Here you are, sitting in a church pew. You are here because, somewhere and sometime, you made decisions. Choices. Many years ago, for instance, you may have decided you were a Christian and you would worship as faithfully as you eat and sleep. So, here you are today. Your presence required no great decision this morning. It's simply part of you. On the other hand, perhaps you are here today because you have decided you needed to begin this part of your life over again. You have some guilt about your absences - and besides, you had to bring the children to Sunday school anyway. Whatever your motivation, you are here, wondering what is going to happen next because you made your choice as you did.

Dr. Jack Eichhorst, president of Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle, reminded his Lutheran rea…