You probably know that last weekend, Justice Antonin Scalia, US Supreme Court Justice passed away. You may or may not know that his son, Rev. Paul Scalia, Catholic Priest, one of his nine children with his wife of 55 years, gave the homily at his funeral. (click to read or watch)

He opened his homily with, “We are gathered here because of one man. A man known personally to many of us, known only by reputation to even more. A man loved by many, scorned by others. A man known for great controversy, and for great compassion. That man, of course, is Jesus of Nazareth.”

From my understanding of his life, Justice Scalia would have given the glory to Jesus Christ, as well, if he had written his own eulogy.

We should all hope to hear our Lord tell us one day the words of Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” I believe Justice Scalia worked with this commitment to God’s will also.

We can only hope and pray that our Christian values are represented in the US Supreme court by Justice Scalia’s replacement.

Dear Lord, thank you for all those Christian men and women in places of power that do your will and protect us all from the evil that can creep into government. Please guide our leaders and our voters to people who will help us maintain the greatness of the USA, which is rooted in Christianity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A couple years ago a bald eagle moved into my neighborhood. I usually see it once or twice a month flying along the coast of the lake nearby my home. One morning driving to work, the eagle flew along the shoreline about 50 feet above the lake right along the path I was driving for almost 5 minutes. I was amazed that it did not flap its wings at all for the entire time. It soared effortlessly, like it could continue for hours.

In a familiar verse, Isaiah uses this beautiful image of the eagles’ flight to describe what our lives can be like when we put our trust in God. He writes in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Dear Lord, your power is unmeasurable to us, but you provide it to those who trust in you. Help us remember to come to you for strength, endurance, and renewal. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

As a parent it is often very unnerving to think of all the temptations and risks our children will face growing up. It seems like a much more troubled world than when we were children.

The bible gives us a bit of advice on how to help our children with their future, and some comfort for parents and grandparents.

One thing I have noticed to this point in raising my three is that, even though they may not act like it sometimes, what we do, and what we teach is being absorbed. It may not be apparent at the time, but if we provide the right example, and consistently teach, the message will eventually take root. Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” In my words, get the message to them before they need it.

If we do get the message to them, Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Finally, God told the Israelites, and us, in Exodus 20:6, “I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” So our obedience to God affects our children, and their children, and their children.

Dear Lord, we know you love us, and want us to love you; Showing our love by obeying your direction. Help us read your word, listen for your guidance, and do your will, for ourselves, and for our children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 37:28 says, “The Lord loves justice,” We know that the definition of justice is, “getting what is deserved.” We also know as Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

Justice, therefore, would mean that we since we miss God’s standard, that we cannot receive God’s reward, heaven. Somehow justice for our sins must be paid. Picture the symbol of justice, the scale, and all of our sins stacked on one side.

Jesus Christ balances the scale, by taking the punishment for all of our sins. God’s love for us gives us the way out of receiving the justice we deserve, and places it on Jesus. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” and verse 18 says, “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him.”

By believing in Jesus as our Savior, we are essentially pardoned from the justice we deserve, and that is the ultimate show of God’s love.

Dear Lord, how wonderful your love for us is, and how perfect your plan is to execute both justice for all and salvation for those who believe. Help us be joyful for this great gift and share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

The author of this proverb, likely Solomon, was obviously not writing about our physical heart, but that part of our consciousness that controls our moral outlook, strongest feelings, and our passions. It is also the part of us that can be manipulated into false beliefs.

I think what the proverb is telling us is that our heart, this moral consciousness, must be controlled by our mind, our conscious decisions and disciplines, not the other way around. By guarding or hearts from manipulation we stay in control of our lives, and even better, we direct our passions to the noble pursuits God desires.

Dear Lord, we are each beautifully and wonderfully made, but unless follow your design for ourselves, we can be misled away from your will. Help us guard our hearts so that we will use them to bring passion and energy to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.