Sunday September 11

Saying for the Day:1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
----- Pastor Marvel did something different at Last Lutheran today. At the start of the sermon he handed out a sheet of paper to each person . On the sheet were ten statements that he wanted them to mark true or false . The page began with
God will love and forgive us: Then the following statements.
1. only if we forgive others.
2. only if we are nice to everybody, no exceptions.
3. only if we don't smoke.
4. only if we don't drink alcoholic beverages.
5, only if we don't dance.
6. only if don't ever use his name in vain.
7. only if we sleep with our own spouse.
8. only if we never become angry.
9. only if we give ten per cent or more of our income to the church.
10. only if we keep most of the commandments, most of the time.
He then asked the congregation to rate their performance in each area by putting a G for good, and M for mediocre or a P for poor behind the sentence. When all of this was completed Pastor Marvel told them they could rip them up because there is no If in God's love. It is truly unconditional. God expects things of us not in order to love and forgive us but because he has loved and forgiven us. I think the congregation understood grace better after that sermon.
Well I'll keep you informed.
---- Had a good night last night. In the morning I worked on the Mallmann part of the family web page. Betty got things ready for the picnic. At noon we went to the church picnic out at Runkle lake. It was good to see a lot of old friends that never come to the Saturday night service . After the picnic we went shopping in Iron Mountain and Betty got some things she needed to make a costume for Breanna. When we came home I almost finished the Mallmann part of the web site and I should finish it tomorrow. Well I need a breathing treatment.
GBYA