From the Pastor's Desk

Pastor's PictureDear Friends of Living Word Lutheran Church:

Let Freedom Ring!  As we celebrate Independence Day, the reminders of the actions of our forefathers are to stir us to action today.  One of the most significant events in the history of our nation was the War of Independence.  Yet this war which lasted for eight years (1775-1783) receives little attention in our modern society.

We do not need to have another call for arms or to protest the actions of the monarch of England, but the longing for freedom and the struggle to maintain a free land is to be in the heart of every American.  There is a little slogan found on bumper stickers and banners:  “Freedom isn’t Free.”  What a true statement.

Approximately 7,200 Americans were killed in battles fought during the Revolutionary War, 8,200 were wounded, about 10,000 others died from disease or exposure, and 8,500 died in British prisoner of war camps or prisons.  The cost of the war was also felt economically as a number of soldiers ended their service in poverty. It was not until 1818 that Congress passed legislation to provide pensions to needy veterans. 

All of our military conflicts have this common thread.  There is great sacrifice involved in the cause of freedom.  During this era, Pastor Henry Muhlenburg was influential in establishing Lutheran congregations.  One of his sons, John Peter Gabriel Muhlenburg became a brigadier general in the Continental Army.  At the beginning of the war this son was pastor of a German Lutheran church at Woodstock, Virginia.  In January 1776 he gave his farewell sermon and after the benediction took off his pulpit robe and stood before the congregation in the uniform of a colonel.  Outside of the church, the drums rolled and parishioners were enlisted in the Army.  This pastor and many in his church chose the difficult path to freedom.

But what of the cost today and what issues are truly about freedom?  As Christians, we take for granted our position as a majority in America.  Christianity does not have a unified voice in the issue of morality and the church has become weak and often ineffective.  We speak out for the lives of the unborn.  They have a right to live and a right to be heard through our lips.  The voice of freedom is heard in the Bill of Rights and the freedom to worship as we choose.  This right is threatened because of a very small, but well funded and determined minority.  Feeling threatened or believing that Christianity is imposing itself on them, this minority tries to force its desires upon our land through the courts and legislation, all the while arguing about the separation of church and state.

I would not want a state sponsored church. But the arguments proposed in the media and in the courts against Christian organizations are more about the core values of Christians (and other people) than about any so-called favored status of Christians or discrimination against non-Christians.  Our battle is not against people.  It is not a war against a certain political party or individuals who have different views than us.  We are engaged against an enemy who is deceptive, cunning, and more destructive than any army or terrorist.  The weapons God has given us are all spiritual.  We have the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith. Prayer is one of our most powerful yet unused weapons.  We call upon the Lord to destroy the work of the evil one, to change the hearts and minds of those in rebellion against Him, and to strengthen and defend His Church.

May God be Praised!

Pastor Tim Skramstad