Knoxville, TN August Do Hard Things. by Pastor Rich Elseroad

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1 Knoxville, TN August 2012 Do Hard Things by Pastor Rich Elseroad A couple of years ago I came into my son s room to talk and found him reading a book entitled, Do Hard Things. I was very intrigued. It is a book written by teens and for teens. The Harris twins who wrote the book believe that the teenage years ought to be more like a launching pad to their future adult years rather than a time of rebellion and irresponsibility. I intended to read the book but ultimately never did. But the title and what it might mean to even older people has stayed with me. There is one problem that seems to plague everyone to some degree or another. That problem is procrastination. I suppose we procrastinate for a variety of reasons including the difficulty factor of the task, fear of not doing something well, disorganization and basic laziness. It is easy to see the Christian ethic in doing hard things. A few examples might suffice. It is far easier to ignore the poor and helpless then to help and aid them. It is far easier to let the children go wild and not discipline them. It is far easier to live off your parents than to take responsibility for yourself. It is far easier to sleep in than go to church on Sunday. It is far easier to eat whatever you want and avoid exercise and self-restraint. It is far easier to take frequent breaks and leave work early than to give your full effort. It is far easier to watch TV, text, and talk with friends than to do your homework to the best of your ability. It is far easier to keep your faith private and never open your mouth to witness. This list could go on and on. But as you can easily see with these examples the easier way is not necessarily the better way. The Bible tells us that whatever we do we ought to do with all our heart as if we are working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). The Bible also indicates that joy results from doing our work excellently. Certainly this may be something you have experienced in your own life. You have tackled something that was your responsibility but perhaps something that you weren t looking forward to and you knew to be very difficult. (Continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 August 2012 Do Hard Things (Continued from page 1) However, when you finished the task you felt that satisfaction, that joy in accomplishing something that needed to be done. Because we are saved by grace and not by any accomplishment or work we might have performed, we take on hard things as Christians with a far different motivation. It is not to win brownie points with God, because that is not even possible. Our relationship with God is not about what we do but what He has done for us in Jesus Christ. With a true Christian motivation we are not doing these things to gain fame or notoriety or even riches. No, our motivation is in pleasing and glorifying our Lord. We take on the nitty-gritty out of love for Him. This love can shape our every action and decision, and because we serve such a loving God, accomplishing difficult things usually has an inherent reward. The hard workers get raises. The mindful parents get (sometimes) obedient children. The compassionate servant usually receives compassion and friendship in return. So what are the hard things beckoning you? What have you put off? What easier way should you turn from to take that harder and more profitable path? Jesus did hard things out of love for the Father. As His disciples we do hard things out of love for Him! ~ Pastor Rich The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler I can t say enough good things about this book. My copy is so marked up that I know I will be referring to it many times in the future. The book is bold and has an uncompromisingly Biblical view of what the Gospel is and how it ought to be proclaimed and shared. It takes on those who would distort this Gospel and introduces the terms the Gospel on the ground and the Gospel in the air. Generally these terms refer to the Gospel as it impacts us individually (salvation) and how it impacts us cosmically (restoration). Chandler shows us how the overemphasis or ignoring of either one distorts the Gospel and leads us into various heresies. [For instance on the one hand ignoring the poor and social justice and on the other side forgetting to even mention the atoning substitutionary death of Jesus for us as the Social Gospel adherents have done in the past and even now.] Chandler is a Calvinist so we miss any talk of the importance of the Sacraments and there is that subtle but pervasive view of the Calvinistic view of predestination (though the word is never mentioned). Otherwise this book is so valuable in its insights especially considering our current controversies that I would advise anyone to read and even reread it. I could hardly put the book down, he writes so clearly and winsomely. Anyone who ever doubted that we are saved by grace alone will be mightily persuaded by Chandler to embrace this doctrine again and never let it go. He also has a marvelous chapter interpreting the often confusing book of Ecclesiastes. And though he goes here and there, speaking of creation, the end times and moralism, all his topics dovetail into that theme of making the Gospel explicit. He clearly shows how some of the issues today like homosexuality and even women s ordination begin to obscure the Gospel. He argues that even though we may disagree on these topics it is how we come at them that matters the most (do we play fast and loose with the Bible and do we ignore 2000 years of Christian beliefs concerning these issues). There is so much here to chew on in this relatively short book (224 pages). I hope some of you reading this review will pick up this book up, read it, and join me in discussing it. What a joy that would be! ~ Pastor Rich GraceNet is published monthly by Grace Lutheran Church LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN Phone: (865) Fax: (865) glc@visitgrace.org Reverend Richard M. Elseroad, Senior Pastor Reverend Justin A. Bell, Associate Pastor Reverend Mark Bushuiakovish, Associate Pastor Website: Articles for GraceNet are due by the 1st of each month for the following month s edition. GraceNet Staff Debbie Booher, Editor Linda Jaekel Nancy May Joan Scraggs to Editor: dbooher@knology.net

3 Page 3 August 2012 Parade of Tables March 2, 2013 Theme: Games Charity: Special Olympics Please save that date and consider being a Hostess for Some young teenagers have asked if they can host a table, and we are delighted to have them. If you would like to help plan the Parade of Tables please contact Nancy Duthey, August Scripture of the Month Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24, NIV Family Prayers P rayer is a vital part of our walk with God, and God wants to hear from us when times are good, as well as when times are bad. One of the focuses of our prayers is for various members of our congregation each week in our worship services. By the end of the year, our goal is to have prayed for each and every family at Grace during one of the services. The names of those who we will be praying for each month will be posted in advance in the bulletin and/or the newsletter. Please take a moment to read the names and incorporate them into your own daily prayers as well. Ask for God s hand to be upon these people and ask Him to bless them. Prayer can have a powerful effect on people s lives. Let s commit to lifting each other up in prayer this year and see what amazing results will follow. The families and friends we want to pray for during the month of August are: Week of August 5 Jim and Elizabeth Blank, Brittany and Haley Alex and Nancy DeTrana, Elizabeth and Eleanor Carol Herbold Dennis and Barbara Laneman Bryan and Jenny Payne, Abby and Molly Michelle and Mark Scamard Stacey Smith Week of August 12 Nan Bobbett, Lindsey, Andrew and Ian Paul Freno David and Janice Ishee John and Chris McCay Gil and Grace Pitcher Arlen and Cathy Schade Todd and Donna Straub, Rachel and Rebecca Week of August 19 Harvey and Debbie Booher Barbara Fulkerson and Dana Karl and Kristin Kennedy Timmy and Kristine Meade Paul Price Gary and Joretta Schneider Bob and Pat Strickland Week of August 26 Nathan and Debbie Bretscher, James, Paul, Emily, Laura and Matthew Bobby and Erin Colbert Todd and Deidre Garriott Iantha Hults Scott Krebs and Joshua George and Ruby Roettger Ralph Sharpe

4 Page 4 August /1 Ted Haase, Jr. 8/2 Kitty Pruett 8/2 Bill Smeltzer 8/3 Rich Elseroad 8/4 Donna Anderson 8/4 Gabe Bucca 8/4 Anthoney Hotaling 8/5 Bryan Caviness 8/5 Carol Herbold 8/5 Diana Holden 8/5 Kristen Stone 8/6 Logan McGhee 8/6 Sonja Roberts 8/8 Cori Camp 8/8 Tonia Collins 8/8 Jacob Cook 8/8 Joe Dew 8/8 Davis Masters 8/8 Dorothy Ryan 8/8 Clay Whittenburg 8/9 Tyler Baker 8/10 George Herbold, Jr. 8/10 Allen Schultz 8/10 Beth Tharpe 8/11 Eric Kleckley 8/11 Remy Tunstall 8/15 Carol Campbell 8/15 Dave Harjala 8/15 Tom Lewis 8/15 Vonnie Scott 8/16 Megan Roberts 8/16 Dylan Vannier 8/17 Tammy Kipp 8/17 Elizabeth Murphy 8/18 Cydne Albers 8/18 Jake Bennett 8/18 Nancy DeTrana 8/18 Noah Roettger 8/18 Stacy Roettger 8/19 Amber Hicks 8/19 Lydia Satterfield 8/20 JoAnn Vaughn 8/22 Susie Elseroad 8/23 Mike Harper 8/24 Paul Guthrie II 8/24 Paul Guthrie III 8/24 Paul Guthrie IV 8/24 Paxton McPherson 8/25 Scott Frostholm 8/26 LouAnn Hanvey 8/26 David Poker 8/27 Vicky Czupka 8/27 Sandy Heath 8/27 Linda Mahan 8/27 Kelly McPherson 8/27 Sam Smithey 8/28 Jean Freeney 8/28 Keira Shafer 8/29 Anthony Berrio 8/29 Elizabeth Blair 8/29 Walter Metz 8/29 Ruby Roettger 8/29 Stacey Smith 8/30 Nancy Lineberger 8/30 Ray Maier 8/30 Kevin Tharpe 8/31 Frieda Guthrie 8/31 Robert Hovan 8/31 Nick Poker 8/31 Charles Robinson 8/2 David & Gretchen McGinley 8/3 Michael & Penny Perry 8/7 Jeff & Crystal Grebe 8/7 Fred & Brigitte Stapel 8/8 Paul & Theresa Angelino 8/8 Mark & Joyce Satterfield 8/8 Jim & Teri Stoddard 8/10 Bob & Gail Kurtz 8/11 Nathan & Debbie Bretscher 8/13 James & Randi Ray 8/14 Justin & Johanna Bell 8/14 Darryl & René Mackley 8/15 Karl & Kristin Kennedy 8/16 Tim & Tonia Collins 8/16 Ralph & Christine Harness 8/17 John & Susan Whittenburg 8/19 Paul & Sheila Wittke 8/20 Mel & Carolyn Beech 8/21 Paul & Kathy Pankow 8/25 Tom & Kellye Glisson 8/27 Dave & Sandie Harjala 8/27 Sandy & Randy Heath 8/29 Scott & Nancy Krahl 8/31 Kevin & Susie Hurtubise Brennan Michelle Cleland Born: July 14, 2012 Proud Parents: John and Carrie Cleland

5 Page 5 August 2012 Meet Some of the Authors Randy Alcorn Among popular and prolific Christian authors is Randy Alcorn who writes both fiction and non-fiction. Alcorn is the founder the director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. Several of his writings can be found in our library. Among his best-known non-fiction are: If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil (231.8 Alc): Alcorn addresses the dilemma of how to reconcile a good and all-powerful God with the terrible evils and sufferings of a fallen world. Heaven (236 Alc): This biblically-supported and wellresearched look at heaven is encouragement to move beyond pre-conceived notions of eternity and strive for God s best now. Deadline, Dominion, and Deception (Fic Alc) are among Alcorn s fiction titles from his Ollie Chandler series. These stories follow the struggles of renegade detective Chandler as he fights the forces of evil. Safely Home (Fic Al): Ben Fielding has no idea what his friend is facing in China until they are reunited after 20 years. The decisions they make could determine the future of two nations and possibly two worlds. Edge of Eternity (Fic Alc): After Nick Seagrave finds himself at a dead end following tragedy and disillusionment, he must consider if the God he claims to not believe in is real and if the choices he makes have eternal consequences. Brennan Manning Brennan Manning is another prolific Christian writer whose aim is to share the Good News of God s love for all His people. Abba s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging (248.4 Man): Many Christians have bought into the lie that we are only worthy of God s love when our lives are going well; when we are doing good. Manning dispels this lie by revealing that God loves us and accepts us first as we are, thereby allowing man to claim his true identity as Abba s child. The Ragamuffin Gospel (248.4 Man): Known as the classic meditation on grace, this book has changed the lives of thousands. Manning invites the dirty, bedraggled, and beat up (the ragamuffins) to sit at God s feet while God smiles upon them, the objects of His furious love. Other titles by Manning include: The Wisdom of Tenderness (231.7 Man); He Took the Fall and Thought of Me... Above All (232 Man); The Furious Longing of God (234.2 Man); and Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes: Unmasking the Real You (248.2 Man). Other New Titles 20 Most Asked Questions About the Amish and Mennonites by Merle Good (289.7 Goo): With the popularity of stories about the Amish and Mennonite communities, this little book offers insight into the practices and rules portrayed in the fiction stories. Diagnosis Death by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. (Fic Mab): The newest title in the Prescription for Trouble series. These are medical mystery novels written by a medical insider who gives a realistic flavor to the stories. This latest addresses the struggles doctors face when they lose patients and then accusations are made against them. Also in the series are Code Blue, Medical Error, and Lethal Remedy (Fic Mab). On DVD New from dynamic speaker and pastor Louis Giglio comes the latest release in the Passion Talk series. Symphony: I Lift My Hands (DVD Gig). Giglio reveals how all creation unites in praise to our Creator, and how the Creator is intimately involved in every moment of our lives. Also in the Passion Talk series are: Indescribable (DVD 213 Gig); Hope: When Life Hurts Most (DVD Gig); How Great Is Our God (DVD Gig); and Fruitcake and Ice Cream (DVD Gig). Find these on display in the library throughout the month. ~ Mary Schultz

6 Grace Lutheran Church-LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN (865) Fax: (865) address: Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. (Traditional) and 9:30 a.m. (Blended)/11:00 a.m. (Contemporary) Wednesday Worship: 6:30 p.m. (Blended) Sunday School & Bible 9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TO: