When we are sheltered by the cross
Thanks to everyone for your prayers, your kind words, and the help you gave my family this week! And most of all thanks be to God for the healing He has provided so far.
I had a blood clot in my leg and a pulmonary embolism. I spent a few days in the hospital and I'm back home now. Pastor Mueller from Alliance is going to fill in for me on Sunday, and Pastor Wierschke in Rushville is going to host winkel for me on Tuesday.
The Lord sends these sicknesses and trials as a reminder even to the young and strong that we will not live forever. Like we'll hear on Ash Wednesday, dust we are, and to dust we shall return. But our Gospel hope is that Christ has paid for our sin and conquered death by His death, and by His rising again has brought life and immortality to light. Thanks be to God that He has preserved me that I may continue to proclaim this hope, even as He reminded me of my need to hear it for myself.
Our opening hymn for Sunday seems especially relevant:
O Holy Spirit, grant us grace
That We our Lord and Savior
In faith and fervent love embrace
And truly serve Him ever.
The hour of death cannot bring loss
When we are sheltered by the cross
That cancelled our transgressions.Help us that we Thy saving Word
In faithful hearts may treasure;
Let e'er that Bread of Life afford
New grace in richest measure.
O make us die to ev'ry sin,
Each day create new life within,
That fruits of faith may flourish.And when our earthly race is run,
Death's bitter hour impending,
Then may Thy work in us begun
Continue to life's ending,
Until we gladly may commend
Our souls into our Savior's hand,
The crown of life obtaining.
Once again, thanks be to God for His deliverance through Christ, His healing in this time of illness, and His gift of you His saints!
In Christ,
Pastor Sherman