​It’s happened again. But this time it feels so close to home.
 
Nashville is 825 miles from Minocqua, but it may as well be right next door. Sadly, school shootings have become so common that they’re just part of another day’s news. But this one feels real close, for a number of reasons, summarized in two sentences: The Nashville shooting took place at a small, private Christian school with an enrollment of less than 200 students up to 6th grade. The alleged shooter was allegedly caught up in the cyclone of confusion caused by the “identity” discussion so prevalent in our culture, a topic about which God’s Word is exceedingly clear from the beginning: “Male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27b)
 
Our school – Trinity Lutheran School – is a small, private Christian school with far fewer than 200 students from PreK3-8th grade. Every one of our students is precious: to their parents, to us, to God. Like other schools, we’ve increased security measures. It is also our privilege (and our reason for existence!) to proclaim the unchanging truths of God’s Word for life here and life forever with the Lord. Some of these truths are anathema to a sinful, Satan-impacted world. But there are no compromises to be made. No amount of external polling, no amount of pressure from society ought to change what God declares in his Word.
 
But when evil wants to find a way in, it won’t let up. We live in a broken world.
 
The incident in Nashville reminds me of a day I’ll never forget. Nine years ago this May, while living in Phoenix, a shooting took place near our home. Less than a mile from where we lived, a murder-suicide took place in front of a house at mid-day. A 15 year old boy shot and killed his 16 year old ex-girlfriend, then turned the gun on himself.
 
I knew about it before it even made the local news because I had a child who attended the same public high school (with 2500 students) that the deceased had attended.  Word travels quickly in the era of digital, social media.
 
There were witnesses, but before anything could be done to triage or patch the wounds, it was determined to be too late.
 
But much spiritual and emotional triage work remained, beginning in my own home. My children didn’t know these two personally, but they knew many who did. And among that peer set (and their parents) there was considerable upset.
 
There were so many questions. Why? How? Didn’t anyone know? Couldn’t anyone have done anything to stop this? So many fears. So much anger over the unfairness to the female victim. Hatred directed toward the shooter. Many vented openly in conversations and through social media. Others quietly brooded over questions that have no answers and allow for no closure. Some coped by attending vigils and raising funds. Others sought guidance from counselors and teachers and clergy.
 
The best “coping mechanism?” It’s a paraphrase of Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples, “Watch and pray.” Here, “Patch and pray.” Stop the spiritual and emotional bleeding with the comfort of God’s Word. Healing will not be instantaneous. Unseen wounds and scars will remain. But faith finds strength and comfort and purpose and healing only in the loving arms of Jesus. Patch and pray, and continue to apply God’s Word. Point people to what God has done for them in Holy Baptism. Point them to the endless personal promises God makes in his Word.
 
This doesn’t sound like much. In fact, it’s all that can be done at such a time. But it’s all that needs to be done. And it must be done, for the sake of precious souls who are hurting, and need healing.
 
May I offer one more suggestion at times of crisis like this? Pause. In the wake of mass violence, a common pattern is emerging among tech-literate, socially-connected Christians. Rather than hearing the news and turning to God, we turn first to social media. News agencies can report details. But too often, there’s a part of us (collectively speaking) that actually looks to revel in the partisan divide. Even without looking we know the various angles that will be played out (e.g., gun control, liberal politics, conservative politics, etc.) and that gets our blood boiling.
 
Just pause. Stop, even. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)  Do what you can to help others. Point them to Jesus and the certain, real hope we have in him.
 
King David knew this well, and we find comfort in his words:
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.”     (Psalm 62:5-8  EHV))
 
God keep you safe in his care,
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

During the last years of my Campus Ministry in Houghton, I would often quip, “My senior moments are clustering.”   And just a few weeks ago, I gave examples of my bad memory in a sermon at Trinity—at least I think I did.  I can’t quite remember.

But bad memory is no joke.  Example?  Just minutes ago, Pam texted me and asked, “Did you remember to write a Wednesday Encouragement?”  I suspect there is someone out there who would pay good money to have seen the look on my face, when I noticed Pam’s text as I was merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily driving down the road—nary a care in the world—with the Voyage album by Abba pounding the bass loud enough to cause pleasing harmonic vibrations in my Traverse. . .all  the while I’m merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily heading down the road for my next-shut-in call, driving along so merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily because I feel at one with the universe, because even the most minute details of my life are completely under control and properly organized.

Yep, I suspect someone might have paid good money to see the deer-in-the-headlights look on my face, as I texted Pam, “You’ll have it by noon!”  Then I wheeled my Traverse around and hurried back for a rendezvous with my laptop. 

My forgetting wasn’t malicious or intended.  I even rely on post-it-notes, and little nags on my smartphone, but forgetting still happens to me.  And it’s no joke.  Responsibilities can be overlooked.  People left hanging.

Years ago, my in-laws forgot to pick up their daughter, Terry (who would later become my wife) from a summer camp.  They had driven all the way back to Milwaukee from the Northwoods--merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.  They unpacked their bags after vacation, only to look at the note on the refrigerator and realize, “OH, NO!  Today’s the day when we’re supposed to pick up Terry from summer camp.”  That camp was on the west side of Hayward.  Hours and hours later, two anxiety-filled, guilt-crushed parents (and perhaps 2 slightly-amused siblings) pulled into the camp to pick up a young teen girl sitting on the steps of the camp office.  She was teary-eyed and stressed-out, because she wondered what had happened to her parents.  (There were no cell phones in those days to provide constant updates.)

Have you ever forgotten anything?  Sadly, I think all of us have.  But here’s the good news.  We have a Lord who won’t ever forget us!  He assures us, “Can a woman forget her nursing child and not show mercy to the son from her womb? Even if these women could forget, I will never forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”  (Isaiah 49:15-16)  Incredible!  The LORD has tattooed our names on his hands where he will see them all the time!  Our names are written in the blood of his Son!  So there will need to say, “I got so busy running the universe that I let you drop off my radar screen.”  There can be no senior moments for the One who is timeless and ageless.

And yet our Lord is so patient when it comes to our mistakes, our forgetting, that He guarantees, “I, yes I, am he. I blot out your rebellious deeds for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25)
 
Plagued by senior moments, yet Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke

Of course it is.
 
Christians know this. The forgiveness of sins won and declared by our Savior opens wide the gate to heaven. Forgiveness expressed by God’s people to one another restores harmony in relationships and keeps us connected to the One who forgives completely, undeservedly, and unconditionally.
 
Forgiveness is at the heart of any growing, thriving relationship.
 
Psychology continues to discover the benefits of forgiveness (non-salvation-related, but still very real). This is from a news article nearly 20 years ago. I saved it and filed it away in the “No kidding!” category…
 
"The topic of forgiveness is hot right now," says psychologist Janis Abrahms Spring. “Conferences are being held. Articles are being written. Forgiveness is being plucked out of the spiritual and theological realm and put into the psychological and physical." The article continues: “In recent years, scientists have gotten interested in the health benefits of forgiveness. Their studies have shown the serious mental, emotional and physical consequences of an unforgiving heart…psychotherapists have found forgiveness to be a useful tool in reconciling couples and families. In some studies, it's been linked to a lessening of chronic back pain and depression; in others, to reduced levels of stress hormones.” (“Letting Go” by Elizabeth Large, The Baltimore Sun, December 25, 2004)
    
The Mayo Clinic is hardly a spiritual authority, but a fine resource for physical and mental health. From an online article published on November 22, 2022 (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-20047692):
 
What are the effects of holding a grudge?
If you struggle with finding forgiveness, you might:

• Bring anger and bitterness into new relationships and experiences.
• Become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present.
• Become depressed, irritable or anxious.
• Feel at odds with your spiritual beliefs.
• Lose valuable and enriching connections with others.

 
What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for improved health and peace of mind. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships.
• Improved mental health.
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility.
• Fewer symptoms of depression.
• Lower blood pressure.
• A stronger immune system.
• Improved heart health.
• Improved self-esteem.

 
No kidding to all of that. And remember, forgiveness is also good for the soul, for your relationship with God, and for entrance into heaven! God’s people have long known about the power of forgiveness. Long before there was a Freud or the field of psychotherapy or forgiveness could be called “hot” or the cure du jour (the cure of the moment), God’s people knew: David knew, Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul. You know. You don’t need a psychologist to tell you the power of forgiveness. So save yourself some time, money, and relationships, and even lower your stress level by consulting John the Baptist and listening to him say, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
 
With David, we cry out to the One who loves and forgives with an everlasting love: “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:8-12)
 
And be sure to offer that free and undeserved forgiveness to others! “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
 
Forgiven by the blood of the Lamb,
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

(Disclaimer!!!  This devotion is a sequel to last week’s devotion by Pastor Luchterhand, and sequels are never as good as the original.)

In Lent, we pause and take a long, hard look at God’s Lamb.  We watch with a sigh, as his captors spit on him, hit him, beat him, flog him. Roman soldiers mock him by placing a reed in his hand, by draping a purple robe over his shoulders, and by jamming a crown of thorns on his head.  Meanwhile the Jewish Sanhedrin convicts the Word Made Flesh of blasphemy.  And spineless Pilate rubber stamps the penalty:  death by crucifixion.

On Good Friday, we gather in our churches once more. The altar is stripped bare.  The lights are turned down.  The hymns we struggle to sing are mournfully somber.  And the Scripture we hear?  “So they took Jesus away.  Carrying his own cross, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him with two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the middle.”  (John 19:16-18)

In like a lamb. To pay for all sins.  To suffer hell itself.  And then the lamb died.

But not before he “cried out again with a loud voice,” ““It is finished!” Then, bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.”  (Matthew 27:50 and John 19:30) And as God’s lamb breathed his last, “the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook and rocks were split.  Tombs were opened, and many bodies of saints who had fallen asleep were raised to life. . .When the centurion and those who were guarding him saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”” (Matthew 27:51-52, 54)

Out like a lion!  Those Good Friday miracles prove that the Lamb who died for us is also the Lion prophesied by Jacob. “Judah is a lion’s cub. You have gone up from the prey, my son. He stooped down. He crouched like a lion. He is like a lioness. Who will provoke him?  The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until the one to whom it belongs comes.”  (Genesis 49:9-10) 

Out like a lion!  It was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who summoned death on Good Friday and met it head-on.  Then three days later, on Easter morning, with a rolled-away stone, an empty tomb, and angel messengers, God’s lion roared again!  And “Death (was) swallowed up in victory!”  (1 Cor. 15:54)      

Out like a lion!  Some six decades later, an aged Apostle John was in exile on the island of Patmos.   It was the Lord’s Day, a Sunday, when John was “in spirit” and allowed to glimpse heaven’s throne room.  And what did John see?  Our Savior!  But how did our Lord appear?  John saw, “The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,” and the “Lamb standing in the center, near the throne. . . The Lamb seemed to have been slain.”  (Revelation 5:5-6)

“In like a lamb and out like a lion.”  One day, with our own eyes, we believers will see the One who is our Lamb and our Lion.  And we will fill heaven with his praise!  “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and you bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9) 

Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke

​You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb”? In Wisconsin, this is a commentary on the weather, although one never knows when the weather will be lion-like (with the fierce roar of frigid cold and the long white teeth of biting winds) or lamb-like (with soft sunshine and gentle warming breezes). It can change from day-to-day or from hour-to hour.
 
This proverb may have evolved into the weather saying we have today by first relating to the heavenly stars above. It is believed that this saying has more to do with the month beginning with the constellation Leo. Leo (the lion) rises in the east to start March and ends the month with the constellation Aries (the ram, or lamb) setting in the west.
 
Think back a few years, 28 to be exact, to March, 1995. An event of intense hype and anticipation took place on March 3, 1995. The VHS (remember those?) release of Disney’s “The Lion King.” Interestingly, the day before, March 2nd, was Ash Wednesday that year, the beginning of Lent and the Christian focus on “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
 
Guess which received more attention? Countless copies of the “Lion” were reserved even before release and were snapped up quickly once they became available, but large expanses of church seating went unused during mid-week Lenten and Sunday worship services dedicated to honoring the “Lamb.” (Many seats are still available today!)
 
I remember thinking that few children could be heard shouting, “Mommy, Daddy, let’s go to church and hear about the Lamb of God,” while just about every child experienced enthusiastic ecstasy while screaming, “Lion King! Lion King!”
 
If you’re thinking this is just another ill-informed tirade against so-called rampant materialism and misplaced priorities by a preacher who just isn’t with the times, please consider: “Lion King” frenzy, while fun and entertaining, faded, but the free and faithful forgiveness won by the perfect Lamb of God remains.
 
Consider, too, which refrain you’d rather sing for eternity: the catchy but now outdated “Lion King” songs (or any of the current Disney offerings), or the songs of praise around heaven’s throne?
 
Listen again to that wonderful refrain, words which we’ll join in singing in the not-too-distant future:  “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!…To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12,13)
All glory to the Lamb!
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand