Precious life

            As I had mentioned in last week’s blog, Jami and I were headed out to Omaha, Nebraska, after worship on Sunday, July 28, to welcome a new life into the world. Hudson, (Frank Winter V) would arrive late that night, our first grandchild. Thanks be to God that mother, child, and father are doing just fine! We look forward to Hudson’s baptism on that first weekend in September.

            The precious nature of this newborn life came into sharper contrast with this past week’s mass shootings in El Paso, TX, and Dayton, OH. I cannot imagine what would possess someone to think that the taking of one life (let alone, many) would be justified. It’s mind-boggling and infuriating. The finger-pointing that has taken place in the meanwhile only adds to the frustration. 

            The coarsening of our society can only find its healing in the message of Jesus Christ. The Word of our Lord calls upon us to care for one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and to restore the erring with gentleness. As St. Paul addresses the Corinthians – and what a miserable lot they could be! – he entreats them by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1).

            God guard us and keep us. And God guide us to be steadfast against wrongdoing (as our Lord most certainly was), always with the goal of reconciliation. For the lives all around us are precious in the sight of God; so precious that Christ Jesus would be willing to suffer and die for their redemption, and ours.

Again, for your prayers...

            I was going to write this morning about what a blessing, albeit mixed, social media has become. There were two high schools in my home town, each of them in the third highest strata of enrollment – which, in Nebraska in the late seventies, wasn’t all that large. We knew kids from each school and got along well in our small town of 3500 souls. 

            But it’s been in the last couple of years that, through Facebook, I’ve grown in appreciation for the faith of a number of the people in the other school. We have interacted with one another more through posts or messages than we ever had face to face. And, while I sheepishly admit that, I am truly thankful for that gift.

            Here ends the post, however. I’ll continue with that thought, or perhaps another one, after we return from Omaha. Our son just called to let me know that he and his expectant wife have gone to the hospital for delivery. Please enfold Krista, Chase, and baby Winter in your prayers – and the grandparents on each side as they travel to rejoice in this wonder.

For your prayers...

            Part of the news shared at worship this weekend was that Pastor Philip Doublestein has received a call to be a missionary in San Antonio, Texas. As Pastor and Kate prayerfully deliberate where they and their son, Wyatt, could best serve God we ask all to keep them in prayer, as well. God grant them wisdom and discretion as they seek to do His well, and peace in the outcome.