Author: The Pastor

Perfection

/ The Pastor

I like to play golf.  I am not all that great (at least in my eyes), but I like to play.  I also like to watch golf (no it is not as boring as it sounds).  You see…there is just something about watching those guys hit those shots that makes me feel that "I can do that."  Yea…right!  Not in a million years.  Then I watch these players tee it up against Tiger Woods and I wonder what that is like.  How would I fare?  Well…there really is no question about that.  And there really is no question about how other pros fare as well.  You see…one of Tiger’s routines is to wear red on Sunday (the final round of a tournament) when he is in the hunt.  In a way, it is a ploy to mess with the other golfers.  And the things is, Tiger can be that cocky and confident.  After all he has won 7 straight PGA Tour events.  He is chasing Jack Nickolas for the most major victories.  When Tiger is playing on Sunday while on the leader board, he generally wins.  So I wonder…what is it like for a player to walk onto that tee box and see Tiger there…wearing red.  They speak a good game like "Tiger can be beaten" but behind those words they are thinking, "Oh crap, he we go again."

I like to play tennis.  I have only played a handful of times and I am definitely a worse tennis player than golfer.  But I like to play.  I also like to watch tennis.  There is something about watching those guys hit those shots that makes me feel very inferior (which I am o.k. with).  Then I wonder…what is it like for players to walk onto the tennis court and look across at their opponent…Roger Federer.  Roger has won 10 grand slam events.  He has won 36 straight matches and has been number one for something like 156 straight weeks.  How do you get ready to play the best player in the world…knowing somewhere in you head that you are more than likely going to lose.  Basically you are done before you start.

I am a pastor.  I like being a pastor.  Am I good at it?  It all depends on how you define "good".  I feel I am doing the job that God called me to.  I know I am not perfect; that I make my share of mistakes.  This past Sunday, for example, I forgot to mention in the prayers two families that lost loved ones.  Two parishioners told me about these losses on Saturday, but I did not write them down and subsequently I forgot on Sunday.  One parishioner is O.K. but the other one is very angry with me.  I make mistakes.  I am not perfect.

But then I wonder how one does a job like mine seeing the expectations of perfection staring you in the face.  Maybe you know what I am saying.  Maybe you have those same expectations haunting you.  Sometimes I feel I can’t make mistakes.  But for me, I relate better to someone who does make mistakes.  If I had a pastor who never made mistakes I would feel so intimidated by them that I would hardly ever approach them; afraid of being judged.  So I "stare across the court" looking at my opponent…perfection…wondering how I will fare.  I admit it…I am overwhelmed and there is a BIG part of me that knows I will lose.  But maybe that is O.K.

In Tennis or Golf or any sport, attitude is everything.  You need to believe you are going to win.  If you think you are going to lose, then you will probably find a way to accomplish that feat.  Attitude is everything.  But in the BIG "game of life" if you feel you are going to win against "perfection" then you are in trouble because in the end you WILL lose.  It doesn’t mean we don’t strive for perfection, it means we should not get too down on ourselves when we fall short.  Jesus Christ was the only one who was perfect in EVERY way.  And he needed to be perfect to give us access to God and to salvation.  So take comfort that through Christ we are perfect in God’s eyes.  And that is the only thing that matters.

I am O.K. with being flawed.  I will try to learn from my mistakes and avoid them in the future, but I won’t let my opponent…perfection…defeat me through submitting to expectations.  So I guess people are going to just have to accept this fact.  I will strive for perfection; I will strive to be the best I can be, but I know I am not perfect and I never will be perfect.  The only perfection I will know is through Jesus Christ who died and rose FOR ME and FOR YOU.  So forget about Tiger; forget about Roger and be the person God created you to be.  That is all you can do.  Tee it up and take your best shot, but God loves you no matter what.  Praise be to God and Amen.  -EDH-

Morning prayer – 1/21/07

/ The Pastor

God of every age and time…

Just as you revealed your glory at the wedding in Cana and as you shined your light to the people in Galilee, reveal yourself to us today.  Help us see in scripture the Good News of life and salvation.  Help us to see the path to follow.  Help us to understand what it means to be your disciples.  We give you thanks because we know that you will never let darkness overcome us; for Jesus is the Light of the world and darkness will never overcome that light.  Shine in us now that we may be examples and lights to this dark world.  Don’t let us be fooled by the artificial light we that we at times take comfort in; for that light will go out, but Jesus never will.  Thank you for your never failing love in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. -EDH-

Check your hearing

/ The Pastor

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  And he (Jesus) rolled up the scroll (of Isaiah), gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.  The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  Then he began to say to them, Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:18-21)  If you are reading this, then "…this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (reading)" 

Praised be to God.  God has shined a light in this dark world in Jesus Christ.  The Good News of life and salvation has been preached to us.  Jesus has released us from the captivity of death.  Jesus has restored our "sight" so that we may know the true way to God.  And Jesus has set us free from the power of the Law and sin.  If you did not hear this then check your hearing.  Jesus Christ is FOR YOU!  Amen!  -EDH-

A Sunday morning prayer – 1/14/07

/ The Pastor

Let us pray together:

God of all creation, you have promised to hear our cries.  You have promised to always come for us.  You have promised to love us.  Hear us now as we call out to you.  Hear us now as we open our hearts to you.  Hear us now as we thank you for intervening on our behalf through Jesus Christ.  Teach us to be patient as we wait for the glorious return of Your dear Son, and strengthen our resolve as we endure the pains and sufferings that this world throws at us.  Thank you for the gift of life you have given us through baptism; the very gift that gives us hope in this world.  May your name be praised always and forever. Amen!

God bless you this day and may you always know the love of God that is indeed surrounding you like pea soup fog.  Take comfort in the fact that you are never alone.  Take care.  -EDH-

Call out to God

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I just heard one of the cutest stories I have heard in a long time.

I was talking with my sister today and she was telling me something Meara (her daughter/my niece) said.  When Meara gets into trouble she has a tendency to call out someone’s name hoping they will come and help her.  If she is being scolded she might call out, "Grandma!" or somebody else she happens to be thinking about.  But that is not the cute part.

Julie went on to tell me that every night, when Andy and her put Meara to bed, they say their prayers together.  They remind Meara that they love her and that God loves her too.  Well…just the other day Meara was being a little pill.  She was not getting dressed like she was supposed to so Julie threatened to take away the Play Dough she just bought her.  Apparently Meara viewed it an idle threat so the Play Dough went on top of the cabinet.  A couple minutes later Meara came running out into the living room screaming and saying, "God!…God!".  Hoping that somehow God would intervene on her behalf return her Play Dough.

A two and a half year old turned to a loving God during a difficult time.  We can learn a lot from this young child of God.  But don’t forget to also call out to God in times of great joy.  God may not reach down and "return your Play Dough", but God is listening and loving you.  When we call out to God, God reminds us of how much he loves us.  When we call out to God we include God in our lives and submit to God’s all knowing wisdom.  When we call out to God we are calling out to a God who always has time for us.

Meara may not have understood what she was doing, but it is very obvious that Meara understands that God loves her…and God loves you too.  Call out to God and trust that God will hear you and provide you with everything you need.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

God does not fade away

/ The Pastor

I am depressed.

About a week ago I was enjoying a good ole fashion Minnesota snow storm.  Granted…compared to some of Minnesota’s more famous snowstorms, the one last week pales in comparison, but at least we got snow.  Now I look out my office window and I see more grass than snow.  Oh how fast things change. 

Sad…depressing.

Why do things have to fade so fast?  I think back to some friendships I had in high school; to relationships I had when I lived in Dawson in the late 90s; and friendships from college and seminary.  Today I have lost touch with a lot of people.  Friendships have changed and faded away.  I have made new friends now, but I still long for the past; I still long to re-connect with people.

Now I am beginning to re-connect with some of those past relationships through means like, MySpace and Facebook.  I know things will never be the same again.  I know that I can not turn back the clock and go back to the good ole days.  Time moves on.  Life situations change.  People grow and evolve and we have to change with the times.  I know all of that and change is good.  I just wish I was better at maintianing connections. 

But as I sit here reflecting on past relationships and how some relationships have faded out of site, I am quickly reminded of one relationship that will never let me go.  I may change with the times, but God will always keep up.  God will never lose touch with me.  God will never let me go.  We may lose touch with God, but re-connecting has never been easier.  God is simple prayer away.  And you will be amazed at how easy it is to connect or re-connect with the Author of all life…your best friend.

Take some time today to re-connect with God.  Whether it has been 20 years or 20 minutes since you have talked to God, give Him a call.  God is always waiting for you.  God is always loving you.  God is always there…no matter what.  God will never fade away.

I am not so sad and depressed anymore.  I do wish we had more snow.  I do wish I could re-connect with more past relationships and I am trying.  But I have God and I know God loves me (and God loves you too).  And that is one connection that will NEVER fade! Thanks be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Happy New Year!!!

/ The Pastor

Happy New Year!  It has been a while since I have stopped by my own blog, but here I am.  Since Christmas I have been on vacation and have been a total bum.  Actually, I haven’t been a total bum.  My vacation consisted of some church related stuff and a lot of running around.  Last Wednesday I had a Celebration of New Life service (for those of you who do not read my blog regularly…a funeral).  I also have a parishioner who will be dying any day now, so I have made a number of visits to him.  Please keep Larye and his family in your prayers.

Last Friday my nephew, Michael, turned one.  We had a birthday party for him in Sioux Falls at his grandparent’s home.  I had to laugh because we got Michael his own personal cake to dive into.  As he was digging in with both hands, grandma (Connie’s mom), was having a fit and kept cleaning off his hands: "He doesn’t like dirty hands".  Come on…give me a break.  What kid does not like to get dirty?  After grandma finished spoiling Michael’s fun, he opened his presents.  Of course he did not really understand what was going on.  But wait until next year…

Connie and I came home on Saturday and hung around.  Every time the phone rang my heart would jump wondering if I was getting the call that Larye had died or was dying.  As of today he is still alive, but for how long…only God knows.  As for New Years; it was uneventful.  Connie and I managed to stay up until midnight and that was it.

Early this morning (just after midnight) the phone rang.  When the phone rings that late it is hardly ever good news.  Sure enough, a parishioner was being rushed to the hospital.  I got up there before the ambulance and family and finally got home around 2am when the helicopter flew him to Sioux Falls.  He died this morning at 5:30am.

Now it is 8:30am Wednesday morning.  It feels like Tuesday since Monday was a holiday.  It feels like I have more time to prepare for worship this weekend, but I don’t.  Now I have a Celebration of New Life service to plan and possibly one more before the week is out.  I hope the beginning to this new year is not a sign of things to come in 2007.  Who knows…only God does.

In the end all we can do is leave everything in God’s hands.  I had planned a restful week of vacation, but that did not happen.  Am I bitter?  No.  People needed me so I was there.  I will get my time off.  Will I up and leave if this week is a foretaste of the year to come?  No…because this is what God has called me to do.

God is in charge!

If we think we have it figured out then we are sorely mistaken.  Last night Doris knew she was not alone.  She knew God had everything under control.  Doris did not plan to make a midnight run to the hospital (who does plan that?) but in the end, God’s grace and love reigns supreme.  Doris knows that.  Do you?

Busy?  Yes I am.  But I know God goes with me and will not give me more than I can handle.  Please pray for Doris and her family on their loss.  Please pray for Larye and his family as he approaches his last days.  Please pray for me as I live out God’s call.  Please pray for yourself as God works through your life.  God is in control.  Never forget that.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Feelings I won’t describe

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I recently lead a group of parishioners to a place called The Banquet.  The Banquet is a non-profit feeding ministry in Sioux Falls that relies solely on volunteer help and funding from outside sources (nothing from government entities).  Many groups are church groups (like ours).  Some are companies and civic organizations.  With the homeless population so high along with the number of people living in poverty, The Banquet is a welcomed site for many who call Sioux Falls home.

For Salem and Belmont Lutheran Churches (where I serve) and Betheny Lutheran Church, this was our third year making the 90 mile trip to serve supper to nearly 400 people (a quarter of which are children).  Duties include:  greeting the the guests, helping carry trays for parents and guests with disabilities, serving food, washing dishes, pouring coffee/milk/water, wiping down tables, etc.  It takes about 35 – 40 people to pull an evening off like this.

My job this year (as it has been for the last couple years) was carrying trays for guests who needed assistance.  When I wasn’t carrying trays I would turn to look out at the dining room.  What I saw gave me goosebumps and feelings that are hard to describe.  So I won’t try to describe them.  Any attempt would ruin the moment.  Rather let me say this:  Week in and week out I see these parishioners in worship.  I preach the gospel to them.  I see them downtown having coffee.  I encounter them at the grocery store.  All is fine in our little world of Jackson.  There is food on our tables and clothes on our backs.  And our biggest worry is wondering what we’re going to have for supper.  But at The Banquet I saw these same people in a different light; many outside their comfort zones.  They were serving those who have different worries than us like: "Where is our next meal going to come from?"; "Where will I sleep tonight?"; "How will I keep my children warm?"  It is hard for me to imagine having worries like that. 

Sitting in front of a compter scene in a warm comfortable office has a tendency to blur reality.  But for a couples hours that night at The Banquet I saw reality.  I saw a world that we too often turn a blind eye to.  That night at The Banquet I experienced feelings that I won’t describe to you.  I watched children of God serving other children of God.  They were providing for needs and showing love through their actions.  I watched people who could have stayed home in their comfortable easy chairs.  I saw people humbling themselves through pouring coffee or picking up after guests.  I watched people leave their comfort zones to listen to a guest who just needed someone to listen.  And as I watched all of this I experienced those feelings that I won’t describe to you and wondered how I could have possibly been so selfish.  Maybe you can relate to what I am talking about.

Why do I write about this?  I think it is because I don’t want to forget what that night felt like.  I don’t want to forget that their are people out there that worry about things I take for granted.  I don’t want to forget that there are people who don’t have it as easy as I do.  I want to remember.

I think we can only experience feelings we won’t describe when we leave our comfort zones.  Because outside our comfort zones the Holy Spirit smacks us in the face with the reality of creation.  Outside our comfort zones we truly experience life.  And when we experience these feelings in that chaos out there, words have a tendency to ruin things.  So that is way I am so vague today.  That is why I am being so "secretive".  It’s not to hide anything, but to move you to action.

Believe me, I really want to describe those feelings I won’t describe to you.  I want you to experience what I experienced.  I want you to feel what I felt that night.  But words are not the answer (sounds ironic, especially when I keep rambling on and on).  Do you want to experience those feelings that I won’t describe to you; ones that come only through the Holy Spirit?  Well…then leave your comfort zones.  It is that easy.  The people who truly need your help cannot be found in your recliner while you eat a warm pizza while watching football.  Instead go out and serve at a soup kitchen, volunteer at your local food shelf, visit some shut-ins or wherever the Holy Spirit leads you.  Encounter people in need and reach out to them.  And while doing so…experience those feelings I won’t describe to you.  That is the essense of giving yourself to someone in need.

So if you are ever in the Sioux Falls area, stop by The Banquet (8th Street and Indiana) and see if they need a hand.  I promise you…you won’t regret it.  -EDH-

The “Christian” tree

/ The Pastor

"Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born TO YOU; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10 and 11)

That was the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds that first Christmas night.  It’s a proclamation of what Christmas is truly about.  It’s a proclamation we need to hear on a daily basis, because we too easily get distracted and turn to secular reasons for the season.  But if you will indulge me for a brief moment; allow me to give you an easy daily reminder for why we celebrate this time of the year.

There is a story that Martin Luther, the great 16th century reformer, was walking along a road one evening when he noticed the star light shining through the evergreen trees.  He was taken captive by such a beautiful sight and wanted to preserve it.  So he cut down a small evergreen and placed it in his home. Next, he fashioned a small wooden candle holder and attached it to a branch; placed a candle in it and lit it.  He stood back to admire the sight and proceeded to put more candles in the tree.  This is believed to be the first lighted Christmas tree (can you imagine putting real candles in Christmas trees today).  But for Martin Luther, the evergreen was a reminder of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.  In the midst of winter when everything is dead, the evergreen stays alive and never fades; like God’s love for us.  The candle light represented the hope that Jesus brought to the world through his humble birth.  The evergreen is more than just a Christmas symbol, but a Christian symbol. 

So as you sit in your home gazing at your beautifully decorated and lit Christian tree, be reminded of the true reason of this season; God’s love for you and the hope we have through Jesus Christ.  This is indeed Good News for all people.  Merry Christmas and Amen! -EDH-

John Wayne

/ The Pastor

A parishioner of mine got this in the mail from a friend and I thought I would share it with you.  The author is unknown.

Most of you know John Wayne as an actor.  You may not know what happened to him before he died.  This is a true story.

Robert Schuler’s teen-aged daughter, Cindy, was in a motorcycle accident and had to have her leg amputated.  John Wayne was a big fan of Robert Schuler.  He heard Dr. Schuler say on one of his programs that his daughter had been in an accident and she had to have her leg amputated.  He wrote her a note saying,

"Dear Cindy, Sorry to hear about your accident.  Hope you will be alright.  Signed, John Wayne."

The note was delivered to her, and she decided she wanted to write him back.  She wrote, "Dear Mr. Wayne, I got your note.  Thanks for writing to me.  I like you very much.  I am going to be alright because Jesus is going to help me.  Mr. Wayne, do you know Jesus?  I sure hope you know Jesus, because I cannot imagine heaven being complete without John Wayne being there.  I hope, if you don’t know Jesus, that you will give your heart to Jesus right now.  See you in heaven!  Signed, Cindy"

She had just put that letter in an envelop and sealed it, and written across the front of it "John Wayne," when a visitor came into her room to see her.  He asked her what she was doing.  She replied, "I just wrote a letter to John Wayne, but I don’t know how to get it to him."

He said, "That’s funny.  I’m going to have dinner with him tonight at the Newport Club at Newport Beach.  Give it to me and I will give it to him."

She gave him the letter and he put it in his pocket. 

There were twelve of them sitting around the table for dinner.  They were laughing and cutting up when the guy happened to reach into his pocket and felt the letter.  He remembered John Wayne was seated at the end of the table.  He took the letter out and said, "Hey Duke, I was in Schuler’s daughter’s hospital room today and she wrote you a letter.  She wanted me to give it to you.  Here it is."

They passed it down to John Wayne and he opened it.  They kept laughing and cutting up and when someone happened to look down at him, he was crying.  One of them said, "Hey Duke, what is the matter?"

He said, "I want to read you this letter."  He read the letter.  Then he began to weep.  He folded it, put it in his pocket, pointed to the man who delivered it to him and said, "You go tell that little that little girl that right now, in this restaurant, right here, John Wayne gave his heart to Jesus Christ, and I will see her in heaven."

Three weeks later John Wayne died.  You never know how your witness to another will effect their eternity. Be a witness for Jesus.

In my coming blog entries I will be writing about my experience at the Western Iowa Synod School of Evangelism I attended in Oct.  I have made mention of this in previous entries, but I have not fully flushed this out.  Now I will.  I will have other blog entries mixed in that deal with Christmas so go the menu on the right hand side of your screen and click on the catagory heading "Evangelism" to easily find these evangelism entries.

"If the church is not about evangelism then it is not a church at all."  That is one of the many quotes from that weekend.  Please keep checking back and lets learn together how to be an evangelizing church.  There are people out there that need YOU.

God bless and Merry Christmas.  -EDH-