tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.comments2023-04-16T04:42:19.339-04:00Small Town SpiritualityAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-44228970911735111542015-12-17T09:06:41.191-05:002015-12-17T09:06:41.191-05:00You can find me at Mark 12:41. i will serve my Lo...You can find me at Mark 12:41. i will serve my Lord in small ways by being there for the children of God.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00673776915706649767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-42349520411936700532014-07-04T00:14:29.214-04:002014-07-04T00:14:29.214-04:00You hit the nail on the head. I wouldn't have...You hit the nail on the head. I wouldn't have been able to put it in those words but, thanks!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-5389845265306094982014-03-19T10:23:10.202-04:002014-03-19T10:23:10.202-04:00How beatifully said. Coaching DOES matter, and I ...How beatifully said. Coaching DOES matter, and I am blessed to know you as a supportive, positive, encouraging coach. The lives you touch are blessed. Unfortunately, too many coaches are not as loving and encouraging as you. My heart breaks when I degrading side. Many spirits are broken. Keep up the great work, coach!Kathy Lucnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-41929986710508525012013-09-16T19:26:54.661-04:002013-09-16T19:26:54.661-04:00Yes, sometimes someone can push you sooo far. You...Yes, sometimes someone can push you sooo far. You pray and pray and it just, well sometimes we let the devil take over and it explodes to the point where you kinda go out of the mind you should be in and kaboom. We say things we don't mean and say words we shouldn't. Then I have to really pray for forgiveness.Lorienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-73559630107410979262013-09-16T18:25:04.557-04:002013-09-16T18:25:04.557-04:00Anger, tough stuff.Anger, tough stuff.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14269932516575716651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-74976747407911820502013-09-07T07:09:09.211-04:002013-09-07T07:09:09.211-04:00I have really enjoyed sitting with this throughout...I have really enjoyed sitting with this throughout the week. I an amazed at what all is packed into 5 verses. For me, the third section, entitled The spiritual or mysterious interpretation, was so cool. The explanation of faith, and the "disciple whom Jesus loved" vs. works and St. Peter gives me so much comfort. Anyone who knows me would tell you that I am a hugger...the imagery of leaning back on the breast of Christ is so compelling. Paragraph 35 last sentence talks of the safety and security, and comfort of leaning on him as a gift of God, available to all Christian believers. How often do I miss that opportunity? <br /><br />Then PP 38 is neat too...talking about the breast of all animal sacrifices being saved for the priest...reminding us priests are all believers. 1 Peter 2:9...how often do we think we don't "know enough" to teach or lead, or share in Sunday school. According to St Peter - we do. (although reading my ramblings, one may wonder :)<br /><br />PP 42...Judas Iscariot explanation...wakes me up too. Last sentence is powerful. <br /><br />Thank you Pr. Amy for your life of love and works. God uses you to stimulate our hearts and minds through ML and God's Word. You are appreciated and loved :)susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-80173988345561200082013-08-29T16:20:07.603-04:002013-08-29T16:20:07.603-04:00My guess is Luther is making a point about Christ ...My guess is Luther is making a point about Christ being our mediator in response to the practice of indulgences (payment for forgiveness of sin) by the Roman Catholic Church. It means everything that Jesus is our High Priest! We are free to call on his name anytime, anywhere...we don't need a "saint" nor a priest to make intercessions for us. We can go straight to God, through our redeemer, Jesus the Christ. Susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-44630595647936566092013-08-28T07:06:20.903-04:002013-08-28T07:06:20.903-04:00Wednesday: We continue with Luther's sermon fr...Wednesday: We continue with Luther's sermon from the Fifth Sunday after Easter. . . Luther writes:<br /><br />That is, what I now speak to you, while in the body, and my parables ye understand not, which I will thoroughly explain to you through the Holy Spirit. I will plainly speak of my Father, that you may then understand who the Father is and what my going to the Father means. You will clearly see how I ascend through suffering into the Father’s life and into his kingdom; that I sit at his right hand and represent you and am your mediator; that all this is done for your sake, that you may likewise come to the Father. “I shall tell you plainly of the Father” is not to be understood to mean that he will tell us much about God’s divine nature, as the sophists fancy; for that is unnecessary and the divine nature of God is incomprehensible. But Christ will tell us how he goes to the Father, how he takes upon himself the kingdom and government of the Father; as a king’s son returns to his father and assumes the government of the kingdom. <br /><br />Why is Luther making a point of preaching that Christ is our mediator, the one who goes to the Father for us?<br /><br />What does it mean to you that Christ "represents" you to the Father? <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-72194563741036842542013-08-27T07:20:13.855-04:002013-08-27T07:20:13.855-04:00Tuesday: Try it, now, and pray thus. Then you will...Tuesday: Try it, now, and pray thus. Then you will taste the sweetness of God’s promise. What courage and consolation of heart it awakens to pray for all things! It matters not how great and high the petitions may be. Elijah was a man of like passions with ourselves; yet when he prayed, it did not rain for three years and six months, and when he again prayed it rained. 1 Kings, 17:1; 18:45. Notice, here you see a single man prays and by his prayer he is lord of the clouds, of heaven and earth. So God lets us see what power and influence a true prayer has, namely, that nothing is impossible for it to do.<br /><br />Have you ever stopped praying for something out of discouragement? What do Luther's words stir inside of you when it comes to not giving up on the prayers of your heart?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-1152214274457511292013-08-26T09:28:44.432-04:002013-08-26T09:28:44.432-04:00Monday: We have hitherto resorted to many ways of ...Monday: We have hitherto resorted to many ways of preparing ourselves to pray — ways with which the books are filled; but if you wish to be well prepared, take the promise and lay hold of God with it. Then your courage and desire to pray will soon grow, which courage you will never otherwise get. For “those who pray without God’s promise, imagine in themselves how angry God is, whom they wish to propitiate by means of their prayers. Without faith in the promise, there is then, neither courage nor desire to pray, but mere uncertain delusion and a melancholy spirit; there is, therefore, no hearing of prayers, and both prayer and labor are lost. <br /><br />How is courage to pray putting faith in God's will to answer our prayers?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-84548912368142880482013-08-23T20:50:32.088-04:002013-08-23T20:50:32.088-04:00Many thanks for your posts...it has been a challen...Many thanks for your posts...it has been a challenging week and this has been a huge help. Looking foward to continued study and many thanks to you Pr. Amy! Susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-69250451188511782182013-08-23T13:10:06.578-04:002013-08-23T13:10:06.578-04:00What are we looking for? Answers. We want encourag...What are we looking for? Answers. We want encouragement, truth, vision, light and something to strive for. We often forget that we are 'nothing before God' as Luther reminds us. <br /><br />Wrapping our mind and hearts around habitual Grace is overwhelming - how are we suppose to share God's love when at times we feel so unworthy to be saved through His only Son? The times I feel that way, I pray immediately for guidance in my actions and in my words that I share with others. <br /><br />- this also touches on confrontation. I enjoyed your sermon last week and thought about times we should challenge ourselves and our family to Serve God first. <br />My new curiosity in the Gospel is becoming a Fisher of Men. Luther was the sent to be the Fire that was needed in the church. I hope that each and everyone of us keeps the fire in our heart to serve God in our thoughts, words and deeds. It is easy to fall prey to the evil in this world and if we keep Christ the center of our convictions the battle against evil will become just a little bit easier. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731925998351347688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-78306701711920877322013-08-23T10:28:10.304-04:002013-08-23T10:28:10.304-04:00I need to re-read what I write before I post - Yik...I need to re-read what I write before I post - Yikes! Lots ot typos and rambling. I love this study and pray that others will join in!Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-34535618848664828232013-08-23T10:21:41.025-04:002013-08-23T10:21:41.025-04:00Not defeatist at all. God wants us to prosper! Ch...Not defeatist at all. God wants us to prosper! Christ suffered in order for us to see death as "Grauation" and entry to the many rooms prepared for us! We are comforted by His Holy Spirit in order to love others and make deciples. Our lives do not belong to us, life is a gift and our minds and bodies are on loan to us from God. God requires us to learn and grow by actively studying and preparing. We can keep our egos in check like ML did in referring to himself as a fool. We keep our ego in check when we give all the Glory to Him! As we become highly educated we are crowned in worldly visible accoutrements like robes, tassels, certificates, ribbons, and plaques that tell us we have accomplished much and other people should recognize our importance. As our friends and neighbors hold us in high regard for these accomplishments, we begin to believe that we are "special". I believe that ML ws displaying true humility and teaching us how magnificent God is and that His knowledge surpasses our understanding. We can find true humility in our lives when we sacrifice in love for others. I love the ending of Les Mis - "To love andother person is to see the face of God".Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-17890396636429899312013-08-23T08:52:00.533-04:002013-08-23T08:52:00.533-04:00I agree, Rob. Our old Adam wants to cling to us an...I agree, Rob. Our old Adam wants to cling to us and we get so caught up in our importance that we push Christ right out! I once read a line in one of my Family Systems texts that gave some really good practical advice about our own sense of self-importance: think of yourself as a mere speck of dust in the grand scheme of things and you won't take things so personally (either in a good way or a bad way). And when you think of it, even though we are valued by God as more than the dust from which we came and shall return, there have been so many people before us on this earth and so many people who come after us, that our small existence really isn't all that important. Sure, it's important to those who love us, but we shouldn't put more importance on it than there actually is. I hope that didn't sound too defeatist because I don't mean it that way. :)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-23213389527753611992013-08-23T08:47:57.855-04:002013-08-23T08:47:57.855-04:00Luther says that the "Learned are perverted&q...Luther says that the "Learned are perverted". . . how does education often contribute to our egos and a struggle with pride? He was a very highly educated person and yet he continues to call himself a "fool." Is this true humility on his part do you think? How do we find true humility for our lives? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-46328148583662096332013-08-22T18:05:55.129-04:002013-08-22T18:05:55.129-04:00We are "cursed" in our flesh because we ...We are "cursed" in our flesh because we want to be in control. We want to believe that our actions gain us power in worldly riches and we are fooled that these acts are soley ours. We see a mirage of our own wisdom and strength and beleieve the rewards of this world belong to us.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-25562200695386362892013-08-22T17:55:16.252-04:002013-08-22T17:55:16.252-04:00I shall look for comfort,wisdom, truth, guidance, ...I shall look for comfort,wisdom, truth, guidance, discernment, and understanding in The Holy Spirit.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-69009335766474979992013-08-22T10:29:19.848-04:002013-08-22T10:29:19.848-04:00Most definitely good wine! I am a sinner and all ...Most definitely good wine! I am a sinner and all that I am is in the suffering of my Lord. I reflect on Kippling's poem If:<br />"If you can meet with triumph and disaster<br />And treat those two imposters just the same;..."<br />I have faced a number of failures in my life, struggled through family disorder and illness, and suffered through loss. Through these tribulations, Christ's suffering is good wine.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-86757142744870765922013-08-22T07:08:05.928-04:002013-08-22T07:08:05.928-04:00Has that suffering in and with Christ been truly l...Has that suffering in and with Christ been truly like good wine in some way? If so, how? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-11310807722246154662013-08-21T11:33:56.688-04:002013-08-21T11:33:56.688-04:00I experienced the "pure gospel" as a chi...I experienced the "pure gospel" as a child in Sunday School and youth group activites As a young married adult, separaated from church and God, God used a church softball team to surround me with believers and put me in a pew to be fed with the sweet milk of the Gospel. Worshiping with believers nourished me to seek the "wine" of suffering. Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-17809043860914999002013-08-20T18:38:28.478-04:002013-08-20T18:38:28.478-04:00I like how seriously Luther takes the task that Fr...I like how seriously Luther takes the task that Frederick has commended to him. He says his ability is less than what is needed that if he were himself seven times over it wouldn't be enough to tackle the Psalms, let alone the gospel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285654956103336074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-42241897730248472802013-08-20T12:46:51.583-04:002013-08-20T12:46:51.583-04:00Not sure what woed is. :/, maybe WORD is the word ...Not sure what woed is. :/, maybe WORD is the word I was looking for.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-76799399360378642292013-08-20T10:56:32.142-04:002013-08-20T10:56:32.142-04:00Luther's Jerusalem is Woed of God and The Gosp...Luther's Jerusalem is Woed of God and The Gospel of Christ.<br /><br />I pray that my Jerusalem is shared with ML. My Jeruslam is also the freedom and liberty of mankind. Men are cursed with the idea that concentrated power is best for humanity as a collective. <br /><br />The devil places his minions of "numberless creeping animals" that join together and tell us that we are wrong, hurtful, hateful, and misguided. These creeping animals are disguised as virtuous citizens in places of power, including the church.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707936639442123445.post-41124571057493282632013-08-20T10:31:27.890-04:002013-08-20T10:31:27.890-04:00Life presents many "opportunities" to ba...Life presents many "opportunities" to battle real and imagined conflicts that distract us from the Gospel. I feel a sense of troment from a growing central government authority which has usurped the ideals of self government. We have ceded our Christian responsibilities to an earthly kingdom and equate this folly as "serving others".<br /><br />When we follow Christ and center our lives in an "unalloyed sense" of the Gospel, we have a chance maintaining our "cool" under pressure.Robnoreply@blogger.com