Tommia's Tablet

One of my favorite passages I recall from Sunday school, as both student and teacher is Romans 8:31 – ‘…If God is for us, who can be against us?’

When volunteering at the Saturday school, the children said this with great confidence, fearless in its meaning, confident in its support. How did we go from the child-like faith to the occasional/all-too-frequent questioning of where we stand? Verse 35 of the same chapter continues to illustrate this strength of God’s love: ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?’ Verses 37 though 39: ‘No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powes, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

So, no matter how painful or terrible things seem to be here on earth, because of Christ Jesus, we are still with God our father.  These verses are better explained, woven in song in the hymn “If God Himself be For Me.” http://www.ccel.org/a/anonymous/luth_hymnal/tlh528.htm

The tune, mentioned in the title above, has been used in at least six other hymns, its 7-6-7-6-D rhythm offering a comforting cadence, be it for hymns pertaining to the cross and comfort (such as “If God Himself be For Me”),  Advent, Epiphany, presentation, Palm Sunday, or obedience.

Of the fifteen verses in this hymn – seldom sung in its entirety, alas – reinforces the fact that Jesus Christ is our comforter, the one who paid our price on the cross and because of him, we have reason to rejoice and sing. Thank God to have such a Sun to warm this spirit.

Continuing with the Roman Holiday theme, today’s focus is on a hymn from the Advent season. “Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding” http://www.ccel.org/a/anonymous/luth_hymnal/tlh060.htm was translated by Edward Caswall in 1849 and based on a latin text.

It was based upon Romans 13:11 – “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery and jealousy.”

Maybe it is my dislike of most of the unneccessary nonsense of today’s films and songs. Maybe it is because of enjoying a week of listening to some classic western radio plays – with little profanity and only a hint towards the crossing of a line without the imagery and sounds bombarding one’s senses.

Or maybe, as with most of the hymns reviewed, reflected upon and remembered, there is an absense of a baritone voice that projected these words, whatever the message, boldly, proudly and sometimes with a slightly different tempo and tone.  That earthbound soul has already found its way to heaven, singing among the angels.

The second half of the fourth verse is comforting: ‘He may shield us with His mercy And with words of love draw near.’ That is another constant reminder needed, to know that through Him, one is not a part of ‘the world wrapped in fear.’

When the eternal ages will begin is unknown, unmarked on our calendars here. However, soon, we will be where we were meant in heaven above.

Maybe it has been the last couple of days with how some things have been going. Maybe it has been the last few boxes of photos sorted through and stumbling upon various memories. Maybe it has been foolishly tuning in to certain news stories, shaking one’s head in utter disbelief and/or frustration. On the latter, now I know why one colleague says she never bothers with the news, televised, broadcast, or printed.

Why I recall some protestations surrounding the idea of “This is Such-and-Such History Month” or “All focus should be on This-and-This Month” I cannot help but agree with the reasons why some would disagree with how February is listed, if one were a ‘proper educator’ keeping up with what is to be known.

Major digression, but I browsed through the chosen book of the month and settled on the following verse: Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

If one were to take that to a global setting, the question to ask would be ‘Is it possible to bring peace for those many countries still torn apart by war?’ On a national level, how many more major cities will struggle, states shake and conflicts reach the crescendo as seen in Wisconsin? On a local level, what is happening in your home town?

I have to remember, to remind myself to try and start with that bigger picture before the headache begins with the narrow selfish look. One of the many words of advice I recall being told to me or my classmates was ‘Kill them with kindness. It confuses them.’ Granted, in elementary school, the very idea confused us. In middle school, it was a sure fire way to create more conflict, not quell it. In high school, it was the perfect way to rebel against certain peers.

Now? How easy is it to let one person’s bad mood infect one’s own? How does one help the individual projecting, targeting, venting? Silence works best, in not adding the wrong chosen words to the verbal fire. Then again, is that avoidance, affirmation or something else entirely?

May I be guided in what I can and what I need to do during times such as these.

Ever have one of those days where everything is questioned: Why did I get out of bed? Why did I say/do what I did? What was I thinking? Is there going to be an end to this? Can anything else happen? Do I want to know what’s next?

One of the things that comes in handy is laughter. Laughing off a bad situation or making fun of it in a ‘sane’ manner. Finding a secure enough ‘soundboard’ to confide in, perhaps problem solve with…

Today was one of those days where I couldn’t help but wonder too many times – what could I have done differently? In my daily reading, I found Paul’s great words of that constant struggle, Romans 7:19 – “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing.” Doesn’t that always seem to be the case when a harsh word is spoken or a certain action -taken or not taken – does more harm than good? On the one hand, it is a matter of choice – do I choose to help by doing more or do I choose to be selfish and make a different call instead? Do I choose to keep a line of communication open or do I choose to close it for good, for petty reasons unknown or more than likely forgotten?

I could go ahead and keep thinking I’m capable of making the ‘right choice’ on my own, but then again, given my sinful state, there are some things that cannot, should not be trusted to the actions of self alone.

Romans 8:6 – “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” In making that regular, needed return to the ‘Well of the Word,’ in making as much of a daily habit of reading and learning from the meditations of the day, of finding a ‘saner’ choice to listen to on the radio, the message might take hold, the message that the words, thoughts and actions here on earth do impact those around me. What I need to be mindful of is that I keep my focus on what is ahead of me (heaven), what is worth working for (His message, His word) and who I ultimately answer to in regards to what was and was not accomplished here.

Given that today is President’s Day, thought it only fitting to find a hymn focusing on the nation. “God Bless Our Native Land” http://www.ccel.org/a/anonymous/luth_hymnal/tlh577.htm is based on Romans 13:1-7 and uses the familiar melody – “America.”

The words written by Charles Brooks and John Dwight, the two verses are a prayer for protection of the country, for a reminder of who truly rules. Paul’s words in the first lines of the 13th chapter were a reminder to those who were persecuted to stand strong and not revolt against the government despite its cruelty.

While we are fortunate to live in a country that does not torture its citizens to the extent that citizens in other countries face now, it is important to continue to pray for good, solid leadership, for guidance for those who must make challenging decisions that effect so many in our town, our county, our state, our nation.

May the leaders of our land continue to do what is right. May we continue to pray for them as well.

If ever there was a hymn to send a chill down the spine, it would be “Chief of Sinners Though I Be”   – http://www.ccel.org/a/anonymous/luth_hymnal/tlh342.htm written by William McComb and based on Richard Redhead’s tune of Gethsemane in 1853. The simple 6-line, 7-beat piece beautifully illustrates Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The hymn illustrates unconditional love with different metaphors and images to get the point across. Each verse shows His actions, their meaning and more importantly, the significance. Of the five verses, each is important and a blessing to remember, enjoy and take to heart.