Prayer

Another US soldier down…

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

…but he is still alive.

My wife and I received some news yesterday that was like an unsuspecting punch in the stomach.  My wife’s cousin, Andrew, who is stationed in Iraq was hit by a roadside bomb while driving a Humvee.  Andrew is alive but has lost both of his legs.  I am not sure how many people out are reading this but could you please pray for Andrew and his family.  Andrew has a long road ahead of him but he does have a loving family and friends that have stood beside him and always will.  Please also continue to pray for our troops still serving (as I am sure many of you have been doing already).  I have read and heard many news reports of people losing loved ones to this war or returning home injured (like Andrew), but I never thought it would hit this close to home.  Andrew was supposed to be home last month but his unit was extended by 120 days – this was not supposed to happen.

I think it would be easy to start blaming God or President Bush or someone – but I am not going to do that.  I am not going to start becoming political over this war.  I am not going to start shifting blame – Andrew doesn’t need that.  Andrew needs our prayers and support – he needs my prayers and support.  So that is what I am going to do.  Whether I agree with this war or not is not important right now.  Everything is in God’s hands and that is something I know Andrew understands as well.

Andrew’s former pastor wrote a blog entry about Andrew (something I read last night on a print out).  I am trying to find this piece so I can share it with you.  When I do, I will include a link for you to follow.  But what I can say is that Andrew is a guy who was very committed to what he was doing.  He was looking forward to coming home, but he loved being in the National Guard and serving his country.

Arguing over the merits of this war won’t give Andrew his legs back.  The only think I can say right now is, "Thank you, Andrew, for serving our country."  And like I said before, please pray for him and the thousands of others out there in harms way. 

God is in control – always has and always will be.  "Thank you God for sparing Andrew’s life." Praise be to God always and forever. Amen.
-edh-

A Prayer of Martin Luther

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

"Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled.  My Lord,fill it.  I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.  I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor.  I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and I am unable to trust you altogether.  O Lord, help me.  Strengthen my faith and trust in you.  In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.  I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor.  I am a sinner; you are upright.  With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness.  Therefore I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen" (ELW – pg. 87)

I stumbled across this prayer as I was paging through a copy of the ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship).  We are in the process of exploring this new worship resource.  I am not sure why I was paging through the prayers at 7:30 on this Sunday morning, but I was.  As my eyes glossed over the various prayers, my eyes stopped at this prayer.  My eyes did not stop because I saw it was by Martin Luther (maybe that caught my attention) but what held me was the opening sentence –"Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled." 

I am always amazed at the humility of Luther.  He never thought himself worthy of the calling to preach, teach or lead worship.  And as he says in his sacristy prayer – one I use every time I prepare to preach, teach or lead worship – "if it were left up to me, I would surely bring it all to ruin."  And even more than that, Luther never felt himself worthy to call himself a Christian.  I can definitely relate to that – not his humility, but not feeling worthy to be called a Christian.  I sometimes feel weak in faith and cold in love.  I need God to strengthen me and warm me with his love.  I need God to speak to me.

Then this morning a 3 year old showed me love that energized me for worship.  As I was greeting people before worship, a 3 year old from my congregation came running out of the sanctuary to show me her Scooby Doo fruit snacks.  I bent over to speak to her face to face and showed her my genuine excitement because I love Scooby Doo fruit snacks — something I told her.  She immediately ran back into the sanctuary.  A couple minutes late she came running back out and handed me a pack of fruit snacks.  I looked up and her mom smiled at me in approval.  My heart was filled with love by a tiny act of love by a 3 year old little girl who hides behind mom’s leg when I come to greet her.  Who knew a 3 year old and Scooby Doo could prepare me for worship.

"Thank you God for warming my heart with love, for filling this ’empty vessel’ and for strengthening my faith through a simple act by a 3 year old"

When we need it, God provides.  I am indeed not worthy to be a pastor in his church, but God empowers me to lead his people through the Holy Spirit.  Thank you, God and Amen. -edh-

Thursday morning tid bits with a dose of Love

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  A colleague of mine and I lead the prayer service at the Elementary School next door.  The four schools in the Jackson Country Central school district all had short prayer services around their flag poles (of course not sponsored by them but by the Kiwanis group and the ministerial).  The event took place before school so the students could attend along with the community.  The only group of people that COULD NOT attend were the teachers.  They are on "contract time" so they could not participate in praying for our nation, community, our leaders and for our schools. I understand this whole separation of church and state thing — I understand but don’t like it — but come on, 10 measly minutes.  School is not even in session at 8am.  Next year I will talk to the Kiwanis group about starting this event earlier to allow teachers to participate and pray with the community. 

Car seat mania

Confused?  Check out this out:

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This picture represents 67 children who are now riding in safe car seats thanks to my loving and caring wife.  She works for community health and one of her passions is car seats.  My wife is a state certified car seat technician.  Most of these car seats came from two drive through car seat clinics she organized.  Last weekend Connie and her crew checked 51 vehicles and only three had car seats that were installed correctly or that were up-to-date.  People with defective or expired car seats got a new one for free thanks to a grant she received.  Unfortunately the local newspaper was not there covering this event, so this is me, giving Connie some "press".  This is also me super excited that these car seats are out of the garage…FINALLY!

A dose of Love

The Gospel text for this Sunday (The 5th Sunday after Easter) is from John 13: 31-35.  Here Jesus talks about this "new commandment" to love one another.  New commandment?  God gives the Israelites a law in the Old Testament to love another, so Jesus is not saying anything new…right?  Well, actually He is.  Unlikely Conversation: A Lectionary Blog talks about the four Greek words for love.  The "Love" Jesus is referring to is a "self sacrificing" type of Love — a kind of love Jesus shows.  This is "new" and different.  So maybe I need to preach on love and talk about what it means to truly "love one another".  I am also thinking that maybe I will refer back to Maundy Thursday where Jesus gives this "new commandment".  How are you doing with "loving your neighbor"?  On Easter Sunday a number of CEOs (Christmas Easter Only) came to worship — how are you doing in showing THEM love?   How can we love people better? 

Hmmm…I have some things to think and pray about.  I am excited to find out what the Holy Spirit places on my heart today to preach to the people on Sunday.  This sermon prep thing is awesome.

Well…it is time to chat with God and see what is up for Sunday.  God bless you and have a most wonderful day.  Take care.  -edh-

Virginia Tech shooting

/ The Pastor

By now many of you have already heard about the deadly shooting at Virginia Tech.  If you have not, I break this news to you with a heavy heart.  Follow this link for more information.

First and foremost our prayers are needed for the family and friends of the victims and the students at Virginia Tech.  I can not even begin to fathom what they are feeling and going through.  I can only imagine there is fear and uncertainty, pain and sorrow, anger and confusion; among a list of many other emotions.  And even though you may not have been on campus today at Virginia Tech, you still may feel for those students.  My heart is racing right now trying to figure out "WHY?"  What possesses a person to do something like this?  What are they trying to communicate? 

I have so many questions but I can’t help but to also feel for the person who pulled the trigger.  They must have been in so much pain to do something like this.  It makes me wonder if they knew the love of God through Jesus Christ.  I can’t speak to what was in this person’s heart but if Christ was there I find it hard to believe they would have even pulled the trigger.  Maybe Christ was there, but nobody told them about Jesus.  If that is the case it saddens me and make me wonder.  Have I done enough to share the Gospel with the people around me.  Could I be doing more?

Please take a few moments right now to pray for the students at Virginia Tech.  Remember their friends and family and all those affected by this tragedy.  Also remember the shooter and all those who are hurting; those who do not know Jesus Christ.  How can we afford to remain silent with the Good News of life eternal?

In the midst of this tragedy I find comfort in knowing that Jesus is right there on campus at Virginia Tech.  Jesus was in that dorm room and classroom.  Jesus is with those grieving families and friends.  But more importantly, Jesus was with those who died.  We are never alone.  Share this Good News and never stop praying for the Kingdom.

Virginia Tech…you are in our prayers. -edh-

Amazing Friday

/ The Pastor

God is awesome and never ceases to amaze me.  When God wants something done, God gets it done.  When God has a word to speak, that word gets spoken.  When God has a message for his people, that message gets delivered.  And there is nothing in my power that I can do to stop that (not that I would ever want to or try).

Yesterday I wrote about "Irony Thursday".  I was trying to write a sermon but found myself at a loss for words as I sat and wrote a post (how ironic huh?).  Anyway, as soon as I published that post I grabbed my Bible and piano books and proceeded to the sanctuary.  I go to the sanctuary when I want to get away and focus without distractions.  I also practice piano to settle my mind down (I have been taking lessons for nearly 2 years now).  After some practicing and praying, I started to listen.  After some time of what looked like me talking to myself (I was actually talking to God and talking through some ideas) I returned to my office.

Now this is the cool part.  I started typing and before I knew it the sermon for Sunday was done.  I entered a zone and the words just flew from my fingers onto the keys of my keyboard.  God never ceases to amaze me.  God is able to break through any writers (preachers) block.  There is no way I could have done this on my own.  Like Martin Luther says in his sacristy prayer "If it were left up to me I would surely bring it all to ruin".

There are many Thursday mornings when I have no clue what I am going to preach on Sunday, but every Sunday a sermon is born; not of my doing but of God’s.  And every Sunday I sit (or stand) in amazement of God’s awesome power.  So I sit here in my living room, on my day off, enjoying another amazing Friday with my God wondering what God is going to do next.  I am not sure what it will be, but if God is involved I am ready to hang on for the ride.  -edh-

Morning prayer – 1/21/07

/ The Pastor

God of every age and time…

Just as you revealed your glory at the wedding in Cana and as you shined your light to the people in Galilee, reveal yourself to us today.  Help us see in scripture the Good News of life and salvation.  Help us to see the path to follow.  Help us to understand what it means to be your disciples.  We give you thanks because we know that you will never let darkness overcome us; for Jesus is the Light of the world and darkness will never overcome that light.  Shine in us now that we may be examples and lights to this dark world.  Don’t let us be fooled by the artificial light we that we at times take comfort in; for that light will go out, but Jesus never will.  Thank you for your never failing love in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. -EDH-

A Sunday morning prayer – 1/14/07

/ The Pastor

Let us pray together:

God of all creation, you have promised to hear our cries.  You have promised to always come for us.  You have promised to love us.  Hear us now as we call out to you.  Hear us now as we open our hearts to you.  Hear us now as we thank you for intervening on our behalf through Jesus Christ.  Teach us to be patient as we wait for the glorious return of Your dear Son, and strengthen our resolve as we endure the pains and sufferings that this world throws at us.  Thank you for the gift of life you have given us through baptism; the very gift that gives us hope in this world.  May your name be praised always and forever. Amen!

God bless you this day and may you always know the love of God that is indeed surrounding you like pea soup fog.  Take comfort in the fact that you are never alone.  Take care.  -EDH-

Call out to God

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I just heard one of the cutest stories I have heard in a long time.

I was talking with my sister today and she was telling me something Meara (her daughter/my niece) said.  When Meara gets into trouble she has a tendency to call out someone’s name hoping they will come and help her.  If she is being scolded she might call out, "Grandma!" or somebody else she happens to be thinking about.  But that is not the cute part.

Julie went on to tell me that every night, when Andy and her put Meara to bed, they say their prayers together.  They remind Meara that they love her and that God loves her too.  Well…just the other day Meara was being a little pill.  She was not getting dressed like she was supposed to so Julie threatened to take away the Play Dough she just bought her.  Apparently Meara viewed it an idle threat so the Play Dough went on top of the cabinet.  A couple minutes later Meara came running out into the living room screaming and saying, "God!…God!".  Hoping that somehow God would intervene on her behalf return her Play Dough.

A two and a half year old turned to a loving God during a difficult time.  We can learn a lot from this young child of God.  But don’t forget to also call out to God in times of great joy.  God may not reach down and "return your Play Dough", but God is listening and loving you.  When we call out to God, God reminds us of how much he loves us.  When we call out to God we include God in our lives and submit to God’s all knowing wisdom.  When we call out to God we are calling out to a God who always has time for us.

Meara may not have understood what she was doing, but it is very obvious that Meara understands that God loves her…and God loves you too.  Call out to God and trust that God will hear you and provide you with everything you need.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

God does not fade away

/ The Pastor

I am depressed.

About a week ago I was enjoying a good ole fashion Minnesota snow storm.  Granted…compared to some of Minnesota’s more famous snowstorms, the one last week pales in comparison, but at least we got snow.  Now I look out my office window and I see more grass than snow.  Oh how fast things change. 

Sad…depressing.

Why do things have to fade so fast?  I think back to some friendships I had in high school; to relationships I had when I lived in Dawson in the late 90s; and friendships from college and seminary.  Today I have lost touch with a lot of people.  Friendships have changed and faded away.  I have made new friends now, but I still long for the past; I still long to re-connect with people.

Now I am beginning to re-connect with some of those past relationships through means like, MySpace and Facebook.  I know things will never be the same again.  I know that I can not turn back the clock and go back to the good ole days.  Time moves on.  Life situations change.  People grow and evolve and we have to change with the times.  I know all of that and change is good.  I just wish I was better at maintianing connections. 

But as I sit here reflecting on past relationships and how some relationships have faded out of site, I am quickly reminded of one relationship that will never let me go.  I may change with the times, but God will always keep up.  God will never lose touch with me.  God will never let me go.  We may lose touch with God, but re-connecting has never been easier.  God is simple prayer away.  And you will be amazed at how easy it is to connect or re-connect with the Author of all life…your best friend.

Take some time today to re-connect with God.  Whether it has been 20 years or 20 minutes since you have talked to God, give Him a call.  God is always waiting for you.  God is always loving you.  God is always there…no matter what.  God will never fade away.

I am not so sad and depressed anymore.  I do wish we had more snow.  I do wish I could re-connect with more past relationships and I am trying.  But I have God and I know God loves me (and God loves you too).  And that is one connection that will NEVER fade! Thanks be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Victory over death

/ The Pastor

I invite you to read John 11:32-44; the raising of Lazarus.  Jesus is not only Lord in our lives, but Jesus is Lord over death.  So thanks be to God who gives us victory over death through Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Savior.  Let us pray…

…Living God, I am constantly amazed at the signs of your glory all around us.  Just when I think I am dead and lost; without hope, you show up to bring me out of the grave and heal me.  You do not recoil in disgust from the stench of my sin.  But rather you unbind me through the community of saints; freeing me from my past, my pain and my sin.  Work through each of us to roll stones away to reveal your glory; the resurrection of you dear Son, Jesus Christ.  The One who gives us life.  Loving God, may your name be praised always and forever. Amen.

Live in victory for Jesus reigns!  God Bless!  -EDH-