I was listening to a News cast the other night and they said addiction to “Opiates” was at an all time high. Records are being broken for the number of overdoses causing deaths in this country. It hurt my heart to think that so many people are looking for an escape from this life and that they are losing their lives to a cruel end.
What is happening that so many people hate their lives? We are one of the most educated countries in the world, so ignorance on the effects of drug addiction is not the issue. We actually have one of the highest standards of living of any country in the world. Sure there are poverty stricken areas in our country, but need is almost non-existent compared to many third world countries. Unfortunately statistics show that most drug addiction is in middle class America. The money is more available; so having money is not a cure but a symptom. In fact the majority of middle class drug abusers end up in poverty before they quit.
So WHY do we do it? Have lost our reason for living? Ask someone why they are alive sometime and what will be the answer. “I don’t know “is common or “To have as much fun as possible” is another great myth. “To live and die” is one of my favorites. We are floundering in frustration and a lost sense of values; people don’t know who they are anymore.
Time goes by either too fast or we are bored to death. Our ability to manage our daily existence has somehow been lost. We seem to search for a reason for living but can’t find it. Life is so much more than having fun or just being alive to die. The art of just being alive to enjoy God’s world has been put so far back in our minds we no longer understand the simplicity. Drugs have become a way to leave this existence and not think about who we are and who we could be.
The problem with drugs is they are a FAKE answer to any problem. The few moments that a person “gets away” don’t begin to cover the miserable hours of terrible existence that follow; the hours that person tries to get money to support the monster they have to feed.
The person that introduces another person to drugs is a selfish fool. They are demon possessed as bad as any rapist or murderer on death row. The issue is after the initial dose the new person’s mind is forever flawed also.
So what is the answer? Well God has given us an answer in His Spirit if we listen.
Jesus went through everything we have ever dreamed of and more. Did He do drugs? “No!” He showed us the tool we have to make it through the torment and trials. Prayer is that tool. God has given us the power to overcome anything in this world. We can talk to Him any time of day.
We may be bombarded by the world’s hate and lies and foolish theories as “man” tries to show his authority. But with God’s guidance we can overcome all our problems.
With true love and help from each other there wouldn’t be need or a want to leave this world by doing any kind of drug. We would be too busy showing others how to live life in a way that was satisfying; in a way that would fulfill all desires for joy and happiness, in a way that at the end of the day we could be proud of.
So where do we go to find this life style? Well if you look real close it already exists in a building called the church. It is God’s house and He makes the rules there. No drugs allowed, no Satan allowed, only prayer and healing. Think about how fulfilling it could be, to be part of a place that is known for helping during the disaster not coaxing you to become part of the heartache.
Drugs; Man’s way of coping for a moment. Faith; God’s way of curing for eternity.
Just My Thoughts
Pastor Scott
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Easter is About Jesus! (Not a Bunny)
Do we live like people of Easter? Did you know the dictionary doesn’t mention the Easter bunny in its definition? Now don’t worry I’m not protesting the Easter bunny but I am protesting our first priority. When Easter is (sold) on TV and in stores, it is all about eggs and a magic bunny that brings kids candy etc., (Jesus is in the back isle by the religious stuff)
Our religious holidays were started and remembered for a much more important reason than to make them into a sales plan. Easter is honored as the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead and fulfilled His promise of eternal life for all who are baptized and believe in Him.
As with all things we need to be careful of the origin. The egg was pagan tradition before it was used as any part of Christianity. The egg was the symbol of new life and the coming of spring. The Easter egg is not a holy symbol but a “Scramble of pagan and Christian tradition”.
The Easter bunny is another pagan tradition that has made it to main stream through the art of salesmanship and desire. Desire? , wow pastor that is quite a word to use. I use it because the Easter bunny is known for bringing baskets of goodies and treats; it fulfills our desire of stuff. There is a huge line between our celebration of an animal bringing us what we want and our Savior dying on the cross and giving us what we need; the Forgiveness of our sin.
So why am I talking so negative about some simple, good, wholesome traditions. Well it’s my job; not to talk negative but it’s my job to remind people that there is more to faith in Jesus Christ than following the traditions of a culture. See many of those traditions can lead us away from our faith in Jesus Christ without us ever noticing. It’s when we combine secular and Holy ideas together that we end up with a watered down, weak Faith that is “Luke Warm”;
Revelation 3:15-17
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
We have a Holy holiday of Easter to reflect on; we have a Holy holiday of Christmas at the other end of the year. Let’s keep them Holy; about the God who they are meant for. Let’s be People of Easter, worshipping our “Risen Lord” all the time, every day, every minute.
Be “Hot” for Jesus others will see your “Reason for the Season”.
Just My Thoughts
The Advent story
The Advent story,
We all have heard the story of the birth of Christ. The story has given “birth” to many traditions and scenes that may not be totally accurate. Our mangers are cute little structures with straw lined stalls and beautifully dressed people in grandeur; but what of the real manger scene? It is thought the manger was probably a stone structure, since wood was not very plentiful in that area. It would have been cold and damp for the time of year. It was not a place of honor by any means.
This is where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to be on earth. No one can say “I had it worse”; He started at the bottom and worked His way Up. That is the message He has always given us. The humble will be exalted. Now in our society we have a habit of putting a price on things. Humbleness has no price. The richest man in the world can be humble and the poorest can be proud and arrogant. It’s what’s in the heart that God looks at. In this time of self examination let us look at our hearts and not our wealth and determine “Am I truly humble?” with or without my stuff.
Advent is the story of a savior who came to us in His special way to include all. He gave hope to all people. “Hope” the emotion that keeps the sickest patient breathing, the weakest child walking, and the lowest sinner praying. Jesus gives us Hope in Eternity.
Advent is the time to look at our lives to see if we are ready. We have no part in our salvation except to be “Prepared” We prepare by our belief in the one true savior Jesus Christ our Lord, by our baptism into His family, and by our continued faith and participation in the sacrament of Communion.
These are not works for salvation they are acts of love from the “Joy” of knowing our savior. The Joy one can only feel when knowing they are loved by a God that will never leave them.
“Love” a part of the human life that can’t be explained in simple words. It is more than emotions, it is action and reaction, it is physical and mental, it is more than words can touch.
“Jesus Christ is the Reason for the Season” No one else could do what He did, and no one else would try. He is Hope, Joy, and Love in one person. He is the only way to the Father. Praise be to His name and praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Welcome to Living Word Lutheran Church
Living Word Lutheran church is a small congregation found in the city of Seward Nebraska. Seward is located in Seward County and is approximately 25 miles west of Nebraska’s capitol of Lincoln. Living Word is a member of the Lutheran Church in Mission for Christ [LCMC]
Living Word Lutheran Church is a fellowship of believers who join together to glorify God by:
- praising and worshipping the Holy Trinity
- equipping children, youth, and adults through the study of God’s Word and
- reaching out to our church, community, and world in Christ through mission.
