Knoxville, TN April 2013

H ave you ever thrown up your hands and sighed: “What can I do about it!” If you live long enough, you will probably think or say this nu-merous times. There are so many things that are really out of our con-

trol. It is so naïve to think that we are in charge of cause and effect in our lives. Then there are concerns for our county – and we seem helpless to reverse the decline we are experiencing. So I ask the question: “What can you do?” My answer would be: “Not much!” But before we despair consider the stories in the Bible both in the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is so authentic and real that it truly mirrors our lives today. One thing is really clear: God seems to orchestrate our lives so that we frequently face situations completely out of our control. Storms, tragedies, overwhelming odds confront the Biblical characters continually. When, for in-stance, Jacob in the book of Genesis, thinks he is in charge of his life, God shows him otherwise as he faces one reversal after another. Another classic example is in the book of Joshua. Joshua, the great Israelite general and leader, has led the Israelites into the Promised Land. They spectacularly defeated Jericho with God’s miraculous help. But then the tiny

little city of Ai defeats the small force sent against it. Joshua is thrown into a panic and imagines how the nations will gang up and destroy Israel. He wails before God: “If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?” This is the same Joshua who saw all the power that God unleashed on behalf of the Israelites for more than forty years. Now the task of seizing the Promised Land seemed impossible. Why is it that God seems to want all of us to come face to face with situ-ations we can’t handle? The answer is pretty clear isn’t it? He is dealing with our pride. It is our sin that we declare we don’t need God and that we can manage our own lives quite well, thank you. So we have to repeatedly be shown that in fact, we do need God. The ultimate thing out of our sway is death. We need God! We need the forgiveness and salvation wrought for us by Jesus Christ! We need the power of the Holy Spirit to deal with what life throws at us. So what can you do? You can pray. You can rely on your Lord and Savior and trust in His love for you. You can honor God in the small things and the big things of your life. You can be still and know that He is God. If you take this stance in your life, you will actually accomplish much, just as the people in the Bible did. You will see God bring you through the toughest and even impossible situations. And your faith in Him will soar just as God has planned. ~ Pastor Rich

What What Can Can I Do?I Do?

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GraceNet is published monthly by

Grace Lutheran Church – LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923

Phone: (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895 E-mail: glc@visitgrace.org

Reverend Richard M. Elseroad, Senior Pastor Reverend Justin A. Bell, Associate Pastor

Reverend Mark Bushuiakovish, Associate Pastor

Website: http://www.visitgrace.org

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

Email to Editor: dbooher@knology.net

Fresh Air

by Chris Hodges

C hris Hodges is a pastor of a remarkable church in Birmingham, Alabama – Church of the Highlands. It is one of the largest churches in America and con-

tinues to be one of the fastest growing. He begins the book in a very candid way. He calls 1999 the worst year of his life. He suffered a deep depres-sion that made him wonder whether he was fit to be a pas-tor. Quietly critical in the past of those who suffered from depression, Hodges realized he couldn’t “fix” this himself. The turning point was entering a prayer event called “21 Days of Prayer.” He went on a complete fast: no food, no media and no distractions. On the 17th day God visited him and revived him. He said it was like a breath of fresh air and thus the title of this book. He uses the analogy of air and wind throughout the book. The doldrums, this nautical term used in the day of sailing ships, describes what he felt like during his depres-sion. The purpose of the book is how God can put the wind back in your sails. One of my favorite chapters is chapter 5: “Attitude Adjustment.” His model in writing about one’s attitude was his father-in-law Billy. He was also a pastor who did most of his ministry in Germany. His attitude in life might be described as radiant. Billy claimed that the final three months of his life were the best weeks of his life. He sa-vored each day and people loved being around him. Joy emanated from his life. He simply wouldn’t complain about his situation. Hodges points out that many people blame others for the reason they have a bad attitude. Because of past expe-riences they become cynical and suspicious of everyone’s motives. An unwillingness to forgive others also molds a negative attitude. He quotes the old adage: “Unforgiveness

is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.” Another quote he mentions comes from George Washington Carver, the black scientist who faced a great deal of preju-dice and racial bigotry but would not let it shape him. “I will never let another man ruin my life by making me hate him.” Though his suggestions toward having a better atti-tude may seem trite or obvious, in the context of the whole book they serve as an important part of catching that wind. Hodges asks us to look for the positive in every situ-ation, to give our worries to God and take responsibility for your attitude. He proposes in turn, that we can breathe a fresh air upon all we meet. There were two other chapters that I marked up fre-quently. The first was “God’s Love Language” which dealt with worship. The second was “A Friend Like No Other” which was about the Holy Spirit. This is an inspiring and practical book. It is especially helpful to anyone who believes they are in a dead spot in their life or as Hodges would call it “in the doldrums.” ~ Pastor Rich

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J ohnny was a beautiful little boy. When he was born his parents could not have been any prouder. People would pass by the nursery window, and each parent in turn,

would point out the bassinette that cradled his or her son. Their spirits were high, their hopes even higher. They both wondered, sometimes out loud, what would be his mark on the world. Johnny’s family lived in a beautiful part of town, still on the edge of the city limits, and little Johnny was the talk of the neighborhood. It seemed that he walked before any-one thought he should. His smile was captivating. He shared it with everyone. He could wrap any one of his grandparents around his little finger. One grandfatherly type by the name of Lionel took a particular shine to Johnny. He found out what Johnny was drawn to and made sure he reacted appropriately. He made it his business to make it to every function Johnny partici-pated in as he grew up. It began with graduation from pre-school. He was right there on the front row, camera in tow. He made sure to tell Johnny how great he performed – bet-ter than anyone else for sure. In grade school, Johnny started to shoot up in height more than his peers. Eventually he went out for basketball. Every time Lionel saw Johnny practicing outside he would stop over, brag about his shots, and encourage his com-petiveness. In high school, Lionel was at every basketball game. He would sit at the top of the stands, the ever-present video camera in hand. He became so much of a fix-ture that no one seemed to notice him after awhile. That was except those times when the referees missed some calls. Then, Lionel would loudly voice his disapproval. Life could not have been any better for Johnny. He played varsity basketball, dated the prettiest girl in town, was even hoping to get a scholarship to one of the most prestigious colleges in America. That’s when all Hell broke loose. One day on the way to high school, Lionel was waving him over to the curb. He seemed to be a little anxious to Johnny so he stopped. Li-onel asked him to roll down his window, which he did. Li-onel pulled a gun on him and told him to slide over on the passenger side of the car. Johnny was caught off guard. He didn’t know what to do. So rather than respond, he just silently moved over rather than anger his captor. When Johnny didn’t show up for school his parents were notified. They were worried silly. Finally, they called the police. The police were unable to locate Johnny or his captor, Lionel. There seemed to be very little hope that he would ever be found. Does this story seem feasible to you? It makes more sense if we tie it to the reality of today. More families than you could imagine will sooner or later deal with the kidnap-ping of a child. This kidnapping, however, is spiritual in nature.

Researchers tell us young people are leaving “the church” more than ever before. The person behind the “kidnappings” is the Devil. The loss he wants to perpetrate is worse than any other. Listen to how Peter describes it in his New Testament letter: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8) Is there a kidnapping taking place before your very eyes? It could be someone you know and love personally. It might be a child who doesn’t know they are unwittingly being led away from early participation in Christianity into a life that leads to unbelief. This kind of kidnapping has dire consequences. It will not have a happy ending. Who is the “Lion” trying to work through in your and my life right now? The world is so often in direct opposition to what we have been taught in The Scriptures! John, who wrote the Book of Revelation, also wrote these words: “For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he does - -comes not from the Father but from the world.” (I John 2:16) Is there hope for the spiritually kidnapped? There cer-tainly is! He who was kidnapped in the Garden of Gethsem-ane and crucified on a cross, indeed rose on Easter Day and brings hope to all who will believe. Remember just for a moment His love for the lost in Luke 15. The stories of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son were written for us as well He searches for the lost today. He does so through His people. He works through His Word to bring about repentance and restoration. There is great joy when someone who has been kid-napped has been returned. There is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Where is “Johnny?” Where are you? Where are the ones you love? Amazed by His Grace Jim Kirk

Where is “Johnny”?

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April Scripture of

the Month

4/1 Elise Murphy 4/3 Arlen Schade 4/5 Clara Hay 4/5 Leona King 4/5 Doug Kothe 4/5 Mike Masters 4/5 Kirsten Theilmann 4/5 Jim Vaughn 4/7 Rachel Murphy 4/9 Mel Beech 4/10 Larry Holden 4/10 Mark Manley 4/10 Rebecca Straub 4/12 Sara Leith 4/13 Sarah Hunter 4/13 Caitlyn Swafford 4/14 Fred Chaffey 4/14 Jack Hay 4/15 Harrison Masters 4/17 Hannah Haller 4/17 Skyler Hay 4/17 Cooper Lawson-Payne

4/17 Cindy Plummer 4/18 Barbara Fulkerson 4/18 Grady Newport 4/19 Andrew Collins 4/20 Melanie Brye 4/20 Zachary Johnson 4/20 Kyle Larson 4/21 Cameron Schneider 4/22 Toni Nivens 4/23 James Roberson 4/24 Jenny Hay 4/24 Nathan Rowlands 4/25 Sheila Lappin 4/26 Elijah Roth 4/26 Cathy Schade 4/27 Julien Bouyssou 4/27 Shelby Renison 4/29 Riley Honken 4/29 Bethany Peterson 4/29 Haley Switzer 4/30 Sylvia Belt 4/30 Alli Sweet

4/3 David & Lisa Page 4/12 Tim & Tammy Kipp 4/12 Dan & Kim Kleckley 4/14 Colin & Claudia Campbell 4/14 Jim & Sue Denney 4/15 Ted & Carol Haase 4/16 Bill & Melanie Brye 4/16 Eric & Helen Horlbeck 4/23 Joel & Stacy Roettger 4/24 Gary & Brenda Krohnfeldt 4/26 Michelle & Mark Scamard 4/27 Dick & Nancy Dettmering 4/27 Lou & Kim Kiernan

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.

John 20:29, NRSV

Bible Quiz

All four gospels tell of Jesus’ resurrection, but each gives a different list of women as the first to arrive at the empty tomb. Which woman appears in all four accounts?

A. Joanna B. Mary, the mother of Jesus C. Salome D. Mary Magdalene E. March, the mother of James (See: Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10; and John 20:1

Answer: D

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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 wor-ship 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 April are:

Week of April 7 Paul and Theresa Angelino, Joseph and Patrick Mary Carson John and LaVonda French, Nick and Cori Cliff and Lynn Hyman and Sarah Tim and Becky Nagle and Mike Kelsey and Jerry Rolen, Cora and Ella Kevin and Beth Tharpe Week of April 14 Thelma Arnett Randy and Donna Bueckman, Jonathan and Daniel Nancy and Tom Gunn Erik and Megan Kabela and Abigail Larry and Barbara Osterman Phillip and Traci Roth, Sarah and Eli Larry and Carol Voorhees

Week of April 21 Jim and Margie Atherton Tom and Kathie Dobbins Mike and Aileen Harper and Joseph Kevin and Ronnie Knoernschild and Dustin Steve and Jill Peterson, Nathan and Bethany John Sease Michelle Weber and Montana Week of April 28 Chris and Dina Augustus, Daniel and Elizabeth Carol and Ronnie Douglas Russell and Shawna Hembree, Skylar and Isaac Mark and Wendy Manley John and Deborah Rowland and Nathan Sandy Seay Richard and Susan Wright

April 2013

Olivia Grace Kennedy Born: March 16, 2013

Proud Parents: Josh and Alissa Kennedy

Olivia Laura Baserman Born: March 18, 2013

Proud Parents: Tim and Amy Baserman

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April Additions Non-Fiction

Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live by David Platt (248.4 Pla): Author of the best seller Radical, Platt writes of his concern that many people in churches today have been misled by the true meaning of Jesus’s words, “Follow me.” Our culture has drained the lifeblood out of Christianity re-placing it with a watered-down gospel so palatable it isn’t even real. Find out what Jesus really meant when He said, “Follow me.”

24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton (232.96 Ham): Hamilton combines the biblical story, histori-cal detail, and spiritual insight as he describes how the day of Christ’s crucifixion unfolded.

The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent: An Informed Response to Islam’s War With Christianity by Erwin W. Lutzer (297 Lut): Islam’s rise in the West offers Christians a powerful opportunity to share the gospel. Lutzer equips his readers to better relate to Muslims and encourages them as he reminds them that the enduring truth of the cross will prevail over all adversaries.

Lincoln’s Battle With God: A President’s Struggle With Faith and What It Meant For America by Stephen Mans-field (921 Man): Mansfield delves into the journey of faith that transformed Abraham Lincoln from an outspoken atheist to a man who longed to walk in Christ’s footsteps.

Undaunted by Josh McDowell (921 Mac): This companion to the film of the same name tells the story of McDowell’s spiritu-al transformation as he put his life into God’s hands.

All Things Amish or Mennonite

Fiction stories set in the Amish or Mennonite community have proven very popular with our library’s patrons. Check out the following which are new to the collection:

Forever After in Apple Lake by Jennifer Beckstrand (Fic Bec): This trilogy follows the faith and love challenges of three Amish cousins who hope to find peace, comfort, and love in Apple Lake, Wisconsin, while escaping the bitter memories of a family scandal. Titles include: Kate’s Song, Rebecca’s Rose, and Miriam’s Quilt.

Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by Annalise Daughety (Fic Dau): Two women with nothing in common, one Amish born and one a Southern belle seek friend-ship and a fresh start as they open a gift shop in Lancaster County.

My Amish Childhood: A True Story of Faith, Family, and the Simple Life by Jerry S. Eicher (921 Eic): Follow Eicher’s struggles as a stutterer, his conversion to Christ, and why he

left the faith he knew as a child. Among the new titles by Eicher are: Sarah (Fic Eic) and Sarah’s Son (Fic Eic).

An Amish Family Re-union by Mary Ellis (Fic Eli): Julia Miller misses her grown chil-dren and their families so she plans a summer celebration to remember. Storytelling grows into the writing and illustrating of a children’s book, but tragedy strikes, threatening the couple’s literary dream.

A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flowers (Fic Flo): In book two of the Appleseed Creek Mysteries, Chloe must discover the assailant of an Amish man discovered dead with his beard cut following an apparent buggy accident.

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould (Fic Gou): Book one of the Courtship of Lancaster County series finds sharp-tongued and fiery-tempered Cate Miller as the oldest daughter of the family having to be married before her sister Betsy can do so. Untamable Cate has driven every suitor away until Pete Treger arrives. Maybe Betsy can marry her beau.

The Harmony Series by Nancy Mehl (Fic Meh): This series of stories centers on the choices that Gracie Temple must make after her late uncle bequeaths his house to her. Titles include: Simple Deceit, Simple Secrets, and Simple Choices.

Amish Vines and Orchards by Cindy Woodsmall (Fic Woo): Titles in this new series include A Season for Tending and The Winnowing Season.

Also new: Check out these new titles from popular Christian authors:

- Terri Blackstock - Truth Stained Lies (Fic Bla) - Sandra Bricker - Always the Baker, Finally the Bride (Fic Bri) - Jennifer Chiaverini - Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker (Fic Chi) - Karen Kingsbury - The Chance (Fic Kin) - Thomas Kinkade - The Way Home (Fic Kin) - Beverly Lewis - The Guardian (Fic Lew) - Mel Odom - Deployed (Fic Odo)

Find all these materials and others new to the library on dis-play throughout the month. ~ Mary Schultz

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It Is No Secret Billy Graham's ministry was launched in the Rose Bowl in 1949 with a marvelous response. He returned with another crusade in November 2004 on the 55th anniversary of that historic event. Before the event in 1949, Billy was a guest on a radio show hosted by songwriter/performer Stu-art Hamblen. The radio host urged his listeners to attend the meetings at the Rose Bowl. Before leaving the studio, Billy asked Hamblen to go to the service too. Stuart was not a Christian (his wife was), but he consented anyway. On the night he attended, Hamblen did not go forward with others to claim Christ as Lord and Savior. His spirit was restless, so later that night he went to Graham's hotel. He told the evangelist of his churning spirit and with Billy's witness and prayers, he gave his heart to the Lord. Shortly afterward, the actor John Wayne saw Stuart and said, "Stuart, what's this about you hitting the sawdust trail?" Stuart responded, "That's no secret, John, what God has done for me. He can do it for you or anyone else." John Wayne said, "That sounds like a song, Stuart. Why don't you write one?" And that's how Stuart came to write "It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)." Hamblen went on to write other Gospel songs and once said, "I try to write music with a spiritu-al uplift instead of a moral downbeat." ~ Anonymous

Ode to Hymns

Hymn Happy

The Dentist's Hymn: "Crown Him With Many Crowns"

The TV Weatherman's Hymn:

"There Shall Be Showers of Blessing"

The Contractor's Hymn: "The Church's One Foundation"

The Tailor's Hymn: "Holy, Holy, Holy"

The Golfer's Hymn:

"There is a Green Hill Far Away"

The Politician's Hymn: "Standing on the Promises"

The Optometrist's Hymn:

"Open Mine Eyes That I Might See"

The IRS Hymn: "All to Thee"

The Gossiper's Hymn:

"Pass It On"

The Electrician's Hymn: "Send the Light"

The Shopper's Hymn:

"Sweet By and By"

~Anonymous

Helpful Hymns When Paying Your Taxes Put a song in your heart as April 15 approaches. As you contemplate "What a day that will be" and anxiously won-der, "What if it were today?", you may be asking, "And can it be that I should gain?" If you complain, "I am not skilled to understand" and wish you had been "A debtor to mercy alone," you probably can find that your "Days are filled with sorrow and care" and feel "Shackled by a heavy burden." "Trembling soul, beset by fears," "Be not dismayed, whate'er be-tide." Just "Let your hearts be broken," knowing that "God will take care of you" as you say, "I surrender all." When you realize that "Now the day is over," you can experience "Peace, perfect peace" and joyfully exclaim, "It took a miracle!" ~ Joan Brauning, Coatesville PA

TO:

Grace Lutheran Church-LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37923-1557 (865) 691-2823 Fax: (865) 691-4895 E-mail address: glc@visitgrace.org 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 Classes @ 9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m.

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