will change the world or at least the people around us. Success may involve making money and even doing well, but for a different reason than merely living the stereotypical imagined life for its own sake. God may grant us the gifts to manage money well for the benefit of ourselves, our family, and to impact the world around us for the sake of Jesus, but he may grant us success with the gifts of conversation and the management of other resources! I pray you are blessed with true success from Jesus! In Christ, Pastor Travis This is a text box. Write your own content here. This is an excellent place for you to add a paragraph.
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on 2024-08-15 22:30:22
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on 2024-08-15 22:30:22
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