Luke 19:28-40 Your King has come?? 1/4/07

(28) After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. {29} As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, {30} "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. {31} If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.'" {32} Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. {33} As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" {34} They replied, "The Lord needs it." {35} They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. {36} As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. {37} When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: {38} "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" {39} Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" {40} "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Tell the world her King has come! The King has come to save his people! Even if you keep quiet, the stones will cry out." And two thousand years ago the world rushes to and fro in an attempt to jump on the bandwagon. Back then they were desperately looking for a way out of the mess they were in. They knew things were not the way they should be or way they were meant to be. So they were looking for a leader who would get them out trouble; who would provide them with miracle after miracle; and who would drive out the Romans and set up their own nation once again. So at the first cry that a saviour has come they all rush out to shout accolades to the one they think might be able to help them. Here hopefully, is a glimmer of hope. Thinking of course, primarily in the short term, of personal gain and a reduction of hardship and pain. Hoping for a better and easier future ahead. Looking for powerful leadership, without too much commitment, difficulty and service on their part.

Today, are things any different? People are still looking for an easy way through life; for quick-fixes; and for any sort of saviour that might get them out of the mess of life. And our saviours that we have heralded in recent times are technology, the environmentalists, and the economists. And in the churches it is the church growth gurus and the proponents of ten easy steps to whatever in our Christian life, all of which focuses on me and what I want and feel, and must do. And people all over the place have been jumping on the bandwagon; shouting the importance of this new thinking. Desperately hoping that this will now ensure us a long, happy, and easy life, and maybe a better future ahead.

Now if we go back a few years, nuclear power was heralded as the way ahead, and at another time and place communism was held up as being the saviour of the human race. Throughout the years mankind has looked for it’s heralded saviours, and have too often only been disappointed when that one they looked to fails to produce the desired hope and results, and so they soon lose interest and start looking for another way out.

Sadly, too often, the same thing has happened in Christian circles. People have given up on their churches, because they have failed to deliver.
But here it is not God and the Gospel that has failed, but too often it is either that the truths of the Scriptures that have not been presented correctly or that people have chosen not to believe that message; that Good News. People have or are given the wrong idea as to what the world and the church needs.

But in that regard, very little has changed over the years. In this reading, when we look to the one who was and is the true saviour of mankind; to the one who truly had power to bring about a new and better world, we see peoples attitudes are little different. The people had heard and saw how Jesus healed the sick, gave food to thousands by a miracle, and how he even raised Lazarus from the dead. Suddenly there is a rising surge of feelings. Here we have one who would be really good to have as our king. He could take care of all our earthly problems, by giving food, and taking care of any physical ailments. And surely he could even drive out the Romans. Then there would be no more hassles of having to work hard for a living. No more fear and worry of sickness and death, and hopefully just lot of pleasure, leisure, and an easy way through life. So when they hear that this Jesus is coming to town, the multitude rush out with great expectations, and a growing swell start to sing the praises of this one they would like to make their king. And the chant is taken up long before they even catch a glimpse of their great hope. A huge fanfare arises to greet him.

Then their king comes riding in. Humble, gentle and riding on a donkey. No grand heroic figure. No mighty conqueror, mounted on his fiery steed. No strong, imposing, charismatic figure. Humble and riding on a donkey. Here was a man who was not full of his own self importance, but knowing very well what he is on about. A gentle man, who was not wanting to hurt anyone, even when the crowds turn against him. When he was confronted by the Roman governor, even there he didn’t defend himself. He was single minded in his priority to make things right with God for us, and was prepared to give his life in order to achieve it. So here was a man not interested in himself and his own welfare. His kingdom was not of this world. He had more important things on his mind than food for the stomach and a free Israel. He wanted to give life to people beyond the three score and ten years or so that we have here on earth. He wanted us be a part God’s family forever, and he knew that the only way he could help was to give his life, so that we could have life.

But of course this was not what the people wanted. It may have been what they needed, but it was not what they wanted. So the praises of Palm Sunday soon turned to cries of ‘crucify him’, ‘crucify him’. When he doesn’t produce what they had in mind they soon rejected him and went looking elsewhere to find that which would make them feel good.

So also today, many reject Jesus as King because he doesn’t fit what they want from him. He doesn’t fit the sort of saviour they think he should be, and they fail to accept that this is God’s way for us. The only way! And they also reject that the truths of the Bible are relevant for their lives. So they change things to suit themselves and the ways of the world. Trying to be popular, and hoping to find a saviour and king there. But it doesn’t work!

However, here we need to remember that Jesus is still King. He is still the King of kings and Lord of lords, even though most might not acknowledge him as such. He is still God’s only Son who has come to us to give us what we need. He is still only real saviour who can help us out in the important areas of life. And all who believe in him; who receive him as the Son of God, and their Saviour and King, are assured that he does give them what is essential for us both for this life and the next. That he has, and does, make a difference to the lives of people who look to him in faith and accept his ways and Words as the truth.

So let us first and foremost, continue to acknowledge Jesus as the only true King and Lord. Let us not impose our desires and wants onto our saviour and King, but humbly accept what he has to give and to say to us about himself and his kingdom. Let us also encourage others to see Jesus as the only true saviour. The only one who can really help them in the important areas of life, even if it may not look that way on the surface. His death on the cross is crucial for us all. His offering of forgiveness is power for life. His Word and the Sacraments; The ordinary things of life do offer reassurance, strength, life and hope. And there we have the real important things for our life and our future. So let us focus on him and these wonderful gifts he offers to us, and let us continue to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and King. ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Under compulsion! 18/3/07

(14) For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. {15} And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. {16} So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. {17} Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! {18} All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: {19} that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. {20} We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. {21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Through this reading today God is challenging us with regard to a very important aspect of our Christian life. This is certainly one that we need to consider in light of much of the thinking that is about today, even in the church. The question at the heart of it all is; why are we living the way we are? Why are we doing the things that we are doing? As people, and especially as Christians, what is it that is, and should be, driving us to live out our lives every day?

Now for many, it is very much self and self-interest. We do in life what we want to do; and that is what we are very much taught to do. Along with that it is the world and our peer group around us that dictates what is right and wrong. Yes, even when it comes to the Christian life and church related issues.

However, here Paul is telling us of another way – the Christian way. In so doing he gives us real encouragement as we go forward in our lives as Christians. He says; it is Christ’s love which surely compels us forward. It is his love which not only drives us but also gives us a better way to live and act. Christ’s love surely is the critical factor in the living of the Christian life and makes for a whole changed approach to life.

Now I know that this love of Christ is the one reason that I am here doing what I am doing. My ministry is under the compulsion of the love that Christ has for me and for us all. If I had my way I would still be back farming. But this is what God wants for me, and so I do it. The only other choice, is really no choice at all, for it means going against the one who loves me so much. It means rejecting who he is and what he has done for me. So I do what Christ’s love compels me to do; to the best of my ability. Sure I fail and desperately need his forgiveness and help, but I am here because that is what he wants.

Now, surely, it is that same love that Christ has for us and all people, in that he died on the cross for us all that is the compelling factor for us all. That one death on the cross has made all the difference to our world. Because Jesus died the death that we all deserve to die; taking the punishment that should have been ours; being rejected by God so that God would not reject us; in so doing he restores to us that vital link between himself and us. We are once again children of God – a part of his family. Guaranteed by Christ himself.

So what a great thing it is that Christ has done for us. After only a few moments contemplating the significance of what it is that he has done for us, surely leaves us in utter amazement and thankfulness. Words surely cannot describe the magnificence of what he has done in his death on the cross for us. In fact it is so great that our only response surely can be one of being compelled to live and be the person that he wants us to be.

That is exactly what Paul goes on to say in this regard. Jesus Christ, died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. That death and resurrection changes our whole direction in life. It is not just something that saves us and brings us into God’s family, and then allows us to go on living our old way of life. No, it brings with it a whole new purpose and direction for life, as well as the energy and power to do so. We no longer live for ourselves and the way we think life should be lived. Nor do we need to live by the standards and gods that are set by the society around us. Instead we have a whole new set of values, directions and instructions for our lives. These are ones that are good and helpful for us all, for they all come from and are tied to this one who came to help us and die in our place. Jesus Christ now is surely our Lord and Master; the director and motivator for our whole life.

This salvation and new direction in life then flows on to give us a new way of looking at those around us. No longer do we need to look to and judge them by societies standards. We recognise that we all have our faults and failings: we all are sinners in need of forgiveness and a new life. At the same time we are able to see that together with Christ each one of them has enormous potential; because God will then be at work through them also.

So we see that Christ’s love for us, which drove him to the cross, ushers in a whole new life for us. A new focus, a new outlook and a new set of guidelines. We are a new creation; restored to a loving, trusting, intimate relationship with our Lord; all freely given to us by God Almighty himself.

What a difference this is to the garbage that the world out there pedals as being important. Out there the work you do, the power you have and the money and possessions that you acquire is the be all and end all. But we know that all too often, these things are here today and gone tomorrow. Self- fulfilment, gratification and rights that are so much sought after today, always ends in self-destruction. Along with that there are many other forms of deception that lead to nowhere but destruction in the end.

But we on the other hand have been given that which is important in life. Out of the sheer undeserved love of Christ, this new life has been given to us. It has changed our lives to such an extent that we surely can only stand in awe and amazement as to what our Lord has done for us. It is that greatness and importance that surely now compels us forward in life.

Now also we are under the compulsion to share that Good News with others that we come into contact with. Allowing God to work through us to help others know that their sin is also forgiven and will no longer be held against them. Allowing God to speak through us his message of reconciliation to our friends, neighbours and workmates. Compelled to share Christ’s love with them.

Also here I will mention the impact of God’s love on our giving as well. Our treasurer mentioned at the executive meeting that our giving is down. Yet here also, surely we know that it is through God’s love that we have everything that we have. We also know that he has promised to give us all that we need for ourselves and for every good work as well. We also know that he has given us a guide for our giving – a tythe – that is ten percent. So our great and all-powerful God has indicated what he would like; so for my part I am compelled to do the best I can in this regard. Knowing all the while that he will not let me down: and over the years he has not. For the sake of sharing how great God and his love for us is, I also encourage you to consider carefully your giving. But do so remembering that we can trust our gracious God because of his love and promises in this regard.

Yes, to conclude, surely Christ's love compels us in every aspect of our lives: doing all that we can to be the people that he wants us to be; always ready to share his Good News with others. He has done so much for us through his death on the cross: his love is so great; and now it surely compels us onward as his people. So go home today and ponder deeply over the extent of Christ’s love for us. Then may he so compel you to respond in the way the Paul is encouraging us here in this reading. Then will even greater glory go to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Luke 13:1-9. Disaster – unless??? 11/3/07

(1) Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. {2} Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? {3} I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. {4} Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? {5} I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." {6} Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. {7} So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' {8} "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. {9} If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"

This morning we hear Jesus dealing with an issue that is a real challenge to us: particularly those of us who think we are reasonably good Christians. The context is: we have just seen on TV the terrible plane accident in Indonesia, which was hot on the heels of another earthquake in that region that claimed many lives. Meanwhile still fresh in our memories is the terrible tsunami in that same region.

Now the temptation is for us to start drawing assumptions from this. Those people must in some ways be worse people than the rest of us. Is God wrecking havoc on those people because of that terrible Muslim influence? Are they getting their ‘just desserts’ for some terrible crimes or thinking? Yes, all too often, we start drawing assumptions about those people ‘out there’ who have suffered terribly through some tragedy.

Now of course our heart goes out to those people in that area and all who are suffering as the result of some terrible tragedy whether it be overseas or in our own country for that matter. We feel for them. But in order to make sense of it, we are, all too often, very quick to make some moral judgement in that direction. Surely there has to be some reason for it? And yes the Scriptures even talk about certain tragedies being a direct result of some terrible sin that they have committed.
But here Jesus doesn’t get drawn into making a judgment on those particular people. He has a much more important point to make. No, don’t look out there: don’t make your judgements on those out there, so that somehow it justifies us and our present stand. He says; unless you repent, you too will all perish. Unless we look at ourselves and seek to do something about our own situation then we are in trouble. Without help we all are in trouble and will perish.

We are no better than those people who have perished in these tragedies. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not one of us can rightfully stand up and say that we don’t deserve to have what has happened to these people; happen to us. So unless something is done to rectify our situation we too will be in big trouble.

But here again, we today are much like the Pharisees of Jesus day. Not that this reading mentions it, but they prided themselves in the fact that they were keeping God’s law pretty well. They were ‘children of Abraham’ and as such where assured that they were acceptable, while they kept up their good works. They looked to themselves and what they did and considered themselves to be OK.

So also we are tempted to think because we are baptized and confirmed in the church, and because we attend church and sort of do the right thing, that we are not so bad. Because we know about and say that we believe in Jesus, somehow that makes us better people. Even if just a bit. But again the focus is on us and what we do, and our pride likes to think that our goodness must count for something.

But here Jesus says to each and every one of us: I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. The call then is for us all to repent: to turn our focus away from ourselves, to the Lord. Recognising that we are not the people that God would have us be; we turn to the one who has made us acceptable. There in Jesus and his death on the cross we find the goodness and acceptance that takes away the impending doom.

In some way this is where the parable of the fig tree that Jesus went on to tell builds the picture and the importance and urgency, for us. Now I am a fan of the fig tree; they are quite a picture mid-summer. Green and shady; very pleasant to look at. But best of all is its fruit. Very tasty indeed. Especially when made into jam. That is the very reason for having the fig tree. Without the fruit it is just another tree to use up the space and the water. It is good for nothing if it does not produce its figs.

Now in many ways we are like the tree, but without the fruit. We outwardly might look not too bad; even perhaps quite good. In the eyes of us humans and the world around us, what a good person we may be. Looks good; but for what. Where is the fruit?

The fruit here is not just what we normally think of; such as love, joy, peace and all of that. The context makes it clear that repentance is the fruit that is spoken of here. In many ways it is Christ himself that is to be picked from the tree of our life. Not our good deeds, but Christ himself. Our repentance is really our giving up on ourselves and turning to Christ so that he and his fruit can be picked from our lives by God Almighty himself and by those we come into contact with.

For when Christ lives in us then the fruit that is tasty and good comes to the fore. Then true forgiveness, love and all the rest is seen as God’s good deed flowing from our lives. We are no longer talking about ourselves and what we are doing, but about Christ and what he has and is doing in and through us. He is not just the focus, but the very source of all that we are.

Christ then is not only the gardener who digs around us and fertilizes us with his Word, but he also gives us himself and everything that he is and stands for. At the baptismal font he gives us the water of life: that which gives us a new and right life that is incorporated into himself. At the communion rail we receive his very body and blood which he shed on the cross, so that he does live in us and that his fruit may spring forth from our lives. His word is the sap that gives us the goodness that is necessary for our sustenance as his people.

So with all of this, surely then when God Almighty comes looking for fruit from us his trees; surely he now will find Christ showing forth from our lives for all to see. Surely Christ will be allowed to be and do all that wants in and through us. Surely the axe will not be needed.

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Do we want to give up on ourselves and allow our Lord to take over our life and be the very centre and core of all that we are? Do we want him and all that he has to offer, or do we want to give him our own self and goodness?

Remember the axe is ready! God will come again to look for his fruit in our lives.

May our gracious God lead us to true repentance so that all glory and honour may go to him whom it belongs: our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Luke 13:31-35. Jesus weeps for his wayward people 4/3/07

(31) At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." {32} He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' {33} In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! {34} "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! {35} Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

As Jesus looks down over Toowoomba and this country of ours today, one can almost see his reaction in light of this reading here. As he focuses on the many people who have let him down so badly: who have become so slack in their attitude toward the Christian faith; or who have openly turned their back on him; one can imagine him dropping to his knees broken-hearted. As he looks on each one of us here in turn, one can almost see another tear of sadness fall. “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

It is amazing to think that he should care so much: That he should be so concerned about our every wayward action and thought: Particularly in light of the fact that we are so unconcerned about our failures and hiccups. After all they are no big deal, are they? I mean we still call ourselves Christians: We have been baptized and are members of the church; and we try to do the right thing - well some of the time anyway. So what if we miss going to church, or we don’t read our Bibles as often as we should, or we take our neighbour down in a deal; or other things that are no big deal; does it really matter? We certainly don’t think so!

Yet, here we find that Jesus is deeply concerned. He knows only too well what each of those little failures, stem from, and lead to. He knows what dangers are lurking around the corner for each one of us. Even if we are blind to the reality of the evil that is there in our lives; our Lord is not. He is concerned for each and every one of us here this morning; and he is mindful of all of those others in our community who are not here. All are important to him, and he doesn’t wish to lose any one of us. Yet the time comes when he has to leave us to our own destruction, if that is the way we are determined to go.

Now the picture of the hen and the chickens that Jesus uses here is so good to describe on the one hand how much Jesus cares for us; and on the other how stupid we can be. Just think for a while on this picture, and our place in it: Then particularly of Jesus and his concern for us.

Mother hen and the chickens are out scratching around in the yard. The hen is trying to teach her chicks how to find sustenance for life and to constantly be on the lookout for the ever-present dangers in life. Yet how often weren’t the chicks oblivious to those dangers. They would wander off from being too close to mother hen: first just a little way, then a bit more and a bit more. Happily playing around they had forgotten about their food and were no longer listening to their mother – they were too busy enjoying themselves.

All of a sudden mother hen kicks up such a fuss, racing over to the chicks, flapping her wings. In the process some of the chickens are sent flying. She saw the cat sneaking up and raced up to scare it off. As the hen tried to gather the chickens under her protective wings, they grumbled and complained that she had hurt them in her mad scramble.

Very soon however they head off in another direction, thinking that all the dangers had passed. Even when the shadow of a hawk circling overhead came their way, they did not see the danger that was inherent. When the call went out from the hen and the other chooks around, they paid no great attention. Despite the hens efforts one chick falls prey to that menace from nowhere.

Now at that, we would think the rest would take note and now be very careful indeed. But no, before long they are back to their old ways, too busy doing other things – getting on in the world – thinking only of themselves and their pleasures. They know better. They will be able to out run the hawk next time. They will be alright.

Meanwhile mother hen continues to fly back and forth trying desperately to help and protect her chicks. Whenever danger was present she would call them to her protective wings. She does everything she possibly can for her young, and it grieves her greatly to see her loved ones placing themselves in danger again and again. She is left heart-broken every time another of her chicks falls prey to the evils that were ever present. Sadly before very long she has only a small brood left in her care.

Now as we think about that illustration, how often isn’t this just the case with Jesus and us: God is constantly trying to teach us what is good and right for us, and give us the help and good that we need; and also of the dangers that are ever- present around us. Yet so often we find ourselves having moved away from our God and the help and protection that he wants for us.

We get caught up in life and the comings and goings around us, and so often don’t even realize that we have moved away from those things that he wants for us. After all it is only one Sunday that we missed in the beginning; but little by little we miss a month at a time. Or, it is only the ignoring or changing of one little aspect of the Bible to suite ourselves, but before long the whole focus of our attention in worship is on ourselves and not what God has to give us. Or there is any number of ways that we get caught up in the crowd, and move bit by bit away from where we should be.

Then when have moved far enough away, un-be-knowns to us, the devil is lurking ready for the pounce. We don’t even realize the danger is there, or the shift in our thinking. Even when we see one of our Christian friends fall away and get caught out, we very quickly seem to forget. So we go our merry way thinking we will be alright. ‘Look we still believe in God, we have got it all under control; she’ll be right mate.’ And that is danger time indeed for us. There evil is ready to swoop.

However thank God that Jesus is like the mother hen: doing all he can to protect us and gather us back under his wings. He hasn’t given up on us yet. He hasn’t given up on our community or country yet. He is patiently calling and calling us back: doing all he can to ward off the dangers that threaten to capture. But however, perhaps allowing us to be hurt from time to time and go through difficulties, so that we recognise the need for us to stay close to our Lord and saviour. Maybe there, our Lord is trying to protect us from a much greater harm – our soul’s destruction. But Jesus has told us again and again that he loves and cares so much for us. So much so that he doesn’t want to lose any one of us. He knows the dangers; and he is constantly seeking to gather us back under his wings: back into the safety of his family, the church.

Here as we approach Easter, this picture of the hen and her chicks takes on a further step. Recently I was reminded me of a story that I read about a hen and her chicks, some time ago. It is supposedly a true story. On this occasion a fire went through this farm yard and burnt through the chook shed. After the fire had gone the farmer wandered through his burnt out yard, and out in the middle of the yard he kicked a charred lump which was once one of his hens. To his surprise, under the charred remains there was this little chicken still alive: Saved under the protective wing of her mother.

True or not, I do not know. But certainly, we know that Jesus spread out his wings – his arms to save us. He gave up his life on the cross so that we might have forgiveness for our sin; for our failure to heed our Lord’s commands. He died so that we might have life, here and in heaven. He has rescued us from certain destruction, which was circling around us, because we have again and again wandered far from our Lord’s protective care. He raised his arms so that he might ward off, eternal death from us all.

As a result let us this Lenten season show our gratitude for his not giving up on us. Let us heed his call to turn back to the safety of his protective care. Let us not be one of those that Jesus truly wept over because they ‘would not let him put his arms around them.’ Let us not cause him any further heartache by doing our own thing and wanting to go our own way, and by failing to listen to his calling and rejecting his word.

Instead, let us recognise that great love and concern that he has for us, and so stay close under his protective wings; and give him thanks and praise for all that he has done. To him alone be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba