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LFL will once again be participating in the March For Life in Washington, DC on January 22, 2012. If you would like to participate, or know someone in your congregation who may be interested, go to the March for Life 2012 page on the LFL website. |
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Did you know you can post an event in the RFL FORUM? For more information or details, contact jrichard@lutheransforlife.org. Also, if you have a local event you would like to have posted on the Lutherans For Life site, you can contact the Life center at 888.364.5433, or email info@lutheransforlife.org. |
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| We would love to hear from you to get feedback on how we are doing with communication through the Paraclete. Please take a moment to fill out the following survey: Life Advocate Survey. |
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Devotional Thoughts by Dr. Lamb
But can’t you picture the earthly scene? Jesus must have been standing in line. With “all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem” going out to be baptized (Mark 1:5), surely a line formed. Luke tells us about some of the sinners in that line—self-righteous Jews, greedy tax collectors, ruthless Roman soldiers (Luke 3:7-14). Sinners of every stripe gathered there. So, if I were an artist—the reality of which would require divine intervention—I would paint Jesus standing in line with sinners. There would be no bright sky, no dove, no glowing, just Jesus among the sinners standing, perhaps, between a prostitute and a tax collector. Of course, my speculation is just that and should not be taken as biblical truth. However, it does illustrate a biblical truth. Jesus came to save sinners (1Timothy 1:15). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus came to identify with us sinners, be like us sinners, and be tempted to sin as we are, but to be without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus came to be our sin so that we might become His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). That’s why, when John protested treating Jesus like all the sinners in line, Jesus said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). A Savior who stands in line with sinners, that’s the kind of Savior I need. That’s the kind of Savior I stand, or rather kneel, in awe of. The bright heavens opening up? Jesus all aglow? The dove? The voice proclaiming Him the beloved Son of God? This adds to the awe. For this Savior, my Savior, standing in line with sinners like me, is also my God. My God stood beside me as a sinner. My God became my sin. My God gave me His righteousness in the cleansing waters of holy Baptism. And, wonder of wonders, my God now stands beside me, His saint! A Savior who stands in line with sinners, that’s the kind of Savior everyone needs. Of course, we sinners need to know our need! John the Baptist just didn’t stand in Jordan’s muddy waters and splash it upon those standing in line. He first called for repentance and for fruits of repentance using endearing phrases like, “You brood of vipers!” (Luke 3:7-8) God works repentance by placing the mirror of His law in front of us. When we look, we see that we too belong to the “brood.” We can only bow our heads, acknowledge our hopeless and helpless condition, and stand in line. The Good News? There we see Jesus who has become like us, gone before us, and enables simple water to wash us clean. A Savior who calls sinners to stand in line and then stands with them, that’s the kind of Savior Lutherans For Life brings into the life arena. We want to shine the light of His truth upon the darkness of death and evil that seems so good and right to so many, even among our fellow Christians. We want people to see the wrongness of pre-marital sex, embryonic stem cell research, abortion, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. Our society shrouds all of these in a false and deceptive light making them seem good. We need to call them wrong, and not just morally wrong. They are wrong because they defy the will of our holy God. They are idolatry and heresy. When individuals and congregations understand this, they can repent of such deeds or of silence in the presence of such deeds and receive the cleansing of our Savior who stood in line for them. When they understand the spiritual nature of these issues, and how the Gospel of Jesus speaks to them, they will become properly motivated voices defending and upholding the God-given value of human life. That’s when change will come in our churches and in our society. Once again, thank you for being a part of a ministry that does more than talk about the life issues. We connect them to the Good News of Jesus—the guy and the God who stood in line with sinners. |
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Renewal For Life Resources |
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Suggestions for Lent by Dr. Lamb:
Lent is an opportune time to talk about human suffering in light of the suffering of Jesus. Human suffering becomes a major factor in many of the life issues, but especially those dealing with the end of life. The Lutheran understanding of the theology of the cross speaks so powerfully to these issues.
LFL has a number of resources related to this that could be used in a variety of ways and settings. The brochure, “God’s Love in Human Suffering” could be used as a Bible study or a hand out at a Lenten service or both.
Order God’s Love in Human Suffering
The same could be said for all of the articles in LFL’s GOD’S WORD for Life Bible under the “End-of-Life” Section. These could even form the basis of a Lenten series if desired. You can find the following articles on the RFL site under: Resources/End of Life/Essays and Articles.
In 2002, LFL’s life Sunday theme was “Life Under the Cross.” The focus was theology of the cross. These materials are still available and include sermons, a Bible study with leader’s guide, a worship format, and bulletin insert. This would make a very fitting “Life Sunday” during the Lenten season. You can find these items on the RFL site. For Bible studies go to Resources/End of Life/Bible Studies/Living Life Under the Cross. For worship resources go to Resources/End of Life/Worship Resources/Worship sermon, prayer or services/Life Under the Cross.
Human suffering also becomes the prime impetus behind seeking cures for chronic illnesses through embryonic stem cell research. Thus, Lent would be a good time to educate about stem cell research using LFL’s DVD and brochure on this subject. You can view the LFL DVD, Stem Cell Research on the RFL site under: Resources/Biotechnology/Audio and Video/Stem Cell Research and Cloning 101.
During Advent and Christmas congregations often remember those who are homebound or in care centers. We take them gifts, meals, treats. Choirs go caroling. But Lent also provides opportunity for a special focus on those suffering in this way. The world deals with human suffering by killing the sufferer. The Church deals with human suffering by caring. So, instead of just talking about caring or preaching about caring DO some caring! Perhaps a special effort could be made to transport people who are homebound to Lenten services and have a special Lenten meal just for them prior to a service. Life Teams or Human Care Teams could organize special visits during the Lenten season even to the point of setting up a schedule in order to involve more people and spread the joy of this type of service. Who knows, it might become a permanent caring ministry of your congregation!
LFL’s devotional booklet, In the Hands of God would make an excellent gift. It could also be used by visitors to read a devotion or two during a visit.
Be creative! Use the above ideas in ways that best reflect your congregation’s setting and ministry. Lent is a great time to talk about life and the value and hope given to all life in the suffering and death of our Savior, Jesus. |
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Other resource:
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Life Quotes and Life Thoughts can also be found on the Home page in the Renewal For Life library.
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To receive the latest and most up-to-date information on the life issues, visit the LFL Life Blog. The link can also be found on the main page of the RFL site. |
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Do you have a “For Life” event in your area? Let us know. Send the information to info@lutheransforlife.org. |
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| Life Advocates, we now have in-depth, word-based Life Team Leader training available to help guide you in your For Life ministry. If you haven’t formed a Life Team but would like to, contact Jeri Richard at the Life Center (jrichard@lutheransforlife.org; 888.364.LIFE) and she will help you get started. We also have training available for Life Teams once they are formed. |
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| FORUM Prayer Wall: Do you have a special prayer request? You can post your requests in the FORUM by clicking on the group you are involved in (pastors or Life Advocates). Then click “Add Prayer” on the right-hand side of the page. You can add your own prayer request or encourage others with a verse or prayer thought. |
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Past issues of the Paraclete can be found on the RFL site in the Life Advocate Training section. |
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