Author: The Pastor

What we need to hear

/ The Pastor

2 Timothy 4:2-5
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

There are many reasons to stay in the word; to study it and meditate on it but the one that concerns me today is the very thing that Paul warns young Timothy about.  There are so many “gospels” floating around out there.  There are so many “preachers” out there leading people astray; saying things to people that “their itching ears want to hear.”

The problem is that what people WANT to hear and what they NEED to hear are two completely different things.

What we hear so much about today are what prosperity gospel preachers are trying to tell people:  If you live right you can be successful and happy in this life.  They hold up the Bible, quote scripture and give you 7 ways to have your best life now.  People may WANT to hear that message but it is not what they NEED to hear.  Happiness now is fine but there are two keys problems:  (1) Jesus never, ever promised that things would be great in this life (he actually told his disciples that they would experience hardship and persecution) and (2) When this life is over then what?

What we NEED to hear is that God, through Jesus, has over come this world.
What we NEED to hear is that Jesus has reconciled us to God through the cross.
What we NEED to hear is that there is hope beyond this life.
What we NEED to hear is that we have nothing to fear in this world with God.
What we NEED to hear is that God is madly in love with you and with me.

Prosperity gospel preachers do not preach this message but rather disguise the Good News with something that people can use now to be happy and successful.  As Paul warned, the time has come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.

So we need to be even more diligent.

Let’s take Paul’s charge to Timothy and make it our own.  Stay in the Word; meditate on it; study it and remain faithful to the Word.  “…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. “  Tell people what they NEED to hear, not what they WANT to hear.

May God be praised in all we say and do.

Preach it brothers and sisters!  Amen!

-edh-

The water tank

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

For someone who is so used to preaching and teaching on a regular basis, it is so nice to just sit and listen to someone preach to me and teach me…and fill my water tank.  Sometimes I forget that if you keep pouring water out of a glass that eventually the water will run out. The temptation is to think that I have an endless supply of “water” to give…after all I am the pastor.

What faulty reasoning because…

I am a human being.
A finite creature.
And more importantly…I am not God.

It is during times like this week when I am reminded of this and that I am not a failure if I need to rest and get away.

We all need to be fed.
We all need nourishment.
We all need to be cared for.
We all need to be “refilled with water”.

Who ever you are make sure you are taking time each day to allow God to “fill your water tank” so you can be a blessing to others…all for the glory of God.

May God forever be praised.

-edh-

Awesome and simple prayer

/ The Pastor

Psalm 25:4-7
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from old.  Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.”

That Psalm was from my Bible reading a couple days ago but it is still clinging to me so I thought I would jot down a few thoughts for you.

Shortly after I posted these verses to my Facebook page, a friend of mine commented and thanked me for posting this.  She said she printed those words off saying “what an awesome yet simple prayer“.  I was struck by her words for she is right ~ it is an awesome yet simple prayer.

Show me your ways
Teach me your paths
Guide me in your truth
I strive to learn more about God yet I seem to get easily distracted by this world.  There are worries, concerns, to-do lists, full calendars, demands, expectations, etc.  I get distracted and find myself following the ways of this world ~ and when that happens I get overwhelmed.  And that is exactly what happened to me.

But then…

…the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference started.

Now I find myself slowing down as I am taking this week off for continuing education and renewal.  I am enjoying the faithfulness of God as God is showing me his ways and teaching me his path.  God is guiding me in his truth and through it all ~ refreshing my soul.  I am feeling God’s great mercy and love and being reminded of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  I don’t feel overwhelmed anymore.

Indeed ~ what an awesome yet simple prayer.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that the Book of Psalms was the first worship/prayer book.  There are timeless truths contained in this “little Bible” (as Martin Luther called it).  The psalter spills out in words the emotions that we all go through (even though written in a different place, time and context).  Psalms of praise, confession, lament and many more are waiting for you.  Many times, when I don’t have the words to say to God, I find myself searching the Psalms.  God may know my thoughts but it is comforting to know someone else was feeling something similar to me.

Make it a habit to engage the Psalms often.  Chances are you will find one to help you give words to what you are feeling and experiencing.  And no doubt…you will find an awesome and yet simple prayer.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference

/ The Pastor

I have the privilege of attending the Okoboji Bible and Missionary Conference this year again.  This is a FREE conference that takes place in Arnolds Park, IA every year around this time.  I use this time for continuing education; as it is great to be fed for a while.

(For more about the conference go to their website at: http://www.okobojiconference.org)

The conference brings in great speakers every year.  This year Ruth Graham (daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham) will be speaking on Thursday and Friday night.  I am really looking to that.

But now (8:54am) morning Bible study is about to begin.  It is kind of nice to just sit back and relax…and not be the leader for once.

Feed away…I am hungry and ready.

-edh-

Great things

/ The Pastor

Inspired by Matthew 14:13-21 (The Feeding of the 5000)

Gracious and loving God, you have called us to do great things but too often we fail to trust you.  We see the “great things” you want us to do and we get overwhelmed ~ as if we are expected to do these “great things” on our own.  So we offer excuses and reasons why we can’t do these “great things”:
I’m not smart enough
I’m not strong enough
I’m not big enough
I’m too old, too young, too short, too tall
I can’t speak so well
I’m afraid
I’m sick
I’m dying

We offer excuse after excuse, but God ~ you know them all.  You know all of our excuses, short-comings, limitations and weaknesses ~ for you are our creator.  You know all the so-called reasons why WE can’t accomplish “great things” but you call us to do these “great things” ~ not alone ~ but with YOU.
Give us the faith to see your strength and faithfulness. 
Give us eyes to see you working in and through us.
Give us hearts to respond to those in need.

Gracious and loving God ~ thank you for calling us to do “great things” ~ to the glory of your name.  In Jesus Christ we pray, AMEN!

-edh-

godly training

/ The Pastor

1 Timothy 4:7-8
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

I am a runner and an emerging triathlete so I understand the value of physical training.  If I don’t do the proper training then I am not going to be ready for the event I am participating in.  If I am training for a marathon then I need to make sure I get some long runs in otherwise I am going to struggle during the actual race.  When I am training for a triathlon, I need to get bike and pool workouts in as well as my running.  I also need to do back-to-back bike and run workouts to get my legs used to doing those events.  Training is vitally important.

Paul goes on to tell young Timothy that physical training is fine but remember your godly training.  That training will benefit you in this life and the next life.  But what does godly training look like?
–Scripture reading
–Praying
–Bible study
–Service
–Fasting
–Patience (and practicing the other Fruits of the Spirit)
–Worship
–Meditation
–Journaling
Just to name a few.  All of these are great ways to train for godliness.

They will bring you closer to God and to others.  They will strengthen your faith so others may see your good works and give glory to God.  This training will strengthen you resistance to Satan’s flaming arrows.  This training will feed your soul with God’s grace and forgiveness.  This training will keep us on the right track as we serve as Jesus’ disciples for the sake of the world.

Training is never easy but the more you do it the easier it becomes.  Also…the more you do it the easier it is to face the real thing.  So don’t forget your godly training.  Keep that as part of your daily routine but not so much a “routine” that your training becomes rote.  Train your soul to learn more about this awesome God of ours.  Train your soul so others may experience this awesome God of ours.  Train your soul so the burdens of this world do not become overwhelming.

Happy training all; praising God always and forever!  Amen!

-edh-

Chariots and horses

/ The Pastor

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I read this verse this morning and almost chuckled at the fact that some people actually trusted in chariots and horses (otherwise the psalmist would not have mentioned it).  Obviously he is referring to those who trust in the military might and strength; making them their god.   But upon further reflection, I began to wonder how the psalmist might write this verse if he were living in the United States today.

Hmmm…

Some trust in __________ (how would you fill in the blank?)
Education
Money
Smartphones (I almost hesitate to write this since this describes me)
Friends
Doctrine
Family
Etc, etc, etc…

Of course I could go on.  And now I am no longer chuckling.

In seminary I had a professor that said “Anything you fear more than God has become your god.”  And I think we can put trust in that quote and get the same meaning. “Anything/Anyone you trust more than God has become your god.”  When I write it that way I get a little nervous and a little shifty in my chair…because it is true.

How many gods do you have in your life?  I know I have a few (which I am not proud of).  Now all of a sudden I am less judgmental towards those who trusted in chariots and horses.

In scripture we read about people who trusted in the name of the Lord our God.  They were fulfilled and happy.  They felt safe and secure.  And why not?  When God, the creator of the universe, is your god then you have a God who is above all things…and all gods.  The things and people we trust in this life more than God can not do for us what God can.  The things and people in this life can not give us life beyond this one; they can not give us hope; they can not give us strength.  Holding onto my smartphone may give me comfort; for I have instant access to the world, but nothing can compare to holding onto God who IS the world.

Let us place our trust in the Lord our God and not in gods. Amen!

-edh-

God vs. Man

/ The Pastor

Proverbs 29:25 says “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”

Brings up an interesting question, doesn’t it?  Who do we fear more ~ God or man?  Who’s opinion do we care about more~ God’s or man’s?  Who do we try to please more~ God or man?  Who’s direction do we follow more~ God’s or man’s?

I can’t help but think (and confess) that I fall into the trap of trying to please people in my life more than God.  It is almost like I am more afraid of their judgment of me more than God’s.  Maybe it is because man’s judgment of us is more immediate in some ways.  Maybe it is because we choose to give people in our lives more power than they should have so we feel the need to listen to them and consider seriously what they say.  Sometimes we are afraid of letting people down.  Sometimes we consider their experience and knowledge more valuable than God’s.

But Proverbs tells us that it is not wise to rely on (or fear) man over God.  People in this life may want the best for us but they do not see the whole picture ~ God does.  People in this life may think they are wise, but that wisdom is foolishness compared to God.  People in this life have their agendas but God’s plan is perfect.  Some people in this life want to have power over us but God is the one in control.

I am not saying that we ignore people in our lives.  God does work through people in this world to accomplish His purposes.  The issue at hand is this:  Who do we fear more?  Basically…when a major decision is upon us we need to seek out God first and try to determine what GOD wants us to do.  Maybe that is through other people, but in the end, the fear of God is what leads to wisdom.  The fear of man is nothing more than a snare.

[I just love it when God is this timely with what I am reading in scripture 🙂  God is indeed faithful.]

Praise be to God and Amen!

-edh-

Proverbs 28:5

/ The Pastor

The text that caught my attention this morning was Proverbs 28:5.  Here’s what it says:

“Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.”

One of the reasons I am reading scripture is this verse.  The fact of the matter is that I am an evildoer; a sinner.

We all are.

And the only way I can come to a true understanding of right and wrong is through seeking out God.  I have my own version of right and wrong but it often conflicts with God ~ so I need to seek out God and learn from Him.

God is the one who sets me straight.
God is the one who convicts me.
God is the one to teaches me.
God is the one who guides me.
God is the one who LOVES me.

I need God’s direction and wisdom ~ we all do.  Seek God out and learn His ways.  Don’t try to speculate rather hear it from the Authority ~ the Creator of the universe who is madly in love with you.

-edh-

A poor sinner

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I had issues this morning.

I have been a pastor now for just over 7 years.  I have presided over communion for just over 7 years.  I have known the Words of Institution for just over 7 years (even longer than that because I knew well before seminary).  But today it was like I have never said those words before.

I was standing up front at Belmont this morning leading worship.  I had just received the offering and the congregation was standing.  I turned around holding the chalice and began the Words of Institution.  The problem is that we start with the bread and then go to the wine (at least that is what I normally do).  I found myself lost as I realized that I had the wrong element…so I had to wing it…trying to make it look as if I meant to start with the wine.

I failed.

I stuttered and stumbled through the Words of Institution like I didn’t know what I was doing.  I was totally frazzled and my rhythm was totally gone.  I even saw someone out there smile at his wife as he knew I was struggling.  I think part of the problem was that I have become so accustomed to the Words of Institution that I found myself relying of the words themselves and not on the proclamation.

That is going to have to change.

My hope and prayer is that people still heard words of promise regardless of my failure.  My guess is that they did hear words of promise ~ thanks to the Holy Spirit.  I trust that God still used me in some way ~ for you see ~ when I preach and lead worship it is not about what I do but it is about the Holy Spirit working through me.  One reason why I am certain of this is because if it were about me; if it were about my speaking ability; if it were about my so-call talents;  I would have been fired long ago.  But as it is God can use a poor sinner like me to proclaim the Good News.

Praise be to God!

The other explanation of what happened this morning could be that I need a vacation ~ something that will be happening very soon 🙂

-edh-