"An Example of God's Grace and Power."

"An Example of God's Grace and Power."

By:  Pastor Jack Schneider

“[T]he holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  [2 Tim.3:15-16, NIV]

Pastor Oscar Benavides, the director of LINC NT [Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition North Texas], has preached here at St. Paul a number of times and is well-known to you. This story comes from him as an example of God’s grace and power.

At one of LINC NT’s new mission sites, two teens snuck out of their apartment with the keys to the family car. The parents did not know the twins had left without their permission. Around 1 a.m. the parents got a call the boys had parked the car in a no-parking zone and the police were ready to tow the car. It was also discovered the boys did not have licenses. The parents were shocked and went to rescue their car and teens. The brothers were cited and required to appear in court the next month.

At the court hearing, the mom told the judge that she was attending a parenting Bible study with LINC NT. The judge asked more about the curriculum and inquired if the boys were attending the Bible study [they were not]. The judge then compelled the boys to attend the Bible study every week for three months, requesting that LINC NT verify their attendance. We now have two 15 year old teens learning about the Bible at our Wednesday study with their family. We are in awe of God’s sense of humor and work. Please pray for these boys, that His Word would infiltrate their lives in such a way that they choose to be at the study even after the term is completed. God is amazing!

Wow! What a great witness this is! On the one hand, we see the incredible things God is doing through LINC. On the other, we see how He is using “secular” judges to accomplish His will in bringing His Word to hearts that so desperately need it. And on top of it all, we give thanks for the creativity of pastors/leaders like Pastor Oscar and his teammates who search for doors into our communities -- ways to introduce Jesus Christ into the lives and homes of the people who live right there.

Of course this begs the question: how can we at St. Paul knock and open doors into the lives of people around us here in Plano? We have great facilities, a tremendous early childhood ministry in our school, we are highly visible on a well-traveled venue and, with all this, we have the benefit of skilled volunteers. We do not need to have a perfect plan to get things going -- just the perfect peace that God will use what we bring for His purpose.

- Jack

"Don't I Get a Vote Here?"

"Don't I Get a Vote Here?"

“We never give up! Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory… Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.”  [2 Cor.4:16-18, CEV]

The historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI has been captured on camera, and the details of his retirement are available to all.  This coincides with my own retirement later this year after installing our new senior pastor, and now it’s rumored someone [likely our golf league, knowing that bunch!] wants to use Benedict’s ceremony as a model for me.  What I’ve gleaned so far is this:

First, where the Swiss Guard is charged with destroying the fisherman’s ring and seal used for official papal business, the group here had plans to destroy the driver in my golf bag until it was pointed out that it always self-destructs on the first tee, anyway.

After that, there was lengthy discussion about a white helicopter to lift me off after my last sermon, then it was decided a MediVac would be more appropriate and, finally, they voted on a white plastic lawn chair attached to 18 helium weather balloons. However, none of them trusted me with a pellet gun to shoot out the balloons for descent, so that one’s still up in the air -- literally. Oh, and that’s not a seat belt on that thing, either -- it’s a strait-jacket.

Finally, the Pope Emeritus will spend two months at Castel Gandolfo after two Swiss Guards usher him in and close the massive wooden doors, marking his symbolic time in secluded meditation. Well, apparently Carolyn has conspired with this group of lunatics here, because I found the Trustees drawing up secret plans to change the lock on my office door, neutralize my building alarm code, and commit me, literally, to a rigorous exercise plan at 24-Hour Fitness.  Wait, don’t I get a vote here? Can’t I choose secluded meditation instead of painful exercise?

All right, let’s get serious… 

Indeed, we’re getting stronger each day in Christ as we keep our minds on Him. Everything we say and do is moving toward this point: being with Him for all eternity -- not at death, but starting here and now! Sure, we struggle with problems and pains, and inevitably we have to face death and taxes. Yet we face them, and more, as the people of God confident in His love and secure our past, present and future.

Never give up, and keep your eyes on what you can’t see. [It never hurts to laugh, either, does it?]

- Jack