Faith

The Old Rugged Cross

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suff’ring and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
(Words/Music by George Bennard, 1873-1960)

This song is another memory I will cherish about Lyle (see previous posts to get caught up).  Lyle was a craftsman and loved working with wood.  He made many bird houses, benches, wooden tractors and small wooden crosses.  Lyle would deliver those crosses to the nursing home and the hospital.  One day Lyle came into my office with a box filled with these 5″ by 3 1/2″ crosses and said he would like to leave these in the narthex for people.  I said that would be great.  I made an announcement in worship and by the time I left to go home that Sunday morning all the crosses were gone.  Lyle made more for Belmont and they were quickly snatched up as well.

During the final days of Lyle’s life, he lay in his hospital bed clinging to one of his “old rugged crosses” and I remember thinking what a proclamation of faith.  He was not only clinging to a piece of wood but he was clinging to what that cross represented to him (to us).  Lyle lay in his bed clinging to the hope of the resurrection and the promises that Jesus gave us through the cross.  Lyle lay in his bed undaunted by what was happening to him and looked forward to what Jesus had prepared for him.  His hope did not waver for the cross stood as a reminder to him of the life Jesus came to bring for us all.

What a great image and reminder for all of us…”cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown“.

Praise be to God, always and forever.

-edh-

I Love to Tell the Story

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
(ELW #661)

…that is Lyle’s song…and it speaks of his life.

I wrote about Lyle last week.  At that time he was living his last days.  On Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30pm, Lyle took his last breath and I had the honor of being there with various members of his family.  I have been at the bedside of other people as they died but this one was different.  As I said last week, Lyle was like a grandpa to Connie and I so to watch him die was not easy.  Lyle was also a great proclaimer of the faith.  He did this through his words but probably more loudly through how he lived.  The quote from St. Francis of Assisi was indeed true for Lyle:  “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.“

But I want to share one thing that happened that night; something I will never forget.  At around 7:3opm we knew that the time was close.  One of the kids turned off the light above Lyle’s bed and for the first time in a couple days, Lyle opened his eyes.  That was a powerful moment.  It was like he was taking one more look at us before he went to see Jesus and Gladys (his wife who died in Feb.) again.  A couple minutes later he breathed his last.  Of course their were tears, but it was different.  They were tears who came from people who had hope.  Then one of his daughters summed up what we were feeling…she said, “I feel so at peace.“

WHAM!

That was exactly it.  That is the peace that Jesus came to bring; a peace that surpasses all understanding.  It is a peace that we feel when a loved one dies (at least for those whose faith is in Jesus).  It is a peace that tells us not to be afraid.  It is a peace that allows us to say, “See you later.”  The peace that came with the Christ child at Christmas is the very same peace that filled Lyle’s hospital room on Dec. 11.

I am sad that Lyle is gone and I will miss him greatly, but I feel at peace.  Lyle is no longer suffering and Lyle is not gone forever.  He’s gone (physically) from this life, but not from our hearts and minds.  Lyle is not gone forever, but through Christ we will all be reunited again.

May the peace of God that surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And was we live in this peace, let’s join together in praising God always and forever.

“See you later, Lyle.“

-edh-

Tribute to Lyle

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I have a parishioner who is dying…

…that’s news that is nothing new to me.  I have had a number of parishioners die in the 4 1/2 years I have been here.  All of them are hard; being with families as they mourn…you can almost feel their pain and loss.  But this week I am being quickly reminded that the longer I am here the more difficult these times become.  And I think it is especially hard this time since my wife and I have become so close to Lyle.  I try not to play favorites but one can not help but develop closer relationships with certain people.  And with Lyle, he has become something of a grandpa to Connie and I.

Lyle is nearing the end with a long bought with cancer.  Last year his wife died and I know that has been extremely hard for him (and all of us).  These past few days I have spent a lot of time at the hospital with the family and with Lyle.  Yesterday we thought he was going to go home.  He was saying “Good bye everyone“.  The family huddle around him to say good bye then he said, “Pastor, pastor”  I said said, “I am right here Lyle“.  “Please tell Connie for me“.  Tears started streaming down my face.  That was Monday…

…today is Tuesday and Lyle is still with us.  Part of me is glad (the selfish side) because I get more time with him.  But another part of me is wishing he could/would go home, because he is dealing with some pain.  I am torn.  But what is getting me and the whole family through is that Lyle is so ready to go home.  His faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior is stronger than I have seen in anyone.  And knowing (and seeing that) it is easier for us to say “see you later“.

I can’t begin to name all the things Lyle has done for the church and others, but there is one thing I want to share; something I have and will continue to miss.  In most churches acolytes take care of lighting the candles up front…if not the kids then the ushers.  Here at Salem we don’t have many kids but I never had to think about the candles, because Lyle took it upon himself to see they were lit.  If my acolytes didn’t show up and another student walked in, Lyle would see to it they lit the candles.  But who every lit them you had better light them in the right order (yes…there is a correct order to light and extinguish the candles).  Lyle was never mean about it, but he would educate on the correct way.  These past couple months Lyle hasn’t been able to be at worship and I  haven’t gotten used to checking on the candles.  I am not sure if I ever will.

Lyle will be missed by many.  And I will be forever grateful for how he took Connie and me under his wing.  Lyle became a grandpa to us and just like any grandpa I wish I had more time with him.  But more than anything, I am eternally grateful to God who send his son to die for us that we may live.  And because of that I will see Lyle again and I look forward to introducing him to you someday.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

Facing the Giants

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I just watched an incredible movie tonight called Facing the Giants (click on the link to go to the movie’s website).  This is a movie about living your faith in every aspect of ones life and the incredible power of God.  This movie will make you smile and cry and will give you goosebumps like you can’t even imagine.  I am going to be planning a movie night for the congregation (and anyone else who would like to come) to watch this movie.

I feel like I should write more but I think that would do the movie a great injustice.  Instead…go watch the movie for yourself.

Has anyone else out there watched this movie?  What did you think?

-edh-

Monday morning check in — Faith and Works

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:14-26)

The above verses are the latest to slap me in the face.  They are verses I have read many times.  They are verses that I have heard preached or have preached on myself.  But this morning they convict me…

There is a woman in my congregation who I will call J.  J is a sweet woman who is not as mentally/emotionally developed as others.  Everyday she is at the nursing home to visit her “mommy” and on Sunday she heads up there after worship to have lunch with her.  But here’s the thing…someone here at Salem has to give her a ride on Sunday since she can’t drive.  My wife is usually the one since she picks up/drops off someone from the nursing home already, but yesterday my wife was gone.  I didn’t think about that until J came in for worship and reminded me (as she does every week) that she is going to the nursing home to “have lunch with mommy” and made reference to Connie giving her a ride.  When I told her that Connie was gone, J got a little concerned and wondered who was going to give her a ride.  I told her not to worry about it (but inside I was hoping she would just ask someone herself).

After worship I spent some time greeting people, listening to some memory work from a confirmation student and cleaning up a little.  All I wanted to do after that was go home and rest, but J was still here.  So I grudgingly got my car to give her a ride.  All the way up to the nursing home she kept telling me how much her and her mom like me.  She kept saying “We really like you.  You are a good pastor.  We hope you stay for a long time”.  J was enjoying the time with her pastor and I just wanted to go home.

Now this morning…I read James…

…and James is indeed right…it is not good enough to say we have faith, but it must be shown through our actions.  Maybe I was tired.  Maybe I just simply let my needs get in the way of J’s needs.  Whatever the case, my faith did not shine through to J…even though she would say it did (if she could understand the question).  J had no idea what I was thinking and feeling yesterday, but I sure do.   So I pray for patience and hope that I will get another chance to show my faith to J.  I pray for forgiveness through Jesus Christ my Lord.  I pray that when given a chance again, I WILL show my faith through my actions.

I think we all need a dose of James every now and then (I know I do).  So take some time right now and read through James.  It is a short 5 chapters but ones that pack a punch.  But all the while you are reading, remember God’s grace and pray for more opportunities to show your faith to others.

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer — unshakable

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I am on the verge of returning to “normal”. I am still on continuing education so in about an hour Connie and I will be heading down to worship at the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference. So much has happened and I have learned so much that I can’t put everything into one post. But I do want to share one quick thing with you this morning.

Last night our speaker was talking about courage…courage that is not of this world…a courage that only comes through an amazing encounter with God. The theme of the conference is titled “Unshakable”…which has been a great theme for me personally (more on that in a later post). Last night our speaker (whose name I can’t spell off the top of my head, but will get the spelling when I get to my office tomorrow) said something last night that still has me thinking. He said, “To have an unshakable faith we first must be shaken”. And that “shaken-ness” comes from a powerful encounter with God. An encounter like what Peter had with Jesus in Luke 5 or Job had with God. Both were “shaken” to the core and became courageous followers of Jesus/God. Our speaker then said, “When we are shaken by something really big (Jesus) then everything else seems small in comparison.” Wow! Have I truly been shaken by Jesus? Have you? It has really got me thinking.

And with that I will leave you thinking since I need to go and get ready for worship. But I will write more about this later. Let’s pray:
Powerful God, shake us to the core with your love through Jesus Christ our Lord. Transform our view of you from a small God to a powerful God. Transform how we look and treat others. Transform how we share our faith with others. Father God, shake us till we drop to our knees in reverent worship of you. Create in us an unshakable faith…through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, AMEN!

God bless and have a wonderful day.

-edh-

Coffee shop ponderings — God’s “good” plan

/ The Pastor / 6 Comments

Here I am…posting my coffee shop ponderings from outside of Coffee Choices.  Actually…I never made it there today to write my sermon (I did make it there this morning for coffee though).  I usually start writing the sermon in my office and finish it at my coffee shop, but today was different.  I got on a roll and couldn’t stop typing.

On Sunday I am continuing my sermon series on Romans by preaching on chapter 8 verses 26-39.  I started pondering and praying about verse 28 where it says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Upon pondering this verse I started thinking how this verse is often misused (or at least used in the wrong situations).  The times I have heard this verse used is when someone is facing a devastating disaster or disease diagnosis or something else devastating.  And in times like those, Romans 8:28 is the last verse I want to hear.  If I am mourning the lost of my house and possessions because of a tornado, quoting Romans 8:28 almost sounds like that God planned this disaster so he could do something “good”.  At the moment that is not comforting.  After the fact I may be able to look back and see the good that came from that disaster, but not right now.

I think this verse is used because of our insatiable desire to explain everything.  If we can’t explain it in scientific or logical terms we chalk it up to God’s divine plan (“I am not sure why this happened, but God is going to do something good thought it; it was God’s will.”)  Telling a parent, who’s child just died, that it was God’s will is often not the right thing to say.  Or trying telling them that God will do something good though that death.  You might get an angry response in return.  But who knows how they will look at death later on down the road.

Instead, I see Romans 8:28 as a proclamation of grace.  The “good” God is working towards is nothing else than our reconciliation through Jesus Christ.  Ever since the Fall, God has been working to reconcile creation back to himself.  And it is only though faith that we can recognize this “good”.  Sometimes the “crap” of this world can cloud our faith so we cannot see God active in our lives.  But after the dust clears, then things begin to clear up.

In a simple phrase, quoted by a friend of mine on Facebook, “It’s all grace!”  And that is so true.  God IS working for good, but let’s be careful how and when we use this verse.  We might do more harm than good.  Instead, share with people how God has gotten you thought difficult times.  Talk about God’s amazing love and how he never left you when you were going to a tough time.  Let people see the “good” for themselves after the dust has cleared.

What are your thoughts on Romans 8:28…especially in the context of verses 28 – 39?  Do you think this verse often gets misused?

SIDE NOTE:
There will be no “Coffee shop ponderings” next week as I will be on vacation up north.  Actually, there might not be a whole lot of activity from me at all next week, but you never know.  In the mean time, I look forward to reading your thoughts here.  Take care and I will catch you later.

-edh-

God’s gas station

/ The Pastor / 9 Comments

The epistle text for this Sunday (11th Sunday after Pentecost) is from Hebrews 11 where it talks about faith.  Verse 1 says this, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

When I hear this basic definition of faith from Hebrews 11 I picture this "formula" in my mind: 
<HOPE> –> add some <ASSURANCE> –> and this leads to a held <CONVICTION> of something.

OR

<HOPE of something more to this life> –> add <ASSURANCE that Jesus died for your sins that you may have eternal life> –> this leads to a <CONVICTION> or <FAITH> that there is indeed something more to this life.

But what happens when we stop going to worship or stop praying or stop engaging scripture?  We stop hearing or experiencing this ASSURANCE that we all need to hear.  Therefore we start to run out of "gas".  And I definitely know this feeling.  I don’t stop going to worship but I have experienced times when my prayer life and devotional practices have slowed down.  It is in those moments when I feel "tired".  Basically…running out of gas.  I spend all my time feeding others and encouraging others to "refuel" their faith that I sometimes forget to practice what I preach.  Busyness is one of Satan’s best weapons.  We think we are doing God’s work when all the while we are draining our own faith life.  Satan loves nothing more.

And I think that is what has been happening to me this summer.  I haven’t been pulling up to "God’s gas station" nearly enough.  I haven’t been "feeding" myself nearly enough and because of that I have felt a little drained all summer long. 

Well…that’s going to stop.

We need to constantly hear and experience the assurance of forgiveness and salvation to endure in this world.  We need our hope re-energized and our convictions strengthened.  This can not be done in isolation from God or others.  Throughout scripture God has proved to be faithful.  God has proved to be true.  This we can not receive from the world — its only from God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I have committed myself to a running program to re-energize my body and to train for a 1/2 marathon.  Now I need to commit myself (once again) to re-energizing my heart and soul (on a regular basis) through a more regular prayer and devotional life.  Busyness aside — God needs to come first.

So stay in the Word.  Keep praying.  And hear God’s assurance of forgiveness and salvation for your life.  Jesus died FOR YOU and FOR ME. 

I think I am starting to feel a little bit better.  Amen.
-edh-

I35W bridge collapses

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

Many, if not all, of you know by now that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area was struck by a terrible disaster that has effected my people far and wide.  The I35W bridge collasped on Wednesday around 6pm (peak rush hour).  My wife and I were with some friends at the Mall of America yesterday when we heard the news, but the magnitude of the event did not totally strike me until I arrived home and turned on the TV.

First and foremost, please pray for the victims and their families, the rescue workers and all those involved and/or affected by this terrible tragedy. 

I live over 3 hours away from the bridge but as I sat watching the intro to The Today Show this morning, I could not hold back the tears.  Its amazing…one minute you are driving on a bridge minding your own business and the next blink of your eye your in the river wondering what just happened.  I can’t even begin to fathom what that would be like.  You don’t expect things like this to happen.  Bridges are not suppose to fall from underneath you.  Hopefully authorities can figure out what happened and work to prevent this from happening again.

But it is in times like this I am even more grateful for our awesome and loving God.  God is our strong tower.  God is our mighty fortress.  And God will never tumble, fail or fall away.  In times such as these I turn to and hold on to God who comforts me.  And I know that God will comfort those who have lost loved ones.  God will be with the rescue workers.  God will be there among the rubble until the last survivor is found and the last body is pulled from it and laid to rest.  God is awesome and God is faithful. 

Loving God, comfort us in our time of need.  Be with the victims, families, rescue workers and all those involved with this tragedy.  Words cannot adequately express our feelings now, but we know that you are faithful.  Thank you God for always being faithful and for being with us always.  You never desert us and you never leave us to fend for ourselves.  Thank you God!!!  Through Christ we pray…Amen.

-edh-

The Church and unity

/ The Pastor / 11 Comments

It seems that everyone in the world (this may be a SLIGHT exaggeration) has been talking about the recent Vatican statement about the true nature of the Church.  By now my comments may be old news but I still feel lead to make some comments in response and to share my faith, so here I go:

Why am I a Lutheran?  This is an interesting question and one that I believe every Lutheran needs to ask of themselves every day.  Even if you are not a Lutheran, answering why you are part of a particular denomination is important.  Recently a brother in Christ, Chris, has embarked on a very important journey; asking this very same question.  He is a former Lutheran making the move to the Catholic Church (follow the link and check out his blog to read more about his journey).  I may not agree with some of his answers, but we are still brothers in Christ and I still have a great deal of respect for him.  Chris is asking questions and not taking anything at face value.

And even though the Vatican has issued a very stern statement about the "true nature of the Church" I still have a great deal of respect for all my Catholic brothers and sisters.  Rome may have their firm stance on what constitutes the Church and Protestants have theirs but behind all the rhetoric, we are all still brothers and sisters in Christ.  We acknowledge "…one holy catholic church…", we uphold scripture and believe in salvation through Jesus Christ. 

As Lutherans we have varying doctrines that Catholics are not going to teach such as: the priesthood of all believers and simul iustus et peceator (simultaneously righteous/saint and a sinner) among others.   But what ever our differences, Jesus prays that we may be one "My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one…" (John 17:20)  I believe in Jesus Christ though the witness of the first apostles.  I am every bit a part of the Church.  Jesus died that I may live and no one can take that away from me. 

But what does it mean to be one…the Lutheran Confessions assert:
Concerning the Church:
"It is also taught that at all times there must be and remain one holy, Christian church.  It is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel.

For it is enough for the true unity of the Christian church that there the gospel is preached harmoniously according to the pure understanding and the sacraments are administered in conformity with the divine Word.  It is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian church that uniform ceremonies instituted by human beings, be observed everywhere." (Augsburg Confession VII)

What is the Church?
Likewise, although the Christian church is, properly speaking, nothing else than the assembly of all believers and saints…" (Augsburg Confession VIII)

But we cannot end with a quote from the Lutheran Confessions for they are not the sole authority in our lives.  I believe in the authority of scripture so let’s hear what the apostle Paul has to say: "If you confess with you mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10)  Faith comes first through the Holy Spirit and our confession follows.

Through faith we are one.  Jesus is our authority and I believe we can celebrate that as common ground if nothing else.  So why am I Lutheran?  It is a question I ask myself everyday.  I take nothing for granted.  But in the end I am a Christian…AND…in the end…denominations will not matter.  We are brothers and sisters through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  So let’s celebrate THAT and move on in proclaiming this Good News.

Praise be to God, always and forever. Amen!
-edh-