Kate Middleton had her third child today.  When most women give birth to their third child, notice is taken by the family and friends, but it's not world-wide news.  But Kate Middleton is the Duchess of Cambridge, married to the second in line to the British throne and the mother of the third and fourth in line.

Americans, and other in the British commonwealth, have a fascination with British royalty.  Perhaps it's because we were a British colony at one time.  Perhaps it's because we yearn for the stability that a royal family seems to bring.  After all, Elizabeth has been queen for most of the lives of everyone on earth.  But in reality, despite the grandeur and pomp, she is just a woman, and the new baby, despite  bring fifth in line for the throne, is just a baby.

Would that all people would give the same attention to the true royal heir, Jesus the Christ.  He too was born of a woman, lived and walked the same earth we all do, and died a terrible death.  But this royal heir is the Son of God.  And he was raised from the dead and reigns in heaven with His Father. 

Congratulations to Prince William and Kate. The birth of a child is always joy for all.  But after the excitement of the new heir to the British throne passes, let's all focus on loving, following and adoring the true heir, Jesus the Messiah. 

May the God of peace and his heir and son, Jesus, be with you.

++Richard

We had a storm roll through North Carolina last night.  Warnings abounded; severe thunderstorm, flash flood, tornado.  Rain and wind swept through the Piedmont, Sandhills, Triangle and the coast.  One person lost their life in the high winds.  But today, the sun in shining.  Other than a few limbs in the front yard, there's not much evidence of the chaos of last night.

How often is that like our life?  The storms of financial difficulties, illness, family concerns rattle our lives.  We can't see through the storms to find our paths ahead.  We struggle to find our way.  But as is any storm, there is light.  And that light is the one who rose to forgive us our sins and give us eternal life.

If we but hold tight to the one who was nailed to the cross and rose from the dead, we can weather the storms.  Use daily prayer and scripture reading to reinforce that bond.  Put your faith and trust in Jesus. 

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When I was teaching a class on Business Communications, one of the things we taught our students was how to deliver an elevator speech.  What is an elevator speech?  It's when someone asks you what you do for a living or what your job is.  You have the time it takes for an elevator to take you up 5 or 6 floors (usually about 30 seconds).  You need to be concise, get the big picture across and make sure the person to whom you are giving the speech walks away saying, "wow, that person has it all together."

Pastor Johnson at Agnus Dei Lutheran Orthodox Church gave her congregation (me included) a similar challenge.  Except her challenge was to explain our faith in 12 words or less.  Now that's a challenge.  How do you boil down what theologians have written millions of words about?  The creeds are certainly much more than 12 words.  The Bible is 66 (or 74 or 81) books.  How can you express what we pastors spend hours (well, I'm not that long-winded) telling you about each Sunday?

Here's how I boiled down the challenge. (yes, it's 18 words. Give me a break)

God Created
Man Sinned
God Arrived
Man Crucified
God Suffered
Woman Cried
God Rose
Disciples Infused
God Reigns

What's your elevator speech about our faith?   I'd love to hear your version.

++Richard

The joy of Easter lingers.  He is risen from the tomb!  He lives!  But as usual with us humans, that feeling of joy fades.  We're slowly going back into our daily routines.  And the joy we felt and the passion that ran through us on Resurrection Sunday fades away.  So what now?

Our life will always have ups and downs.  We have good days and bad days.  What we need is something constant in our lives that will help smooth out the  bumps and bruises of  everyday life. 

Well there are two things that can help you with that....prayer and scripture.  Daily scripture readings feed us.  Some people set aside a specific time each day, just like a meal.  Some have a specific pattern but it really doesn't matter how you do it.  One of the printed daily devotional booklets is called "Our Daily Bread."  Just like we need to fill our stomach with food, we need to do the same with our heads and hearts. 

Prayer is our meditation.  We need to stop the maniacal pace of the world and commune with our Lord.  We all know that feeling when we take a deep breath and let all the pressure out.  When we do that, we need  to open ourselves and let the Holy Spirit flow back into us.  Medical professionals know that this kind of time spent with the Lord calms us and relieves the stress and pressure that builds up within us.

So yes, the jubilation of the Easter celebration has started to fade, but now we need to get fed by scripture and let the time of prayer each day release the stress that world tries to press on us.  Feed on your daily bread and pray that God will continue the keep the joy of Easter in your hearts and minds.