Personal

Refreshed, renewed and rested

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I had a great time at the Desiring God 2012 Conference for Pastors.  There were about 2000 pastors there:
singing
worshiping
and engaging in fellowship.

We were:
encouraged
refreshed
and energized to be better pastors and leaders.

I attended with 3 other colleagues/friends.  It was so edifying to be able to process with these Christian men about what we were taking away from this event.  I also came home with a lot of resources; a stack of books of which I only bought 4.  Not too bad 🙂

Much of what I learned I am still processing.  The fear I have with these conferences, though, is that I come home so fired up and energized; thinking I am going to change the world RIGHT NOW, but often times I cool off.  So my prayer is that the Holy Spirit keeps this fire burning.  My hope is that the more I process and talk about this event the better.  Last night I shared with my Worship/Music Team an idea and we are already at work trying to implement that idea (more about this will be coming soon I am sure).

I am so thankful for my wife, Salem and Belmont Lutheran Churches for giving me these opportunities to get away and grow in so many ways.  Now…it’s time to return to life and see what the Holy Spirit does through me.

Dear God, please keep fanning the flames that were ignited in me these past few days.  Help me to not forget.  Help me to be a better pastor, husband, leader, friend, son, brother, etc.  May you be praised in all that I do; that all may see your loves in my words and actions.  May my life be a reflection of you.  Amen.

edh -|—

Continuing education time

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I am heading to a pastor’s conference for a couple days.  Check out the below link for more details:

Desiring God 2012 Conference for Pastors

I so enjoy these times away to get refreshed because life as a pastor can be draining.

This will be especially fun for me as I head to this conference with a couple close friends.  It will be great to process things with them.  These guys are strong Christian men and I feel blessed to be part of this group.  We support one another and hold each other accountable.  What a blessing.

God bless you this week.  I am hoping to share more with you when I return.

Take care.

edh -|—

My “gift”

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Something weird happened to me when I was at my synod council meeting this past Saturday.

One of the synod ministers was talking about networking; trying to connect people’s gifts and talents with others.  It is a very good idea and am glad we have someone on the synod staff whose job is to do that.

But that’s not the weird thing.

As she was showing us the list of people she has in the data base I was scanning for people I knew and what was listed as their “talent”. For the most part I was not surprised with what I saw.

Then my name came up. (by the way…this is where the “weird thing” begins)

After my name I saw “writing”.  I have never considering “writing” a talent or gift.  Sure…I have been blogging for 5 1/2 years or so but that doesn’t mean I am a gifted writer.  But don’t get me wrong…I wasn’t upset with what I saw, I was just surprised. (This is not the “weird thing” yet…that was just the beginning of the “weird thing” story)

The weird thing that happened was that after I saw “writing”by my name I got inspired.  You see…I hadn’t written a blog post since Dec. 12.  With the Christmas season and an increased emphasis in communicating through Facebook and Twitter, I just kind of drifted away from blogging, but on Sunday I wrote.

And today I wrote…

…and now I feel inspired to write some more. (But don’t worry ramble on and on here)

It is funny/weird how the Holy Spirit works.  And it WAS the Holy Spirit at work that day; kicking me in the butt.  I guess there is more ministry to do done through my so-called “gift” of writing.  Weird…huh?

Praise be to God!

edh -|—

Merry Advent

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

It’s Advent.

A season of preparation.

But it doesn’t seem like I am doing a very good job:
–My lights are not up on the garage and house.
–The Christmas tree is not up.
–Not one single decoration is up in the house except from some pumpkin lights hanging in the kitchen (not very festive).
–I do have Christmas CDs in the CD player so that’s something.

Hopefully this weekend my wife and I will get on track…I hope.

Every year it seems like I make some kind of comment that I am not ready for Advent.
Every year Advent seems to sneak up on me.
Every year it seems I make some kind of comment about snow in connection with the Christmas season.

I almost sound like a broken record ~ so let’s not go there.

Because this preparation thing really has nothing to do with what we do on the outside.  Preparing during Advent really has nothing to do with hanging lights, putting up Christmas decorations, playing festive music or the like.  It is amazing how caught up we get in these preparations.  It is amazing that every year I need a slap in the face or a kick in the head to remind me that Advent preparations is one of the heart.

To prepare during Advent is to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, is to turn our hearts towards the one who comes to baptize with the Holy Spirit.  John’s (the Baptist) baptism was one for repentance; something that had to be done often during his day.  But the baptism Jesus came to bring is once and for all.  It is not an outward adornment, but (like I said) one pertaining to the heart.  If preparing during Advent for Christmas is simply outward, then when Christmas is done it is often forgotten.  And let me tell you ~ that is not good.

To prepare during Advent is to:
–Engage scripture.
–Pray.
–Look to the Christ child.
–Remember God’s love for all creation.
–To see our neighbors who are in need.
–To give.
–To remember that God gave us the greatest gift ever.
–And…I could probably go on, but I will stop here.

So, even though I am going to put lights up today and begin decorating, I am going to try to focus on other things.   I am going to be festive through showing Christmas spirit where ever I go.  I am going to try to keep my eyes on the main thing.

And…God willing…keep the Christmas spirit alive long past this Christmas season.

Merry Advent everyone and God bless 🙂

edh -|—

Get out there

/ The Pastor / 8 Comments

I am a runner…

…and a different person than I was 9 years ago so when I overheard a conversation today I got a little worked up ~ hence this blog post.

I am currently at my synod’s Fall Theological Conference.  This is an event that is held every year where the pastors of the SW MN Synod get together for some learning and fellowship.  This year we are in Watertown, SD.  We start on Sunday evening and wrap up at noon on Wednesday.  On Monday afternoon they let us go for a few hours.  Some take naps, some get some work done, some (like me) go running (or do some form of exercise).

As we were leaving our afternoon session I overheard a conversation ahead of me that went something like this:
Person A to person B: So…are you going for a walk this afternoon?
Person B (with a little laugh):  Does it look like I exercise?
Person A & B: (laugh)
(It didn’t look like person A exercised either)

This was the point when I wanted to say,”Well, maybe you should“…but I bit my tongue.  Now I am not trying to be mean or pass judgement or anything, but I worry about people like person B, because I used to be like that.

Nine years ago (while on internship) I was seventy pounds heavier.  I didn’t exercise, I ate lots of greasy fast food, could easily finish off a large pizza without any guilt and considered salads disgusting.  I was grossly out of shape and probably a ticking time bomb; a heart attach waiting to happen.  Never mind the fact that my dad is diabetic (adult onset).  I had all the risk factors of major health problems.  While on internship I had a little scare as I started experiencing some chest pains that lead me to ER and an overnight hospital stay. Luckily it turned out to be nothing, but it got me thinking.

When I returned from internship for my senior year in seminary in 2003 I finally got my act together.  I started exercising (mostly treadmill running) and eating healthy.  I limited my fast food and practiced portion control.  And…as I was losing weight…I developed a taste for salads and other healthy foods (weird, I know).  I lost 70 pounds from August 2003 to July 2004.  I went from a 42 inch waist and XL clothing to a 33 inch waist and M to L clothing.  I looked better and I felt better.  And I never want to go back to where I was 9 years ago.

I guess the reason why I am writing this is because I want to urge all people to get out there and get some exercise.   I am not saying you have to sign up for a marathon but at least go for a walk.  I am not saying you need to go out and buy expensive running shoes but at least get moving.  Start somewhere. If you are a “person B” get out and do something.

God gave us these bodies to care for.  We are a temple.  God’s precious creation. But if that is not enough for you then consider this:  There is someone in your life who loves you and would rather you stay around for a while.  Please don’t take your health for granted.  Don’t wait for a health scare to kick you into gear.

So as I sit here ranting I am wishing I had said something to person B.  And since I did not see their face I will never get a chance.  My only hope is that someone in his life will prompt him to get out there and do something.  A 5 to 10 minute walk is better than nothing.

So since I can’t say anything to person B, I guess I have you.  Please get out there and do something.  Take care of yourself for the praise and glory of God and for those loved ones in your life.  And if you want, give me a call.  I’ll run (or walk) with you.

edh -|—

Life is good…PRAISE BE TO GOD

/ The Pastor

Wow…life has been good.

We have had a great start to our youth education year (release time, confirmation and Wednesday Night Live).  All these programs have seen increased numbers along with a group of caring and committed teachers. I have seen intellectual and spiritual growth in some kids.  Always a fun thing to see.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!

I have been amazed at how God has been working through me these past few weeks in preaching.  On Sept. 4 I preached a sermon about God’s plan for us (which I said is community).  This was supposed to be a stand alone sermon but the next three weeks God has provided messages to build on that theme.  And what a ride it has been.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!

Personally…I had been dealing with an ankle injury that kept me from running for 3 weeks.  It drove me crazy to see friends running knowing that I could not.  I had to pull out of a 1oK I have enjoyed running the past 2 years.  But now my ankle is healed and I am back to running.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!

I started a weight loss program through Weight Watchers (something I did a few years back).  I want to drop about 20 pounds to get back to my ideal running weight.  Well…in just over 2 weeks I have lost 7.2 pounds.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!

It is easy to complain to God when things are not going well and easy to draw away from God when things ARE going well.  But we need to remember to praise God when thing do go well (and also praise God when things do not go well).   Whatever the case, God is good ~ for he sent Jesus to die for you and for me.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!

edh -|—

Your will O God

/ The Pastor

Almighty and loving God, I do not know what exactly to pray for.  I want to pray for your will to be done but I also want my will to be done.  It’s silly to say this ~ silly even to think this, but I need to be honest with myself for you already know my heart.

That is why I need to ask you to:
Strengthen my faith
Grant me wisdom
Give me patience

For you have a grand plan in place for me.
You have something special planned for me.
You are preparing me for something great.

I just know it O God ~ I just know it.

So don’t let Satan get a foothold in my life. 
Don’t let him distract me from what is important.
Don’t let him keep me from focusing my gaze on you.  For you are my life.

So here I am ~ praying to you. O God grant me what I need. And may your will be done in my life.

Amen

-edh-

Scotcheroos, coffee and sermon prep

/ The Pastor

Ah…sermon prep time at my favorite location in Jackson ~ Coffee Choices.

Each day at 10:20am I pack up my laptop and sermon prep materials and head downtown.  I walk into Coffee Choices and I feel like Norm walking into Cheers.

O the joy of small town life.

I setup camp and greet my scotcheroo that is waiting for me (See lower left part of photo. I have a standing order every Thursday).  I also order a cup of coffee (of course) and then place my lunch order to be ready at 11am.

Each Thursday ~ the same routine (unless I let Coffee Choices know ahead of time).

Some days it is busy and noisy.
Some days it is quite peaceful (like today).
Whatever the case I don’t care. The Holy Spirit can work in any condition.

If this routine is disrupted, though, I almost panic ~ thrown for a loop.  But the sermon still gets written.  I don’t know how.

(actually I do…refer to my previous Holy Spirit comment).

But what makes Thursday sermon prep so special (outside the Holy Spirit working through me to prepare a message from God to preach to God’s people)  is…well…

…the scotcheroo, the coffee and the Cheers like feeling.

O the joy of small town life.

And now…lunch time 🙂

-edh-

Jesus was homeless

/ The Pastor

I am still in Branson, MO on family vacation getting some much needed rest.  It has been great to slow down these past couple weeks to recharge the ole battery. But the reason I am writing today is to reflect on something my wife shared with me last night.  She was searching the Internet for various ministries in the Branson area and came across a ministry called “Jesus was homeless” (see http://www.jesuswashomeless.org).

Why do I bring this up?

Well…I am sitting here on the patio at this really nice resort, sipping my diet dew all the while there are homeless people nearby trying to find shelter from the rain that is falling.  We are enjoying time resting, reading, swimming, playing volleyball and eating too much while others struggle to find something to curb their hunger.  Then I saw a quote on the Jesus was Homeless website that read “We worship a homeless man on Sunday but avoid the homeless on Monday”. 

Interesting and true.  It makes me wonder if we should add another “activity” to family vacation. 

What would it look like if when we planned a vacation we checked out local ministries first and arranged to volunteer there at least one day?  How would that change our outlook of vacation and change it’s purpose?  But more importantly…how would it change your outlook on God’s children who can’t enjoy vacations like you and me?

I have never considered that before.  Rest and renewal is important but this life is only temporary. 

Amazing what one thinks about when life slows down.  Maybe I need to find more moments like this to listen to God.

-edh-

Awesome and simple prayer

/ The Pastor

Psalm 25:4-7
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from old.  Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.”

That Psalm was from my Bible reading a couple days ago but it is still clinging to me so I thought I would jot down a few thoughts for you.

Shortly after I posted these verses to my Facebook page, a friend of mine commented and thanked me for posting this.  She said she printed those words off saying “what an awesome yet simple prayer“.  I was struck by her words for she is right ~ it is an awesome yet simple prayer.

Show me your ways
Teach me your paths
Guide me in your truth
I strive to learn more about God yet I seem to get easily distracted by this world.  There are worries, concerns, to-do lists, full calendars, demands, expectations, etc.  I get distracted and find myself following the ways of this world ~ and when that happens I get overwhelmed.  And that is exactly what happened to me.

But then…

…the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference started.

Now I find myself slowing down as I am taking this week off for continuing education and renewal.  I am enjoying the faithfulness of God as God is showing me his ways and teaching me his path.  God is guiding me in his truth and through it all ~ refreshing my soul.  I am feeling God’s great mercy and love and being reminded of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  I don’t feel overwhelmed anymore.

Indeed ~ what an awesome yet simple prayer.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that the Book of Psalms was the first worship/prayer book.  There are timeless truths contained in this “little Bible” (as Martin Luther called it).  The psalter spills out in words the emotions that we all go through (even though written in a different place, time and context).  Psalms of praise, confession, lament and many more are waiting for you.  Many times, when I don’t have the words to say to God, I find myself searching the Psalms.  God may know my thoughts but it is comforting to know someone else was feeling something similar to me.

Make it a habit to engage the Psalms often.  Chances are you will find one to help you give words to what you are feeling and experiencing.  And no doubt…you will find an awesome and yet simple prayer.

Praise be to God!

-edh-