Devotion

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-

The warmth of Christmas

/ The Pastor

Yesterday was Holiday Fest in Jackson.  It is an annual celebration that ushers in the Christmas season.  I wish they would call it something different, but that’s another blog entry (see my other entries in the "Christmas" category)

At 4:30pm eight of us braved the cold weather and sang Christmas carols at the clock tower in downtown Jackson.  Various churches had signed up for half hour time slots.  The music was broadcast throughout downtown on the sound system.  Believe me…I help provide quantity…NOT quality.  But then again, if you are listening to a group a carolers and you are judging their quality, then you have a problem (at least as far as I am concerned).  I am just glad people showed up when they could have chosen the warmth of their homes.

During the late afternoon hours, various stores had open houses where they served soup, hot beverages and other Christmas goodies.  It was nice to walk into a store without someone bugging you with a sometimes overly enthusiastic, "Can I help you!"…"No thanks I am just looking."  Last night was about fellowship, not money.

At 5:30pm the Holiday Fest parade started.  Up to that point people were mingling on the street talking and trying to keep warm.  But when we saw the cop car with its lights on, silence ensued.  We all knew what was coming next…the color guard.  People stopped what they were doing; adult and child like to show respect for our nations flag.  The first float behind the color guard was one carrying a local soldier.  People waved and I heard shouts from the crowd, "Thanks for serving".  It gave me goosebumps to hear that support.

After the last float went by we rushed back inside to await the grand finale…the fireworks display.  That’s right…you read correctly…fireworks were on tap next.  I was standing in the entrance of the movie theater with some other Holiday Fest goers, trying to get warm again, wondering when the fireworks would start.  Just then we heard a loud BOOM!  I guess they were going.  All at once we rushed the whole one block to the river and saw a wonderful sight.  It was probably the best display I have seen in many years.  People cheered and car horns were honking.

Even though it was 10 degrees above zero; we forgot about how cold we were.  I shivered from time to time, but the Christmas cheer downtown last night was enough to keep me warm.  It is amazing what a does of Christmas cheer can do.  I firmly believe it could have been -10 degrees and people still would have come out to celebrate.

Jackson has it’s issues (like any other town) but for a few hours last night, none of that mattered.  I just wish I could bottle that Christmas cheer from last night and keep it for the next time people start bickering and arguing for stupid, trivial things.   We can co-exist in peace.  Last night was proof of that.

I guess it is true what they say, "Love is all we need".

Praise be to God and Merry Christmas. -EDH-

Advent

/ The Pastor

"The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate." (citation:  http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html).

For those of you not familiar with church seasons and holidays; Sunday, December 3 marks the first Sunday of Advent.  It is a season of anticipation of the coming/arrival of Jesus Christ (see above definition).  Advent is not just a day that marks the "appropriate" time to put up Christmas decorations, but it reminds us of God’s love for a fallen world.  God heard the cry of creation and came to us in Jesus Christ.  But Christmas is not only about the birth of Jesus, but the reason Jesus came into this world.  LOVE!  Jesus lived among us and went to the cross where he suffered and died.  But this is not the end of the story; Jesus rose from the grave and smashed to pieces death’s grip on our lives.  Jesus lives and reigns victorious and that victory is passed onto us.  This is the wonderful message of Christmas; love, life, and salvation.

Coming Dec. 1 is a movie I can hardly wait to see.  It is called "The Nativity Story"  (http://www.thenativitystory.com).  See this movie.  Don’t wait until it comes out on DVD, but see it now.  Experience the story and know it is for you.  Whether you are seeing and experiencing the story for the first time or not, the story of Jesus’ birth is one for the ages.  See it again and again and proclaim to the world the true meaning of Christmas; don’t let Satan win through commercialization.

Advent is here.  Christ has come.  Christ is coming again.  Praise the Lord and Amen. -EDH-

Finally here!!!

/ The Pastor

It felt great to pull out my Christmas CDs again.  The next step is to get out the Christmas decorations tonight (Sunday) and "go to town".  There is nothing quite like Christmas:  lights, decorating, great music and of course the most important thing of all…the celebration of the Christ child.

As you get yourself ready for this great season; as you put up your Christmas tree and lights; remember why we do those things.  It is not because everyone else is doing it.  It is because God has given us a reason to celebrate and be joyful.  With Jesus, we might as well "pack everything up and go home".  For without Christ there is no hope.  Without Christ there is no life.  Without Christ…well…you get the picture.

We don’t celebrate Santa Claus this time of the year.  Santa is a fictional character.  We celebrate Jesus Christ and Jesus IS NOT a fictional character.  Jesus is our Lord and Savior; who gives us hope and life everlasting.  Don’t worship a fat guy in a red suit, but worship our God; the Father almighty.  Have a very merry Christmas and God bless. -EDH-

Merry Christmas

/ The Pastor

I know, I know…It is not Christmas yet.  It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  But if you go to stores like Wal-Mart, you will see their Christmas stuff up already.  Many big department stores are also getting their displays up and starting the huge holiday push.  For the retail industry, the Christmas season can’t come soon enough.  It seems they are in the Christmas spirit earlier and earlier every year.  I’ll get there, but get me through Thanksgiving first; then I will show you a Christmas spirit that is not tied to sales receipts.

But then this morning I started to have some hope for the retail industry.  The Today Show had a story about Wal-Mart bringing back "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".  I started to have more respect for Wal-Mart, if only for a few seconds.  But my respect for them was quickly brought back to reality as the story continued.

Apparently Wal-Mart (along with other retail outlets) received a lot of pressure, last year, from groups like the Catholic League about removing "Christmas" from the Christmas season.   People like me like to hear the greeting "Merry Christmas" but if you shopped at Wal-Mart last year, you probably did not hear that from an employee.  This year you will.

Has Wal-Mart and some other retail outlets finally seen the light?  Have they discovered the true meaning of Christmas?  No.  As the story continued Wal-Mart talked about a dip in the sales last year because of the boycott the Catholic League headed up.  So Wal-Mart as bowed to the pressure and has returned to saying "Merry Christmas".  I have no problem with this change.  But before you start thinking that Wal-Mart and others in the retail industry are having a change of heart, remember that for them it is about money and it always will be.  That will never change.

Thanksgiving is a week from Thursday.  As you prepare for Thanksgiving and get ready for the Christmas season, let me be one of the first to remind you to get ready in the right way.  Remember why we celebrate Christmas.  It is not about receiving something off you Christmas list you have always wanted.  Rather Christmas is about one thing and one thing only…Jesus Christ.  Don’t be fooled by clever advertising slogans to buy, buy and buy some more.  Don’t be taken in by the Christmas spirit unleashed by the likes of Wal-Mart and others.  Be taken in by the spirit of God.  Be taken in by the manger scene and know that that baby (Jesus Christ) is the reason for the season and nothing else.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving…and MERRY CHRISTMAS! (sorry…I couldn’t resist) Take care and God bless.  -EDH-

Election day

/ The Pastor

Today is Tuesday, November 7 and we all know what that means…it is election day.  Yup that’s right…and I am excited.  I am almost as giddy as a cat watching a truck overturn in its front yard spilling out pet mice, birds and fish.  There is a sense of relief washing over me similar to that of a pitcher watching his center fielder rob a potential game winning grand slam in the bottom of the 9th inning in game seven of the World Series.  There is a feeling of freedom washing over me comparable to a 10 year old running out the front doors of their school on the last day.  Election day is here and I am excited.  Can you you tell?

One of the things I am not going to miss is the increased number of phone calls.  You see…I used to have this sense of wonder at who might be calling when the phone rang.  Sometimes it’s church related business. Sometimes it’s Connie’s mom(so I let Connie deal with that call…thank God for caller ID).  Once in a while it’s a friend calling.  But these past few months the sense of wonder has disappeared and turned to annoyance; because more times than not, when the phone rings, it is a political call.

Now when the phone rings I always check the caller ID so I can mentally prepare myself for those two seconds before I push the "call" button on my phone.  When I see it is a political call I do one of three things; I either ignore the call and let the machine deal with it, I might answer the phone and promptly hang up again or I will answer and get a little feisty.  But these candidates are getting smart and having computers make these calls with recorded messages.  It is hard to be feisty with a machine.  They don’t seem to care.  This completely takes the wind out of my sails.

But now these calls are coming to an end.  I will be out of the house today until well after supper and by then the polls will be closing.  I might have a stray message on the machine, but those are easy to deal with.   

Other things are also coming to an end.  The annoying political ads on TV will be replaced with annoying commercials.  Our "decorated" landscape (of campaign signs) will slowly look naked again.  And the talk downtown at the coffee shop will return to the usual; the weather and the pathetic Vikings.

But as I look back at this latest season of campaigning the following words/phrases come to mind: mud slinging, negative, attacking, double talk, who to trust?, calculated/programmed responses, and <fill in your own word/phrase>.  I wonder…do these candidates actually think they can win votes through negative means?  Do they think you can scare people into voting for them by telling them how bad their opponent is?  Why can’t campaigning be about telling people good news?  Why can’t politicians do more than just tell people want they want to hear rather than what they need to hear?  I guess Jesus would’ve made a bad politician according to today’s standards.

And I am glad Jesus is a "bad" politician.  Jesus tells us what we NEED to hear; that we are sinners in need of a Savior.  We are lost sheep in need of a Shepherd.  We are powerless on our own.  We have no direction or life without Him.  Jesus tells us what we need to hear.  We may not like it, but then again, take a harder look at yourself.  What Jesus tells us is indeed true.  But also what Jesus tells us is life saving.  For if you "elect" Jesus as the Savior of your life, you won’t be taking a shot in the dark with some candidate, you will be putting your eternal life in Jesus’ hands. 

So looking back (and forward) to Jesus campaign (one that will never end) these are the words/phrases that come to mind: Eternal life, forgiveness, healing, love, compassion, family, welcoming, acceptance, tenderness, <this is fun isn’t>, gentleness, peace, and I could go on and on. 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end." (Revelation 21:6) This is a campaign slogan I can get on board with.  Jesus is THE Savior of the world.  There is no other viable candidate.  There is no other option.  Jesus is one we can trust.  Jesus is one we can live with (and will live with through faith).  Jesus is the One for us.  So get excited…Jesus reigns and he will reign forever.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Victory over death

/ The Pastor

I invite you to read John 11:32-44; the raising of Lazarus.  Jesus is not only Lord in our lives, but Jesus is Lord over death.  So thanks be to God who gives us victory over death through Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Savior.  Let us pray…

…Living God, I am constantly amazed at the signs of your glory all around us.  Just when I think I am dead and lost; without hope, you show up to bring me out of the grave and heal me.  You do not recoil in disgust from the stench of my sin.  But rather you unbind me through the community of saints; freeing me from my past, my pain and my sin.  Work through each of us to roll stones away to reveal your glory; the resurrection of you dear Son, Jesus Christ.  The One who gives us life.  Loving God, may your name be praised always and forever. Amen.

Live in victory for Jesus reigns!  God Bless!  -EDH-

Identity

/ The Pastor

"Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)…

…but be careful with what else you broadcast to the world.

It finally happened to me.  Someone stole my credit card information and made some fraudulent charges on my account.  Fortunately my credit card company was on the ball and called me that day because the charges were out of character for me.  The first charge was mine but the next two were not.  We immediately closed my account number and I am not responsible for any fraudulent charges.  As far as I know the rest of my identity is fine.  I have viewed my credit report and am taking all necessary precautions now to protect myself.  This is one part of my identity that I do not want the world to see.

The part of my identity that I do want to get out is my identity in Jesus Christ.  When we are baptized we are given a new identity – a child of God.  With this label we are claimed and marked with the cross of Christ forever.  No one can steal this identity from us, but hopefully they can see it and then relay it on to others.  Your "account" in Christ will never be canceled or closed.  It can not be overdrawn or be tagged with a late fee.  Your identity in Christ is one that is forever, one that is protected and for all to see.

So be careful with your credit and financial identity, but be reckless with your identity in Christ.  Broadcast it for all the world to see. 

"Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

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

Freedom

/ The Pastor

Sunday, Oct. 29 was Reformation Sunday.  The actual day of the Reformation is Oct. 31, 1517; the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of the Wittenberg Castle.  It was a day that set many people free.  On this day Luther introduced people to a God that they had never seen or heard of before; a God of love and grace, not a God of wrath. 

But to this day we too often take our freedom for granted.  We have the freedom to vote, but we either forget or just plain don’t exercise this freedom. We have the freedom of speech, but yet too many people remain silent in the face of injustice.  We have the freedom of religion, but too many people don’t stand up for their faith.  We have freedom in Christ, but yet we live loose and recklessly, forgetting about the love God showed us in Jesus Christ.  We live as if we were captive to sin.  We don’t come before God even though we are free to do so. 

The following is an excerpt from my sermon for Reformation Sunday 2006 (for the whole manuscript go to my sermon blog link after Oct. 30):

"Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the true, and the truth will make you free’" (John 8:31-32)

Let us pray:  Loving God, you gave us freedom through sending your Son, Jesus Christ to the cross.  But we have used that freedom to turn away from you, trusting in our own strength and wisdom.  Turn us back to you so we may see your unimaginable love.  Search for us as a shepherd searches for a lost sheep (Luke 15).  Welcome us back as the father welcomes the prodigal son(Luke 15).  Heal us so we may proclaim this freedom to all people; living for you alone.  Now may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, Oh Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, Amen!…

…"There is an old story that Abraham Lincoln went down to the slave block to buy a slave girl.  As she looked at the tall, white man bidding on her, she figured he was just another white man that was going to buy her and then abuse her.  He won the bid, and as he was walking away with his property, he said, ‘Young lady, you are free.’  She said, ‘What does that mean?’

‘It means you are free.’

‘Does that mean,’ she said, ‘that I can say whatever I want to say?’

Lincoln said, ‘Yes, my dear, you can say whatever you want to say.’

‘Does that mean I can be whatever I want to be?’

"He said, ‘Yes, you can be whatever you want to be.’

‘Does that mean I can go wherever I want to go?’

Lincoln said, ‘Yes, you can go wherever you want to go.’

The girl, with tears streaming down her face, said, ‘Then I will go with you.’ (Citation: Steve Brown, Preaching Today, #58)

That is my prayer for you; that you will go with God.  So go and enjoy a freedom like no other for "if the the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)  And you are free.  For Jesus paid the ultimate price for your life.  So where will you go?  Who will you go with?   What will you do with your freedom in Christ Jesus our Lord?  Praise be to God always and forever. Amen! -EDH-