tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42610274875274343852024-02-20T23:36:05.239-08:00Smoky Mountain ReflectionsRandom thoughts of an LCMS pastor in the Smoky MountainsRobert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-91555036179491808582018-12-21T06:17:00.001-08:002018-12-21T06:17:23.246-08:00<span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;">Greetings</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;">all past and future post from the institute can be found in a much easier format at</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;">splctn.360unite.com/blog-archive</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;">Goodby Blogishpear it was fun</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;">Blessings to all</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;">Pastor Robert Portier</span>Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-12480458986234114492018-10-10T12:47:00.000-07:002018-10-10T12:47:09.065-07:00<br />
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<span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">Dear 3 followers,</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">It has been 10 years since I joined the blogusphere and I think it is time for a new approach.</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">Smoky Mountain Reflections is not going away it is moving.</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">in the past 7 years I have had here over 8000 page views from over 10 countries but I would like to make these articles a little easier to find because that was the original reason for doing this.</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">Many of these articles are designed to address specific concerns</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">I will continue to work on the Pastor what is the difference question</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">That all being said my next post will have a link to a web site with all these articles arranged by topic.</span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">Blessings to you all and have a blessed day </span><br style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: start;">In Christ Pastor Portier</span></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-77045430224386911422018-10-10T12:42:00.000-07:002018-10-10T12:42:02.917-07:00195, 196, 197<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Smoky Mountain Reflections #195<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Every 3
years our church body holds a convention to conduct its business. This will
take place next year in Tampa Florida when around 1200 pastors and laymen
representing our 600 circuits will gather for that purpose. In preparation for
that event a theme is chosen, and much important parliamentary correspondence will
flow between our congregations and the Synod offices. In the year preceding the
convention all 35 districts conduct their conventions for the same purpose. The
office our synod president produced a report for those conventions to held
everyone prepare for next years convention. This is a 45-page document with a
lot of very valuable information so I am going to try to give you a reader’s
digest version of this report over the coming months. Here is the first
installment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The theme
of our Synod convention in 2019 is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Joy:Fully
Lutheran”</b> 1 Thess 5:16-24. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything;
hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of
peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and
body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you
is faithful; he will surely do it.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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“Rejoice always.” St. Paul wrote
these words to the Thessalonians, who had “received the word in much
affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6).1 In the face of a
world that moves from one tragedy to the next, and in a church body full of
saints who happen every one to be sinners too, being “Joy:fully Lutheran” might
seem a pipe dream. Not so. In what follows president Harrison makes the case
for the beautiful nexus of being “Joyfully” and “Fully” Lutheran. The Gospel is
a joyful message that takes sin away and produces joyful saints. This blessed
Gospel of Christ’s free forgiveness enlivens every teaching, every aspect of
being Lutheran. “Joy:- fully Lutheran” is not a program but a divinely wrought
attitude, born of the Word of God, which brings repentance. A portion of this
report takes up the demographic challenge of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod. The facts are elucidating. If we don’t know the facts — that is, why we
face what we face — our response will not only miss the target, but we may also
be led into unhealthy, unbiblical and negative attitudes that will only
exacerbate the challenges, weaken our biblical Lutheran convictions and rob us
of joy in Christ and each other. After describing the statistical material, I
offer some “answers” along the way. We must focus on being biblical, on knowing
the Scriptures and acting in accord with the Word of God. We must focus on being
Lutheran, on knowing our own confessing documents and the fabulous strength and
joy they afford us. Being Lutheran Christians is our gift, our witness and our
vocation in this world — for the sake of the Gospel in the world! We have
blessings aplenty. Seminaries, The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
and the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Int’l LLL) are vibrant, The
Lutheran Church Extension Fund, The Lutheran Federal Credit Union, The LCMS
Foundation, Concordia Plan Services, Lutheran Schools, universities, Concordia
Publishing House (CPH), We have some 15,000 people Synod-wide trained in
disaster response. Our church is known far and wide for the excellence of its
relief work. World Relief and Human Care continues to provide mercy far and
wide. Much more could be noted. A multitude of congregations, church workers,
mission societies and institutions of mercy serve millions in the name of
Jesus. Our Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL), under the direction of
the Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, is up and running in Washington, D.C. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, in the coming months we
will look at a number of challenging matters, presented by the office of the
president. It is my prayer that these articles derived from that report will
encourage and strengthen you as a spiritual priest. I pray, that as we face
challenges with the Word of God, we will continue to grow together in unity,
ever more “diligently joined in unity of doctrine, faith, sacraments, prayer,
works of love and such” (SA II IV, 9).2 And all of this so that “our joy may be
complete” (1 John 1:4).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor Matthew C. Harrison Palm Sunday 2018<o:p></o:p></div>
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Edited and reduced by<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor Porter Saint Paul Lutheran Church Sevierville TN <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-11379042480837835352018-07-18T14:18:00.000-07:002018-07-18T14:18:15.797-07:00#193<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Smoky Mountain Reflections #193<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
busy summer. As I write this the next 6 weeks carry a lot of busyness for us
here at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the beautiful Smoky mountains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Tomorrow begins our Community Service Rummage Sale. This
is growing into a large event that serves a lot of people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Next week I will be in Memphis to serve as chair of our
District Missions Floor Committees.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->The following week: VBS! “Splash Canyon”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->The following week: Robin Brown and I will represent
our congregation in Memphis at the Mid-South District convention.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->July 1<sup>st</sup> is our Red, White & Blue Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->July 4<sup>th</sup> at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge we
will be selling lots of Shave Ice to Support the Woman’s Care Center.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->The following week I join our Youth at Camp Linn Haven.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->After that Science Camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just as we need to take one in
seven days to rest (not to mention it is a commandment) you should<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also take some time during the busy summer to rest. Take a
vacation. The list of busy things we have going on here is not unique; band
camps, music camps, science camps, sports camps and many other things compete
for the family’s summer time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do not let
the busy-ness of the summer take your eye off of what is important. Make sure
you have regular time in worship wherever you are. The LCMS has a great app
that can help you find a church on vacation. Make sure you have time or make
time to keep your family relationships healthy. Spend regular time around a
table, sharing a meal (without any electronic glowing screens in view). Take time
to enjoy the blessings of God in worship in family in community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a safe and not so busy summer <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor Portier<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-37061055155851897112018-06-13T05:16:00.001-07:002018-06-13T05:16:53.879-07:00#192 Gender Madness<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Smoky Mountain Reflections #192<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I sadly had
to write this email response to a Boy Scout Troop that has used our facilities
in the past but sadly things have changed much in the BSA since then. I wrote
Mr. Moore, It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you we have decided not
to host your troop. This is not reflection on what good guest you all were on
your last visit. Because you were very good guest. This is not in any way a
condemnation of you or your troop. We have every reason to believe you all to
be fine upstanding individuals. However, It is a sad reality that our church
cannot associate itself with a national organization that publicly calls sin a
lifestyle choice by its policy’s. Because by such an association we would
indirectly affirm what God condemns. This is not a God pleasing option for the
bride of Christ. If in the future you are able to affect changes in your
association with or the policies of the Scouting BSA organization. we would
then be able to reconsider your request. My regards and prayers for you and
your troop to have a safe and blessed summer, In Christ Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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During the same week also wanted to
communicate to the world via Facebook that I will not be participating in the
Gender Madness that our society is currently engaged in. I used a piece of art
work showing colorful gender options with the word NO scribbled over it. as an
attention grabber. It did get some attention and as of this writing about 30
people have made over 60 comments in the current thread. Unfortunately, in a
world of identity politics speaking for the truth makes us a bad guy. I have
these online conversations because it helps others see that we can speak the
truth in love especially since Scripture and Science is on our side. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the
commenters said that calling Gender Madness and using that art work was not
Christian way to speak the truth in love and said I was attacking others. I
disagree and here is how I responded. “Note my comment is not on the
individuals it is against our societies affirming confused behaviors. So my
critique is of our SOCIETIES GENDER MADNESS. not poor confused individuals who
we should encourage, helped and prayed for as we help them to carry their
cross, while carrying next to them our own.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was asked how any of this harmed
me and I pointed out that this is an issue is harmful to our society. “I
further said “ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you not see how
anything that harms the family harms us all? I am a Pastor but my call to
witness is no greater or less than yours. I must carry myself in all public and
private forums in a way that reflects well on my lord and savior. It is not
really my Job to lead people to Christ that is the Holy Spirits work. It is my
call as it is the call of every Christian to speak the truth in love. this is part
of the witnessing conversation. today at least a dozen if not dozens of people
I would not have otherwise today had the opportunity to share the gospel with
have at least at some level been exposed to it. There is no sinful desire or
activity that Christ did not die for (He loves and forgives ALL) but If the Church
or Christians tell people that their desires which are clearly called sin in
God’s word are OK, (of course being confused is not sinful but having sinful
desires is) (affirming sinful behavior is also sin) then they will think they
do not need God or His forgiveness and that is a much worse fate than being
offended by a post that might get their attention long enough for the Holy
Spirit to work repentance and faith, Lord let it be so.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There was also a comment but an old
ship mate of mine from National Geographic that was a propaganda piece for
Gender Fluidity. Here was my response to that. “There is no science in this
anecdotal propaganda piece. Science is based on evidence (what someone feels
them self to be is not evidence) on that Logic if I choose to feel like a book
can I really be a book? of course not. Gender is a non-biological construct
connected to behaviors. The science of Biology teaches that Homo-sapiens are
Binary. Male and Female, no other genetic category exists. Anomalies and
mistakes in the genetic code can and do produce defects such as hermaphrodite
but those who have such a condition are to be loved and cared for and until
just a few years ago encouraged to choose to function as male or female for
their psychical and mental health and hormone treatment was used to help with a
defect. Now our society says if you an athlete you will be fined and excluded
from participation if you take hormones to boost your performance because it is
harmful to your health this is good because it is good for the health of all.
in the same way it is madness to say it is good to give a little boy estrogen
if he thinks he is a girl.....MADNESSS! Those who have any confusion about
their biology should not be butchered and medicated to shorten their lives.
THAT IS EVIL MADNESS! They should be loved and cared for by being told how to
live in a healthy affirmation of their biology.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I know this is a little long, but I
want to help others see by my example we can speak the truth in love, by
calling a thing what it is but at the same time being as winsome and kind as
possible. There is one last part of the conversation I would like to share with
you. I asked one of the detractors how I might better get peoples attention to
speak this truth and he said start with scripture and how it speaks to the
issue. That is not a bad idea in one on one conversation but in open
conversations when people of many view are reading or listening I responded in
this way. “I find when speaking or writing in a public forum. people who do not
believe in scripture see citing it for authority as annoying and unproductive
so starting with scripture will not start a conversation with them. And People
who do know scripture fall in two categories people who agree with Gods word
which on this topic is very clear God created them male and female….and every
aspect of human existence is couched in the context of a binary male / female
reality and anything that violates it is sin. (So that group does not need
scripture for any convincing) And those who know what it says but play a game
of words, obfuscating and equivocating to try to say Gods word dose not condemn
anything associated with a gender fluidity view. So, they are either dishonest
or ignorant and serving their agenda. So, starting with scripture is actually
counterproductive them. Especially when all of Biology & any and all
medical and psychological science is on our side. (excluding of course some
aspects of that have been highjacked and are not ignoring scientific fact to
join in the Lie Parade). So, I will continue to point out the fact that Biology
is clear, and I will continue to be called a bigot by bigots.” OK enough on
Identify politics already I hope some of this has been helpful. Hopefully I can
find something a little more pleasant to reflect on next month until then have
a blessed summer <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Christ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-74436090900035346762018-05-16T13:13:00.001-07:002018-05-16T13:13:44.893-07:00<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Smoky Mountain Reflections #191 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last month
we discussed identity politics from a perspective of marriage and the 6<sup>th</sup>
commandment. This month I would like to continue that theme but focus on our
role as members of the world we live in. In 1 John chapter 2 we are admonished
to remember that we are to be <i>in</i> but not <i>of</i> the world. This can
be a difficult proposition in the face of intense persecution, as has been
common to Christians around the world throughout history and in the present.
Today we find ourselves in a society which used to view Christians as virtuous
and trustworthy, but increasingly paints us as mean, bigoted, “homophobes”.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to discuss this topic without being accused of
lobbying for some “rights group”, “victim group”, or the evil “status quo
group”. So, let me make clear that this pastor believes and teaches that God’s
word is clear from front to back that there is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>one human race</u></b>. ALL are created in God’s image and as such,
are priceless beloved members of God’s created human race. Differences in size,
shape, ability, color, height, width, disability, intelligence, etc., are all
differences that God designed either to show his great creativity or to give us
multiple opportunities to love and care for each other while experiencing His
love in all the relationships he blesses us with. All are of EQUAL value to
God. He bled and died to redeem all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A large
“machine” of sin exists in this world, and it divides us from peaceful,
harmonious God pleasing relationships. It does so by isolating us from God and
each other; divorce, loneliness, depression, greed, envy, and revenge are just
some of the cogs in this machine that our sinful world and flesh, it has as its
fuel and oil our sinful nature. That being said, I set before you one example
of information that sinners on all sides of the discussion will continue to use
to divide instead of to point out that we are all the same as sinners loved by
God. (Or, as I used to say in my Navy days, we are all in the same boat, and
infighting only endangers our peace and safety.) We must speak the truth in
love; that is what those called to be in but not of the world do. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Back in
March, I posted on Facebook a 13-minute video of Tucker Carlson revealing some
interesting facts about the supposed “patriarchal privileged male” in America.
Let me touch on a few highlights (or lowlights). The average male lifespan is 5
years shorter than females’, men are twice as likely to be addicts, the
majority of overdose deaths are males, and 77% of all suicides are committed by
men. Between 1997 and 2014, there was a 43% rise in suicide deaths among middle
aged American men. The rates are highest among American Indian and white men,
who kill themselves at about ten times the rate of Hispanic and black women.
Over 90% of inmates are male. More girls than boys graduate high school, women
outnumber men in graduate school, earn the majority of doctoral degrees, and
are the majority of new enrollees in both law and medical schools. There are
now seven million working age American men who are no longer in the labor
force. They’ve dropped out. Nearly half of them take pain medication on any
given day; that’s the highest rate in the world. 20% of American children grow
up in fatherless homes, and 70% of prison inmates grow up in those homes.
Single women buy their own homes at more than twice the rate of single men.
Tucker Carlson also cited many other mental, financial and physical realities
for American men that show how they are as a group failing, in body, mind and
spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He claims that this a crisis, but
our leaders pretend it’s not happening. While there may be some truth to that
statement, what ails American men is what ails us all; we are suffering
collectively and individually from our sins and the sins of others, life in a
cursed and broken world. While he may have cited some things that are a cause
for concern and action by those in positions of power, influence, and responsibility,
establishing another victim group is not the answer. We need to do away with
the concept that our society can gather around to right the wrongs of the past
by getting our pound of flesh from the hide of the oppressor. “Vengeance is
mine, says the Lord.” We are called to love God and our neighbors as best we
can with his help, and that includes being forgiving towards those who have
offended or harmed us or our “group identity”. Christ bled and died for all
those offenses; we need not carry the burden of fixing a world that cannot and
will not be fixed. Jesus said that the poor will always be with us. Let us cast
aside the ideas of identity politics and “us versus them”. Let us act like the
baptized children of God that we are and treat the whole human race created in
God’s image with the love, dignity, and kindness that our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ would have us treat them with.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Your neighbor in Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-1485138090823648952018-04-10T08:17:00.001-07:002018-04-10T08:17:54.337-07:00#190 <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Smoky Mountain Reflections #190</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Consent”
has become the new golden standard for our society. If you can establish
“consent” between two or any number of adults, then anything they choose to do
is thought of as being their business alone, as long as their activities do not
negatively affect anyone else. However, this is a very subjective standard for
a society. It becomes nearly impossible for anyone to keep themselves clear of
the danger of “negatively affecting” others, because the terms are subjective.
There are many who like this because it means they can make their own rules to
suit their desires, even twisting reality (like attempting to argue that the
words “male”, “female”, or “marriage” mean something other than what they
always have as defined by scripture, science and common sense). “Consent” can
become coercion, derision or some other form of manipulation depending on who
defines the word. “Adulthood” is a biological concept which the medical
community generally agrees is not reached mentally until the mid-20s or even 30
years old, but even now, there are pedophiles arguing that children can be
considered adults, and that as consenting adults, they too can do anything they
want.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we try
to establish behavioral norms without God’s word and guidance, we resign
ourselves to a whole sea of often contradictory information and to the whims of
our sinful desires. God’s word on the other hand, is objective and inerrant,
and provides clear guidance for all. If we follow his word, we will never be in
danger of offending God or even our neighbor, unless our neighbor seeks to act
counter the word (in which case we should side with God and let the chips fall
where they may).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Parents,
grandparents, and Christian communities have as part of their vocations
training up their children in the way they should go. If they are doing that,
the children will be taken care of no matter their needs, and whether their
brains are fully developed or not. If a child is brought up in God’s word, then
the confusion of the opening paragraph is avoided by simply following the 6<sup>th</sup>
commandment.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Marriage is the only
fitting form of consent.</b> When consent is defined as marriage, then rather
than there being ambiguity there is an objective reality which binds two
individuals together for life. If they are blessed with children, those
children have parents who are legally bound to them, and the whole community
has a framework to help that union and family succeed. Without these simple
pillars holding up the family, history teaches us that society will collapse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many things
in the adult world can be compared to fire. When used properly, as fire in the
fireplace, they provide warmth and comfort for all. When taken out of their
proper contexts though, they can be incredibly damaging, like fire climbing up
the wall. Heterosexual monogamous marriage is the fireplace God has made for
sexual activity. When a different standard is applied, the fire is removed from
the fireplace and the house burns down. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sexual
activity in any context, whether it produces children or not, has physical
(think oxytocin & STDs) and mental effects on both the individuals involved
and the entire community. When it is in one-man, one-woman marriage, consent is
solidified with a ring and a verbal and/or written contract to provide support,
protection, mutual love, and encouragement. This provides for the needs and
concerns of all in the community by supporting what communities are made of:
people belonging to families. When “consent” becomes the only standard, our
sinful emotions and desires remove the fire from the fire place, and everyone
has to endure the pain and suffering that that brings, like depression,
loneliness, STDs, abandoned children, poverty, and abuse. The community carries
the emotional and financial cost of these things, and in our day we see it
perpetuated and sanctioned to support the whims of a society that affirms
things which scripture condemns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s keep
the fire in the fireplace so we can all be warmed and comforted by the results
of God’s design for intimacy and our families. Let’s acknowledge the biological
reality of the clear binary sexual system which God created. Let’s seek to love
and serve those who suffer from dysphoric anomalies that are a part of the
crosses they bear but do not define who they are. Politics based on race,
color, gender, or sexual preference only divide and harm our society. We are
all children of the all-powerful and loving God who gave his son to suffer and
die for the whole human race (one race). No matter what we struggle with, he
invites us to leave it at the foot of the cross and trust in him for eternal
salvation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-38581714599094708482018-03-07T14:25:00.001-08:002018-03-07T14:25:32.151-08:00#189<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Smoky Mountain Reflections #189<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we enter
the month of March, we do so with the mantle of the Lenten season draped over
all of our thoughts and activities. In this time of worship and reflection I
often feel a personal need for a deeper understanding of what we believe teach
and confess; to dig deeper into the meaning of all the things we say and do to
teach the faith, learning to apply all the great gifts God gives us in and
through his word and sacraments. It can be helpful to start with a broad
overview, such as orienting yourself on a map. Start with the big picture, then
slowly work your way down to the place where you are, and you may gain a fuller
understanding both of where you fit in the grand scheme of things and how this
functions in your immediate surroundings. That being said, let’s take a little
deeper look at why we do what we do in worship.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First, our
church year is arranged according to the insights of thousands of years of
Christian worship practices, holding on to and treasuring the best and most
edifying ways of teaching the faith. This framework teaches two things very
clearly: Jesus’ <i>life</i> and his <i>teachings</i>. The first half (or <i>feast</i>
half) of the year teaches the life of Christ; anticipating his birth (Advent),
celebrating that birth (Christmas), revealing who he is and what he came to do
(Epiphany), anticipating his fulfillment of God’s promises with 40 days of
reflection on his journey to the cross (Lent), and celebrating his resurrection
(Easter). At the end of the Easter season we kick off the second half of the
church year with the celebration of Pentecost. In this half of the church year,
we methodically go through the teachings of Christ, seeking the fullest
coverage of all that he taught. This pattern of textual rotation is used to
direct and focus the liturgy and hymns of our worship. And on top of all that
we have special days with feasts and festivals that celebrate heroes of the
faith (historic saints) who we hold up as examples of a Christ-centered life as
well as other key events in Christ life. These feast and festivals fall on
specific calendar dates such as the traditional date of a saint’s martyrdom for
confessing the faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We get a
similar focus on Christ life and teachings in every worship service hitting all
the high points of that are mentioned above in the feast half of the year while
also singing, speaking, confessing and hearing His teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we
teach about the faith as Lutherans, we use Luther’s small catechism. When we
begin or transfer membership in the church we publicly confess our faith in
accord with this catechism. In every part of our Divine Service we are focusing
on the six chief parts of the faith, as outlined in the catechism.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Ten Commandments:</b> Every time any
part of the liturgy, preaching, singing or praying in the service convicts you
of your sinful nature or any particular sin, this is the commandments at work
in the service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Historic Creeds: </b>After the
proclamation of the Gospel whether through reading or preaching, we confess our
faith together using the Apostles’, Nicaean, or Athanasian Creeds. Any part of
the service that sings, says or proclaims the triune name of God is also a
confession of his triune nature. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer: </b>After we have
prepared ourselves in the liturgy to receive the Lord’s Supper and before
hearing his words spoken over the elements, we pray together the prayer he
taught us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism: </b>This is the only thing that we
do not do every time we worship, and because it is a once in a lifetime event,
we celebrate it greatly when we do. Many people, however, remember their
baptism at numerous places in the service by crossing themselves, remembering
they were baptized into God’s triune name. The rubrics (red words in the
hymnal) suggest the times in the service this can be done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Confession and Absolution: </b>We do this
at the beginning of every service, because we daily sin much and need to
confess that truth to hear God’s sweet words so absolution spoken to us. This
gives us great comfort as we enter into the Divine Service, washed clean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Lord’s Supper: </b>Almost every time we
worship here at Saint Paul we receive our Lord’s precious body and blood, in,
with, and under the elements of bread and wine, given and shed for us to eat
and drink for our forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Every time
we participate in the Divine Service, we are participating in a short one-hour
catechism class as well, and are having our bodies and souls fed and nurtured
for this life and the next. God created us with five senses and uses all five
of them to assure us of his love and forgiveness for us, in and through the
word and sacraments.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a blessed Lenten season,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Portier<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-15899015884274192612018-02-08T07:40:00.003-08:002018-02-08T07:40:55.190-08:00#188<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #188<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sometimes
things line up in very unique ways, and you find yourself scratching your head,
saying, “Isn’t that interesting?”. We have such an occurrence this year, and it
will reveal where people’s priorities lay, when the differing calendars of the
world and the church clash.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It begins
this month on the day that we celebrate romantic love. February 14<sup>th</sup>
(which many know as Valentine’s day) is a day filled with heart-shaped with red
boxes full of fancy chocolate, not to mention the flowers, balloons, cupids,
and other pink and red reflections associated with romantic love. The
traditions now associated with Valentine's day were first written of in
Geoffrey Chaucer's “<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="__DdeLink__67_3878987756">Parlement of Foules</a>”
published in the late 1300s. They were set in the fictional context of an old
tradition, and did not really even exist before Chaucer! Prior to that, the
church simply celebrated him as a martyr for the faith. We as Lutherans (and
for that matter, most Christians) who celebrate saints do not even consider
this a feast day, but simply a day of commemoration in which we remember his
sacrifice for the gospel as a reminder for us to be strong witnesses for the
faith. That being said, Ash Wednesday is a much more important day in the
church’s calendar, and this year, it falls on February 14th! Ash Wednesday is
almost certainly one of the top five most important days in the year for most
Christians, even though many American Christians do not even know what it is. So
while most of our society will be swimming in pink hearts and chocolates, the
faithful will be attending church to have ashes applied to their foreheads and
being reminded that they are created from dust, and to dust they shall return.
I am not saying, however, that this is an “either/or” proposition; you can
celebrate both on February 14th this year, just not at the same time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Next, the
very highest day on the church’s calendar, Easter, will fall on the day that
many Christians joke is the holiday for atheism, April 1st. That is right,
April Fool’s Day and Easter come together this year. But don’t worry, I do not
think atheists will stop hiding eggs or petting bunnies on Easter (which of
course we know is what Easter is all about…wink, wink, nod, nod). No! Easter is
about Jesus and his resurrection from the dead, in which he proved his victory
over sin, death and the devil, and there’s nothing foolish about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally, if
I told you that many protestant Christians would be canceling their worship services
on a Sunday this year you might accuse me of being ridiculous. However, it is
true; thousands of churches will close their doors this year on a Sunday in
December, canceling their services so their members can stay home and celebrate
our national day of materialism. You guessed it, Christmas day falls on a
Sunday. We here at Saint Paul will have our regular 8:30 & 11 AM services
on that day, but sadly, many churches will be closed entirely. In fact, many
churches do not have Christmas day services even in other years, because it is
regarded as “a day for family” (as if gathering to celebrate the holy family
and the birth of our savior precluded that).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Worry not,
however; 2018 will not be good or bad based on calendar conundrums. The Lord is
faithful; he will be with you always, and He will continue to care for and
nurture God’s people whenever they gather around His gifts of word and
sacrament. So have a worry-free, blessed 2018.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-24261558915256534882018-02-08T07:37:00.002-08:002018-02-08T07:37:57.714-08:00#187 sorry for the late post<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">December 2017 #187<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>(Warning:
German contained in the following sentence:)</b><span style="color: windowtext;">
</span><span lang="DE" style="color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt. Erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann
vier. dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.
</span><span style="color: windowtext;">Translation: </span><span lang="DE" style="color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Advent,
Advent, one candle burns. First one, then two, then three, then four. Then
stands the Christ child before the door.
</span><span style="color: windowtext;">Translation is not one of my
better skills, so I will claim poetic license in my translation. This is a poem that is often heard about this
time of year in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bavaria</st1:place></st1:state>. It really is quite a nice poem and harkens
back to the region’s strong Christian heritage.
Bavarian children do not see the Christmas tree in their home until
Christmas Eve. The ringing of a small
bell signifies that the Christ kindl or engel (Christ child or angel) has
delivered the tree, the decorations and all the presents. Their living room has been transformed into a
small haven where the family gathers around the solemn occasion commemorating the
birth of the Christ child. These are
wonderful cultural traditions that bring Christ to the center of the Christmas
experience. All the candles on the Advent
wreath are lit. The warm glow of candle light fills the room as children read
the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bethlehem</st1:place></st1:city> account,
and Christmas hymns round out the experience.
The sights, smells and sounds of Christmas and its importance fill the
hearts and minds of all who gather for this grand family event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The
retailors bypassed Halloween & Thanksgiving this year and kicked off the
Christmas shopping before fall even
arrived. The full commercialization of
Christmas on an American scale has never taken a complete foothold in the
European culture. But there is a sad
reality in the backdrop of this beautiful cultural story. <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> with
its rich Christian heritage is referred to by most experts today as a post
Christian society. By some estimates,
less than 5% of Europe’s population attends church on a regular basis. Why do I share this sad truth with you at
such a joyous time of anticipation? As
we prepare for Christmas during this Advent season, we should keep all of God’s
creation in our prayers. There are some scary
similarities between the America of today and the Europe of only 20 or 30 years
ago. If you look at <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>’s
church attendance numbers from the 1950’s, you will find over 50% attended
church regularly. Currently a little
over 50% of Americans claim to attend church somewhat regularly if you include
the CME's (Christmas, Mother's Day & Easter). The actual numbers float
under less than 20% of Americans attend church on any given Sunday. But we, like Europe, are on the decline and reasons
for the decline are many and various. However,
we need not fret over these sad truths—just be aware and pray about them. And
remember that God is in charge. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Advent is a
time of preparation, and prepare we will this year. We will enjoy an Advent series produced by
Pastor Dettmer Beginning November the 29<sup>th</sup> @ 7 PM with the theme of <b>Hope</b> and Colossians 1:3-14, Then Dec
the 6<sup>th</sup> <b>Peace </b>and Isiah
66: 1-14, Then Dec 13<sup>th</sup> Joy and Isaiah 55: 1-11, and Finally Dec 20<sup>th</sup>
<b>Love </b>and Micah 6:6-8. Make time in
your busy schedule to attend this year. As we venture back in time to celebrate
the birth of our Lord and savior.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, as you
prepare your hearts during this blessed Advent season, make use of some form of
daily devotion. It will enrich your Advent
experience. During your daily devotion,
pray that your family, your friends, your neighbors, our fellow citizens, and
people of all nations, who don’t know and who linger in darkness, that the
scales which block faith would fall from their eyes and they would be blessed
with the promise that the Christ child came to fulfill, and be filled with the
assurance of eternal salvation that only faith in the promised Christ Child can
provide.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For anyone who
reads this reflection outside of a certain understanding of your eternal
existence, I invite you specially to receive this Christmas, the gift that the
Christ child came to give you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ, Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-62588546105137851122017-11-09T13:49:00.000-08:002017-11-09T13:49:20.495-08:00Lesson #186<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky
Mountain Reflections #186<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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About eight
years ago, I asked you what you were you thankful for, what those who started
the tradition of thanksgiving as we know it had to be thankful for, and whether
there was a common thread in their thankfulness. Let’s explore those questions
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Harvest
festivals and celebrations of the bounty of fall are common practices in the
history of most cultures. A simple
research of fall festivals reveals that Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Hebrews, and
Egyptians all had, and some continue to have, celebrations that are tied to
thankfulness for the great abundance that usually accompanies the harvest time
of year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But if we
examine the history of the American holiday, we find a thankful spirit when
there was little to be thankful for, but much to be hopeful about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• September
8th, 1565: 600 Spanish settlers held a
service of thanksgiving in Saint Augustine, Florida, after surviving months of
pain, suffering, and uncertainty while crossing the Atlantic. They were not thankful for their pain and
suffering, but for their deliverance from it and the hope for what lay ahead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• December
4th, 1619: 38 English settlers
celebrated “a day of thanksgiving to almighty God”, a day to be kept holy by
their charter. Even though that settlement later became part of a plantation, a
day of thanksgiving is still celebrated on December 4th at that location. These cold, hungry, unsuccessful settlers
just north of Yorktown had little to be thankful for, but that did not stop
them from being thankful—not for their hardships, but for their deliverance
from them and hope of what lay ahead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• Fall
1620: The suffering pilgrims of
Plymouth, Massachusetts survived due to the kindness of the Wampanoag Indians. They celebrated the first thanksgiving that
is the root of our holiday in the fall of 1621.
These suffering settlers who lost many loved ones in that first winter
had little to be thankful for, but that did not stop them from being thankful,
hard-working stewards who by 1623 had a very bountiful festival.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• November
26th, 1789: The first national day of
public thanksgiving and prayer was celebrated, after having been declared by
our first president in October of that year.
This young nation was not lamenting the losses due to starvation and
freezing and war that were suffered by many in the colonies throughout the
Revolutionary War. These bold patriots could have focused on their losses and
found they had little to be thankful for, but they pressed on with thankful
hearts, working hard to build a new country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• October
3, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln
issued a proclamation calling for the observance of the fourth Thursday of
November as a national holiday. This
first Thanksgiving came in the midst of our nation’s only and most bloody civil
war. Were we thankful that brother was
killing brother and neighbor was killing neighbor? Of course not! Lincoln’s proclamation shows that just as
God’s word says, we can and should give thanks in every circumstance, no matter
how dark or bleak.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• November
1942 was the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated as a federal holiday
designated by an Act of Congress. Again,
our nation was in the middle of a world war.
Did Americans grieve over the loss of hundreds of thousands of their
countrymen? Yes, but they also celebrated Thanksgiving—sharing food, family,
and fellowship, and thanking God for His generosity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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• November
23<sup>rd</sup>, 2017: 452 years after that first thanksgiving in Saint
Augustine, Florida, we have a chance to worship and celebrate. The evening before, on November the 22<sup>nd</sup>,
we will have our Thanksgiving service, and on the 23<sup>rd</sup>, whether your
favorite thing is sleeping in, parades, pumpkin pie, turkey, football, or
anticipation over black Friday, remember this: all that you have and all that
you are is a gift from God. Take time to thank Him for all His blessings. Take
time to thank Him for the peace and comfort He provides through all your pain
and suffering. Take time to thank the
Creator of all that is for sending His Son to die on a cross so that you might
have peace and love in this life and assurance of peace and love for all
eternity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That is the
common thread of thankfulness that permeates the history of thanksgiving. This is what all who came before us had to be
thankful for in the face of their trials and tribulations. That, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is
something to be very thankful for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Pastor Portier <o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-46525295728647748252017-09-20T14:26:00.002-07:002017-09-20T14:26:10.405-07:00#185 Paradox<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #185<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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“Paradox”: “a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.” This is one of Meriam Webster’s definitions for this word, but I would like to tweak it a bit for the purpose of this article on <i>biblical</i> paradox, which we may define as a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is <i>clearly biblically true</i>. There are many things that we believe, teach, and confess as members of the body of Christ that are biblically sound but challenge our limited ability to comprehend what God reveals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are a number of easy targets on this topic: miraculous events, Christ’s real presence in the supper, the monergistic nature of faith, and single predestination just to name a few. The last issue of <i>The Lutheran Witness</i> addressed some of these questions, but I would like to address one question this month and process it from a few angles. “Why some, but not others?” Even more specifically, the aggressive version of this question that seeks to paint God as an unjust bully by condemning God for condemning those who are never exposed to Christ or his Gospel. It is often asked something like this: “I do not like your god because he condemns people to hell for being ignorant of his rules. How can they believe in Jesus if they are never exposed to him or his Gospel?” This is not an easy question to respond to, if for no other reason than the fact that oftentimes the person asking is not really interested in hearing the answer. Rather, they judge you as being too judgmental. (See what I did there?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, there are biblical truths with which we can respond to this question. First, I want to point out that this question actually makes an unprovable assumption; namely, that some people are never exposed to Christ’s saving Gospel. This is a logical assumption, but an assumption all the same because we do not know how God, who created time and space, and functions outside of it, still works things out in accord with his nature. That being said, here are a few examples of what the Bible does have to say about this issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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WARNING: those who do not believe the Bible to be God’s word may balk at its citation, but if the God described in the Bible is the topic of discussion, it is only fitting to refer to it as a source. Also, while we cite the Bible, a non-christian must cite themselves or the collective thought of people they agree with. (I will trust in God rather than man, thank you very much. )<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>God is Just: </b>There are over 300 verses that directly or indirectly assert God’s just nature but here are just a few:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Isaiah 61:8a “For I, the LORD, love justice”, Psalm 99:4 “The strength of the King loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob”, Deuteronomy 10:18 “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing”,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm 140:12 “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>God wills that none should perish: </b>2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” It is not God’s will that any should spend eternity in a place he created for rebellious disobedient angels, however he does not force his will or forgiveness on anyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>He suffered and died for all: </b>John 3:16 “For God so loved <u>the world</u> (<u>ALL of it</u>) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 3:23-24 “For <u>all</u> have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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So even though we cannot understand and it saddens us that some reject salvation, we can still know that is not God’s will. Because he is just (fair), he wills that none should perish and he suffered and died so that none would have to. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The reason there is never a fully satisfactory answer to this question is because the all-powerful creator of the universe wills that none should perish and still some do. This is a paradox, illogical on the surface while at the same time biblical and true. And it should motivate us to share his good news whenever we have the opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ, Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-69274500514877741452017-08-19T07:54:00.003-07:002017-08-19T07:54:29.941-07:00# 184 Gender Soup<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky
Mountain Reflections #184<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Live and
let live, that is the siren cry of our society today as the oppressive rainbow
descends on every aspect of our lives. “Mind your own business and don’t go
around forcing your morals on others.” “I am not a part of your club so I do
not have to follow your rules.” Speaking the truth in love is not a walk in the
park these days. If you dare say anything that can be construed as derogatory
about the LGBTQ….LMNOP agenda, be prepared to feel their wrath. They tell us to
live and let live, but are themselves doing anything but. If you do not give at
least tacit approval of their message you become a target. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They claim
to want to be left alone but it is not Christians who are trying to force their
views, rather, it is quite the other way around. Donate a few dollars to a
campaign to legally uphold the traditional and historical definition of
marriage, and you’ll be hunted down and fired like CEO Brenden Eich. Ask not to
be involved in celebrating their unions with your artistic talents, and you’ll
be seen in court! Unless we decorate their cakes, arrange their flowers, and
sing a loud song of approval in word and deed, we are shut down, prosecuted by
the local and state governments, and pressured by every available “news” medium
and market means. I ask you then, who is forcing their views on whom???<o:p></o:p></div>
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The word
“discrimination” gets a bad rap these days. Let’s first define the root word;
to discriminate is to discern and recognize a difference and to decide or
differentiate. Each of us discriminate every time we make a decision.
Discrimination has come to carry a negative connotation when that
discrimination is based on race, age, sex, or now, sexual preference. Our
constitution speaks only of created beings, but the idea of protected groups is
a legitimate development from our court system due to injustices perpetrated by
the majority on a minority part of the population in the past. That being said,
“We the people” are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights,
which means that the government does not give them to us, they are ours by
virtue of our existence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Those of us
seeking to live our lives in accord with scripture and God’s help are feeling a
bit oppressed by a new social super-clause that seems to override the rights of
some citizens to a simple good conscience and self-determination. If you follow
most of the wedding service issues, those businesses are not refusing services.
They actually do business with and have sold cakes, flowers etc. to the people
who are suing them. They are simply asking not to be forced to use their
creative and artistic gifts to affirm and celebrate something they disagree
with.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Healthy
societies make and enforce laws that protect the innocent, the weak, and the
family unit as defined by simple biology. History has shown that when societies
abandon the family as their building block, they go the way of all the other
PAST civilizations, into decline and eventually destruction. I am not a
“chicken little”, the sky is not falling, but we need to speak the truth in
love even when we are labeled as bigots for doing so, because it is or duty to
love and serve our neighbors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the
summer wears on, take a little time to pray for our country and our confused
neighbors who think that standing by while the consciences and beliefs of
others are railroaded is actually the open-minded and civil thing to do. In the
words of Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.” We are called to speak the truth in love, keep calm,
press on, and share and live our faith as a bold witness to His Gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-46383962398053045852017-07-08T07:25:00.002-07:002017-07-08T07:25:53.500-07:00SMR #183<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky
Mountain Reflections #183<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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“The needs
of the many outweigh the needs of the few” is a famous line from the second
Star Trek movie “The Wrath of Kahn”. (Probably the best of all the Star Trek
movies in the opinion of this Trekkie.) Hollywood, however, is not a good place
to go when seeking advice on how to love God and your neighbor. So, while “The
needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” seems a very logical
statement, it is not very biblical.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Before you
get all up in arms with your American democratic logic and congregational
polity, however, give me a chance to explain. There is nothing wrong with
deciding things using the democratic process, but there are some exceptions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First, we
do not decide doctrine by popular vote, we decide doctrine based on scripture.
In our particular church body, when a question of doctrine or practice is
raised at our triennial synod convention, typically resolutions are made and
passed democratically to send the question to our CTCR (Commission On Theology
and Church Relations). This is a body of trusted experts and theologians who
address the question put to them by producing a report which explains in detail
what scripture has to say in answer to the issue at hand. For example, in 1985
the CTCR published a report on “Women in the Church”. In this 48-page document
they clearly and biblically answered questions with regard to: headship,
authority, the pastoral office, and women’s suffrage. No process is perfect but
it is the best way we have at present to address questions of doctrine and
practice within our congregational framework.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Second,
sometimes the many may defer to the few in the interest of Christian love. In
issues that are not doctrinal, ie. facilities, policies, guidelines, and
community involvement, sometimes the majority will choose to do or not do
something in order to avoid causing offense or troubling the conscience of
fellow members of the body of Christ. Here are a couple of examples:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I know of a congregation that chose not to have beer at
their Octoberfest one year to avoid harming the conscience of just a few of
their members even though the majority were in favor of having beer at the
event.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span><!--[endif]-->The second example is from here at Saint Paul. For a
number of years some of our members have had to miss Easter Sunday because of a
sensitivity to Easter lilies, so our elders and our council unanimously decided
that we would no longer have Easter lilies in our sanctuary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love Easter lilies and the people who made
the above decision love them as well. However, in Christian love they chose to
make it possible for the small number of our members to attend Easter services
who otherwise would be unable to. In addition, they asked me to work with our
altar guild to find another God-pleasing way to decorate our sanctuary for
Easter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, you might ask what the biblical
basis is for such a decision? Well, first, deference in Christian love over
non-doctrinal issues seems to me to be a fulfillment of treating your neighbor
as you would like to be treated (Mark 12:31 and many other texts).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides that, however, there are
biblical examples of needs being sacrificed for the benefit of many, right from
the mouth of the high priest Caiaphas, in John 11:50b. “…<b><i>it is better for you that one man
die for the people than that the whole nation perish."</i></b> He did not
realize that he was in essence speaking a prophecy that Jesus would fulfill,
but in this case the one Christ would suffer death for all mankind, not just
the nation of Israel. So, in like fashion we follow Christ’s sacrificial
example when loving our neighbor, and we give deference (let them have things
their way) as long as their way is in keeping with God’s will. If it is not, we
speak the truth in love and pray God’s blessing of enlightenment and faith to
light the path of righteousness for us all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Have
a blessed summer,<o:p></o:p></div>
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In
Christ, Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-24479400936887374872017-06-20T08:36:00.004-07:002017-06-20T08:36:40.251-07:00Summer Matins #182<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #182<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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I am going to use my reflection this
month to talk about worship. This summer we will be offering a third worship
opportunity during the Sunday school hour at 10:00. From a practical stand
point this offers our congregation and our visiting summer guest more
flexibility with a third worship time on Sundays. The service will be a bit
shorter to avoid conflict with the two other services. We will use the Matins
setting, two of the readings and two of the hymns from the divine service being
used that day as well as the same sermon, the Lords supper will not be
available at this service. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is the Matins service. Early
in the third century daily prayer offices became a regular part of the churches
prayer and worship life. Matins grew out of this tradition. Matins means “of
the morning” as it was the service that was used to begin the day at first
light. The format of the service while ancient most of the elements in its
current form is about 1200 years old.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my favorite parts of this
service aside from the fact that its music and words are beautiful renderings
of God’s holy word is the “Te Deum”. Canticles sung in this manner are an
acquired taste but once you learn the tune you start focusing on what it
confesses. The Te Deum is an ancient canticle which is believed to have been
sung by many of the martyrs of the early church as they marched to their death.
The two final stanzas are a little newer being only about 1500 years old and
the musical setting is only about 1100 years old. It is in essence, the creed
set to music. We will also sing one of my favorite hymns in the place of the Te
Deum for part of the summer 941 “We Praise You and Acknowledge You” The tune
used for this hymn is quite contemporary less than 100 years old and the Lyrics
were composed by a living, breathing, preaching LCMS pastor Stephen P. Starke
in 1999. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if you want to give this third
service a try this summer, feel free to join us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In
Christ alone<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor
Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-72415608719613085862017-05-13T08:47:00.002-07:002017-05-13T08:48:51.091-07:00Sola <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #181</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN">We as Lutherans often speak of the three Solas of the reformation, it is
even on the cover of our directory this year; Scripture alone, Grace alone and
Faith alone. We can traditionally expand this into The Five Solas of the Protestant
Reformation: Sola scriptura, Sola fide, Sola gratia, Solus Christus and Soli
Deo Gloria. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN">“Lutherans Engage”, the quarterly magazine for the mission efforts of the
LCMS, had an article about “CLET” The
Center for Lutheran Studies in English. This Center is an important place for
the training of leaders and pastors for the French speaking mission work in 6 West
African countries. This is one of many mission efforts of our church body all
over the globe. A sign at the entrance of the center shows a painting of Martin
Luther, the Luther Rose and the 5 Solas of the reformation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN">So, what are these 5 Solas? They are Latin for some important principles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN">Sola scriptura:
Scripture alone is the source and norm for all Christian teaching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN">Sola fide: Faith alone
is what connects the believer to salvation through Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN">Sola gratia: Grace
alone, salvation is a gift and no works of man can save. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN">Solus Christus:
Salvation through Christ alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN">Soli Deo Gloria: Glory
to God alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="EN">The last two Solas are 20<sup>th</sup> century additions to the first
three. Why all this talk of Solas? Well,
you may<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">remember
I warned of the troubles that come with anniversaries a couple months ago, </span>past generations have warned against the distraction of
anniversaries. Here is yet another example of such an issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PBS ran a reformation series as well
as a number of other news outlets running articles and new pieces over the past
few months on this topic. They must all be singing from the same song sheet reducing
the Historic three Solas to two and replacing Grace with ….get ready for
it…”the priesthood of all believers”. Talk
about cherry picking. Notice they kept Scripture and Faith alone because we can
(falsely) take credit for our understanding of scripture and our faith. I say
falsely because the Holy Spirit gets credit for both. But to replace Grace
alone, which is really hard to take credit for with a completely different
topic, reveals that they are trying to pigeon hole Luther into their
revolutionary narrative. To do so, would make him the genesis for all sorts of
terrible things in history that he and scripture would condemn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luther only promoted and discussed “the
priesthood of all believers” in the context of a response to the abuses of the
Pope and the Roman Catholic priesthood. But Luther never argues that “the
priesthood of all believers” in anyway replaces the Office of the Holy Ministry
that God gave as a gift to His church. God’s church is a priesthood to the
whole world and He instituted the means through which His Grace was to be
delivered to His church. His Under
Shepherds, serving in the office, deliver His gifts of Word and Sacrament to
His people. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luther sought not to rebel but to
return the church to its roots. And the Solas of the reformation are sound
principals for us to draw from. We are the beneficiaries of past generations’
pains and struggles for these truths. We, God’s people, hold that Scripture
alone is the source and norm for all we believe and teach. We confess that
these reveled truths of his Scripture make clear that it is through Grace alone
that we can have Faith alone which saves through Christ alone and this is all
to the Glory of God alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In
Christ alone,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span lang="EN">Pastor
Portier <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-44857256111764743992017-04-18T15:22:00.002-07:002017-04-18T15:22:59.605-07:00#180 What Christianity is not <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #180<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I grow so
tired of listening to and reading condemnations of what Christianity is not by
folks who blame Christianity for whatever straw man they just set ablaze.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not: hateful, spiteful, ignorant, mean spirited, intolerant, unreasonable,
unkind, unfriendly, disrespectful, a political system, license to harm,
mistreat, molest, or any other of the myriad of crazy things I have heard
people say and write about Christianity. Anyone who thinks or says these things
is either ignorant of what Holy Scripture teaches or just plain dishonest. Have
Christians misrepresented who and what Christianity is in the past and still do
today by doing many of the things listed above? YES! But God’s word does not
say ‘read’ Christians to understand what Christianity is, it says to read God’s
word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not a system of faith that is bound to the civil laws and customs of ancient
Israel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not a system of faith that is bound to the ceremonial laws of ancient
civilizations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not a license to do sinful acts that Scripture records and condemns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not Mormonism AKA the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not the Jehovah’s witnesses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not any group that does not agree and confess the historic creeds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is not like all other religions, a list of how to get to God rules. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Christianity is not one of many
paths to the same place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
It is and claims
to be the one and only exclusive narrow path to the one true God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
And that narrow
path is Jesus! Who comes to us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, what is
Christianity? It is the house of living stones that tries and fails daily to
live up to the exacting call to perfection of her Lord and Savior. And while we
are poor reflections of what our Lord would have us to be, we struggle daily
trying to be just that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is the body of Christ on earth seeking to love God and our neighbors as He
would have us do it. We do the best we can (with His help) following His Holy
Moral Law summarized in the Ten Commandments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is the body of Christ on earth seeking to share with the world the value of
believing, teaching and confessing who and what the one and only Holy Triune God
is, as revealed to us in His word. More importantly we share that he sent His
only begotten Son into human flesh to redeem all mankind. God desires that none
should perish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christianity
is the body of Christ on earth seeking to live lives of prayer with the one and
only Holy Triune God, praying for help while loving God and neighbor, praying
for all people, places and things around us both near and far, seeking His will
in all things. He created everything and is the source of everything. All pain, suffering and evil are the result
of rebellion against Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> </b>Christianity is the body of
Christ on earth gathering around God’s gifts of Word, Baptism, Absolution and
Holy Supper to receive the promises of forgivness and assurance of eternal
salvation with and through the means He established in His word to deliver
these gifts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In grateful response to God’s great kindness
and gift of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, Christianity is: loving,
agreeable, informed, kind, tolerant, reasonable, friendly and respectful. It is a system that promotes good citizenship
in any political system, license to help, entreat, nurture, or any other of the
myriad of wonderful things we as the body of Christ have done and promoted for
two thousand years. Selflessness, putting God and our neighbor first, is what Holy
Scripture teaches. I repeat - Have Christians misrepresented who and what
Christianity is in the past and still do today by doing many of the bad things previously
listed above? YES! But God’s word does not say ‘read’ Christians, to understand
what Christianity is, it says to read God’s word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Christ<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-50837178323613688622017-03-14T14:32:00.002-07:002017-03-14T14:32:13.219-07:00SMR #179<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #179<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
we enter the Lenten season I thought I would talk a little about numbers, our
church body and how the demographics of our nation are affecting our church.
Most of the information in this reflection comes from an article in the
Lutheran Witness back in November titled Numerical Decline in the LCMS by Dr.
Ryan MacPherson.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First,
the LCMS currently has 6101 congregations with a membership of just over two
million souls. On any given Sunday, a little over 36% of our baptized
membership attends church. Our church body has seen a significant decline in
membership since our peak in 1965. We are however, one of many conservative
church bodies who have suffered much less than the more liberal church bodies who
have declined even faster. For example the Episcopal and the Presbyterian
Church USA, two church bodies that were once twice our size in membership, are
now smaller than we are. There are a
number of factors that affect this but a declining Lutheran birth rate and a
reduced retention rate of baptized infants are a few of them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historically
and even now God’s church is scoffed at, rejected and persecuted. There is
little we can do to combat the ethos of the world we live in but we can and
should continue to press on seeking to increase His church members while not
being disappointed if that does not happen. We must live our lives in accordance
with God’s will and seek to share His Gospel whenever we are able. While we can’t
change the world, it is helpful to understand what is behind our dwindling
numbers so that we can take some steps, with God’s help, to make God pleasing
changes that can help the church remain healthy and grow both in spirit and
number.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One
of the main factors for our decline was mentioned by President Harrison a few
years ago and though scoffed at, the statistics bear out his assertion. It is
our birth rate, at 4% in 1956 (4 births for every 100 baptized members) that
declined to 2% in the 1970’s and is now just over 1%. Dr. MacPherson suggests
that there are seven factors that contribute to this steady four decade
decline; delayed marriage, birth control,
infertility,
divorce, student debt, doctrinal change and vocational confusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr.
MacPherson recommends three things that we might do to help in rebuilding our
baptized and confirmed membership;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Revive the teaching of
biblical and confessional Lutheran understanding of family vocations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
An emphasis on multi- generational ministry;
giving young parents good role models and mentors to help them become better
parents and spouses. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Foster
inter-generational models of ministry. Our culture persistently mocks elders
and drives youth to their peers for advice. Having events or activities that
include the whole family, youth, parents, and grandparents can create a 4<sup>th</sup>
commandment friendly environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Provide economic and
moral support to young families. People are more likely to have and raise more Godly
children if they feel the economic or social burden will not be too much and
that their community will support them in that endeavor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There is
actually one belief system that believed and taught celibacy for all its
members. They believed that others would have children for them to raise. That system did not work very well though and
they officially closed their covenant book in 1957. Today they have only two
official members and soon the Shakers will be no more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It has
always been the health and support of families that provided a biblical model
for healthy congregations. While we here at Saint Paul in Sevierville have seen
a steady average 5% increase in membership and attendance over the past 23
years, most of that growth has been retirees transferring to the area. But our congregation has baptized 48 people
into God’s church and I have been blessed to conduct 29 of those baptisms over
the past 10 years. Wonderfully, 17 of
those were children. We can and should be thankful for whatever role we are
called to play in God’s church or in our families, loving and serving our
neighbors always looking for ways in support and encourage strong healthy
families which can be a key factor in a strong healthy congregation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Christ Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-32919735862337310732017-02-14T14:15:00.000-08:002017-02-14T14:15:12.514-08:00smr #178<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #178<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="EN">Presidents, Civil rights pioneers, candy
hearts, Love, Festivals..….<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN"> These
are the things that most of us think of when we think of in this early part of
the year. But there is a much more
important date that is usually in February and can rarely be in March. It is
not Mardi Gras which can happen on any Tuesday between February the 3<sup>rd</sup>
to March the 9<sup>th</sup>, but if that was your guess then you are only one
day off.</span><span lang="EN"> Ash
Wednesday is the day that always follows Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, the feast
before the fast. This year Ash Wednesday will be on March the 1<sup>st</sup>. It would be easy to focus our thoughts on
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, or Saint Valentine, or
even the festivals and festivities that prevail in most western Christian
cultures prior to Ash Wednesday. But we
should always have our focus centered on Christ, and the church along with
traditional practice and observances which are associated with Ash Wednesday
can be of great help in this endeavor.</span><span lang="EN"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">O</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">n the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Christianity" title="Western Christianity"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Western
Christian</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar" title="Calendar"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">calendar</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">, <b>Ash Wednesday</b> is the first day
of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent" title="Lent"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Lent</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> and occurs forty-six days (forty days not counting </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday" title="Sunday"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sundays</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">)
before </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" title="Easter"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Easter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">. It is a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moveable_feast" title="Moveable feast"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">moveable feast</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">, falling on a different date
each year because it is dependent on the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computus" title="Computus"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">date of Easter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">. It can occur as early as 4 February or as late as 10
March.<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Ash
Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of
the faithful as a sign of repentance.
This comes from the biblical practice of putting ashes or dust on your
head when you are grieving, morning or have been emotionally wounded. The ashes
used are the Palms from the previous year's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday" title="Palm Sunday"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Palm Sunday</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> which are burned. It is our practice to combine these
ashes with Oil. This paste is used by the pastor to make the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_cross" title="Sign of the cross"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">sign of the cross</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">, upon the forehead.
He then recites the words: "thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt
return" from the curse of Genesis 3:19.<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> These
traditions are meaningless if we do not attach them to biblical truth to give
them meaning, and they can become idolatrous if we lose our focus on their
purpose. So, let’s examine how these activities communicate Christ and the
Gospel. First we can understand how
ashes communicate death and grief, by combining them with oil which is
biblically used for blessing, a cross is put on our foreheads the beginning of
a time of reflection and fasting. We
then go out with this mark showing that we are redeemed by Christ selfless act
on the cross. This time of lent is for
denying ourselves and reflecting on the great price Christ paid on Good
Friday. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> This
often brings us to the question of fasting and how it is a part of this
tradition. Ash Wednesday is the
beginning of a time of prayer and fasting but how do we apply this tradition to
our lives? This 40-day period reflects
the 40 days Christ fasted in the wilderness in preparation for his earthly ministry. The Sundays are not counted as they are
little Easter breaks in the fast. We are
not very good as saying no to ourselves and fasting is a powerful act of
denying oneself. Fasting in the
traditional sense means to deny one’s self food or water or pleasure. Let me precede what follows with a warning;
No one should ever endanger their lives by not taking in adequate nutrition or
fluids.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> We can
tap into the practice of fasting for physical and spiritual benefit. While the medical community confirms that
regular fasting has physical benefits, I will focus on the spiritual benefits. Denying oneself food and drink can be done in
a way that keeps one adequately nourished however remaining hungry. We can use these physical cravings to
continually remind us that we are in the season of lent and can say a quick
prayer, “Lord help me overcome my desires and keep me mindful of the cost of
your redemption!” There are however many
personal desires that we can use today as a personal fast. Giving up something we regularly crave; a
favorite food, sweets, a favorite beverage, a favorite form of entertainment,
video games, TV, Golf, a favorite craft or hobby, anything that we regularly
spend time or resources on ourselves. We
can then take that time and those resources and give them to God, in more
prayer, more scripture reading, or the funds we would have spent on food or
entertainment being given to; church, missions, or some other ministry that
serves others, therefore denying ourselves even the benefit of those things
after the fast is over.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Two very
important points to remember when we fast; First we do not fast to earn
anything from God because we cannot earn what Christ has fully paid for, our
motives should always be Christ centered therefore seeking his will not our
own. Secondly should keep our fast to
ourselves making no big deal of the fact that we are doing something to express
our gratitude to God. We do not want to
put on a show of piety in order to receive a reward of honor and compassion
from others.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> So, as
you consider what or if you might give up something during this coming Lenten
season, remember as you endeavor to do so this coming Ash Wednesday to seek Gods
help in do it in the most God pleasing a way possible. </span> Enjoy your celebration of Presidents<span lang="EN"> birthdays, Civil rights pioneers, candy
hearts, love and the festivities that precede Ash Wednesday, but keep central
to your life He whose suffering and death Ash Wednesday exist to proclaim. </span> <br /> <br />In Christ Pastor Portier<br /> <br /> </div>
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Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-1210213537007983412017-01-11T12:55:00.002-08:002017-01-11T12:55:29.551-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #177<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Five
hundred years: a lot can happen in five hundred years. In ten months it will
have been five hundred years since Martin Luther posted his famous 95 theses.
What has any of that history got to do with anything we are doing in East
Tennessee in 2017? Well, our daily walk through God’s word and our practice of
faith, are directly affected by this historic reality. All of what we believe,
teach, and confess from scripture is neatly wrapped for us in Luther’s small
catechism, a short 35-page work that summarizes the basics of the Christian
faith. Many other questions were further clarified for us in the Book of
Concord which contains the small catechism, along with 9 other works, and was
published in 1580. So God’s truth is clarified for us in these works and guides
how we apply it today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Past
generations have warned against the distraction of anniversaries causing people
to lose focus on what is important. I remember being in middle school when our
nation celebrated its Bicentennial, and it seemed that was all anyone ever
talked about and it probably led to some important things being overlooked. I
do not think we have a distraction to worry about but we need to be concerned
about how this can and will affect our ability to share the Gospel. When people
hear about Martin Luther in the coming year, as worldwide coverage of a 500<sup>th</sup>
anniversary starts making the news, your non-Lutheran neighbor might, for the
first time, make a connection between the German Martin Luther and the American
Martin Luther King Jr. Or they might say “Aren’t you Lutheran?” “What do
Lutherans believe?” You have just had a soft ball tossed in your direction, so
how do you respond? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are
a few quick ways to answer those and other questions about your faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe the 66
books that make up the old and new testament to be the inspired word of God<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->All that we know
believe and teach about God comes from those 66 books.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe in the 10
commandments, (know them in case people ask - Ex. 20 & Deut. 5)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe in the 3
historic creeds, (know them, for people may ask) Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe in and use
the Lord’s Prayer (be ready to share it)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe that God
connects us to Himself in the waters of Holy Baptism<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe that the
forgiveness Jesus bled and died for is delivered by His means<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We believe that Christ
gives us forgiveness in the Lord Supper<o:p></o:p></div>
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(These last
three will cause much conversation, so if you bring them up, be ready to
explain them)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now
since the world has only about 80 million Lutherans and we are part of a small
minority, less than 3.5 million people are in what is called the “International
Lutheran Council” (ILC), it is helpful to know what sets us apart from other
Lutherans. That would be how we apply the Bible and the confessions. How that
plays out is ILC congregations is that only men are ordained to be pastors and we
are uniformly pro-life. However, with the larger “Lutheran World Federation” (LWF),
which has some 72 million members, pushing in recent years for gay rights, many
of the Lutherans in the global south are shifting to or have already shifted to
the ILC. So while there is a global shift going on we are still part of a very
small minority. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Historically
speaking the church is used to being part of a persecuted minority, Seth, Noah,
Abraham, the prophets, the exiled remnant, the early church, and martyred
Christians for the past 2000 years know the same persecution that Able suffered
at the hands of Cane. But we trust in God and press on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a
blessed new year in this quincentennial celebration year of the beginning of
the rebirth of the Biblical, apostolic Christian church. And be ready to share your
faith when given the opportunity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In Christ Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-31726110828877378162016-12-17T11:53:00.003-08:002016-12-17T11:53:31.011-08:00SMR 176 Thankfulness <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #176<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Thankfulness,
as we approach the 500<sup>th</sup> anniversary year of the reformation I would
like to ponder the question of gratitude as we wind up the calendar year this
Advent season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So,
what does it mean to be thankful? I think it is to acknowledge, a gift of God
and to express gratitude for it. What does that look like? Here is a short
list.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You live and breathe
and are a being<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank your creator by
loving Him and your neighbor in accord with His word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by being a
good steward of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have technology.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by
respecting the generations that did the work to provide it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have family &
loved ones.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by caring
for and cherishing all God given relationships.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have creativity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by using it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have freedom and
peace<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by
expressing you gratitude to those who work to provide it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have a faith<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by nurturing
it with word and sacrament.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You have strife, struggle
and suffering<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank God by learning
growing through it and trusting Him in it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said
this is a short list and as you can see all our thanks goes to the provider of
everything but we express our gratitude not by feeling warm and fuzzy, but by
saying thank you to God in prayer and deed to and through others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a
Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In Christ Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-35737173334113983282016-11-22T13:41:00.002-08:002016-11-22T13:42:55.031-08:00SMR #175<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #175<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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We like
to take sides. My dog is better than your dog, my dad can beat up your dad, my
team is better than your team. It is appealing or desire to be on the winning
side, have the winning team, that I think in many ways affects how we vote and
choose our politicians. Sadly, for most of my adult life when I did my civic
duty of voting I as most of us have been very disappointed with the options
that were available. But if you compare even our worst leaders, even the current
options are tame compared to some of the tyrant rulers in world history. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But to
help ease your election hangover let me share a few things with you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus
died for all sinners, of all political persuasions, no matter how they voted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When you
vote you are not saying you approve of any of that candidate’s sins.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Voting is
simply saying that the political positions of that candidate are most in line
with yours.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
sanctity of human life is a biblical principal so it should be high on your
priority list.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Casting a
vote for whom ever you think has the best chance of being in that office is
important. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So they can protect life,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Protect and promote family’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Protect the free exercise of faith and conscience,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Protect and defend our nation and promote peace in the
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This
in my humble opinion is the most God pleasing way to cast your vote.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But whoever you vote or voted
for……The church will pray for President Clinton or President Trump and the
world will not end because of this election. Trust in God, He is in
charge…..Press on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Christ Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-85513561567393221742016-11-02T13:03:00.001-07:002016-11-02T13:03:17.369-07:00#174 Who is forcing their views on whom?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #174<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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We
live in a society that has lost it connection with reality and logic while
proclaiming to be scientific and factual in all its assertions. This leads to
nonsensical realities that we must live with and endure everyday as we seek to
speak the truth in love to our neighbor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hormone
therapy for aging men and woman is take caution!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hormone
therapy for athletic performance is bad!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hormone
therapy for treating whatever ails you bad! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hormone
therapy for gender reassignment, good????<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Our society has divide itself in
to two parts<o:p></o:p></div>
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-Those
who affirm the 6<sup>th</sup> commandment as Gods word and seek with God’s help
to keep intimacy <o:p></o:p></div>
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between one man and one woman in marriage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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-And
those who reject the sixth commandment and set self-pleasure above all else,
evidence that they <o:p></o:p></div>
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have a conscience is the fact that they want
to force their views on the first group, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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LGBTQ is the new special rights
group to which we all must surrender.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To
speak against this special group by calling them sinners like you and
me…unacceptable. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Your
conscience and your faith can and will come under their scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our
Government has mandated that in public schools. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The places
designed to receive human waste or wash sweaty athletes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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must in
essence be genderless…..????????????????<o:p></o:p></div>
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with no
regard for the male and female way God has created us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are those who want to
regulate everything and everyone with the strong arm of government.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Licensing
and regulations for fishing, driving, hunting, gun ownership, bicycles, cars,
pets…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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But
licensing and simple regulation of clinics that murder babies…..outrageous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most
abortion clinics function as a cash only business….they do not accept personal
checks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our
nation’s largest provider was defunded by most states.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But
still receives 500 million of our tax dollars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How
then are they able to donate as an organization to political campaigns?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why
are the laws in our country applied selectively????<o:p></o:p></div>
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There
is a schizophrenic, bipolar nature to our nation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And
at its source is human sin….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The great deceiver has us deceived
into calling evil good and good evil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now
more than ever we must seek Gods will in our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As
we go through another election season, <o:p></o:p></div>
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Your
pastor suggest that you pray and take seriously your responsibility as a citizen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We
cannot save the world and have not been called to save the world, Jesus did
that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We
are called to obey the forth commandment and be good citizens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Loving
God and our Neighbor as best we can with God’s help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fear
not, God is in charge, you have been redeemed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Trust
in Him and press on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Christ Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-28078757757970845932016-08-27T07:49:00.004-07:002016-08-27T07:49:41.842-07:00#173 Feed Your Faith <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #173<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"> </span></b><span lang="EN">What are you doing as a part of your daily, weekly, or monthly routine to
enrich your biblical knowledge and application of that truth to your life? Take
a moment for a quick inventory; how much time do your spend with God in prayer,
worship and study of his truth? Now compare that with the amount of time you
spend sleeping (which is very important, and should be ~8 hours a day) and
working for pay or in some other way as part of your God-given vocation (a good
balance would be 40-50 hours per week). After you subtract all the other things
you do during your day (primping, eating, playing, and relaxing), how much time
is left? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN"> If you give to God a minimum of one
hour a week in worship so he can give you his word and sacrament in the way he
established, then you are already ahead of over 80% of our nation’s population.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">That
one hour is so nurturing and beneficial that if that is all you do, you are
already well equipped to face the week. Scripture does say, though, to remember
the Sabbath <b><u>DAY</u></b> and make it holy. The last thing God created was
a day of rest, and setting a good example for us all, the creator of the
universe RESTED for a day. So resting and communing with God and his saints on
a weekly basis is very important. But is it enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN"> I would like to suggest that a well-balanced
life has a good mix of many God-pleasing practices which take care of our physical,
mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Interestingly enough, while spiritual
health is the most important (eternally speaking), it requires perhaps the
smallest amount of your time, and provides the greatest good. For example, “prayer
without ceasing” does not mean 24/7 active prayer, it means taking whatever
time is required a few times a day to pray about the things going on in your
life and the people that are important to you, and in between those prayers, do
all that you are doing for God and make the most of the time, skills, and
resources he has given you, so that what you do to the Glory of God will be the
first and best you can give to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"> Here at Saint Paul, we want to make
sure we do our best as your family in Christ to help you make the most of every
moment that feeds your spiritual well-being. We have 3 divine worship
opportunities each week, and your newsletter and announcements tell you what
text will be preached on at those services so you can study them ahead of time;
this will enrich your worship experience! You also have 3 adult bible study
times to choose from, not to mention the mountain of written materials in our
narthex designed to answer just about any question you might have on current
events, issues of faith, and congregational activities and schedules. We also
have many resources available online. You can receive the newsletter
electronically in color, our website and Facebook page have current sermons for
you to watch or listen to, not to mention other video, audio, and written
information available there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"> I hope you survive the summer heat
this year, and I also hope you make full use of the resources available to you,
and as your pastor, let me assure you that I am never too busy for or bothered
by questions of faith or scripture, but the 5 minutes preceding worship are
usually pretty full. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN">Blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Pastor
Portier <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4261027487527434385.post-91649988492106560752016-06-27T08:01:00.003-07:002016-06-27T08:12:06.968-07:00SMR #172 Biblical Christians DO NOT MURDER GAY PEOPLE!!! <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "viner hand itc";">Smoky Mountain Reflections #172<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Biblical
Christians DO NOT MURDER GAY PEOPLE!!! The various commands issued by God
throughout scripture can be broken into three classes: <b>ceremonial, civil & moral</b>. These distinctions are not
enumerated for us in scripture but are very helpful in applying God’s law to
our lives. We can use God’s word to untangle them just like we use it to
provide a clear understanding of the Holy Trinity. The distinctions are
important to understand, not only because they help us to properly apply God’s
will in our lives and to love God and our neighbor in accord with His will, but
because Christ himself tells us in Matthew 5:17,<b><i> “Do not think that I have come
to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them.”</i></b> Let’s look at these three ‘classes’ or categories, and
define and apply them.<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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The
clearest category of the three is the <b>ceremonial
</b>law. Old Testament religious regulations/rules fall in this class. These
are the commands which deal with the temple or tabernacle. This law directs
temple tools and accoutrements, priests and their garments, temple ceremonies,
feasts and festivals, and includes dietary and clothing restrictions for the
people. Ceremonial laws are called “hukkim” or “chuqqah” in Hebrew, which
literally means “custom of the nation”; these words are often translated as
“statutes”. These statutes/laws point to the coming Messiah, and were fulfilled/completed
in Him. For example, the shedding of Christ’s innocent blood for the atonement
of sins on Good Friday fulfills what all the temple sacrifices before him pointed
to. No need for further sacrifices. Many books are filled with clear
explanations of how “customs of the nation” were fulfilled in Christ. Even
Jewish scholars (who of course do not see Christ as a fulfillment) agree there
is a definite distinction between ceremonial and moral laws.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
<b>civil, </b>or <b>legal, </b>category<b> </b>of
commands we see in the OT is not accepted by Jewish scholars, and actually has a
mixed reception within Christendom. But the majority of Christian scholars
agree that such a class or category of commands is helpful in understanding history.
Civil laws are those which applied <u>directly and exclusively to the nation of
Israel</u> from 1446 BC to 586 BC while remnants of that nation-state existed
in exile. These were laws regarding issues such as slavery, punishment of
multiple forms of sin (by stoning), and other issues applicable to the time. Similar
to ceremonial law, they functioned to point to the coming Christ, keeping God’s
people separate and distinct because the promised Messiah, the savior of all would
come from them. God fulfilled this in Christ through Mary and His step father
Joseph. However, the kingdom for which those civil laws were written no longer
exists. Today’s nation-state of Israel, being a modern construct of the UN,
cannot legitimately claim a real connection to the kingdom that fell in 586 BC.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since the
civil and ceremonial laws functioned to point to, prepare for, and announce the
coming Messiah, the purpose for which God established those laws has come to
pass. It would be a denial of Christ as the Messiah to continue adhering to
those types of laws. The metaphor here is that the concert is over; one does
not put up posters and hand out flyers for a concert that has already taken
place. In accord with biblical principal, Christians <i>have never</i> and <i>should never</i>
resort to vigilante mob justice, which (apart from God’s word to the Israelites
in that particular time and place) is what stoning is. Instead, we trust God to
execute civil judgment through the authorities He puts in place, and He calls
us to be good citizens of whatever worldly kingdom we live in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally,
<b>moral </b>laws. These are the laws of
God which scripture speaks of in Matthew 5:18 as <u>not</u> passing away. The
10 commandments are a clear example of these timeless moral laws. To be sure,
there are laws within the two previously mentioned categories which carry moral
content that still applies but they are then ‘moral’ laws. <br />
Let’s look at commandments 3
through 6 for some clarification on this. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping
it Holy” actually fits in all three categories but because the ceremonial and
civil natures of the law were fulfilled in Christ, we are free to worship on
any day if the week (1 in 7 is the moral element which requires weekly worship).
For 2000 years Christians have chosen the day of Easter (a Sunday) to be their
primary day of worship; some must work on Sundays but they have six other days
to make use of for spiritual and physical nourishment and rest. “Honor your father
and mother” speaks to all authority in our lives, though when the law of a civil
government violates God’s law, Christians must follow God rather than man (Acts
5:29). “You shall not murder” does not prohibit all killing; war and capital
punishment can justify the taking of life by a government. Murder is the taking
of innocent life. Gunning down an abortion doctor or strangers in a gay bar
fits this definition and is murder. The sixth commandment makes clear that sex
belongs in marriage, which is between one man and one woman. This is an
undeniable biblical principal that Christians are called to speak the truth in
love about. Not to mention a biological reproductive truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speaking
the truth in love, incidentally, does not include shooting, yelling at, or
shunning anyone. It means being kind and loving toward one’s neighbor (and all
people are your neighbors). Tell them that violating God’s moral law is not good
for them, and that Jesus paid the price for all our violations by perfectly
fulfilling the moral law on our behalf. Eternity is sure for those who do not
reject this truth. Therefore, continue to live out your faith in their presence,
being kind, generous, friendly, and hospitable. That is what the “love your neighbor”
part of the moral law looks like. Jesus does not force himself on anyone and
neither should we.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor Portier<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For further reading on this topic
I recommend the following links<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/ceremonial-law.html"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.gotquestions.org/ceremonial-law.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/downloads/the-threefold-division-of-the-law.pdf"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/downloads/the-threefold-division-of-the-law.pdf</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://crossexamined.org/cherry-picking-the-bible-are-christians-expected-to-follow-the-levitical-laws/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://crossexamined.org/cherry-picking-the-bible-are-christians-expected-to-follow-the-levitical-laws/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/LutherMoses.htm"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/LutherMoses.htm</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert Portierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04844563428447333018noreply@blogger.com0