Emmanuel Hudson

Merry Christmas

Without any hesitation I say "Merry Christmas" at this time of the year as a greeting. Now I know that there are more than a few folks whose freedoms I would take up arms to defend who do not subscribe to the Christmas greeting thing, but that's okay...we're Americans after all.

I will never hold a gun to your head, nor plant a bomb under your car because your don't have the same world view that I do. Even though I disagree with you, I know that a show of military might, threats and terrorism are not the way I would influence you or win you over to my Biblical Christian world view.

Nope, I'd rather show you a better way through consistency of confession, kindness in my dealing with you and gentleness in my witness to the Christianity of the Bible. I may point out that we all need spiritual help and that to know who the true God is and how He is a part of our lives we need His intervention. But that intervention comes through the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus Christ dying for our sin and forgiving us for all the mistakes that we make.

To learn that my sins are forgiven and that I'm acceptable because of the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, gives me great happiness, joy and peace! In the best possible way, and on the highest human plane it causes me to celebrate and have merriment in my heart.

So, Merry Christmas everyone...!

The Ugly Word!

I wondered the other day about how people use words, how I use words. Then I thought maybe, just maybe I could get a few folks to let me know what words they use, and how they rate them.

This is not totally unlike a study I did a few years back to find out how people have more than a few stereotypical trait words in their vocabularies. To be more representative of society I asked different categories of individuals: college students, middle-schoolers, pastors, mothers of children in preschool, and finally a group of seniors themselves.

Here's how it went. First I asked for permission of all individuals if they would be willing to participate in the study, then those who agreed were asked to list five different words that they would use to describe "elderly people." Then I got together with the groups of individuals to reveal and discuss my findings.

The result was interesting. (If you want to participate, give me your list of five words and I'll post back the most common word revealed in the study several years back and the ones I get from this post.)

Once I received the input I began to group the words according to different descriptors: warm, friendly, cold, mean, etc. One word I used was "ugly." The results and what became clear was a surprise to me. One of the more commonly used words was "forgiving."  That means that many individuals, when they thought about the elderly, what came to mind, or a word that they would use to describe one who is elderly is the word "forgiving."

Then the trait words, when categorized, found the word "forgiving" in the "ugly" word group. When I got into the group settings to deliver the findings I asked why this was the case. The general response developed a thread that the reason "forgiving" was looked upon as an ugly word had to do with what it implied, namely, that there was a general attitude among seniors that there was something wrong with others that needed to be forgiven!  How's that for twisting things around?

I always thought that people didn't like to hear the word "sin." When I expressed that notion to the study groups, the response was that "sin" didn't even come to mind, or basically didn't apply to the elderly as a trait word. So, on the basis of popular useage and expression, "sin" should be stricken from the dictionary, and the word "forgiving" has now come to hold a negative connotation. WOW!

No wonder there are so many things said, thought and done that cause stress, wickedness. and destructive pain in our society. We need to get things back into balance. There are norms according to which we are to interact and according to which we are to live... I guess that means one would fair better if the lot of us humans would get back to the basics. "Sin" is the transgression of the Law. "Forgiveness" on the other hand is a beautiful word that describes how our sins are no longer charged against us, but we are declared righteous or forgiven.

That's what our church in Hudson is all about: The declaration of the forgivness of sins on the basis of Christ's righteousness.  Stay tuned you'll hear a lot more! 

 

 

 

They took my Billboard Away!

Some time in the month of July I received a phone call from a fellow stating that I had won a prize for being successful as a real estate agent. The prize was that I would have my picture taken and turned into a billboard. I got to choose the location and select the professional photo to be put on the billboard.

Was I ever impressed! I told the guy on the phone that I didn't want any part of such foolishness. Not only did I think my "free" prize and honor would cost me something, but I wasn't too sure about having my presence made so public. He assured me that it wouldn't cost me anything, and that in fact the brokerage firm was really pleased with the work that I had done and they wanted to give me this advertising advantage.

Well, sure enough, my real estate partner and I had our pictures taken and they were converted to a billboard that was near the intersection of Plato Blvd and Robert St. in St. Paul, MN. 

One of the things that convinced me to get into this billboard thing was the fact that my real estate partner relied heavily on the business we had as agents and it seemed that this would give us quite boost.

Even though the bill board was big, and our names and pictures were on it, there was absolutely no way that a person could learn from it how to get in touch with us. No phone numbers were allowed, no web page addresses and no email address was to be seen. It was a branding scheme dreamed up by some marketing firm that sold the parent company on the idea that they could ride on the coat tails of their better agents to increase their brand awareness.

That's one of the reasons I don't work very hard at real estate! The billboard was "free" for me but I was used to promote someone else.  Needless to say I don't do much real estate these days, for all kinds of reasons. What I spend the lion's share of my time and energy on is the promotion of something that I know was paid for and then offered freely to everyone and anyone that wants it. 

I spend many hours each day working at the public ministry and concentrate on the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I try real hard to make clear the details of what the Bible says about me and my fellow man. But most importantly I spend most of my time and waking moments talking about my personal Savior Jesus. I'd like very much to have the opportunity to share Him with you. Not because it gets me brand recognition, but because Jesus is also your savior.

I have a church in Hudson, WI and serve the Lord and a congregation of wonderful Christian friends as their pastor. We have public services each Sunday at 9AM to which you and those whom you love are cordially invited. What is more we have webpage that you are iinvited to browse at anytime. www.emmanuelhudson.org

God bless you and yours, stop by sometime we're located at 712 Grandview Drive, Hudson, WI 54016.

Oh yes, the surprise cost was levied at the photography studio, and even though my "free" billboard was up and in full view, it's gone now, somebody else is there in my place and they took my billboard away!

 

The Arrogance of the Enemy

Every day we are in trouble because of the forces of evil that would disquiet us and take away our faith. This trouble often comes in the form of temptation. This is the idea that for reasons not completely understood individuals will have the notion or idea to do something that they know is wrong, that goes against their conscience, and violates the principles of scripture.

We are not alone in this matter. In the Bible there are many examples of individuals being tempted, and as they fell the consequences were ruinous. Eve in the Garden of Eden, King David and Bethsheba come to mind immediately. The most outstanding, however, is the arrogant attempt on the part of satan to dissuade Jesus from his task of salvation. Why this is so important has to do with the fact that the narrative holds in its details an antidote for the sickness of temptation.

 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" {Deut. 8:3} 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" {6 Psalm 91:11,12} 7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" {7 Deut. 6:16} 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" {Deut. 6:13} 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

In each case the Lord turned away the arrogant temptations by using the power of the inspired word. The devil is powerless in the presence of the Word of God. Try as he may to disquiet, destroy, and tear down the hope of God's children he is no longer able to do so when confronted with the fact of his being overpowered by the righteousness of Jesus.

This is a great comfort and encouragement for me, and for everyone else, as each day passes with its many and various temptations. To stay the course, to stand up under the pressure of the temptations of the devil, we may take refuge in the word of God and find complete solace and sanctuary in what has been written in the Bible for our learning. May you be encouraged to get to know the Word of God better.

Words to guide Young parents

As a pastor I see some pretty awful things being done to some of the little ones that I come to know. When I say "awful" I mean just that. These are the jaw dropping, head scratching things that parents do to the most innocent creatures on earth.

These are the things that I call the "withholding statements" that are a part of the child's training. Let me explain.

Almost every parent I know loves and cherishes his or her child(ren). This is the way it should be because parents have been given the privileged opportunity to have and to raise children and to guide them the way that they should go. Without training the most innocent child will follow the examples of those around him who are less interested in their physical and spiritual well being than their parents.

Even though most parents understand the importance of early childhood development and training, there are so many who neglect the most important part of their child's education. They withhold from them the truth about God, Jesus and the forgiveness of sins!

In the Bible book of Proverbs there is a very short but powerful guideline expressed: Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Prov. 22:6)

Knowing and understanding this passage helps when it comes to young parents asking how to go about the business of raising their children. You see after birthing classes there are very few young parents who take advantage of attending courses on how to raise children. This passage clearly states that there is a relationship between the different stages of one's life and how one lives and the way we were trained or started out.

For example there are some parents who know in their heart of hearts that their little ones are truly spiritual beings, but they refuse to teach them about the Savior Jesus. This in the face of knowing and having had heard that this is one of the things that the Almighty wants to be done:  Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Even if they teach them to pray, they undo everything that is implied by that activity when they refuse to take them to church, do not have them baptised and/or continue to set an example of unChristian activities in their lives and homes.

The bible is filled with guidelines for systematic training and effective parenting. That's why we maintain a Christian preschool at Emmanuel in Hudson Wisconsin. It's a lot more than a social adjustment phase for 3's, 4's and 5's... and it is certainly not to be considered a baby sitting business offering a structured time in the care of specially trained educators and teachers. Our school is here to assist parents as they begin to carry out the will of God as His representatives in the lives of their children.

If you want help in this regard give us a call (651-283-9876) or stop by for a visit.

The Courage of young Parents

The other day I was keeping an eye on my youngest daughters 3 beauties. Grandma was there with me, and the five of us had a ball. No kidding! We watched some TV, played some Jr. Monopoly, read a couple of books, had a snack, cried when we lost, had a fashion show with some dollies (that's when I took my nap), and answered several questions about life. "Grandma, why do people say I'm wrong when I tell them I read the Bible?" "Grandpa, why don't people believe in God?" We answered them honestly. After everyone brushed their teeth, went to the potty and got in their pj's it was off to good night prayers and dream land. Grandma picked a few things, and I put a few chairs in place.

Soon after mom and dad got back from a preseason Wild game, we then got hugs, thanks, and were on our way home.

Now that's what my wife and I call a great date!

Oh yes, we split a bottle of beer grandma filched from the garage refrigerator and I dug out some nachos and salsa that had been squirreled away.

After knoodling about our kids and their kids, it came to me that young parents really need a lot of courage these days. Not only do they have the pressure of getting and keeping jobs to make a living and to provide for their kids, but they have to be aware of so many more dangers that threaten them and their children on a day to day basis. Let me explain what I mean.

When we were kids our parents may have worried, yes, but it was about me climbing in a tree, going to the lake for a swim, and/or learning a few unsavory words from the older neighbor boys.

There was no such thing as porn, pot, or promiscuous parties. If my mom wanted us to come home, she would have my dad step outside the back door, give a neighborhood piercing whistle and we would come running.

To check it out I asked my middle daughter who is the mother of 3 more beautiful youngsters and I asked, "Honey, tell me what you fear most on a daily basis with regard to your kids?" Her response: "I worry about them being drawn into a bad circumstance where someone can mess with them and violate them in several different ways." "I hate what they have to watch on TV as well."

We have a church family in Hudson, its called Emmanuel. The name means: "God with us." We have a preschool and a Sunday school, a play area for little ones and colorful bulletin boards all over the place. We have several young families that are members. We also have a bunch of grandmas and grandpas in our church. As a group the seniors often talk about how they pray for the young families and how they see how hard it is for the young parents to make a go of it these days. They add that if the young parents want to come to our church they are thrilled, and because they know that finances are tight these days, they are willing to keep things going at church so that the young parents can have a place of sanctuary for them and their kids. 

The seniors will even move forward in church so the kids can sit in the back, (closer to the rest rooms), we let the kids get in line first for treats so being there is a fun thing, we offer to help the parents of youngsters so they can have night out, or a shopping break... We want young families, because we love them and realize how hard it is to be a parent today.

Besides all this, we know that it is the good and gracious will of Jesus that little ones are to be brought to him. We know it takes courage for young parents to do that when so many of their friends don't think its a big deal.

Stop by on Sunday and I'll introduce you to some young parents like you, so that you can get to know them and become part of our church family.

 

The Principles of Christianity

Its been quite a busy time here, so I've missed getting back to these little messages. So here I am.

A few days back I had a conversation with a young mother about church attendance, worship, and the participation in the sacraments. In that conversation there was much said about spirituality and very little about Christianity.

The Bible says a lot about human spirituality, but it is much more than a spiritual source book. It is a book about salvation. It is a book about Jesus Christ from beginning to end. Not only is everything it says true, but everything in the Bible is revealed there to teach human beings about the Truth about God, Christ, and The Holy Spirit. The Bible is about our relationship to the Triune God.

What is more, the Bible gives us a clear insight to what God has in mind for we humans as we go about the activities of daily living. He sets down guidelines or principles according to which we are to live as we express our thanksgiving and love for him. So when we are directed to do or not to do something in God's Word it gives us great joy because we are not left to fend for ourselves, nor do we have to try to figure out how to thank God. He simply says, "If you love me keep my commandments."

This brings me to the discussion I was having with this young mother. She does not believe that she nor her family should go to church or listen to the word of God. Jesus ran into the same attitude. This prompted him as the Son of God to make a very clear statement about the subject of listening and following what was heard. First, he told his detractors, who by the way claimed to be very spiritual people, " 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."(Matt. 7)

 Another statement about this matter pretty well sums it up. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

I hope I see you in church

 

Who cares about kids?

The major 1/3 that needs to be nurtured or cared for in children is their human spirituality. All human beings consist of three parts. All children have bodies, minds and spirits. Most parents will do all they can to care for the physical needs of their children as well as their minds.

We feed them the best foods, we take care of their eyesight and teeth, we do all that we can to stimulate their minds through whatever means is at our disposal.

We have them exercise through participation in sports, we expose them to the out of doors to have them develop an awareness for the preservation and conservation of their habitat, but there is one area that is almost completely ignored or taken care of,  that is, their spirituality.

While the  number of child-rearing books and resources often address the emotional mental and physical needs of children, few discuss the importance of spiritual development. Parents, especially those who do not activiely participate in a faith community, may overlook this aspect of their children's development. But spiritual pratices, even secular ones, can enhance family life and help children develop into healthy individuals who are able to cope with life's difficulties and reach an understanding about important issues.

Christianity, however, learns from Jesus the importance of bringing up children as spiritual creatures of God. They are to be trained, taught and treasured most highly. When in the Bible we read:  Mark 10:14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. We are led torealize that little ones are very special to Jesus and those who would neglect them and their spiritual training are doing the children a disservice.

Rev. J. VerBurg says: "If we don't treat the whole child and don't allow him or her to develop spiritually, we're doing them a great disservice down the road." When children have to deal with the deaths of their grand parents, pets, relationships and dreams and the many diseases that afflict them they are ill prepared and do not have the coping skills nor the God intended understanding of the way things are, why things happen the way they do, and what purpose they serve in our lives.

We at Emmanuel recognize the importance of training children of all ages about the realities of their human spirituality and their relationship to the almighty Creator God who instilled in them this wonderful part of their makeup.

We encourage parents to care for the spiritual needs of their children and we provide many ways that can help them to do so. Please give us a call if you have questions, send us a comment and come to our services, bibe classes or youth education programs.

 

 

America has not Recovered

Although I am well aware of the many memorial type things being said and done as we draw close to observing the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I am compelled by an inner need to express myself on the matter.

On 9/11 10 years ago I was watching morning television when I caught the first reports of the horrific events of that day. As it was unfolding I called my son to come and see what I was watching and together we observed in unbelief a change taking place in our lives, in the lives of all.  It was a change that could never be reversed, it is a change that has so impacted our lives and those of our fellow Americans that we have not completely understood, nor from which have we fully recovered.

What is more, in the days that have followed 9/11, the world has changed in ways that have seen an exponential increase in communication. The rising and falling of nations have been become known and watched even as their stories unfold, the insanity of self destruction has become something that is rewarded by cash, and the concommitant increase of natural disasters has been shared, reported, and sustained. Throughout the past 10 years the world has sat in misery. The trauma impacts our lives to such an extent that those who are unable to act on it are forced to sit by and observe in numbed agony the widespread misfortune that touches them and their lives and the lives of so many others.  

In what appears to be reckless, unmeasured ill planned activities there is widespread confusion, unrest, and chaos in high places. What are offered as simplistic solutions by greedy, self serving politicians and arrogant despots throughout the world, does not diminish the state of wickedness at all. It does one thing, however, it irrefutably establishes the imperfection and limitation of mankind.

Where in the world, and in which philosophy or worldiew of man may one go for peace and hope?

It is not to be found in the  man-centered world views that push man's best ideas forward as solutions. Nor does the opiate of paganism, the abnorma perversion of hedonism, or the having of stuff provide any lasting hope.  In fact, the world and all of its peoples are hopeless. Nor are we close to lasting peace.

The only way to understanding, resolution, and compassionate activity is through the consideration of that which the creator God has revealed in his word and through the propitiatory sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ.

Consider carefully where you are in your life. Think through your circumstance and listen to what Christianity has to offer. It s the answer you may be lookng for.

There is a hymn that expresses it well: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less CW 382.

My Hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness;

I dare to make no other claim

But wholly lean on Jesus name.

When darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on his unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

 

Every key stroke counts!

I wanted to share my blog address with my son this morning and was frustrated because when I typed it in the email I was sending I inadvertently left out part of the address. I would guess that most have been there! It occurred to me that life is like that in so many ways.

It all starts with how you are trained to pay attention to d etails. In my instruction classes one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is getting new sudents to learn the lesson:"Pay attention to the details."

As an example, I always begin with the students learning the books of the Bible. Not only do the lessons include pronounciation, but order, and spelling. I do that, not only to have them know the books of the Bible, but to have them learn how to study, the importance of accuracy, and the concepts of self-discipline.

The attention to detail lesson carries over, in my opinion, to the rest of life.

When I played football at every level, it was essential for everyone of the team members to follow the details of the play called by the quarterback. If just one player failed to do so, the play would usually fail and the team would lose.

Kids must learn to follow the rules. Adults must learn to follow the rules. Here's a little Bible passage that helps us remember this principle. Matt. 5: 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. And then there is this one: James 2: 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Missing the mark, making a mistake, is common among us. In fact, I don't think there is anyone whose ego is so big, or who is so out of touch with reality as to not recognize the fact that he or she makes mistakes. Maybe there are some who have deluded themselves in this regard, but that's what it really is: self delusion.

Thanks be to God that there is the notion of forgiveness! The idea that we can experience at the hand of someone some wrong and then forgive it is a required element to civilization. What is more, while the righteousness of God demands perfection, that same God is a forgiving and merciful God. He has declared that through the life and death of Jesus Christ there is forgiveness to be had and love to be shared.

When, therefore, someone makes a mistake, forgive them for Christ's sake. Allow them to use spell check, change their way of living, and move on with a lesson learned and corrected activity.