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											March 2008
	All Nations Lutheran Church, Newport OR				www.peak.org/~lutheran		Email: Lutheran@casco.net
									times when Jesus was on trial. Standing close to those who recognized Peter, Peter cursed and denied the Lord as Scripture records. Thank God that Jesus would not allow Peter to be lost forever, but restored him to faith. What is it that saves us? Good behavior, or faith? By grace we are saved through faith. St. Paul writes that Peter's behavior is shameful. It is not Peter's behavior that will condemn or save him. It is Peter's faith. Peter is guilty for denying the Lord. Peter hasn't been faithful. Unfaithful people are forgiven and restored through faith in Jesus. Faith is a gift, faith that trusts Christ and not oneself. Peter remembers these promises. He experiences the joy of sins forgiven and the tears wiped away. Jesus brings him back and strengthens him. For us, no matter what the sin may be or how far we have fallen, our Lord is faithful to us and will bring us back if we don't deny Him and His saving power. Thank God, it is His act and not ours.
	From the Pastor's Desk:
	Our this year's Lenten message is on tears. Do you have tears of guilt? Have you ever heard the phrase? "Bet you can't eat just one." Do you remember that advertising slogan from the Lays Potato Chip Company? Lays is convinced you will find their potato chips so delicious, you will just keep popping them into your mouth. The phrase is, "Crunch all you want, we will make more." Not that eating potato chips is sinful, but that one sin is never enough. Sin always comes in clusters. That is the way it is for you and me, isn't it? Suppose shop lifting is the sin. How many laws of God are broken? The First Commandment says, "You shall have no other gods before me". Whatever is stolen becomes ones god. The Second Commandment says not to misuse God's name. In Baptism, His name sets one apart as a child. A child of God does not steal, that

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