“My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
President John F. Kennedy
July 20th, 1961
The reality of the last 50 years has been the exact opposite of what President Kennedy encouraged and the results have not been positive. What are Christians to do? While we can complain and criticize, we know that is not what Christ saved us to do. The only reason we are still on this earth is because he has work for us. And part of that work is to be a Christian influence in the country where we live.
On Friday of this coming week we will celebrate Independence Day. While it is a holiday to enjoy, as Christian Americans we have the responsibility to seriously reflect on our role in reversing the moral free for all which has taken hold of so many in our country today. Jesus Christ said that his followers are to be salt and light, not preachers of doom and gloom.
Our society knows something is wrong. And that may be the reason for such exaggerated and destructive behavior. Who else can better provide answers to the questions people are asking? Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Rather than complaining about what’s wrong with our country, let’s celebrate what is right – the religious freedom to share Jesus Christ. That is the Christian response to a changing America and it is far and away the best response.
Saturday night worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am
Friday, June 27, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Will There Be Superstars in Heaven?
What do you think? Will there be a Faith Hall of Fame in which the acts of certain high profile believers will be on display for the common Christian to look at for all eternity? Will there be an exhibit for Peter, Paul, Martin Luther?
The whole concept of a spiritual superstar sounds kind of silly if we understand the basic teaching of Christianity – which is grace. No one, not even the big names like Moses or Daniel or John deserve to be in heaven. If an individual is in heaven, they are there solely because of the gift of forgiveness which they have received from Jesus Christ. So no, there won’t be any superstars in heaven. All the focus will be on the One who deserves it – Jesus.
It’s good to remind ourselves that God doesn’t need superstars. We live in a culture that is addicted to fame. We look for heroes to save us politically and keep us entertained in our relaxing hours. We even spend our hard earned money on things we don’t need just because famous people tell us we have to buy them. Our hero worship can even creep into our spiritual lives. We think God is only concerned about people who can do “big” things for Him. We get down that our lives don’t seem to have much of an influence on others. We wonder if what we do even matters.
God’s ways are not our ways. He doesn’t need superstars nor is he looking for them. God is looking for one thing from believers – a heart open to his leading. It’s not about talent. It’s not about looks. It’s not about money. It is all about a heart that says, “Lord, you have given me your all. Take my all in humble thanks.” That’s who God is looking for. Are you ready to let God do “big” things through you?
Saturday night worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am
The whole concept of a spiritual superstar sounds kind of silly if we understand the basic teaching of Christianity – which is grace. No one, not even the big names like Moses or Daniel or John deserve to be in heaven. If an individual is in heaven, they are there solely because of the gift of forgiveness which they have received from Jesus Christ. So no, there won’t be any superstars in heaven. All the focus will be on the One who deserves it – Jesus.
It’s good to remind ourselves that God doesn’t need superstars. We live in a culture that is addicted to fame. We look for heroes to save us politically and keep us entertained in our relaxing hours. We even spend our hard earned money on things we don’t need just because famous people tell us we have to buy them. Our hero worship can even creep into our spiritual lives. We think God is only concerned about people who can do “big” things for Him. We get down that our lives don’t seem to have much of an influence on others. We wonder if what we do even matters.
God’s ways are not our ways. He doesn’t need superstars nor is he looking for them. God is looking for one thing from believers – a heart open to his leading. It’s not about talent. It’s not about looks. It’s not about money. It is all about a heart that says, “Lord, you have given me your all. Take my all in humble thanks.” That’s who God is looking for. Are you ready to let God do “big” things through you?
Saturday night worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am
Friday, June 13, 2014
That Pesky Real Man Thing
What exactly is a real man? Most guys want to be a real man but because there are so many conflicting answers to this question, many are frustrated. To make matters worse, it seems all the men-related ads on TV seem to constantly needle us with doubts about our manliness.
“Do real men eat gobs of grilled meats?”
“Do real men drink beer out of cans?”
“Do real men hunt and fish?”
“Do real men lift heavy barbells?”
“Do real men wear Real Man cologne?”
“Do real men go to the opera?”
“Do real men cry?”
There was a guy who lived about 4000 years ago that God definitely considered a real man. His name was Abraham. We don’t know if he was macho or cultured. We aren’t sure if he was the strong silent type or cried at sad movies. But we do know that he was a man the way God designed men to be.
Most of Abraham’s life was pretty chaotic. But there was a time when God brought all the pieces together for him and Abraham enjoyed some very good times. Suddenly, though, God challenged him in a way that brought everything Abraham was enjoying into question. God told Abraham to give up the one thing in life that he treasured most – his son Isaac. What does a man do in that kind of situation?
Abraham did what real men do. If you don’t know the end of the story, join us this weekend for one of our services and find out. You might discover that what Abraham learned will help you with that pesky real man thing.
Saturday: 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am
“Do real men eat gobs of grilled meats?”
“Do real men drink beer out of cans?”
“Do real men hunt and fish?”
“Do real men lift heavy barbells?”
“Do real men wear Real Man cologne?”
“Do real men go to the opera?”
“Do real men cry?”
There was a guy who lived about 4000 years ago that God definitely considered a real man. His name was Abraham. We don’t know if he was macho or cultured. We aren’t sure if he was the strong silent type or cried at sad movies. But we do know that he was a man the way God designed men to be.
Most of Abraham’s life was pretty chaotic. But there was a time when God brought all the pieces together for him and Abraham enjoyed some very good times. Suddenly, though, God challenged him in a way that brought everything Abraham was enjoying into question. God told Abraham to give up the one thing in life that he treasured most – his son Isaac. What does a man do in that kind of situation?
Abraham did what real men do. If you don’t know the end of the story, join us this weekend for one of our services and find out. You might discover that what Abraham learned will help you with that pesky real man thing.
Saturday: 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am
Friday, June 6, 2014
When Waiting Is Worth It
Nobody likes to wait. It seems like such a waste of time. But we’ve also all had experiences when waiting was absolutely necessary. Today we commemorate D-Day, the invasion of Normandy, France which marked the beginning of the end of World War II. The plan was for troops to hit the beaches on June 5th. Because of weather conditions General Eisenhower postponed the attack for one day. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers spent that day doing only one thing – waiting. But that one day wait made the difference between victory and defeat.
This weekend we’re going to see what God did in the life of Abraham through a twenty-five year wait. It wasn’t an easy time for him – those twenty-five years. Abraham had moments of doubt, times of despair, but he trusted God and continued to wait.
It has been said that God’s timing is impeccable. It’s always right on the mark. But when he has us in the “wait” mode, it’s hard for us to swallow that truth. When things aren’t going right we want to do something; we want to fix the problem. We feel useless and helpless just waiting for him to act. But then, just at the right moment, he acts in a way far more powerful and effective than we could have ever imagined.
Waiting God’s way is worth it!
Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am
This weekend we’re going to see what God did in the life of Abraham through a twenty-five year wait. It wasn’t an easy time for him – those twenty-five years. Abraham had moments of doubt, times of despair, but he trusted God and continued to wait.
It has been said that God’s timing is impeccable. It’s always right on the mark. But when he has us in the “wait” mode, it’s hard for us to swallow that truth. When things aren’t going right we want to do something; we want to fix the problem. We feel useless and helpless just waiting for him to act. But then, just at the right moment, he acts in a way far more powerful and effective than we could have ever imagined.
Waiting God’s way is worth it!
Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am
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Hawaii Lutheran Church (WELS)
- Community Lutheran Church
- Honolulu, HI
- Community Lutheran Church holds protestant chapel services in Honolulu, Hawaii near Pearl Harbor, HI. We are next to the USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hickam Air Force Base, and Fort Shafter Hawaii. Look for us directly behind the Salt Lake, Hawaii, Target.