St. John's Lutheran Church

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​Meditations from Carol Dean Henn​

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4/5/2018

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Read Now
 
Behold, I send you out j sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.          Matthew 10:16
 
      The tall, distinguished, grey-haired man who walked into my office in Silicon Valley was, like me, a member of the company’s senior staff.  He was also a retired Marine colonel.  He exuded strength and authority.  But on that day, he seemed nervous.  He closed the door, sat down, and spoke to me in a low voice.  “I’ve been told to lease and purchase more buildings-- a lot more.  Millions of dollars’ worth of property.”  He pushed a sheet of paper across my desk.  It was a signed authorization, typical for expenditures in excess of a million dollars.  “It seems in order,” I said.  “What’s the problem?”  He replied, “When X signed it, he said, ‘You know, I suspect that sometimes people forge my signature.’  Then he just stared at me.  I think I’m being set up.  He must want me out and he’s setting me up.  What do I do?”  I’m sure my colleague wasn’t expecting my first response: “Read the psalms.”  My second response: “Don’t worry.  We can do some things to make sure he doesn’t trap you.” – was one that he understood.  But I meant both responses. 
      What do you do when you’re outmatched, feel trapped, and don’t know how to fight?  When someone is plotting against you?  The Bible gives us two tools: Asking
God to fight for us, as the psalmists did, when we cannot fight for ourselves; and being as wise as we can be in the ways of the world.  Two tools.  Both necessary, both understood by God.

© Carol Dean Henn   2018

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    Author

    Carol Dean Henn of St. John’s Windish Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, PA

 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
715 Lincoln Highway
North Versailles, PA 15137-2027
[email protected]
​​412-824-0277
Office Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00am-2:00pm
Sunday Schedule:
Sunday School for all ages at 9:30am
Worship at 10:45am​
​Coffee Fellowship at 12pm
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​© 2025 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Versailles, PA
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Welcome and Mission Statements
    • History
    • Staff & Council
    • Bios >
      • Pastor Kimberly Greway
    • Life Events >
      • Wedding Policy
      • Funeral Policy
    • Committees
    • Land Acknowledgement
  • Worship
    • Worship Details
    • What to Expect
    • Prayground
    • Music at St. John's
    • Prayer and Devotional Resources
    • Young Disciples' Messages
    • Sermon Extras >
      • Feast of the Annunciation 2023
      • Reformation Sunday Oct 2022
      • Third Sunday in Advent, Dec. 2022
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Women of the ELCA
    • Committees
  • News
    • Newsletters
    • Stewardship message
  • Education
    • Sunday School for Children and Youth
    • Confirmation
    • Coffee and Conversations (Adult Sunday School)
  • St. John's Cares
    • MA's Pantry
    • St. Afterschool
    • Lutheran World Relief
    • Meals on Wheels
    • Counseling Center
    • Community Meetings
  • Photo Gallery
  • Forms
    • Forms >
      • Prayer Request Form
      • Altar Flowers Order Form
  • Contact Us
    • Contact & Location
    • Communication Contacts