Hope

Dwelling and Gazing

/ The Pastor

image

This here is the Easter hope:

Dwelling in the house of the Lord
Gazing upon the beauty of Lord
Inquiring in his temple

I mean, really, this is the Good News and our hope. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave that we might dwell with him. He didn’t die and rise that we might have a good life now. It really bugs me and worries me when preachers try to sell this message of hope in this life. Scripture says that if in this life we have hope in Christ only then we are most to be pitied. Jesus didn’t die that we may have a temporary hope; a limited hope; a shortsighted hope. Jesus died that we may have eternal life; dwelling in his temple and worshiping him forever.

But something else to think about. Not only will you, through faith in Jesus, dwell in his temple, but you will gaze upon a beauty that is absolutely mind blowing. There is nothing in this universe that can compare. If someone tries to sell you a worldly hope you need to respond:

That’s not good enough. I want more.

And Jesus gives you more.

Praise be to God that our hope is more and better and wonderful and beautiful.

Holy Father, I praise you that death has been defeated and that I can live this life with hope of something more. And I look forward to that day when I am dwelling and gazing on your beauty and inquiring in your temple. All praise and worship be to you, oh God. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Don’t Kill Jesus (John 11:48)

/ The Pastor

If we let him (Jesus) go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” [John 11:48, ESV, Bible.com/app]

Earlier on in this chapter, Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and greatly troubled over the people’s lack of hope. Later, when at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, Jesus wept. He didn’t weep because his friend was dead and gone, but rather  Jesus wept because the people were in a state of hopelessness; they didn’t believe that Jesus could do anything. But Jesus knew what he could do and therefore wanted the people to have hope that death is not the end. Jesus wanted people to believe in HIM.

Following the raising of Lazarus scripture says that many people believed in Jesus but others went and reported this to the pharisees; the religious leaders of the day. Their response was troubling (the verse above) as…

They were only concerned about their jobs and not the people.
They were only concerned about their “Church” instead of the Kingdom.
They were only concerned about their job descriptions.

The people were coming to faith in Jesus and that would change the course of the “Church”; the course of history, and (as they feared) the course of their nation. So something must be done (as we read in the rest of the chapter):

[53] So from that day on they made plans to put him (Jesus) to death.

Kill Jesus
Stop this Gospel
Get control of the situation
Stay relevant

Wow, that sounds familiar (and not because I have read this text before). This is familiar because this is happening today in a couple ways:

(1) The Gospel, the Church, biblical interpretation are changing because many feel if they don’t change these then the Church will get left behind. And so in order to “protect” the church; 2000 years worth of doctrine is changing, interpretation of the Bible is “evolving”; and all in a effort to help the Church become/stay “relevant”. So this Pharisaical concern is nothing new as leaders are trying to protect their jobs, positions and status.

(2) This Pharisaical concern is also happening in the local church. This appears through churches afraid to take a stand for what they believe. “Let’s just go along with how things have been done and not upset the apple cart”. “Let’s just continue with what the higher ups tell us is the truth,” The fear is that change will cause a disruption in the peaceful status quo.  And so the status quo is fought for, tooth and nail, when fighting for THE Gospel should be the way.

We can not allow things to go on like this. THE Gospel of Jesus Christ is what we should be clinging to and not this Pharisaical concern of relevancy. The Church can not let the culture dictate it’s doctrine. Our doctrine comes from God and God alone through Jesus Christ. Our doctrine is the unaltered Bible; the Word of God. This hasn’t changed and it is not going to change. People need to hear THE Gospel and not some watered down version that meets their needs. To do that causes great harm as anything watered down loses it potency.

Jesus (and him alone) is the Resurrection and the Life. All who believe in him, though they die, will live; and all who lives and believes in Jesus will never die. That is the Good News. Do you really believe this?

If so…

Worship GOD through Jesus Christ
Spread THE Gospel
Give GOD control of the situation
Stay in Scripture

Cultural relevancy is something Jesus never advocated but rather Gospel faithfulness; no matter what the culture thinks or says.

So with Jesus I weep and thus pray…

That the Church remains faithful/returns to faithfulness
That Christians stand strong for what they believe against all odds
That the authority of scripture is held high and untarnished
That the unaltered Gospel is proclaimed with boldness
And that in the face of relativism, the Church does not budge

JESUS is Lord and King. Let’s boldly and proudly announce this and stick with this confession…

…and not kill Jesus.

God, King of all creation, make us bold in our faith that we may boldly proclaim Your glory. Make us strong to stand, that when push comes to shove; as relativism tries to assert it’s so-called claim on the culture, that we stand. Make us unashamed of the Gospel that our hope may be secure in Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Joy, Peace and Hope

/ The Pastor

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. [Romans 15:13]

This is the reason I publish posts on this blog.
This is what motivates me to preach week in and week out.
This is what is on my mind and heart when I prepare a lesson plan or Bible study.
This is why I can get feisty, at times, on Facebook and Twitter.

And…

This should be what guides all our interactions with people day in and day out.

You see…

People are desperately looking for joy and peace and therefore will place their hope in almost anything in order to find said joy and peace.

[Maybe this describes you. In a way it describes all people.]

Often times that hope is greatly misplaced. It might be through diving yourself into an activity or living vicariously through your children; carting them around to every and any athletic competition. This joy and peace seeking may be through a relationship that is anything but God-glorifying. Maybe joy and peace for you are found through financial means or through physical pleasure. But none of these hope place keepers will fulfill what a person is looking for. It will ALWAYS leave you lacking and simply (and dangerously) lead you down a path of destruction; away from THE God of hope.

So when I see this it saddens my heart.

But if the God of Hope has filled you with HIS joy and peace in believing that Jesus Christ has died and risen for you, that your sins may be forgiven, then that hope should drive you to reach out to others.

And be feisty, if necessary (and in a God-loving way of course)

If you have not been filled with this joy and peace (and even if you have been), then hear (I mean, read this):
You are a sinner without hope.
Without Jesus you WILL die and stay dead.
But…
Jesus Christ died FOR YOU.
Jesus Christ rose FOR YOU.
And through faith in him your sins (all your sins) are forgiven.
Therefore…
you will not stay dead but live with him forever.

That is, of course, if you have placed your faith in Jesus.

So…

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing this Good News, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Stop you futile search of joy and peace in this world and seek the God of hope through Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Pastor -|—

The reason to glorify God

/ The Pastor

[Now that I have had a pot of coffee and am functioning somewhat normally, I am ready for that “thoughtful” word. Hopefully I won’t be as random as I was this morning :-)]

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. [Romans 11:36]

Think about that benediction for a moment…

From God all things/people exist.
Through God all things/people are allowed to exist and thus sustained.
And therefore all things/people belong to God and will return to God.

I think about this and have great joy in my heart; that my life is from God and is sustained by God and that I belong to God. This is comforting especially considering the fact that we live in a messed up world. We live in a world were there is war and terrorism and cancer and abuse and death and hatred and sin and the depressing list goes on. We live in a world that is uncertain and a world that will not last.

But I do not belong to the world
I belong to God through Jesus Christ.

Through God I came into being.
Through God I am sustained.
To God I will return.

What an joyous thought.
What a hopeful outlook.
What a victorious picture.

And therefore all glory and honor and worship be to God our Father through Jesus Christ. If you need to reason to glorify God, then think about where you came from, who sustains you and where you will return through faith in Jesus. That thought alone should cause much rejoicing in the face of Satan’s reign of death.

Oh the look on Satan’s face when he sees that his rule is finally over.
Oh the joy of living in God’s kingdom.
Oh the hope
Oh the peace

Praise be to God and Amen!

The (fully awake) Pastor -|—

Sunday is coming

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

It’s Saturday.

It is the day between Good Friday and Easter.

A dark day.

A bitter-sweet day.

But for those first disciples this had to be a day of deep darkness and hopelessness.  Think about it:  Their teacher, Messiah, friend, hope had been killed and placed in a tomb.  All of their dreams of a new kingdom had been completely destroyed.  Now what?   Their fear of the Jews kept them locked inside but I can’t imagine they would even want to leave anyway.  I would want to stay curled up in bed…forever.

Jesus is dead.

But we are not living in those days.

We know something that they didn’t know then.

It is 2013 and we are living in the days after that first Easter morning.  We are living in the days when we know what happens next.  It is Saturday, but Sunday is coming.

EmptyTomb-50JESUS HAS RISEN!

Dark days come and go in our lives.  Hopelessness enters the scene from time to time.  There may be days when you feel like curling up in a ball and staying in bed.  But know this…

JESUS HAS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Ever since that day when Jesus defeated Satan and destroyed the grip of death, Satan has been trying to shoot arrows of hopelessness at God’s children.  But know this…remember this…boldly proclaim this…

JESUS HAS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Satan has been defeated.  His arrows are powerless.  His threats are empty.  Death still remains but death does not have the final word.  Why?  Because…

JESUS HAS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Have a blessed Saturday knowing that tomorrow is Sunday; that tomorrow is EASTER 🙂

The pastor -|—

All the craze

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

I have been utterly amazed at this wild thing called “the Wii craze”.  My sister and I got one for our parents for Christmas.  A number of our friends got one for Christmas and a number of my students got them.  And since then, Connie and I have been looking for one.  Every store we go into there is no Wii to be found.  A sales person at Best Buy said that there are people that come in everyday asking about them.  And since we live no where near a place that would stock a Wii, we are at a disadvantage. Before Christmas I never gave too much thought in getting a Wii.  I knew they were out there, but I haven’t had a gaming system since the Atari 2600 (now that dates me) so I never got captured by this craze.  But after we got my parents one and started playing it…well…I got hooked.  And then we heard about the Wii Fit…that right there convinced my wife.

So we have been looking online and the story has been the same…”Out of stock”…until last night.  Connie’s brother put us onto Gamestop.com and sure enough…a Wii…so I ordered one.  I should have one by next week.  I guess I gave in to “the craze”.

Today is January 20 and our 44th president is being sworn into office.  Today…January 20…we (officially) begin a new era.  It’s an era that worries me because of what I have heard from people in the media and in my own little world here in SW MN.  I have heard comments that suggest people are putting their hope and faith in Obama.  People are putting this president up on a pedestal.  It is almost as if they view him as a savior.  I guess one could say we are in the midst of an “Obama craze”.  But this is one craze I am not going to get caught up in.

I am not here to express my political beliefs.  As a pastor and as a Christian I am going to pray for Preisdent Obama and for the congress and for all elected leaders.  They all have a tough road ahead of them.  But I am not going to put my hope and faith in any person of this world…no matter how popular they are.  Our hope and faith needs to be in one person and one person alone…JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

I hope and pray that God uses Obama to work for peace.  I hope and pray that God uses Obama to stabilize this country.  And I hope and pray that Obama is faithful and listens to God.  I hope and pray that Obama puts his agenda aside and asks for wisdom from God our Father.  I hope and pray that the people of this county recognize the fact that Obama is a sinful human being (like we all are) and not our savior.  I hope and pray that the people of this country (and the world) recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Only one person can save us.  Only one person can restore peace in this world.  Only one person can lead us in ways of truth and justice.  And it is not our president or any world leader…it’s JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

When I was a kid, the Atari 2600 was all the craze…but that faded away.  In the 80’s Rubik’s Cube was all the craze…but that faded away as well.  Today, Wii is all the craze…but that too will fade away.  As with anything of this world…all things will eventually fade away (Yes…even the “Obama craze” will fade away), but one person has not and will not fade away…and that is…JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

-edh-

Lyle’s cross

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

img153

Lyle’s cross

In a couple previous posts (shortly before Christmas) I wrote about a parishioner named Lyle; a saint of this congregation that went to meet Jesus.  I won’t talk about him here but I do want to show you something; Lyle’s cross.  I talked about these crosses before; that he made dozens of them (They are 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches).  He made a number for the nursing home and the hospital.  He made a bunch for the people at Salem and Belmont.  And of course he made them for his family.  The one pictured above is one of three that I have.  This one serves as a pectoral cross that I wear in worship from time to time.

I have other pectoral crosses that I wear as well:  I have a pectoral cross that my parents gave me for my ordination that is silver.  I like that one because is very beautiful and reminds me of the faith my parents passed down to me and the support they gave me as I went through seminary.  I have a old wooden cross necklace that I got from my grandma (who died last Feb.) that wear I from time to time.  That one, of course, reminds me of grandma and the faith that she passed down to me.   I have two cross necklaces made of olive wood that were made in Jerusalem.  These remind me of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world; that the church is not just located  in Jackson, MN.  And then I have Lyle’s cross.  This one, of course, reminds me of Lyle and the faith that he passed down to me.

All of the crosses I wear are special to me and remind me of various people in my life that have paved the way for me.  But one thing that I did not say (but I hope was understood) is that the cross, of course, reminds me of what Jesus did FOR YOU and FOR ME.  Formerly a symbol of death; it is now a symbol of hope.  I wear these crosses as a reminder to me and others who see them of why we truly gather together on Sunday morning to worship.  I wear my other (smaller) cross necklaces to proclaim that same message out in the world from Monday to Saturday.  Some people wear cross necklaces because they are a fashion statement.  But whatever the motivation for a particular person, when I see that cross, I am reminded of the life we have in Christ.

So I thank those who have paved the way for me and most of all, I give thanks and praise to God our Father through Jesus Christ, for paving the way to eternal life; carrying us across the Great Divide.

-edh-

The Old Rugged Cross

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suff’ring and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
(Words/Music by George Bennard, 1873-1960)

This song is another memory I will cherish about Lyle (see previous posts to get caught up).  Lyle was a craftsman and loved working with wood.  He made many bird houses, benches, wooden tractors and small wooden crosses.  Lyle would deliver those crosses to the nursing home and the hospital.  One day Lyle came into my office with a box filled with these 5″ by 3 1/2″ crosses and said he would like to leave these in the narthex for people.  I said that would be great.  I made an announcement in worship and by the time I left to go home that Sunday morning all the crosses were gone.  Lyle made more for Belmont and they were quickly snatched up as well.

During the final days of Lyle’s life, he lay in his hospital bed clinging to one of his “old rugged crosses” and I remember thinking what a proclamation of faith.  He was not only clinging to a piece of wood but he was clinging to what that cross represented to him (to us).  Lyle lay in his bed clinging to the hope of the resurrection and the promises that Jesus gave us through the cross.  Lyle lay in his bed undaunted by what was happening to him and looked forward to what Jesus had prepared for him.  His hope did not waver for the cross stood as a reminder to him of the life Jesus came to bring for us all.

What a great image and reminder for all of us…”cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown“.

Praise be to God, always and forever.

-edh-

I Love to Tell the Story

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
(ELW #661)

…that is Lyle’s song…and it speaks of his life.

I wrote about Lyle last week.  At that time he was living his last days.  On Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30pm, Lyle took his last breath and I had the honor of being there with various members of his family.  I have been at the bedside of other people as they died but this one was different.  As I said last week, Lyle was like a grandpa to Connie and I so to watch him die was not easy.  Lyle was also a great proclaimer of the faith.  He did this through his words but probably more loudly through how he lived.  The quote from St. Francis of Assisi was indeed true for Lyle:  “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.“

But I want to share one thing that happened that night; something I will never forget.  At around 7:3opm we knew that the time was close.  One of the kids turned off the light above Lyle’s bed and for the first time in a couple days, Lyle opened his eyes.  That was a powerful moment.  It was like he was taking one more look at us before he went to see Jesus and Gladys (his wife who died in Feb.) again.  A couple minutes later he breathed his last.  Of course their were tears, but it was different.  They were tears who came from people who had hope.  Then one of his daughters summed up what we were feeling…she said, “I feel so at peace.“

WHAM!

That was exactly it.  That is the peace that Jesus came to bring; a peace that surpasses all understanding.  It is a peace that we feel when a loved one dies (at least for those whose faith is in Jesus).  It is a peace that tells us not to be afraid.  It is a peace that allows us to say, “See you later.”  The peace that came with the Christ child at Christmas is the very same peace that filled Lyle’s hospital room on Dec. 11.

I am sad that Lyle is gone and I will miss him greatly, but I feel at peace.  Lyle is no longer suffering and Lyle is not gone forever.  He’s gone (physically) from this life, but not from our hearts and minds.  Lyle is not gone forever, but through Christ we will all be reunited again.

May the peace of God that surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And was we live in this peace, let’s join together in praising God always and forever.

“See you later, Lyle.“

-edh-

Where is your hope?

/ The Pastor

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Hope is a scary thing…

…because it is placed in something (or someone) that we can not see.  If we can see it, feel it, touch it, taste it, etc, then we can’t have hope in it.  As scripture tells us, how can you hope in something that you can see?  But even though hope can be scary when viewed in this light, people often have no problem placing their hope in things/people that can guarantee nothing.  An athlete places their hope in their abilities…but one play can end their season or career.  Investors place their hope in their financial institutions, but as we have seen lately…well…I don’t need to elaborate.  People place their hope in one another, but the best of relationships can end with one word.

Hope placed in this world is a misplaced hope.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

As these watchmen stood on the wall, guarding the city, they waited for the morning sun to rise.  When the sun rose it indicated that their shift was over and they could return home…to be with their family and friends.  These watchmen knew the sun was going to come up.  They knew they were going home.  So they waited with a sure and certain hope.

But the hope this psalmist has is even more certain than that of the city watchmen.  This psalmist does not place his hope in things that can fail; in people that can let him down; in institutions that can crumble.  No!  This psalmist places his hope in the Lord.  Someone who is more faithful than the rising morning sun.  So he waits with confidence knowing that he will be going home someday.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Hope placed in this world is a misplaced hope.

Where is your hope placed?

-edh-