Grace

I found this poem, written by Fritz Ridenour, the other day and thought I would share it with you:

GRACE

Grace is like getting two more days to

complete an assignment even though you've

goofed off for six weeks

and missed the deadline.

Grace is getting another chance even though

you haven't earned it or deserved it.

Grace is God's unmerited favor, mercy and

love, by which we are justified freely.

One of my former Lutheran Teachers taught me grace this way:

God's

Riches

At

Christ's

Expense

Either way God covers mine and yours many mistakes or sins through his undying love!

Blessings

Aaron

God's Love

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world the he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life."

During this time of Lent John 3:16 is the verse that I always turn to. This verse shows Gods love, not only for me but the entire world, past, present and future. He didn't pick certain people - - He picked ALL people. The miracle of my little faith is that I have eternal life because of His love!

When I think of love, I always turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Paul writes about how love should be, the love that God gave to us in His Son Jesus Christ.

Paul writes: Love is patient and kind, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered and it doesn't keep a record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil, but it rejoices in the good truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love never fails.

There is a prayer that goes something like this: Lord, I want to thank you for being close to me so far today. With your help, I haven't been impatient, lost my temper, been grumpy, judgmental or envious of anyone. But, I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think I will really need your help then. Amen

Can you imagine when we have a crisis in our lives or in our faith that God would not be patient with us? Or if His love was self-seeking and He would say "you didn't love me enough?" Or if he kept a record of our wrongs? What chance would we have?

Paul ends his chapter with verse 13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Love supercedes the gifts because it outlast them all. Long after everything else, love will still be the governing principle that controls all that God and His redeemed people are to do.

Do you see the correaltion between John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians chapter 13? God's love for us is so over the top "out of this world" that we cannot fully grasp it. We just need to trust that our little faith will continue to grow with His everlasting love!

Thanksgiving is next week! It is my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong celebrating the birth of Christ is awesome, but it has become too commercialized . The focus on thanksgiving for me has always been on family and and giving thanks to God's richest blessings. I am continually amazed at what God for all that I have, knowing that I do not deserve any of it.

Giving and saying thanks seems easy for some people and difficult for others. It is difficult because many times we cannot find the right words to say. If you are one who finds it difficult, here are 10 ways to actively share your appreciation fopr others:

1. "Thank you for _____________."
2. "I appreciate it that __________."
3. "That saved me a half hour of my day. Thanks."
4. "Your efforts made things easier for me."
5. "I really needed your help. Thanks for being there for me."
6. "That put a big smile on my face."
7. "You really helped our family when ____________."
8. "We all benefited from your efforts with __________."
9. "I'm feelin really loved right now."
10. "I feel honored that you _________________."

Have a great Thanksgiving.
Aaron

Faculty and staff

We just celebrated Day School Sunday. We had 75-100 children plus the adult choir singing at the same time. what a sight it was. The services were filled with the congregation praising God for Immanuel Lutheran School throughout the years.
I was pleased that we could celebrate such an occasion, 130 years, around 25,000 students coming closer to Christ. I think back at how simple life was 130 years ago to how complicated it is now and I praise God that we are still here teaching His Word.
I thank all the past teachers, administrators, children and parents for their commitment to the Immanuel community. But mostly I thank the parishioners and alumni who continue to support the school even without having children in the school. I told a story of my father still paying my tuition every Sunday when he attends his church. In essence, that is what we are all doing when we give our offerings, we support the mission of the church which in some cases such as immanuel is the school.
I want to thank the wonderful faculty and staff who serve here presently. I especially want to thank Pastor Tom who has become a great friend and colleague for his service. They perform their duties with commitment and professionalism always staying centered on Christ. These servants of Christ are a wonderful group of Christians that I say are awesome to work with.
I invite you to visit even if you haven't visited us or haven't visited us for a while. I guarantee you will see the work of God's hands present.

God Bless - - hope to see you in church,
Aaron

Love

The theme for the month of September is Love. Love is the first "Fruit of the Spirit" mentioned in Galatians 5. The topic of love has been brought up many times in the Bible, but yet it seems to be thrown around on television and the radio.
The 3rd chapter of the 1st John speaks volumes about the life changing love that God gives us on a daily basis. Verse 16 of this chapter states: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. Knowing Christ died for me has changed my life, I know He died for you too and I hope you have had that same life changing feeling.
Verse 11 speaks of loving one another. This would be the same love that Christ has for us. The Greek word Agape is used to describe this kind of love. Agape love is unconditional. Christ loves us even though we are sinners and fall far of what He expects of us. We should love others, and not expect any back. By doing so we may turn a non believer to a believer.
1 Corinthians chapter 13 is the Chapter of Love. Verse 4: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Verse 8 Love never fails. This chapter not only speaks of the depth of love but it also involves many of the Fruits of the Spirit that Christ asks us to live.
John 3:16 says it all though: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." That is the way God loves us, not lightly or just when He felt like it, He died while we were yet sinners. AND His love is unconditional!!!
God asks us to love everyone. Since God asks us to do good and please Him, we should do it! Loving others is the right thing to do, even if it doesn't always feel right.
So if you haven't told anyone latley how you love them go ahead it won't hurt, and it might not feel right, but I do know you and the person you said it to would feel great.

By the way - - - I LOVE YOU!

Greetings,

The Start of School We have just finished our second day of school! Mrs. Kinyon and Mrs. Mayyou said that the two days went well - - and they should know since they have been in the office a number of years.
The students seem to be excited about school starting. That is a great sign! Kids wanting to be in school!!!! OK I have to admit not all were excited to start. Some were nervous because they have a new teacher, some have their first male teacher, some do not want to do work, some are nervous about the new scary principal who says he will hold the children responsible for their actions. But I do know God will be guiding us to help them learn and they will come around. But each child is different.
This reminds me of my garden at home. Some plants and flowers need my assistance on a daily basis, as an example the Day Lilies. Others however, need to be nourished every once in awhile, like my boxwoods. The grass needs to be treated the same way at the same time. All bushes need to be trimmed, trees need to be pruned, and the Lilacs need to be cut back so they do not know grow the wrong way. That is what we intend to do with each child. Tend to their needs to the best of our abilities.
We will feed, water, prune, cut back and do whatever it takes to help our children grow into the Christian adults we want them to be. While we are at it, we hope do the same with ourselves, afterall God wants us all to grow in our faith. How about yourself? Does your faith need some pruning?
I hope to see you in church on Sunday!

God Bless,
Aaron
draft

Back to School

Greetings,

I am sitting at my desk preparing for a new school year at a new school. Tomorrow the faculty arrive for an all day meeting. I am sure they are saying the same thing I have said all week, "Boy, the summer went really fast!" They are probably more excited about a new class than they might let on, after all it is in their blood.

The theme for this year is taken from the book of Galatians chapter 5. In this chapter we find that we have freedom in Christ and how to use that freedom to live by the Spirit. The theme "Fruits of the Spirit" actually can be found in verses 22 and 23. These verses read:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.

As you read the 9 topics of living by the Spirit you must ask yourself, "How am I doing?" Are you patient when it comes to traffic jams? Are you the type that when changing lanes you realize the lane that you just moved out of is actually moving faster? Do you show kindness at all times? Including the time when someone cuts in front of you in a very long line at the store? Do you show self-control when your child tells you something they did wrong?

If you find yourself not doing so well in these nine areas it is a great time to begin. It will take practice, prayer and more prayer.

The key to the whole verse is the last sentence - - Against such there is no law. There is NO LAW against loving others, being joyful at all times, finding peace in this world of chaos, being patient in all circumstances, being kind to everyone - not just those who will be kind back, showing goodness, being faithful to the Lord, your spouse, your family, your school, being gentle with others when they have wronged you, and showing self-control in your life.

This is what we will be teaching your children throughout the year. We will use each of the fruit of the spirit every month. We will start the month of Aug/Sept with Love.

I ask each person who reads my blog to begin living by the fruits of the Spirit. While living by all of them, concentrate on the "fruit" of LOVE for the next month. I think you will find it very rewarding and fulfilling.

Blessings,
Aaron M. Landgrave