golter's mussings September 2020

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

  • Cultural Collapse before our Eyes

    September 4, 2020

    No prophet is needed.


    This country’s culture is collapsing right before our eyes.


    With surprising speed no less.


    Over a summer. With surprising speed.


    Rioters loot and destroy at random Target’s and Ma and Pa cafes.


    Minneapolis Star Tribune listed more than 360 businesses destroyed.


    Reason and decency have left the American neighborhood, even the small cities.


    We should not be naïve.


    The unborn unprotected. Natural marriage is only a distant option.


    God built society upon marriage and sanctity of life. He’s the Architect.


    Only one house stands. The church built on Jesus’ words.


    “And everyone who hears My words and does them...” (Matthew 7:24).


    Jesus teaches that this is the only house that stands, as it is built on the rock.


    The Church is here to capture the bruised and broken with the Gospel.


    There will be many. 


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • What to Teach your Kids to Sing at their Deathbed

    September 10 , 2020

    It was time. He knew it.


    The prison guard rattled his door. April 9, 1945.


    Eight days after Easter. Not a bad day to die, in the Easter season.


    He was stripped, led to the gallows. That was it.


    But Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor in Germany, may have thought or sung this verse from Paul Gerhardt hymn. “Naked came I upon the earth and naked shall I leave.”


    As I read Kleinhaus’ biography of Bonhoeffer detailing his death, I wondered. What songs would I want the Golter boys to have on their lips and in their hearts when death is near.


    Would it be Taylor Swift’s latest song “Shake it Off,” her biggest hit so far?


    “Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break

    And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake

    Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

    Shake it off, I shake it off.”


    Hum, I don’t think so.

    Why not “A mighty fortress is our God…”


    Why not “Have no fear, little flock…”


    Why not “The Lamb, the Lamb…”


    We are so near-sighted. God sees beyond, to the day He brings you home.


    Equip your precious kids with faith in Christ for the rigors that lie ahead. 


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • Heedless Security

    September 17, 2020

    A Lutheran pastor, Johann Gerhard, living in the early 1600s, writes about the End Times.

     

    He says that people will live in a “heedless security.” I had to look up “heedless.”

     

    It means: reckless, thoughtless, lack of care, unaware.

     

    With surprising speed, people are rioting in the streets, destroying peoples’ property and businesses.

     

    They are reckless, thoughtless, seemingly unaware of their hurt or wrong.

     

    Gerhard points this behavior out as the signs of the End Times, the last days before God’s Judgment Day.

     

    He points to our Savior’s teachings:

    1.  Jesus in Matthew 24:37-39 goes back to Noah’s day. Noah preached for 120 years but all did not listen except eight people, Noah and his family. By far, the majority were heedless. And God’s judgment came with an overwhelming flood.

     

    2. Jesus in Luke 17:28 f. goes back to Lot’s day. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their unbelief and wickedness. God even sent two angels to these two cities. They were heedless in their wickedness. And God’s judgment came.

     

    The pattern of not hearing continues today; we should not be surprised.

     

    What else also continues? God’s call through His Church is for all to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

     

    Luther, at one point, described the church’s work in this way. She’s like a mother hen clicking after her chicks, fussing over them. The Church fusses after sinners with the Gospel, the call to repentance. She sends missionaries here and around the world.

     

    Some will hear, and some won’t.

     

    Some will remain in “heedless security,” not aware of the coming judgment of God.


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • One Stick can’t Burn Long by Itself.

    September 24, 2020

    Dad used to take the three Golter boys to Saratoga, Wyoming, every Fall. We’d fly fish for brown and rainbow trout.

     

    I think the biggest I caught was a 22-incher…that’s big on a fly rod.

     

    But the evening camp fires were the best. Dad would get a dried stick, some brush and light it. He’d put other sticks close by as soon as possible.

     

    Why? One stick can’t burn long by itself.

     

    It needs the heat and fuel of the other sticks.

     

    I’m so thankful for online worship. The elders and I were talking about this the other night. It’s here to stay.

     

    Who’s listening? I’ve heard of folks who’ve never attended church now are listening EVERY SUNDAY.

     

    Praise the Lord.

     

    Here’s my concern: One stick can’t burn too long by itself.

     

    The writer of Hebrews speaks of the benefit of each other in worship. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,” (11:24-25a).

     

    So many tell me how much they miss in-person worship. Online is just not the same. “Don’t get me wrong, Pastor, we’re so glad we can do this for now. But we’ll be back.”

    Some need to stay away for now, and rightfully so.

     

    I just think of those who are able to come but who might get too comfortable—even lazy.

     

    The couch and cup of coffee is awfully inviting!

     

    But you need the heat and fuel of others.

     

    One stick can’t burn too long by itself.

     

    Anyone ready for a fly fishing trip to Saratoga?


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran