DEVOTION:
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20
The topic for today's Daily Devotion was called to my attention by Reverend Kurt Klaus of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View, Minnesota.
Most of you don't own a copy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
If you have never seen or heard of the DSM, let me explain. The DSM is put out by the American Psychiatric Association. Between its covers the DSM has descriptions, symptoms and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.
One news source said the DSM is the "bible" for mental health medicine.
Having given that explanation, I thought you might want to know there is a new edition of the DSM in the works and when it is published next year, it will be making some major changes.
For example, have you lost and are mourning a loved one? In previous versions of the DSM that was normal and understandable. The new DSM ignores the cause of your loss and says only that you have a "depressive illness."
Or do you have a child who doesn't do as you ask? It used to be your child was just being defiant, but now he has a mental condition. He has "oppositional defiant disorder."
It gets worse. The DSM will be saying serial rapists and sex abusers have a "paraphilic coercive disorder." So what's the big deal, you ask? Simply this: these sex offenders could escape punishment, if they can point to a disorder and say, "It's not my fault. I've got a condition."
Now I'm certainly not going to disparage the excellent work done by counselors, especially Christian counselors. On the other hand, there is a great danger when evil becomes good and good becomes evil. It will be a tragedy for individuals and for society if people no longer feel responsible for their actions or the wrong they have done ... if there is such a thing as "wrong."
In contrast to the direction the DSM seems to be going, stands the Savior. Not only does the Lord recognize sin and guilt, He has done something about it.
So that we might be rescued from the condemnation that results from the evil we have done, the Lord Jesus came into this world. By taking our place under the Law, He has made it possible for all who believe on Him as Savior, to be forgiven and adopted into the Lord's family of faith.
And you should know, dear devotioner, that being forgiven of our wrongdoing by God is a far better thing than to pretend there is no such thing as wrongdoing at all.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there is no question that my sins have earned Your condemnation and wrath. That You have elected to offer Your Son as my ransom is an unexpected gift of grace. May I, and all the world, cling fast to the Life-Preserver, Jesus. This I ask in His Name. Amen.
PS - More than 11,000 health professionals have already signed a petition calling for the development of the fifth edition of the DSM to be stopped and reevaluated.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who is the "avenger of blood" as spoken about several times in the OT?
Sandy Robine is the winner!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What would happen to someone who would kidnap someone and either sell him or still have him when he is caught in the Old Testament?
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CATECHISM:
Question: What has original sin done to human nature??
Answer: Original sin
a. has brought guilt and condemnation to all people;
b. has left everyone without true fear and love of God, that is, spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God;
c. causes everyone to commit all kinds of actual sins.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Supper (pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert) 5:30; bell practice 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30
Fri- H.S. youth 30 hour famine starts at noon; High school lock in begins at 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm; 30 hour famine ends 6pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am
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NEWS:
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20
The topic for today's Daily Devotion was called to my attention by Reverend Kurt Klaus of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View, Minnesota.
Most of you don't own a copy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
If you have never seen or heard of the DSM, let me explain. The DSM is put out by the American Psychiatric Association. Between its covers the DSM has descriptions, symptoms and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.
One news source said the DSM is the "bible" for mental health medicine.
Having given that explanation, I thought you might want to know there is a new edition of the DSM in the works and when it is published next year, it will be making some major changes.
For example, have you lost and are mourning a loved one? In previous versions of the DSM that was normal and understandable. The new DSM ignores the cause of your loss and says only that you have a "depressive illness."
Or do you have a child who doesn't do as you ask? It used to be your child was just being defiant, but now he has a mental condition. He has "oppositional defiant disorder."
It gets worse. The DSM will be saying serial rapists and sex abusers have a "paraphilic coercive disorder." So what's the big deal, you ask? Simply this: these sex offenders could escape punishment, if they can point to a disorder and say, "It's not my fault. I've got a condition."
Now I'm certainly not going to disparage the excellent work done by counselors, especially Christian counselors. On the other hand, there is a great danger when evil becomes good and good becomes evil. It will be a tragedy for individuals and for society if people no longer feel responsible for their actions or the wrong they have done ... if there is such a thing as "wrong."
In contrast to the direction the DSM seems to be going, stands the Savior. Not only does the Lord recognize sin and guilt, He has done something about it.
So that we might be rescued from the condemnation that results from the evil we have done, the Lord Jesus came into this world. By taking our place under the Law, He has made it possible for all who believe on Him as Savior, to be forgiven and adopted into the Lord's family of faith.
And you should know, dear devotioner, that being forgiven of our wrongdoing by God is a far better thing than to pretend there is no such thing as wrongdoing at all.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there is no question that my sins have earned Your condemnation and wrath. That You have elected to offer Your Son as my ransom is an unexpected gift of grace. May I, and all the world, cling fast to the Life-Preserver, Jesus. This I ask in His Name. Amen.
PS - More than 11,000 health professionals have already signed a petition calling for the development of the fifth edition of the DSM to be stopped and reevaluated.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who is the "avenger of blood" as spoken about several times in the OT?
So it looks like the avenger of blood is a close relative of any deceased that met their death by accident or intent.
Sandy Robine is the winner!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What would happen to someone who would kidnap someone and either sell him or still have him when he is caught in the Old Testament?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: What has original sin done to human nature??
Answer: Original sin
a. has brought guilt and condemnation to all people;
b. has left everyone without true fear and love of God, that is, spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God;
c. causes everyone to commit all kinds of actual sins.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Supper (pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert) 5:30; bell practice 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30
Fri- H.S. youth 30 hour famine starts at noon; High school lock in begins at 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm; 30 hour famine ends 6pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am
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NEWS:
POTLUCK WITH JAN LUCAS THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 3 AT NOON!!
A long time member of St. John's and friend to many, Jan Lucas, is moving. Some of her friends are having a going away potluck luncheon for/with her this Saturday at noon at church. Please bring your favorite dish to share.
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THIS WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm
Supper- 5:30---Roasted pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert
Worship- 7pm- JUDAS TALKS ABOUT WHAT HE DID TO BETRAY JESUS
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS
LOCK IN AND 30 HOUR FAMINE Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3.
All high school youth are invited to this lock in!!!!!! Bring your friends and bring lots of stuff to do: video games, movies, board games, whatever else you can think of.
We will stop eating after lunch on Friday and go without eating until 6pm on Saturday.
We are doing this to raise money for starving children throughout the world. World Vision is the group we will be donating the money to.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IS TOPIC FOR NEXT MONDAY'S MEETING
Next Monday evening at our regular meeting we will be learning about Jehovah's Witnesses. If you have a friend who is Jehovah's Witness bring them with you so that we can learn straight from the source.
PAINTBALL!!! MONDAY NIGHT March 5??????
Every first Monday night of the month we are gong to do something fun. In march we are doing paintball if it is available. I still have to see if they do evening paintball, but if they do, IT IS ON!!!
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BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!!
15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!
What is it? Bible 101 is a new online product from Concordia Publishing House that increases Biblical literacy in adults.
It is for all levels of learning and knowledge. Even pastors learn things from this course.
Participants simply log into Bible 101 and enter an online learning environment. Members start out by learning essential Bible basics from "square one" and then build upon that as they progress through the course.
Here are som of the features of Bible 101
online- uses proven online educational strategies and models that facilitate retention among multiple learning styles.
videos- throughout the week, participants can access videos that relate to the lesson
discussion forum- participants are not left on their own as they are connected to a community where they can correspond, question, and encourage each other.
podcasts- daily devotional for each weekday
quizzes- test your knowledge and easily benchmakr where you are in your learning cycle.
printing- easily print the materials for even more easy access.
Please call or reply to this email to let me know that you want to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. I will sign you up! The congregation has already paid the annual fee so IT IS FREE for you!!!
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who fell and broke her hip in two places as well as her wrist.
For VERNON HEICHELBECH who is hospitalized at the VA in Columbia with severe dehydration and complications due to parkinsons.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer. She is undergoing more tests this week.
For A GOOD FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN who has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time and is pregnant.
For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.
