Viewing 46 - 54 out of 201 Blogs.

<< First  < Previous | Page:  4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >  Last >>

I've always had a great respect for parents, but never so much as I have today.

I've known for many years that parents have to make tough decisions and handle difficult circumstances with gentle resolve.

I've suspected that this would at times be difficult. But I had no idea.

After this morning, I've determined that it's apparent I've never been a parent.

Oh, I've been an arm-chair quarterback on many occasions. As a pastor, people have come to me with questions, seeking advice. I've quoted to them from Scripture and from books I've read on the subject. But I've never been in a position to test my theories in the real world. Or - more to the point - to test whether I could actually apply my theories in the real world.

You see, I discovered today that when you find yourself thrust into the middle of a situation, suddenly the human factor comes into play, and now you're not dealing with theory or speculation. Now your calm resolve is challenged by the emotional stress of the moment and you are confronted with your own human condition with all its weaknesses and imperfections.

We had a situation in our house this morning in which I completely failed in my role as a step-father. I totally missed the full dynamic of what was happening, resorted to an attitude of righteous indignation, and proved beyond any shadow of doubt how truly clueless I am on the parental front.

This was painted in vivid hues as I observed my wife - the experienced parent. Watching her - and listening - I saw her doing all the things that I wished I had done, the things that I, in the safety of my office, would have suggested to others.

In resolute serenity, my wife handled the situation - the original one - as well as the static that I was injecting. Not once did she lose her composure. Not once did she permit her emotions to take charge or derail her from attending to the circumstances at hand.

It's true that, as a step-father, I'm not really a parent. But I'm married to one. And that puts me in a position to have some responsibilities related to parenthood.

But I have sooo much to learn.

Thank God I have a really good example whom I shall study with awe and wonder.

My darling Bride, I love you!

Here's a couple of photos of my car, post accident. The first shot shows that most of the car is still in great shape. It's just the back corner on the driver's side that's messed-up. Still, the cost for repairs is around $6,000.00! Yikes!!

Here's just a few pictures of the way things look around our house right now. Thank God we have a truck with a plow blade! Yikes!

I want to preface the tale I'm about to tell with a confession.

A couple of years ago, in the wake of my divorce, there were a number of areas in my life in which I threw caution to the wind. I spent a bunch of money. I ate too much. And I drove too fast.

My weight is coming down nicely, thank God, but I still have a number of bills to pay and my driving record will take quite awhile to recover.

Keep this in mind as I tell you what happened yesterday.

I never saw it coming. As I was driving home from a delightful lunch with my bride, I approached a set of railroad tracks that run near our house. (Our driveway crosses those same tracks, so we have to cross them at least a couple of times a day.) I was thinking to myself, "Someday that train's gonna get me. It's the law of averages."

Well, the train didn't get me. Yay. After crossing the tracks, I neared an intersection and prepared to make a left-hand turn. Slowing to a stop, I noticed two cars in the lane to turn right onto the road I was on. What I didn't see was the Geo Tracker in the straight-ahead lane. I pulled out into the intersection. I never saw it coming. At least not before it was too late. The Tracker slammed into me and set me into a spin.

My first thought after the car jerked to a stop against a snow bank was, "I hope I can drive this home." I couldn't.

Since the driver's door was pressed against the snow bank, I had to slide over to the passenger seat to get out. I went to see if the other driver was okay. He was. We both were.

I called the police to report the accident. They sent a car. It was then that my mind turned to my driving record. "I wonder how many points this will cost me. No doubt, I'll lose my license for awhile."

I called my wife to tell her what had happened. I also explained what I suspected about the license. She was glad I was okay. I felt like an idiot.

The officer arrived and took our statements. He was very kind. He told me it was okay to call the tow truck. He also told me he would have to cite me for the incident. I understood. "How many points will this be?" I asked. "Four." Yikes. I explained the situation to him. He was very kind. But the law is the law. I understood.

My wife arrived just as the tow truck pulled up. We hugged and she kissed me. She was a widow when I met her. She seemed glad to not be one again so soon. I felt both grateful and ashamed. I don't deserve her; she never ceases to amaze me with her love and tender compassion. Then it happened.

I never saw it coming. The officer came over with the police report. He said, "You get a break today. The other driver doesn't want you to be cited for this, and I like to consider the other party's wishes."

In a moment the 4 points evaporated before my eyes. My mouth gaped open making me look, I'm sure, like the stunned fool I was. I thanked him. I also ran across to where Rick - the other driver - was standing and shook his hand, thanking him and offering him God's blessings. What a gracious man, an instrument in the hands of a gracious God.

On the ride home in Liz's car, my thoughts turned to the next issue. There would be a deductible on the insurance. How much? It would be ugly, I was certain.

I called Allstate as soon as we got home. The deductible was $500. Ouch. Again, I felt awful. It's bad enough to be out of work and already to feel like a burden on my wife. Now this. Her response? "It'll be okay. I'm not afraid." What a gracious wife, an instrument in the hands of a gracious God.

It was time to go. I had to teach Catechism at the church in Menasha.

After that was the Lenten supper and worship. Liz usually goes to her church. But, with only one car for awhile, she stayed with me. I have to admit, I liked that consequence.

After church we stopped by the mailbox. Mail in hand, I apologized again to Liz for my carelessness. I really need to be more careful.

We came into the house and as I was taking off my coat I was ruminating on how easily I could have been killed. Liz would have lost another husband. How awful! I really need to be more careful - for her, if not for me. And now I was costing her another $500. Where would it come from? "I have some things on eBay," I thought. "Maybe they'll cover it. Somehow God would provide."

Just then I heard Liz gasp in the kitchen. She was standing there with an envelope in hand and a look of amazed confusion on her face. "What happened?" I asked. She showed me the check. $3,000.00!

Four or five years ago she loaned a young lady this money, never expecting it to be returned. God picked yesterday for it to arrive. We never saw it coming.

In one day God made a host of evil disappear. Not because I deserved it, certainly. Not because of anything I did to earn it, absolutely. I deserved to lose my license. I deserved to be saddled with the guilt, shame and burden of my actions. But God erased it all. When I think of the succession of events, I'm sure that stunned look returns to my face - followed by a smile and a resolute determination to take better care of myself and my family.

God help me so to do.

It's nice to get to a place where I can update my blog!

Since moving to Oshkosh I've had trouble arranging high-speed internet at home. It seems that no one is offering it to my location at this time. I struck out with DSL, Cable, and Satellite. Harrumph!

In the meantime, I've been settling in, unpacking boxes, looking for work, and doing some husbandly chores about the house.

Speaking of which . . .

It's amazing how much snow we've been getting. I've been shoveling the walk off and on for days. We have a nice sized deck leading up to our front door. The thing that makes it difficult to shovel is that whoever built it used nails instead of screws, so the nails tend to work their way out of the wood, and the shovel gets caught on them. Today as I was shoveling, I had a hammer with me to pound the nails down whenever I got hung up by one. When the weather breaks we'll begin to replace the nails with screws so that next year we won't have this problem.

On the job front, I've met with the local pastors and the District President. My "candidate" status paperwork has arrived, so I may now begin to fill in at various pulpits in the area. So far I've gotten a number of preaching assignments, which is cool, but what I really want is to get a regular Call to a local congregation.

There are a number of calling congregations in the area, and one right in Oshkosh would be ideal for me. They are a Confessional/Liturgical congregation, and I think I would be ideal as their next pastor. I'm going to attend church there this Sunday and speak with the head elder. I pray I make a good impression on him.

For now, I have to be able to exercise my versatility in worship styles to accommodate the various congregations I'll be serving as guest pastor. I believe my familiarity with various worship forms will enable me to do a competent job for each worship setting.

As far as my CD is concerned, I've had little time to devote to promoting it, but that may now be changing. I've begun to contact various record labels and management firms in an effort to submit my CD for a distribution contract. One local congregation has inquired about having me present some special music for them, so I may offer to sing those songs which seem appropriate for worship. I ask the Lord's guidance and that He will open the doors which He desires that I walk through.

In all of this Liz has been a tremendous support to me. Marrying her is truly the wisest decision I've ever made. She is my best friend as well as being a wonderfully loving and patient wife. I love her completely.

That's about all for today. Not sure when I'll post again. Maybe next week when I come to hang out on the UWOSH campus. Take care and let me know how you all are doing.

God's peace!

We just got some of our pictures from the wedding day. Our friend Marv did such a great job! This is the wedding party. On the left is Liz's daughter Corey - the Maid of Honor, and on the right is my brother Jim - the Best Man.

We had a great Christmas holiday and pray you did as well. The rest of this week will be spent wrapping up loose ends and packing up my apartment in order to make the big move to Wisconsin. I'll miss my friends here, but am very excited about my new life with Liz, my beautiful Bride!

December 2007

It's very exciting, this new endeavor, this new season in my life. I pray that our communication - which has been wonderful! - may continue throughout our lives. Sharing our thoughts and feelings has been one of the key elements in our falling in love and growing closer each day. Let us never grow weary of such open, honest and heart-felt talk.

I also pray that God would always direct our hearts toward Him, to focus our attention on the gospel and the full and free forgiveness given there - for ourselves individually, and toward each other as husband and wife. Lord Jesus, enable me to be a strong, yet compassionate head of our home. Help me to keep a good humor and not to let my fears and insecurities rule the day. Thank You for a kind and forgiving wife. May I always be such a husband to her.

Thoughts About the Flight

It was an hour drive to Flint, but it was well worth it. Not only was the ticket half the price compared to flying out of Detroit, but parking was close to the terminal - no shuttle needed - there was no wait at all for check-in, and security was a snap - almost no lines to stand in. Yes, I do have to change planes in Detroit, but I would rather do that and avoid the hassles associated with check-in and security.

Call from Dr. Arnkoff

Dr. Arnkoff called shortly after I arrived at the airport. The biopsy indicates no cancer. Yay!! It does show chronic prostatitis, but there is no need for treatment. God be praised!

The Flight to Appleton

I sat next to a fellow named Bob from Montana. Bob works for a company that mines Bentonite, which, apparently, is a type of clay that is used for many applications, from toothpaste to dog food, from industrial lubrication to wine clarification. It is also sold for human consumption as a dietary supplement. Very interesting fellow, Bob. He was on his way to the Packers game this weekend, as was the guy across the aisle who is from Tampa. I thought it interesting that I was sitting with Packers fans from Montana and Florida. Go Pack!

Reflections on the Wedding Day

My last night sleeping in Oshkosh without Liz was the night before our wedding. It was so lonely. Just knowing she was in her room while I slept in mine was torturous. I woke up about 4:00 and started praying for the morning. It felt like Christmas when I was a kid. It seemed like 7:00 would never arrive.

As the day progressed, there were times when it seemed to crawl by. Still I thought the appointed time would never come. But having Liz by my side made it all bearable.

Time for hair, setting up for the reception, make-up and getting dressed all led to heightened excitement and the realization that it was finally coming true. Soon I would marry the woman who had become my best friend!

At last it was time. She was escorted down the aisle by her father. My heart banged loudly in my chest. I took her by the hand; she was about to be mine.

During the ceremony there many moments when our eyes were fixed upon each other. She was more lovely than ever! Soon there would be food and toasts and cake and many congratulations from dear friends. By 9:00 we were in the car on our way to the Franklin Street Inn.

Afterward

I missed my flight to Detroit Tuesday. This was a blessing, as it permitted us to spend most of the day together.

After leaving the Inn, we headed for Vic's to open gifts and cards. Then it was time to go to the airport. Take-off was close to the posted time, while flights to Milwaukee and Chicago were cancelled.

It was a difficult goodbye, tempered by prayer and the assurance that we would be together again soon. Still, there is the specter of the five days between the next visit and the following one, but the comfort in that is that when she leaves in January, I shall be with her. And so shall we be - God-willing - for the remainder of our earthly lives. Hallelujah!

Drive to the Townhouse

It was rainy and cold. My mood was a mixture of residual elation and sorrow for the forced separation. I talked with Liz for a little while before she went to bed. We prayed and she went to sleep.

Epilogue

The townhouse never felt so empty. I was up for a few hours, checking email, etc. Sleeping alone will be difficult henceforth, but God will provide. He has certainly given me enough to keep me busy. In the next week I have two baptisms, confirmation, and an extra service for Pr. Zeile at St. John. In addition to that, there are eBay and "Journey Home" sales to ship, listings to monitor, sermons to write, ordos to prepare, and even a newsletter to get out. Plus I have to train Jean and Jeremy concerning office details that I have been taking care of over the years. Yes, much to do. Yet I am distracted. The gold around my finger signifies the ring around my heart. Liz will be here soon. God is very good.

For those interested in picking up my newly-released solo CD, I'm offering - for a limited time only - free shipping for all PayPal orders. Just visit my page and click the PayPal link.

Thanks!

Steve

Paradise Is for You

Rev. Steven S. Billings
Last Sunday of the Church Year
Sermon
11-25-2007

St. Luke 23:27-43

²⁷ And there were following Him a great multitude of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. ²⁸ But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ "For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' ³⁰ "Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, 'FALL ON US,' AND TO THE HILLS, 'COVER US.' ³¹ "For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?" ³² And two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. ³³ And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. ³⁴ But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. ³⁵ And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One." ³⁶ And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" ³⁸ Now there was also an inscription above Him, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." ³⁹ And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" ⁴⁰ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." ⁴² And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" ⁴³ And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

"He saved others; let Him save Himself!" Many scoffed at the King of the Jews as He hung from the cross. They sneered at Him. No matter what He did, the people would not believe in Him. He came to save sinners by dying in their place on the cross. And even while He was dying there the people would not believe in Him. They wouldn't believe in Him even if He had come down from the cross. They would have branded Him an imposter. While the scribes and Pharisees technically understood what the Scriptures had to say, they failed to see that Jesus Christ was their Fulfillment. They knew that the Messiah would come, but they did not accept that He came in the Person of Jesus. "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His Name" (John 1:11-12).

There was, as you know, a certain criminal who was crucified with Jesus. But even to him Jesus gave the right to become a child of God, by believing in His Name, and the Lord promised him the Holy Spirit. In fact, He promised him eternal life, for the Holy Spirit had already entered the heart of this condemned man, for it is only by the Holy Spirit that he was able to confess that Christ was innocent. This man knew his end was coming soon, he prayed to the Lord for deliverance, and the Lord gave him forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation. The Lord granted him the sweet calm of the Paradise the blessed, which He gives to all who die in His arms, a promise that will be delivered in all its fullness on the Last Day, when He comes again in power and great glory, coming to raise us and all the dead, giving eternal life to us and all believers in Christ.

This we look forward to with joyful expectation. It's the focus of our celebration today, the Last Sunday in the Church Year. Today we celebrate our Lord's fulfilling the Scriptures as He did at Calvary's cross and as He will do again on the Last Day. The return of our Lord causes us to rejoice, for He will come to deliver us from this vale of tears and take us to Himself in heaven. For the Christian, the Second Coming of the Christ will be a wondrous occasion, for on that day we will be with Him in Paradise.

Or are you dreading that day? Are you afraid of His return? If you love the Lord with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself, there is no reason to fear His return. But this is the scandal in which we are undone. This is what prevents us from welcoming Him as He comes again in glory to judge both the living and the dead. We are filled with dread because we are really dead - dead in our trespasses and sins. We are dead because there is no life in us. More accurately, the life in Christ is not in us. We have shown time and time again that we are more interested in ourselves than in our salvation. If we but look at our own thoughts, words, and deeds in the light of the Ten Commandments - specifically, the First Table of the Law, it is easy to see how true this is. We fear, love, and trust in ourselves instead of God. We misuse His Name, often taking it in vain and not using it to pray, praise, and give thanks. We do not like to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. And even if we fulfill the Third Commandment in its technical sense, we certainly do not follow the spirit of this commandment. We do not allow the Word of God to take root in our hearts. Even though we may be gathered here in the Lord's house and around His Word, do we fully cherish and keep and crave the gifts our Lord offers through His Means of Grace: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation? Do we fully realize and appreciate the reality that our Lord through His Word and Sacraments desires to give us Paradise? No, I don't think so, for our hearts are not right with God. We consider the written, read, and proclaimed Word suspect, and we, like the scribes and Pharisees, look at Christ, the Incarnate Word, with contempt. Sadly, they met perdition, not Paradise. As long as we do not hold God's Word sacred and do not gladly hear and learn it, we reject the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us and have every reason to fear the Last Day, when the Lord comes again and sends the unfaithful to the resurrection of condemnation. For such people, the day of the Lord will be a terrifying one indeed.

But what we also see in this text is that there is still an opportunity to receive God's grace, though the time may be limited. There were two criminals crucified with Jesus. Both jeered Him. But one repented and asked for forgiveness. The Lord, knowing all things and seeing into the hearts of men, forgave him who justly suffered for his own offenses but turned to the Lord for his deliverance. He understood. He believed. He got it! The Pharisees, scribes, and unbelieving Jews did not. They rejected the gift the Lord offered even while He was being nailed to the cross, praying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (v. 34a). God's forgiveness was there for them, but they rejected it. The repentant criminal received it with gladness, for he knew that the dying Lord would remember him when He came into His kingdom, for that day the criminal would be with the Lord in Paradise.

So take heart, fellow sinner. The Lord is extending this same gift to you. The words from your crucified and dying Lord's lips He speaks to you today. To all who seek His forgiveness our Lord grants the promise of eternal life in the Paradise of heaven. You see, it was for you that God sent His only-begotten Son into the world, to bear your sins and be your Savior. It is for you that Jesus was crucified. It is for you that He suffered and died. It is for you that He said, "Father, forgive them," and, again, "You will be with Me in Paradise," and, again, "It is finished!" It is to you and for you that He gives His grace, His undeserved love, for He desires that you be with Him in Paradise for all eternity. It is you that He desires to gather to Himself on the Last Day. It is for you that He rose so that He would ascend into heaven and prepare a place in the heavenly mansions. It is for your entry into heaven that your Lord prepares you by giving you His Word and Sacraments. It is for you that He gives His body to eat and His blood to drink, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins, that you would receive a foretaste of the Feast to come, the Marriage Feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. The eternal Feast is indeed a marriage feast, for Christ, the Bridegroom, will be united with us, His bride, the Church Triumphant. There will be no death to part us, only life - eternal life - to unite us with our Bridegroom forever.

So while there is time, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, repent and believe the Gospel, that you would be with the Lord in Paradise. He saved others. He did not save Himself, so that He would save you. God grant this in Jesus' Name and for His sake. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

<< First  < Previous | Page:  4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >  Last >>