Have you ever opened your refrigerator and noticed a container that you knew has been there a little too long?  Maybe you stood there looking at it trying to remember what is in there.  Then you tried to remember exactly how long that container has been in there.  Eventually you have to pull out the container and open it.  But just as you are about to open it you get a light whiff at the impending slap in the face.  So you stretch out your arms as far as they go and turn your face to the side.  You slowly open the lid and take a little peak; trying to protect your nose from the potential pungent oder.  Nothing yet…so you turn your face to get a better look and…WHAM-O…you smell the beast that has been living in your refrigerator.  Soemthing has gone bad.

I have come across people who feel the same way about church.  Maybe you can relate.  You stay away because you are afraid at what you will find when you open those doors.  Maybe you feel that because you have been outside "too long" you have grown into something nobody wants; thinking your presence will shock people and turn them away.

But who can blame you.  The church is just as guilty.  Many churches have turned into private clubs.  If you are gone too long, then the church "cleans out the refrigerator" and boots you off the roster.  If people are not "fresh" then they are not welcome.  That message is not preached or posted on the side outside, but it is often implied.  The unspoken message is that the church is a place for people who have not "gone bad"; for people who have it all together.

But "Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’" (Luke 5:31)

Did you catch that?  Did you hear who Jesus came to call?  Jesus came to call sinners to repentance.  All of us wreak of sin and deserve to be tossed out.  But Jesus came to forgive our sins so we would not be tossed out into the garbage.  No one can claim to be righteous.  Only Jesus can claim that.  So how can we claim to judge others?

But here is the Good News:  Even though we cannot claim to be righteous, we are made righteous and "saved by grace through faith" (Eph 2:8) in Jesus Christ.  Jesus does not clear out those who have "gone bad", but searches them out and welcomes them in.  Jesus heals each of us through forgiveness and welcomes us into the kingdom of God.

As a church, let’s not just pretend to be welcoming, but actually be welcoming.  As a child of God, don’t be afraid to open those doors.  No matter who is in side, God is the one with his arms open wide.  God is the one who loves you beyond measure.  God is the one who says to you, "You are my beloved child".  You have not "gone bad", but rather you have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ our living Lord and Savior.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

I did it.  I still can’t believe it but I did it.  What did I do…well…I created a MySpace site.  You can find the link to my site in the left side bar.  But don’t worry, this blog is still safe.  "The Heart of a Pastor"  will continue to be my main site where I will continue to post ponderings that God places on my heart.

So why did I create another website?  Well, I think it has to do with re-connecting and staying connected with people.  I am finding that more and more people are creating sites like MySpace to re-connect and stay connected to friends.  I recently attended a wedding of a good friend of mine where I was a groomsman.  During the weekend I found that a number of the guys I used to hang out with have these sites.  Now I am looking forward to re-connecting and staying connected with them.

That is what it is all about.  Re-connecting and staying connected.  It is amazing how fast we lose touch with people.  But now all I have to do is type in a name in the search window and if they are on MySpace…wham-o…we are re-connected.  I love it.  It is just that easy.

Have you lost touch with God?  Well, believe it or not it is even easier to get re-connected with God, because God never goes anywhere.  God is always right next to you, waiting for you.  The way we re-connect and stay connected to God is through prayer and regular Bible reading.  It is never too late.  You can never stay away long enough for God to forget about you.  You can never turn God away from you.  Re-connection to God is a simple prayer away.  Jesus Christ made sure of that by dying on the cross and rising from the grave all for you and me.

Get connected to God and share a "space" with God like no other.  God loves you!  Amen! -EDH-

Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

This is not a simple request made by Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t asking the disciples to do this if they had the time.  Jesus is not looking for volunteers.  Jesus was not saying ,"Go if you feel like it".  No.  Rather Jesus says, "GO".  This is an imperative; a command.  Jesus needs each of us to go and make disciples.

There are no qualifiers on this command.  It is not only directed towards clergy.  Jesus is not only speaking to "trained" individuals.  Jesus is not calling only people over a certain age.  This command of Jesus, called the Great Commission, is directed to all people regardless of your training, age or experience.  The Great Commission is directed to all people who have a story; it is directed towards you.

But before you say that you do not have a story.  Before you say that you are not qualified.  Before you say that you do not know how to "GO".  Let me say this:  You do have a story; that story is Jesus Christ dying on the cross and rising from the grave to forgive your sins and give you eternal life.  That is one heck of a story.  Qualifications?  Breathing and believing are the only qualifications I can think of.  If you believe that Jesus died for you and if you are alive to know this then Jesus needs you to share with others this fact.  Jesus needs you to share your story.

The Great Commission is about evangelism.  It is about doing what we were created to do.  God is in the business of loving people and all of creation and God needs you to see that this is communicated.  We are often times very eager to share good news such as a new baby in the family or something about a loved one, but why are we reluctant to share the best news of all; Jesus Christ? 

Go and make disciples knowing that you do not go alone, for Jesus says "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  You are called.  You are qualified.  You are loved and you are saved.  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Now "GO!" and tell the world around you.  Amen! -EDH-

I had an interesting thing happen to me on Wednesday night.  It was church council night and my council president had devotions.  He started out by talking about Psalm 118:8 which is the center of the Bible (Check it out…it is a great verse and very appropriately placed).  After Dave finished his thing about Psalm 118 he led us in prayer.  He told us that he stole this prayer from someplace so it was not his.  We bowed our heads and prayed with Dave as he read the prayer.  As I was listening to the prayer I was thinking to myself that the prayer was alright.  I liked it, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.  I didn’t notice any glaring theological inconsistencies (that is one thing about being a pastor; it is hard to listen to a sermon or a prayer without critiquing it).  After Dave was done he held up the piece of paper with the prayer on it and said he got it from a website called "The Heart of a Pastor"…<pause for affect>…that’s right, that was a prayer I wrote.  As I sat their with a stunned look on my face someone asked me if I knew that it was mine. I said no…I had no clue.  Everyone laughed along with me.  I am sure glad I gave myself a passing grade otherwise I might have to shut this website down and crawl into a cave.

I went home that night still thinking about my experience.  "Someone actually quoted me".  That does not happen everyday…or does it?  I think we all might be surprised at how many times we have been quoted during a day.  It makes me more aware of what I say.  I makes me more aware of what I want people to remember and repeat.  I don’t want people repeating things I say that are gossip, but rather words that give glory to God.  I want people remembering that I was kind and compassionate.  I want people repeating to their friends that God loves them.

"Be joyful always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

This seems like a daunting task but it really is not.  When we live like we are saved from this depraved world and from Satan’s control, we live a life that praises God without ceasing.  When we praise God without ceasing we act according to God’s will.  God wants people to see his love in this world through all we do and say.  When we say and do things that do not glorify God, people do not see God’s kingdom.  Don’t get me wrong here.  I am not praising myself.  I often times say and do stupid things. 

What I am saying is this:  As you speak to people keep in mind that they are listening and filing away what you say.  Are your words giving glory to God or are they tearing someone down?  How do you want people to remember you?  What do you want people to repeat to others?  How are you going to glorify God today?  Are you in constant communion  with God; thinking about how much God loves you.  When you do that, how can you not smile.

Being quoted is kind of fun, but it is even more exciting when it praises God.  Rejoice in all you do.  Remember God and give thanks for the promise of everlasting life.  Now that is something worth repeating.

Thank you, God for using my words last night.  I did nothing, but rather you did everything.  Help us see your love everyday so we may in turn show that love to the world around us.  Through your Son, Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen! 

Praise be to God…ALWAYS!!! -EDH-

I did some rearranging in my office this past weekend.  Connie was gone on Saturday so I needed something to do.  But with the size of my office, there are not a lot of options.  You see, I have a very small office.  I have seen broom closets bigger (maybe a slight exaggeration, but not by much).  So rearranging did not take long.

My former office arrangement wasted a lot of space.  Now my office looks so much bigger.  The biggest change was moving my desk parallel along the wall so I can look out my window.  Before it was lined up perpendicular to my window.  When I looked out my window I was looking at an angle directly at the south wall of my house.  Nothing to exciting.  Now I look out and I can see the school play ground and beyond to the main highway.  When the leaves fall I will be able to see the grocery story along the main road.  Basically, I can see more of the world.

It is amazing how a small change can affect your outlook on things.  For some people it takes a much bigger change.  But who knew?  My world looks so much different.  I walk into my office and I feel more free.  I could do jumping jacks in here without hurting myself (now that might be a bigger exaggeration because I am not as young as I used to be; but you get the point).  I sit down, grab my devotional book and read.  I then put my book down and pray; all the while looking out on the world.

We need to do more of that…praying while looking at the world.  There is so much going on out there.  As I watch the kids playing some how I start thinking about some of their families.  Some of those kids are from broken families.  Some of those kids are hurting.  Some of those kids are struggling.  I watch those kids as I pray and they seep into my prayers.  Hoping that I can somehow make a difference.  I see the main highway and wonder who is driving into and out of Jackson.  Where are they going?  What are they doing?  Are they visiting friends or family?  Maybe they are going to or from work.  Then I hear a siren and my heart skips a beat.  Is someone seriously hurt? I want to help but I don’t know how.  All of a sudden they seep into my prayers and I feel like I have done something; even though it doesn’t feel like much.

I stare out my window and I see trees; lots and lots of trees.  Being in a river valley that is not unusual.  I see these trees and my mind drifts to God’s creation.  I think about the major fire out in California right now.  I think about the men and women fighting the blaze.  Will they return home to their families today or will the fire claim them?  Will someone lose a home?  How many trees will be destroyed.  All of a sudden, it seeps into my prayers.  I find myself thinking and praying for someone thousands of miles away.  I feel I have done something even though I know nothing about fire fighting.

My window is a window onto God’s creation; big and small.  My window reminds me that the world is bigger than my small little office (which doesn’t take much).  It reminds me to reach beyond my little world with my prayers.  My window reminds me to not be afraid of what may seep into my prayers because it is God that is directing that seeping.  God is opening my heart to see beyond myself.  Will God intervene for creation without my prayer?  Sure God will.  So why bother?  I guess it is because prayer changes more than other people, but prayer changes me and prayer changes you.

Look out your window; think about others; dare to day dream; allow God to change your outlook on life.  It is a big world out there and it needs you to pray.  Thanks be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Did the title of this devotion catch your attention.  It sure caught mine when I came upon this quote in a book I am reading called Ask, Thank, Tell:  Improving Stewardship Ministry in Your Congregation by Charles Lane. The author told a story of when he was speaking at a retreat.  During his talk he referred to the gifts we have received from a loving God.  He did this because he wanted to be careful to emphasize that we live by God’s hand and not by our accomplishments.  After his talk, Harry Wendt, president of Crossways International, gave him a suggestion.  Here is what Charles writes, "In his gentle, direct way, Harry suggested that I should be careful about using the word gift.  He said that God doesn’t give gifts, at least not in the way we use the word ‘gift’.  He went on to point out that when we use the word ‘gift’ we imply that one person has given something to someone else, who then owns that item and is free to do with it as they please.  He concluded his observation by saying that this is not the way it is with God and us.  God continues to own everything."

Wow!  I haven’t looked at gifts and stewardship in that way before.  Everything I have belongs to God.  So when I am putting my tithe in the offering plate, I am simply returning to God what God has already given me; something that God owns already.  It is not an issue of me being generous with what I own, but giving back to God what already belongs to Him so others can be cared for.

This changes everything.  But I wish more people understood this concept of stewardship.  We think we are in control.  We think that we are responsible for our wealth.  We think we are our own providers.  But we are not.  God provides and we are stewards.  We are here to care for what God has given us in order to care for one another.  It is not about amassing wealth.  That is not the point at all.  Wealth is irrelevant.  God has given some people more so they can help more.  As Jesus says, to the one who has much, more is required of them.

What you have is not a gift (at least not in terms of how we use the word), but rather what you have is God’s.  So use it wisely.  You have what you have so others can benefit.  Don’t store up treasures for yourself here on this earth where moth and rust destroy.  That is not what God wants.

Give what you have and show people the love of God.  And don’t worry, about what you will eat or what you will wear; our gracious God will provide you with more.  Praise be to God and Amen. -EDH-

My wife’s "adopted" grandmother (Alpha) died on Sunday afternoon (9/3/06) at around 3:45pm.  You may be wondering why I said "adopted", well here is the story:

My wife’s family moved to Dawson (my hometown as well) in about 1972 (before Connie was born).  The house they were looking at was a nice two story home.  It had a finished basement with a couple bedrooms.  The second story contained a full apartment with an added bonus…a sweet lady by the name of Alpha.  That right there was worth the price of the home.  If you knew Alpha you would agree with me without hesitation.  She was priceless.

Connie’s parents bought the house; with Alpha in it and all.  And in no time flat, Alpha became an adopted member of the family.  She became the kid’s third grandmother and virtually their only babysitter.  Alpha loved the family and they loved her.  Alpha became so much apart of the family that it is kind of strange to use the adjective "adopted".  Alpha was their grandmother and a very special person.

The years went by and kids grew up.  Eventually they moved out of the house.  And then about three years ago, Connie’s parent sold the house and moved to Sioux Falls.  By this time Alpha was living in the nursing home in Dawson; a place she spent nearly everyday visiting others.  You see, Alpha had the kindest heart I know; always thinking of others. 

Even though they were no longer living together, this family never grew apart.  Alpha was sad because she would not see the Hanson family as much.  And the Hanson family was sad as well because they would not see Alpha as much.  But, like I said, they never grew apart.  They were always in each other’s thoughts and prayers.  Because that is how it goes with family.

Alpha’s biological family was small.  Cancer took Alpha’s husband away after five years of marriage, but it did not take Alpha’s soul. She has some nieces and nephews and a couple great-nieces and nephews.  They loved her very much as well, but they were even farther away.  They visited when they could and called her nearly every week.

Alpha was always quick with a joke.  Every time Connie and I would visit her she had one for us.  I remember her telling us this "shady" joke (as Alpha called it) about a couple strawberries caught in bed together and something about being in a jam.  She laughed and laughed when she told us and one couldn’t help but laugh along.  That joke was probably the "dirtiest" one she ever told.  Her sense of humor stuck with her to the end.

Alpha also loved to tell stories about Connie, Mary and Todd (Connie’s siblings).  There was one about Mary pushing Todd into a snowbank when he was little.  But her favorite story was when Todd was little and he told Alpha to "buzz off".  She thought that was so cute.

Alpha was kind to everyone she met.  While in the nursing home she insisted that when she was in her room, sitting in the wheelchair, that she be facing the hallway so she could see who was passing by.  She was a people person and everyone loved to stop and chat with her.  She will be greatly missed.

Alpha is no longer with us now.  For my wife, it is a time of mourning and a time of reflection.  Questions like:  "Did I do enough?"  resonate in her head.  That is a tough question to answer.  And it is a question we can all ask about our loved ones.  There can always be one more phone call.  There can always be one more visit.  There can also always be one more "I love you".  You can sit and focus on this, but you will either drive yourself crazy or drive yourself to depression.  Instead of focusing on what you could have done, focus on the love you shared with that person.  Focus on those memories and lessons you experienced and learned.  That is what is important.  The past is the past and that can not be changed.  Focus on what you can do in the future.  "Did I do enough?" If you loved them you did a lot.

Alpha will be missed.  I did not know her all that well, but it feels like I did.  It will feel weird going to the nursing home and not seeing her.  It will be hard to walk by Alpha’s room and not become overwhelmed by feelings and memories.  And I will do my best to comfort my wife.  She will have the hardest time.

But there is something comforting we can hold on to.  Consider this: because of Jesus Christ, you will have a chance to meet Alpha someday.  She is waiting for us; standing side by side with our Lord and Savior.  You will meet this angel and then you will know her.  Alpha made this world a better place, I can only imagine how awesome she has made heaven.  I can hardly wait to see her again.  For death is not "good bye", but rather, "see you later".  Jesus made sure of that.

See you later, Alpha.  We will see you soon.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

You are so mysterious as you dance from log to log.  Your flames are never the same.  I stare at you like I was waiting for a message from you just for me.  I look at you mesmerized by your ever changing appearance.  Just when I think I have you figured out, you surprise me time and time again.  One minute you seemly draw weak and your presence seems so distant.  But your intensity lurks in the glowing embers.  Your not so weak after all.  As I draw close to you, I am quickly reminded of your power.  Even though I see no flame it doesn’t mean you are not there.  It’s your sneaky way of keeping me close.

You provide warmth and security in a cold world.  You provide light in the darkness.  When I am near you the darkness doesn’t seem so threatening.  The darkness lurks around me, but it does not hold a candle to you. You quickly remind me that you are the one.  The cold world around me takes a shot at me as well.  It closes in, threatening to replace your warmth.  But you will have none of that.  You beckon me to move closer to you and I feel safe again as the coldness is pushed way.

But then I become too complacent.  I take you for granted.  I move back and sit motionless expecting you to do all the work.  I get tired of moving.  Our relationship becomes one sided.  I start to feel alone.  Coldness sees an opportunity and jumps on it.  Darkness begins to make its move.  Then I realize what I have done.  I let our relationship grow cold.  I have stopped encountering you.  I have mistakenly thought I could keep myself warm and safe through other means.  So I stoke our relationship.  I come to you and all of a sudden you roar back into my life.  I feel your warmth and I realize that you never went anywhere.  You were always there.

I never want to leave the warmth and security you provide.  Light the fire in my soul, Oh Lord.  You provide all that I need for this life and the next.  Why would I ever think I could survive without you.  Keep me close to you and never let the darkness overcome me.  You are my light and my salvation.  You are my safe refuge.  Oh Lord my God, rekindle the flame within me so I may be a light in this cold dark world. 

You are so mysterious as you dance with me.  You are always the same; your love for me never changes.  I stare at you like I was waiting for a message from you just for me.  And the message is this:  You died and rose from the grave just for me.  The fire in my soul has indeed been lit.  I feel safe again. 

Can YOU feel the warm glow of God in your life?  -EDH-