Copy & Paste

Matthew 6:5-18
5) And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7) And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their man words. 8) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9) Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11) Give us this day our daily bread; 12) And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13) And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14) For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15) but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16) And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17) But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18) that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Little Crosses

When driving through Frankenmuth, Michigan, I’m

always intrigued with the many simple little crosses

I see in the front yards of the homes we pass by.

Those crosses are a statement of support for the

Frankenmuth’s Christian foundation.

Two years ago an atheist living there complained

about two crosses on a bridge in town. He

requested that they be removed, and so the town

removed them.

Then he decided that since he was so successful

with that, the city shield should also be changed

since it had on it, along with other symbols, a

heart with a cross inside signifying the city’s

Lutheran beginnings.

At that point, the residents decided they had had

enough. Hundreds of residents made their

opinions known by placing small crosses in their

front yards.

Seeing this quiet but powerful statement from

the community, the man removed his complaint.

Those simple crosses remain in those front yards

today.