The Author

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

The ache in my body was not a welcome prologue to my day, but the story would soon change with the flip of my Kindle’s cover.

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foe rejoice over me.“
(Psalm 30:1)

There are many mornings that are difficult because of the pain. It is of no help. Actually, it is a hinderance to me as I try to get out of bed. It is a stumbling block. It is the foe that strives to keep me down and down on myself. And sometimes I just want to give in and give up, wallowing in self-pity. The pain becomes an unwelcome companion who tries to write my story.

But somewhere deep within, I recognize the lie, the deception. Through the darkness, I see a faint glimmer of hope, a glimmer that becomes a steady beam and, eventually, a blazing light. It is a light that reveals the lie that was written into my prologue. And the Light is what flips my script and reveals the Author of my true story.

Yes, my prologue is one of pain and suffering, brought on by my own rebellion and thus justly deserved. The lie is that there is no hope, but the story that has been written draws me up from the pit. It is one that brings healing to my pain. It is a story that can not and would not be written by any other author for no other author loves me like the Author.

My foe tries to rejoice over me through my pain, but he can not erase or even alter my story in the least, for the story belongs to my Father in heaven, the Author. And so, I will extol Him for I am lost without my Savior, the one who raises me up from my painful prologue and places me in His everlasting story.

His Voice

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

The cool of the morning surrounds and envelops me under the bright, blue canopy, as the sun’s rays peak over the horizon and caress my face. Its warmth mingles with the coolness on my arms in an intricate dance, and I long to soak in everything sensation. And during this dance, the hummingbirds chatter, whether to one another or to me, it does not matter. I listen intentively anyway to their beautiful song.

All is relaxing.
All is peaceful,
and I thank God.

But there are other noises around me, sounds of man and machine, but there is
No rhythm,
No music,
No beauty.
Just noise that grates one’s heart and shreds it like cheese. And there are times when that is all I hear and feel, but not now. This morning, it is just background noise from which I quickly and resolutely turn away. This morning, I choose to listen to the beautiful voice of Power and Peace. No shredded heart here, just one that is full and spilling over. So, I simply and peacefully sit here and thank God, as I silently and prayerfully,

Listen
Feel
Enjoy

This is the moment, but it’s not something confined to a place or a time. It’s something contained in the One, the One whose voice is power and life, peace and love. It’s the Voice, not the noise.

And I thank God.

Nehemiah Prayer

/ The Pastor

“Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting…”

Let us pray…

“…Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.”
[Nehemiah 9:5-6]
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen!

Acceptable

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
Amen

It is a presumptuous thing for a sinner, on their own, to think they can speak to a holy God in an acceptable way. The Jews believed this, so much so, that not even the name of God dared to pass their lips, lest they risk offending or angering God.

Even now, we do not give the praise and worship God is due, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And since that is the case, you and I need help. But do you want to know something – God is pleased to help; at least those who WANT to give acceptable worship and praise. You see, God wants the glory and so He will see to it that His children give Him the glory He desires. You just need to want and then ask for help.

So let Psalm 19:14 be your prayer as you seek to worship God. Let it be your prayer as you seek to sing His praises. Let it be your prayer as you seek to make God known. God is the Rock and Redeemer, so let us seek to give Him what is acceptable in His sight.

The Foe

/ The Pastor

Fighting a foe that I can not see,
One that is closer than I am to me.
It’s cunning and strong and tears me apart,
Striking with a lance that’s straight to the heart.
And I try and try, and try even more,
But the more that I try the more it’s a chore.
But Jesus has died and fought that big foe,
He died and he rose for New Life I may know.
Now I have Life and that foe has been smashed,
The Life I now live shall never be dashed.
But now as for me, I’ll fight the good fight,
For Jesus is Lord, my only delight.

Breathing

/ The Pastor

What is your prayer life like? You get to be honest here because there is no one to hear your words or see your reaction. But do be honest because who are you fooling? God? Certainly not. But also, this is not an article to make you feel guilty but rather to call to your attention that which is essential to the life of a Christian. Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” I think that says it all. So really the question is: Are you alive?

I admit it, I struggle with a regular, vibrant prayer life. I go through my ups and downs. Sure, I pray during worship and at meetings. I pray at mealtimes and with my kids before they go to sleep. But as a regular activity, such as breathing? Well, that can be more sporadic than regular. I once heard a quote that said that when you do not feel like praying, that is the precise moment when you need to pray all the more, because it is an indication that Satan is at work on you. And the last thing I want is for Satan to work on me.

And so, I have been working on my prayer life and trying to develop some routines and healthy habits. Some are new and some are beginning to become habits. And so, I want to share with you a couple ways to jump start your prayer life and hopefully begin a new, godly habit to rejuvenate your relationship with God.

(1) Wake up in the morning and thank God first thing (even before you have your coffee).
(2) Instead of your normal, memorized meal prayer, mix things up and pray a prayer from the heart.
(3) Keep a prayer journal and note how and when God addresses your prayers. I like to use my phone because I know I always have that with me.
(4) Instead of saying to someone, “I will pray for you”, actually pray for them or at the very least, take the time to write it down so you will not forget later (watching you write it down shows that you are serious about them).
(5) Send a message to 3 people each week, asking how you can pray for them. You might be surprised at how responsive people are. And then follow up with them later.
(6) Pick a handful of people from the congregation and send them a message to let them know that you are praying for them.
(7) If you have to drive for a while, turn off the radio and cell phone and pray out loud. No one will hear you except God.

But whatever you do, pray, pray and pray some more. It is the breath of a Christian and the lifeline to our awesome God. But always remember, no prayer is too small or insignificant for God. He is never too busy for your prayers. And on the flip side, remember how big God is so never be afraid to pray boldly. But in the end, it is thy will be done. Let God change you and put you more in line with His glorious and perfect will. Amen.

The Church being the Church

/ The Pastor

The following is my article for the Buffalo Center Tribune. It was published on July 31, the second to last day of our community vacation Bible school.

By the time you read this article, we will be wrapping up our community vacation Bible school. This year the United Methodist Church were our gracious hosts. Last year Bethlehem Lutheran Church had the privilege to host as VBS rotates between the United Methodist Church, Congregational Church, First Reformed Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. This ecumenical cooperation is a strength in this community as each congregation brings their unique gifts to the table to help raise our children in the faith. Each site is unique with their particular strengths and thus each year is a new experience for the kids, and not just because the program focus changes every year. Each year loving adults give of their time to make preparations for the week and many more give of their time to teach, lead crafts and games, and many other responsibilities. There are so many logistics and details to put together and this is all done by various individuals from among the congregations throughout the year. Planning for the VBS week begins shortly after VBS ends as the torch is passed to the next church. What a joy it is to work with these congregations and look forward to VBS every year.

You all know the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child” and this is lived out here in Buffalo Center as the Church does what the Church is supposed to do. Earlier this year, Community Chapel held its VBS. My kids participated even though we are using the same curriculum. But as they say, the experience is always different and therefore my kids have never been bored attending both VBS programs. But here is where the Church thing comes in. The area churches share their decorations and resources because, well, they also believe in the church. Curriculum and supplies are expensive, especially for us small churches, so what a blessing that we can share resources to help advance the Kingdom we all love.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20-23)

I pray that through this ecumenical cooperation you may see that oneness for there is one God and one salvation through Jesus Christ God only son. There is one hope and one Life. There is one family of God. And therefore, as an extension of that family, we live and serve together to the glory of God.

Faithful

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

If you believe you are a sinner (and the truth is, you are) then believe that God is faithful to forgive any and all sin in the name of Jesus:

1 John 1:5-10 ESV
[5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Enough

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Is it enough to just exist, to make it through the day?
Is it enough to just survive, to find a meal and a place to sleep?
Is it enough to just be, to spend your time searching for something, anything?
Is it enough to just breathe and breathe and breathe?
For some, that is reality, and it saddens me, but it also convicts me.

I have a home to live in.
I have a family I love and who loves me.
I have food in my kitchen.
I have plenty of clothes from which to choose.
I have a career that is fulfilling.
I have a purpose for each and everyday.
I breathe and breathe and breathe, and do not give any needs a second thought.

I have enough but sometimes, a lot of the time, I want more.
I want more food.
I want more clothes.
I want more love.
I want more attention, respect, purpose…
I want more.

And maybe that is the problem with this world. We want and want and want, and that drives our lives. But it not only drives our lives, but the lives of others. We want more than enough, but do not give a second thought to those who do not have enough.

Today, I saw a person along the city boulevard by his tent. Many would classify him as homeless, but for him, it was his home. Enough? Maybe to escape the elements. But is it really enough?

Now I sit here on the balcony of the Airbnb we rented for a week, our home away from home. Enough? Absolutely, yet I still want more.

Yes, I am part of the problem, for many do not have enough as I comfortably desire more. God, help me be part of the solution.

Confessing Like David

/ The Pastor

Sinner, have you confessed your sins recently?
I mean, have you REALLY confessed your sins?
Sure, you may attend a liturgical church where you are given some lines to recite as part of the worship service, but have you confessed your sins, and not just as a passing phrase or petition in your prayers? I am talking about confessing like David…

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
[Psalm 51:1-2]

This is the heart of guilty man throwing himself at the feet of a judge who has the authority to condemn him. This is the heart of a man who knows the steadfast love of this judge. This is the heart of a man who knows he has hurt this judge through his sin. This is the heart of a man who knows he deserves nothing but condemnation. This is the heart of a man who is not rattling off some liturgical phrase or passing line in his daily prayers. This is the heart of a penitent man.

And so I ask you again, O sinner, have you confessed your sins recently? In the name of Jesus Christ – the Son of God, who died on the cross and rose from the grave all FOR YOU – I implore you:

Confess your sins like David, for the abundant mercy and steadfast love of the Father is amazing.