Author: The Pastor

The point of no return

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

In the matter of hours I will be entering the point of no return…

…tomorrow…Friday, April 18 registration opens for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.  This is a goal I set for myself back in August and now tomorrow, it begins to become more and more of a reality.  And as I sit here I am feeling a little nervous about it because after I register…and I am officially in…there’s no turning back unless I want to throw away $95 (registration fee).  I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am.

I think part of my nervousness comes from the fact that I have had to deal with two separate running injuries this year.  Back in January I developed shin splints from building up my mileage too fast.  I had to rest about 2 weeks before starting over and slowly building my mileage base back up.  Then back at the beginning of March I suffered a pulled groin muscle.  And let me tell you…that was not fun at all.  This set me back about 3 three weeks (currently I am in my second week of running since recovering from that injury).  Now, in the back of my mind, I am wondering what is next.  I can’t afford any more set backs the closer I get to the race date (Sunday, Oct. 5).

But I still believe I can do this.  Some people think I am crazy, and maybe I am, but for some strange reason I have always wanted to be able to call myself a marathon runner.  No…I didn’t fall on my head or anything, but to be able to complete one of the ultimate tests of human endurance is something I want to achieve.  I know it is going to be difficult and there will be times when I will feel like quitting, but I think that will make achieving this goal all the more satisfying.

So when tomorrow morning rolls around, I will be on-line registering for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon (not that I am worried about chickening out if I wait)…crossing the point of no return.  But even though I am still a little nervous about hitting that registration button, I am also excited.  I’m excited because I will be one small step closer to completing a goal I have always wanted to complete. 

[And having the "point of no return" hanging over my head will definitely help with the motivation]

So…here I go…nerves and all.

-edh-

Amazing God

/ The Pastor

Two weeks in a row I have missed my Monday Morning Check-in post.  I still do plan to continue with Monday Morning Check-in but with Vicki still out of the office, my whole routine has been thrown into the air.

First an update:  I talked with Vicki today and she is still in the hospital.  There is still no word on when she will be coming home, so I’m on my own for bulletins this week again.  We are hoping that Vicki will be back to do the May newsletter, but we’re not holding our breath.  I am currently getting volunteers in place to help me with that task in case Vicki can’t.  So please continue to pray for Vicki.  This has been really hard on her.  She just wants to get better and get home.  It has been over a month and this is getting really old for her.  Her job will always be safe here (I keep assuring her of that since she keeps worrying about it), but we still miss her and look forward to having her home soon.

Now for the main reason I am writing today:  GOD IS AMAZING!!!

Last Thursday a 93 year old parishioner of mine had a "massive" (that was the doctor’s word…a word you never want to hear) heart attack.  He was placed on life support after receiving three stints.  When I was at the hospital on Friday, doctors did not give G much hope to survive this heart attack.  Part of me fully expected to be preparing for a funeral this week.

But yesterday (Tuesday) I found out all life support has been pulled and G was doing great.  I went to see him on Tuesday and he was sitting up in bed and conversing with me.  I gave him communion before PT came to pick him up.

WOW…GOD IS AMAZING AND AWESOME.  This man has survived a couple strokes in the last few years plus this heart attack…all the while living alone in his own apartment and still active; driving himself to where he needs to go.

Yet another example of how God’s time and plans are not always in line with ours.  We need to be patient and let God take care of things; for God is always faithful.

We have an AMAZING GOD!  AMEN!

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer – 04/13/08

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Greetings from a very cold and snowy Jackson, MN.  It is April and it is supposed to be "nice" outside, not cold and snowy.  This long, cold, dark winter keepings going on and on and on…(it is beginning to sound like the annoying Energizer bunny).

Anyway…

A quick prayer update before we pray together this morning:  My secretary, Vicki, is back in the hospital.  You may remember a while back I mentioned and asked for prayers for Vicki.  She began to feel sick before Palm Sunday, had her gall bladder out after Easter, was diagnosed with bronchitis after she got home and now is in the hospital with blood clots in both lungs and in her right leg.  When it rains it pours.  Right now Vicki is getting very frustrated and is wondering why this is all happening to her.  But in the next breath she does talk about God having a plan so she puts her faith in God.  But she would still like to feel better soon.  So if you could…say a little prayer for Vicki.  She definitely needs all she can get.

With that, let us join together as the Body of Christ for a word of prayer…

Gracious and loving God, in your abundant mercy you created us out of dust to love you and to be loved by you.  But when you created us you did not leave us to our own strength.  You did not desert us.  You did not turn your ears away from our cries.  Instead you sent your one and only Son to serve as our Shepherd in this life, so we may find our way back to you.  Thank you for loving and caring and providing for us as a shepherd does for his sheep.  Thank you for our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Rise Lord and Savior, Amen. (Biblical reference: John 10:1-21)

God bless you this day and always. Take care!

-edh-

My bookshelf

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

Bookshelf1_2 

Notice anything strange with my office bookshelf?  My dear friend, Kara, left me this nice surprise when I returned home from my week of continuing education 🙂

-edh-

Monday morning check in (on Wednesday)

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I can’t believe I made it to Wednesday before realizing I did not post my "Monday morning check in".  I guess I am not quite back into my routine yet.  Oh well…here it is anyway…

On Monday evening, Connie and I went to a presentation titled "Are we creating a culture of disrespect".  The speaker (I can’t remember his name off hand right now) was from The National Institute on Media and the Family (Please check out their website – www.mediawise.org – They have tons of great resources for parents and anyone who works and cares for children). Our speaker talked about media’s influence on our children; positive and negative (but mostly the negative).  Even though I was aware of the media’s negative impact on children I was still blown away by some of the facts.  He said that on average children spend about 1/2 hour per week with their fathers; 2 1/2 hours a week with their mothers and (now get this) 40+ hours per week on TV, non-school computer use and video games (that’s a full time job).  It really made Connie and me sad.  Then he showed a video of an experiment that was done 10 years ago and then again recently.  They video taped a group of daycare children watching an episode of Barney.  The children were calm and responsive to the show and afterward played peacefully together.  Then they watched an episode of Power Rangers.  The children got a lot more loud and active.  Afterward they got a little more violent with each as they played; mimicking the actions of their favorite Power Ranger.  Even some fights broke out.  Once again…very sad.  Now imagine what violent video games can do.

One of the driving reasons for media’s increased impact and influence is that we live in a culture where the question "Does it make money?" is asked.  It is no longer, "Is this safe for our children".  Obviously something needs to be done and it has to start in the home.  Parents who watched their children in the daycare experience were shocked and disappointed that their children would act that way after watching Power Rangers (or any show like that).  They simply had no clue.  Media makes a great babysitter so I would guess that makes it easier to turn the other way (I know this is easy for me to say…not being a parent and all).

There is a lot more to this presentation but I will let you get some more information yourself by visiting www.mediawise.org.  As a pastor I am considering how I can be a positive influence and what the Church can and should be doing to help parents and familes.  I think the Church needs to research this more and consider how it can get this message out to our families.  Children are at a critical stage of mental development and we can’t let media influence that development.  We need to take a stand.  And what is even more scary is the rate of technology growth and advancement.  Staying ahead is not going to be easy.

Anyway…that is my rant for now.  What do you think about media and our children?  What should we be doing as a Church or what are you currently doing?

Thanks for "listening" and have a very blessed day.  Take care.
-edh-

Sunday morning prayer – 04/06/08

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Ahhh…

…back into my routine again…and oh how I have missed that…really.

After a week of vacation and a week of continuing education I am finally back in the office.  It was nice to be away for a while, but it is also nice to be back again.  Especially considering my secretary is still out.  Almost 2 weeks ago Vicki had her gall bladder out and now she has bronchitis.  She is on a strict work restriction until at least April 14.  But at least she is sounding better.  So once again I will be flying solo this week.  Please keep remembering her in your prayers.

As for me…I am still enjoying the "wonderful" surprises my wife and friends left for me when I returned.  During the week, my wife with the help of some WONDERFUL friends completely remodeled a room Connie and I have wanted to do for quite some time.  They had many late nights scraping wall paper adhesive and painting.  Thank you, thank you…I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends.

But some of these "wonderful" friends left me some other surprises.  One of which was turning all my books around in my office…so all the binding are facing in.  Now I walk in my office and see and sea of white pages shining out from my bookshelf.  But in all honesty, I had that coming (too much to explain right now).

Anyway how…all in all…I feel very thankful this morning.

Now…let’s get back into OUR routine and pray together this morning.  Let us pray…

Merciful and Mighty God, the radical event of the cross brought drastic changes to this world.  Through Christ’s death and resurrection a new hope has been written into our stories with the promise that there is nothing in all of creation that will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In and through this resurrection our future reality is one where pain, sorrow and death are no more, for those things will pass away.  Teach us, affirm in us, proclaim to us, each and every day, this promise so we can sustain and endure through life’s trials and dark times.  Help us see this story and future hope so we may boldly proclaim this to others through word and deed.  Thank you God, for you unending love and mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Take care and God bless!
edh-

Secrets and small town life

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

Living in and doing ministry in a small town does have it’s share of disadvantages, but it definitely has its advantages. 

I was on vacation last week (out of the office but not out of town) and this week I am in St. Paul, MN.  Last night I found out something that I don’t think I was meant to find out…yet.  It was nothing bad about me (and I wish I could go into details with you, but I can’t right now).  All I can say is that it is something I wish I was told earlier, but something I will get over very quickly.

It just goes to show that it is hard to keep secrets in a small town (even if the person you’re "hiding" from is out of town).

-edh-

“Minnesota nice” might not be so nice

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

When someone is grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a dream, "Minnesota nice" does not come in handy.

That above phrase is just one of the many things I am taking away from my week of continuing education (and it is only Tuesday).  My class on Dying, Death and Continuing Care ended at noon today and now I am combing through my notes.  The instructor, Ted Bowman, came with about 40 years of experience and gave us so many valuable nuggets, that it will take me a while to process everything.  But one thing that does stick out is the above phrase and how I have conducted bereavement care.  I know there are many things I need to improve on.  I have been complimented many times on the funerals I have presided at and the care I gave up to the funeral, but its the continuing care after wards that I have sucked at (excuse my language).  I need to make some changes.  Grieving does not end after the funeral is done, but continues on for quite some time…months, even years.  I am not saying that I have ignored people, but I am wondering if I have tried to rush people through their grief.  I am wondering if my bad case of "Minnesota nice" has clouded the way I treat people.  "Minnesota nice" may be nice, but not when it comes to grieving.

One of my favorite questions is: "So…how are you doing?"  But I am not the only one infected with a bad case of "Minnesota nice", because often times the response I get is, "I’m hanging in there" or "I’m doing O.K." or "Not bad considering…".  So instead of asking the questions that "demand" a "Minnesota nice" answer, I need to probe some more; I need to give people permission to grieve.

Another continuing care idea that I am taking away from the week (and something I thinking about implementing when I get home) is to remember, announce, and lift up death anniversaries in worship.  I don’t want grieving people to think we (the church) have forgotten about them.  So on the one year anniversary of someone’s death (or close to it) a special prayer would be lifted up in worship for the family.  I have not completely worked this out yet on how this is going to happen, but want to do some kind of acknowledgment.   What do you do?  How do you remember death anniversaries?

Lastly…a resource I want to share with you all is a website we were given:  www.adec.org.  This is the Association for Death Education and Counseling.  There are a number of good resources here and I have only scratched the surface.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

I am so thankful I took this time for myself.  I know it is tough on my wife when I am gone for extended periods of time and I do miss her so as well.  But when I come back from weeks like this I feel so refreshed and energized.  I come back feeling stronger and happier.  So thank you to Salem and Belmont for allowing me to take these continuing education weeks.  And thank you to my loving and supportive wife (honey…I’ll be home be you know it).  I will be back to share more "valuable nuggets" with you as I comb through my notes more.  In the mean time, take care and God bless (and I am not just being "Minnesota nice"…I mean it).

-edh-