Happy New Year

Can you believe it... last year is just gone... so much happened... so many smiles, hugs, songs, friends made... hopes shared... This last year was one of the best years of my life... it wasn't the easiest year by far... but the best... I am closer to Deb, my boys, my family, a new dog, my mom and dad, my brothers, my sister, my church family, my friends... and best of all, my God... love, laugh, hug, hold, dream, explore, believe... 2009 has these and many more possibilities...

Merry Christmas!

Good Morning Chaps! 

Mitch, Jacob, and Ben went snowboarding last night up on Powder Mt.. Their first outing up the mountain this year. They were excited and spent. Deb, Aaron and I spent most of the evening together just relaxing at home... it was a good night. Today Deb and I will go out for breakfast and then some Christmas shopping. We have most of everything ready for our celebration next week. We're suppose to get some snow this afternoon, 3-6 inches here in the valley. They are predicting 12-16 inches up on the ridge. I wonder about our friends back in the midwest and how they are doing out there...

Blessings and Joy

PC

The Secret of being content...

We hear it all the time. Our parents said it about us, and we say it to our children. I hear it said by those around the neighborhood. I hear it spoken in all cultures and all languages, regardless of religion or ethnic group, regardless of nation or tribe, regardless of who or where you are... I WANT MY CHILDREN TO BE HAPPY...  or spoken in another way, IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY. When Paul says in his letter to the Philippians "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength", I believe he was revealing a profound and eternal "secret" or truth to each of us. Who among us can say what Paul says, "I have learned to be content in every circumstance"? Through HIM... in HIM... with HIM... beneath HIM... the secret of being content now and forever.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas!
I love Christmas! It truly does something marvelous in terms of my relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ. It enhances my faith and promotes good will within me for my neighbors, family, and friends. It gives me the opportunity to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. I care not about the arguments about whether or not the 25th of December is or was the true birth date of Christ. I love it for what it does, not for what it was or was not. Are you with me? If you are, then love the candles, love the gifts, love the focus on faith, love the Christmas music, love the general atmosphere of light and song, love the gathering of church friends, love the story presented by children, love the wreath, tree, and tinsel, love the eggnog, ham, and wine, love the warmth of fire, the cold of skates, the drifting of snow, love the season, the reason for the season, love the advent, the hope, the angels, the shepherds, the star, love it all… but above all love Christ and honor God with what has become of what was and now is… Christmas. Merry Christmas from my house to yours!
Pastor Chuck, Deb, & Family

Short History

Hi Everyone! Glad you made it to my web page. Hope you like it. The short history of Pastor Chuck is that I grew up in a loving family on a farm in North Dakota. I have always been a Lutheran boy. My home church is Bethesda Lutheran, which is on the prairies south of Leith, North Dakota. I graduated from Elgin High. Received a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Jamestown College, Jamestown, N.D. While at JC I was deeply involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I also met the love of my life in Debra Jo Holt. We got married during her final year of college. Upon our graduations from JC we moved to Minnesota and were involved in Youth Ministry for many years. While a Youth Director at Cambridge Lutheran Church I attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul and received my Master of Divinity degree. My first call as a Pastor was with Tri-County Ministry of Cooperstown, N.D. During all of this we grew our famiy and have five boys... or young men... Aaron- who is 23 and in the Air Force; Luke- who is 21, married to Charlene and going to College at NDSU; Ben- who is 19, attending Weber State and manages a Subway; and then there are our twins- Mitchell and Jacob, who are 13, and so very busy... skateboarding, baseball, snowboarding, scouts, etc. In June of 2006 I received a call here at Our Savior's Lutheran of Roy, Utah. We all love it here and plan to be here for a very long time. It's the best church in Utah hands down! PTL!

Devotion

What would it be like if every person from every nation for the rest of human life came to know, love and honor God? How would our present activities on this earth change? What would we spend our time and money doing and creating? How would poverty be impacted? How about world hunger? Would wars cease? Would racism end? How about our prisons... would they become empty and vacant? What if? What if? We pray for it every Sunday when we say, "Thy Kingdom Come" Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another" This command is like the Old Testament greatest commandments, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul... and

My Devotion

Psalm 66

Reflection "Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth..." Everyday while the early birds are singing their praises to God, the human noise begins. Traffic begins. People rushing to work. Amidst this backdrop... the dew glistens... rivers rush... trees crick... insects buzz... animals begin to cud the grass... Life awakens. Amidst it all God hears... he hears each voice... each bird... each heart... when a tree falls in the forest, God hears... God hears all that we do not and God knows each joy, every sorrow, and every cry for help. Each day begins with the potential to make a joyful noise to God... forget not the source of our being; the genesis of our living. "Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard... "

My Devotion

Psalm 65

Reflection
"... the river of God is full of water" With God all things are not just possible, but all things are renewed and refreshed and sustained; grain is abundant; water wells; showers replenish; and blessings abound. So... what are you waiting for... jump on in, the water is just right!

My Devotion

Psalm 64

Reflection "Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint preserve my life from the dread enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers..." Isn't it sad to say that this prayer is in full operation yet today. For all the progresses we have made as humankind... we still are at war with one another. Every country and people has it's story of a "Dooms Day". For us a few are Pearl Harbor, the Assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy, and more recently the 9/11, 2001 Twin Towers Tragedy... all of these are from a dread enemy who plots in secret; creating schemes of disaster. So we pray... Lord save us from such a conflict; Help us to know how to fight our enemy with success. Help our armed men and women in harms way to gain the victory and over throw this enemy that hides and lurks and is willing to meet their graves in behalf of their cause in such grotesque ways. We stand ready Lord for you deliverance for your end to this and all wars. Teach us your ways Lord. Help all enemies to become friends and to lay down their weapons of war and know peace. Lord we pray for this miracle... we put all into your gracious and mighty hands... set us apart and together according to your will. Amen.

My Devotion

Psalm 63

Reflection
"My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast..." Monday morning I woke up completely satisfied with my life... I woke up at 5am... completely content... my wife... my children... my day... my yesterday... my tomorrow... my work... my friends... my church... my LORD... I am so very thankful and grateful for it all! I just stayed there in bed thinking about it all... it is to me a rich feast this life that I have. Is everything peachy keen? no. Do I have any problems and challenges in my life and ahead of me... boy do I ever! But am I satisfied with it all... the good and the bad? Yes I am. How I got here to this day and today... completely content, has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the Spirit. When I am kept in Him, all bodes well even when nothing goes right, I still am content, because companionship is the key to happiness. Being with others and enjoying them at the very moment that you have with them as with a gift. Does this contentment keep me from charging ahead to make improvements or a difference in what I can make a difference with... no. In fact, this satisfaction I feel compels me even more to work for the contentment of those around me... as a gift. I thank God for it all today... I give it all over to Him.

My Devotion

Jesus said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" Peter replies, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." and Jesus replied, "Come" So what is the Lord telling you this day? What boat is he calling you to step out of? Will you do it? Peter is so compelled by the Lord's voice that he wants to be closer... he is willing to step out on the waves. Today I am going to ask myself if I am willing to step out unto the waves at his invitation... will I give up my security for the sake of the call? "Take courage! It is I. Don't be Afraid" Read about it in Matthew 14:22-36

My Devotion

Prayer
Dear God, mighty and awesome Savior. I pray thee to tip the scales in my favor this day, that I might know the weight of Thy salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.
Psalm 62

Reflection
"Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath..." Life is a delicate balance... so they say, but the psalmist says we are "... lighter than a breath" in other words, we don't have enough weight to make the difference. We do not balance our lives. God does. The Spirit of God that is at work in us who believe sets the scales to our favor. We could never do this alone. How is this good news? We don't have to worry so much... we don't have to fight so hard... we don't have to try to control it all and everyone and everything around us. Rest... rest... rest assured that God will do it, therefore, your soul can "wait in silence" because from God alone "comes your and my salvation". Build your hope on the Lord and you will not be dissapointed... not in this life... and certainly not in the next. "On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times... pour out your heart before him..." For he tips the balance in our favor at just the right time for our salvation and for the salvation of those around us.

My Devotion

‘Vision & Voice’ by P. Chuck Sabin
There is a vision I just can’t get out of my thoughts these days … just think what it will be like when our children go into OSLC Gymnasium for the first time… what joy they will feel… what pride we will have… what it will mean for the countless dozens of young families that will come to our services, sporting events, concerts, conferences, banquets, musicals, movies, theatre productions, receptions, festivals, and the like… BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. Larry Harlan shared with our Lay Ministry team that he cannot imagine that we are not going to grow numerically and spiritually as a church family over the next decade… and to the point that our present facilities are not going to be adequate. I’ve said it before and I will say it again… we are not building this new facility and all the ministries that it will facilitate for ourselves… we are dreaming of this facility for those who will come and join our church family because of it and the ministries it will provide. We are building for a people that have yet to come! We dream of a greater impact for the gospel in this community than we are presently launching… not that what we are and who we are and what we are doing is not good and right and wonderful… because it is. But we are dreaming of putting ourselves in a position to better serve our community and thus further enhance the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of tomorrow. We are dreaming today of a better tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see the ribbon cut and the doors open and the children rushing in. Dream with me! Dream with God! Dream for what isn’t, but could be.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, help us to see what you see, and to be about what you are about, and to dream your dream for this place and these people and for those you have yet to reach in this community and throughout your world. May we truly be your disciples, willing to sacrifice self in behalf of our neighbors and especially those who still do not know that there is a God who loves them and has died for them, and that they can know and enjoy now and throughout eternity, for we pray it in Jesus name. Amen.

Song of the Week: One of these days I'm gonna fly Over the mountain One of these days I'm gonna ride On the silver lining One of these days I'm gonna witness All I've been missing One of these days Chorus: One of these days I'm gonna see the hand That took the nails for me One of these days I'm gonna hold the key To the mansion built for me One of these days I'm gonna walk the streets of gold That were paved for me One of these days I'm gonna see my Savior face to face One of these days One of these days I'm gonna do All the things that I've never done I'm gonna finish all the racesThat I've run but I've never won And I'm gonna see a million faces And recognize everyoneOne of these days Chorus: One of these days I'm gonna say Just what became of meOn the day that I believed When You took myself from me And I believe I will say What I would have beenIf You didn't save me One of these days Chorus: And one of these days I'm gonna talk With all the saintsThat have gone before And in their sandals I will walk And we will sit along the shore And I will learn all the things That I never knew before All this and more Chorus: One of these days I'll finally be In a place where There's no more need No more pain and no more grief No more foolish disbelief And all the joy there will be When at last we finally see One of these days Chorus:

My Daily Devotion

Prayer Dear God, we pray today that you not only protect us from our enemies, but that you win them over to your gospel... to your truth... to your peace... to your righteousness... to your heart... to your manner... to your way... to your Kingdom... where you rule, and no man has any authority over any other man. We pray that none would look upon another human being with any lense save yours Lord... therefore we ask you to stand against those who take a stand against you... we ask you to have your way all of us... have your way with me this day... we pray... "THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN... for THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN". Psalm 59 Reflection "Awake to punish all nations... make them totter by your power, and bring them down" Some psalms are rehearsed more than others. Take this psalm for example, Psalm 59, you will not hear this psalm chanted in church very often, if ever. Here David is looking for revenge and control. Power is in his words. He wants the Lord to humiliate those who are looking to destroy him. He is not asking for peace, but destruction. He is asking his God, the Creator of all humankind, to "consume them... consume them until they are no more". May our enemies only be those who are the Lord's enemies. I wonder what David would do with the Ephesian passage that reads, "... for our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places..." Could David have missed the true enemy of God? It's time my brothers and sisters to put on the armor of a different kind than David is speaking of in this psalm... it is time for us to put on the "armor of GOD" It consists of... truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.

My Devotion

Prayer
Dear Lord, what is all this violence that we see in our world today? Where are you in the midst of all of this? What can we expect of the rest of our days here on this earth? I can only ask of you that you protect us and deliver us from this blood letting for power and position. Help us all to realize the foolishness in unequal scales and inhumane treatments of one another. Lift up your word LORD... lift up your voice that the violent of heart and mind might hear a new gospel and repent of their violent notions and uncivilized manner and find a new way of life. Help us all LORD... help us all to live at peace with one another and treat each other as brothers and sisters, no matter our differences. Dear LORD, do what only YOU can do, bring peace to our world and to our communities, in Jesus name. Amen.

Psalm 58

Reflection
"The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked" As a song writer myself, it is hard for me to imagine singing this psalm. The imagery presented here is overtly graphic. Of course this is spoken from a man that has never seen any of his loved ones shot down in pool of blood. Nor have I witnessed the murder of any of my friends. How would I read this "hymn" if I lived in Baghdad where violence is an everyday event? There are parts of our world that reek with bloodshed. Even the innocent are ruthlessly displayed as prizes for those who would lope off heads! Graphic enough? To be sure... today I will ponder whether or not there is such a thing as a "Holy War". According to this psalmist, there is... and it will come when the wicked lie dead at our feet. I live a sheltered life... and I am thankful for that and am indebted to those who would put themselves in harms way that I might live such a peace possible existence... I can only speculate how I would "sing" if I were forced to live face to face with the horror of war... today, I pray for world peace... and peace for the city... and peace within all and in each of everyone who now lives or who will ever live.

My Devotion

Prayer
Dear Lord, watch over me I pray Thee this day. My hope is in you. I run to you for safety. I run to you for hope. I run to you for favor. I run... because I love you. I love being in your care. I love knowing and experiencing your saving grace within and around me. May I never forget your endless and unfailing love, for I know that we live in the midst of certain danger, toils, and snares... if it were not for you, we would certainly fall prey to each and every one. Thank you Lord for your saving arms. Amen.

Psalm 57

Reflection
"... until the destroying storms pass by" Did you know that their are "destroying storms" in our midst? Do you recognize the dangers that exist around you? According to the Psalmist there are those who would trample us... those who set a net for our feet... those who dig a pit in our paths... and we need not mention the storms themselves... more then one... and they are destroying storms at that... recently I was given a precious wrist band that reads "Keep the Faith!" The 'Faith' is all about our God. He will have mercy. He will tuck me in the shadow of his wing. He will send his steadfast love and faithfulness. We are saved. We are saved because God is devoted to our care... we might ask why... and our only answer can be because of his great love and mercy. So... like the psalmist we exalt the Lord our God... we give God the Glory! "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory remain over all the earth"

My Devotion

Psalm 56

Reflection
"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle" The Psalmist is capturing a bit of history and tradition here... grandmothers and mothers of that people used to and still do collect their tears in a bottle. These tears are passed on to daughters and granddaughters who do the same... I wonder how many gallons have been collected and still exist... so somewhere in Jewish homes are bottles of tears from past generations on their shelves... I wonder what that feels like to know that you hold in your hands the tears of those from your family who have gone before you... Here in this psalm the Psalmist is captureing God's involvement in our personal worries and fears and grief... God knows... God knows every tear and what or who it was shed for. He is the great collector of tears... he has our every concern and care in his hands.

My Devotion

Prayer
Dear Lord, I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all my burdens down at your feet... and anytime that I don't know what to do... I'll cast my burden unto you... for I have known your mercy and grace; I have tasted your love and faithfulness, and I am reassured this day that you will not let me be moved beyond your will and love, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Psalm 55

Reflection
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved" Whenever I see this verse I cannot help but ask, "What about the unrighteous?" What will He "permit" for them? It is hard for me to see myself as righteous? I know that through the precious and loving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross that I am made righteous... therefore, I hope this Psalm applies to me. I've always loved that song, "Cast Your Burdens, unto Jesus, for He cares for YOU!" I sing it often and of course when I read this Psalm this morning I couldn't help but sing it into the fabric of my soul this day... how many burdens are there that need the Lord's care... there are piles and piles of them. The Psalmist is reassureing that the Lord will sustain us when we do that casting... I used to fish and I always wanted to cast as far as I could or as far as the banks would allow. As my life deepens and my love widens for others and for my own... the casting reaches further and further... the LORD knows... the LORD cares... the LORD is active in my behalf and in yours this day... rejoice... "He will never permit you to be moved"

My Devotion

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to forever be seeking your presence and your companionship. Help me to recognize your presence through your awesome Holy Spirit. As I seek you Lord I ask that you deminish my fears and restore my fortunes according to your designs; according to your will and grace. Lord, I pray that all people would come to realize your greatness and the great joy that comes in holding to you, day in and day out, in Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 53

Reflection
"Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God"... God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, and who seek after God" What do we get when we seek after God? The Psalmist doesn't exactly say... he does say that when deliverance comes fortunes will be restored and God's people will rejoice. What the Psalmist does spend more time on is talking about what is bound to happen to those who say in their hearts, "There is no God". Here the Psalmist is clear. "There they shall be in great terror, in terror such as has never been". Those who do not call on the Lord are headed for sure disaster. God will "scatter their bones", the Psalmist warns. Well, this is warning enough for me! Lord help me to find you this day and to call on you moment by moment, in and out of need. That I might know your presence and reep the benefits of your blessings... this day and everyday. Amen.

My Today

Everyone at the Sabin household are up and at em' this morning. Deb is at work. Jacob, Mitch, and Ben are at school. This morning I am going out to Jessie Jean's Coffee Beans for a Poor Man's Breakfast and Brother's Coffee. Should cost me $6.12 and it's worth it. I will read the local newspaper from Ogden cover to cover. I will think about my day and week and make a few valued notes to myself. Then it's off to my study at work... I enjoy Mondays alot because it is usually very quiet in terms of phone calls and emails... It allows me to get ahead of my week. I hope all is well with you and that you have a great day. Blessings and Joy!

My Devotion

Prayer
Dear Lord, be my stronghold this day. Come to my aid as I have need of you and your unfailing love. Be my guide this day, that I might walk in your ways and treat others the way that you would have me treat them... with your unfailing love all day long. Amen.

Psalm 52

Reflection
"Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man... surely God will bring you down... the righteous will see and fear; they will laugh... saying, "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others" The psalmist makes a case for making God your trust. I remember seeing the bumper sticker, maybe you do too, 'He with the most toys wins', that may be a terrible truth. You win the Lord's wrath. You win increased worries and concerns. You win disillusionment and dispair. You win, you win, you win! Toys will mean nothing on that day when you have to give an account before the Lord... your wealth and properity will not guard you against God... how you treated others will be the only thing that counts... beginning with how you treated your God. So make God your stronghold this day... trust the Lord in all your ways and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.

My Today

Friday is my Shabbat! Cease... from work... from worry... from being busy... slow down... relax... and rest in God's arms... Cease has the word ease in it... go easy... be easy... stay easy... it's easy... like no problems man... not today... so... I am at home... in jeans... in a baseball cap... and as soon as Jacob and Mitch are off to school... I am alone in the house... I will light a candle... I will take out my guitar and sing a song or two with my Lord... Food is already prepared... then I will talk and tell the Lord my sorrows, joys, and concerns... I will cast my burden unto Jesus... I will listen... I will sleep... I will just hang out in his presence... I may read a Word from his WORD... I may light another candle to symbolize a prayer or person or new thought or confession or new direction... so... happy shabbat! And good day...

My Daily Devotion

Prayer
Dear Lord, create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me... cast me not away from you presence O Lord and take not your Holy Spirit from me... restore unto me the joy of your salvation and renew in me a willing spirit. Amen.

Psalm 51

Reflection
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy..." I love the beginning of this Psalm. The measure the Psalmist requests is dependent upon God's steadfast love; God's abundant mercy. He does not ask that the measure depend upon himself or upon any other human being or upon the church or upon the world... he is asking that the measure of love; the measure of mercy be determined by the LORD and his steadfastness and his abundance... I've always said that the LORD is much more merciful than any and all of us. If we were in charge of mercy... if we were in charge of grace... the world and all humankind would be lost! Instead... the measure we deserve is not the measure we get; the measure we get is far more than we could ever deserve. Praise God! Thank you Jesus! Therefore... "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity... cleanse me from my sin... create in me a clean heart O God, and put a new and right spirit within me... my one and only true response is that I want to be clean and to be made new... that I might not sin against you; that I might be for the praise of your glory... now and always.

My Devotion

Prayer
O God, who through the gace of your Holy Spirit, pours the gift of love into our hearts... grant us health, both of mind and body, that we may love you with our whole strength, and with glad hearts may perform those things which are pleasing unto you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 50

Reflection
"Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me" In midst of our troubles there exists ready and able savior to deliver us. Some of us who find trouble or trouble finds us, fail to recognize the deliverance from our God. We think that our deliverance should be thus or this and we do not once understand what it is that truly holds us captive. There was a time in my life when I owned my own business... or should I say a business owned me... when things were going bad in terms of my ability to keep this business afloat, I prayed with the full conviction that deliverance meant my financial gain... actually, what the Lord did in allowing my business to run aground has served for his glory and my deliverance, though at the time I could not and did not see it that way. There are many times in our gospel texts that Jesus overlooks the very thing that we consider deliverance and instead he delivers us from what he believes is our true captive... the Psalmist reports the Lord's directive today to call on him in our day of trouble... and the promise it made by God that he will deliver us... resulting in our praise and adoration... resulting in his glory. I have to asked myself when I call on the Lord what it is that I am asking for? His results or my own? His glory of my own? His deliverance or my own? Lord, grant me insight this to seek what you seek and to embrace your deliverance... for your glory. Amen.