Pastoral Counsel for election day

My pastoral advice for election day remains the same as always: "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish." (Psalm 146:3-4)

No matter what happens, Jesus lives and reigns over all things for the good of his Church.  That is true when God's people get to enjoy prosperity and when God's people bear a cross of suffering.  Prosperity can be a temptation as much as it is a blessing.  Suffering, although painful, can be a blessing as it purges God's people of idols that they cling to and refines their faith.

No matter what happens tomorrow, the foundation of our faith remains solid and unmoved.

Traveling with the Schroeders -- Vacation 2024

At the end of June, most of the Schroeders (though sadly, not all) made the journey to Florida for a stay at Walt Disney World.  Laura, Peter, and I drove down I-75 and ended up in Orlando while Faith and Nathanael flew down from their respective airports.  

We hit three parts in Disney World--Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.  Highlights included the African safari and Gorilla Falls (Animal Kingdom), eating our way around the world, particularly having Faith and Nathanael buy our anniversary pizza in "Italy" (Epcot), and the Rise of the Resistance ride, the Galaxy's Edge/Millenium Falcon ride (motion sickness for me; thankful it ended when it did), the Frozen Sing-a-long, Toy Story Land, character sightings, and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios).  

We also got to enjoy one day of relaxing--laundry (yeah!), enjoying poolside reading and soaking, and miniature golf.  

After Disney World, Faith and Nathanael flew back, and Laura, Peter and I began the drive back north.  Stops on the way included Atlanta and the World of Coca-Cola, and Andrew Jackson's Hermitage just outside of Nashville.  

We had hoped for a few extra nights staying with Grandpa and Grandma Schmidt in Indiana, but news of a flooded basement meant a long drive home from Nashville to tend with a minor (relative to whom you ask) disaster.  

Select photos below.

Traveling with the Schroeders -- Wisconsin and Illinois

In early August, we traveled to Wisconsin.  The attempt to see my parents fell apart, so we stayed with Faith in the Milwaukee area.  On Friday, August 6 we went to the Wisconsin State Fair.  Peter was very impressed with the size of the fair.  Naturally, we saw the pig races.  Peter and I went on the ferris wheel.  We were able to see downtown Milwaukee from the top.  Our highlight of the day was seeing The Kids from Wisconsin, a show choir and band of high school kids from around the state.  They were always a must-see for my Mom, so we had to catch their show.  They were excellent.  A hot day meant that we chose beverages over food, but the State Fair offers so much food that four stomachs would be helpful.  Note to Wisconsin State Fair goers: We did not get cream puffs.  Don't hate us.

We left Wisconsin on Sunday.  The daily forecast for the U.P. was rain, so we changed direction and headed south to Springfield.  We had been intending for years to get to the Abraham Lincoln sites down there.  They called for rain only on Sunday (and did they ever get it!), but Monday and Tuesday were clear. 

On Monday, August 9, we started at the Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site.  Admission is free.  What surprised us more than anything was that it was more than just Lincoln's house (the only one he ever owned); it was four square blocks of homes preserved to recreate the feel of the neighborhood Lincoln lived in.  Two homes were utilized for exhibits; others were used for national park purposes.

From there, we went to visit the Oak Ridge Cemetery to see Lincoln's Tomb.  Mary Todd Lincoln and three of their children are buried there as well.  (Robert is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.)  There are many statues in this monument.  It is worth the visit if you are already in Springfield.  Of course, it is free.

With only two hours left in the afternoon, we visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  We were pretty familiar with the life of Lincoln, so we were able to skim some of the history about him.  Still, we were very rushed.  Two hours is not enough time to do justice to everything there.  If you go to Springfield and have time for only one stop, this museum is the one to go to before all other sites.

There are numerous dioramas throughout which help to color the life and struggles of the Lincoln family.  Only a few pictures are included below.  It is best to go see it.  It was also very moving to see the display which depicted the president's coffin while lying in state.  It is no surprise that Lincoln died.  Still, the display was striking.  No pictures of that here; go see it.

Finally, on Tuesday, August 10, we visited Abraham Lincoln's New Salem site.  It is a restored village (only one building original, all others rebuilt on old foundations) which tries to give you the feeling of a twenty-something Lincoln settling into a short-lived village and trying to make a success of himself.  There are numerous stories about Lincoln's life from this time, but it seems that many of them are mythical.  Entertaining, but questionable.  We spent a few hours here, but decided that this would be the first place to be dropped from an itinerary if it had to be.  It is also about 20 miles away from Springfield, so you have to go there intentionally.  After our New Salem visit, it was time for the long trek home.  Another presidential museum under our belts, though, and long over due!

Here are some photos from the trip.

Peter and I from the top of the State Fair.

The Lincolns' bedroom.  I thought the wall paper might be a little to loud to wake up to each morning.

The best looking attraction in Springfield!

Here are the crossroads in the Lincoln neighborhood.  

Lincoln's house would be just off the camera shot on the left.

Two of Lincoln's son wreaking havoc in his law office.  Lincoln ignored them and let the wild play go without rebuke.  This was, apparently, typical, and not often well-received by law partners.

Lincoln and his cabinet strategizing during the Civil War.

Lincoln had attempted to run two general stores in New Salem.  Both failed.  

This is the second one.  Shortly after this venture, he served as postmaster.

Intercession for our Leaders

With President-Elect Biden being sworn in as President Biden today, it will be appropriate to include him in our prayers this Sunday.

The prayer of the church will include numerous intercessions and petitions which will also allow the congregation to assent to each one with their, "Hear us, good Lord," "Hear our prayer," and "Amen."

Among the intercessions, we will include prayers for our newly inaugurated president, Joe Biden, the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, the mayor of Novi, Bob Gatt, and all governing officials, we will pray as follows:

M:    Preserve our nation in justice and honor, that we may lead peaceable lives of integrity.  Grant health and favor to all who bear office in our land, especially to President Biden, Governor Whitmer, Bob Gatt the mayor of Novi, and all those who make, administer, and judge our laws, and help them serve all citizens according to your holy will.

Cong:    Hear us, good Lord.

Such prayers are in obedience to the Scriptures which encourage this: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Christians ought to recognize what we pray for and what we do not.  There are some policy positions we would pray fervently against, such as the support and defense of abortion.  In fact, we will pray against that on the very same Sunday.  Such a prayer is not a personal attack on our leaders, but a plea that God would protect and defend the sanctity of life despite the opinions of our leaders--such an opinion that we consider abominable and a blatant sin against the 5th Commandment.  However, we do not seek the death of anyone.  We have been convinced by the Holy Spirit to agree with our God to be obedient to those in authority (Romans 13:1-7), to bless all who would oppose us (Matthew 5:11), and to willing suffer for doing good if we must (1 Peter 3:13-17).  

While we cherish the freedoms we have in our nation, our greatest good is not the kingdom of the United States but the kingdom of God.  If these should come into great conflict with each other, we will stand firm in the kingdom of God and still pray for our nation and its leaders as we have been directed by the King of heaven and earth.

While not everyone will be in agreement with the policies and positions of every politician, all Christians can be in agreement with the specific intercession, "help them serve all citizens according to your holy will."  When wouldn't we pray for that????

A Pastoral Concern -- regarding the election

As we head into the more heated part of the election season, only about a month away from the date for US elections, I offer my counsel.  It is the same as it ever was and ever will be: "Do not trust in human helpers, in a mortal man who cannot save you.  His spirit departs.  He returns to the ground he came from.  On that day, his plans have perished." (Psalm 146:3-4)

While the election of our president, congressional representatives, and other offices is important and we rightly give prayerful consideration for whomever we cast our vote, we also ought to recognize that Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  When we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we mean our Lord's will.  Martin Luther, in his explanation of the 3rd Petition of the Lord's Prayer, wrote: "God's good and gracious will is certainly done without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also."  

Will the politician you vote for do the will of God?  Who knows?  Will God work out all things for the good of his people?  Yes.  He promises exactly that (Romans 8:28).  That will happen either in conjunction with an elected official or despite him.  It will happen as the policies enacted by our government benefit Christians or put a heavier cross on them.  We don't know what an elected official will finally do; we do know what our God will do.  Therefore, we are right to trust in that.  And if the world should burn and perish because of what an elected official chooses to do, the kingdom of God will still be secure and God's people in it will never perish.  They may die, but they will not perish.  For those who dwell in the kingdom of God have eternal life.  And so our prayer remains that, as God's will is done on earth, it will be done among us.  In other words, no matter what happens, we pray that we remain faithful as God's people.

Unless you don't care at all what happens in the election for our president, you are probably strongly devoted to one candidate or another.  You may even believe that the candidate you do not support is evil and that those who support him are warped, if not evil themselves.  Such is the political climate of our country.  Those who support a different candidate are not just people we disagree with; they are our enemies.  This societal attitude affects us in the Church, too.  We look at each other in terms of "us" and "them."  And while we may lament that it is sad that such divisions exist, we usually assume that "they" are the ones with the problem.  That itself is a problem.

So, what does the pastor say about all this?  What will he say to people who disagree with him?  Here it is.

Are you supporting Biden or Trump?  I will tell you about Jesus.

Are you a staunch Republican or Democrat?  I will tell you about the kingdom of God.

Do you want to see the state turn Red or Blue?  I will talk about God who loves the world in this way--he gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  

Do you lean Left or Right?  I will tell you about the paths of righteousness where our Lord leads us for his name's sake.

Do you prefer socialized medicine to cover all people or do you prefer privatized health care?  I will tell you about the blood of Christ which purifies you of all sin and of heavenly glory where our bodies will be immortal and incorruptible.  

"Do not trust in human helpers, in a mortal man who cannot save you.  His spirit departs.  He returns to the ground he came from.  On that day, his plans have perished." (Psalm 146:3-4)  If you put your trust in elected officials and in their plans, you will perish with them.  The Christian hope is focused elsewhere: "My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2)  

If you are putting your hope on "the right man" becoming president, then perhaps the Lord is doing you a favor having "the wrong guy" win.  This will force you to pray more and pay greater attention to God's promises.  That is, after all, the will of God being done among us.

The world and its glory is passing away.  The kingdom of God endures forever.  The plans of man will come to nothing.  The word of our God and his mercies endure forever.  This is the message and the focus of the Christian Church.  Whoever longs for a perfect and permanent kingdom will flee to the Church for the word which endures and for the sacraments which strengthen faith and give eternal life.  This is all that matters, no matter who wins what election.

Something from ... President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Football

I have begun reading a biography on President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  He attended West Point (Class of 1915) and played on their football team until a knee injury ended his football career.  Below is something from Eisenhower about football and leadership which I found quite interesting.  

I have considered football about as close as we get to military training, and the glory received by those who play it as a pale comparison to those who have survived military combat particularly in regard to the camaraderie.  Perhaps President Eisenhower thought so, too.

"Looking back on his time as supreme commander, he wrote, 'I noted with real satisfaction, how well ex-footballers seemed to have leadership qualifications.  I think this was more than a coincidence.  I believe that football, almost more than any other sport, tends to instill in men the feeling that victory comes through hard work--almost slavish--work, team play, self-confidence, and an enthusiasm that amounts to dedication.'" (p 25, Eisenhower in War and Peace, by Jean Edward Smith.  Random House: New York, NY.  (c) 2012.)

Traveling with the Schroeders -- The Ark Encounter

 Last week, we enjoyed our "weekend" which took place on a Wednesday evening -Friday.  We drove down to Kentucky and camped at Big Bone Lick State Park, just south of Cincinnati.  From there, we made two stops which had eluded us on last year's vacation.

On Thursday, we drove down to Hodgenville, KY to visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace.  The main feature here is a Lincoln Memorial inside of which sits a model of the log cabin he was born in.  In addition to that, we visited an Abraham Lincoln museum in downtown Hodgenville.  There were about a dozen dioramas of Lincoln's life as well as many other Lincoln memorabilia.  Finally, there was a boyhood home of Lincoln just north of Hodgenville.  We drove past it, but it is closed until 2021 for renovations.  Since the parking lot was barricaded, we only saw it at 55 mph.

On Friday, we drove down to Williamstown, KY to see The Ark Encounter, which is a part of the Creation Museum but about 45 minutes away from that campus.  The structure was mammoth with many displays inside of it.  They did a good job of depicting the Biblical account, focused on people's need for Jesus, and were honest when they offered up theories for how Noah and his family lived and labored on the ark.  Many of the theories are conjecture since those details were not recorded in the Bible.  But they noted that whatever theories they suggested would not have been opposed to the history of Noah's day (e.g., there was no cable TV on the ark) or the Bible.  All the displays were very well done and they gave us much to read and to consider.  We spent eight hours there including visiting their zoo and eating in the restaurant (get the pot roast).

Here are some photos from that trip.