Trinity Lutheran Church and School

Christmas Greetings Everyone!!

I pray this finds many of you still basking in the celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!!  And I really cannot believe 2012 is right around the corner!

So, I am hoping that the title got your attention.   I can't help but wonder how many of you finished the title with the word "money."  "Show me the money!!" is likely one of the most quoted movie lines in recent years from  the movie Jerry Macguire.  The movie's name sake is a high-priced sports agent modeled after the likes of Leigh Steinberg and Scott Boras. 

Now, in case you are wondering what does "Jerry Macguire" have to do with Pastor B's blog?  Here it is: On Thursday, December 8th Albert Pujols signed a 10-year, $254 MILLION dollar contract with the Angels. It is a large contract that is also loaded with incentives for hitting certain milestones.

Now, I will be the first to admit that I cannot fault Albert for following the money.  We live in a free-market economy - at least for now - and if a team such as the Angels can afford to pay Albert $254 million-plus  over the next 10+ years, more power to them.  And Albert has the freedom to sell his services to the highest bidder - which he clearly did.

The issue that many of us Cardinal Fans have is this......Albert flat out betrayed Cardinal Nation.  Over the course of his career, and especially since  February 2009, he had made it clear that - and I am paraphrasing here - "It's NOT about the money,"  "It's about competing," and "I want to retire a Cardinal."    He is on the record as making those type of statements on more than one occasion.    And that is where the betrayal comes in.   If  Albert had been up front and honest from the beginning,  I don't think so many people - including myself - would care that he moved on.  But he has shown his true colors.  It is not about loyalty and keeping one's word, its all about the money!!

Now, in case you are wondering, this is where the "theological" twist comes in:  We just celebrated the Birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.  Unlike Albert Pujols,  our good & gracious God does in fact keep His Word!  After we fell into sin God promised us a  Messiah way back in the third chapter of Genesis.   And in the birth, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, God kept His Word to us.   

And He continues to fulfill His promises to us each and every day! In Matthew 28 He promised, "...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   And you know what?  He is still with us...probably the best illustration of this is to see and experience this firsthand each and every Sunday here at Trinity as Jesus continues to come to us physically in His Body & Blood for the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of the eternal life that we have through the person and work of that baby whose birth we just celebrated!!

So, the next time you get disappointed that someone - anyone - does not keep their word, rest assured that there is someone who does, in fact, keep His Word!

Take care, God's Blessings, and have a Safe & Happy New Year!!

Humbly Serving as Trinity's Pastor,
Pastor B

Dear Fellow Redeemed in Christ -

Just a brief note to wish each and every one of you a very Blessed & Merry Christmas!!  

I plan to have another blog entry before the end of the year!  I had a much longer Christmas one almost finished.....but it disappeard just a couple of minutes ago!  UGGHH!!    Oh well......

I pray that you take the time to spend with friends, family, and loved ones tonight and tomorrow as we celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ who took on human flesh to earn for us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven with Him!

I have included part of the Christmas Story from Luke 2 (KJV) for your reading enjoyment:

     "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

                  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Pastor B

Greetings Everyone!!

I pray that this blog finds you well during this Advent Season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

Well,  after a somewhat long layoff  I'm back "Blogging."  In looking back, I cannot believe it has been two months since my last blog entry, and simply cannot help but wonder where the time went!   I wish I could attribute it to the old adage, "time flies when you are having fun."  But unfortunately, I cannot.   I have held off posting anything because I wanted to make sure I was in the right frame of mind.  I say this because this past Spring I was criticized - and mildly "reprimanded" - for something that I posted on this blog, and in light of more recent events I am trying to be extra sensitive to what I "blog" about. 

Well, after the events of the last couple of days, I am happy to report, things are back on the upswing!   And one of the big reasons I am say this is because  earlier this evening I had the privilege to schedule baptisms # 12, 13, 14 & 15  for this coming Friday!  That's right!  This will be our 2nd straight year of double-digit baptisms!   WOOHOO!  And it will be the 2nd time in recent weeks that I have had the privilege to baptize an entire family!   

Anyway, I will not bore you any longer .     Just thought you might like some good news! 

God's Richest Blessings to you all during the remainder of this Advent Season!  And I hope to be back blogging before the end of the year!

Humbly Serving Christ & His Church,

Pastor B