Last night – or, technically, this morning – we arrived at the cottage a little after midnight. The night before I had worked on a document until finally retiring around 10:00 p.m., and then was back at church by 6:30 a.m. Wednesday then was way too busy to even start outlining something, so here I am, up again at 6:30 a.m. trying to figure out what to write.
Instead I have decided to be lazy and simply let you watch and listen instead. But first, a little background. This past Saturday I conducted a double funeral for a mother and daughter. The mother was 91, and her daughter was 67. They had lived together and then died two days apart. Another daughter is bed-ridden, so she could not attend the funeral. So, we put the service on Facebook Live for her to be a part of it. But there was another problem – this other daughter lives without the internet or any electronic devices. So yesterday I did something I had never tried before. I went over to her home with my laptop, some portable speakers, and our little black box that provides a wireless connection to the internet … set things up on the tray over her bed … and actually found the service on the STL Facebook page. To my delight, and hers, we were able to watch the entire service together. Oh, the wonders of modern technology!
When we return from this little getaway, I will be leading four similar services in four days, so I think you can imagine why some of the words of the hymn “Abide with Me” have been on my mind. “Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.” (LSB 878, verse 4)
So, getting back to my original thought, I have decided to simply give you the link to the service and let you listen to the Word shared on Saturday. You can either listen to the entire service, or forward to about 8:37 to get to the Gospel and the message. Here is the link (I hope it works for you – for I have no idea if it will or not): Facebook.
If I had tried something like this a few years ago, I would have thought I was being lazy. But now, I am calling it “creative”. Or perhaps I am just weary and looking for an easy way out.
Life on this earth certainly does have many twists and turns … but so does a rollercoaster – and many people pay big bucks to ride on them every day. Below my name on many emails I send are the words, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10.17) One of the new twists I am discussing with people these days is that the “word of Christ” is equally powerful if heard in person, over the airwaves or through the internet … because the power is not in the person speaking but in the one who is at work in the word, and he promises that his word “will not return to him empty, but it will accomplish that which he purposes, and shall succeed in the thing for which he sends it.” (Isaiah 55.11)
And, by the way, if you are not able to download the message and listen to it, I suggest you simply read John 14.1-6 and consider how it applies to the twists and turns of your own life. He who is the Way knows each one before it comes and is with you the entire journey through. He who is the Truth assures us of this in his word. And it is that same word that gives us life that does not end. … which is exactly what this edition of “Thursday’s Thirst” will do right here. Peace be with you.
(and, if you can take the time, please let me know if this worked for you or not – thanks)
Lazy or … ?