Happy Reformation Sunday!

/ The Pastor

Blessings to you this Reformation Sunday.

Sorry, but I do not have a prayer to post this morning.  My “smart” clock once again got the best of me and set itself back on hour this morning.  Hence…I overslept; throwing off my routine.  I pray that the Holy Spirit may speak to your heart this morning; moving you to action and inspiring you to proclaim freedom for the captives.

So in the words of one of my favorite hymns:
‎”No strength of ours can match is might! We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight, whom God himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored! He holds the field victorious.” (Vs. 2 of A Mighty Fortress)

God bless!

edh -|—

Love

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Matthew 22:37-39
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus’ teaching about the greatest commandment is a powerful one for me. I need this to keep me centered and grounded.  It is too easy to think ministry is about what WE do and how successful WE are and how many people WE invite to church and how much WE serve.  It is too easy to become selfish.  I need daily reminders that without love my words and actions are empty.

Let’s pray together:

Loving God,

It is easy for me to say “I love you” but do I?
It is easy for me to say “I love my neighbors” but do I?
It is easy for me to say “Of course I do”…but really?

When I consider my actions.
When I reflect on my words.
When I ponder my motives.
I can’t help but see selfishness behind what I say and do.  And this is hard considering what we hear from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 when he says that without love we are nothing but noise.

I want you to be praised and glorified but there is a part of me that wants to be praised and glorified. 

I want you to receive all the attention but there is a part of me that wants to be center stage.

Loving God…please take away my self-centeredness and fill me with your love. Convict me of wrong motives and show me the most excellent way (Love). Encourage me to share my life with people and not just words.  Strengthen my faith to see you in all things.  And remind me every moment of my life that nails are not what held Jesus to the cross but rather it was love ~ his awesome love for each of us.

Loving God, help me to love you more and my neighbor as myself.

Amen.

edh -|—

Sealed and marked

/ The Pastor

This past Sunday (yesterday) the Gospel text was from Matthew 22:15-22.  It is the text where the religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus by asking him whether it is lawful to pay the tax to Caesar.  After Jesus asks for the coin used for the tax and after quizzing the quizzers on who’s image and inscription is on the coin, Jesus says:

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s“.

Jesus never directly answers the question.  He never says whether it is lawful or not.  Jesus simply states what is truly important; leaving the quizzers speechless.

So on Sunday I talked about being marked.  The coin was marked and so are we.

How?

We are “sealed with the Holy Spirit and MARKED with the cross of Christ forever.” (from the order of Baptism in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book)

So what does this really mean for you and for me?  What does it mean to be marked?

(1)  It is about placing a claim on something (or someone).  You claim a brand new car by putting a license plate on it.  You claim a household pet by putting a collar/tag on it.  God places a claim on us in baptism through the mark of Christ ~ the cross.  God says to you through baptism, “You are mine“.

(2) The mark says something about the claimer.  A car license plate says a lot about the person who claimed (bought) the car.  An animal tag says something about who owns that pet.  The mark of Christ, the cross, shows us how serious God is about us.  Jesus went to the cross, an instrument of torture and death.  The cross shows us how much God loves us.    Indeed…the mark says a lot about God’s love for you.

(3) Lastly…marking something says something about the claimed. You don’t mark something if you don’t intend to claim or redeem it.  You only mark something that has value.  The very fact that Jesus went so far as the cross and that through baptism we are sealed and marked with the sign of the cross, says that we are valuable (to put it mildly).  God has claimed us and through faith in Christ, God intends to redeem us.

So at the end of the sermon I invited people to come forward to the baptismal font to receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads.  I told the people that this is  NOT because their mark from their own baptism has worn off, but rather this is a simple reminder that they are claimed by God.

One by one people came forward.  I dipped my finger in the water; making the sign of the cross on their foreheads, I said these words: “Child of God, you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and MARKED with the cross of Christ forever.” It was a very powerful moment for me; to see most everyone come forward to acknowledge their gift of baptism.

As Martin Luther told people, I encouraged people whenever they splash water on their face, let the water remind them of their baptism.  Make the sign of the cross on your own forehead and say, “I am baptized“.  What a great way to start your day.

Reflect on your own baptism today (and everyday for that matter).  Consider the MARK God has placed on you.  Contemplate the fact that God considers you valuable.  Ponder the lengths Jesus went to in order to show how serious he is about you.  And rejoice in God’s love for you.

What an awesome God we have!

edh -|—

Claimed

/ The Pastor

Matthew 22:18-22
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

I share with you the following prayer with the invitation for you to use it as your own today. Dip your finger in some water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead as you say, “I have been seal with the Holy Spirit and MARKED with the cross of Christ forever.”

Almighty and merciful God, through my baptism you
sealed me
marked me
claimed me
and spoke to me: “Child of God, you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and MARKED with the cross of Christ forever.”

Wow God…that is amazing.

When I consider this “marking” I can’t help but think that you claimed me because I am somehow valuable, otherwise why would you claim me?  After all…
I am sinful
I am unfaithful
I am disobedient
I am definitely not worthy

But despite that you have placed a claim on me through baptism.  You have said that I belong to you.  You have comforted me with the gift of life.  You have saved me from this world.  What belongs to Caesar is that which belongs to the world.  What belongs to you is that which you have marked and claimed…  

ME

Thank you, God.  May water be that everlasting reminder of you your:
Love
Faithfulness
Sacrifice
through Jesus Christ my Lord.

Thank you, God that I belong to you.  May your name always be praised.

Amen!

May God bless your day 🙂

edh -|—

A different creed

/ The Pastor

At our morning worship service on Tuesday, during my synod’s Fall Theological Conference, we used the following creed in worship.  It is called The Maasai Creed.  It was composed by the Maasai people of East Africa along with missionaries from the Congregation of the Holy Ghost, in 1960.

It is very different from what we are used to, but in some ways similar.  It doesn’t confess everything the Apostles’ Creed confesses (e.g. no virgin birth) , but it gets the gist of it.   Theologically it may be a little rough, but rough is not necessarily bad.  I might have used some different words in spots, but hey…let’s consider the source and context.

So whatever it is worth I share this with you and curious to read what you think of it.

We believe in the one High God, who out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it. He created Man and wanted Man to be happy in the world. God loves the world and every nation and tribe on the Earth. We have known this High God in darkness, and now we know Him in the light. God promised in the book of His word, the Bible, that He would save the world and all the nations and tribes.

We believe that God made good His promise by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, a man in the flesh, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village, who left His home and was always on safari doing good, curing people by the power of God, teaching about God and man, showing the meaning of religion is love. He was rejected by his people, tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died. He lay buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him, and on the third day, He rose from the grave. He ascended to the skies. He is the Lord.

We believe that all our sins are forgiven through Him. All who have faith in Him must be sorry for their sins, be baptised in the Holy Spirit of God, live the rules of love and share the bread together in love, to announce the Good News to others until Jesus comes again. We are waiting for Him. He is alive. He lives. This we believe. Amen.

edh -|—

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I am still at my synod’s Fall Theological Conference.  I have calmed down a bit from yesterday’s rant but still am praying for person B (see “Get out there” from yesterday for more).

Anyway…

Last night we had the opportunity to watch a very powerful documentary and I would like to commend it to you.  It is called Pray the Devil Back to Hell. It is a movie about the women’s movement in Liberia that lead to the end of a bloody civil war and to the election of the first woman president in Africa.

The women of that country had finally had enough of the suffering of the children and the rape of women so they banded together (Christian and Muslim women side by side) and proclaimed “We want peace.  No more war“.  Their message lead to peace talks and eventually an end to the violence.  It was powerful.  I had no idea what really happened over there.

Some of you may know that recently three of those women that lead that movement have been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize (which they are sharing).  It is amazing what they accomplished.

Praise be to God!

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 -|—

Let’s eat

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

May God bless you this morning as you worship and enjoy some Sabbath rest. Take some time and read Matthew 22:1-14 about the Wedding Banquet God has prepared for us through Jesus Christ.  See and hear a gracious God calling YOU to “eat”.  Let’s pray together:

Loving God,

Life is busy.
Life is hectic.
Life is stressful.
But you have provided a feast for me to look forward to.

Life is challenging.
Life is demanding.
Life is draining.
But you have provided a party for me to look forward to.

I am sinful.
I am undeserving.
I am unfaithful.
But you invite me anyway.

O gracious God, you have prepared a wedding feast for me and invited me to come.  You have made all the preparations and have sent out the invitations through your Son Jesus Christ.  My prayer this morning is that my heart may be ready when the summons comes.  We don’t know when Jesus will return ~ we just know that you are faithful, gracious, loving and forgiving.

Lord God Almighty, I so look forward to dining with you at Your table.  Thank you for giving me hope beyond this busy, hectic, stressful, challenging, demanding and draining life despite my sinful-undeserving-unfaithfulness.

Hear my prayer and accept my confession.  I want to eat with you.

Through Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

edh -|—

God’s vineyard

/ The Pastor

A Sunday morning prayer based on today’s Gospel text from Matthew 21:33-46 (The Parable of the Tenants):

Most gracious and loving God,

You have placed us in YOUR vineyard:
Not an actual vineyard (that would be silly).
Not a metaphor for our church building.
Not a description of our family.
Not a description of an actual place.

But rather…

You, O God, have placed us in YOUR vineyard by virtue of your saving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have been given knowledge of your love.
We have been offered forgiveness.
We have seen you active in our lives
We have heard your Word of truth.
We have been given life through Jesus.
We have been blessed with faith.

…and that is the fruit of YOUR vineyard.

But too often we claim that fruit as our own.
Too often we hoard it as a limited resource.
Too often we protect it as a fragile vase.
Too often we lock it up as a priceless treasure.

But the fruit of YOUR vineyard is not ours.  We have been blessed with it so we may know you AND so others may know you.  As you blessed Abraham to be a blessings to others, you have blessed us.   May we be faithful caretakers of YOUR vineyard; ready to share with ALL people.  May we keep the gates of YOUR vineyard open that ALL may know your love.  And when your Son, Jesus Christ, returns may we be found faithful.

O gracious God, we praise you for your love endures forever.  Amen.

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 -|—