Author: The Pastor

Recharged

/ The Pastor

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“Come to Salem Lutheran Church and get recharged.“

On Monday morning a parishioner stopped by the church.  She was running some errands in a vehicle she knew had a bad battery.  All morning she kept reminding herself not to shut off the car, but when she arrived at the church…well…she forgot…and her car wouldn’t start.  She came inside and mentioned to me her car was dead.  Of course I offered to help and jumped her car.  When I came back in with a good report she was all excited and delivered the above quote.  I laughed.

I wonder…new mission statement?  I would like to think people get recharged here to go out and  serve the Lord.  And…if need be…find a set of jumper cables.

-edh-

An icy Monday

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I live in Minnesota…and I love it.  I love (almost) everything about living here.  I love the changes in seasons; the variety of weather; the many lakes to enjoy; the people; and the list could go on.  But one the of the few things I do not like about Minnesota is the ICE.

On Saturday around 1pm-ish it started to precipitate a little so I decided to go for a quick run.  When my eye lids started sticking closed I decided it was time to cut things short.  By the time I finished my 25 minute run my front side was covered in ice.   What a weird feeling.  Of course…the ice outside stuck around until the next day (Sunday and a little today still) making my drive out to Belmont and back an adventure.  I am not sure how many of you out there have driven on a sheet of ice before but let me say this…”IT IS NOT FUN.”  Stopping was a luxury that forced me to think ahead (way ahead).   I did make it out to Belmont and back without an incident…and I have yet to hear of any in the last couple days (Praise God).  But with the good you have to take the bad I guess.

There’s got to be a lesson in there somewhere…right?

(1) Going through life we need to watch our step; we could slip and fall at any moment.
(2) Christ gives us life, but we still need to deal with sin (The good and the bad).
(3) Sin may be fun, but it’s slippery slope will hurt you and others.

I may be reaching…but leave it to a pastor to look for sermon illustrations in nearly everything.  Stay tuned, though, I have another sermon illustration coming up shortly; something that happened this morning.

-edh-

Happy New Year

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I am returning from yet another prolonged absence.  The past week and a half I have been on vacation.   The days after Christmas Connie and I did our yearly routine of three Christmas’ in three states in three days (Iowa, Minnesota,South Dakota).  This past week I have been home being a bum.  One would say I had plenty of time to blog, but I was taking a vacation from nearly everything (not my wife of course).  I did some odd jobs around the house.  I took down the Christmas lights (taking advantage of the warm weather), I ran outside for a change.  Watched some movies.  Slept in late.  And hung out of the coffee shop.  All in all I had a very restful vacation.  I just hope my body didn’t get too used to sleeping in.

Since my vacation officially ended today I had to do some sermon prep and writing today…something I am not too used to doing on Saturdays.  In any case, I got my sermon done.  The text I am preaching on is John 1:1-18 (focusing on verse 10 where it says, “He (Jesus) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”)  Jesus is all around us but yet we do not see him.  Jesus reveals himself through other people; through those needing help, though those needing to hear the Good News.  Jesus is with us in the waters of baptism.  Jesus is with us in the bread and the wine.  Jesus is with us in our low times and high times.  Jesus walks with us as we enter worship, he walks with us while we work and play.  Jesus is all around us, yet we often do not see him.  Not much has changed since John 1:10 was written.

As we make New Year’s resolutions, maybe we should make a continuing resolution to get to know Jesus better.  But be careful…because this is a resolution that will never be completed.  We can make a resolutions to lose 10 pounds or quit smoking.  If you do this you will know when you accomplished this goal but you still have to continue working at it otherwise you will revert to where you were before you made the resolution.  Getting to know Jesus is something we need to continuing working, and it is a resolution that does not have an identifiable point where you can say “I know Jesus”.  Our relationship with Jesus needs to keep growing.

Look and see Jesus in your neighbor.  Recognize Jesus in every aspect of your life.  Know Jesus as your friend, Savior and Lord.  Resolve to know Jesus better.

-edh-

Christmas Eve

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

The hustle and bustle of another busy Christmas season is coming to an end shortly.  And I know I probably say this every year but it seems this Christmas season was busier than others.  For pastors this is indeed a busy time, especially for those who have mid-week Advent worship service (I don’t have those).  And as I look back on the past month I get more and more tired.  But no need to worry…as it happens during Holy Week…on Christmas Eve I get a boost of adrenaline that takes me through Christmas Day worship.  But can you say “Eric will be napping on the way to Iowa tomorrow”.

Today is Christmas Eve and I am preparing for a 5pm worship service at Salem and a 9am Christmas Day service at Belmont.  My sermon is written…I just need to review, practice and tweak it some.  The worship service is set…I just need to run through things and make sure all my “props” are there and ready.  The music will be coming (Connie’s family is providing the brass accompaniment tonight).  And all the worship participants are set to go.  My biggest task I have left to do today is to make some bread in the bread maker for supper tonight (Italian Herb bread is on the menu).  All in all…not too bad of a day coming up (maybe that is the adrenaline).

But before I go and continue my preparations I want to leave you with a couple things:

(1) MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all and thanks for a great year.  I will be posting a year-in-review later on but I just want to say now that I am thankful for the many friends I met through this blog.  I am also thankful for the many commenters and others who stop by.  This blog is for you and that is my motivation for writing this; knowing that God is using me to preach his Word to people all over the world.  What a blessing this has been.  May you experience the love of God through your many gatherings and may you have safe travels and joyous homecomings.

(2) I want to share a story with you I heard on the news this morning.  Check out this Star Tribune link for the complete story.  Basically…there was an apartment fire in Burnsville, MN recently where nearly 200 residents lost everything.  Yesterday a person donated about 1 million dollars to the victims (nearly $17,500 per person…today the people can pick up their checks).  Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville is serving as a collection site to provide for the basic needs of these families.  This story touched my heart as it is an example of the Spirit of Christmas at work.  Praise be to God.

Once again…have a very blessed Christmas and be safe…all the while praising God, always and forever.  Amen!

-edh-

The Old Rugged Cross

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suff’ring and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
(Words/Music by George Bennard, 1873-1960)

This song is another memory I will cherish about Lyle (see previous posts to get caught up).  Lyle was a craftsman and loved working with wood.  He made many bird houses, benches, wooden tractors and small wooden crosses.  Lyle would deliver those crosses to the nursing home and the hospital.  One day Lyle came into my office with a box filled with these 5″ by 3 1/2″ crosses and said he would like to leave these in the narthex for people.  I said that would be great.  I made an announcement in worship and by the time I left to go home that Sunday morning all the crosses were gone.  Lyle made more for Belmont and they were quickly snatched up as well.

During the final days of Lyle’s life, he lay in his hospital bed clinging to one of his “old rugged crosses” and I remember thinking what a proclamation of faith.  He was not only clinging to a piece of wood but he was clinging to what that cross represented to him (to us).  Lyle lay in his bed clinging to the hope of the resurrection and the promises that Jesus gave us through the cross.  Lyle lay in his bed undaunted by what was happening to him and looked forward to what Jesus had prepared for him.  His hope did not waver for the cross stood as a reminder to him of the life Jesus came to bring for us all.

What a great image and reminder for all of us…”cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown“.

Praise be to God, always and forever.

-edh-

I Love to Tell the Story

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
(ELW #661)

…that is Lyle’s song…and it speaks of his life.

I wrote about Lyle last week.  At that time he was living his last days.  On Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30pm, Lyle took his last breath and I had the honor of being there with various members of his family.  I have been at the bedside of other people as they died but this one was different.  As I said last week, Lyle was like a grandpa to Connie and I so to watch him die was not easy.  Lyle was also a great proclaimer of the faith.  He did this through his words but probably more loudly through how he lived.  The quote from St. Francis of Assisi was indeed true for Lyle:  “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.“

But I want to share one thing that happened that night; something I will never forget.  At around 7:3opm we knew that the time was close.  One of the kids turned off the light above Lyle’s bed and for the first time in a couple days, Lyle opened his eyes.  That was a powerful moment.  It was like he was taking one more look at us before he went to see Jesus and Gladys (his wife who died in Feb.) again.  A couple minutes later he breathed his last.  Of course their were tears, but it was different.  They were tears who came from people who had hope.  Then one of his daughters summed up what we were feeling…she said, “I feel so at peace.“

WHAM!

That was exactly it.  That is the peace that Jesus came to bring; a peace that surpasses all understanding.  It is a peace that we feel when a loved one dies (at least for those whose faith is in Jesus).  It is a peace that tells us not to be afraid.  It is a peace that allows us to say, “See you later.”  The peace that came with the Christ child at Christmas is the very same peace that filled Lyle’s hospital room on Dec. 11.

I am sad that Lyle is gone and I will miss him greatly, but I feel at peace.  Lyle is no longer suffering and Lyle is not gone forever.  He’s gone (physically) from this life, but not from our hearts and minds.  Lyle is not gone forever, but through Christ we will all be reunited again.

May the peace of God that surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And was we live in this peace, let’s join together in praising God always and forever.

“See you later, Lyle.“

-edh-

#1000

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Hear the bells, alarms and noise makers going off…

…see the confetti, streamers and balloons floating in the air…

…Diane over at Faith in Community has won the “award” for posting the 1000th comment on this blog.  WHOO HOO!

I want thank everyone who has stopped by, whether you have left a comment or not.  I have developed a lot of relationships with people through conversation on this blog…something I never dreamed would happened when I started writing back in 2006.

My focus has been giving glory to God and I pray that never changes.  God is good and God is good all the time.

Thank you again for your partnership in the gospel and I look forward to reading the next 1000 comments that come through here.  God bless.

-edh-

Tribute to Lyle

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I have a parishioner who is dying…

…that’s news that is nothing new to me.  I have had a number of parishioners die in the 4 1/2 years I have been here.  All of them are hard; being with families as they mourn…you can almost feel their pain and loss.  But this week I am being quickly reminded that the longer I am here the more difficult these times become.  And I think it is especially hard this time since my wife and I have become so close to Lyle.  I try not to play favorites but one can not help but develop closer relationships with certain people.  And with Lyle, he has become something of a grandpa to Connie and I.

Lyle is nearing the end with a long bought with cancer.  Last year his wife died and I know that has been extremely hard for him (and all of us).  These past few days I have spent a lot of time at the hospital with the family and with Lyle.  Yesterday we thought he was going to go home.  He was saying “Good bye everyone“.  The family huddle around him to say good bye then he said, “Pastor, pastor”  I said said, “I am right here Lyle“.  “Please tell Connie for me“.  Tears started streaming down my face.  That was Monday…

…today is Tuesday and Lyle is still with us.  Part of me is glad (the selfish side) because I get more time with him.  But another part of me is wishing he could/would go home, because he is dealing with some pain.  I am torn.  But what is getting me and the whole family through is that Lyle is so ready to go home.  His faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior is stronger than I have seen in anyone.  And knowing (and seeing that) it is easier for us to say “see you later“.

I can’t begin to name all the things Lyle has done for the church and others, but there is one thing I want to share; something I have and will continue to miss.  In most churches acolytes take care of lighting the candles up front…if not the kids then the ushers.  Here at Salem we don’t have many kids but I never had to think about the candles, because Lyle took it upon himself to see they were lit.  If my acolytes didn’t show up and another student walked in, Lyle would see to it they lit the candles.  But who every lit them you had better light them in the right order (yes…there is a correct order to light and extinguish the candles).  Lyle was never mean about it, but he would educate on the correct way.  These past couple months Lyle hasn’t been able to be at worship and I  haven’t gotten used to checking on the candles.  I am not sure if I ever will.

Lyle will be missed by many.  And I will be forever grateful for how he took Connie and me under his wing.  Lyle became a grandpa to us and just like any grandpa I wish I had more time with him.  But more than anything, I am eternally grateful to God who send his son to die for us that we may live.  And because of that I will see Lyle again and I look forward to introducing him to you someday.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

Christmas list

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Once again I am late in getting my Christmas lists off to the various members of my family.  For the most part Connie has it almost done on the computer but we just haven’t finished looking it over one last time.  As is the case every year, I feel little guilty sending it off.  And now with our economy officially in a recession I feel even more guilty.  Maybe people should just save their money or put it to more worthy causes.  Frankly…I would be happy if people bought a flock of chickens through Heifer International in my name.  At least that way someone else would benefit as I continue to be blessed here.  And I am indeed blessed…what more could I possibly want.  I have a loving wife…a great family…awesome friends…I live in a wonderful community serving a caring congregation…and I could go on.  God has blessed Connie and me and for that I am thankful.

But there is still that side of me that wants a couple DVD movies and some more music CDs. I would like some new shirts/sweaters and other things that only my wife and mom seem to now that I need (I don’t know how they do it every year…I guess they pay attention).

So Connie and I will email our list off to our family tonight (did you catch that mom…it’s coming tonight).  We will make suggestions on what we would like, but in the end Christmas is about spending time with family and friends; counting the blessings that we have already received and continue to receive from God through Jesus Christ. We will continue to buy presents for our family and friends and look forward to their expressions as they open their gifts.  But one thing I do ask and pray…and that is that we do not lose focus.  Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and thanking God for the life that came with him.

May God continue to richly bless you in every way as you live in the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-edh-

Priesthood of all believers

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

The priesthood of all believers is one of the basic tenants of the Lutheran faith; that we are all ministers; all preachers of the Word of God.  Some people just happen to be called and set apart for this ministry, but it doesn’t mean it is reserved for the clergy alone.

A week or so ago my wife started writing and emailing devotions to her co-workers (and I managed to get on her email list as well…surprise, surprise).  She has been more faithful in writing than I have been at blogging recently (I hope she keeps it up).  Each night she spends about an hour or so in devotions; searching scripture and writing what God places on her heart.  Her devotions are thought provoking and definitely come from God (I keep telling her she need to write a blog, but so far no luck).  Each morning I sign on to my email and there is her devotion for the morning…and she ministers to me.  She says that every once in a while a co-worker will tell her how thankful they are that she does this…but don’t worry…she never let’s those comments go to her head.  She feels so unworthy to be doing this but at the same time she feels that God is placing these devotions on her heart to share.

For me, Connie epitomizes the “priesthood of all believers”.  She saw an opportunity to share Christ at work and she is taking it.  She doesn’t do it for her glory but for Gods.  Allow me to share an excerpt from her devotions for this morning (I do have her permission to share this) that speaks to this very thing…being a minister where ever we are at:

Colossians 3:16-17
“16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Here again we are commanded to be thankful and give thanks to God.   Do you ever think about your job being an extension of the Lord Jesus?  He just told us it is in this verse.  You are showing Christ when you answer the phone, do some filing, deal with a difficult person, go to a meeting, or go out on a visit.  I remind myself constantly throughout the day that whomever I am dealing with is a child of God.  He created this person and I need to love them, no matter how difficult.  I am thankful for people who have differing personalities because if everyone was like me, we would have way too much chaos in this world!  With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, I want you to know that my thanks to God include my job and my co-workers.  I feel blessed to be able to share these devotions with you and know we are all focused on the same God everyday.

I am thankful for ministers such as Connie.  We all need to epitomize the phrase “the priesthood of all believers”.  It can’t simply be left up to the clergy.  Look for opportunities to talk about Christ.  Whether it is through an email devotion like Connie is doing or whether it is through how you respond to a “difficult person”.  Each and every person can be a minister/preacher in a variety and a number of ways.  Don’t miss your opportunity.  But what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God; giving thanks and praise to Him.

-edh-