Monday morning check in

Monday morning check in – 04/21/08

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

Wow…what a novel concept…me actually posting a "Monday morning check in" on Monday 🙂

Anywho…

It’s official reprise:
I feel a little different today; after having had a couple days to let this whole marathon thing sink in.  I registered for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on Friday and then ran six miles on Saturday.  That ties my longest run since high school and you know something…I felt great.  The first couple miles were tough as my body loosened up, but after that I felt myself getting strong and stronger.  I don’t know how long that feeling will last for I have no idea where my "runners wall" is (The runners wall is the point where your body runs out of energy reserves; usually around the 18 -21 mile mark.  A marathon is 26.2 miles).  I am going to be running a 18.6 mile race this summer so we’ll see if I hit my wall then.  In any case, so far I am having a great time and getting more and more excited about the marathon.  My sister and mom left a comment for me at my last couple posts about running and they said they would be at the marathon cheering me on.  That meant the world to me.  Now I pray that God keeps me healthy enough to run this monster race.

WHOO HOO!!!
Our church secretary, Vicki, is back in the office.  She’s not going to be here all morning, but is back getting some stuff done.  Vicki still has some more healing to do and strength to build back up again, but it is great to have her back…even if its only for a short time today.  My life feels somewhat "normal" again.  Praise God!!!

Scripture
This verse from the first lesson text for this Sunday (Easter 6) has captured my attention today:  "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously again your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." (1 Peter 3:15-16) 
Questions to consider:
(1) Is Christ set apart, in your heart, as Lord or is their another lord in your heart (i.e. success, money, athletics, etc)?
(2) Are you prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have?  Are you able to verbalize or live out this hope?
(3) Are you gentle and respectful when it comes to sharing the hope that you have?  Are you patient with others?

I believe these three questions are ones many Christians struggle with.  What do you think?

-edh-

Amazing God

/ The Pastor

Two weeks in a row I have missed my Monday Morning Check-in post.  I still do plan to continue with Monday Morning Check-in but with Vicki still out of the office, my whole routine has been thrown into the air.

First an update:  I talked with Vicki today and she is still in the hospital.  There is still no word on when she will be coming home, so I’m on my own for bulletins this week again.  We are hoping that Vicki will be back to do the May newsletter, but we’re not holding our breath.  I am currently getting volunteers in place to help me with that task in case Vicki can’t.  So please continue to pray for Vicki.  This has been really hard on her.  She just wants to get better and get home.  It has been over a month and this is getting really old for her.  Her job will always be safe here (I keep assuring her of that since she keeps worrying about it), but we still miss her and look forward to having her home soon.

Now for the main reason I am writing today:  GOD IS AMAZING!!!

Last Thursday a 93 year old parishioner of mine had a "massive" (that was the doctor’s word…a word you never want to hear) heart attack.  He was placed on life support after receiving three stints.  When I was at the hospital on Friday, doctors did not give G much hope to survive this heart attack.  Part of me fully expected to be preparing for a funeral this week.

But yesterday (Tuesday) I found out all life support has been pulled and G was doing great.  I went to see him on Tuesday and he was sitting up in bed and conversing with me.  I gave him communion before PT came to pick him up.

WOW…GOD IS AMAZING AND AWESOME.  This man has survived a couple strokes in the last few years plus this heart attack…all the while living alone in his own apartment and still active; driving himself to where he needs to go.

Yet another example of how God’s time and plans are not always in line with ours.  We need to be patient and let God take care of things; for God is always faithful.

We have an AMAZING GOD!  AMEN!

-edh-

Monday morning check in – 3/17/08

/ The Pastor / 6 Comments

HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY!!!  Oops, I don’t think we are supposed to be celebrating saints during Holy Week…

…well…let’s try this…

…HAPPY MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK (Hmmm…doesn’t quite roll of the tongue…does it?).  Oh well…

…It’s Monday of Holy Week and I feel a sense of…well…I am not sure if I have the right words here.  Last week I wrote that I was Tired and Excited.  This week it feels like I have more energy and drive within me.  I don’t feel as mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually tired as I was last week.  I guess that is not too surprising since Holy Week and Easter is one of my favorite times of the year (Christmas being the other).  But one thing that does make me a little nervous is that my secretary has been sick since Wednesday night.  That meant on Thursday (bulletin day) I was playing "pastor" and "secretary".  And let me tell you…I have a whole new appreciation for what Vicki does.  I have always known that she is an incredible person and does valuable ministry here, but when I was thrust into her position for a while I got to see (and feel) some of the pressure she has to deal with.  All I can say is this:  "Vicki…you are a very important and valuable person to the ministry of Salem Lutheran Church.  And if no one else says it, let me say it here for all the world to hear:  I appreciate you so much!  But don’t feel you need to hurry back.  Take care of yourself, get some rest and take it easy.  I look forward to seeing you across the hallway very soon."

Quick side bar
Even though, "technically", we are not supposed to celebrate saints during Holy Week can I still wear green and not get into "trouble"?

Palm Sunday
Yesterday I continued my tradition of beginning worship with a Palm Sunday celebration and ending it with the reading of the Passion Story.  It is always a powerful time for me (and from what I hear, for others as well).  But one thing I noticed (and my wife and I talked about this afterward) is that there were a lot of kids getting a little restless during the long Passion reading.  After worship, Connie and I brainstormed the idea that next year we take the kids out before the Passion Story (on Palm Sunday) and Connie would read a children’s version of the story downstairs while the parents/adults stayed with me for the Passion reading.  The thought is that as the kids processed in with palm branches they would recess out with their palm branches.  I have never been a big advocate of removing children from worship, but I think I would make an exception here.  Does any else have thoughts on this?

God blessings to you this St. Patty’s Day (oops…I mean Monday of Holy Week) and I wish for you a week full of love as we hear about the Passion of our Lord and the gift of eternal life for each of us.

Take care!
-edh-