Weblogs

The Prodigal Father sermon

/ The Pastor

I have posted my sermon from yesterday (March 18) on my alternate blog, Sermons by Eric.  Last week I talked about the Gospel text from Luke 15 that is normally titled "The Prodigal Son".  In my post The Prodigal Father, I pondered the idea of changing the name of the Prodigal Son parable.  In my sermon yesterday I did just that.  Let me know what you think.  Am I off my rocker?  I may be, but sometimes we need to fall off our rocker to get a better perspective.  Sometimes we waste too much energy trying to stay on our rockers that we fail to see other possibilities.

I believe God is wasteful with his forgiveness.  After all…we WILL let God down again and hurt him.  So thanks be to our "wasteful" God.  -edh-

Site update and stuff

/ The Pastor

A couple items for you whether you are a faithful reader or brand new:

(1) The prayer chain continues to be active.  My site tells me when someone views the "Prayer Request" link.  I have no clue who visits, but just that someone does.  Thank you for your prayers and I hope this prayer chain is helpful for you and a source of inspiration and hope.  Feel free to visit and leave updates on how God is answering your prayers.  Also, if you have a prayer request but want to keep it private simply go to the "About" link  (under my picture) and drop me an email (reverichullstrom@yahoo.com).  Those requests will be kept confidential.

(2) Just a reminder:  The "Guest Book" link is up and running.  Feel free to sign in and leave a comment on how you use this site and how I can make it better.  I don’t do this for fame or fortune but for the glory of God.

(3) Lastly, feel free to pass this address on to anyone you know that could use a pick-me-up from God.

God bless you as you live each day as a loved child of God.  Remember to share your story and pray for those who have yet to meet Jesus.  But be careful…God just might use you to introduce Jesus to someone…but what an awesome privilege that would be.

Take care and I hope to see you soon.  Praise be to God always and forever…Amen! -edh-

Photo album updates

/ The Pastor

I have added more photos of my cute little nephew and niece.  My niece Meara turned two this year so I have some pictures from her 2nd birthday party.  Michael is 9 months now and those pictures are from 10/21/06. 

I also added a new photo album folder titled "personal".  I will put some misc. picutures in there.  Right now is a picture of my friend Greg with his new wife, Jess.  They just got married on 10/21 and I was a groomsman.  There is also a picture of an unwelcomed visitor to my garden.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.  Take care.

I’m still here

/ The Pastor

Hi everyone!  And "no"…I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth.  It seems like it somedays, but I am still here.  I will have updates coming very soon, so thanks for being patient and thanks for visiting this site.

God’s blessings to you on this cool and crisp Minnesota day.  Praise be to God! -EDH-

Stuff and a Morning prayer

/ The Pastor

Today is a big and busy day.  This morning during worship at Belmont there is a baptism.  For Belmont, this is a big deal.  The congregation has 62 members; four school age children (from one family) and a one year old.  Now we have another baby.  Big deal for this congregation. 

After worship I will be visiting a parishioner who is in home hospice.  He took a turn for the worse so I am not sure if he will live through the week.  Please keep Norbert and his family in your prayers.  Also today, I leave for my Fall Theological Conference in Mankato.  I am looking forward to time with the others pastors; being fed by our speakers that are coming, but I am not looking forward to a week away from my wife.  Please pray for Connie and I.

I am still hoping to get internet access while I am gone so I can update this site (Yes I know, I haven’t updated this site since last Sunday, but I will do better).  If you haven’t already noticed, on the top right hand side of the page is a new feature called "A Quick Message".  These are one line sermons that I have come across.  I will put a new one up there every couple days.  So keep your eyes pealed for short, quick little nuggets for your day.

Now to the business at hand.  As we begin our day (whatever day that may be for you depending on when you read this) let’s join together in prayer.  If you don’t already, please remember to start each day of you life talking to God.  If it is only a "Good morning!" and "Thank you", that is good.  Acknowledge God and give him thanks for God is indeed worthy.  So let pray together…

Loving God, where can we possibly start to praise you for your awesome deeds?  Where can we possibly start to thank you for what you have done for us?  Where can we possibly start to confess where we have fallen short of your glory?  We are not worthy, but you are.  We are deserving of nothing but punishment, but you send your Son, Jesus Christ, into our hearts.  Forgive us our sins and keep us in your grace.  Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, have mercy on us.  Grant each of us want we need to get through the day.  But more importantly, grant each of us what we need to proclaim to the world the love you showed us through the cross.  Thank you, God, for hearing us.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray…Amen!

Have a great day everyone.  Know that Christ is walking right next to you.  You are never alone.  Praise be to God, ALWAYS…Amen! -EDH-

Photo album update

/ The Pastor

Good morning everyone!  I have a weblog and a family update for you.

If you page down a little bit you will notice I updated my photo album.  I added one called, "My cute little niece" and "My cute little nephew".  I think the album titles speak for themselves.  Also you will notice I changed my picture on the top left with one that includes my niece, Meara.  She is growing up so fast.  She turns two on Aug. 25.  She can’t quite say my name though.  Right now I am "Eh-r" with the "r" sound barely audible.  My wife’s name is Connie, but Meara calls her Nonnie.  But here is the cute thing:  Meara will say "My Eh-r" or "My Nonnie".  As far as Meara is concerned we belong to her and that is it.

My nephew, Michael, is also growing up fast.  He is in the beginning stages of crawling, but not full blown crawling.  It is more of an army crawl.  He still gets around though.  Michael turns one on Dec. 29.

That’s it for now.  My wife takes off this weekend to visit her sister so I will have some extra time on my hands.  So I will be back to write some more.  May you know the awesome love of God our Father through out your busy day.  Blessings to you.  -EDH-

Blog update

/ The Pastor

Some of you will notice that the daily cartoon that used to appear on the top right hand side of this page is gone.  For some reason it was not working all the time so I removed it.  I thought it would be a neat addition to this blog and I still hope to have something like that in the future. 

I am constantly looking for ways to improve this site.  If you have suggestions please let me know.  Thanks reading and have a very blessed day.  -EDH-

Stuff and a prayer

/ The Pastor

Good morning!  No…I have not disappeared.  My wife and I are spending the week with her family.  I am back in town because since I am a pastor, I get to lead worship today.  So here I am. 

I wanted to stop by, though, and point out a new feature of this blog.  On the top right hand side of the page is the cartoon of the day.  This seems out of place considering the nature of this blog site, but hang with me a second.  I like to laugh and what better way than a family friendly cartoon that points out the obvious in life.  Sometimes we move too fast each day.  We forget to laugh and we miss the obvious.  So stop and enjoy a cartoon and remember to laugh at least once each day (the more the better).

With that being said let’s pray and go on with our day.  I will be back later for a longer blog entry.  I do have some stuff to write about that has happened during my short vacation (I will try not to embarass anyone).  Anyway, let’s pray:

Gracious God, giver of all things, we give you thanks and praise for who you are.  We are lost without you.  We have no purpose without you.  We are dead without you.  Show us your love each and everyday.  Help us not to miss the obvious in life; those who you send our way to love and serve.  Help us to laugh and to not take ourselves so seriously.  God, you are awesome.  You are incredible and there is no one like you.  Thank you for who you are.  But most importantly, thank you for sending your Son to love and serve us.  Thank you for sending your Son to live among us and to experience everything we experience.  Thank you for sending your Son to die for us and then defeat death through rising for us.  Thank you God for the gift of eternal life.  We pray this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen!!!

Have a great day everyone and God bless.  -EDH-