Weekday Devotions for 07/31/2015

Pastor Al Debelak's Weekday Devotions. View this email in your browser Weekday Devotions Redeemer Lutheran 07/31/2015 edition Weekday Devotions By Redeemer Lutheran on Jul 31, 2015 05:50 am The Followers of Jesus as death defying. Comments to adebelak@redeemerluth.com The Followers of Jesus as death defying leap into the present day as though it is the beginning of eternal life. In that way, death doesn't make sense. We are already a part of an eternal life that has been, is now, and will come - no matter what death wants to say or do. That is why we must never refer to eternal life as just that which is out beyond us after death. Eternal life - to talk of it as life today - to see it as life taking hold and guiding us today - frustrates the power of death. I am always blown back by people whose lives are like a constant death defying act. Death lurks all around. Death is winning disciples. Death seems to be the victor. And then, in single acts - a look of defiant love - a word of gratitude - a touch of compassion - a move toward forgiveness - the mighty power of death is reduced to nothing at all. That is where life goes beyond death and it happens all around those who are Followers of Jesus as death defying ordinary people. O God of New Life and All Hopefulness, keep us eternally alive in you. Amen. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Copyright © 2015 Redeemer Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a member of the Redeemer community Our mailing address is: Redeemer Lutheran Church 1555 South James Road Columbus, Oh 43227 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Weekday Devotions for 07/30/2015

Pastor Al Debelak's Weekday Devotions. View this email in your browser Weekday Devotions Redeemer Lutheran 07/30/2015 edition Weekday Devotions By Redeemer Lutheran on Jul 30, 2015 05:50 am The Followers of Jesus as death defying may look as though we will not make it to the end. Ha. The truth is, we live from the end. We live from a day that is already in the hands of a creative God who teaches us to walk through the powers of death because God has already promised us the future that is beyond our ability to see. We trust that as we defy death, life will blossom more and more. We see that life blossom when people are in the middle of that wonderful witness that opposes death (from a hospital bed to a protest movement). Those who see life springing up in the middle of death's power begin to be empowered to also stand up in the face of death and declare that death is not the final word. The Followers of Jesus as death defying attract life and make bits of life expand in the lives of all who look death in the face and live with the attitude that says 'not now death'. God of New Life and All Hopefulness, let the witness begin again today. Amen. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Copyright © 2015 Redeemer Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a member of the Redeemer community Our mailing address is: Redeemer Lutheran Church 1555 South James Road Columbus, Oh 43227 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Weekday Devotions for 07/29/2015

Pastor Al Debelak's Weekday Devotions. View this email in your browser Weekday Devotions Redeemer Lutheran 07/29/2015 edition Weekday Devotions By Redeemer Lutheran on Jul 29, 2015 05:50 am The Followers of Jesus as death defying. Comments to: adebelak@redeemerluth.com The Followers of Jesus as death defying turn toward forgiveness and in that turning, the powers of death don't have any way to win. We defy the powers of death each time we forgive - each time we turn around and come down in a place of mercy and hopefulness and joy and healing. That kind of movement defies the pattern of death. When that pattern is disrupted, death has a fit because the cycles and patterns that seem to control the world are not being accepted as the norm. The Followers of Jesus as death defying do not accept the norm - business as usual. Rather than retribution we consider reconciliation. Rather than ruin we consider restitution. The Followers of Jesus as death defying simply do not play the game of war and hatred anymore and that makes us odd balls if not enemies of the powers that be. Yet, we are invited to stay the course of following Jesus. O God of New Life and All Hopefulness, guide us and move us and shake us up so that we see more clearly the way of your life that will fed us forevermore. Amen. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Copyright © 2015 Redeemer Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a member of the Redeemer community Our mailing address is: Redeemer Lutheran Church 1555 South James Road Columbus, Oh 43227 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Weekday Devotions for 07/28/2015

Pastor Al Debelak's Weekday Devotions. View this email in your browser Weekday Devotions Redeemer Lutheran 07/28/2015 edition Weekday Devotions By Redeemer Lutheran on Jul 28, 2015 05:50 am The Followers of Jesus as death defying. Comments to: adebelak@redeemerluth.com The Followers of Jesus as death defying know how to laugh at the condition of the world and those who think they can control the world. We laugh because we know that even as the powers of death go about their controlling antics and speak their lies that are well-groomed and appear so pious - they have no connection to the peaceable Reign of God. We laugh because we see through the painful lives of those who seek war and long to rule over other. The Followers of Jesus as death defying understand that such laughter may rile up the powers of death - for laughter tells them they have lost control. We laugh because we know the end of the story. We know that our God will last through all the madness of the powers of death and there will always be Followers of Jesus who linger around to live within God's eternal will. O God of New Life and All Hopefulness, remind us that within those days when there appears to be no reason to hope you will open doors and we will experience your gracious laughter. Amen. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Copyright © 2015 Redeemer Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a member of the Redeemer community Our mailing address is: Redeemer Lutheran Church 1555 South James Road Columbus, Oh 43227 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Weekday Devotions for 07/27/2015

Pastor Al Debelak's Weekday Devotions. View this email in your browser Weekday Devotions Redeemer Lutheran 07/27/2015 edition Weekday Devotions By Redeemer Lutheran on Jul 27, 2015 05:50 am The Followers of Jesus as death defying. Comment to: adebelak@redeemerluth.com The Followers of Jesus as death defying die. And yet, death is not the final word for us nor does it control our living. We defy death by our willingness to live in the face of death and refuse to go along with the way the powers of death attempt to control us. As you might expect, it is good to be able to identify the powers of death and how they pull us into their systems of death. If we are not aware of those powers and how they operate - how are we to defy them. The Followers of Jesus as defying death have a solid picture of God's Reign and the life that it brings into everyday life. That is how we identify the powers of death. They are those powers that will use all sorts of ways to lead us away from forgiveness of all - love of all - respect for all - self-sacrifice for all and any. When we forgive - show gracious hospitality - take care of others - love enemies, we defy death. O God of New Life and All Hopefulness, continue to lead us into and through the valley of death that is frustrated by your ceaseless love. Amen. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Weekday Devotions Copyright © 2015 Redeemer Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a member of the Redeemer community Our mailing address is: Redeemer Lutheran Church 1555 South James Road Columbus, Oh 43227 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences