Jesus

Happy New Year

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I am returning from yet another prolonged absence.  The past week and a half I have been on vacation.   The days after Christmas Connie and I did our yearly routine of three Christmas’ in three states in three days (Iowa, Minnesota,South Dakota).  This past week I have been home being a bum.  One would say I had plenty of time to blog, but I was taking a vacation from nearly everything (not my wife of course).  I did some odd jobs around the house.  I took down the Christmas lights (taking advantage of the warm weather), I ran outside for a change.  Watched some movies.  Slept in late.  And hung out of the coffee shop.  All in all I had a very restful vacation.  I just hope my body didn’t get too used to sleeping in.

Since my vacation officially ended today I had to do some sermon prep and writing today…something I am not too used to doing on Saturdays.  In any case, I got my sermon done.  The text I am preaching on is John 1:1-18 (focusing on verse 10 where it says, “He (Jesus) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”)  Jesus is all around us but yet we do not see him.  Jesus reveals himself through other people; through those needing help, though those needing to hear the Good News.  Jesus is with us in the waters of baptism.  Jesus is with us in the bread and the wine.  Jesus is with us in our low times and high times.  Jesus walks with us as we enter worship, he walks with us while we work and play.  Jesus is all around us, yet we often do not see him.  Not much has changed since John 1:10 was written.

As we make New Year’s resolutions, maybe we should make a continuing resolution to get to know Jesus better.  But be careful…because this is a resolution that will never be completed.  We can make a resolutions to lose 10 pounds or quit smoking.  If you do this you will know when you accomplished this goal but you still have to continue working at it otherwise you will revert to where you were before you made the resolution.  Getting to know Jesus is something we need to continuing working, and it is a resolution that does not have an identifiable point where you can say “I know Jesus”.  Our relationship with Jesus needs to keep growing.

Look and see Jesus in your neighbor.  Recognize Jesus in every aspect of your life.  Know Jesus as your friend, Savior and Lord.  Resolve to know Jesus better.

-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-

Christmas list

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Once again I am late in getting my Christmas lists off to the various members of my family.  For the most part Connie has it almost done on the computer but we just haven’t finished looking it over one last time.  As is the case every year, I feel little guilty sending it off.  And now with our economy officially in a recession I feel even more guilty.  Maybe people should just save their money or put it to more worthy causes.  Frankly…I would be happy if people bought a flock of chickens through Heifer International in my name.  At least that way someone else would benefit as I continue to be blessed here.  And I am indeed blessed…what more could I possibly want.  I have a loving wife…a great family…awesome friends…I live in a wonderful community serving a caring congregation…and I could go on.  God has blessed Connie and me and for that I am thankful.

But there is still that side of me that wants a couple DVD movies and some more music CDs. I would like some new shirts/sweaters and other things that only my wife and mom seem to now that I need (I don’t know how they do it every year…I guess they pay attention).

So Connie and I will email our list off to our family tonight (did you catch that mom…it’s coming tonight).  We will make suggestions on what we would like, but in the end Christmas is about spending time with family and friends; counting the blessings that we have already received and continue to receive from God through Jesus Christ. We will continue to buy presents for our family and friends and look forward to their expressions as they open their gifts.  But one thing I do ask and pray…and that is that we do not lose focus.  Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and thanking God for the life that came with him.

May God continue to richly bless you in every way as you live in the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-edh-