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Pictures from children

/ The Pastor

My wife and I don’t have any children (yet…but who knows…God willing someday) so we don’t have art work from children gracing our refrigerator.  But recently a couple of my Sunday school kids have been giving me some artwork.  Below are two pictures I received last night at Wednesday Night Live( Sunday school).  As I receive these pictures they get taped to my office door…

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(from Olivia)
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(from Ella)

…And I tell you something (and you parents out there probably can relate to this) it is such a wonderful feeling to receive something from a child that you know they put their heart and soul into.  These two little girls were so excited to give me these pictures that it melted my heart.  I have others on my door from other children that mean just as much to me.

I don’t have much of a theological reflection of this other than to say that as a pastor I am so excited to have developed relationships with these kids (and others).  I hope I can use these relationships to be a positive influence in their lives…supporting what their families are doing.

I thank God everyday for this congregation and for the children.  They have a powerful way of warming my heart.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

A decision

/ The Pastor / 8 Comments

I have made a decision today.  Part of me thinks it is an impulsive decision without a lot of thought of what I am getting myself into.  Another part of me wonders if I can actually do it, but when I think about that I am reminded of my bold goal last year of running a marathon (which I completed).  But another part of me wonders if I am smart enough to comprehend what I am going to read.  And another part of me wonders if this will be worth my time.

So…with all my parts at odds with one another…I am going to do it…

Do what you may ask?  I have decided that it is time to tackle some more challenging reading; something I regrettably haven’t done since seminary (5 years ago).  Some may not think this will be challenging but what I am going to start reading is “Christian Dogmatics, vol. 2” edited by Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jenson.  Some of the topics covered in this volume are intriguing to me: The Work of Christ; The Holy Spirit; The Church; The Means of Grace; Christian Life; and Eschatology.  Basically it is nearly 600 pages of theology…WHEW!  My brain is starting to hurt already.

I am telling you this because I am hoping that people will help me and hold me accountable.  I don’t expect to finish this book next week or next month (or next year for the matter) but I do expect to finish the book…in a somewhat timely fashion.  Hopefully along the way I can post some thoughts from my reading for all of you to enjoy.

So with that being said I am diving in…first up…The Work of Christ.

-edh-

A sign that describes me

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

CORRECTION Zombies Ahead

[By Chris Nakshima-Brown, Associated Press – Ap]
I have been sick with a nasty cold this week.  Part of me wants to put this sign in the church parking lot and make the text singular…it kind of describes how I am feeling.

(Sorry for the pictures recently…I have been feeling lazy with this cold)

God bless!

-edh-

All the craze

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I have been utterly amazed at this wild thing called “the Wii craze”.  My sister and I got one for our parents for Christmas.  A number of our friends got one for Christmas and a number of my students got them.  And since then, Connie and I have been looking for one.  Every store we go into there is no Wii to be found.  A sales person at Best Buy said that there are people that come in everyday asking about them.  And since we live no where near a place that would stock a Wii, we are at a disadvantage. Before Christmas I never gave too much thought in getting a Wii.  I knew they were out there, but I haven’t had a gaming system since the Atari 2600 (now that dates me) so I never got captured by this craze.  But after we got my parents one and started playing it…well…I got hooked.  And then we heard about the Wii Fit…that right there convinced my wife.

So we have been looking online and the story has been the same…”Out of stock”…until last night.  Connie’s brother put us onto Gamestop.com and sure enough…a Wii…so I ordered one.  I should have one by next week.  I guess I gave in to “the craze”.

Today is January 20 and our 44th president is being sworn into office.  Today…January 20…we (officially) begin a new era.  It’s an era that worries me because of what I have heard from people in the media and in my own little world here in SW MN.  I have heard comments that suggest people are putting their hope and faith in Obama.  People are putting this president up on a pedestal.  It is almost as if they view him as a savior.  I guess one could say we are in the midst of an “Obama craze”.  But this is one craze I am not going to get caught up in.

I am not here to express my political beliefs.  As a pastor and as a Christian I am going to pray for Preisdent Obama and for the congress and for all elected leaders.  They all have a tough road ahead of them.  But I am not going to put my hope and faith in any person of this world…no matter how popular they are.  Our hope and faith needs to be in one person and one person alone…JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

I hope and pray that God uses Obama to work for peace.  I hope and pray that God uses Obama to stabilize this country.  And I hope and pray that Obama is faithful and listens to God.  I hope and pray that Obama puts his agenda aside and asks for wisdom from God our Father.  I hope and pray that the people of this county recognize the fact that Obama is a sinful human being (like we all are) and not our savior.  I hope and pray that the people of this country (and the world) recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Only one person can save us.  Only one person can restore peace in this world.  Only one person can lead us in ways of truth and justice.  And it is not our president or any world leader…it’s JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

When I was a kid, the Atari 2600 was all the craze…but that faded away.  In the 80’s Rubik’s Cube was all the craze…but that faded away as well.  Today, Wii is all the craze…but that too will fade away.  As with anything of this world…all things will eventually fade away (Yes…even the “Obama craze” will fade away), but one person has not and will not fade away…and that is…JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

-edh-

Lyle’s cross

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

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Lyle’s cross

In a couple previous posts (shortly before Christmas) I wrote about a parishioner named Lyle; a saint of this congregation that went to meet Jesus.  I won’t talk about him here but I do want to show you something; Lyle’s cross.  I talked about these crosses before; that he made dozens of them (They are 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches).  He made a number for the nursing home and the hospital.  He made a bunch for the people at Salem and Belmont.  And of course he made them for his family.  The one pictured above is one of three that I have.  This one serves as a pectoral cross that I wear in worship from time to time.

I have other pectoral crosses that I wear as well:  I have a pectoral cross that my parents gave me for my ordination that is silver.  I like that one because is very beautiful and reminds me of the faith my parents passed down to me and the support they gave me as I went through seminary.  I have a old wooden cross necklace that I got from my grandma (who died last Feb.) that wear I from time to time.  That one, of course, reminds me of grandma and the faith that she passed down to me.   I have two cross necklaces made of olive wood that were made in Jerusalem.  These remind me of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world; that the church is not just located  in Jackson, MN.  And then I have Lyle’s cross.  This one, of course, reminds me of Lyle and the faith that he passed down to me.

All of the crosses I wear are special to me and remind me of various people in my life that have paved the way for me.  But one thing that I did not say (but I hope was understood) is that the cross, of course, reminds me of what Jesus did FOR YOU and FOR ME.  Formerly a symbol of death; it is now a symbol of hope.  I wear these crosses as a reminder to me and others who see them of why we truly gather together on Sunday morning to worship.  I wear my other (smaller) cross necklaces to proclaim that same message out in the world from Monday to Saturday.  Some people wear cross necklaces because they are a fashion statement.  But whatever the motivation for a particular person, when I see that cross, I am reminded of the life we have in Christ.

So I thank those who have paved the way for me and most of all, I give thanks and praise to God our Father through Jesus Christ, for paving the way to eternal life; carrying us across the Great Divide.

-edh-

An icy Monday

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I live in Minnesota…and I love it.  I love (almost) everything about living here.  I love the changes in seasons; the variety of weather; the many lakes to enjoy; the people; and the list could go on.  But one the of the few things I do not like about Minnesota is the ICE.

On Saturday around 1pm-ish it started to precipitate a little so I decided to go for a quick run.  When my eye lids started sticking closed I decided it was time to cut things short.  By the time I finished my 25 minute run my front side was covered in ice.   What a weird feeling.  Of course…the ice outside stuck around until the next day (Sunday and a little today still) making my drive out to Belmont and back an adventure.  I am not sure how many of you out there have driven on a sheet of ice before but let me say this…”IT IS NOT FUN.”  Stopping was a luxury that forced me to think ahead (way ahead).   I did make it out to Belmont and back without an incident…and I have yet to hear of any in the last couple days (Praise God).  But with the good you have to take the bad I guess.

There’s got to be a lesson in there somewhere…right?

(1) Going through life we need to watch our step; we could slip and fall at any moment.
(2) Christ gives us life, but we still need to deal with sin (The good and the bad).
(3) Sin may be fun, but it’s slippery slope will hurt you and others.

I may be reaching…but leave it to a pastor to look for sermon illustrations in nearly everything.  Stay tuned, though, I have another sermon illustration coming up shortly; something that happened this morning.

-edh-

Happy New Year

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I am returning from yet another prolonged absence.  The past week and a half I have been on vacation.   The days after Christmas Connie and I did our yearly routine of three Christmas’ in three states in three days (Iowa, Minnesota,South Dakota).  This past week I have been home being a bum.  One would say I had plenty of time to blog, but I was taking a vacation from nearly everything (not my wife of course).  I did some odd jobs around the house.  I took down the Christmas lights (taking advantage of the warm weather), I ran outside for a change.  Watched some movies.  Slept in late.  And hung out of the coffee shop.  All in all I had a very restful vacation.  I just hope my body didn’t get too used to sleeping in.

Since my vacation officially ended today I had to do some sermon prep and writing today…something I am not too used to doing on Saturdays.  In any case, I got my sermon done.  The text I am preaching on is John 1:1-18 (focusing on verse 10 where it says, “He (Jesus) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”)  Jesus is all around us but yet we do not see him.  Jesus reveals himself through other people; through those needing help, though those needing to hear the Good News.  Jesus is with us in the waters of baptism.  Jesus is with us in the bread and the wine.  Jesus is with us in our low times and high times.  Jesus walks with us as we enter worship, he walks with us while we work and play.  Jesus is all around us, yet we often do not see him.  Not much has changed since John 1:10 was written.

As we make New Year’s resolutions, maybe we should make a continuing resolution to get to know Jesus better.  But be careful…because this is a resolution that will never be completed.  We can make a resolutions to lose 10 pounds or quit smoking.  If you do this you will know when you accomplished this goal but you still have to continue working at it otherwise you will revert to where you were before you made the resolution.  Getting to know Jesus is something we need to continuing working, and it is a resolution that does not have an identifiable point where you can say “I know Jesus”.  Our relationship with Jesus needs to keep growing.

Look and see Jesus in your neighbor.  Recognize Jesus in every aspect of your life.  Know Jesus as your friend, Savior and Lord.  Resolve to know Jesus better.

-edh-

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-

Priesthood of all believers

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

The priesthood of all believers is one of the basic tenants of the Lutheran faith; that we are all ministers; all preachers of the Word of God.  Some people just happen to be called and set apart for this ministry, but it doesn’t mean it is reserved for the clergy alone.

A week or so ago my wife started writing and emailing devotions to her co-workers (and I managed to get on her email list as well…surprise, surprise).  She has been more faithful in writing than I have been at blogging recently (I hope she keeps it up).  Each night she spends about an hour or so in devotions; searching scripture and writing what God places on her heart.  Her devotions are thought provoking and definitely come from God (I keep telling her she need to write a blog, but so far no luck).  Each morning I sign on to my email and there is her devotion for the morning…and she ministers to me.  She says that every once in a while a co-worker will tell her how thankful they are that she does this…but don’t worry…she never let’s those comments go to her head.  She feels so unworthy to be doing this but at the same time she feels that God is placing these devotions on her heart to share.

For me, Connie epitomizes the “priesthood of all believers”.  She saw an opportunity to share Christ at work and she is taking it.  She doesn’t do it for her glory but for Gods.  Allow me to share an excerpt from her devotions for this morning (I do have her permission to share this) that speaks to this very thing…being a minister where ever we are at:

Colossians 3:16-17
“16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Here again we are commanded to be thankful and give thanks to God.   Do you ever think about your job being an extension of the Lord Jesus?  He just told us it is in this verse.  You are showing Christ when you answer the phone, do some filing, deal with a difficult person, go to a meeting, or go out on a visit.  I remind myself constantly throughout the day that whomever I am dealing with is a child of God.  He created this person and I need to love them, no matter how difficult.  I am thankful for people who have differing personalities because if everyone was like me, we would have way too much chaos in this world!  With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, I want you to know that my thanks to God include my job and my co-workers.  I feel blessed to be able to share these devotions with you and know we are all focused on the same God everyday.

I am thankful for ministers such as Connie.  We all need to epitomize the phrase “the priesthood of all believers”.  It can’t simply be left up to the clergy.  Look for opportunities to talk about Christ.  Whether it is through an email devotion like Connie is doing or whether it is through how you respond to a “difficult person”.  Each and every person can be a minister/preacher in a variety and a number of ways.  Don’t miss your opportunity.  But what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God; giving thanks and praise to Him.

-edh-

Where have I been?

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I have heard some comments from people recently wondering where I am at.  I am still here, but just haven’t had much to write about lately.  I am not sure if it is the busyness of the season or if I am going through I little dry spell right now.  I had a period recently when I didn’t write much and then all of a sudden I posted a number of things in a relatively short period of time.  Hopefully this is not the routine of this blog.  I have been fairly regular in the past and I plan to get back to that routine.  Those of you that keep checking back for new content…I appreciate your loyalty.  I will get back at it…I just need some more time to regroup.

In the mean time I hope and pray you have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving weekend.  Eat plenty of turkey because there is always time to start your diet next week.

Take care, God bless…and I WILL see you soon.

-edh-