2-23-2026

Good Morning!

     Romans 10:17; “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

     We all want to have faith.  Faith is the critical element in our religion.  “You gotta have faith;” “Faith can move mountains;” “All it takes is a little faith.”  Yet have you ever sat down and really defined faith?  Or do you use the Potter Stewart theory of “I know it when I see it”?  Sometimes that is our approach.  It is there, it is something that I want, it is something that I need, it is something that God gives me through the Spirit and through the Word, but these are more of a description than a definition.  So, what is faith?

     One good way to define faith is as follows.  “Faith is the desire to trust God’s promise of salvation.”  Faith is the exact opposite of our sinful nature; that desire to defy God, to not trust in his promise but to rather trust in our own selfishness.  This selfish desire is what leads to our destruction.  It is what leads to our despair and our hopelessness.

    This where God stepped in and changed our lives.  Through the active, redemptive power of his Word, incarnate in Jesus, God made faith the tool of our salvation.  God made faith the vehicle through which we would have hope in our eternal salvation.  By giving us faith, he made it so we no longer have to be controlled by our sinful desire but rather by our faith desire.  He empowers us by his grace to desire those things which are God pleasing and to cling to his promise of salvation.

   You know that feeling that you get when you see someone in need and you think, “I should help!”  That is faith.  Sometimes fear and our sinful nature slows us down but we desire to do what God desires.  When struggles appear we think, “Help me, Lord!”  That is faith at work.  It is that desire to trust God at his word, to trust God’s Word to be true.

   Sometimes, we falter; sometimes we let our old nature return and sometimes we just don’t fully trust in God’s promise to protect and provide for us.  We look for other helps or other ways to be secure and they always let us down.  Yet God continually holds out his hand, calls to us, and says, “That’s ok; trust me.”  Isn’t that the most incredible thing; God just keeps coming back and saying, “Trust me.”  That is what faith is; trusting God to do what he says he will do.  “I will protect you; I will guard you; I will never leave you” God’s promises to you and to me.  What a wonderful commitment he makes to us; all out of love for you and for me.  God gives to us faith.  He gives us the desire to trust in his promise.  All we have to do is cling to it.  All we have to do is grab on and hold on.  If God is for us, who can be against us?

Father of tender mercy, you bless us with faith.  You instill in us the desire to trust in your holy promises.  You instill in us your Holy Spirit to guide us as we journey on the path that you have laid out for us.  Be especially with those who struggle trusting in your wonderful mercy.  Be with those who do not trust you.  Lift them up and protect them in your loving arms.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-22-2026

Good Morning!

   Matthew 5: 16; “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

       We attended a really nice wedding service a few years ago.  The bride was lovely and the groom was dashing.  We went to the reception center to wait.  We milled around a little and then we told to take our seats the bridal party was to arrive shortly.  As we waited, the lights went out and a klaxon-sounding thing went off.  We thought it was a signal that the party had arrived.  Actually, it signaled that the electricity had failed and not just the center but a large area of the block.  So, we sat in the dark except that each table had four small votive candles on them. 

    It was funny how when we first sat down the votive candles were not that noticeable but when the power went out and it got dark; they suddenly appeared a whole lot brighter.  Any light in the darkness matters.  We couldn’t see across the room but we could see across the table. 

    In many ways, this is how our faith works.  Our showing our faith, showing God’s love to those around us matters most when it seems the darkest.  When we look out at the world and wonder how we can ever make a difference in that pitch black hole, we can by being one small votive candle.  We might not change the world but we can help one person, one time with God’s love.

   It might be that single parent a few houses down or it might be the elderly person across the street.  It might be your neighbor who lost his job or the high schooler whose parents are getting a divorce.  It might be anyone of a dozen people around you that God wants you to be a small light to.  We may not be able to stop the pain but we can alleviate it a little.  We may not be able to correct the wrong but we can comfort the pain.  We may not be able to remove the pain completely but we can offer soothing ointment for a little while.  When the world is at its darkest, even the smallest candle gives light.  Even the smallest act offers comfort and hope.

    The interesting thing is that as our light seems small, we tend to focus close by on what we can see close up.  Those neighbors who would have gone overlooked and now clearly seen.  Our expectations for something grand become real to us and matter to us deep in our heart.  So, when you see the darkness and the pain of the world all around; let your light shine no matter how small.  Start by praying for them and then praying with them and then whatever you can do.  Invite them to supper one day.  Be an ear that listens, a heart that is open and a spirit that is willing.  Be a light, even if it is a votive candle type of light but be a light in the dark world of pain.

Precious Jesus, you are the light of the world and you shine through us.  Give us the courage to be lights in the darkness, to bring comfort to those in pain, a voice to the oppressed, and ear to the crying, an ointment to the bruised.  Guide us by your Spirit to make a difference in someone’s life today.  Use us to be your masks.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-21-2026

Good Morning!

   Genesis 4:7; “If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

     This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  “Sin is crouching at your door;” it sounds so ominous, it sounds so threatening and yet it is so true and we miss it often.  This verse is part of God’s warning to Cain before Cain killed Abel.  As we look at the story of Cain and Abel this verse is kind of haunting in the background.

    Many of us have a vague view of Cain and Abel.  We have all seen the artwork that shows an angry, violent Cain attacking Abel.  Abel is often portrayed as smaller, weaker and, in some drawings, all most effeminate.  Yet this is probably a very incorrect view of these two.

   Abel was the nomad.  He wandered and cared for his sheep, moving them from pasture to pasture, looking for water and new grass.  He would have walked and had to carry some of the sheep at different times.  He was wandering from place to place moving with the seasons and the rains.

    Cain was the farmer; he was the one who was settled and “civilized.”  He went on to build the first city.  This is an existence which requires a steady and reliable food and water supply.  It would lead to government and the arts.  Not exactly the image that we tend to place on Cain, the violent and crazed murderer.  Yet this is probably a point of this verse that we need to understand.  Sin, especially our sin, tends to come from unique or hidden places; from places we do not expect.  It can creep into our relationships as we begin to see ourselves as the important one in the relationship and soon, we have sin crouching at our door.  We are jealous of our neighbor; we feel we are “owed” something (money, power, respect); sin is crouching at the door.

    What God is telling Cain, and us, is that it is easy for our sinful nature to take over and cause us to sin.  It is always crouching at our door just waiting for the opportunity to strike.  If we are not diligent, if we do not pay attention sin will strike.  Even when we know what is right, we sometimes do what is wrong because sin crouches at our door.  Our only hope is to trust in God’s Word and to focus on his grace as the method to fight temptation, to avoid the sin that is crouching at your door. 

    We will face trials every day yet God provides for us an escape from our temptation.  God promises to be with us and to protect us from the assaults of the devil, who is always crouching at your door seeking to cause you to trip and fall.  Yet God will forgive us and draw us back as we repent and turn from the sin that is crouching at our door.

Father, we have sin crouching at our door often.  Guide us by your Spirit to defend against it.  Help us to see it and to avoid it.  Be with those who are especially being tempted by sin.  Help us to aid them in their struggles.  Use us to bring them back into your heavenly family.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, we pray amen.

God’s Peace,                                                                                                        

Pastor Bret

2-20-2026

Good Morning!

                   Matthew 5:6; “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

     One of the interesting things about watching our grandchildren grow is that they question everything.  “What’s that?”  Then you get an “oh!” Then you start all over.  They hunger for what the world around them has to offer, how it works, and what it can do.  It won’t be long before they are experimenting with their world; that will keep mom and dad on their toes.

    It is interesting that many of us continue to hunger and thirst in our adult life.  Some of us hunger and thirst for money or power; some hunger and thirst for companionship so they won’t be alone.  Some hunger and thirst for knowledge.  One thing that many people hunger and thirst for is purpose.  Many wonder why they exist; is this existence all there is.  Most humans truly hunger and thirst for God; they seek God as a means to explain life.  They seek God to give them an assurance that life has meaning and even that life is more than just here and now.

    Part of the difficulty is that many are hungering and thirsting in the wrong direction.  Somewhere along the way, the world has convinced us that there is no one God but that there are many gods and many ways to find truth.  Even truth does not really exist, everything depends on what you feel, want or experience.  This kind of thought makes it impossible to recognize God, for God is truth, singular and absolute.  God’s way is far above our way but so is his love and mercy.  That is part of the reason why those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, but think they find it somewhere other than God, are always hungry and thirsty; they never have the real stuff.

    So, if you are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, keep on hungering and thirsting.  God is trying to feed you.  He is trying to feed you by his Word and by his sacrament.  He is trying to feed you with his undeserved love.  He is trying to restore you to the purpose that you were created.  He has forgiven you and promised you eternal salvation.  Cling to that promise and you will never hunger or thirst for righteousness again.  You will be satisfied by his grace.  His Spirit will make you whole.  So, if you are still hungry and thirsty from the falseness of the world, seek after God’s righteousness and his grace.  In his mercy, you will be satisfied.

Father of all goodness, you pour your Spirit out upon us.  In you we have fullness; in you we are complete.  Guide us to see that our journey in this life is but the start of eternity with you.  Lead us to see that our hope lies in you alone.  Lead us to seek and to live your truth.  Be with those who are hungering and thirsting but still do not know you.  Lead them by your precious Word to hear your saving truth.  Bring them safely into your kingdom.  All this we boldly ask in the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret 

2-19-2026

Good Morning!

               John 10: 28; “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

         It seems like every action movie has that one scene in it.  The scene where the hero is either on a mountain or high up in a building and he has to grab hold of someone, usually the girl he ends up with, to keep them from falling.  He holds on with a tenuous grip until he can either pull or swing her to safety.  They are usually getting shot at or in an earthquake or something is happening to make it more exciting.  Yet we know if it is a good guy he is holding; he won’t let go.  If it is a bad guy, there is a pretty good chance the bad guy will slip away.

    Maybe there has been a time or two when you have felt like you were slipping away; I know I have.  Events going on around us can really make things seem completely crazy.  Pressure from the job, your marriage, your children, your parents, the doctors and any one of a number of other places can build up and squeeze you like a pimple.  All that pressure can cause you to lose your grip.  You may even feel like it is easier just to let go.  It is easy to feel exhausted from all the pressure, especially if you think no one understands what you are feeling right now.  There are times when you feel like letting go; I know I have as well.

    It is at times like this that we see our comfort and our hope is entirely dependent on God.  No matter how squeezed you feel; God does not let go.  Even if you are absolutely positive that the best thing to do is to let go; God doesn’t let go.  So, when we feel like we are tumbling and spinning out of control and everything is flying apart; what we are really doing is thrashing around in the palm of God’s hand; God doesn’t let go.  It is times like this that we recognize that all those external pressures are exactly that external.  The pressure comes from the outside but our peace comes from the inside; our peace comes from God.  Our peace comes from knowing that God holds us and not the other way around.  God holds on and doesn’t let go.

    No matter what you think you have done or are doing, God does not let go.  His love for you is overwhelming and he provides for us each day.  The most important things he gives us are hope, comfort, and peace.  We live knowing that God has something great in store for us- eternal life with him.  He gives us comfort- knowing that what hurts today is only temporary, what we fear right now will fade away but God’s love never will.  He gives us peace- the certainty that no matter how often I feel like letting go- God doesn’t let go.  He is our rock and our shield; he is always there for us and he will never let go.

   God never lets go; trust in his promise and when you feel like you can’t hold on; trust that God will and you are always safe in his arms.

Father, you protect me with your mighty arm because of your wonderful love.  Guard me with your mercy and keep me secure in my salvation and in the protection of your loving arms.  Be with those who feel as if they are slipping out of your hands.  Give them the knowledge and the certainty of your grace.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-18-2026

Good Morning!

            1 Peter 2:10; “Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

     Do you remember the movie “The Bad News Bears”?  It was a movie from the mid 1970’s about a grizzled old man who turns a group of misfit little league baseball players into a real team.  It was made up of castoffs from other teams and a girl (unheard of in the 70’s).  Coach Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) takes a bunch of misfits and brings them to within one run of winning the championship.  Much of the movie is spent on the turning of these misfits into a baseball team and the tactics that he uses.  He makes them a team when at first, they were not a team.

    In some ways we can see ourselves in this movie.  We are the misfits.  We are the ones who have been cast off as miserable losers.  We are not a team; we could never be a team.  We could not hold the bat correctly or throw the ball properly or even know which way to run.  No one would want us on their team.

    This is how the devil uses our situations to drive us to despair.  He wants us to be losers.  He wants us to be lost and depressed.  He wants us to think that we have no team, no hope, and no future.  He wants us to see ourselves as completely alone and cut off from everyone, especially cut off from God.

     “But God had seen my wretched state.” God knew that we would never succeed on our own.  God knows we can never achieve this by our own skill, knowledge, or wealth.  So, God made us part of his team.  Through Jesus, he made us his people.  We receive mercy and God makes us his people.  By being his people, we are thus protected from danger and we are given the tools to survive in this world.  We are no longer alone but we are part of God’s team.  It is here where we find the comfort and consolation of being one of God’s redeemed children.

    This is how God works; he takes all those nobodies; those pathetic losers that no one wants on their team and makes them winners.  We are never left out again.  We are never alone again.  God is with us all the time.  He uses his creation to feed us, clothe us and provide for us.  He uses his creation connected with his Word to provide for our spiritual needs.  Through his grace he provides for us, his people.  He does this out of love for you.  He wants you on his team.  He puts you on his team and through this you are made a winner.  You are given eternal life with him.  You are his people.

Father of all wonders, your mercies roll over us like a river.  They are new to us each day.  You make us your people and in doing so you renew us and make us new creations.  Be with those who feel left off of the team.  Be with those who feel that no team would want them.  By your grace bring them home to live in peace and harmony with you.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-17-2026

Good Morning!

           John 10: 27; “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”.

         So, the poll question for today is how do you define church?  Some would say that it is the place where we gather to worship.  Some would say it is the people who go to this place to worship.  Some claim that the church is what’s left if the building burns down.  A structured Lutheran definition is that this is where the Gospel is rightly proclaimed and the Sacraments are properly administered.  These are all good answers and there are probably many more.  Yet Luther had another way of saying it.

    Martin Luther was a prolific writer.  At one time, almost 25% of all printed material was written by Martin Luther.  He was a man who took advantage of the current cutting-edge technology (the printing press) and used it to his advantage.  So, his writings had to appeal to the theologian but also to the laity who read his writing.  So, in doing so, Luther would use phrases or terminology that would resonate with the reader.  It still does today almost 500 years later.  So, in one of his writings, Luther wrote this “God be praised, a seven-year-old child knows what the church is: holy believers and ‘the little sheep who hear the voice of their shepherd.’”

     You are the sheep that hear the voice of the shepherd.  Shepherds had to be very patient with their sheep.  They would speak to them in calming tones.  Sheep could not be driven; they had to be led. So, the shepherd would go ahead and call them to follow him.  He would call each by name and they would follow him.  If a flock was so big that it had more than one shepherd; each shepherd would call his sheep out and they would separate from the other sheep and follow him.  The shepherd would call the sheep and then lead them to the lush green pastures.  He would call them to the still waters for them to drink.  The goal of the shepherd was to have calm and contented sheep.  They grew the best and were the least amount of trouble.

    This is what Jesus wants for us here on this earth.  He desires that we live a contented life.  He provides us with all that we need.  He wants us to hear his voice and we do this by gathering around his Word and Sacrament.  We do this best as being in the flock.  Flock as in plural not singular.  We are a part of the larger body and we receive the blessings of being in this larger flock.  It is in the flock (the Church) where we receive “the mutual conversation and the consolation that brothers and sisters offer each other” (more Luther).  So, the church, the place where we hear the Shepherd’s voice is felt and expressed by as little as one or two brothers or sisters in Christ offering us hope, comfort, peace, reconciliation or whatever we need.  That is how God reaches us, through the creation that he made.  It is for us and to be used to provide for our needs.  God calls you by name and leads you to safety.  Are you listening?

Savior of all, lead us to hear your voice. Help us to find comfort and hope in your gentle word.  Be with those who do not hear.  Be with those who struggle with listening to you who have the world drown out your voice.  Guide them by your Spirit to come home to your loving arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret