Merry Christmas!
Clemens Schmidt--The Church Year and the Art of Clemens Schmidt, 2003, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Strike Two!
I do not know which is worse: Being a little bit surprised by the findings of the Mitchell report or thinking that baseball had changed its ways. I really like to give people the benefit of the doubt. After all I am not supposed to judge anybody, but when I heard that Mitchell report had concluded that all 30 teams in Major League Baseball had at least 1 player who was using steroids at some point within the last 10 years, I became very judgmental.
As a Minnesota Twins fan because I grew up in Minnesota, I enjoyed watching both the 1987 and the 1991 World Series'. I enjoyed hearing Kirby Puckett's name being announced by the unmistakable voice of Bob Casey, the Metrodome announcer, and then seeing him put one in the nose bleed section. I also enjoyed watching Kent Hrbek and Chuck Knoblock and the other Twins players at the time. That of course was before baseball lost its innocence in the strike of the mid-1990's. That was strike 1. I really did not like baseball for a while after that and not too much later the greats of the game that I grew up with started to retire.
I was starting to get back into baseball a little bit. I again began to follow the Twins and their several appearances in post-season games. I began to really follow the Twins when I was in seminary and had friends that were White Sox fans. I enjoyed our conversations.
Yesterday was not a good day for baseball or any other professional sport, as far as I am concerned. Lost again was the innocence of the game. Although, for some time we have wondered about certain players, such as the wanna-be home run king. And it hurts, it really does, for whether they know it or not, there are people-children who look up to these players who listen to their speeches about not cheating and being good. Now who can you believe.
I guess that it is a good thing that I am a pastor. As someone who proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ, we first have to start at the beginning. We "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. We are all loved by God-even baseball players who use steroids and lie to Congress. The question is what we do about it. We have to make it right. We have to come clean. We must repent of our sins-turn away from them, and come to faith in Jesus and rest in his grace.
Unfortunately this is not always easy and sometimes it hurts and while we are forgiven of our sins the consequences of them are still in play. For public figures that probably means a downfall. I suppose, after awhile, I will again become interested in baseball, but unfortunately the umpire has called "Strike 2."
As a Minnesota Twins fan because I grew up in Minnesota, I enjoyed watching both the 1987 and the 1991 World Series'. I enjoyed hearing Kirby Puckett's name being announced by the unmistakable voice of Bob Casey, the Metrodome announcer, and then seeing him put one in the nose bleed section. I also enjoyed watching Kent Hrbek and Chuck Knoblock and the other Twins players at the time. That of course was before baseball lost its innocence in the strike of the mid-1990's. That was strike 1. I really did not like baseball for a while after that and not too much later the greats of the game that I grew up with started to retire.
I was starting to get back into baseball a little bit. I again began to follow the Twins and their several appearances in post-season games. I began to really follow the Twins when I was in seminary and had friends that were White Sox fans. I enjoyed our conversations.
Yesterday was not a good day for baseball or any other professional sport, as far as I am concerned. Lost again was the innocence of the game. Although, for some time we have wondered about certain players, such as the wanna-be home run king. And it hurts, it really does, for whether they know it or not, there are people-children who look up to these players who listen to their speeches about not cheating and being good. Now who can you believe.
I guess that it is a good thing that I am a pastor. As someone who proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ, we first have to start at the beginning. We "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. We are all loved by God-even baseball players who use steroids and lie to Congress. The question is what we do about it. We have to make it right. We have to come clean. We must repent of our sins-turn away from them, and come to faith in Jesus and rest in his grace.
Unfortunately this is not always easy and sometimes it hurts and while we are forgiven of our sins the consequences of them are still in play. For public figures that probably means a downfall. I suppose, after awhile, I will again become interested in baseball, but unfortunately the umpire has called "Strike 2."
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Cancelled
On Sunday morning I was a part of something that I was never a part of before. I was part of the decision to cancel church. For those of you who do not know, we got a snowstorm up here in the Upper Peninsula. We got about 10 inches of snow. It began early on Saturday afternoon.
I had gone to Menominee, which is the largest town nearest to me. I knew the storm was coming and so I headed out to buy a shovel. I decided to stop in a few stores in downtown Menominee where a friend of Lost Lake Covenant owns a store. I was in a used bookstore for about 10-15 minutes and when I got outside it was snowing pretty good, the ground already had a good coating on it. It was not snowing before I entered the store. Needless to say, I ended up going out of my way to find a shovel. I then decided to head back to the parsonage.
It snowed and snowed and snowed. Late Saturday night I talked with the chair at Lost Lake and the decision was made to cancel the service and all of the members were called. We also were supposed to have a presentation by a Gideon, so I called him and told him that we were cancelling our services, but Bethlehem was not 100% cancelled yet.
When I woke up the next morning and looked outside, I could see the thick blanket of white all over the ground. Now the chair from Bethlehem calls and as he is talking to me the plow goes right by their house. I looked out the window because they are my neighbors on a corner. I see the plow also, but he heads away, so he decided to call a couple others for advice. He calls me back and we decide to cancel church at Bethlehem as well and begin to notify all of the members.
As I get ready for the day, not too long after I talked with the chair. I see something green and yellow in my driveway. It is not the Green Bay Packers, it is a more powerful and dependable machine, it is a neighbor who has a snow blower on the front of his tractor (I think it would be good exercise for the Packers to clean out their own stadium tomorrow). He does the driveway here at the house and the parking lot at church. Then as I am attending church via the idiot box (TV); the plow comes by; it is about 9:30. During the afternoon I operate a very old snow blower to do clean up where the tractor could not reach. I discover as I go to blow the space in front of the mailbox, so the mail carrier can access the box that something is missing--the mailbox is missing. I find it knocked over and begin to put it upright, but it is really heavy. I suspect the plow hit it, maybe on purpose, because he would have had to go out of his way to hit it because it is in line or a little bit further back with the other mailboxes. Needless to say the mail carrier is not happy with me. I told the head trustee and they are working on getting the box temporarily put back.
Why do I write about this? Not because I am upset about the mailbox being knocked over, but because church was cancelled. I came from a tough town, a suburb of Minneapolis that was known for not cancelling school because of 10 inches of snow or very cold days unless the Governor ordered them closed. My home church was the same way, although they did cancel more then school cancelled. It was a shock to my system to cancel church on account of a little snow. It was a shock to be part of such a decision because only those who had that kind of power made those decisions. It was a shock because it was Sunday morning, the sermon was ready to go (a good sermon at that), the service was planned, the baptism was ready to go, the Gideon was planned; but then snow happened and soon my day was not very crazy in going between churches or even preparing my self to preach, even though I was ready.
This disruption reminds me a little bit about Advent. Advent is a disruption. It is a disruption within the normal patterns of life. We celebrate the season of Advent to prepare us for the message of Christmas. We celebrate Advent to prepare us as well for the second coming of Christ. Unfortunately, the disruptions seem to be man-made in the sense that shopping and party's and money are supposed to make this a good time of year for those who make money, but not those who work for a living. That is the wrong disruption for this time of year. The right disruption is by the One who says, "Repent!" Turn away from the cares of this world and cast your cares in the way of the path that leads to life. This is the real message for this time of year.
I had gone to Menominee, which is the largest town nearest to me. I knew the storm was coming and so I headed out to buy a shovel. I decided to stop in a few stores in downtown Menominee where a friend of Lost Lake Covenant owns a store. I was in a used bookstore for about 10-15 minutes and when I got outside it was snowing pretty good, the ground already had a good coating on it. It was not snowing before I entered the store. Needless to say, I ended up going out of my way to find a shovel. I then decided to head back to the parsonage.
It snowed and snowed and snowed. Late Saturday night I talked with the chair at Lost Lake and the decision was made to cancel the service and all of the members were called. We also were supposed to have a presentation by a Gideon, so I called him and told him that we were cancelling our services, but Bethlehem was not 100% cancelled yet.
When I woke up the next morning and looked outside, I could see the thick blanket of white all over the ground. Now the chair from Bethlehem calls and as he is talking to me the plow goes right by their house. I looked out the window because they are my neighbors on a corner. I see the plow also, but he heads away, so he decided to call a couple others for advice. He calls me back and we decide to cancel church at Bethlehem as well and begin to notify all of the members.
As I get ready for the day, not too long after I talked with the chair. I see something green and yellow in my driveway. It is not the Green Bay Packers, it is a more powerful and dependable machine, it is a neighbor who has a snow blower on the front of his tractor (I think it would be good exercise for the Packers to clean out their own stadium tomorrow). He does the driveway here at the house and the parking lot at church. Then as I am attending church via the idiot box (TV); the plow comes by; it is about 9:30. During the afternoon I operate a very old snow blower to do clean up where the tractor could not reach. I discover as I go to blow the space in front of the mailbox, so the mail carrier can access the box that something is missing--the mailbox is missing. I find it knocked over and begin to put it upright, but it is really heavy. I suspect the plow hit it, maybe on purpose, because he would have had to go out of his way to hit it because it is in line or a little bit further back with the other mailboxes. Needless to say the mail carrier is not happy with me. I told the head trustee and they are working on getting the box temporarily put back.
Why do I write about this? Not because I am upset about the mailbox being knocked over, but because church was cancelled. I came from a tough town, a suburb of Minneapolis that was known for not cancelling school because of 10 inches of snow or very cold days unless the Governor ordered them closed. My home church was the same way, although they did cancel more then school cancelled. It was a shock to my system to cancel church on account of a little snow. It was a shock to be part of such a decision because only those who had that kind of power made those decisions. It was a shock because it was Sunday morning, the sermon was ready to go (a good sermon at that), the service was planned, the baptism was ready to go, the Gideon was planned; but then snow happened and soon my day was not very crazy in going between churches or even preparing my self to preach, even though I was ready.
This disruption reminds me a little bit about Advent. Advent is a disruption. It is a disruption within the normal patterns of life. We celebrate the season of Advent to prepare us for the message of Christmas. We celebrate Advent to prepare us as well for the second coming of Christ. Unfortunately, the disruptions seem to be man-made in the sense that shopping and party's and money are supposed to make this a good time of year for those who make money, but not those who work for a living. That is the wrong disruption for this time of year. The right disruption is by the One who says, "Repent!" Turn away from the cares of this world and cast your cares in the way of the path that leads to life. This is the real message for this time of year.
Monday, November 26, 2007
New Shoes
On Saturday I went to town to take advantage of some of the post-Thanksgiving deals. I knew what I was looking for, but I was not going to go out of my way to get anything. I stopped in a well known department store to see if they had shoes on sale that fit me. I hate shopping for shoes. Perhaps, that is one of the things that is built into men to differentiate them from women? Besides I was only passing through so that I could get to Menards (a home improvement store). I usually have a tough time finding shoes. Sometimes the stores are out of my size of a shoe that I really like and sometimes the stores have a lot of shoes of my size that I don't like. The whole change thing can be traumatizing, especially when it comes to new shoes because you are now comfortable with your old pair and they fit just right. However, I wear my shoes into the ground, just so I don't have to go and look for new shoes. My current pair has a Dr. Scholls insert because the soles were coming through the fabric and the bottoms are flat and weak, when it rains more water ends up on my socks then in the puddles.
Imagine my surprise when I found a pair of shoes just like the pair I was wearing! That never happens, that is why I hate buying new shoes. I never see a particular style of shoes twice. The only exception was when I was wearing little kids shoes, a really long time ago. Not only did they have the same shoes, but they had a pair in my size! No asking the sales person to go in back and look and then be disappointed upon their return.
On my 20 some mile journey back home I was thinking about the sermon from the previous Sunday. It was from Luke 21:5-19. In this passage Jesus talks about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and also signs about the end times. The Temple was the center of the Jewish religion, it is where God lived. Even so, the Temple was destroyed some year latter. The Jews had to come up with a new way to worship God since the Temple was no longer standing and that can be hard to do--to do something new. In the rest of the passage, Jesus talks about the signs of the coming Kingdom. Jesus talks about things that will take place, but not necessarily bring about the end. However, Jesus prepares his disciples to be ready, for persecution and hatred because of Christ. The passage ends with hope in that those who trust Christ will be saved not any part of them will perish, not even a hair on your head, v. 18. It is through the endurance that we will gain our souls, v. 19.
In the 4th century A.D. Constantine made Christianity the "official" religion of the Roman Empire. Up to this point, Christians were regularly persecuted for their faith. The Christians at this time were not sure how to react to this news, to peace. Up to the present Christians the world has been fairly peaceful towards Christians with the exception of persecutions breaking out every once in a while. This leads to a question: I wonder how we as Christians would react if all of a sudden the tables were turned again and persecution became the norm for Christians? We who live in the U.S. are very fortunate that we live in a country where we are allowed to freely worship as we please. I don't think many of us think twice about our right to worship freely, we take it for granted.
Someday, though, we may have to realize that a new norm has come--that persecution is inevitable, but there is comfort in the fact that we may have to endure suffering here, but compared to eternity it is just a drop of water in the ocean and a grain of sand on the seashore. The point is to trust Christ, with faith, and that ultimately the Christian wins their life--eternal life.
Imagine my surprise when I found a pair of shoes just like the pair I was wearing! That never happens, that is why I hate buying new shoes. I never see a particular style of shoes twice. The only exception was when I was wearing little kids shoes, a really long time ago. Not only did they have the same shoes, but they had a pair in my size! No asking the sales person to go in back and look and then be disappointed upon their return.
On my 20 some mile journey back home I was thinking about the sermon from the previous Sunday. It was from Luke 21:5-19. In this passage Jesus talks about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and also signs about the end times. The Temple was the center of the Jewish religion, it is where God lived. Even so, the Temple was destroyed some year latter. The Jews had to come up with a new way to worship God since the Temple was no longer standing and that can be hard to do--to do something new. In the rest of the passage, Jesus talks about the signs of the coming Kingdom. Jesus talks about things that will take place, but not necessarily bring about the end. However, Jesus prepares his disciples to be ready, for persecution and hatred because of Christ. The passage ends with hope in that those who trust Christ will be saved not any part of them will perish, not even a hair on your head, v. 18. It is through the endurance that we will gain our souls, v. 19.
In the 4th century A.D. Constantine made Christianity the "official" religion of the Roman Empire. Up to this point, Christians were regularly persecuted for their faith. The Christians at this time were not sure how to react to this news, to peace. Up to the present Christians the world has been fairly peaceful towards Christians with the exception of persecutions breaking out every once in a while. This leads to a question: I wonder how we as Christians would react if all of a sudden the tables were turned again and persecution became the norm for Christians? We who live in the U.S. are very fortunate that we live in a country where we are allowed to freely worship as we please. I don't think many of us think twice about our right to worship freely, we take it for granted.
Someday, though, we may have to realize that a new norm has come--that persecution is inevitable, but there is comfort in the fact that we may have to endure suffering here, but compared to eternity it is just a drop of water in the ocean and a grain of sand on the seashore. The point is to trust Christ, with faith, and that ultimately the Christian wins their life--eternal life.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
The Feast of All Saints
Today a majority of the church celebrates the Feast of All Saints. This day is not a death fixation, but is instead a day in which we celebrate the lives of those who have gone to their eternal rest. It is a day that is supposed to give hope for all who believe in Jesus Christ, for we too will one day rest from our labors here on earth and be in the presence of God.
Evangeline Nelson
Rose Booth
Marie Ruth Clevenger
Peace to the memory of these Saints.
Evangeline Nelson
Rose Booth
Marie Ruth Clevenger
Peace to the memory of these Saints.
For All the Saints
by William W. How
For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by
faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle;
they in glory shine. Yet all are on in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth's wide bounds and ocean's farthest coast, through gates of
pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Still Here
I just realized that I have not posted since August. Wow. I wonder what else I have not yet realized.
Well, life continues to be busy, now into my second month here in Michigan. Fall programs are going and I continue to learn a lot about the churches I serve and the community in which we are located.
I was formally installed on Sunday, September 9 by our conference superintendent. I figured out a doable Confirmation schedule that is hampered by the area school district and their lack of decision. It is not all their fault, it is mostly the state's fault and to try and fix it they are raising taxes, including ours here in the UP and then sending all the money down state to, "Where it is needed most." I have been focusing on trying to get established and some sort of a routine down and it is coming slowly as juggle and continue to find out all I need to know. I am also working on venturing out into the area and getting plugged in; not an easy task for an introvert.
Last week I was at our conference pastor's retreat at Lake Geneva, WI. I had a good time and got to reconnect with friends that I have in the conference--who are now colleagues besides--and meet new friends. Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom was our speaker and she talked about freedom in Christ as friendship. It was a very interesting topic. We also heard a presentation based on a published article about pastoral excellence and entering various phases of ministry. I thought it was interesting as well, but unlike most there, I could not identify with a lot of it yet. I went to a nearby water park with some friends. I only went down the slides once, there were two slides. However, I became a little dizzy with the turns and even the speed, so I could really only do them once. Maybe all those years of not swimming in a pool finally caught up with me. The best part of that time was visiting with one of my friends and his wife about ministry and what they are experiencing and exchange of ideas. I had a great time.
Movie Alert!!! Those of you who know me, know that I like Mr. Bean. He is a British character played by Rowan Atkinson. He has a new movie called: Mr. Bean's Holiday. I saw it on Saturday night and it is hilarious. Laugh out loud, roll on the floor, side hurting funny. I give it 2 thumbs way up and as many stars as there are in the universe. I would definitely recommend seeing it. Maybe this time Mr. Bean has the Academy Award. Now I wonder when will the 3 DVD set, of this film, with 65 hours of out takes, bloopers, deleted scenes, and commentary come out.
Well, I guess it is another day. See you on the other side!
Well, life continues to be busy, now into my second month here in Michigan. Fall programs are going and I continue to learn a lot about the churches I serve and the community in which we are located.
I was formally installed on Sunday, September 9 by our conference superintendent. I figured out a doable Confirmation schedule that is hampered by the area school district and their lack of decision. It is not all their fault, it is mostly the state's fault and to try and fix it they are raising taxes, including ours here in the UP and then sending all the money down state to, "Where it is needed most." I have been focusing on trying to get established and some sort of a routine down and it is coming slowly as juggle and continue to find out all I need to know. I am also working on venturing out into the area and getting plugged in; not an easy task for an introvert.
Last week I was at our conference pastor's retreat at Lake Geneva, WI. I had a good time and got to reconnect with friends that I have in the conference--who are now colleagues besides--and meet new friends. Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom was our speaker and she talked about freedom in Christ as friendship. It was a very interesting topic. We also heard a presentation based on a published article about pastoral excellence and entering various phases of ministry. I thought it was interesting as well, but unlike most there, I could not identify with a lot of it yet. I went to a nearby water park with some friends. I only went down the slides once, there were two slides. However, I became a little dizzy with the turns and even the speed, so I could really only do them once. Maybe all those years of not swimming in a pool finally caught up with me. The best part of that time was visiting with one of my friends and his wife about ministry and what they are experiencing and exchange of ideas. I had a great time.
Movie Alert!!! Those of you who know me, know that I like Mr. Bean. He is a British character played by Rowan Atkinson. He has a new movie called: Mr. Bean's Holiday. I saw it on Saturday night and it is hilarious. Laugh out loud, roll on the floor, side hurting funny. I give it 2 thumbs way up and as many stars as there are in the universe. I would definitely recommend seeing it. Maybe this time Mr. Bean has the Academy Award. Now I wonder when will the 3 DVD set, of this film, with 65 hours of out takes, bloopers, deleted scenes, and commentary come out.
Well, I guess it is another day. See you on the other side!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Fear Producing Discipleship
Luke 12:32-40
There is something in all of us that we are afraid of. Some are afraid of heights, some are afraid of water, some are afraid of a difficult health diagnosis, but we are all afraid of something. Before the year 2000 I was afraid of flying. Even when I had the opportunity to tour airplanes I was happy to get off of them because of the lack of space and the fear of flying, even when they were just on the ground. Something in me changed by the year 2000. I think it was because I came to understand the text of Luke 12:32-40.
In this text Jesus urges his followers to put their hearts and their treasure into heavenly deposits because nothing could happen to them there. No one could steal them and nothing would destroy them. Sometimes we have just too much in the way of security of our earthly possessions. We do this to help us feel safe, even though there are ways around these systems. Jesus warns us to be ready and prepared, for no one knows when Jesus is coming back. When we find security in our earthly things we neglect to place into security that which matters most. We forget to put our faith into the hands of the One who keeps us safe from the sting of death--Jesus. We ourselves fail at trying to save ourselves, but Christ does not fail and when our faith and trust is in him and we run with perseverance the race that is life then we are secure in our eternal destiny. Put your faith and trust in him who does not steal or destroy, Christ the Lord. Amen.
There is something in all of us that we are afraid of. Some are afraid of heights, some are afraid of water, some are afraid of a difficult health diagnosis, but we are all afraid of something. Before the year 2000 I was afraid of flying. Even when I had the opportunity to tour airplanes I was happy to get off of them because of the lack of space and the fear of flying, even when they were just on the ground. Something in me changed by the year 2000. I think it was because I came to understand the text of Luke 12:32-40.
In this text Jesus urges his followers to put their hearts and their treasure into heavenly deposits because nothing could happen to them there. No one could steal them and nothing would destroy them. Sometimes we have just too much in the way of security of our earthly possessions. We do this to help us feel safe, even though there are ways around these systems. Jesus warns us to be ready and prepared, for no one knows when Jesus is coming back. When we find security in our earthly things we neglect to place into security that which matters most. We forget to put our faith into the hands of the One who keeps us safe from the sting of death--Jesus. We ourselves fail at trying to save ourselves, but Christ does not fail and when our faith and trust is in him and we run with perseverance the race that is life then we are secure in our eternal destiny. Put your faith and trust in him who does not steal or destroy, Christ the Lord. Amen.
And We're Back
Well, it has been almost a month since I last posted here. In that time quite a bit has happened; not the least of which was that I moved to Stephenson, Michigan to begin ministry in two Covenant churches here. The move went very well and when we arrived at the parsonage on the 31st of July the house was clean, there was food in the new refrigerator, and in bags along the kitchen cabinets. They did a lot of work on the house, especially in the kitchen. They replaced the stove, the refrigerator, the counter tops, the floor, and gave the whole kitchen a new paint job. What a welcome! Then in the evening a bunch of families from one of the churches came and prepared supper and helped unload the truck. One guy, who works for a rigging company borrowed a fork lift and were able to take the upstairs stuff on that to a porch and inside. No navigating tight staircases, priceless! Then came the job of finding a place for everything, which still is not completely done, and organizing everyday stuff, an organizing my books. Next came the task of getting down to work and that began the following week. In the time since I have had a board meeting, met with several families from both churches, preached 3 times, worked on thing for fall, attended a local minister's text study group, wrote my "Statement of Faith" paper to obtain a "License for Pastoral Office" from the denomination, and had another birthday. It certainly has been a busy month!
We are definitely giving thanks and praise to God for some much needed rain that we received last night and this morning, but we do need more rain. The crops looked so promising at the beginning of July, so hopefully this will jumpstart the crops to grow and push to the end.
We are definitely giving thanks and praise to God for some much needed rain that we received last night and this morning, but we do need more rain. The crops looked so promising at the beginning of July, so hopefully this will jumpstart the crops to grow and push to the end.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Good Byes
Tonight is the last night of me being at home. As most of you know I have been living at home since I moved from Chicago. I did my internship and have been looking for a church. The last time that I wrote in this blog, which was almost 2 months ago now. I said that I would have some big news and I do! On August 6th I will be the pastor of two churches in Michigan. This is the realization of following a call that I have not always been sure of where it would go. I now know that tomorrow it the realization will come true when I leave home for my new home in Michigan.
That leads me to my hiatus from this blog. The last month and a half have been nothing but a blur as I have prepared and packed to go to Michigan. I had to quit my job, which I really will miss because of my enjoyment of woodworking. I have had to say "good bye" to many people that I will not see on a regular basis and to be certain that I may not see again on this side of heaven. Today I said "good bye" to Salem Covenant Church, my home church here in the Twin Cities. A church that is a refuge in this dark and fallen world. A church where I learned the faith and took it to be my own. A church that has supported me in both the good times and the bad. Only after 6 months of ministry the new senior pastor wanted to be able to pray over me and my new endeavor. Our friendship is something that will continue on long into the future, but not just as friends, but as colleagues. Nonetheless good byes are always hard to say, even when there is the possibility of going home, such as at vacations or other times.
However, I have been reminded again and again throughout this process that even though we may say our good byes our roots always are attached to our homes. I will always be welcomed home to my parents home, to my friends homes, and to my church home. Even though I consider the senior pastor at my church a friend and a colleague, he is my pastor, and all who follow him, whether on staff or whatever their position, they will be my pastors and home will still be home. Changes will come to family, friends, and church to be sure, but I will always know that I am welcomed at home.
Well, the next time I write here I will be in Michigan. Unpacking and setting up a pastor's house (whatever that means), and I will be back here to be sure on a more frequent basis as I again begin to talk about those things which really got this blog started in the first place. So, until then, Peace.
That leads me to my hiatus from this blog. The last month and a half have been nothing but a blur as I have prepared and packed to go to Michigan. I had to quit my job, which I really will miss because of my enjoyment of woodworking. I have had to say "good bye" to many people that I will not see on a regular basis and to be certain that I may not see again on this side of heaven. Today I said "good bye" to Salem Covenant Church, my home church here in the Twin Cities. A church that is a refuge in this dark and fallen world. A church where I learned the faith and took it to be my own. A church that has supported me in both the good times and the bad. Only after 6 months of ministry the new senior pastor wanted to be able to pray over me and my new endeavor. Our friendship is something that will continue on long into the future, but not just as friends, but as colleagues. Nonetheless good byes are always hard to say, even when there is the possibility of going home, such as at vacations or other times.
However, I have been reminded again and again throughout this process that even though we may say our good byes our roots always are attached to our homes. I will always be welcomed home to my parents home, to my friends homes, and to my church home. Even though I consider the senior pastor at my church a friend and a colleague, he is my pastor, and all who follow him, whether on staff or whatever their position, they will be my pastors and home will still be home. Changes will come to family, friends, and church to be sure, but I will always know that I am welcomed at home.
Well, the next time I write here I will be in Michigan. Unpacking and setting up a pastor's house (whatever that means), and I will be back here to be sure on a more frequent basis as I again begin to talk about those things which really got this blog started in the first place. So, until then, Peace.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
The Togetherness of Trinity Sunday
There are some Sundays that just seem to more rich in terms of worship and experience then others. Today was one of those Sundays. Perhaps it was the music, or the sermon, or Communion, or breaking away from the monotony of the past week, or even forgetting, if even just for a few hours, the events of the week upcoming. In my life the week upcoming is going to be very hectic as I will again be on the road over the next weekend and there are many things to do before then. Perhaps it was getting lost in the big, open space of the sanctuary of Salem Covenant Church while listening to the music. Perhaps it had something to do with how full the service was in terms of "ordo" of worship, that is the order of the worship service. Whatever it was after coming home from church the experience continued and still does at this writing.
Now don't get me wrong there is definitely more to worship and its experiences then I listed above. Worship was just good.
Today, the choir had a unique opportunity as the choir from Bemidji Covenant Church came and sang with us. Two united choirs that exist, for the same reason--to glorify God, singing together. What an experience it was. Their director got to direct us (Salem) and our assistant director got to direct them (Bemidji). I knew that my mom had relatives in this church and I had met them 10 years ago on a trip to North Dakota. I was not sure if they were in the choir, but after the first service we connected and my mom got to see a cousin that she had not seen in a while. So, perhaps in the end it was just being together as one. Many families coming to church, 2 choirs singing together, family reunions, contemplating the 3 in 1 nature of God, and God being with the whole church, choirs, families, and friends on this Trinity Sunday; as God is present on every Sunday and yes even every day with us.
Now don't get me wrong there is definitely more to worship and its experiences then I listed above. Worship was just good.
Today, the choir had a unique opportunity as the choir from Bemidji Covenant Church came and sang with us. Two united choirs that exist, for the same reason--to glorify God, singing together. What an experience it was. Their director got to direct us (Salem) and our assistant director got to direct them (Bemidji). I knew that my mom had relatives in this church and I had met them 10 years ago on a trip to North Dakota. I was not sure if they were in the choir, but after the first service we connected and my mom got to see a cousin that she had not seen in a while. So, perhaps in the end it was just being together as one. Many families coming to church, 2 choirs singing together, family reunions, contemplating the 3 in 1 nature of God, and God being with the whole church, choirs, families, and friends on this Trinity Sunday; as God is present on every Sunday and yes even every day with us.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Happenings
Well, it has been a while since I last posted here. Today is Memorial Day 2007 and I finally have some time to write. May has been a very busy month. I have been traveling on an average of every other weekend. One trip I cannot comment on right now, but the other I can. Last weekend I was in Chicago, for my graduation from North Park Theological Seminary. I can now say that I am officially done with school, even though I have been out of full-time school since spring of 2005. It was great to be back on campus and to see all of my friends. We got to catch up with one another and see where we are all headed over the next few months. The ceremony was good also. One surprise that happened was that my sister came in for the graduation, that was actually unexpected, but I am glad that she was able to be there. Unfortunately my brother-in-law and nephews could not be there.
After the ceremony, during the reception, I was talking with Rev. Doug Johnson of North Park Covenant Church which I attended during my time in Chicago. He mentioned to me that Evangeline Nelson had died. She was the step-mother to Dr. F. Burton Nelson a professor of mine who had died while I was at the Seminary. I had also come to know Vangie, as she liked to be called, during my internship which included Bethany Covenant Home in N.E. Minneapolis where she had lived. I thought of the many conversations that we had about life, Dr. Nelson, and faith. They were special times indeed. On Thursday, before I went to work I went to her service of "Witness to the Resurrection." That is her funeral service. The family spoke of how they would receive cards with verses and notes of encouragement and that she was praying for them. One estimate was stated as being over 1000 cards that she sent out to family and friends over her life. I too was a beneficiary of her prayer life as she commented to me on several occasions of how she was praying for me and my vocation. She will be missed here on this earth and by all who knew her, but her ministry continues.
*Peace to the memory of Evangeline "Vangie" Nelson.*
On this Memorial Day let us not forget all of those who have fought in war, for our freedom. For those who fought the British during the Revolution. Those who fought for ideals during the Civil War. For those who fought the two wars that were to end all wars. For those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War, and those who are currently fighting in Iraq.
*Peace to the memory of all United States of America service men and women.*
After the ceremony, during the reception, I was talking with Rev. Doug Johnson of North Park Covenant Church which I attended during my time in Chicago. He mentioned to me that Evangeline Nelson had died. She was the step-mother to Dr. F. Burton Nelson a professor of mine who had died while I was at the Seminary. I had also come to know Vangie, as she liked to be called, during my internship which included Bethany Covenant Home in N.E. Minneapolis where she had lived. I thought of the many conversations that we had about life, Dr. Nelson, and faith. They were special times indeed. On Thursday, before I went to work I went to her service of "Witness to the Resurrection." That is her funeral service. The family spoke of how they would receive cards with verses and notes of encouragement and that she was praying for them. One estimate was stated as being over 1000 cards that she sent out to family and friends over her life. I too was a beneficiary of her prayer life as she commented to me on several occasions of how she was praying for me and my vocation. She will be missed here on this earth and by all who knew her, but her ministry continues.
*Peace to the memory of Evangeline "Vangie" Nelson.*
On this Memorial Day let us not forget all of those who have fought in war, for our freedom. For those who fought the British during the Revolution. Those who fought for ideals during the Civil War. For those who fought the two wars that were to end all wars. For those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War, and those who are currently fighting in Iraq.
*Peace to the memory of all United States of America service men and women.*
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The King and Authority
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Revelation 1:4-8
This morning I had the opportunity to preach at Palmyra Mission Covenant Church in Hector, Minnesota.
We hear about authority from all sides. We get bombarded from the news and talk shows. It seems that everyone is an authority on something. However, it is hard to pin-point what true and authentic authority is because we hear different messages from different authorities. We all know someone who has authority. A professor of mine at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN is a scholar on the Dead Sea Scrolls, but is also an authority on ancient languages, he knows 41 dead languages!
We sometimes neglect that we ourselves have authority. Anyone who has been a parent or grandparent or had some sort of relationship with children knows that children look up to adults. Some how they know to trust and that they will be taken care of. This whole process begins when a relationship is begun with a child. Children come to trust those who are in authority, and thus whether or not we realize it we have authority. Sometimes; however, authority is abused.
I can not be a guest pastor in a church and say to the congregation that they must listen to me and accept my authority as a pastor. Regardless of the call of Christ on my life, my baptism, my seminary degree, or my license from the Evangelical Covenant Church. It takes time and being in the trenches with the congregation to gain their trust and to come to a point that the congregation accepts one's authority.
One only has to look at the events of the past weeks. A student of legal age, legally purchases two handguns only to do something illegal with the weapons and kills 32 people before taking his own life at Virgina Tech.
The radio shock jock Don Imus, who legally exercised his right to free speech was fired because he abused his authority to gain attention and prestige by saying some things that he should have never said.
Despite the attention that abused authority receives we have reason to hope. As Christ has shown us what authority used properly can do.
God the Father laid out through Christ the qualifications that would re-unite humanity with God. The Christ was "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth" Revelation 1:5. It is through these qualifications of Christ that we are able to accept his authority--that we are loved and freed from sins by his blood, and made to be priests serving God the Father, v. 6. No earthly ruler or authority possesses these qualities because they are too high for us to attain. Only Christ could attain these because of his relationship with God. Because of our acceptance of Christ's authority we can be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. A kingdom in which all are equal.
However, unfortunately not all will make it. Some will not want to recognize the authority of Christ until it is too late and at that point it is too late. God deals with them justly we are told in v. 7.
Finally, in v. 8 we hear the words that we are all familiar with, "I am the Alpha and the Omega." He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end and we are also reminded here that Christ has bee with God since the beginning before there was time. We can not neglect the three letters, and the two words: "I am." These words speak more volumes about God then all the books in the world. They declare what is, they last and linger. These words are a statement about someone whether declaring a characteristic, a quality, or a qualification. The only time that these statements fail is when they are failed to be lived up to.
Is it not interesting that the events of the last week happened just two weeks after Easter? They demonstrate the power and authority of God. Just as Jesus showed his power over death, so this week we were shown his power through the pictures of people gathering, praying, and in worship; loving one another as we are told to do. The church does have something to say in such events and we are the most looked to when such events happen. We who claim Christ have the authority to proclaim his name and to witness to his power throughout the entire world. When people see our authority and our trust they begin to trust us, and it is through that trust that they come to trust and realize the authority of Christ. Amen.
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Alleluia! Amen!
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Revelation 1:4-8
This morning I had the opportunity to preach at Palmyra Mission Covenant Church in Hector, Minnesota.
We hear about authority from all sides. We get bombarded from the news and talk shows. It seems that everyone is an authority on something. However, it is hard to pin-point what true and authentic authority is because we hear different messages from different authorities. We all know someone who has authority. A professor of mine at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN is a scholar on the Dead Sea Scrolls, but is also an authority on ancient languages, he knows 41 dead languages!
We sometimes neglect that we ourselves have authority. Anyone who has been a parent or grandparent or had some sort of relationship with children knows that children look up to adults. Some how they know to trust and that they will be taken care of. This whole process begins when a relationship is begun with a child. Children come to trust those who are in authority, and thus whether or not we realize it we have authority. Sometimes; however, authority is abused.
I can not be a guest pastor in a church and say to the congregation that they must listen to me and accept my authority as a pastor. Regardless of the call of Christ on my life, my baptism, my seminary degree, or my license from the Evangelical Covenant Church. It takes time and being in the trenches with the congregation to gain their trust and to come to a point that the congregation accepts one's authority.
One only has to look at the events of the past weeks. A student of legal age, legally purchases two handguns only to do something illegal with the weapons and kills 32 people before taking his own life at Virgina Tech.
The radio shock jock Don Imus, who legally exercised his right to free speech was fired because he abused his authority to gain attention and prestige by saying some things that he should have never said.
Despite the attention that abused authority receives we have reason to hope. As Christ has shown us what authority used properly can do.
God the Father laid out through Christ the qualifications that would re-unite humanity with God. The Christ was "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth" Revelation 1:5. It is through these qualifications of Christ that we are able to accept his authority--that we are loved and freed from sins by his blood, and made to be priests serving God the Father, v. 6. No earthly ruler or authority possesses these qualities because they are too high for us to attain. Only Christ could attain these because of his relationship with God. Because of our acceptance of Christ's authority we can be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. A kingdom in which all are equal.
However, unfortunately not all will make it. Some will not want to recognize the authority of Christ until it is too late and at that point it is too late. God deals with them justly we are told in v. 7.
Finally, in v. 8 we hear the words that we are all familiar with, "I am the Alpha and the Omega." He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end and we are also reminded here that Christ has bee with God since the beginning before there was time. We can not neglect the three letters, and the two words: "I am." These words speak more volumes about God then all the books in the world. They declare what is, they last and linger. These words are a statement about someone whether declaring a characteristic, a quality, or a qualification. The only time that these statements fail is when they are failed to be lived up to.
Is it not interesting that the events of the last week happened just two weeks after Easter? They demonstrate the power and authority of God. Just as Jesus showed his power over death, so this week we were shown his power through the pictures of people gathering, praying, and in worship; loving one another as we are told to do. The church does have something to say in such events and we are the most looked to when such events happen. We who claim Christ have the authority to proclaim his name and to witness to his power throughout the entire world. When people see our authority and our trust they begin to trust us, and it is through that trust that they come to trust and realize the authority of Christ. Amen.
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Alleluia! Amen!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Blame Game
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Not 24 hours after the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I began to notice how people, mostly media, began to blame somebody or something for the events of that day. They ask the "What if" questions. They ask, "What if the campus had been locked down?" or "What if the student responsible had been taken out of school?" or "What if gun laws were changed in this country?" These are fair questions because they get at the heart of the issue and as reporters and journalists they have the duty to tell us what is going on and to do so responsibly. What ultimately comes of this is that we make our opinions based on their results and conclusions, sometimes blurring the line between reality and someone's opinion.
I wonder though what would happen if instead of blaming someone or something all people would look on the inside of themselves. It certainly is a lot easier to blame an outside factor and not a personal condition. The condition that I am talking about is that we are all born into sin. We have a sinful nature and that sinful nature causes us to be only concerned about ourselves. We are the only one who matters to me the most, i.e. individualism. It is because of Easter and the fact that Christ arose that sin is done away with. Yes, even those of us in Christ still sin, but we are forgiven and we know that what we have done is wrong.
See, if instead of blaming culture for our woes we placed the responsibility on sin, we would soon discover that most crimes in this country and around the world would go away. They would go away because when we realize that we are capable of sin that will open our eyes to see people as they are, as human beings, made in the image of God. Now I am not enough of a psychologist to say if the person responsible for the Virginia Tech. massacre were aware of his sinful nature that that would have prevented him from doing what he did. I am confident though in the fact that perhaps we as a society would look at people different: Men and women would not be viewed as objects, equality would be the norm instead of an exception, people would think about what they are about to do to another person perhaps even not hurting them. The whole Don Imus issue would not be an issue because it would not have happened. Rap lyrics would speak of the good of society instead of trying to "pass the blame" as has been given as a reason for the vulgarity in the music. Teenagers would not line up people up in an alley and shoot them execution style just to rob them (Star Tribune, 4-19-07). We would see people and love them and care for them and help them through their tough times.
Unfortunately we do not even think about sin because that is considered something religious and how can a society that does not endorse religion talk about a human condition such as sin. However, sin does matter and it does cause problems and the events of these past few weeks are the result of sin. When one confesses that, "Christ is risen!" sin takes on and shows that we are in need of grace and mercy and forgiveness. When that is done we love the people we come into contact with. That is placing the blame where it belongs!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Alleluia! Amen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Not 24 hours after the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I began to notice how people, mostly media, began to blame somebody or something for the events of that day. They ask the "What if" questions. They ask, "What if the campus had been locked down?" or "What if the student responsible had been taken out of school?" or "What if gun laws were changed in this country?" These are fair questions because they get at the heart of the issue and as reporters and journalists they have the duty to tell us what is going on and to do so responsibly. What ultimately comes of this is that we make our opinions based on their results and conclusions, sometimes blurring the line between reality and someone's opinion.
I wonder though what would happen if instead of blaming someone or something all people would look on the inside of themselves. It certainly is a lot easier to blame an outside factor and not a personal condition. The condition that I am talking about is that we are all born into sin. We have a sinful nature and that sinful nature causes us to be only concerned about ourselves. We are the only one who matters to me the most, i.e. individualism. It is because of Easter and the fact that Christ arose that sin is done away with. Yes, even those of us in Christ still sin, but we are forgiven and we know that what we have done is wrong.
See, if instead of blaming culture for our woes we placed the responsibility on sin, we would soon discover that most crimes in this country and around the world would go away. They would go away because when we realize that we are capable of sin that will open our eyes to see people as they are, as human beings, made in the image of God. Now I am not enough of a psychologist to say if the person responsible for the Virginia Tech. massacre were aware of his sinful nature that that would have prevented him from doing what he did. I am confident though in the fact that perhaps we as a society would look at people different: Men and women would not be viewed as objects, equality would be the norm instead of an exception, people would think about what they are about to do to another person perhaps even not hurting them. The whole Don Imus issue would not be an issue because it would not have happened. Rap lyrics would speak of the good of society instead of trying to "pass the blame" as has been given as a reason for the vulgarity in the music. Teenagers would not line up people up in an alley and shoot them execution style just to rob them (Star Tribune, 4-19-07). We would see people and love them and care for them and help them through their tough times.
Unfortunately we do not even think about sin because that is considered something religious and how can a society that does not endorse religion talk about a human condition such as sin. However, sin does matter and it does cause problems and the events of these past few weeks are the result of sin. When one confesses that, "Christ is risen!" sin takes on and shows that we are in need of grace and mercy and forgiveness. When that is done we love the people we come into contact with. That is placing the blame where it belongs!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Alleluia! Amen!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech. & Easter
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Perhaps these are the best words for this time and yet the hardest to say. We all were shocked yesterday when we heard of the terrible act at Virginia Tech. But, you know what? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
"How can you say that?" people will ask. "If Christ is risen then where was he on Monday, in the dorms when the first shots rang out, and later in the classroom building? Where was Christ?"
To all of the victims and the victims families: God was there, but I do not know why God did not stop the shootings. Still the answer remains: "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" If Christ had not arisen we would have no hope and we would see these senseless acts as yet another another way in which our culture is going to "hell in a hand basket." But Christ is arisen and He is sitting at the right hand of God. Having once and for all taken away our sin cleansed and made us clean that we may have hope.
In times like these we think about our priorities and evaluate what is really important to us. Where do things like money and prestige fall on that list? Where does family and friends fall? As human beings we are made to be in relationship with one another. To come along side those who are hurting or depressed. We are to come along side those who are having bad luck with respect to job and family. We always want to be around the person who has it all together and we forget that Christ died for those who are having a tough time as well as for those who have it all together.
Because Christ is arisen Easter is made all the more powerful. Christ's death and resurrection is sure and true and perhaps your own priorities have not been where they should be. Perhaps the tragedy at Virginia Tech. has caused some "feathers to be ruffled" a bit. You see the truth that God was there at Virginia Tech. as he was with you when you heard the news. The priority becomes clear in that God needs to be on that list of priorities and above all else. Accept Christ and his power over your sin. He is greater then your sin and He is greater then the events that happened at Virginia Tech.
Perhaps now is the time to take some time out and pray. Pray for your own priorities and that God will set them straight. Pray for those who are still in the hospital, and for the college as a whole that healing and restoration may occur. Pray for the families and friends of the victims that they may be comforted, and don't forget to pray for the family of the alleged shooter. They are probably feeling like outcasts and they need our prayers too.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
He is risen indeed!
Perhaps these are the best words for this time and yet the hardest to say. We all were shocked yesterday when we heard of the terrible act at Virginia Tech. But, you know what? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
"How can you say that?" people will ask. "If Christ is risen then where was he on Monday, in the dorms when the first shots rang out, and later in the classroom building? Where was Christ?"
To all of the victims and the victims families: God was there, but I do not know why God did not stop the shootings. Still the answer remains: "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" If Christ had not arisen we would have no hope and we would see these senseless acts as yet another another way in which our culture is going to "hell in a hand basket." But Christ is arisen and He is sitting at the right hand of God. Having once and for all taken away our sin cleansed and made us clean that we may have hope.
In times like these we think about our priorities and evaluate what is really important to us. Where do things like money and prestige fall on that list? Where does family and friends fall? As human beings we are made to be in relationship with one another. To come along side those who are hurting or depressed. We are to come along side those who are having bad luck with respect to job and family. We always want to be around the person who has it all together and we forget that Christ died for those who are having a tough time as well as for those who have it all together.
Because Christ is arisen Easter is made all the more powerful. Christ's death and resurrection is sure and true and perhaps your own priorities have not been where they should be. Perhaps the tragedy at Virginia Tech. has caused some "feathers to be ruffled" a bit. You see the truth that God was there at Virginia Tech. as he was with you when you heard the news. The priority becomes clear in that God needs to be on that list of priorities and above all else. Accept Christ and his power over your sin. He is greater then your sin and He is greater then the events that happened at Virginia Tech.
Perhaps now is the time to take some time out and pray. Pray for your own priorities and that God will set them straight. Pray for those who are still in the hospital, and for the college as a whole that healing and restoration may occur. Pray for the families and friends of the victims that they may be comforted, and don't forget to pray for the family of the alleged shooter. They are probably feeling like outcasts and they need our prayers too.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Resurrection Proof
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
We live in a time when everything has to be proven; whether true or false, and to be found true or false. Almost 2000 years after the resurrection, this event is still at the center of many debates. But why? After all we have the earliest accounts of the resurrection. In the text from John 20 which I quoted from yesterday, Mary, Peter, and John go to the tomb. Both John and Peter run back witnesses to the resurrection. Mary thinks a little more pragmatically though. She asks the "gardener" where Jesus' body had been placed. She had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection by Jesus, but could not believe that the dead could raise themselves. It became clear that the "gardener" was more then a gardener, but the resurrected Christ. He calls to Mary and she recognizes him, another witness to the resurrection.
To be sure there were horrible things done to the graves of the dead. Bodies were stolen and perhaps even the gardener could have moved the body to another tomb. There have been many theories that even the disciples had moved the body of Christ to make it look as if the resurrection had taken place. There are even some who contend that the resurrection took place in a spiritual form, but not bodily. However, in 2000 years time people are still trying to ration their way around this "problem." After all if the resurrection had taken place then that would prove the authenticity of the Christ. People like John Dominic Crossan, and Marcus Borg are trying to ration away the work of Christ by saying in effect that it is what goes on in one's mind and what they believe as opposed to any kind of truth that happened thousands of years ago. As Jessie Ventura, the "venerable" one-time governor of Minnesota once said, "Religion is for the weak minded, and a crutch for those who find strength in numbers." There is no difference between this kind of thinking that is supported by Crossan, Borg, and re-iterated by Ventura and the old heresy of gnosticism, where head knowledge far out weighs any kind of truth. In effect, if it doesn't make since, it didn't happen.
Just a few weeks ago we were bombarded with another part to this heresy when the film director James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici "claim" to have found the bones of Jesus in a box in Jerusalem. They "claim" to have used the latest in DNA technology to have figured out that these bones were in fact the bones of Jesus. I am no DNA forensic expert, but I do know that in order to find a match in DNA one has to have a known sample. So where did the DNA sample for Jesus come from? They do not say because they do not have an answer. I do have an answer to this question, they can not have the DNA of Jesus because in order to do so they would have to have the DNA from God. People have a hard time believing what can not be proven.
To counter all of these objections we have the Bible. There are accounts in their of people meeting the resurrected Jesus and of personal encounters with him. The Bible nor the church would have survived two-millennia or the horrible persecutions if it were not true. The Bible is the most printed book in the history of the world, there are more fragments of the writings in the Bible then any other ancient book. Of-course in the end, what would be the point of life if Jesus or the resurrection had not occurred? There are countless people who have been martyred for the faith and a church that exists beyond borders and throughout time that has not gone away even though it has been outlawed and persecuted against by people and politics. If anything these all point to the truth of the resurrection and the lengths that people go to defend its authenticity. Mary questioned, but then believed. Thomas doubted, but he too believed. Paul persecuted the early church, but he became a convert for the cause of Christ. Two thousand years later Christ called a young man to ministry, and he too followed. No one who has a call to ministry whether it be in the form of pastoral ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, visitation ministry, or whatever can attest to the fact that that call has been placed on them by the resurrected Christ, not by human influence or rationing out in one's mind that they have to do this thing. It is a proof of the resurrection. The proof is in the pudding, the resurrection is true!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Amen! Alleluia!
He is Risen Indeed!
We live in a time when everything has to be proven; whether true or false, and to be found true or false. Almost 2000 years after the resurrection, this event is still at the center of many debates. But why? After all we have the earliest accounts of the resurrection. In the text from John 20 which I quoted from yesterday, Mary, Peter, and John go to the tomb. Both John and Peter run back witnesses to the resurrection. Mary thinks a little more pragmatically though. She asks the "gardener" where Jesus' body had been placed. She had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection by Jesus, but could not believe that the dead could raise themselves. It became clear that the "gardener" was more then a gardener, but the resurrected Christ. He calls to Mary and she recognizes him, another witness to the resurrection.
To be sure there were horrible things done to the graves of the dead. Bodies were stolen and perhaps even the gardener could have moved the body to another tomb. There have been many theories that even the disciples had moved the body of Christ to make it look as if the resurrection had taken place. There are even some who contend that the resurrection took place in a spiritual form, but not bodily. However, in 2000 years time people are still trying to ration their way around this "problem." After all if the resurrection had taken place then that would prove the authenticity of the Christ. People like John Dominic Crossan, and Marcus Borg are trying to ration away the work of Christ by saying in effect that it is what goes on in one's mind and what they believe as opposed to any kind of truth that happened thousands of years ago. As Jessie Ventura, the "venerable" one-time governor of Minnesota once said, "Religion is for the weak minded, and a crutch for those who find strength in numbers." There is no difference between this kind of thinking that is supported by Crossan, Borg, and re-iterated by Ventura and the old heresy of gnosticism, where head knowledge far out weighs any kind of truth. In effect, if it doesn't make since, it didn't happen.
Just a few weeks ago we were bombarded with another part to this heresy when the film director James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici "claim" to have found the bones of Jesus in a box in Jerusalem. They "claim" to have used the latest in DNA technology to have figured out that these bones were in fact the bones of Jesus. I am no DNA forensic expert, but I do know that in order to find a match in DNA one has to have a known sample. So where did the DNA sample for Jesus come from? They do not say because they do not have an answer. I do have an answer to this question, they can not have the DNA of Jesus because in order to do so they would have to have the DNA from God. People have a hard time believing what can not be proven.
To counter all of these objections we have the Bible. There are accounts in their of people meeting the resurrected Jesus and of personal encounters with him. The Bible nor the church would have survived two-millennia or the horrible persecutions if it were not true. The Bible is the most printed book in the history of the world, there are more fragments of the writings in the Bible then any other ancient book. Of-course in the end, what would be the point of life if Jesus or the resurrection had not occurred? There are countless people who have been martyred for the faith and a church that exists beyond borders and throughout time that has not gone away even though it has been outlawed and persecuted against by people and politics. If anything these all point to the truth of the resurrection and the lengths that people go to defend its authenticity. Mary questioned, but then believed. Thomas doubted, but he too believed. Paul persecuted the early church, but he became a convert for the cause of Christ. Two thousand years later Christ called a young man to ministry, and he too followed. No one who has a call to ministry whether it be in the form of pastoral ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, visitation ministry, or whatever can attest to the fact that that call has been placed on them by the resurrected Christ, not by human influence or rationing out in one's mind that they have to do this thing. It is a proof of the resurrection. The proof is in the pudding, the resurrection is true!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Amen! Alleluia!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Easter--2007
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
The sounds of the week have gone from honor and praise, to shouts of condemnation; ultimately leading to the death of the celebrated King and the Scapegoat. Today there are no crowds around the tomb. Those at Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem have gone on with their lives. The religious establishment and those at Jesus' condemnation are moving on. They have more important things to worry about, such as Rome. However, the text of the day finds us at the garden tomb in the early morning of that third day. We find ourselves with Mary, and John, and Peter, and an all to mysterious, yet comforting gardener. John and Peter cannot believe their eyes, so they run back to the others. Our interaction is between the gardener and Mary. Mary finds herself wondering where Jesus has been put because as Peter and John find out, the grave clothes are there, but no body. It soon becomes clear in this interaction what is actually going on:
"'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)" John 20:15-16.
Mary recognized Jesus he had indeed risen, risen from the dead and that gives us hope and cause for celebration. I was reminded of this rejoicing attitude this morning as during the last hymn "Christ Is Alive!" was being sung. A little girl about 1 1/2 to 2 years old came into the center aisle and started to dance and jump. As the congregation started to sing she got more and more excited and kept on coming forward, jumping and dancing all the way to the front from the middle of the congregation. When the choir sang a solo her mom came and got her. To myself I thought, "What joy she has!" That is what Easter is about. Being joyful, and recognizing that Jesus has risen from the dead. The dirges of Friday gave way to the celebration of Sunday! I was particularly moved this morning when we, the choir, sang for the first time ever in public, a new hymn. It is by Joseph Adams and was written in 2005.
"He is Risen Indeed!"
The sounds of the week have gone from honor and praise, to shouts of condemnation; ultimately leading to the death of the celebrated King and the Scapegoat. Today there are no crowds around the tomb. Those at Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem have gone on with their lives. The religious establishment and those at Jesus' condemnation are moving on. They have more important things to worry about, such as Rome. However, the text of the day finds us at the garden tomb in the early morning of that third day. We find ourselves with Mary, and John, and Peter, and an all to mysterious, yet comforting gardener. John and Peter cannot believe their eyes, so they run back to the others. Our interaction is between the gardener and Mary. Mary finds herself wondering where Jesus has been put because as Peter and John find out, the grave clothes are there, but no body. It soon becomes clear in this interaction what is actually going on:
"'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)" John 20:15-16.
Mary recognized Jesus he had indeed risen, risen from the dead and that gives us hope and cause for celebration. I was reminded of this rejoicing attitude this morning as during the last hymn "Christ Is Alive!" was being sung. A little girl about 1 1/2 to 2 years old came into the center aisle and started to dance and jump. As the congregation started to sing she got more and more excited and kept on coming forward, jumping and dancing all the way to the front from the middle of the congregation. When the choir sang a solo her mom came and got her. To myself I thought, "What joy she has!" That is what Easter is about. Being joyful, and recognizing that Jesus has risen from the dead. The dirges of Friday gave way to the celebration of Sunday! I was particularly moved this morning when we, the choir, sang for the first time ever in public, a new hymn. It is by Joseph Adams and was written in 2005.
This Joyous Day
O sons and daughters, let us sing!
The King of heav'n the glorious King,
O'er death today rosetriumphing.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
On the third mourn he rose again,
in glorious majesty to reign;
O let us swell thejoyful strain:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free.
That we may live, and sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Death thought his pow'r forever brought down,
yet Jesus doth all hell confound;
let voice of joy and laud resound:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And we with holy church unite,
as evermore is just and right,
In glory to the King of light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
On this most holy day of days,
to God your hearts and voices raise,
In laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The message is clear and true. The creed confesses it!
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Amen! Alleluia!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Good Friday-Holy Week 2007
The crowd that cried, "Hosanna!" on Sunday is today crying "Crucify him!" Why the change? What made the crowd turn from honoring Jesus to wanting him dead? Perhaps the crowd discovered in the intervening days that Jesus was no king that could get them out of the problems with Rome. Perhaps it was the chief priests and other religious politicians that incited the crowd to crucify him. Or perhaps it was something much more simpler then that, something more personal--my sin, and your sin. Our sin is what sent Jesus to the cross. It was the sentence that he had to bear on our behalf; because left to our own devices we would not make it. Our failure is too great, but the promise is true: "God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).
"Crucifixus etiam pronobis: sub Pontio Pilato passus et se pultus est." ~Antonio Lotti
"He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and was buried.
"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis. Suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis; Dona nobis pacem." ~Sir. Edward Elgar
"Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Receive our supplication; who sits at the right hand of the Father. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; Grant us peace."
The Light is gone. The great silence.
"Crucifixus etiam pronobis: sub Pontio Pilato passus et se pultus est." ~Antonio Lotti
"He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and was buried.
"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis. Suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis; Dona nobis pacem." ~Sir. Edward Elgar
"Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Receive our supplication; who sits at the right hand of the Father. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; Grant us peace."
The Light is gone. The great silence.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Maundy Thursday-Holy Week 2007
While the crowds have dispersed from Sunday's triumphal entry into Jerusalem to prepare for the great feast of the Passover. Jesus and the 12 disciples are preparing for the Passover themselves. Only Jesus seems to know what is going to happen next as they begin the feast. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and then they begin the Last Supper.
Jesus raises a loaf of bread, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says, "Take and eat, for this is my body." Jesus then raises the cup, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says while offering the cup, "Take and drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood."
One can almost imagine what the disciples were thinking at that point. Were these the actual body and blood of this Jesus whom they had been following, or is it something else? Is there another meaning?
Jesus, by sharing the bread and the cup, is preparing a new way, a new way in which the Paschal lamb will serve throughout eternity and for all who come to him. All, who through faith, trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may draw near to him and participate in the sharing of the bread and the cup. By doing so, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Tonight the streets of Jerusalem are quite, but soon comes the morning.
Jesus raises a loaf of bread, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says, "Take and eat, for this is my body." Jesus then raises the cup, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says while offering the cup, "Take and drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood."
One can almost imagine what the disciples were thinking at that point. Were these the actual body and blood of this Jesus whom they had been following, or is it something else? Is there another meaning?
Jesus, by sharing the bread and the cup, is preparing a new way, a new way in which the Paschal lamb will serve throughout eternity and for all who come to him. All, who through faith, trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may draw near to him and participate in the sharing of the bread and the cup. By doing so, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Tonight the streets of Jerusalem are quite, but soon comes the morning.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Voices--A Tribute to Herb Carneal
As we follow this Holy Week, I have been struck by the word, "voices." "Voices" are a very prominent part of the Gospel message. John the Baptist's cry in the wilderness. The Voice from Heaven. The crowd shouting, "Hosanna!" These voices do not end here, the will continue through out this week into the morning.
I have been thinking about "voices" on another level as well. We get used to those familiar voices in our lives. We get used to hearing our parents and other relatives voices and we turn our attention to what they have to say. A voice gives familiarity to friends and long lost colleagues. Voices also display mood and emotion. Those of us who attend church know the voice of the preacher and certain phrases and inflections can send goose bumps up our spines. Such as hearing one proclaim, "This is the Good News." or "This is the Gospel of the Lord."
When we live in certain cities or towns we get used to hearing the voices of those who do the most talking. Whether it be politicians, radio announcers, or television personalities we know when we are home or feel comfortable when we hear those voices.
Having lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota all of my life, I too have familiar voices that comfort me in the local media. Dave Moore who used to be a local television anchor is one of those, for me. John Gallos announcing the beginning of the Little Rascals and Three Stooges hour after church on Sunday or the Saturday matinee movie. On the radio side hearing Garrison Keillor and his flat voice with the occasional intones and hearing him breathe is another. Steve Cannon and his show "The Cannon Mess" with his his pals: Backlash LaRue, Ma Linger, and Morgan Mundane is another of these. When we would go to the Metrodome and watch the Minnesota Twins play baseball everyone knew the stadium announcer and his famous calls: "Noooooo Smoking! No smoking is allowed in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome." or "Now botting for the Twins, number 34, center fielder, Kirbeeeeeeeee Puckett!" Unfortunately, the announcer Bob Casey died just before the start of the 2005 Twins season. Last year, Kirby Puckett died just before the start of the season. This year another great Minnesota Twins personality died.
It was announced yesterday that Herb Carneal the radio voice of the Minnesota Twins has died. Like Casey who was the only Twins P.A. announcer, so too Carneal was the only Twins play-by-play announcer. Although that role had been diminishing in recent years. Carneal was famous for such phrases as: "The winner of this Snapper mow-down inning is. . .", which was based on whether or not the Twins pitcher struck out 3 players in an inning, "3 up, 3 down" as he would say. He was also known for his play calls such as: "The wind-up and the pitch, a deep long ball, headed for center, way back, way back, it's gone! A home run for Kent Hrbek. Touch 'em all Hrbey!" Another great voice is silent in baseball.
This has me thinking about the voices that I listen to. I can wrangle off quotes from many local personalities in both television and radio, and trust their interpretation of events. As I listen to all of the familiar voices in my life, the question remains: Do I, do we, listen to the voice Jesus? This voice telling us about love and grace and peace. This voice that comforts us when we are weak and in need, and joyful, and tempted, comes from One who makes his voice known through the reading of the Bible and the work of the Holy Spirit by the work of God. Let us all take some time out today and everyday to listen to what God is saying to us.
I have been thinking about "voices" on another level as well. We get used to those familiar voices in our lives. We get used to hearing our parents and other relatives voices and we turn our attention to what they have to say. A voice gives familiarity to friends and long lost colleagues. Voices also display mood and emotion. Those of us who attend church know the voice of the preacher and certain phrases and inflections can send goose bumps up our spines. Such as hearing one proclaim, "This is the Good News." or "This is the Gospel of the Lord."
When we live in certain cities or towns we get used to hearing the voices of those who do the most talking. Whether it be politicians, radio announcers, or television personalities we know when we are home or feel comfortable when we hear those voices.
Having lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota all of my life, I too have familiar voices that comfort me in the local media. Dave Moore who used to be a local television anchor is one of those, for me. John Gallos announcing the beginning of the Little Rascals and Three Stooges hour after church on Sunday or the Saturday matinee movie. On the radio side hearing Garrison Keillor and his flat voice with the occasional intones and hearing him breathe is another. Steve Cannon and his show "The Cannon Mess" with his his pals: Backlash LaRue, Ma Linger, and Morgan Mundane is another of these. When we would go to the Metrodome and watch the Minnesota Twins play baseball everyone knew the stadium announcer and his famous calls: "Noooooo Smoking! No smoking is allowed in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome." or "Now botting for the Twins, number 34, center fielder, Kirbeeeeeeeee Puckett!" Unfortunately, the announcer Bob Casey died just before the start of the 2005 Twins season. Last year, Kirby Puckett died just before the start of the season. This year another great Minnesota Twins personality died.
It was announced yesterday that Herb Carneal the radio voice of the Minnesota Twins has died. Like Casey who was the only Twins P.A. announcer, so too Carneal was the only Twins play-by-play announcer. Although that role had been diminishing in recent years. Carneal was famous for such phrases as: "The winner of this Snapper mow-down inning is. . .", which was based on whether or not the Twins pitcher struck out 3 players in an inning, "3 up, 3 down" as he would say. He was also known for his play calls such as: "The wind-up and the pitch, a deep long ball, headed for center, way back, way back, it's gone! A home run for Kent Hrbek. Touch 'em all Hrbey!" Another great voice is silent in baseball.
This has me thinking about the voices that I listen to. I can wrangle off quotes from many local personalities in both television and radio, and trust their interpretation of events. As I listen to all of the familiar voices in my life, the question remains: Do I, do we, listen to the voice Jesus? This voice telling us about love and grace and peace. This voice that comforts us when we are weak and in need, and joyful, and tempted, comes from One who makes his voice known through the reading of the Bible and the work of the Holy Spirit by the work of God. Let us all take some time out today and everyday to listen to what God is saying to us.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Palm Sunday-Holy Week 2007
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ~Mark 11:9
Today we begin that crazy, up and down week known as Holy Week. A week of Jesus riding into Jerusalem as a king and leaving Jerusalem carrying his own cross. A week where death and life have new meaning because of the one riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. One could say that a donkey is hardly a mode of transportation for a king especially since they can be stubborn and they are small. One might expect a horse or even the "Cadillac of the desert" known as a camel. This final ride into Jerusalem was hardly a royal event, despite the peoples homage of laying down palms and blankets. What these people laid down does not compare to what the rider of that donkey will lay down.
Tune in to hear the rest of the story!
Today we begin that crazy, up and down week known as Holy Week. A week of Jesus riding into Jerusalem as a king and leaving Jerusalem carrying his own cross. A week where death and life have new meaning because of the one riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. One could say that a donkey is hardly a mode of transportation for a king especially since they can be stubborn and they are small. One might expect a horse or even the "Cadillac of the desert" known as a camel. This final ride into Jerusalem was hardly a royal event, despite the peoples homage of laying down palms and blankets. What these people laid down does not compare to what the rider of that donkey will lay down.
Tune in to hear the rest of the story!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Sacred and the Secular: The Workplace
As I mentioned in my last post, I was at school last week to learn to drive a school bus and that I had also been hired at Rockler, a woodworking store. It has been a while since I have worked in a secular workplace. Between college and seminary I have spent most of my work time in Christian institutions, whether it be the college or seminary and also churches. I was re-introduced to working in a secular environment in a big way, even going to school to learn to drive a school bus. I was re-introduced to swearing as a common language, and not something that is said in the heat of the moment. I was re-introduced to smoke breaks and the congregating that happens when a group of smokers gets together. I was re-introduced to what I consider the biggest challenge to me, and that is the lack of getting to know one another. While I asked others in the class about their past lives and what brought them to this point no one asked me why I was there. I am not one to just come out and say, "I am a pastor!" I need to be asked in order for me to share that information. At Rockler the atmosphere was different because most of the people who work there are on their second career or this is their second job.
Needless to say I was glad when Sunday came around and I could go to church. It was a break from that which I am not use to. I know the people at church and I am accepted there. People know my ambitions and desires. This is not necessarily true for me in the secular workplace. This got me to thinking, Is not the church supposed to be different then the secular workplace? Is church just treated as a "smoke break" something that happens one day a week and then it is back to work? Or is it something different; something where we all can gather to worship God to hear the Bible spoken, participate together at the font of baptism and at the Lord's Table? I feel more comfortable in church because that is my calling, to be a pastor; to bring together those who come to church and to bring them into full participation of the church. Heaven forbid that I ever treat church as a "smoke break" and instead treat it as the fellowship of all who come.
Needless to say I was glad when Sunday came around and I could go to church. It was a break from that which I am not use to. I know the people at church and I am accepted there. People know my ambitions and desires. This is not necessarily true for me in the secular workplace. This got me to thinking, Is not the church supposed to be different then the secular workplace? Is church just treated as a "smoke break" something that happens one day a week and then it is back to work? Or is it something different; something where we all can gather to worship God to hear the Bible spoken, participate together at the font of baptism and at the Lord's Table? I feel more comfortable in church because that is my calling, to be a pastor; to bring together those who come to church and to bring them into full participation of the church. Heaven forbid that I ever treat church as a "smoke break" and instead treat it as the fellowship of all who come.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Time Flies
I cannot believe that March is already almost half over. It is only 2 weeks until Holy Week, 3 weeks until Easter! I have been pretty busy and that has caused my lack of writing.
I began March with a trip to Chicago to do my last class. Now I just have to graduate. Graduation is 2 months from the 18th. I had to leave a day early because of a bad snow storm here in the Cities, but I did get back on time.
That Tuesday I had a job interview at a school bus company to be a driver, so most of last week was reading the manual to get a Commercial Driver's License and taking the permit written tests. I passed 3 of 4 on the first try. Then this past Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I attended 20 hours of school bus driver training with the company. Then yesterday, Thursday I passed my last test and then had my drug test, so yes I now have a permit to drive a school bus. Today, I had my Department of Transportation physical. If all is well, I am just waiting for the drug test results and if I can not pass that then no one can, I can be doing my behind the wheel next week.
I also had another interview last Saturday with Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, a woodworking specialty store. I just got off the phone with the Minnetonka store and they have hired me, so I begin tomorrow morning at 8:30.
Last Sunday I had my debut with the Choir and that seemed to go well. I enjoy it and I really enjoy being back up front, maybe now they can move me to the pulpit! We are working hard on music for Holy Week. All I can say is that I wish that I had taken Latin in college or seminary! Oh, well, there is nothing like learning a "dead language" unless you are Catholic and then that is what they speak in heaven! Am I right?
There is nothing new as far as the call process goes. I am still waiting and calling those who I can.
So, as you can see, I have had a pretty busy month and there seems to be no let-up in sight, at least, for now.
I hope that all is well with all who read this blog. Forgive me, for my lack of writing. Don't be a stranger, just drop a note to say, "Hi!"
I began March with a trip to Chicago to do my last class. Now I just have to graduate. Graduation is 2 months from the 18th. I had to leave a day early because of a bad snow storm here in the Cities, but I did get back on time.
That Tuesday I had a job interview at a school bus company to be a driver, so most of last week was reading the manual to get a Commercial Driver's License and taking the permit written tests. I passed 3 of 4 on the first try. Then this past Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I attended 20 hours of school bus driver training with the company. Then yesterday, Thursday I passed my last test and then had my drug test, so yes I now have a permit to drive a school bus. Today, I had my Department of Transportation physical. If all is well, I am just waiting for the drug test results and if I can not pass that then no one can, I can be doing my behind the wheel next week.
I also had another interview last Saturday with Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, a woodworking specialty store. I just got off the phone with the Minnetonka store and they have hired me, so I begin tomorrow morning at 8:30.
Last Sunday I had my debut with the Choir and that seemed to go well. I enjoy it and I really enjoy being back up front, maybe now they can move me to the pulpit! We are working hard on music for Holy Week. All I can say is that I wish that I had taken Latin in college or seminary! Oh, well, there is nothing like learning a "dead language" unless you are Catholic and then that is what they speak in heaven! Am I right?
There is nothing new as far as the call process goes. I am still waiting and calling those who I can.
So, as you can see, I have had a pretty busy month and there seems to be no let-up in sight, at least, for now.
I hope that all is well with all who read this blog. Forgive me, for my lack of writing. Don't be a stranger, just drop a note to say, "Hi!"
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Snow Days
Well, today is Sunday and normally on Sunday we go to church, but not today because we got about 10 inches of snow overnight. I got up early this morning and saw the bad news on the KTIS radio website. I guess that it is alright that we had a snow day today since none of our pastors live near the church. We should bring back the parsonage system to prevent such things. Perhaps there is another reason that church was canceled today:
As some of you may or may not know I joined the Sanctuary Choir a couple of weeks ago. This morning was to have been my first Sunday up front with the choir. I figure that if they had not canceled church that I would have been the only member of the choir to show up!!!!!
If you missed church today maybe you can find some truth in this song. Go to this site: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7777/MSR2.htm and enjoy!
As some of you may or may not know I joined the Sanctuary Choir a couple of weeks ago. This morning was to have been my first Sunday up front with the choir. I figure that if they had not canceled church that I would have been the only member of the choir to show up!!!!!
If you missed church today maybe you can find some truth in this song. Go to this site: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7777/MSR2.htm and enjoy!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Money, Money, Money
I guess you can tell what I am going to talk about! Money has been on my mind over the last couple of weeks. I was in Denver when I received a phone call from home concerning getting a job. I called the guy back and we agreed to talk on Saturday, which ended up being Monday. I did not quite understand what he wanted or who he was with, but nonetheless I set-up an "interview" with him, for that afternoon. When I arrived at the location and walked in to loud music and checked in, I began to have doubts as to what this was about. I then was led by the guy whom I had been conversing with and there I saw it, in one corner of a small office a table of product and a large screen television. It soon became apparent that I had been roped into a sales pitch to own my own company. I asked the guy where my name came from and he did not give me an answer, since at this point we had had some conversation I felt compelled to stay, for a little while. I sat through the presentation and soon it became apparent that the whole purpose of this sales pitch was to get money and the things that I "deserve." All of this was done by taking money from the baby-boomers who are expected to spend 10 billion dollars on health supplements. I felt queasy the entire time and embarrassed that my generation would stoop, so low to take money like this from their parents. After the presentation, the guy asked me what I thought, and I said that it was not right, for me, and I left. Another story.
After returning from Denver I looked through the newspapers quick to see what I had missed. The story of a prominent mega-church leader here in Minnesota is in trouble with a group that wants the IRS to investigate them, for something that they either did or did not do. I was not clear on the subject. On Sunday this same paper ran a front page story about this leader and they tried to paint a picture as to who this guy was and what he was talking about. It has become apparent to me mostly because of my own dealings with this "church" that everything had to do with money. This leader even said that his wealth gives him the ability to do evangelism and that it can not be done any other way. He gives the story of when he was stopped by a cop while driving his Porsche a little too fast. He said that he was able to reach out to this cop because of his car. It is interesting that those who spread this health and wealth gospel, which is what this is, say that God will make you rich and give you blessings beyond measure, but that it seems like they are the only ones who actually have the money and the toys. The congregation is then chastised, for not having enough faith.
Today, Tuesday, I have a job interview. This is the first interview that I have had after sending out countless resumes and job applications. Since I do not have a church right now and no church interviews on the horizon I need some income. The pyramid scheme described in the first part of this post just does not cover it, for me. I need something stable where I can get a descent pay check, for doing something that makes sense and that I believe in. I would never stoop, so low to sell a product that I do not believe in and by the way there was very little talk about the product just about the money. I do not want to be the pastor of a church that cannot faithfully account, for all of its finances, and to be good stewards of it, nor do I want to be a pastor that is making so, much money that it becomes a hindrance to ministry whether then an asset. Right now it is hard to be a faithful steward of my money because of bills for, insurance, and school, and such, but even in that there is stewardship. I trust that we all become faithful stewards with our time, talents, and treasure. To use these gifts as given to us, by God, to be better and faithful disciples. Our primary relationship is first to God, then to family and friends, and then to our jobs and compensation. If we keep this formula in view, then money will not become as much of an overwhelming force as it seems to be in our culture.
After returning from Denver I looked through the newspapers quick to see what I had missed. The story of a prominent mega-church leader here in Minnesota is in trouble with a group that wants the IRS to investigate them, for something that they either did or did not do. I was not clear on the subject. On Sunday this same paper ran a front page story about this leader and they tried to paint a picture as to who this guy was and what he was talking about. It has become apparent to me mostly because of my own dealings with this "church" that everything had to do with money. This leader even said that his wealth gives him the ability to do evangelism and that it can not be done any other way. He gives the story of when he was stopped by a cop while driving his Porsche a little too fast. He said that he was able to reach out to this cop because of his car. It is interesting that those who spread this health and wealth gospel, which is what this is, say that God will make you rich and give you blessings beyond measure, but that it seems like they are the only ones who actually have the money and the toys. The congregation is then chastised, for not having enough faith.
Today, Tuesday, I have a job interview. This is the first interview that I have had after sending out countless resumes and job applications. Since I do not have a church right now and no church interviews on the horizon I need some income. The pyramid scheme described in the first part of this post just does not cover it, for me. I need something stable where I can get a descent pay check, for doing something that makes sense and that I believe in. I would never stoop, so low to sell a product that I do not believe in and by the way there was very little talk about the product just about the money. I do not want to be the pastor of a church that cannot faithfully account, for all of its finances, and to be good stewards of it, nor do I want to be a pastor that is making so, much money that it becomes a hindrance to ministry whether then an asset. Right now it is hard to be a faithful steward of my money because of bills for, insurance, and school, and such, but even in that there is stewardship. I trust that we all become faithful stewards with our time, talents, and treasure. To use these gifts as given to us, by God, to be better and faithful disciples. Our primary relationship is first to God, then to family and friends, and then to our jobs and compensation. If we keep this formula in view, then money will not become as much of an overwhelming force as it seems to be in our culture.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Updates and Such
Well, here we are again at the beginning of a new week. I just thought that I would take a few minutes to update what has been going on over the last couple of weeks.
Last week I was in Denver, for the Evangelical Covenant Church's Midwinter Conference. This is a gathering, for all of the pastors, seminary students, and others who are interested in ministry in the Covenant Church. I really enjoy this week because I get to catch-up with friends and even make some new friends. It is about being able to chat and see what everyone else is doing. It is about worshiping together, and for me this year, I got goose-bumps when all of us were singing on Tuesday night, after Fleming Rutledge preached, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." I think it was the loudest we got while singing all week! The conference is also about honing skills or picking up new ones as I attended workshops on liturgy, prayer, and small town ministry. I had a great time, but soon it was back to reality and trying to find a job that will tide me over until I get called to a church.
About where I am in the call process is that I was able to talk to a few superintendents at the conference. Most of them did not have any positions that I am looking for, but a couple of them told me that my profile was sent to some churches here in the Midwest. I think in all there are 8 to 10 profiles out at various churches. We will just keep praying that the right situation will show up.
That is about it from here and I will be talking more about what occurred at Midwinter as I process what I heard and learned.
I want to give a "shout out" to all who I saw at the conference and also to those who I may have missed.
Last week I was in Denver, for the Evangelical Covenant Church's Midwinter Conference. This is a gathering, for all of the pastors, seminary students, and others who are interested in ministry in the Covenant Church. I really enjoy this week because I get to catch-up with friends and even make some new friends. It is about being able to chat and see what everyone else is doing. It is about worshiping together, and for me this year, I got goose-bumps when all of us were singing on Tuesday night, after Fleming Rutledge preached, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." I think it was the loudest we got while singing all week! The conference is also about honing skills or picking up new ones as I attended workshops on liturgy, prayer, and small town ministry. I had a great time, but soon it was back to reality and trying to find a job that will tide me over until I get called to a church.
About where I am in the call process is that I was able to talk to a few superintendents at the conference. Most of them did not have any positions that I am looking for, but a couple of them told me that my profile was sent to some churches here in the Midwest. I think in all there are 8 to 10 profiles out at various churches. We will just keep praying that the right situation will show up.
That is about it from here and I will be talking more about what occurred at Midwinter as I process what I heard and learned.
I want to give a "shout out" to all who I saw at the conference and also to those who I may have missed.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Those That Came Before
Today I want to honor a select group of pastors who were recently recognized by Salem Covenant Church and also subject of an article on the Evangelical Covenant Church website (see link at the end of this post).
These men along with their wives are a select group of pastors who have reached the milestone of being ordained for 50+ years in the ECC. These pastors have had a large impact on me and my call to ministry. They have walked the road of ministry and gone through its trials and joys. I have known most of them from my years growing up at Salem and in-fact a few of them have been my pastor. One in the group just "retired" in December. I recently asked him how retirement was going and he said that he is more busy now then before. I guess it just goes to show as a retired pastor that I met at Colonial Acres said, "A pastor does not retire, he just goes out to pastor!"
There is something else that these men represent and that is the fact that no matter how long they have been "retired" there is still ministry to do in the church. I know that several of them have served as interim pastors in various churches, provided pulpit supply, and continue to minister in chaplaincy positions. This also shows that there is a place for all to do ministry in the church. So often we think that because someone is retired or been at it for a long time that they should not be doing ministry in the church. Maybe they seem out of touch or their ideas to archaic. The fact of the matter is the church does need these people. The church needs the Sunday School teacher who is 80 and been teaching since 1950. The church needs the retired bank executive who is the church treasurer who still insists on keeping the books with ledgers and calculators instead of spread sheets and computers. All members of the body of Christ have something to contribute. I do not think that one can be a Christian and not be in some sort of ministry no matter how insignificant it might seem. We need to remember our elders and value their input and ministry because one day we too will find ourselves in their shoes.
To the honorees, I say, "Congratulations on reaching 50+ years of ordained ministry and keep up the good work."
Link to story: http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item5374
These men along with their wives are a select group of pastors who have reached the milestone of being ordained for 50+ years in the ECC. These pastors have had a large impact on me and my call to ministry. They have walked the road of ministry and gone through its trials and joys. I have known most of them from my years growing up at Salem and in-fact a few of them have been my pastor. One in the group just "retired" in December. I recently asked him how retirement was going and he said that he is more busy now then before. I guess it just goes to show as a retired pastor that I met at Colonial Acres said, "A pastor does not retire, he just goes out to pastor!"
There is something else that these men represent and that is the fact that no matter how long they have been "retired" there is still ministry to do in the church. I know that several of them have served as interim pastors in various churches, provided pulpit supply, and continue to minister in chaplaincy positions. This also shows that there is a place for all to do ministry in the church. So often we think that because someone is retired or been at it for a long time that they should not be doing ministry in the church. Maybe they seem out of touch or their ideas to archaic. The fact of the matter is the church does need these people. The church needs the Sunday School teacher who is 80 and been teaching since 1950. The church needs the retired bank executive who is the church treasurer who still insists on keeping the books with ledgers and calculators instead of spread sheets and computers. All members of the body of Christ have something to contribute. I do not think that one can be a Christian and not be in some sort of ministry no matter how insignificant it might seem. We need to remember our elders and value their input and ministry because one day we too will find ourselves in their shoes.
To the honorees, I say, "Congratulations on reaching 50+ years of ordained ministry and keep up the good work."
Link to story: http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item5374
Friday, January 26, 2007
Humility & Culture
Apparently there is a new phenomenon in our culture. It is one of humiliation and gaining fame. I became aware of this last week when the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church brought in the president of Calvin Seminary Dr. Cornelius Plantinga to talk at one of its leadership forums. He said that the new season of "American Idol" was bent on humiliating the people who were trying out to be the next top singer. The judges, who are all somewhat professional in their field of music would talk about and laugh about how bad these contestants or were. He said that this is what culture is looking for. A few nights later the CBS Evening News talked about the same issue and added that the demographic range of 18-25 wants to see this stuff if for nothing else then to have their 15 minutes of fame. How outrageous!
Dr. Plantinga's talk was on the virtue of humility not humiliation. Humility does not humiliate. Humility treats all people as made in the image of God. They admit their wrongs, the live their life right and acknowledge their mistakes. Having the virtue of humility is allowing oneself to be open to critique and then to deal with it in a manner that is not snobby. Humility is being able to listen to someone who has all of the patience in the world when someone comes up to them and jumps down their throat without becoming defensive. True humility was found in Christ when he stayed on the cross when those around him told him to save himself. True humility does not watch "American Idol" and find acceptable the behavior of judges who are looking to build themselves up while tearing down others.
Another case in point. Some my notice that there is a post missing. I was reminded of an agreement that I signed that I broke by talking about a certain subject. I have acknowledged this and removed the post. I apologize to all who have seen that post and also to the people that I directly offended. Believe it or not this is a humbling experience and I trust that I have made good on all fronts. Remember to be humble!
Dr. Plantinga's talk was on the virtue of humility not humiliation. Humility does not humiliate. Humility treats all people as made in the image of God. They admit their wrongs, the live their life right and acknowledge their mistakes. Having the virtue of humility is allowing oneself to be open to critique and then to deal with it in a manner that is not snobby. Humility is being able to listen to someone who has all of the patience in the world when someone comes up to them and jumps down their throat without becoming defensive. True humility was found in Christ when he stayed on the cross when those around him told him to save himself. True humility does not watch "American Idol" and find acceptable the behavior of judges who are looking to build themselves up while tearing down others.
Another case in point. Some my notice that there is a post missing. I was reminded of an agreement that I signed that I broke by talking about a certain subject. I have acknowledged this and removed the post. I apologize to all who have seen that post and also to the people that I directly offended. Believe it or not this is a humbling experience and I trust that I have made good on all fronts. Remember to be humble!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Not Much to Write On
I just realized that it has been about a week since my last post. I am one of those people who believes that if there is nothing to talk about that you do not say anything. Words are powerful and need to be used with care in all contexts. All of this to say that if I do not write, for a while it is because I have nothing to say. I am not forgetting or neglecting this venture.
Last week I became very busy after returning from Chicago because we were to go and visit my sister and her family in Oklahoma, but because of the storms we were forced to cancel that trip, for now. They are all safe down there. All week we were wondering about their health and making sure that the kids did not have something that is easily communicable, but in the end it was the weather that got us. Anyways that is what is going on here.
Last week I became very busy after returning from Chicago because we were to go and visit my sister and her family in Oklahoma, but because of the storms we were forced to cancel that trip, for now. They are all safe down there. All week we were wondering about their health and making sure that the kids did not have something that is easily communicable, but in the end it was the weather that got us. Anyways that is what is going on here.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Update From Chicago
I returned from Chicago last night. I had great interviews with all of the superintendents of the church. I also got to catch up with some friends. Now comes the period of waiting, which, for those who have been in this process know how that can be. I have put this entire process into God's hands and trust that he will lead me to where I am supposed to be. I want to thank all of you who prayed, for me over the last few days. I certainly felt them.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Important Info.
This weekend I am headed to Chicago, for interviews with the Covenant Church superintendents. This is a time, for those of us who are graduating from North Park to get to know the superintendents, and vice-versa, and, for them to see if we would fit in any openings that they might have in their conference. I am looking forward to the interviews and I hope that they are productive. I leave on Sunday and will be back on Tuesday. I have all of my interviews on Monday. Busy day!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Rituals That Tell A Story
I don't know about you, but I really enjoy rituals. I enjoy rituals in both the secular and sacred realms. Perhaps it is part of my training as a pastor that I have to be mindful of rituals at all points in life; from baptism to death, Confirmation and weddings. My professor who taught worship and liturgy at North Park Theological Seminary said that rituals tell a story and whose story we are trying to tell is the subject of our rituals. Case in point.
Over the last week we have been bombarded with images of ritual on television and in print. A solemn ritual that told the story of one of the presidents of the United States. There is nothing more powerful in our secular society then to hear 4 Ruffles and Flourishes and Hail to the Chief being played by a military band, and when done the 21 gun salute. Seeing the honor guard keep vigil over the body of a former Commander and Chief. The cadence with which the bearers marched the casket up steps through the Capitol, down the steps, up the steps at the church, in procession at the church, down the steps of the church, to the airplane, from the airplane, to the presidential library, from the presidential library, and finally to the grave. However, if one paid attention they would have seen mixed in with the secular was the sacred. The prayers offered by the chaplains of the House and Senate, the sermon and the service at the National Cathedral. In this service a story was told of the man who was our 38th President--Gerald R. Ford. While, I was not yet born when he took office the events that unfolded and the stories told gave me a glimpse and told the story of President Ford and how he respected public office and yet took care of his family and did not take, for granted his relationship with God. The rituals that took place over these last few days told this story well and I am glad to have heard it.
Over the last week we have been bombarded with images of ritual on television and in print. A solemn ritual that told the story of one of the presidents of the United States. There is nothing more powerful in our secular society then to hear 4 Ruffles and Flourishes and Hail to the Chief being played by a military band, and when done the 21 gun salute. Seeing the honor guard keep vigil over the body of a former Commander and Chief. The cadence with which the bearers marched the casket up steps through the Capitol, down the steps, up the steps at the church, in procession at the church, down the steps of the church, to the airplane, from the airplane, to the presidential library, from the presidential library, and finally to the grave. However, if one paid attention they would have seen mixed in with the secular was the sacred. The prayers offered by the chaplains of the House and Senate, the sermon and the service at the National Cathedral. In this service a story was told of the man who was our 38th President--Gerald R. Ford. While, I was not yet born when he took office the events that unfolded and the stories told gave me a glimpse and told the story of President Ford and how he respected public office and yet took care of his family and did not take, for granted his relationship with God. The rituals that took place over these last few days told this story well and I am glad to have heard it.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
May I be the first to wish all readers of this blog a "Happy New Year!" I pray that all readers will have a good new year and that whatever comes up that you would remain strong.
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One thing on my mind this morning is the treatment of coaches/managers of sports after the season is done. It was announced last night that Glen Mason was fired from the Minnesota Gophers football team after they lost in the biggest game come back in bowl history. Why is it that the coaches/managers are always blamed for the mistakes made by players? If one were to look at the Minnesota Vikings this year, they were not that good, but Brad Childress inherited a bad team and he is taking the heat. I do not understand this kind of behavior. If players are not playing well or making mistakes it is their fault and they should be penalized, for it. However, like other celebrities it is not their fault it is always the fault of the leadership. In the real world if an employee makes a mistake after a job has been given to him/her then the employee is blamed or fired not the person who gave the order. It should be a clear-cut case if a player makes a mistake in either college or professional sports then the player(s) should take the heat not the coaches. Now of course the question arises about how much pressure should be placed on college players and that is a discussion, for another time.
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One thing on my mind this morning is the treatment of coaches/managers of sports after the season is done. It was announced last night that Glen Mason was fired from the Minnesota Gophers football team after they lost in the biggest game come back in bowl history. Why is it that the coaches/managers are always blamed for the mistakes made by players? If one were to look at the Minnesota Vikings this year, they were not that good, but Brad Childress inherited a bad team and he is taking the heat. I do not understand this kind of behavior. If players are not playing well or making mistakes it is their fault and they should be penalized, for it. However, like other celebrities it is not their fault it is always the fault of the leadership. In the real world if an employee makes a mistake after a job has been given to him/her then the employee is blamed or fired not the person who gave the order. It should be a clear-cut case if a player makes a mistake in either college or professional sports then the player(s) should take the heat not the coaches. Now of course the question arises about how much pressure should be placed on college players and that is a discussion, for another time.
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