Author: DeSoto Redeemer

August 2021

On: By: DeSoto Redeemer

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8
Dear Redeemer Family:

I looked at the above verse for a pretty long time, and it occurred to me that the problem is with one word. The word is “taste.” The problem with many people, in many things, is summed up with that one word, “taste.” They won’t do it! It requires action on our part. The word “see” on the other hand is more passive. True, you have to look in the general direction of something to see it. But once there, it is a more passive rendering. Taste on the other hand requires action on our part. You have to physically take something and put it in your mouth. Then, usually, you have to chew it. Then either swallow or spit whatever it is out. But, that takes action on our part. And there is fear of the unknown.

Anyone who has tried to feed a small child knows this one. If you put something new in front of a child you will hear things like; What is it? It doesn’t look good. I don’t want that! Don’t worry. God had the same trouble with the Israelites when He gave them the Manna in the wilderness. In fact, the word “Manna” in Hebrew means, “What is it?” When my daughter was little, if we were feeding her something new, and she asked, “What is it?” I automatically told her it was chicken. She liked chicken. She has eaten a whole lot of things that she thought was chicken, and wasn’t. Yes. I lied to my daughter. But, it got her to eat other things. She was unsure of the unknown.

In a weirdly similar occurrence, in this pandemic and recurring surge, we have the same thing. Barely half of the nation has gotten a vaccine because they are afraid of what might happen. And, I’ve come to the conclusion that the issue is FEAR! It doesn’t help that there are people out there telling lies about the subject for who knows why. They are feeding on other peoples’ fear. I’ve heard a couple of wonderful lies about the vaccines lately. 1) “It will change your DNA.” Sorry, vaccinations don’t work that way. They awaken your immune system to a new threat so that your body is prepared to meet that threat. True, most of the vaccines were set up by changing the DNA of the coronavirus. But, that won’t affect your DNA. 2) “It will make you infertile.” Highly doubtful. There are ways to make a person infertile; but, not usually with a shot in the arm. And why do that to millions, if not billions, of people? On the other hand, a very high fever and some infections can. And since Covid has 98 symptoms (at last count), it may by itself. Yes, I studied biology in college. 3) “The vaccines were developed too fast.” With advances in technology, and advances in biology, it was amazingly fast, several different vaccines in about the same amount of time. And they are between 70 to 96% effective. Wouldn’t that be considered a gift from God? God does heal people through modern medicine. True, there are risks and possible side effects . That is true with all vaccines. But, it is definitely better than the disease! But, people won’t know until the “taste and see.” It is the only way to stop this virus. Encourage others to get vaccinated. Then, they may come to know that “the Lord is good.” And this will be over.
In Christ,
Pastor Rose

January 2021

On: By: DeSoto Redeemer

“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening heir treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

Dear Redeemer Family:
The text above is, of course, the arrival of the “Three Wise Men” from Matthew’s Gospel. The Day of Epiphany, January 6th, celebrates this event in the Church. It is a day which celebrates the Epiphany, namely God’s light breaking into the world. There is a tradition of blessing which Christians have performed at their homes on the Day of Epiphany. And ever since I first mentioned it a couple of years ago, people have asked me to remind them what it is; what it means; and how to do it. This year, there is a nice brief description in the Sundays and Seasons Book. So, here it is. First of all, you will need a piece of white chalk. Then, go outside your front door and write above the entrance the following:

20+CMB+21
Traditionally, you are supposed to speak the following while you write the above words. I’ve added some of my commentary in parentheses, don’t say those parts.
“The magi of old, known as
C Caspar (ironically, he is sometimes named Gaspar),
M Melchior, and
B Balthasar (sometimes spelled Balthazar)
Followed the star of God’s Son who came to dwell among us
20 two thousand
21 and twenty-one years ago.

  • Christ, bless this house,
  • and remain with us throughout the new year.”
    By the way, the “CMB” also stands for the Latin words which mean, “Christ, bless this home/house.” And, you may have guessed that the numbers change annually with the number of the years.
    May Christ richly bless each and everyone’s home this year, as we head to hopefully a much better and “normal” new year.
    In Christ,
    Pastor Rose