Living Our Promises to God made during the Affirmation of Baptism Service

Living the Affirmation of our Baptism

 During our recent Wednesday Evening Worship gatherings, we had a series of discussions on the promises we make to God during the Service of Affirmation of Baptism. The following six short videos gives an introduction and insights of each promise. As God’s Spirit helps us live those promises, God changes us, to help change our world, by empowering us to live our baptisms, to lives of love for all, giving us all more hope and peace.

Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tij4gp7Pb8o

Our Promises

·       To live among God’s faithful people,

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98KWP-OiAFI

·       To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper,

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WVh-bfpRkM

·       To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLxut6xE7rA

·       To serve all people, following the example of Jesus,

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHACLITrtuE

·       To strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx5ScLrE_YU

I welcome your comments. Please click on the comment/no comment button.

Not Knowing Jesus - The Reason for All the Problems in Our World!

Why does our world have so many problems such as: war, poverty, hunger, starvation, and homelessness? Why does our world have so much racial, social, political, and religious unrest? Why does our country have so much gun violence? Why do we have so much… well, you get the idea; we simply have way too many divisive and destructive problems in our world affecting everyone.

              From my Christian viewpoint, I believe the reason we have all those problems, is, we have forgotten who Jesus was, and what He did, as revealed in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Throughout His three-year ministry, everything Jesus did, was based on love for all. Jesus loved all by going to, welcoming, accepting, loving, and forgiving all people: the sick and dying, the hungry and homeless, the demon possessed, prostitutes, and the untouchables: lepers, bleeding women, religious and social zealots, and tax collectors. Jesus did the same for all marginalized people: women and children, hated foreigners, Roman centurions, and the religious status quo. Not only did Jesus love and forgive them, all, He also made them disciples to continue God’s ministry of love for the world.

              I believe as Christians, we have taken Christ out of Christianity. We have forgotten who Jesus was and what He did. I believe the answer to all of our world’s problems, is, to know and live as Jesus did; loving, caring for, and helping all people. What if we lived God’s love for all as Jesus did?

Being Blessed by God - To Flock to and Follow Jesus!

Jesus’ Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), the introduction, preamble, to Jesus Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-7:29).

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so popular? Why did thousands of people reach out to Him, to listen to Him, and to follow Him? It could not have been easy for them as they had to follow on foot over dusty roads.

From the beginning of His public “In-person” ministry, Jesus taught that everyone was “blessed” (which is what the Beatitudes speak to). Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, spoke about God’s “blessings” He was bringing to the world, to all people. When that sermon was over, Jesus walked down that mountain - to live the “blessedness” He spoke about. Jesus went “in-person” to meet people where they were. People living in the, brokenness of sin, with little to no hope, and definitely not feeling “blessed” by God and others.

To make a long story short, when all the people who flocked to Jesus during His life, did not want God’s “blessed” status, by not understanding Him, maybe mostly because of hearing, and listening to, the loud religious and secular voices denouncing Him; the world crucified the Beloved and “blessed” Son of God. What did Jesus do? He continued to “bless” them by saying, while being murdered on His Cross, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” That was why so many continued to flock to Jesus after His death and resurrection, because of the witness of Jesus’ disciples. They knew God’s “In-person blessedness” was real.

That is the same “blessing” the “God-In-Person” Jesus continues to bring to our broken world through the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. Why? Because there are way too many negative views about Jesus, God, and religion in general (sadly, and rightfully so, because of the way many people use Jesus, God, and religion to make people feel NOT “blessed”).

You are invited to St. John’s this Sunday to come and hear the “good news” of Jesus, God, and religion which says, unashamedly and unconditionally, you are “blessed!” Why? Because you are a C.O.G./P.O.W. A “Child of God” a “Person of Worth.” Why, again? Because God created and blessed you in “God’s image” of Love, not the world’s image of exclusion and hate. Come join us as we Flock to and Follow Jesus’ way of blessing and love for all.

You are invited to click on the No Comment/Comment button to leave a comment. Thank you.

Jesus, The Lamb of God, The Light of the World, loves and "believes" in you, in all people; from His wombs, from when we were in our wombs, and forever!

Jesus, “The Lamb of God, who takes away the “sin” of the world.” What is more important, believing in Jesus, in God; or, knowing Jesus, God, believes in us, in the world?

Have you ever thought that Jesus’ “call” came while He was in the womb, before creation? According to Genesis 1:3-5, Jesus was God’s first creative act, The “Light” of the World!” Jesus’ “light” separated the world from darkness (sin, evil). The rest of creation was created “in”, “by”, and “for” the “Light of the World” (John 1:1-5). After each of the first five days of creation God said it was: good After the 6^th Day, God said it was very good; especially for people, who were created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27). We believe God’s image is love!

When the world could not, or would not “see” the “light” of God’s love for all of creation, Jesus, went into Mary’s womb, into the womb of humankind, to be born, again, to be God’s Light of World, to shine, to “reveal” God’s original Love for the world; for all people and things (remember Jesus, God, created all and said all was “very good”) as we proudly, and loudly say at St. John’s, “All Means All!”

Throughout His earthly life, Jesus lived the “Light” of God’s love for all, as, The Lamb of God, who came to take away the “sin” of the world. That “sin” (singular) was the darkness of our unbelief. When the world, all people, rejected God’s Light and crucified, murdered The Lamb of God, Jesus, forgave the world. Wow! Jesus, God, still, believed in us, in all people; in spite of all NOT believing in Him. That is God’s amazing “gift” of grace for the world; given to the world!

What if, all people, knew God created, called, believed in them, and loved them, from the womb. What if we all knew and lived God’s love for all? What would our world look like? You are invited to St. John’s this Sunday to learn more about God’s Love for all, given by the Light of the World, The Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ. We are located at 3259 McGavock Pike, Nashville. Our worship time is 9:00am. All are welcome. Here is a ZOOM link for those unable to join us In-person: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88934409477?pwd=OHk0bDdWVVNtWHJOaHBjZmxaUDI1Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 3440 9477  Passcode: 468902

One tap mobile +13126266799,,88934409477#,,,,*468902# US (Chicago)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdByhksKEW

I welcome your comments. Please click on comments/no comments. Thank you.

Learning and living a Christ Based Love" for all!

Are a Christian or a Follower of Christ!

How we define God is how we will life our life!

Living a "Christ Based Love" for all

Here is a link for this blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JwKdIog7pc 

Living in “hell”, here and now; and maybe not forever?

Christian denominations have two main views of hell. One extreme is, hell is where you go if you are bad, if you’re not good enough. The other extreme is, there is not a physical forever hell. Which is right? No one knows for sure.

From the first viewpoint, the belief is, either “You better do good, or else you’ll burn for all eternity.” Or, on a bit softer side, I want you to do better. I don’t want you to go to hell!” From the viewpoint of not believing in an afterlife of hell, that could cause a very destructive way of living. “If there isn’t a hell, then it doesn’t matter what I do here. I can do whatever I want.” It could also help us to live better lives here and now.

For me, I absolutely believe in hell! I believe in hell on earth. I do not believe in a physical hell where people burn forever. I believe that because of my understanding of God. I do not believe, an all-inclusive, unconditional God of love, especially portrayed in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, would turn vindictive and judgmental because we were not “good enough”. I believe that would contradict the Cross of Jesus Christ where Jesus atoned and forgave all sin (our “sin” of unbelief in God) and all “sins” (we commit against each other), forever! Without Jesus, we would not be “good enough”; because of Jesus, God sees us as "good enough", as the beloved children we all are, and always will be.

In my understanding of hell on earth, instead of saying, “You better do good, or else,” or, “I don’t want you to go to hell!” I would rather say, “I don’t want you to ‘live’ in hell!” Think about all the social, political, and religious “hells” we bring into all of our lives. Why do all those, always happen, affecting everyone, in body, mind, and/or spirit, daily? Because of our “sin”, causing all of our “sins”; creating way too many “hells” here on earth.

As God helps us to believe-in all God did for the world through Jesus, the Christ, so no one would go to a forever hell (which I truly hope there isn’t), or live in hell on earth (which I truly believe there is), what if we lived Jesus’ and God’s Love, for all? How much better would of our lives be, now, and forever?

As always, I welcome your comments. Simply click on the comment/no comment button.

How do we define God?

I believe how we answer that question will determine how we will live our lives. Here is a YouTube link for my answer - and the serious implications of how we define God:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss9uY4fMIJw&t=6s

As always, I welcome your comments and questions as together we strive to live the life of love God calls us to live. Simply click on the comment/no comment button.

The Importance of the Incarnation(s) of God!

Yes, you saw correctly, the incarnations, plural. We know the importance of Jesus being the incarnate Word of God; God becoming flesh, so the world could “see” the “truth” of God, of God’s love for the world (John 1:1-18). Then, throughout His life, Jesus let us “see” that truth by loving, caring, healing, feeding, accepting, welcoming, loving, and forgiving all people. I believe we “saw” Jesus’, God’s love best, from the Cross when He said, “Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Yes, Jesus being the Incarnate Word of God is very important.

We believe Jesus, God, created everything (John 1:1-5) “out of nothing” (Genesis 1:2), and God said it was all, “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Because God created everything, all of creation, is a part of God; hence, maybe, all creation was the First Incarnation of God. If that is so, God’s kingdom is everywhere. Maybe that is why Jesus spoke often about “God’s kingdom has come near” and “the kingdom of God is like…”. Then, again, as stated above, Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, lived God’s kingdom of love for all.

Then, after His resurrection and before He ascended, Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into His disciples; calling and forming them to be The Church, to continue to help all people “see” God’s kingdom of love in every “thing” and every person. If so, the Church would be the Third Incarnation of God.

As important as it was for Jesus to be the Incarnate Word of God, for all to see and know God’s Love for the world, I like the idea about the possible two other Incarnations of God. I believe it is important for us see the world, as the First Incarnation of God, to know God is a part of everything. That understanding gives us a new and greater aspect on our original calling to be stewards, caretakers, of all creation (Genesis 1:28). As we learn to believe that, then we, The Church, as the Third Incarnation of God, will have a greater sense of urgency to live God’s love.

Why? As we know, our world, needs, more “Incarnational” love, to give us all more hope and peace. As the Incarnate Church of Jesus Christ, what if, we could see, as God sees? What if we could help all people “see” as God’s “sees” everything? I truly believe our world would be more loving and a much better place to live. That is what we strive to teach, preach, and live at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nashville. Come join us, in-person or online, as we strive to bring God’s “Incarnational” love into our world.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Simple click on the comment/no comment button.

Solving all the destructive issues of life!

During our Faith-Formation Sunday School Class we discuss many life/faith issues. Today, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, we discussed the very volatile issue of abortion. We discussed both sides. A comment was made, I wish we had the answer to solve the abortion issue and all social issues.

I made the comment, we can, and that is our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. With our belief in God, as a God of love, for all, with our belief of God knowing and forming us while in the womb (if not knowing us from before the creation of the world), and with our view of all people created in God’s image of love, if we could learn to see people, all people, as God sees everyone, as beloved children, we would not have those destructive issues.

However, we don’t live in utopia. We live in the broken world, we created; a world filled with greed; a world filled with worshiping the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I; all to have power and control over others; causing all the destructive social, political, and religious issues in our lives.

        To prove the truth about our broken world, filled with hate, when Jesus came to teach us God’s love, and lived that love for all, the world, we, murdered Him, so we could maintain our power and control. What did God, Jesus do? God raised Jesus to life again, vindicating His life. What did Jesus do? He did not get even with the world. Jesus continued to love, forgive, teach, heal, feed, welcome and accept the world that crucified Him. Jesus, God, continued to teach us how to love and not hate.

The Beatles had it right in their song, “All you need is love”; so did John Lennon in his song, “Imagine.” If we could learn to live “love”, for all, “imagine” what our lives and world could look like? With all the destructiveness in our world, how can we not?

With our new, “Caring Ministry Vision and Expectation” initiative at St. John’s, we are striving to help us know and live God’s love for all. Come join us as we strive to live God’s love for all. If you have any questions or comments, please click on the comment/no comment button. comment/no comment button.

What Christians are called to do.

Being a Christian vs. Being a Follower of Christ?

I believe that is a very real question. You might think, there is not a difference. Christians, by definition, are followers of Christ, right? If that is so, why do so many Christians either promote, or do not speak out against, the social issues of poverty, homelessness, racism, sexism, antisemitism, homophobia, xenophobia, gun violence, and a host of way too many other prejudices promoting hate and wall building separation?

As we read the gospel accounts of Jesus, my question is, “When did Jesus, ever, NOT, speak out against ALL social, racial, political, and religious walls of exclusion and hate? Jesus, throughout His ministry, strove to break down ALL walls of separation! At the same time, He always promoted: inclusion, welcoming, accepting, loving, and forgiving of all people. That was best seen on His Cross when Jesus forgave the world - for killing him; “For God so loved the world”, all people!

Unfortunately, it seems hate, exclusion, and wall building sells more, than love. As “followers” of Christ, believing God, Jesus, created all people in God’s image, of love, what could our world look like if we followed Jesus’ example and command to live God’s love for all? As much as it doesn’t “sell”, the time is right, the time is now, to learn and live God’s love for all to bring us all more hope and more peace.

As always, I welcome your comments. Simply click on the comment/no comment button.

PENTECOST: THE “Birth” and “Rebirth” of the Church!

The text for this blog is below. Here is a YouTube video link for this blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9NEUE0BvVg 

What does “birth” mean? Life? New life? Renewed Life? Yes! When we, our children, or when anyone is born, do we know who and what we are going to be? No! However, God knows. We believe all life was “birthed” by God (Genesis 1 and 2). Hence, all life is a part of God, and all life, will ultimately return to God. Until God’s forever kingdom is “birthed” and given to us, we are called to live our lives, helping everyone know their God-given “birth” status.

God “birthed” the world in love. All of creation lived-in harmonious love. Then, Genesis 3 happened. We forgot our “birth” status. We “birthed” the idea, of us, being God.  And as we know, our world suffered the consequences of “birthing”, and living-in, the hell, we created. What did God do? God began the “birthing” process of a new and renewed life. God came to Adam and Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, Rahab, Ruth, David, and all the prophets to help our world know God’s continued love for all.

Then, when the time was right, Jesus was “birthed” into our world. Jesus came to show us what being “birthed” by God means; living a life filled with love! Throughout His life, Jesus lived God’s loved. He welcomed, accepted, fed, healed, and forgave all people: friends, family, and especially His enemies. Why? To give us all a “rebirth”; to give the world a new and renewed life filled with love.

God’s “rebirth” for the world did not end with Jesus’ death. God raised Him, yes, to vindicate His life; more so, for Jesus to continue to live God’s love, which He did. Jesus came to His hiding and scared disciples in their Upper Room of doubt and fear, and gave them a new and renewed “birth” by breathing the promised Holy Spirit into them; helping them to continue to learn, know, and live God’s love.

Then, on that first Christian Pentecost (Acts 2), God breathed the Holy Spirit into our world to continue to give “rebirth” to our world to live God’s love, which people like Peter and Paul and countless others did. That same Pentecost Spirit continues to breathe into our lives today. Why? So, we can learn, know, and live Jesus’ love. Why? So, we can bring God’s “rebirth” to our world. Why? To have God take away the hell we brought, and continue to bring into our world, by partnering with God to bring Jesus’ love, hope, and peace we all so desperately need.

God gave the world “birth” at creation. Ever since our “Fall in the Garden” (and please know it was ‘our’ fall, God never fell out of love for us and the world), God continued to breathe, to give the world a new and renewed “birth.” As we await the “birthing” of God’s kingdom to come, our calling and command is, to help everyone know and live God’s Pentecost “birth” of love. How do we do that? By becoming more involved in learning about God’s love. If you are not currently attending Bible Study or Worship, I encourage you to do so. If you would like to join us in our many Faith-nurturing Bible studies and Worship. Send me an email at: pastorricksjlc@bellsouth.net for an invitation to ZOOM with us while we continue to rebuild our Church (go to www.stjohnsnashville,org to see our story).

What if we all learned more about God’s all-inclusive love? How much more peace would our world have? May God’s Pentecost breath of grace give us a “rebirth” to learn, live, and share God’s love for all.

As always, I welcome your comments by clicking on the comment/no-comment button below.

God’s Love For All, Not Gun Violence!

I cannot image the pain and suffering the parents and family and friends are experiencing after the horrible mass-shooting in Uvalde, TX. I can only see a small part of their pain by seeing their tear-filled eyes and hopeless looks on their faces. I see the sadness of puffy tear-filled eyes of all the reporters, reporting on that senseless tragedy. Over the past few days, I have had countless conversations with people; hearing their pain and anger; along with my pain and anger. 

What is it going to take to end all the senseless gun violence in our country? With that said, I know it will never end. With that said, I believe we need to focus even more on ending gun violence or it will only get worse. I am not against the Second Amendment; however, I truly cannot see - any reason - for anyone - outside of the military and police agencies having access to weapons of mass destruction. They are designed to kill people! They are not guns used in hunting.

I heard the Texas Governor and other politicians say that horrible shooting was caused by mental health issues and not by guns. Really? I agree, there is a huge mental health crisis in our country which needs to be addressed. For people who are Pro-Life, why is mental health not being addressed to the extent it is needed? Why is gun violence not being addressed? With 80-90% of all Americans wanting some form of background checks, red flag gun laws, etc., why does our government not do the will of the people?

I do not profess to have all the answers. I strive to follow what I believe to be God’s and Jesus’ way of life, loving and caring for all people. That is how I view the gospels. That is how I view the entire Bible. For me, it truly comes down to this question. “How we view God, whoever or whatever you believe God to be, is how we will live our lives.

I proudly teach and preach at St. John’s Lutheran Church, that God is love. I believe God’s love is a non-violent love. I see that very clearly from Jesus’ Cross. If God were ever to be a violent, gun-toting God of mass-destruction, I believe it would have occurred on Good Friday! God continued to choose the path of love, allowing Jesus to be murdered, to help our world see what non-bullying love looks like.

What if our world could, or would, follow the “way” of Love? We would have a world filled with less gun violence. We would have a world filled with less mental health issues. We would have a world filled with more hope and peace for all. That’s the world I pray for. That is the world we all need. May the God of Love, fill us with compassion and love to bring more peace and hope into all of our lives.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. Simply click on Comment/No Comment.

Jesus said from His Cross, "I am thirsty!" What was Jesus' Thirst?

 Jesus said, “I am thirsty” from His Cross. What was Jesus’ Thirst?

When Jesus said from His Cross on Good Friday, “I am thirsty”, what was He “thirsty” for? Was Jesus simply thirsty from possibly not drinking anything since Thursday night? Was His thirst caused from the incredible amount of water loss he sweated away because of all the physical and mental stress he experienced? Was Jesus’ thirst caused by the horrible whipping He endured causing a massive amount of blood loss?

Jesus’ “thirst” could have been caused by all of those. However, I believe, Jesus’ “thirst” went much deeper than just for His physical need. Jesus could have said, “God, I am thirsty, quench my “thirst”, save me from all this pain and suffering.” However, I believe Jesus’ “thirst” was for the world to know and believe-in God’s love for the world by saying, “God, ‘I am thirsty’, to die, to show the world just how much I, and You, so love the world.”

We at St. John’s believe-in Jesus’, in God’s “thirst” for us to see, know, and live God’s love for the world. Because of Jesus’ “thirst”, that is why we do so much for our world through our many social ministries. Check them out on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsdonelson

With all the pain and suffering going on in our world, in all of our lives, our world is in desperate need of Jesus’ “thirst”, of God’s love. If you are looking for a faith community that strives to live Jesus’ “thirst” for love, for all people, and as we love to say at St. John’s, “All means all”, you are invited to come join us.

            As always, I welcome your comments. Simply click on the comment/no comment button. Comments can be made anonymously.

Learning the Good News of Jesus Coming Again

The book of Revelation concludes with the words, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20b).  I believe many people are worried, if not outright scared to death by those words. Why? Because they believe, or are made to believe, when Jesus comes again, they might not be “good enough” for God. They fear being cast into the eternal burning fires of hell.

I believe, that is an incorrect view of Jesus, of God. Think about all Jesus did throughout His ministry. He went to, welcomed, accepted, healed, fed, forgave and loved all people. When Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, the angels who appeared to His disciples said, “Why do you stand looking up toward heaven? Jesus will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11). When Jesus first came in love, for all, why would He change when He comes again? I do not believe He will.
            Why do people believe Jesus will change? Why do they believe they are not “good enough” and fear Jesus’ coming? Because of people trying to scare them, to have power and control over them, to serve their purpose, and not God’s purpose of love. I know, this might be, or is, a very contrary message about God, Jesus, and faith. I know, I do not have all the answers about God and Jesus’ Second Advent. I also know, in not knowing everything, especially about God, God helps me to continue to learn more about God.        

As I am open to learning more about God, Jesus, and the faith God gives us, what if, my, and our, understanding of Jesus’ “second coming” will be a time of complete love and forgiveness as Jesus demonstrated throughout His life. What if we learned to believe that? What if we started living that all-inclusive love, now, as we pray in Jesus’ prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven?”

Hmm, if Jesus lived love, for all, and heaven is a place of complete love, for all, what could our world look like “if” we “learned” to live God’s unconditional, all-inclusive love?

As always, I welcome your thoughts, insights, and comments.

The Purpose and Power of Prayer

Here is the YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS1_ni-JYhM

What is prayer? Prayer is our communication with God. I believe, how we define God will define how we will pray, how we will communicate with God. If we define God as self-centered, our prayers will be egocentric. If we define God as judgmental, our prayers will focus on being condemnatory. If we define God as fearful, yes, our prayers will focus on fear. If we define God as love, we will focus our prayers on love. Whichever focus our prayer lives take, that will, most likely, be the way we will live our lives.

What is the purpose of prayer? I believe the purpose of prayer is not to change God. I believe prayer is to have God change us. Whatever our prayer focus is, the more we pray, the more God will change us, to live God’s focus.

There are two questions many, if not all people ask about prayer. One, how do we know our prayers are heard?  And, two, how do we know our prayers are answered? For me, focusing on God as love in my prayers, I can believe my prayers are being heard and answered, by the way God is changing me through my prayers to live God’s love for all.

Having God change us through our prayer life is a life-long process. At different times in our lives, and maybe more often than we will admit to, we pray prayers that are more self-centered and judgmental than loving. Are those prayers bad? No! All prayers, no matter what their focus, are good. We are still communicating with God. Even through those non-loving prayers, God uses them to change us.

That is the power of prayer. In spite of our non-loving focus on prayer, and life, God uses our prayers to continue to change us, to help us define God as love. In doing so, God changes us to live God’s love - for all. I believe, the more we know God as love, God will help us live God’s love for all. What could our lives and world look like if we all prayed for, and were, more loving? Let’s pray about that…

Gracious and patient God of love, thank you for loving me, in spite of all my self-centered and judgmental prayers and thoughts toward you and others. Help change me to know your love. Help change me to live your love for all.  Amen

Defining God’s Radical Love for All in Jesus’ Story of “The Good Samaritan!”

Jesus’ parable of “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37) was one of Jesus’ most radical stories of God’s love for all. You hear stories of “Good Samaritan’s” often on the news. As wonderful as those stories are, most, if not all of them, come nowhere near Jesus’ intent in His story of defining one’s neighbor.

 Briefly, when Jesus said the Priest and Levite (the professional church leaders) passed by and did not help the man beaten and left half dead, everyone in the crowd that day knew he was going to say an Israelite (a normal churchgoer) would be the one to stop and help. They talk the talk; we, walk the walk!

When Jesus said a “Samaritan” stopped and helped, there would have been a huge gasp from that crowd. Samaritans to them meant their worst enemy. If Jesus was telling this story to us, it would be like the Grand Dragon of the KKK, in full garb, running into a fire to save an African American. Or, He would have said someone like Osama bin Laden, President Putin, or whoever else you believe to be the most despicable person ever, even those people can do good.

As difficult as it is to believe, that’s how radical God’s love is; always has been; always will be. To prove God’s radical love for the world, for all people, simply look at Jesus’ Cross, hear His words of forgiving everyone, including us, for murdering Him; then, see God’s vindication at the Empty Tomb.

What if, as we learn more about God’s radical love for all, we allowed God to equip and empower us to live God’s love for all our neighbors. What could our lives, what could our world, look like?

If you would like to know more about God’s radical love in this story, please leave me a comment.

Being a Christian versus being a follower of Jesus Christ!

Over the years, the Christian Church has dropped in popularity. I believe, many people have left the Church for a very good reason; we’ve departed from teaching and living as Jesus did. We have become very judgmental, and “law” driven; “You better do this, or that, or else!” We have become very non-Christ-like, threatening people with the wrath and fire of God’s eternal judgment. I believe Churches do that to have power and control over people.

An alternative view of God, found in the Gospels, is the “judgement” of God’s “grace”; God’s gift of forgiveness and love, for all. That view of judgment is seen in all the people Jesus spoke to, called to be disciples, fed, healed, and performed miracles for: men and women, adults and children, religious and unreligious, Jews and Gentiles, all outcasts, and even His enemies. To see the fullness of God’s grace the best, we only need to look at Jesus on His Cross.

What would be the most egregious thing we could ever do to have God condemn us for forever? I believe crucifying, killing God, which we all did because of our sin. And what was Jesus’ response? “Father, forgive them! They do not know what they’re doing!” Since Jesus, God, forgave everyone, for killing Him, who then will God condemn?

As we look at all Jesus did throughout His life to demonstrate God’s love, for all; as we look at all God always did in the Old Testament, to forgive and restore God’s people; what if the Christian Church learned to do the same? What if we were as welcoming, accepting, loving, and forgiving - of all people - as God and Jesus were, and still are?

There shouldn’t be a difference in being a Christian and a Follower of Christ; however, when we don’t follow the way of Jesus, there is. The question is, how we define God, defines how we will live our lives! Do we define God as wrathful and judgmental, “out to get us, or else; bringing pain and suffering?” Or, do we define God as being grace-filled, who came down, to help us see and know, God’s wrath, was on sin, not the sinner, and, to know God has already “gotten” us with eternal love? As Followers of Jesus Christ, may we learn from Jesus’ grace-filled life, to bring God’s peace and hope to the world God so loves.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.

Faith Formation Class on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Social Statements

ELCA Social Statement Class

Beginning on Monday evening, May 2, 6:30-7:30, we will begin a faith-formation, life-changing series of classes on the ELCA Social Statements. Here is a link to our website for more information: https://www.stjohnsnashville.org/small-group. Our first study/discussion will be on “Race, Ethnicity, and Culture.” A copy can be downloaded from our website.

Here is the ZOOM link to join us for these faith-formation and life-changing classes: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89224385410?pwd=bUtvMU16TWlxWnErV3pwQUEzNXJidz09

Meeting ID: 892 2438 5410  Passcode: 013684

One tap mobile  +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keCULBcIaF

Everyone are welcome to join us as we continue to learn about and live God’s love for the world.

Pastor Rick Roberts

What is one of the most difficult things to believe about the "faith" God gives us?

What is one of the most difficult things to believe about our lives of faith? I believe, it is to believe-in, God’s unconditional love and forgiveness for all. When Jesus died on His Cross, forgiving all sin(s) while dying, and when God vindicated Jesus’ life of love and forgiveness, for all, when God raised Him on that glorious Easter Morning, we, the world, all people, and “All means all”, were given God’s gracious gift. If you believe, or are made to believe, you are “not good enough” for God, for any reason, you are invited to St. John’s this Sunday to hear the “good news” of God’s grace for you, just the way God created you. Our ZOOM Worship is at 9:00am (Central Time, USA). Instead of labelling people “not good enough” for way too many reasons, causing all the destructive and devastating wars and problems we all have, what if we believed God so loved and forgave the world? What if we believed, and lived, seeing all people as God’s children, beloved and forgiven, forever? Our world would be filled with more love, peace, and hope. Come join us. Here is our ZOOM link:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88463599881?pwd=SW5xOEVJQktMdHVyRGF4clBqbE5Gdz09

Meeting ID: 884 6359 9881  Passcode: 846146

One tap mobile +13126266799,,88463599881#,,,,*846146# US (Chicago)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcbhaVRBO

What was the Greatest Day Ever - that Can Change Our Lives Forever?

 Here is a YouTube link for this blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-aA_h3ZFdM

Here is the written blog:

The greatest day ever was not our birthday, anniversary, or any number of holidays; even Christmas. From a Christian viewpoint - it is Easter. Because of God raising Jesus from the dead, God vindicated Jesus’ “life of love” for All! When the world did all it could to live “hate” by murdering Jesus, God showed the epitome of love for the world on Jesus’ Cross and at the Empty Tomb.

Christians, do we believe that Jesus unconditionally lived and died for all people? We profess that with Jesus’ words of John 3:16 and His many words of love from the Cross. However, do we truly believe in God’s love for all? If we do, why do we label so many people “not good enough” for way too many hurtful reasons - or - try to change their lives and/or their lifestyles? Aren’t we trying to fit them into “our” religious belief system and not God’s?

If we truly loved the world, all people, as God and Jesus do, as they always have, and will always will do, I truly believe there would be less wars; less food insecurities and homelessness; less gun violence, suicides, and drug abuse; and less abuses caused by all the social, racial, political, and religious unrest in the world.

Love is the answer to every problem in our lives. The Beatles sang, “All you need is love” and many artists sang, “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.”

I believe at the heart of all religions is love. Here is an all-religion challenge for the world. What if we truly lived love for all? From a Christian viewpoint, what if we unconditionally welcomed, accepted, forgave, and loved all people - as Jesus did? If we all did, I truly believe our world would be a far better place to live in. There would be so much less…… pain and suffering - and so much more needed peace and hope.

Christians, we profess we, and the world, was loved and forgiven, forever, on that first glorious Easter. For us, The Greatest Day Ever! I know we will never do it perfectly, but what if we actually followed Jesus’ example and command in the Great Commission to Go; to live God’s unconditional love for all as Jesus did? In our world filled with way too much hate, and all the pain and suffering it brings everyone, how can we not, live God’s love for all? Let’s try it. It might just work.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. How about an online or in-person forum/discussion on the implications of The Greatest Day Ever; on God’s love for all?

www.stjohnsnashville.org www.facebook.com/stjohnsdonelson