Redeemer Mpls.

Learning to Dwell...

2008-04-28T14:46:00.002-05:00

I am always amazed at how many times in the bibles references are made to dwellings and dwelling places. One of my favorite psalms, among many is Psalm 91.

"He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under that shadow of the almighty."

What does it mean to dwell? A quick search of definitions provides us with some interesting results.

Wordnet.princeton's definitions include:

originate (in);

inhabit or live in;

Also interesting are these definitions from industry:

The act of pausing during the process of making a cut with a power tool.

A pause in the applied pressure to a mold during the injection cycle just before the mold is completely closed. This dwell allows any gases formed or present to escape from the molding material.

What would it be like if we visioned dwelling in the secret place of the Most High as originating in those secret places? What if we saw our origins as part and parcel of god's original creation, as spoken from his mouth, as breathed from his lungs...our very beginnings as being of God? Would we think or act any differently? Would we believe any differently? I tend to think we would. I know I would.

If I lived my life as if my very beginnings were of God, rather than that it had begun once I received Christ and I made my decision...what would I do differently? What would you do differently?

Let's look at the definitions from industry. I love this idea of "pausing." A "pause during the process of making a cut" or "pause in applied pressure." Both of the processes include creation, but in midst of creation, there is a pause. What would it be like to vision simply pausing. Seeing the act of dwelling in the same way we see the act of pausing?

No answers here, just thoughts. Any responses?

Revision, Revival, Resurrection

2008-03-24T12:37:00.002-05:00

Psalm 1:3 "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

I am struck by the fact that the call to resurrection often includes the need to revise and to revive. I am not speaking of changing God's word in anyway. I am speaking, however about the need for Christians, myself included, to revise "old ways" of thinking and being and to re-vision our lives and the way we live. "When I was a child I spoke as a child I understood as a child I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." I Cor. 13: 11 Revision is a natural function of maturity. Revision, like all practices of pruning, must be achieved by following some rules. As with a tree, revision or pruning does not take place at the trunk. It strives to achieve maximum production of fruit. In some cultures, it strive for balance and beauty.

Revision, or re-visioning has to begin with observation and evaluation. We must look both within and without. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith..." II Cor. 13:5 This examination must be done not with the "eyes" of the world but of God, since it is in God that we have our being. We must see ourselves worthy of God's forgiveness and the kind of forgiveness that allows us to live, not as sinful, but as redeemed. It is the acts of self-examination, of seeking and receiving forgiveness; and the next steps of living our lives as redeemed children of God that performs the revision or re-visioning.

A natural outgrowth of God-appointed revision, is revival. Freed from the weights of sin (Hebrews 12:1) and shame as defined as being condemned (Psalm 119:16) we can be revived and experience revival. Just as the dry bones of Exek: 37 are awakened so our "roots" draw nourishment from the word of God, our faith, prayer and praise and the communion of the spirit and body of Christ; revive the branches of our spiritual, physical and mental life. (Jer. 31:25)

After the revision and the resulting revival we can share in the resurrection. "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Romans 8:11

Be Thou My Vision

2008-01-15T10:04:00.000-06:00

After a long hiatus, I had an epiphany (how appropriate given the season) concerning a hymn I am certain you are all familiar with. It is the hymn "Be Thou My Vision." While there are many points I could address regarding the lyrics, it is the title which gave me pause in my devotions this morning. What exactly does it me to have God/Christ as one's vision?

At first it seemed obvious that the word "vision" would refer to some fantastical dream. As in a "vision of loveliness." I could see life through not rose-colored glasses but through this lens of being heavenly bound. This is certainly good. I see the good in all things. I see God's purpose and hand in all things. This is certainly scriptural "what ever is pure, whateever is....

Maybe the vision is more like a goal or driving force, a raison d'etre that gets us up in the morning and steels us through hardships. "Without a vision the people perish.." So in having God through Christ as my vision my goals, objectives and ultimately the finished product is God-ordained.

This is where I have my epiphany. Perhaps this could also be taken literally. I though about how many vision problems there are. Having worn glasses since I was in the third grade and having misplaced my glasses recently I am keenly aware of the importance of having good or corrected eyesight. I think about those I know who stay in because they don't see very well at night and those I know who cannot distinguish certain colors one form another. What if this is also a part of having God as our vision. That it is through his lens that we perceive light. What a concept! This is how Christ and his works of grace are made know to us. It is through this lens that we receive and interpret stimuli. So, we see colors, shapes, distance, depth as with human vision, but with divine vision we can also see human need and human potential, God's ability to abundantly provide for needs, faults as well as gifts, opportunities to share love and wisdom; what's safe and what's dangerous, what's truth and what's false...I could go on, but I'd rather ask you to respond. How does having "divine vision" impact you?

'Tis the Season

2007-10-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

...to be busy! As students and teachers return to school, annual programs begin anew and the general state of agitation begins in the Christian community as around the world we "gear up" for this season filled with holy day celebrations, it is good to meditate on this simple prayer by Peter Marshall.

"Father, I am beginning to know how much I miss when I fail to talk to thee in prayer, and through prayer to receive into my life the strength and the guidance which only thou canst give. Forgive me for the pride and the presumption that make me continue to struggle to manage my own affairs to the exhaustion of my body, the weariness of my mind, the trial of my faith.
In a moment like this I know that thou couldst have worked thy food in me with so little strain, with so little effort. And then to thee would have been given the praise and the glory. When I neglect to pray, mine is the loss Forgive me Lord, Amen."

There is almost always a human push towards "fixing things." I shudder to think how many times I rely on the "tried, true, researched and published" methods for reaching students; attempting to change their educational habits instead of considering for a moment, that maybe, I could pray for them; that I could pray that God grant me the wisdom to "see the need" they have albeit educationally and then the creativity to fill that need.

It is I am certain from my years in various church capacities also true with church work. We rely all to often on what humans have said about how "things should work," and spend so little time asking and receiving from God "strength and guidance." What is our fear? Are we afraid God may ask us to do something for which we feel unprepared? Are we so convinced that time taken out of the day to pray, is wasted time; especially given how many things we have accomplish in a day?

The beginning and the end of all things is the act of seeking God ("all these things shall be added onto you") It is in the seeking of God that our relationship is built with him. It is the one relationship around which everything must rotate. I wonder what Reformation, All Saints, Thanksgiving and Christmas would be like, if the goal of that period of time was to truly seek God, not just to plan, implement, or evaluate.

Is it possible to seek God in the midst of every action and thought?

I, for one, am going to give it try? How about you? Let's use this forum to share results, frustrations and joys.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good."

"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3

Statement of Faith

2007-09-01T13:51:00.000-05:00

I have been uplifted lately by remembering and praying through this Statement of Faith which we usually use on Ash Wednesday. Hope it blesses you to remember it today!

We are not alone, we live in God's World.

We believe in God,

Who has created and is creating,

Who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,

to reconcile and make us new,

Who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church

To celebrate God's presence,

To love and serve others,

To seek justice and resist evil,

To proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

God is with us.

We are never alone.

Thanks be to God.

A Life Lived by Faith

2007-08-28T00:36:00.000-05:00

In the past month, I have been really blessed by using the dictionary in my devotions. It sounds kind of weird, but God has shown me all sorts of new insights into scripture by expanding the definition of a word. I could write an entire blog on that (maybe I will sometime) but an example is the definition of the word Strength. I looked it up after reading "The joy of the Lord is our strength" -Nehemiah 8: 10. In Webster's dictionary, the word strong means (among many definitions): Capable of withstanding force or wear, not easily upset, having force of conviction, powerfully effective, in good or sound health (robust), capable of the effective exercise of authority. Thus, remaining in the joy of the Lord makes us capable of withstanding force or wear of discouragement/frustration/attack. Intentionally remaining in His joy increases our health, our conviction, and makes us powerfully effective as prayer warriors, friends, workers, and people. It gives a whole new meaning to "Be strong and courageous--be neither frightened nor dismayed for the Lord thy God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9, and it enhances "Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy (your strength!) may be in you and that your joy (strength) may be complete."-John 15:9-11 (parentheses mine)
I could go on forever about word definitions. But what I wanted to share in this blog is that I recently learned that Noah Webster was a strong man of faith who lived to serve and follow Christ. To me, this is an amazing illustration of the unfathomable ways that God can use a life lived by faith. When Webster created the dictionary, he exercised God-given talent, passion for language, motivation, intellect, and perseverance. I'm sure when he researched the meaning of the word "strong," he wasn't specifically aiming to figure out how to add more meaning to those three Bible verses; he was simply following the vocation that God had given him and letting Christ guide his work. Webster died in 1843. In 2007, his work is inspiring me in faith and making me hungry for God's word and giving me insights in a whole new way. I doubt Webster specifically intended that, but it's amazing how God can use a faithful follower to further His glory in uncoventional ways--and even ways that are completely unintended by us.
In conversations lately, I have shared the impact that a professor, an elementary school teacher, and a co-worker have had on my life. All of them were/are men and women of faith who were not overtly trying to evangelize but did--through actions, investment, and expressing concern. God worked through them--in spite of them, with them--to impact my faith walk in moments where they were not specifically trying. They were just living their lives as followers of Christ and He shone through them.
So, live on, brothers and sisters! When we are men and women fully alive in Christ, there is no telling how He will use us to encourage, teach, or impact. The best part is, it's often done best when we are seeking His will and living in the overflow of abundance rather than "trying" to plot specific actions to spread the Gospel. The responsibility is to hold fast to God and live our lives grounded in and guided by our relationships with Him. By being who you are in Christ, He may be setting up a crucial and life-changing insight for a person living 150 years from now. By living in relationship with Him and being authentic about it, God may be ushering in the deliverance of a friend who won't even tell you that God used a phrase you just "happened to say" to create a break-through. Don't hold back from God's will for you, and your impact on His Kingdom will be unfathomable--not because you're trying, but because God's faithful. You may never know it, but the world would be at a loss without the specific ways that God can use YOU if you are living your life moment by moment in His will.
In our calling to be fully alive in Christ, there is great responsibility and great freedom. Responsibility to "throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith..."-Hebrews 12: 1-2. And freedom to trust that when we are living with full investment, He will work through us in ways that surpass our dreams, understanding, ability, and effort.
I'll end with two quotes come to mind ...
"If you are called to be a street sweeper, sweep streets even as Michelanglo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and earth will pause to say 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"-Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I [God] will make you a blessing. Do not think you will take a blessing to someone, or hope that I will send a blessing. I will make you, as My ambassador, a sweet savor of life and grace. Through your peace and confidence others will seek me, and they shall find me even as you found me. You need only preserve your soul's integrity. This is enough to fully occupy your energies and attention. Leave the miracles to Me. You be and I will do."-Frances J. Roberts
God bless you!

"Via con Dios" to....

2007-08-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

Kimberly Vaughn who returned to seminary last week
Paul Cannon who has completed his "volunteer stint" with us, perhaps returning as a worshipper in the Fall (?)

Storing up Treasures

2007-08-10T10:02:00.000-05:00

This week's Gospel lectionary reading (Luke 12:32-40) speaks about the issue of storing up treasures. It identifies the place where you store treasure as the place where your heart is. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (v.34) Many Christians have used this passage to advocate poverty for Christians. Others have used the preceding verse 34, "But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well" to advocate for Christian prosperity.

What's a believer to do? Not an expert on either, though I've been a follower at one time in my life of both, I humbly offer this as a continuing conversation.

I believe God wants us to treasure the gifts he has given us. He expects us to "take care" of His gifts. Some of these are spiritual gifts and yes, I believe some of these are material gifts. So when we as a family discuss care for our building's infrastructure, we're not just talking about "prettying things us" needlessly. God has blessed Redeemer with buildings from which we can provide safe places, education, food (both spiritually and physically) and much needed support and supervision for all. If God has blessed us with a fine Sanctuary, classrooms, Peace Palace, apartment buildings, gardens and yes, the kitchen, are we not being ungrateful when we allow these blessings to fall into ill-repair? When we establish "rules of operating" in these spaces are we not showing good stewardship? It is not to exclude anyone, but to preserve these places so that generations beyond us can enjoy them and the kingdom of God can still be experienced within them.

With everything there is a balance. We are not to idolize material or spiritual gifts. Whether you wash dishes or speak in tongues, there is no room in the Christian body for the types of pride that fragment and raise one above another. Spiritual gifts are for the edification of the body 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church." As it is with the spiritual gifts, I believe it should be with the material gifts.

Together they should both a source of humility and pride. "What a mighty God we serve...""Just as I am without one plea..."God's word and the Christian walk are always "exercises" in balance... and what keeps us in balance but the cross of Jesus and the word of God.

After every offering, we sing a song of thanksgiving and praise. This is a perfect symbol and exercise of the above. We thank God for His gifts and our ability to give.

Malachi 3:10-12 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

So, as the author of Luke advises store up treasures, but store (this act takes an amount of commitment to stewardship) up those treasures that will in effect reflect your priorities. It is not the accumulation of things whether spiritual or material that is the problem, it is the motivation that ultimately hurts and feeds negative consequences.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income."

I look forward to continuing this discussion with you and to seeing the results of our "call to stewardship" in our upcoming congregational meeting.

News from the Jerbi's

2007-08-06T15:01:00.001-05:00

Steve, Jen and Ella have accepted a call to "All People's Gathering Lutheran Church" in Milwaukee. They are also expecting a new one. Jen is through with the first trimester and is feeling great!

Prayers...

2007-08-02T10:55:00.000-05:00

for family, friends, injured, rescue workers (35W bridge collapse)

The Armor of God

2007-07-29T22:55:00.000-05:00

This week, I have been thinking a lot about the armor of God, described in Ephesians 6: 10-20. In praying protection over people I care about, struggling with some personal stuff and calling on God's power, and doing some work on Sunday School themes, the armor of God seems to be a recurring theme. It's been interesting to ponder and consider more deeply how God protects and sustains us.
First of all, I have been struck by the verses: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."-Ephesians 6: 11 and "Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."-Ephesians 6:13. Notice the proactive action required of us: PUT ON and TAKE UP the whole armor and STAND. Those verbs require making a choice and carrying it out. God has certainly given us everything we need to be protected, not to be deceived, not to be overcome--but it's our job to claim it, put it in, and take action. Imagine one of those huge, medieval knight suits that stand in a corner on a mannequin. Not much is going to get through all that metal--but if it's on the mannequin, it's not doing us any good. Are we intentional about putting on God's armor to protect us? And how do we do it?
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth"-Eph. 6:14. When we intentional about surrounding ourselves with truth, the lies can't hold a candle. But when we're not intentional about it, lies subtly start not looking "so bad" or "so wrong." Do we intentionally surround ourselves with truth--being consistently in God's word, being real with people who hold us accountable, surrounding ourselves with tangible reminders that we ARE important and precious in God's sight, that we are NOT beyond redemption?
"Having put on the breastplate of righteousness"-Eph. 6:14. One of the wiles of the enemy is to convince us that we are not really "good" enough for God's kingdom. That insecurity starts sniping at our hearts...if we're just going to sink back into sin, if we have a couple "bad" things we still hold onto and aren't willing to fully surrender, what's the point of really engaging in our faith? Isn't it just easier to do some good works and call it a day? Nope! God calls us to STAND with the breastplate of righteousness on. Abraham's faith was counted to him as rightousness. Our faith, our identity in Christ, is counted to us as rightousness as well, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. So, we claim our righteousness, our identity in Christ, as a guard for our hearts (a breastplate, protection over the heart) that we ARE claimed by His mercy, love, and sacrifice, and we are fully His. When we intentionally choose to guard our hearts, we are less likely to fall into despair, hopelessness, despondency, and listlessness--our hearts our our lives.
"And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" -Ephesians 6:15. Communication with God, prayer, and being in His word are all necessary preparation for standing firm in times of trial, living with discernment, and intervening in situations with wisdom. If I haven't talked to God for a few months and am suddenly faced with a big decision, am I prepared to hear His voice? If I am faced with a situation where I am called to counsel or make peace and I have no peace within myself, can I really be effective? Being intentional about reading, speaking, worshipping God for His Good News on a consistent basis gives us peace that passes understanding...and prepares us to face whatever comes our way.
"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked one."-Ephesians 6: 16 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...in other words, faith is belief. I imagine that taking the "shield" of faith means choosing to say "I believe you, God," even when we don't necessarily "feel" it. We proclaim that we believe, even as we ask God to help our unbelief. When we call God into the midst of our unbelief, when we proclaim Him as Lord, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. When we allow the unbelief to exist without intervention, we become susceptible to forgetting whose we are and how safe we are in Him.
"And take the helmet of salvation"-Ephesians 6: 17 I'm thankful that God tended to our heads--a helmet surrounds and guards our minds. We guard our minds when we daily claim our salvation from doubt, from bondage, from anger, from bitterness/unforgiveness, from drudgery, from confusion...from anything within our minds that would block us from receiving the promises of God. But again, we must address it proactively. In our salvation, we are made new creations--the old has gone, the new has come, and that is a promise that is made new day by day.
"And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."-Ephesians 6: 17 We know from John that: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word WAS GOD."-John 1:1. Thus, we are facing our days with God Himself fighting for us and protecting us. While the other weapons are ON our bodies, the sword is out in front--God goes before us to make a way. When I think about the Word, I always remember the verse "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."-Matthew 4:4. Picturing God's word as our sustainance, we realize how we need to be in it often. I can't eat an apple on Monday and expect that it is still nourishing my body on Thursday. I need to eat consistently that I may be fed and strengthened. This consistency with God's word is how we take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God.
As a community and a family claimed by Christ, we are so privileged to take up the armor of God and "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." -Ephesians 6:10

Prayers of the People, 7/29/07

2007-07-29T22:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks for your prayers this week for....

Praise God for what He has done for us through Christ, for cleansing our hearts and for making us new day by day, and for His love, tenderness and kindness.

Prayer for transition--prayer for pastoral interns who are beginning and ending internships, for smooth transitions and joy in the new phase of the journey. Prayer for new graduates transitioning to college or other opportunities this fall. Prayer for ALL in transition, that we would be reminded of God's faithfulness and called into deeper relationship with Christ, who is constant, as circumstances change.

Prayer for employment--for blessing on new employment and provision for those seeking employment. Also, prayer for transitions in workplaces, including funding/staffing/leadership changes, that God would continue to provide financial provision to those who seek it and make our workplaces safe, healthy, fulfilling places where we can serve God and witness to our co-workers through action and relationship.

Prayer for safe travels for all in our congregation who are away and who are returning to us, including youth traveling to and from camp.

Prayer for physical healing--praise God for being our healer, for what He has done already in our midst to heal our afflictions. Prayer for all who are suffering from physical illness and pain, that God would bring comfort and healing.

Praise for new life--praise for the blessing of new babies, prayer for blessing on new parents as they acclimate to a new lifestyle and priorities, and protection on children's lives.

Praise and prayer for addiction recovery--praise for God's promise of freedom from the bondage of addiction, and prayer for the grace to continue trusting in God to sustain that liberty and fill every need, one day at a time.

Praise for the life and homegoing of Lila Larson, and praise for her faithful witness and constant belief in Christ. Prayers of comfort for her family and friends.

Prayers of the People, 7/22/07

2007-07-23T17:50:00.000-05:00

As mentioned last week, prayer requests mentioned during Prayer and Praise time at Redeemer (at 10:00 Sunday mornings--all are welcome!) are posted here in a less specific fashion to protect privacy. God knows our needs and the names of every person on our hearts. May the Holy Spirit bless your prayers. Thanks, everyone, for praying!

Praise for the gift of life, for God's goodness and promises, for God's abundant blessing in our lives and our congregation.

Praise God for the faith of those who have gone before us. Prayer for boldness and diligence in sharing our faith with others.

Praise God for safe coming and going of many in our congregation, and continued prayers for traveling mercies, especially throughout the summer months.

Praise God for marriage and the gift of all marriages at Redeemer. Prayer for God's continued blessing and protection over marriages and relationships.

Prayer for our co-workers--many of us spend more time with co-workers than with our families, and we pray for the needs that we know and those that we do not know but that God sees. Prayer for our presence in the workplace to be a witness and light of compassion and love to each individual we encounter.

Praise to God for the beauty of His sanctuary. Praise for the family of Redeemer and God's gift of support in our lives.

Prayer for new ministries beginning at Redeemer, for blessing, guidance, wisdom, discernment, and vision.

Prayer for healing--for those who struggle with physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. Prayer for healing within families and relationships. Prayer for healing and protection for children and family members who are affected by familial division.

Prayers for employment--praise and blessing for new job opportunities and continued prayers for God's provision for those seeking employment.

Prayer for those in transition--for all recent high school graduates and their transition into adulthood, and for those who are starting college this fall. Prayer for seminary students starting and ending their internship years--for grace and support in transition and growth during the next phase of the journey.

Praise for the relationship between congregations and the liberty to be a part of the greater church. Prayer for God's continued hand in enhancing and fostering community which leads us to know Him more deeply.

Prayer for those being consecrated and ordained this year to serve as pastors and ministers in the church.

"Hide it under a bushel no!...."

2007-07-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a simple wooden cross incense for my car. I opened the package and after coughing and blowing my nose for 10 seconds quickly shoved it into my glove compartment and opened all of my windows. It didn't smell bad, there was just too much smell. After a while I didn't smell it anymore and decided that it had "toned down" enough for me to consider hanging it. The hesitation I felt at that moment, believe it or not, started me thinking. Why hesitate? I had for a long time decided I would not put any visual indicators of my faith on my car. I would not have anything to do with those WWJD bumper stickers or armbands. I would not invite other drivers to "honk for Jesus" or ask if they knew where they where going when they died. I felt comfortable with my decision not to advertise my faith, or to condense my beliefs to catchy sound bites that typically elicited only groans from non-believers. Spending more time on this during my walks from the parking lot to my office building, I realized that, of course, there were other underlying reasons for my stance. I came up with lots, but will share only two.

I was raised, from my father's side of things" to be very competitive. To see everything not only as a challenge, but one that I could with enough, knowledge, learning and force to conquer. In my father's world B's were great for some of my siblings, but for me A's were the expected result. So even though I grumble at the challenges I face (funny his teachings never gave me any help with how to go through them cheerfully), I perceive them as necessary and expected. Scriptures like Hebrews 12: 1 "...let us run the race with preserverance the race marked out for us" have long fit with that upbringing. The concept of working hard I can understand. But perhaps there's a flaw with perceiving the race as something goal-based; rather than process-based. It the "race" spoken of often in the Scriptures is goal based, then it is too tempting to want to be the one who sets the benchmarks, the rules, the rest stops (none) and the actual definition of the goal. If, instead, we see the goal as being process-based, then transformation becomes the goal. Since true transformation is not something you can necessarily do, it allows God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit to truly be "the author and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:2 NIV Every detail is taken care of by His divine will. Our task is to be there, to provide a healthy body to be used (which in itself is enough work for any of us) and to run....In order to run, you have to have a focus, that again is...God.
The second issue that wafted to the top of my head was the fact that not having any exterior sense of what I believed, was for me, one of the only anonymity left me. When you see me, you immediately know that I am female and black. I have long wished that these two elements weren't the source of so many negative experiences, but...oh well. At least without a cross, no one could then berate me for every silly or worse evil thing (judgmental, I know, but I'm only human) another Christian does or says. I can be in the only way open to me (save the internet) anonymous. Strange, I thought. I proudly "sport" my allegiances to issues and secular beliefs, and without intending to proudly advertise all sorts of commercial ventures at my own cost....but not my sacred faith. Sure, there is something to be said for the Lutheran piety and the avoidance of the sin of pride at all costs. I certainly wouldn't want to be one of those hypocrites who "love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men." Mt. 6:5 But is that even the real reason. No, honestly I had to admit it was because I didn't want to have to make driving decisions based on my faith. Driving like the desire for some sense of anonymity are two of the little? things I have held onto. My nephew Eric once said to me when he was little "Gee auntie, you're so nice until you get behind the wheel." Of course, I laughed at his comment then. Now it comes back to haunt me as I think about the times I have justified being perturbed (Christian editing here) with other drivers and how many times I have thought my aggressive driving was necessary because Minnesotans drive like they "just got their license out of a box of Cracker Jacks"--a Williamsism. But would having a visual reminder of what set of rules and who should be behind even my driving driving decisions? Actually it does. we all need reminders of why we do what we do. Having the cross (now with a toned down fragrance) reminds me that I am "compelled by the love of God" 2Cor. 5:14

So not only does God start things, but because of His love for us and our love for Him, "love God and do what you will" (St. Augustine) I run and in running I am transformed. That transformation sets a new set of parameters around which all decisions, whether it is to honk your horn like a crazy lady because someone is impeding your progress to your destination...(maybe not anymore) are made. Maybe it is to use the opportunities presented by critics of Christians and Christianity to witness to the great love and yes wisdom of God.

Happy running! Warning: It is NOT low impact

A "Mission Trip"

2007-07-15T23:40:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I just returned from a week in New Orleans. The locals fondly termed people like me "voluntourists..." people who had come to volunteer in hurricane rebuilding efforts as well as to experience and enjoy the rich and unique culture of the city. Although my reasons for travel included tourism and fun along with the volunteer work I was doing, many people wished me well on my "mission trip" before I headed south. I left praying that God would use me to minister as He saw fit.
Before I arrived, I pictured the rebuilding efforts as an movement to bless people whose homes were destroyed, both to provide physically for the reconstruction of their dwelling places and to minister to them in the midst of lives which had been ravaged and uprooted by Hurricane Katrina. And in many ways, it was exactly that. People I met spoke freely and candidly of the terror of the storm two years ago and the chaos that ensued. But they also spoke of hope and rebirth and positivity that arose from the tragedy--of the way that people drew together out of necessity, of how their community was stronger because they had to help each other survive and drop defenses and petty differences, of the inspiration of seeing countless volunteers stream into the city to join in the effort of bringing New Orleans back to life and wholeness.
I could go on and on with stories, and knowing me, I'm sure I will. The beauty of the souls I met in New Orleans, their resilience, would astound you. It astounds me. But what astounded me even more was what God decided to teach me about missions on this trip.
More than the people who I "went to help," I found deep pain and need in the people I worked alongside in the volunteer organization I joined--a pain and need unrelated to the hurricane. I met a volunteer recently divorced who seemed to have lost his purpose along with his wife and, not knowing where else to turn, tried coming where he thought someone might value and need him. I met a volunteer who was angry about everything from lunches to heat to his place in the organization. I met a volunteer who talked almost exclusively about drug use but grew fiercely defensive at anyone's suggestion of an addiction. I met a man at the hostel where I stayed who was so lonely that he poured out his heart to a person who barely spoke his language, seeking companionship and love. People don't have to live through a hurricane for their lives to be ravaged. God's love, healing and salvation are needed absolutely everywhere.
If nothing else, this is what I learned: where there is a person in pain, there is a mission field. Where there is a person who doesn't know Christ, where there is a person who DOES know Christ and needs encouragement, love, or prayer....there is a mission field. Your life today and my life today is a mission trip. Are we listening to God today, in this moment? Who knows what your co-worker you barely know is struggling with, what your friend needs to hear, what your family member is holding deep in his/her heart? God does--and when we're open to His leading in interactions, opportunities to shine His light never end. In God's will, our compassion, sensitivity, prayers, and insight are never wasted. When He leads us to pray, what a difference a prayer will make--or a smile, a gentle word, a hug, a question, an encouragement. It's easy to drift through a day of normal routine on auto pilot and to be alert to ministry opportunities when we're tuned in because we're intentionally on a "mission trip." But in God's world, all of our moments are pregnant with opportunity to minister. God took me all the way to New Orleans to remind me that He needs me needs me to be awake and alert to the need in Minneapolis--or wherever I happen to be. He needs all of us awake and alert to His will at all times--in the midst of it, no interaction and no choice is inconsequential. He asks us to draw on His love for us and to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), whether that means evangelizing in Antartica or going next door and asking how a neighbor's day is going. May we each live today awake and alert to the call to ministry in the mission trip of our lives--God's mission field.

Prayer Chain, 7/15/07

2007-07-15T22:12:00.001-05:00

We're going to try posting the prayer chain on the blog so we can be lifting up prayer requests presented on Sunday morning more intentionally throughout the week. Because the blog is a fairly public space and we want to respect peoples' privacy, we are listing the prayers in a less specific fashion; God knows who you are praying for! Thanks in advance for your intercessions.

This week, please lift up...

The people in New Orleans and their continued healing, hope, and motivation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Praise God for their resilience and His ability to create beauty from ashes and work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Praise God for our guests from Calvary Lutheran Church in Green Bay, WI, and the work they did on our courtyard, our carpet, and work throughout the neighborhood. Pray for safe travels on the rest of their trip and back home.

Prayer and praise for the faithfulness and blessing of our sister congregation in Bauchi, Nigeria.

Prayer for new graduates--for direction, guidance, provision, and peace.

Prayer for victims of crime and robbery. Prayer for those who bring harm and injustice to others, that they would be healed and forgiven.

Prayer for healing for those who are physically ill--especially for recovery from surgery, doctors' wisdom in diagnosing and treating infections, and God's healing ministry to any who suffer.

Prayer for marriages--for logistics of ceremonies and preparation of hearts for marriage, as well as for family members enjoying and adjusting to new dynamics.

Prayer for vocational blessing--for those who are unemployed and seeking work and those who have been blessed with new career opportunities.

Prayer for safe travel--specifically for the safe return of the Road Rules group (youth and chaperones) and for all who are traveling from our congregation this week.

Praise for connections between churches, for relationship-building, community, and strengthening of faith.

Praise for the life of ministry led by Pastor Richard Knudson. Prayer for his family's comfort in their loss and for his homegoing celebration on Monday.

From The Belly Of A Fish

2007-07-09T14:08:00.000-05:00

Well, Yolanda you wanted me to write something so here goes.

Sunday morning in Bible study we talked about Jonah, and I was hit with the realization that Jonah was not so different from us. As Christians we are called to deliver God's message of salvation to all the world. Jonah knew that God is a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and so do we. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh and did not want them to be spared when God decided to destroy them. When God did indeed spare them Jonah pouted. Who do we decide not to share the Good News with because we don't like them or because they are different from us? We don't need to do more than turn on the TV to be told who. Jonah was given a message by God to be delivered to a group of people outside of the Hebrew faith. God did not ask Jonah his personal opinions about the Ninevites. Jesus said "Love one another as I have loved you". He doesn't need our personal opinions on the worthiness of others, only our obedience. Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish before delivering God's message. How many will we spend before we get it? If you have time re-read Jonah and see if you can find more than just an entertaining story about a man, a fish and a raging sea.

Freedom Part II

2007-07-06T11:21:00.000-05:00

It's amazing that Paige wrote about the topic of freedom. "Great minds...or the shared mind of the body of Christ?" At any rate, I like everyone else had been thinking about freedom with the emphasis on July 4th yesterday. In addition, while reading our scripture lessons for Sunday, in preparation for selecting hymns; I was struck by the command to the disciples to not take purse or shoes. At first, practical me, I thought about how hungry the disciples would be getting or how sore without an extra pair of shoes. I also mused about how "naked" most women would be if Jesus had told them that today.Then I realized that this might be the entire point. When we choose to carry our "baggage" we are not truly relying on God's provisions or receiving God's freedom from that "baggage." This again might be why Christ's yoke and burdens are easy and light. The "purses" we carry of guilt, fear, unhealthiness in all its forms, etc. weigh us down and make it near impossible to run anyone's race, less God's race.Carrying around that load makes it difficult to see the path. I liken it to some Spring vacation trips I took hiking/backpacking in the southwest. Your mind becomes focused if you allow it on the pack you're carrying. Focusing on the pack actually makes the pack seem heavier. Pretty soon, you can't even enjoy the beauty of the scenery, your "eyes" are on that darn pack. I am going to prayerfully try to "lighten" my load this week by focusing not on my deficiencies and my "backpack" but on a holy backpack, that by the way God has provided the Spirit to help carry. Have a blessed rest of the week everyone.

Free to Worship Him Without Fear

2007-07-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

Watching fireworks last night, I was reflecting about how grateful I am to live in a country where I can worship God in Jesus Christ without fear of political consequence--imprisonment, torture, and the ramifications our brothers and sisters around the world are subjected to each day. I was thinking about the principles our country was founded on, how revolutionaries fought and lost their lives so that we could, among other things, worship God as the Holy Spirit moves us to worship.
As I thought about the freedom to worship in the Unites States, like a good Lutheran, my mind defaulted to humming the LBW liturgy: "Free to worship Him without fear..."
Later, the liturgy line came to my mind again. I started singing a little more and realized that phrase is part of "This is the Feast of Victory For our God." The whole line is: "Free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our lives." "Worthy is Christ, the lamb who was slain, whose BLOOD set us FREE to be people of God." WOAH! And it made me realize anew that God holds the true key to freedom, to victory, and to worshipping without fear--above any man-made freedom we could attain...He INVENTED freedom.
In Christ's sacrifice, we are free to worship with out fear in a different realm--without fear that we've sinned one too many times to really be forgiven, without fear that we're "too much" or "not enough" to really be effective messengers of the gospel, without fear that we're backsliders beyond redemption, without fear that we can't really keep up with God's plan for us, without fear of what would happen if we "really" opened ourselves up to God's reality/possibility/vision instead of limiting His abundance with our own ideas, without fear that we'll be rejected, without fear that our sinful nature blocks us from God--because it doesn't as long as we stay open to Him through repentance. His blood set us free to be people of God. And while I thank God for the immense privilege it is to worship in a country that doesn't persecute me, I realized that the ultimate freedom to worship without fear comes right here:
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE (without fear), that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:16, emphasis mine. Without fear,we are free to worship God in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. We are free to run to Him when we are in need of Grace. I am praying that freedom inspires us to hear and live the words of the hymn:
"In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us live to make them free, while God is marching on." Glory, hallelujah!

6/24/07

2007-06-27T09:03:00.000-05:00

My mother and I had a funny discussion about the Gospel lesson from Sunday. I said to her, "You know it has always bothered me that Jesus didn't pay those swine herders for the now dead demon-filled swine." She in her typical wise way replied, "How do you know they weren't there like the colt?"

I made me think about how God even supplied the needs of Jesus. It's a little mind-boggling at first, to think that God even supplied the needs of God. But then it becomes pretty miraculous.

God not only visually supplies the needs of all he created, but concretely shows us that his intention to supply all of our needs goes even as far as providing a stable for Mary and Joseph and their new baby; a way for Jesus to survive in the desert without food or water (something I wouldn't want to be asked to try); colt for Jesus to ride on and even swine to send Legion.

If he would supply those things for Jesus who was both man and God, human and divine, why wouldn't he supply rest in the midst of unrest, peace in times of war, plenty in times of lack?

It's Friday....

2007-06-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

I was just musing on the hope and excitement I hear from my colleagues when they say, "It's Friday." I wondered if it was the rest, plans for fun, time for family and friends or just the time away from work that they look forward to the most. I was then wishing that we had the same kind of feeling when we say, "It's Sunday!" I hear that from the church youth sometimes, but hardly ever from church adults. Is it because we have made the day of rest, our Christian Sabbath a day of duty? Is it because we have poured so many activities into what happens on Sundays that we cannot "rest" enough at the feet of the throne? Or is it all of theses things and perhaps that we have entirely different ideas of what the Lord requires?
Micah offers this, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

If we lived our lives fulfilling these requirements, maybe we wouldn't pack all of these into 1 hour on a Sunday morning (?)

In Repentance and Rest....

2007-06-19T21:24:00.000-05:00

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." -Isaiah 30:15
After an awesome day at a retreat center in rural Minnesota on Monday, I have been thinking about the power of both repentance and rest. On Monday morning, I was feeling really burdened by my own imperfection...ironic, since God specifically tells us that it is in our weakness His strength is made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9), but I often get stubborn about not wanting to delve into (or even admit) that I struggle with sin and that I don't always "have it all together" (oh, look, pride....another imperfection). As I sat in the chapel nervous about being so far away from home with hail hitting my car, thinking of what was going on at work back in St. Paul, and questioning whether taking a day away was self-indulgent, I started paging through the Bible and was led to passage after passage on repentance. After 6 passages, it started getting blantant. "But, God," I thought. "I came here to praise you. And to pray in a more focused way for....(insert unending list of prayer requests). I need to focus on intercession, not repentance." (Doesn't that give new meaning to the "longsuffering" character of God?)
I surrendered to it when I came upon this: "Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out of my sight, then YOU SHALL NOT BE MOVED. And you shall swear, 'The LORD lives,' In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory.'"-Jeremiah 4:1-2 (emphasis mine). Without repentance, I am "moved" (distracted, hindered, detoured, etc.) away from from praise, intercession, evangelism, peace... yep, pretty much from everything God desires for me. Without a blow-by-blow narration of the day (which would keep you reading forever), out of that morning came a new understanding of Grace in three components:
1) Honesty: We can't have true freedom unless we are honest with God. Of course He already knows what's going on, but if we don't intentionally tell Him, we are bound by our refusal to confess. The consuming nature of guilt and the energy put into shame (whether we realize it or not) distract from relationship with Him. We are also susceptible to being deceived within ourselves when we don't take an honest look at what's in our lives--the good and the bad. When we bring our sin intentionally into the light, we become vulnerable to God, enhancing our relationship--and when we expose any darkness to the light, it cannot stay dark. "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long...my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, 'I will confess my trangressions to the LORD' and You forgave me the iniquity of my sin."-Psalm 33: 3-5
2) Transformation: When honesty obliterates the lies and garbage that keep us stuck in our "old man," we are free to be transformed. From darkness to light. From weary to energized. From brokenness to wholeness. BECAUSE of being honest with God, we realize that if He forgives our sin, He and He alone can transform the places within us that lead us to sin. And as we walk more closely with Him as a result of honesty, we find our identity in Him instead of our sinful nature, and become more like God. "For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." -2 Corinthians 3: 17-18
3) Adventure: When we're liberated from sin and transformed in our inmost being, imagine what God can do!! St. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." When we're walking in transformed freedom and victory, uninhibited by unconfessed sin and lingering shame AND transformed so that our very identity is "child and friend of the living God," how different and exciting our days can be! We expect God, we look for Him around every corner. We are energized by purpose.
Normally, I don't define myself as a very "adventurous" gal. I love routine, structure, a well-defined plan. Why? Because I really like feeling safe and in control. But when we have found ultimate safety in honesty and transformation, we don't look for it in other things, freeing us to be open to the adventure of God's reality, which sometimes defies the world's logic. "But because of His great love for us God...made us ALIVE with Christ." -Ephesians 2:4-5 (emphasis mine) "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10
Are you guys still reading?! God bless you! This is so long! And the crazy part? I could keep going!:) But for the time being, I will end by saying--I praise God that in repentance and rest is SALVATION--from our sin, yes. But also from our drudgery and false security in the world so that we may live in the glorious adventure of knowing Him. Praise God!

Accountability

2007-06-19T08:06:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have been championing accountability. I am amazed at how many "checks and balances" God has given us. Immediately I recognize His Spirit within acting as a "moral compass." How amazing is that to have an actual physical response to decisions that have to be made and the options we eventually choose. That idea of being able to "look one's self in the mirror" is staggering. I am not, on the other hand, amazed that some (myself at times included) would rather skip the "mirror test" or blot it out by having a beer, or chocolate, or just sleeping through the consequences of our decisions.

Second, God provides us with some pretty enduring truths. All of nature abides by this interesting set of truths, almost as if even though evil insists, God's original "programming persists. We have often seen the truth in portions of God's word or of the spirit of those words lived out. Examples include: "the love of money is the root of all evil," "don't let the sun go down on your anger," "treat others as you would like to be treated" and the like. How many migraines, ulcers and minimally, wrinkles might have been avoided if we could live without the pressures of addictions to materialism, the unsatisfied "adrenalin rush" evil provides and the consequences of being unforgiving and bitter? I have come to believe that the real reason God wants us to "forgive others" is not just so that we can experience "as we forgive ourselves," but is also based in the scripture "if you retain the sins of any they are retained." (John 20:23) WE retain those sins, not the person we chose not to forgive. We carry them like a weight that eventually shows itself not just in our spiritual bodies, but in our mental and physical ones as well. I wonder for myself how much "life" I could have retained within my body if I had been quicker to forgive others....and myself.

Third, we have been given the Church.Without this body of fellow pilgrims or sojourners, we might perhaps be able to make a habit of Godly living, but it would be much more difficult. On the contrary encourage one another, day after day, so long as To-day lasts, so that not one of you may be hardened through the deceitful character of sin." (Hebrews 3:13) Living side by side with like "strugglers" encourages us to "keep going." Seeing and hearing the "ups and the downs" solidifies our resolve. Experiencing the diverse ways we "walk in the light" intrigues us and offers alternatives. "Tasting" the fruits of both the Spirit in action and the crop harvested revives us and hardens our resolve to see the kingdom realized here on earth.

Thank God for "checks and balances", for "snoopy" Christian brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. Thank God for a ruler by which we can measure ourselves, a thermometer by which we can test out spiritual temperatures.

Is the Bible Real?

2007-06-11T12:07:00.001-05:00

Questions that often comes up in Sunday School include: Is the Bible real? How do we know it is? How do you experience the bible? What assurances do you have that it's real, real indeed?

Sunday School

2007-06-11T11:56:00.000-05:00

Sunday saw a successful meeting of the Sunday School Planners. We decided on an exciting topic of Great Heroes of the Bible. This topic will take up the entire year. After brainstorming a "gazilion" names we came up with the heroes we will be looking at for the Fall session. Our lest includes obvious heroes like David and Esther and some not so obvious ones like the widow(pick one, there are so many); Hagar and Ananias.

Each person interested in writing curriculum chose their personality. Paige and Cheryl graciously volunteered to make up our "trading cards" which will be comprised of a symbol (some of them chose from the "armor of God" -Ephesians) and others based on our discussion of a symbol that would most represent an aspect of heroism they exhibit. The trading cards will represent one of the activities youth will complete while in the program.

In addition to linking the heroes to the armor of God, we will be using them as a way to introduce the books of the bible and how they are divided in to Old Testament, New Testament (Gospels and Epistles).

It was a great meeting as always, thanks to the able leadership of Lonna.

In attendance: Thelma, Paige, Cheryl, Jane, Lonna, Karen and Yolanda. More news to come....