Devotion

God is not a repo man

/ The Pastor

I used to be a car dealer.  Back in 1997 I moved back home to work for my dad and learn the family business.  My dad owned and managed a Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge/Jeep dealership.  He started doing that in the early 80s and has a very good business with loyal customers (In 2004 my dad gave up the Chrysler franchise to focus on other ventures.  He now sells used cars and does some woodworking/cabinet building and still has a very good business).  My dad has an excellent reputation for honesty and kindness which largely contributes to his customer’s loyalty. 

Most people in my small hometown of Dawson, MN expected me at some time to return home to learn the business.  After all, that is what the older (and in my case, the only) son is supposed to do.  But two and a half years later I realized I sucked at selling cars (but that is another blog entry, so let’s move on).

While learning the business one of the jobs I disliked the most carried the title of "repo man".  You see…one of the things my dad would do is co-sign loans for people who bought cars from him.  Most people were honest so this was not a problem.  But every once in a while someone would take advantage of my dad’s kindness and generosity and default on the loan.  When that happened, I was sent to retrieve the vehicle.  I only went on three repo missions but they always made me nervous.  Who knows how people will react when you show up to take their vehicle back.  Luckily I never had any problems, but it still didn’t lessen my anxiety about repo missions.

Imagine if God had a repo man or worse yet, was a repo man himself as it pertains to the promises he gave to us <pause to reflect and ponder…but not too long> wouldn’t that be a scary thought?  But don’t worry, when you are baptized, God makes certain promises.  God essentially "co-signs the loan" and takes complete responsibility for any losses.  The promises that God makes are: forgiveness of sins, membership into the church and the body of Christ and eternal life.  God says "here you go…enjoy…why, because I love you".  But everyday we "default on the loan".  We sin.  We hurt God.  We fail to acknowledge God and the promises given to us.  We fail to help others.  We become selfish.  We don’t talk to God.  And I could go on, but I think you get the point. 

But here is the great thing about God…God is not a repo man.  God does not come to us and say, "You haven’t come to worship enough or read your Bible enough or prayed enough (…etc) so I am going to take back those promises I made to you".  God does not do that.  Instead, God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to this world to die and rise for our sins.  God seals his promises through the cross.  God is not a repo man but this does not give us free reign to continue to take advantage of God’s love for us.  What it does is assure us, even though we are sinful, we will always be wrapped in God’s loving arms; knowing our status in God’s family will never change.

So do your best to "repay God" not out of obligation, but out of thanks.  God is not a repo man and therefore the promises given to you in baptism are yours forever.  Praise be to God, always and forever.  Amen! -edh-

God’s not so secret society

/ The Pastor

I love freedom.  No…I am not talking about the country I live in (even though that is great).  I am talking about my latest acquisition.  Allow me to explain…

…About six and a half years ago I bought my first laptop computer.  I was in seminary and needed a computer.  Don’t ask me how I afforded it back then, but some how I managed.  Anyway, instead of being tied to my small closet of a dorm room or the eerie quietness of the library I was now free to write papers and do homework where ever I wanted (of course within reason…let’s not get too wild here).  I could go to Caribou, have coffee and write.  I could find a spot in a higher traffic area on campus such as the student center.  I was free.  It felt like I was part of a secret society whose members had computers that you could carry with you.  I looked sophisticated carrying that black over the shoulder bag that was obviously a laptop. I was loving it.  It was like I had everything I needed.  I was free.

But then something changed.  As the age of wireless technology was sweeping the world I found myself on the outside of this "secret society" looking in.  My laptop was big and heavy and obsolete, but more importantly…no wireless Internet.  This realization slapped me in the face when I was using my old laptop at a continuing education event recently. Someone approached me and asked if they could check their email quick.  With a very embarrassed look on my face I said that I didn’t have Internet access because my computer was too old.  It was like the person did not understand because after all…ALL computers are wireless.

Mourning the fact that I was no longer in the "secret society", I tried to convince myself that I was fine.  But as more and more people around me joined the "society" I found myself longing to be back in.  Then a couple weeks ago I was asked to lead a couple workshops.  Now I had the excuse I needed.  A new laptop would be needed to give a good presentation with Power Point.  After all, my presentation is on evangelism and outreach using web blogs.  So I needed a wireless laptop.

So today…at this very moment…I am typing this post on my new wireless laptop; sitting on my couch in the comfort of my living room…not my office.  I am free.  Once again I feel part of the "secret society"…at least until something new comes along to force me out.  But until then I am going to enjoy my new found status; my new found freedom.

<pause>

Now that I have confessed my sin of materialism to my God, allow me to continue as I make my point.

When we strive for meaning in this world through so called "secret societies" we will never find true happiness and meaning.  Something or someone will always come along to let us down.  We will always find ourselves on the outside looking in.  We live in a world of sin so we can never count on anything in this world.  But when we were baptized, we were made members of the ultimate society…one I hope you never keep secret.  When we were baptized we were made members of the Body of Christ.  This society (or family as I will call it now) is something that will never let us down.  When we were baptized we were sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. We never have to worry about something bigger and better coming along.  Besides…what can possibly be better than forgiveness that leads to salvation?  NOTHING!

Through baptism we are claimed and called. We are marked and sealed.  Through baptism we are made members.  So live with joy knowing that you are part of something special through the waters of baptism.  But more importantly, don’t keep this a secret.  Preach the Good News and share this story.  Every is welcome because everyone is a loved child of God.  Praise be to God always and forever…Amen! -edh-

Digging out

/ The Pastor

Our first big, knock down blizzard in quite a while is wrapping up.  In Jackson, MN we received about 12+ inches.  The winds are picking up now so today is still going to be a mess.  All roads in SW MN are shut down and just recently plows have been pulled from the roads (again). 

Last weekend we received about 6 inches with about 1/2 inch of ice before that.  Because of the dangerous conditions I was lead to cancel services along with most churches in the area.  But we still had worship.  Connie and I along with my custodian/sound guy/everything else guy came in and we still broadcasted on local cable access channel 6.  In all we had 10 people in worship last Sunday plus a number of people at home worshiping as well.  Thank God for technology.

To give you an idea of what we are dealing with, here are a couple pictures for you:

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Mother nature has a way of dictating her will; shutting down roads, closing schools and businesses, and even canceling worship services.  But the one thing it can not touch; the one thing it cannot separate us from is the love of God in Jesus Christ.  Even though we did not have an "official" worship service last Sunday, a number of people still worshiped.  That right there shows you the determination of people and the depth of faith.  No amount of snow is going to take away my right, privilege and duty to worship my God.  Mother nature can have her way in some areas of my life, but when it comes to God…he reigns supreme.

Praise be to God (and thanks for the snow)…Amen. -edh-

Lent…why bother

/ The Pastor

The season of Lent is here.  For many people the word "Lent" has very little meaning.  For some, if the word is said fast enough, is nothing more than something you pull out of your belly button (and in my case that is a lot…sorry I know that probably was too much information).  Anyway…

The church season of Lent starts with Ash Wednesday (this year…Feb. 21).  This day is a different date every year, thus creating confusion.  Why the change of date every year?  If you really want an in depth explanation go to Yahoo or Google and type in "The date of Easter" and you will get a series of websites talking about that.  But the short of it is this:  Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls on or after the vernal equinox <breathe> (confused yet…so am I, but hang in there).  The vernal equinox is the fixed dated of March 21.  So Easter can never be before March 22 or later than April 25.  Once this is figured out you count back 40 days (not including Sundays…because Sundays are considered days of celebration and not included in the days of Lent) and that will take you to a Wednesday which would be Ash Wednesday.  For example, if Easter falls on March 25 then Ash Wednesday would be Feb. 7.  But like I said, go to the Internet and you can learn a lot more than I can intelligently explain here.

But now that we have dealt with the "housekeeping" of Lent and Easter, the next question is: WHY?  And that is a very good question.  Not all church traditions celebrate/recognize Lent.  Easter is universally celebrated in the Christian church, but Lent and Advent (we can talk about this when Christmas gets closer) are not.  Lent is universally accepted to be a time of preparation as we recognize our sinfulness.  After what is called The Fall (when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden) sin entered the world.  From that time on we have separated ourselves from God through sinful activity that comes through thought, word and deed.  No one can claim to be without sin (except for Jesus Christ…more on Him later). 

In the first few centuries Lent was a time of baptismal preparation where people were prepared for baptism at the Virgil of Easter (Saturday before Easter).  Today Lent is a time of discipline, penitence (a state of being sorrowful or regretful of our sins) and preparation.  Many people give something up or fast (not eat for a period of time) for Lent.  Me personally, I have given up snacking between supper and breakfast (something that is very difficult for me).  This giving up of something is not a "requirement" (at least not in the Lutheran church) but a helpful practice in discipline.

Lent begins the final stretch run with Palm Sunday (the week before Easter).  Palm Sunday (the triumphal of Jesus into Jerusalem — see the Gospels for more information) is the first day of what is called Holy Week.  Thursday we gather for worship on what is called Maundy Thursday(which means commandment).  This is where Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and gave a new command to "love one another as I have loved you" (Jesus words).  Good Friday is a worship time where we recognize Jesus’ crucifixion.  And then the grand finale…EASTER…THE EMPTY TOMB…THE RESURRECTION…NEW LIFE FOR US ALL.  The grandest finale of all.  God’s saving gift for all of creation.

So what am I trying to say?  Basically this:  Enjoy this church season.  Prepare your hearts.  Admit your sinfulness.  And know that the greatest gift of all has been given to us…Jesus Christ our Lord and Risen Savior.  Easter is for you.  Easter is for everyone.  After all that God has done for us, the least we can do is take some time to be transformed through discipline, prayer and worship.

We have messed up…But God lifts us up through Jesus Christ.  Praise be to God…always and forever.  Amen! -edh-

Tough weekend–reminder of hope

/ The Pastor

Last weekend (Feb. 10-11) was a tough weekend for me and my wife (and especially for some friends of mine).  On Saturday I was coming home from a Shetek Lutheran Ministries board retreat at the camp.  While en route I got a call that a good friend of mine, Rev. Steve Mehl, from Lakefield, was being brought to the hospital via ambulance because of chest pains.  Those final 35 miles to Jackson were some of the longest of my life.  Steve was later airlifted to Sioux Valley Hospital via fixed wing.  He had a stint put in his heart and another is needed in a couple weeks.  Steve is now home resting, but it still was quite a scare.

On Sunday night, Connie and I got a call that Carol died.  She is the mom of our good and close friend Dan (a pastor at the other ELCA church in town).  We knew she had been struggling with health problems as of late, but we did not expect this.  Connie and I were left wondering who is next and will this weekend ever end.

The visitation for Dan’s mom was last night, so Connie and I made the 30 mile trip to Milford, IA to be with our friends.  I look at Dan and wonder how I would respond it were me mourning the loss of my mom (or dad).  When I think about that tears immediately begin to well up in my eyes.  So I quickly shake my head to rid myself of such thoughts.  But I know someday I will be there.

But what gave me great comfort was talking to Dan the day after his mom died.  He was in good spirits and talking about his faith.  He knew God was in control and that he knows exactly where his mom is and "that is a happy thing" he said.  What’s getting Dan through this tough time is his faith and hope in the resurrection.  Jesus died and rose from the grave FOR YOU and FOR ME.  Because of this great love, we have the promise of eternal life in Him.  We can be comforted in times of distress and can have great hope in the face of death.  Death no longer has the last word.

"And thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57)

I thank my God that Steve is home and doing well.  I thank my God that Dan and Kara are being comforted with the hope of the resurrection.  And I thank my God for the victory won through Jesus Christ.  Don’t go through life without knowing Jesus, because I can’t imagine what life would be like without Jesus.  I can’t imagine what life would be like dealing with a near heart attack or the loss of a parent without Jesus.  Know Jesus and know and know a love beyond imagination.  Don’t try this life alone, because alone we will never survive.

Thanks be to God…always and forever. Amen! -edh-

Painting

/ The Pastor

After long last we finally painted our dining room.  My wife has been after me for a few months to begin this project, but I was never in the mood.  I am not sure what happened last Monday, but apparently I was in the mood to paint.  That mood quickly wore off as the week went on, but I couldn’t quit in the middle.  But four coats later we have a "new" dinning room and it looks great.

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The color is called "burning bush red".  We figured that the parsonage needed to have burning bush red in it somewhere.  Before the room was a cream color (as is the rest of the house minus the kitchen).  The red totally changes the room.  Now I need to rest before Connie figures out what she wants to do with the living room.

After we were done painting, I was made painfully aware that no matter how much preparation you go through to prevent imperfections you are still going to have them.  I taped all the wood work making certain that everything was covered.  I bought some heavy duty plastic to protect the carpet.  I bought some nice paint brushes; big and small.  Connie and I covered all the bases.  Nothing was going to get paint on it if it wasn’t supposed to.

After we finished I peeled the tape off only to discover that I could have done a better job taping.  But what we also discovered was that when the people before us painted, they did an even worse job taping (if they even taped at all).  Now all the white paint they got on the wood work showed up like a sore thumb against the red walls.  Our careful preparation seemed all for not (at least we prevented any paint from getting on the carpet).  Now I was forced to paint some of the white on the wood work to cover up those imperfections.  But they are still there (if you are looking for them).  No matter how hard I try, I will never get rid of those imperfections.  No amount of furniture or decorating will make the room look perfect.

As Christians we try to do the same thing.  We think we can cover up our imperfections through good works or keeping busy at church or putting on a pietist front.  We think if we "decorate" ourselves enough, no one will see the sin or the bad habits or improper behavior in our lives.  Maybe we can fool others, but not God.

Enter Jesus Christ…

…When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, breaking death’s hold on us, Jesus got to work cleaning up our imperfections.  He took a wide, beautiful, artisitic brush stroke across our lives and wiped away all those imperfections.  He cleaned up the mess we left behind.  Now in God’s eyes, we are made right and holy.  In God’s eyes we are worthy to stand in his presence.  But we will still mess up God’s creation.  We will tinker with what Jesus has done and will need to be "touched up" again.  Through confession, Jesus takes another brush stroke across our lives and we are made perfect again.  But we need to continue to go to Jesus instead of trying to handle things ourselves.  No matter how much we try to hide our sin, it will always stick out like white paint against a red wall in God’s eyes.  Only forgiveness through Jesus Christ will work.

Take joy in who you are…imperfections and all and know you are loved by an awesome God.  We know this because God went to great lengths to clean up our mess; he went to the cross.  So let Jesus do the touch up work and bask in the glow of His love you.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Don’t treat people like crap

/ The Pastor

I have these two friends who are being treated like crap.

My two friends (I will call them Bill and Jane) are being treated this way by their church; and worse yet, by people they never thought would turn on them.  It frustrates me.  I know we live in a cruel world where people do mean things, but one would think the church would be a safe haven.  I know that sounds very idealistic, but a place that proclaims the love of God should be a safe place.  And I refuse to let go of that utopia.  Maybe that is why it hurts so bad when your fellow "Christians" turn on you.  I want to believe I can trust my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  At Salem I feel I can do this; I am treated very well, but Bill and Jane do not have this same security at their church.

I so desperately want to do something, but not being a member at Bill and Jane’s church gives me very little voice.  Part of me wants to reach out and ring someone’s neck.  Part of me wants to lash out and strike back, but that would not be a Christian response.  Then I talked with Bill and he feels the same way.  Lashing out is NOT the correct response.  He is hurt, but striking back will only fuel the fire, but more importantly, striking back would not show the love of God.  And you know…I was taught something.  The sin in me was placed in front of my eyes.  I am not sure how I would respond if placed in Bill and Jane’s shoes, but I know how I should respond…I just need to look at Bill and Jane.

And I am not only upset because Bill and Jane are close friends, but that people in the body of Christ would act this way (there I go again…my idealistic world shining forth).  Where is the grace?  Where is the forgiveness?  Where is the love of God?  I want to ask all these questions, but I find myself on the outside looking in knowing that me getting too involved would only make matters worse.  So I guess the only thing left for me to do is to be a friend to Bill and Jane and let them know how much they are loved.  Hopefully that will give them strength.  Hopefully God will give them the wisdom to endure.  Hopefully God will use this situation to His glory.

I am a pastor and I should know better.  I should know people will do hurtful things (even within the church).  But I refuse to let go of my utopia world where people are kind and treat each other as Christ would want to be treated.  And I know I will feel hurt and let down when these expectations are not met, but I am willing to live with that; for I know my utopia world will be coming because of Jesus Christ.  In the mean time, hang in there, Bill and Jane.  Know that you are loved by Connie and I.  But more importantly, know that you are loved by an awesome God.

SO TO EVERYONE OUT THERE:  Treat each other with respect; in the way Christ would want to be treated.  Be mature and intelligent in your dealings with people (don’t be childish).  Show patience and understanding.  Have an open mind to new ideas.  Don’t take pot shots.  And if you have something to say, say it and don’t hide behind anonymity.  Be a light in this dark world and show how much God loves each of us.  Proclaim the Good News, but more importantly, LIVE IT.

AND LASTLY:  Be a little "Christ" to someone; and don’t treat people like crap. 

Praise be to God always and forever.  Amen! -EDH-

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-

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-

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-