Our Savior Lutheran Church

Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,

A Reason to Boast

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.--Jeremiah 9:23-24

The “self-help” and “self-improvement” sections of local bookstores are entirely too easy to mock and deprecate. With titles such as “Maybe Life’s Just Not That Into You”, “Excuses Be Gone!”, “The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” and “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking”, America’s self-help culture can’t be denied. If not all-powerful business executives, we at least want to appear sufficiently competent and – well, self-sufficient. These self-help sections just serve to underscore our compulsion to “be all you can be.” Especially if someone else will notice.

Think about the quintessential American dream for a moment – the rising career, the house with a backyard, and 2.3 kids enrolled in ballet and baseball. It’s what we want to report in our Christmas cards to family and friends. It dates back to the old “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” mentality that isn’t all bad. Still, like the self-help shelves, the dream often boils down to a prideful heart.

Contrast this cultural stereotype with Paul’s continued exhortations throughout his letters. We grow accustomed to hearing some of the apostle’s key themes – “dying to self,” “dead in sin,” “servant leadership.” I’m guilty on more than one occasion of mentally putting my Bible on the self-help shelf, looking at it as a manual to better myself. Biblical virtues such as compassion and perseverance, so necessary to the community of faith, can be made one more tool in my “self-made” toolbox. Paul’s theology becomes my means of achieving the “good Christian life.”

How does this happen? I think the answer, at least in my life, is fairly simple. Like those self-help books, like Christmas cards sent out to distant relatives, I begin focusing on the “what” instead of the “who.” The late theologian Carl Henry, after he had already written his great theological works, was once asked the “secret” of maintaining humility. He said simply, “How can anyone be arrogant when he stands beside the cross?” Our lessons in self-confidence can only seem significant when we lose perspective on the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice.

In Jeremiah, the Lord gives only one legitimate example of boasting – and that is centered around his glory. “Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,” he says. That strips all our self-help lessons of their value. No wisdom, no strength, no anything is worth proclaiming except what finds its root in God’s own character and our relationship with him. And if we boast in that, the emphasis doesn’t rest on our created sufficiency. It points back to the mercy of a God who loves people – even those obsessed with self-help shelves.

The praise song “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” demonstrates this truth in just a couple verses:

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powers, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

REFLECTION

Competency can quickly morph into self-sufficiency, followed by pride. Before we know it, we’re “boasting” through our actions and attitudes if not our words. Let’s forget the “what” and get back to the “who.” Remember it is God’s relationship with you that matters far more to Him than anything you think you can do or think you can do for Him.

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of June 6, 2010

FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING

* Indicates a new or updated prayer request
*Tim Mattson            (Brother of Beverly Silletto) dealing with blood clots in lungs.
*The Family of Sterling “Larry” Clarke   (Son of Eleanor Clarke) Larry was called home on May 28th while waiting for a liver transplant.
*Heather Hall             for healing of injuries suffered during an OSLC Women’s Softball game.
*Alice Nickel              [Mother of Paul Nickel] cornea transplant surgery postponed till Thursday.
*Rev. Ed Keinath       [District Counselor] anticipating surgery for injuries sustained in a fall.
Kayla Hitzler               [Friend of Andrea Osborne and former OSLS student] for thanksgiving in surviving a severe automobile accident.
Lester Ranzau           [Father of Robert Ranzau] for healing and strength for he and his family with his recent diagnosis of cancer.
Annaliese Bratcher  [Daughter of Bill and Annaliese Griffin] prayers for May 25 surgery.
Mary Rose Crask      Recovering from surgery on May 20.
Marilyn Lose              Recovering from surgery for a brain tumor this.
Frank & Rosina Walker        Frank is recovering from another surgery; prayers for spiritual uplifting and peace for both Frank and Rosina.
Caron Fausel             Recovering from knee-replacement surgery.
Rev. Tim Anderson   [Former pastor at OSLC] recovering from prostate surgery.
Amy Velez                  [Daughter of Harvey and Billie Detroy] for healing and patience after knee surgery.
Paul Mattson              [Nephew of Beverly Silletto] continuing therapy and recovery from spinal surgery.
Prayers are requested for the family of Karen Rogers [daughter of Ken & Lil Rogers].
Steve Lindgren          Reoccurrence of previous health issues.
Danny Shorter           [Brother-in-Law of Karen Shorter] hospitalized with pneumonia, kidney infection and anemia.
Herb Henry                 [Brother of Cindy Oberhaus] had a heart procedure on April 30, awaiting additional prognosis.
Elaine Gookin            [Friend of Sherry Ederheimer] We pray for continued healing of serious burns and pneumonia.
Alice Puckett             [Sister in law of Marsha Puckett] preparing for surgery to remove colon and vertebrae.  
Troy Hartman             [Friend of Kathy Eskridge] critically injured in a motorcycle accident on Thursday evening; prayers for Troy and his son, Max.
Charlotte Williams     [Mother of Tracy Hannon] suffered a stroke on April 3; hospitalized in St. Louis
Catherine Shultz-Unger        Continued healing of fractured hip
Ben Richner               [Brother of Dorothy Van Sant] complications following heart surgery.
Jerry Skaggs             [Brother of Jane Stopher] in rehab following a motorcycle accident in Minnesota.
Bill Collignon              Please include Bill and Betty in your prayers.
Bill Berger                  [Father of Billie Detroy] Health problem have improved significantly with treatment and is out of the hospital. Prayer for thanksgiving and continued improvement.
Norma Brown            Recovering from surgery at Oak Lawn
Dave Sheldon            [Terry Lindgren’s Uncle] Diagnosed with Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer
Alice Bacon               Recovering from surgery to repair a fractured wrist.
Nora Horecny            Fracture of vertebrae, having pain
Leah Robison            Recovering from a broken foot
Pat Otten                    Recovering from a broken foot
Craig Lowry               [Father of OSLS preschool childcare student, Marissa] serious health concerns
Solissa Arms             [Friend of Pat Kuecker] Recovering from injuries from auto accident
Rosina Walker           Strength
Pauline Rye               [Mother of Noble Rye] recovering from a stroke
Sarah Austin              [Family friend of The Mueller Family] undergoing testing
Linda White               [Sister of Sharon Coleman] Cancer, praying for comfort and peace, and for God’s will to occur
Bob Wolke                 [Brother of Pat Otten] suffering from severe pain
Orval Bestian             [Brother of Shirley Atkins] heart problems
Kim Hunter                 [Friend of Pat Kuecker] 37 yr. old suffering from multiple health concerns
Karen Jackson          [Friend of Melissa Nelson] waiting for a transplant  

FOR THOSE SUFFERING CHRONIC ILLNESS

Bill Berger, Daniel Shorter, Bob Farley, Christopher, Lance Muessle, Erin Brady Worsham, Nick Zimmer

FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM CANCER

Alice Puckett, Pastor Don Dengler, David Sheldon, Thomas Davidson, Phil Sanders, Barbara Robertson, Lorna Benkendorf, Ruth Smith, Lu Aiella, Jim Bush, Kay Mitchell, Leona Walker, Pam Russo, Brock Douglas, Joan Beck, Kim Phillips, Karen Gardner, Roger, Jana Maher, Judi Rice, Jack Quinlan, Mark Hayden, Joanne Leeming, Venessa Brady, Joey Eckler, Jim Siegfried

FOR THOSE CONFINED AT HOME, A NURSING HOME OR REHABILITATION CENTER

Ray Wahlbrink, Isabella Tappendorf, Dorothy Ordel, Mary Rose Crask, Jim Ashley, Ricky Hayes, Inge Kaulitz, Lydia Eggers, Nancy Heiden, Myrtle Wiggins, Glenna Goepfert, Elvera Weltzin, Jerry and Marge Tauscher, Virginia Alexander, Helen, Dennis Krause

FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

Matthew Kuecker, Jason, Chris and Kim Wolter, Matt Fitzgibbon, Joshua Burkett, Roy Oberhaus, Don Wheeler, Lori Alix, James Marshburn, Tony Crespo, Donnie Tyler, Zachary Holland, Michael Alexander, Jeffrey Davis, Erik Sheldon

FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM CANCER OR CHRONIC ILLNESS

Dave Sheldon            [Terry Lindgren’s Uncle] Diagnosed with Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer
Alice Puckett             [Sister-in-law of the Puckett’s] has colo-rectal cancer that has spread to her spine
Pastor Don Dengler  Diagnosed with advanced lung cancer
Johanne Thonney      [Friend of Kathy Baki] 25-year old diagnosed recovering from brain surgery
Brock Douglas          [Brother-in-law of Melanie Douglas] Advanced cancer, in hospice care
Brooke McGrew        [Sister of Scott Smith] Diagnosed with Cervical cancer, awaiting treatment
Nora Horecny            Fracture of vertebrae, having pain
Craig Lowry               [Father of OSLS preschool childcare student, Marissa] serious health concerns
Frank Walker             Recovering from another surgery attempting to save his leg
Solissa Arms             [Friend of Pat Kuecker] Recovering from injuries from auto accident
Rosina Walker           Strength
Pauline Rye               [Mother of Noble Rye] recovering from a stroke
Lt. Daniel Berschinski          [25 year old fellow soldier and friend of Matt Kuecker] at Walter Reed fighting infection in his amputated legs, which were the result of injuries sustained in and IED explosion.
Sarah Austin              [Family friend of The Mueller Family] undergoing testing
Linda White               [Sister of Sharon Coleman] Cancer, praying for comfort and peace, and for God’s will to occur
Bob Wolke                 [Brother of Pat Otten] suffering from severe pain
Orval Bestian             [Brother of Shirley Atkins] heart problems
Kim Hunter                 [Friend of Pat Kuecker] 37 yr. old suffering from multiple health concerns
Karen Jackson          [Friend of Melissa Nelson] waiting for a transplant
Joanne Leeming       [Cousin of Karen Shorter] Healing from a stroke and Lymphoma
Hannah Dirkse          [Friend of the Detroy’s] 18 yrs. old diagnosed with Leukemia
Ty Hassler, Jr.            [Friend of the Lindgren’s] health and life concerns
Phil Ritz                      [Friend of Joe and Doris Deuth] recovering from a heart attack
Kay Mitchell               [Friend of Barbe Lamkin] major health concerns
Barbara Robertson   [Mother of Debbie Novak] recovering from heart attack and cancer treatment
Thomas Davidson     [14 y.o. neighbor of the Coleman’s] Responding well to treatment
Lorna Benkendorf     [Friend of Tony Arnold] Undergoing treatment for cancer
Leona Walker            [Friend of the Belza’s] Recurrent lung cancer that has spread to her brain
Jim Ashley                 [Brother of Larry Ashley] suffering from health concerns
Ruth Smith                 [Mother of Scott Smith] In remission
Phil Sanders              Suffering from throat cancer, in discomfort
Lu Aiella                     Undergoing chemo treatment for breast and brain cancer
Kay Mitchell               [Friend of Barbe Lankin] suffering from cancer
Jim Bush                    [Father of Julie Yeager] diagnosed with cancer, undergoing testing for treatment options
Bill Berger                  [Father of Billie Detroy] Alzheimers
Joan Beck                  [Mother of Karen Young, a friend of Caron Fausel] diagnosed with a serious brain tumor
Kim Phillips                [Cousin of Steve Lindgren] breast cancer
Karen Gardner          [Daughter of Jean Pillischafske] breast cancer
Roger                         [Uncle of a friend of the Lindgren’s] cancer
Jana Maher                [Friend of the Belza’s] Recurrent breast cancer, has young children at home
Jack Quinlan              [Friend of the Haller’s] Leukemia
Joanne Leeming       [Cousin of Karen Shorter] Lymphoma
Venessa Brady         Hodgkin’s Disease
Joey Eckler                [Grandson of the Kendt’s] cancer
Lance Muessle          [Friend of Nelson’s] paralyzed from an accident
Erin Brady Worsham            [Friend of Marty Belza] Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
Nick Zimmer              [Nephew of the Coleman’s] MS

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.—Romans 11:33-36

In Christ,
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church