Text study

Do not weep

/ The Pastor

"When the Lord saw her, (the widow whose only son had just died), he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’…fear seized all of them and they glorified God…" (Luke7:13 and 16) And then "In their fright the women (the ones at Jesus’ tomb) bowed down with their faces to the ground but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He (Jesus) is not here; he has risen!’…" (Luke 24:5-6)

I am struck by the similarities between the Gospel text for today (the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost), Luke 7:11-17 and the resurrection account of Jesus from Luke 24.  In both cases we have weeping and despair over one who could not afford to die — and worship in response to something miraculous.  In both cases we have deep love and compassion.  In both cases we have the dead coming to life.  And in both cases the Good News is being proclaimed to all who would hear.

I said earlier that one similarity is that the Luke 7 account and Jesus’ resurrection included two people who could not afford to die.  Well…that is not entirely accurate, but I will stick with the above statement.  Jesus and the widow’s ONLY son could not afford to die in the eyes of the loved left behind.  For the widow, her only son was a source of income and care.  For Jesus early followers, he was the Messiah who was to save them and restore Israel.  Their deaths meant certain despair and definitely a cause for weeping.

But as Jesus proves in both cases, death does not have the final word.  In the case of the widow’s son, his resurrection is not the main point for this man would eventually die again.  The point is that this man’s new life was to give glory to God through Jesus Christ.  Something new was happening in their world and something new continues to happen in our world as well. 

Both of these stories prove that when it comes to Jesus, death has no power or strength.  It may cause weeping for the moment, but when the Good News is proclaimed, our weeping can turn to joy.  It turns to joy because in faith we know that death is only the doorway to our REAL home — paradise with Jesus Christ.  Death is not the end, but only the beginning.

So I think that I will take this text and head in that direction.  For me personally I find great hope in this especially when I face a grandma who’s health is declining fast.  She has told me countless times that she is ready.  And I know she is ready, but I am not.  But as I read this text, I move closer to being ready for I know that no matter what I will see my grandma again.  Death is a formidable foe, but it has lost. 

Do not weep…our Savior, Jesus Christ, reigns supreme.

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

Hope does not disappoint

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)

I have read this text a number of times.  I have preached on this text and have studied it in Bible study, but now I see it differently.  In light of Andrew’s situation, recovering from a roadside bomb blast in Iraq, I wonder how Andrew would hear this text.  And as I wonder about that, I find myself wondering how we as Christians should hear this text.

We are reminded very quickly by Paul of OUR situation because of God’s love through Jesus Christ.  Because Jesus died and rose from the grave (which he did FOR YOU and FOR ME), we have access to a peace and grace beyond all understanding – a free gift given through faith.  And through this faith, we look forward to our ultimate glory that we will share with God someday…

…but we live in the here and now — with suffering…

I have a hard time thinking that one should "boast" about their sufferings – especially when one is faced with a life without their God-given legs.  Does Andrew "boast" in his suffering?  I don’t know.  Would I boast in that kind of suffering?  Part of me says "I hope I would", but another part of of me says "I don’t know what I would do". 

Another question that comes to mind is this:  Does one have to suffer in order to experience hope?  Is it only through suffering that we truly understand God’s grace and love?  And as a close friend of mine asks, "Do I suffer enough?"

Being a good Lutheran I understand Luther’s comments that we are not to search for "our cross" or our own sufferings.  That is not the point.  I understand that suffering will naturally come our way.  Maybe it has to do with how we approach suffering – how we respond to it.  Do we become bitter and angry or do we look at it as a way to grow closer to God – a reminder that we NEED God?  Maybe I am asking the wrong questions or looking at this the wrong way.  But maybe the point is that any suffering we face on this earth is nothing compared to the glory we will experience with God someday through faith.  We live here for but a moment, but our New Life with Christ is forever.

I am not sure how Andrew is responding to his "suffering" but my prayer for him is that he knows and has assurance that he will experience a glory with God that one cannot fully imagine.

So I guess hope does not disappoint.  "Suffering"…take your best shot, I cling to my faith in Christ – anticipating a life that you cannot take away.  Praise be to God and AMEN!
-edh-

Now THAT day was a sabbath

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

Check out the following cartoon I found (I couldn’t help help but to laugh):

(Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc – www.reverendfun.com)

Healing_lepers_2

The Gospel text from John 5:1-9 ends in a way that makes me smile.  Jesus is talking to a crippled man by a healing pool outside the city gate and asks a very usual question, "Do you want to be made well?"  I mean, seriously, want kind of question is that.  But the guy’s answer is just as curious.  He doesn’t come out and say, "Yes, of course I do".  The crippled man goes into an explanation of why he has not managed to get himself healed.  Basically, a long way to say , "Yes".  After the man’s needless explanation, Jesus says, "Stand up, take your mat and walk"  The man got up and walked away.  Then the Gospel writer says (emphasis mine) "Now THAT day was a Sabbath."  And let me tell you…THAT was a sabbath day.  It was a sabbath day like nothing anyone had ever seen before.  What a sabbath day.

I wonder what the church would be like if people today said something like that.  I am not expecting people to say, "Whew…what a sabbath day…that sermon was something else, wasn’t it?"  I am sure this is a fantasy for nearly every pastor.  But what I am talking about is people saying, "Whew…what a sabbath day…my sins are forgiven.  Can you believe that?"  People just don’t seem to care about forgiveness.  Maybe it is my vantage point that is skewing my vision, but people today seem to take forgiveness for granted.  What can we as preachers do about that?

Imagine being at that pool outside the city gate the day Jesus showed up.  As you watch the scene you notice Jesus talking to a man who has been crippled for 38 years.  You can’t hear the conversation but the next thing you notice — the man is walking.  Wouldn’t that get your attention?  If you were the one healed, wouldn’t you say "Now let me tell you, THAT was a sabbath day"? 

God’s forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ is amazing.  We are totally unworthy of God’s forgiveness yet Jesus says to us, "Stand up, take your mat and go home."  My friends THAT is amazing.  After you leave worship next time, think back.  Think about your sinfulness.  Think about the fact that you are unworthy.  Think about the fact that on our own we are lost and hopeless.  Then remember the words of the worship leader speaking on behalf of Christ, "Your sins are forgiven".  I don’t know about you, but THAT is something.  Praise God always and forever.  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:

100_1358

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-

Dumber than sheep???

/ The Pastor

This coming Sunday is known in many churches as "Good Shepherd Sunday.  The 23rd Psalm is read along with John chapter 10 where Jesus talks about sheep and shepherds.  The second lesson is Revelation 7:9-17 which is about John seeing the great multitude robed in white – robes made white in the blood of the Lamb.  And verse 17 of Revelation 7 says, "for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

So those were the texts we talked about at text study today along with Acts 9:36-43 — the first lesson where Peter raises Dorcas from the dead.  After we read the texts one of my colleagues talked about his ponderings of this whole sheep/shepherd imagery early in his ministry.  He said at first he did not like being called a sheep since they are some of the dumbest animals on earth.  Then someone told him that it is not about us being dumb, but rather the importance of us needing a leader (someone to guide us).  He said that made a lot of sense to him.  Then I chimed in and said, "So if sheep are some of the dumbest animals on the planet and they follow their shepherd’s voice everyday, then what does that say about us who do not always follow our Shepherd — Jesus Christ?  We have a lot to learn from sheep."

I mean think about it — sheep do not wake up some mornings and make a conscience decision to not follow their shepherd.  They know that their shepherd cares for them, protects them and feeds them.  They trust their shepherd and follow their voice.  But then here WE are — the smartest mammals on the planet and we can’t even manage to follow and obey.  Many people know that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and yet we often do not trust or listen to Him.  We have our moments when Jesus is the best thing since sliced bread and then moments when we try to create our own destiny — and of course that never works.  So maybe sheep are NOT the dumbest animals on the planet.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want…"  The Psalmist in Psalm 23 knows who to follow.  With Jesus Christ as our Shepherd, we shall never be in "want" – for Jesus provides for our souls.  So let’s take a page out of the How to be a sheep manual and follow our shepherd’s voice where ever He may lead.  We may not always understand why God does what God does, but God’s ways and wisdom are far above our own. 

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want…"  Thank you Lord Jesus for leading, guiding, caring for us and giving us life.  But most importantly, thank you for coming after us when we stray.  Thank you for forgiveness and thank you for your love.  Praise be to God our Father and our Shepherd Jesus Christ — Amen! -edh-

A gloomy Tuesday morning

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

It is a gloomy Tuesday morning.  The sky is over cast and there is a light, cool breeze.  Looking out my window you can definitely see the gloom in the air.  But there is something else that is causing people to feel a little solemn this morning.  As I sat in my living room watching the Today Show cover the horrific events from yesterday at Virginia Tech, I found myself fighting back tears.  I fought — but I lost as some stray tears managed to roll down my face.  My heart felt heavy accompanied with a lump in my throat.  As I did yesterday, I am still struggling to put everything in perspective.  I am still trying to come to grips that someone could actually cold heartily kill 32 people before killing himself.  As I hear more and more details I become more and more sad and shocked.  My heart goes out to the Virginia Tech community and my prayers are with them as well.  It is indeed a gloomy Tuesday morning.

But in the midst of the tragic events of yesterday life does go on.  It might take me a little longer to get going today, but life will go on all the same.  God — grant me the strength I need to follow where ever you may lead.  Feed and care for my soul.  Strengthen my faith to see that you are with us through thick and thin.  It is a gloomy day, Lord.  Comfort all those who are grieving and give hope to those who have lost loved ones.  Thank you for listening to me.  Amen.

Text study

The Gospel text for Sunday is John 21:1-19.  This is a post-resurrection, fish and bread BBQ account between Jesus and His disciples.  As they are dining on some fish Jesus asks Peter a series of questions – three questions that are the same – "Do you love me?"  As Jesus asks these questions Peter becomes more and more hurt and confused.  He says he loves Jesus but Jesus keeps asking.  But it is the response of Jesus after each question that catches my attention.  Jesus first tells Peter to "Feed my lambs" then he says, "Tend my sheep" and then "Feed my sheep".  All of these commands are ones to care for those who need guidance.  Sheep are very vulnerable and need a shepherd.  Jesus had been "tending His sheep" for nearly three years and now they are ready to "move up".  The sheep are now the shepherds, ready to care for one another.

Today I feel like a little lost sheep in need of guidance.  And I know that Jesus will not abandon the Virginia Tech community or anyone searching for answers. 

"Feed me" Lord Jesus with your love; "tend me" as I search, and "Feed me" once again with understanding. 

What do you hear in this text?  How do you need to be fed?

God bless you this today and everyday and as we mourn know we have a loving God that feeds and tends to our every need.  We are never alone.  Praise to our loving God always and forever — Amen!

Holy Week ponderings

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Greetings everyone!  God bless you this Holy Week and beyond.

It has been a couple days since I have posted something so I wanted to write and update you on how my life is going and talk about the thoughts running through my head right now. 

Today is Maundy Thursday so I am in the midst of finishing that message up.  I am planning on talking about this "New Commandment" that Jesus gives to love one another.  After all, the word "Maundy" means commandment.  Tomorrow is Good Friday and I still have some finishing touches to put on that service.  Basically the service is one of contemplation.  I will be reading the Passion story, offering up a short reflection after certain selections and then allowing a couple minutes of silence for prayer and contemplation.  I have never done this before so I am curious how it will be received.

Then there is Easter.  The text I am using is the Resurrection account from Luke.  The question that the angels ask the women is one I find myself pondering, "Why do you look for the dead among the living?"  Isn’t that exactly what we have a tendency to do?  I am planning on getting a little "feisty" (did you catch that Kara?) on Sunday.  I am planning on asking people, especially the CEOs (Christmas Easter Only people) why they are searching for the living among the dead?  Why are you searching for meaning where there is no meaning?  Why are you searching for life where there is no life.  If you were searching for a child who ran away from home, you would not look in the cemetery.  You would search for them among the living.  People who don’t come to worship or who do not know Christ need to know that our only true source of life is in Jesus Christ.

Outside of Holy Week preparations life is good as well.  Connie’s sister came for a visit last night with our one year old nephew, Micheal.  We had a great time watching Micheal run around and explore the house.  Tomorrow is my "day off" but I got a feeling that won’t happen.  Oh well, I am on vacation next week so I will get caught up on resting then.

Anyway, I need to return to the task at hand.  God Bless and take care.  May the joy of our Lord resonant loudly in your heart.  -edh-

Un-Feisty Christians

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

A friend of mine commented on a blog entry I wrote recently called Bipolar Christians.  She made an interesting point that I want to highlight this morning.  Kara basically talked about people not being "bipolar" enough.  There are too many people who are lukewarm about their faith.  They walk around apathetic about Jesus.  As Kara said, "Most people today aren’t disturbed by Jesus".  And Jesus should disturb you.  If Jesus does not then you might not be listening hard enough. 

There is a cool blog entry you need to check out at Unlikely Conversation: A Lectionary Blog called Easter and Evangelism.  This author talks about Christians having the best story in the world to tell; and I couldn’t agree more.  Actually I would say we have an AWESOME story to tell.  But my question is this:  Why don’t more people get more excited about this story?  We share good news with each other about our kids, promotions or about losing 20lbs but why not THE Good News?  Well…I think the simple answer is that people are not disturbed by Jesus (as Kara boldly puts it).  We take more joy in our kid’s accomplishments or in our "success" at work or in our body image than in the radical Good News of the cross.  We worry more about our position on the social ladder or how much influence we have or how much money we have saved than in the wild forgiveness God shows us in Jesus Christ.

Maybe the problem is that too many churches don’t get feisty enough about their faith (if you knew my friend Kara, you would know the "feisty" I am talking about).  Maybe there is too much "Minnesota Nice" coming out in our proclamation (a problem my internship supervisor pointed out in me).  Maybe we, as the church, are not taking a definitive enough of a stand against injustices and issues in the world.  I mean think about…we have the best story in the world to tell and there is still a large number of unchurched people in our communities.  There are too many churches satisfied with maintenance (status quo) than in evangelism.  Secular attacks on the Christian faith go widely unchallenged by Christians ("The Di Vinci Code" & "The Lost Tomb of Jesus"). We need to be more feisty.

"Kill the ‘old Adam’", "Sell all you have and follow me", "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you".  If those statements by Jesus do not disturb you, then read them again…He is talk to you. 

Let’s get more feisty about our faith and A LOT MORE bold about sharing the best story in the world.  We cannot afford to be "lukewarm Christians". Thank you, Kara, for making me think more and thank you for being "feisty".  If only more people followed your example. -edh-

Bipolar Christians

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I think all Christians are bipolar by definition.  I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone who suffers from this illness; and I am by no means making light of this sensitive issue for some, but the rate that Christians change their attitude and feelings toward God is amazing.  Just check out the mob scene that Jesus experiences during the last week of his life.

One of the scripture texts for this coming Sunday – Palm Sunday – comes from Luke 19:28-40.  This is the account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey; a victorious King coming home from battle.  The crowds are cheering and shouting, "Hosanna!" which oddly enough means "save us".  If only the people really knew what Jesus came to do.

That was the beginning of Holy Week.  A few short days later, some of those same people were shouting "CRUCIFY HIM!"  which means "Kill him, get rid of him, he is not our king!"  One moment the people are praising Jesus and the next moment they are trying to get rid of him.  Hmmm…sounds familiar.  This couldn’t possibly be talking about how we turn on Jesus in an instant when it serves us.

Do you see yourself in that early mob scene?  Do you see yourself following Jesus around listening to him?  Do you see yourself shouting "CRUCIFY HIM!"?  I read this text and can’t help but to place myself in those scenes.  But here’s the cool thing:  Even though this is mine (and our) reality, Jesus stills goes to the cross for us.  Jesus still offers forgiveness to us.  Jesus still gives us life.  How cool is that?  Bipolar and all…Jesus still loves you and me.  "HOSANNA!" -edh-

God is doing a “new thing”

/ The Pastor

What new thing is God doing in your life?  But more importantly, can you even perceive that God is doing anything in your life?  Isaiah 43:18-19 (the Old Testament lesson for March 25) reads as follows, "Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.  I am about to do a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"(emphasis mine).

Text study this morning has got me thinking again.  It is amazing how that happens when people get together to study scripture.  I am not sure if this is what I am going to preach on, only time (and God) will tell, but what I am thinking is this:  What "new thing" is God doing in my life? In the congregation I serve? In the Church? In you?  I perceive some activity in my life but I am still trying to figure out what it means.  I perceive some activity at Salem and Belmont Lutheran Churches (the congregations I serve) but I am still trying to figure out what it means.  I know God is doing something new in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but I wonder if anyone knows what is going on.  And I know God is doing something in your life.

I believe it is all a matter of listening to God.  I think we get so caught up in ourselves that we don’t stop to recognize that God is up to something.  I know God is up to something amazing in mine and Connie’s lives but what?  I get so lost in emotion and selfishness that sometimes God’s voice gets lost.  I need to stop and listen.  I need to tune out the noise.  I need to perceive.

God IS up to something.  What "new thing" is God doing in you? -edh-