Redeemer Lutheran Church, DeSoto, MO

“Let your lovingkindness be upon us, as we place our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22

Dear Redeemer Family:
August! What a surprise! As I write this, it is really July. But I noticed a thermometer which read 98 degrees today. I can’t wait to see what the “Dog Days of Summer” brings later in August. I guess that it is that strange time of year when people start to yearn for winter. And with the high humidity, it is like living in a greenhouse. I know. In high school, I spent a summer picking cherry tomatoes in greenhouses. It isn’t quite that bad yet. The greenhouses were kept at a constant 120 degrees, and high humidity. Oh, the memories. And before you ask, I consider air conditioning to be a blessing from God. Whoever invented it was surely inspired. Having said, or written, that, everyone had better take advantage of that invention. The heat now can be lethal.

Why this rant on the heat? Because I believe this is truly a time when we can echo the thoughts of the Psalmist above, “Let your lovingkindness be upon us, as we place our hope in you.” I’m sure that a number of people have already echoed those sentiments this summer, one way or another. In times of desperation, or in this case also added perspiration, it can be amazing how many people will suddenly turn to God. And yet, we forget that God is always there whether we remember to call on God or not. Indeed, no matter what the situation, God is always there showering us with lovingkindness. And ultimately, we know that God is our ultimate hope.

But those thoughts require faith. At this moment, my thoughts are “preaching to the choir.” I assume that all of you have faith. Afterall I am your pastor. But at times like this we should also think about those without faith in God. There are many of them, not in other faraway countries, but just down the street. And we are called to reach out to them in faith, with the offer of the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether it is hot, cold, or temperate in terms of weather, or not. In doing so, we share the gift of Christ to all people. That is what we are called to do, to be proclaimer of Christ.

But also, we are called to also “love our neighbors as ourselves.” In this weather, we can perhaps also reach out to those in need with “a cool glass of water.” In so doing we may share that lovingkindness of God, as well as extend hope and peace to those who may be suffering. In this weather, all are suffering. Share the good news.
In Christ,
Pastor Rose

“Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous.” Psalm 97:12

Dear Redeemer Family:
June. We are already in June (actually, I’m writing this at the end of May. But the surprise is still there). It’s hard to tell that it is so late in the year. Our weather has been a bit strange. We have had more than our share of rain. But technically, we were in a drought and needed it. My father, who we moved here from Ohio in August, keeps asking, “Is it ever going to warm up?” I tell him to remember that question in July and August. But this year, I may be wrong. We have had a cool Spring, to say the least.

We are now shifting into Summer. Even if it is slowly. It is a season when many enjoy the gifts of God’s good creation. Many of the annual flowers have already bloomed. And I have noticed some that don’t usually bloom until Autumn already bursting forth. But what is amazing to me is driving down Highway 21 or 67 lately, there has been an amazing variety of shades of green from the trees. God has really been playing with His color palette. I counted seven different shades of green in one short stretch of road the other day. It was truly marvelous!

True, some of us may be spending more time with our lawn mowers now. Then there is that weed pulling exercise that we get to do on our hands and knees. But that keeps us active! Tell yourself that when you go to stand up afterwards.

We can truly “rejoice in the LORD.” The earth is truly breaking out in glory. And we should rejoice in the glory of our Creator and Risen Savior. Or, to quote another part of Scripture, “Today is the day that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It is only right and proper to offer to God our thanks and praise for all that surrounds us. And now, right now, is a good time to do so.
Now we behold the wonder of our God who created the universe, and all that is in it. We can behold the wonder of the heavens above us. We can contemplate the blade of grass beneath our feet. All wrought from God’s handiwork. It is a wonder, all of it.

And so, “Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous.” Let us stand in awe at the wonders of our God. And let us give thanks for the work of our Savior, through whom we may enjoy creation’s wonders and rejoice in a right spirit!
In Christ,
Pastor Rose