Sorry everyone. I am currently on vacation and am experiencing various technical difficulties. I had fully intended to blog while on vacation, especially since I didn't do it all last week due to being so swamped with work just to be able to take a vacation. It's exhausting just thinking about it.
I think the Lord is trying to get me to SLOW WAY DOWN. Last night when my mother in law was doing her planning each day out thing, I just said, would you be too disappointed if what I wanted to do on this vacation was nothing.
Sometimes we just have to re-charge our batteries. For me, sometimes that means doing next to nothing. Fun? No not really. But usually I am wearing so many hats that I am not sure if I even have the right one on. It is nice to go "hat-less" every once in a while. I guess now is that time. Besides, it is not like I am actually doing nothing. I just don't feel like doing the whole go go go thing on this vacation. I know, I probably sound BORING! But as I told my m-i-l, sometimes, boring is good...boring would be nice for a change.
Perhaps God is telling you to slow down today. Take a few moments, an hour, or all day. REST! PRAY! REFLECT! READ! ENJOY! Perhaps the technical difficulties were a blessing after all!
Thanks for reading and God Bless!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Getting Away for a while
Matthew 14:13
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
This event happened just after John the Baptist was beheadded and news about it reached Jesus. This was His response. Even our Lord needed to "get away" for a bit. And from time to time He would do just that. But it was often only for very little time, as the crowds usually followed Him like in this example. Ministry is an on-going thing. It NEVER stops, and it will not cease until our Lord Jesus comes again. Therefore, I think it is entirely necessary for pastors and church workers to take some much needed time and "get away" from all of it. Take a lesson from our Lord Jesus who saw the necessity and benefit of doing so, even if the crowds did not let Him go for long.
What happens is that we church workers will not be good for anyone if we do not take care of ourselves. And the thing is, we KNOW when we really need a vacation or just a couple days to re-energize and re-focus ourselves. Then we can get right back into it, because it will be waiting for us.
In the example above the context continues in this way....Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Not only that, but this is the text where Jesus feeds the 5000. But notice, after all had been fed and their physical needs taken care of, and 12 baskets full of leftovers collected, what Jesus does next....Matthew 14:23
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone... ew Jesus still took some time for Himself, to be alone, to pray. He did so because it was still important for Him to do that before He continued on with ministry. It may have been delayed a bit by the crowds having followed Him, but He didn't just stop and forget about it and continue to go on ministering after He had dealt with these crowds. He needed a little time to reflect, pray, and to be alone first.
We pastors and church workers should take our cue from Him. There may be things that interrupt our vacation or taking some time for ourselves, but it is still important for us to take that time, even if we deal with those things before we take it.
If you haven't guessed I am trying to take a much needed vacation with my family, and have been running into lots of complications. But I am going to just pause and reflect on these things and pray for God's strength and guidance and peace.
Thanks for reading and God bless! Take some time for yourselves too!
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
This event happened just after John the Baptist was beheadded and news about it reached Jesus. This was His response. Even our Lord needed to "get away" for a bit. And from time to time He would do just that. But it was often only for very little time, as the crowds usually followed Him like in this example. Ministry is an on-going thing. It NEVER stops, and it will not cease until our Lord Jesus comes again. Therefore, I think it is entirely necessary for pastors and church workers to take some much needed time and "get away" from all of it. Take a lesson from our Lord Jesus who saw the necessity and benefit of doing so, even if the crowds did not let Him go for long.
What happens is that we church workers will not be good for anyone if we do not take care of ourselves. And the thing is, we KNOW when we really need a vacation or just a couple days to re-energize and re-focus ourselves. Then we can get right back into it, because it will be waiting for us.
In the example above the context continues in this way....Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Not only that, but this is the text where Jesus feeds the 5000. But notice, after all had been fed and their physical needs taken care of, and 12 baskets full of leftovers collected, what Jesus does next....Matthew 14:23
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone... ew Jesus still took some time for Himself, to be alone, to pray. He did so because it was still important for Him to do that before He continued on with ministry. It may have been delayed a bit by the crowds having followed Him, but He didn't just stop and forget about it and continue to go on ministering after He had dealt with these crowds. He needed a little time to reflect, pray, and to be alone first.
We pastors and church workers should take our cue from Him. There may be things that interrupt our vacation or taking some time for ourselves, but it is still important for us to take that time, even if we deal with those things before we take it.
If you haven't guessed I am trying to take a much needed vacation with my family, and have been running into lots of complications. But I am going to just pause and reflect on these things and pray for God's strength and guidance and peace.
Thanks for reading and God bless! Take some time for yourselves too!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Technology and God's Word
Yesterday our Gospel reading was the Great Commission from Matthew 28. "Go and make disciples of all nations..."
Along that line of thinking, I have been pondering a great deal lately about how much and what technology we in the church use or should be using to the end of spreading the Gospel.
Now I would not consider myself a technophobe at all. I actually like technology, and I am fascinated by all the new stuff they are coming out with all the time (from a safe distance I should add). That is to say that neither can I afford to keep up, nor do I think for the most part that it is absolutely necessary. I don't really want to get caught up in that game of always trying to keep up. It seems to me it would be exhausting, let alone what to do with all of the obsolete stuff. Some of it I think I could figure out on my own. Some of it I would be able to do if somebody just took the time to show me. Hey, I am from the "Show-Me" state, AND I am a visual learner. But some of it I just don't see a need for, or that I would ever use it.
Which brings me to my question for today--How much and what technologies should we be using in the church to do the work that God has called us to do? The majority of the work that I do in the church centers around the Word. I am a Lutheran pastor, and I think that is how it should be. But we use technology to do that. We record the services. We have a website that helps to bring people to the Word and the Word to people's lives. I have this blog, in which I am trying to feed people with God's Word on a regular basis. We use emails and cell phones and computers to do much of the word processing and communication that is done in the church. But I know pastors and churches that make use of so much more technology than that. And I am not saying it is a bad thing. I guess I wonder how far do we go with it? At what point does it go so far with the technology that it no longer resembles church and worship but business and entertainment instead? Something to ponder! Perhaps more on this tomorrow as I think it through.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
Along that line of thinking, I have been pondering a great deal lately about how much and what technology we in the church use or should be using to the end of spreading the Gospel.
Now I would not consider myself a technophobe at all. I actually like technology, and I am fascinated by all the new stuff they are coming out with all the time (from a safe distance I should add). That is to say that neither can I afford to keep up, nor do I think for the most part that it is absolutely necessary. I don't really want to get caught up in that game of always trying to keep up. It seems to me it would be exhausting, let alone what to do with all of the obsolete stuff. Some of it I think I could figure out on my own. Some of it I would be able to do if somebody just took the time to show me. Hey, I am from the "Show-Me" state, AND I am a visual learner. But some of it I just don't see a need for, or that I would ever use it.
Which brings me to my question for today--How much and what technologies should we be using in the church to do the work that God has called us to do? The majority of the work that I do in the church centers around the Word. I am a Lutheran pastor, and I think that is how it should be. But we use technology to do that. We record the services. We have a website that helps to bring people to the Word and the Word to people's lives. I have this blog, in which I am trying to feed people with God's Word on a regular basis. We use emails and cell phones and computers to do much of the word processing and communication that is done in the church. But I know pastors and churches that make use of so much more technology than that. And I am not saying it is a bad thing. I guess I wonder how far do we go with it? At what point does it go so far with the technology that it no longer resembles church and worship but business and entertainment instead? Something to ponder! Perhaps more on this tomorrow as I think it through.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Volunteering vs Serving in the Church: Is there a difference?
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.....And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14-15
The question that I have for you today is this: Is there a difference between volunteering and serving in the church? At a recent stewardship conference I attended, one of our synodical leaders asserted that there is a big difference. It gave me opportunity to pause, observe, and think about how members in our churches are viewing their own work in the church.
The word "volunteer"means one who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. Now that is not so bad, there is a willingness to undertake some task. However, the definition uses a form of the word in the definition, so we have to look that up too. Voluntary means proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent. This is where we run into the difference when it comes to church work. If one sees themself as merely a volunteer, it kind of takes God out of the equation. It becomes all about me and my will and what I want (or DON'T want) to do. Then all of the control is mine, and I get to decide when I am DONE volunteering for church work.
As was pointed out, this leads to poor stewardship, because it is all about us and what we want, so we are tied down to emotions, and self, and our will rather than serving God and His will for our live and His church with the gifts/talents He has given us. Serving the Lord shouldn't be about us at all, it should be about having that faithful desire to follow God's will and to serve Him and our neighbor, as Jesus, God's Son loved and served us.
I think that when people say and think that they are merely volunteering in the church, they run the risk of falling into the trap of thinking it is my time and my choice and my skills to do with as I see fit. Rather, I believe that we should recognize the gifts that we have and where they have come from; and then I think we should search in His Word as to how we can be good stewards of those gifts, and SERVE God and others to build up the Church and give glory to God. Who needs the "Control?" There is much more freedom in serving the Lord.
So, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! How about you?
Thanks for reading! God's blessings to you and your families. And since I do not blog on Sundays....Happy Father's Day to all those Dads tomorrow! Enjoy your day!
The question that I have for you today is this: Is there a difference between volunteering and serving in the church? At a recent stewardship conference I attended, one of our synodical leaders asserted that there is a big difference. It gave me opportunity to pause, observe, and think about how members in our churches are viewing their own work in the church.
The word "volunteer"means one who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. Now that is not so bad, there is a willingness to undertake some task. However, the definition uses a form of the word in the definition, so we have to look that up too. Voluntary means proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent. This is where we run into the difference when it comes to church work. If one sees themself as merely a volunteer, it kind of takes God out of the equation. It becomes all about me and my will and what I want (or DON'T want) to do. Then all of the control is mine, and I get to decide when I am DONE volunteering for church work.
As was pointed out, this leads to poor stewardship, because it is all about us and what we want, so we are tied down to emotions, and self, and our will rather than serving God and His will for our live and His church with the gifts/talents He has given us. Serving the Lord shouldn't be about us at all, it should be about having that faithful desire to follow God's will and to serve Him and our neighbor, as Jesus, God's Son loved and served us.
I think that when people say and think that they are merely volunteering in the church, they run the risk of falling into the trap of thinking it is my time and my choice and my skills to do with as I see fit. Rather, I believe that we should recognize the gifts that we have and where they have come from; and then I think we should search in His Word as to how we can be good stewards of those gifts, and SERVE God and others to build up the Church and give glory to God. Who needs the "Control?" There is much more freedom in serving the Lord.
So, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! How about you?
Thanks for reading! God's blessings to you and your families. And since I do not blog on Sundays....Happy Father's Day to all those Dads tomorrow! Enjoy your day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A few thoughts on fasting.
I chose this topic to write on today, because last night at 8pm I had to fast until 8am this morning for lab work I had to get done. If I am being perfectly honest I did a whole lot of complaining about it too! First I complained that the elders meeting went too long (past the 8pm deadline for my fast to begin). Then I complained because everyone in my house was snacking last night. Then I kept looking at the "slow-moving" clock and kept saying, "I'm never going to make it to 8am" As it turned out, there was a long line at the lab with other "fasting" people there, all of us looking equally grumpy. So because of the traffic jam in the lab, it was more like 8:30, and I complained (in my head) about that.
I guess the bottom line is, I like food! And I certainly do not like being deprived of it. I detest those 6 month lab work days because of the fasting. But all of my complaining got me to thinking about why would anyone fast on purpose? What benefits could there be to it? I know it is Biblical, but from a purely human standpoint I don't get it. Luther's small catechism even states-"Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training....fasting can be good training for the will, but God does not COMMAND particular times, places, and forms for this." So according to our Small Catechism, there is no command from God to fast. That settles it for me! And yet I am still curious what the benefit of doing so might be.
Isaiah 58:3-4 [They say]'Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?'
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
[4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
God sent Isaiah to call God's people to repentance, and in these verses to help them understand the
true character of fasting as an expression of sorrow for sin and an opportunity to have mercy on the hungry.
In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say regarding fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [17] But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you...."
So I guess there can be some great benefits to fasting, when one does it spiritually in connection with repentance, or to give us thought and lead us to prayer for brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering from hunger, that we may also have compassion on them.
Of course I realize the reason I was fasting last night was much different than these reasons for fasting, but I think my attitude toward fasting could use much improvement, and next time I will spend it in prayer and contemplation instead of whining and complaining!
What are your own thoughts about fasting?
Thanks for reading! Blessings to you from God our Father, and let's be thankful for the food we do have!
I guess the bottom line is, I like food! And I certainly do not like being deprived of it. I detest those 6 month lab work days because of the fasting. But all of my complaining got me to thinking about why would anyone fast on purpose? What benefits could there be to it? I know it is Biblical, but from a purely human standpoint I don't get it. Luther's small catechism even states-"Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training....fasting can be good training for the will, but God does not COMMAND particular times, places, and forms for this." So according to our Small Catechism, there is no command from God to fast. That settles it for me! And yet I am still curious what the benefit of doing so might be.
Isaiah 58:3-4 [They say]'Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?'
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
[4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
God sent Isaiah to call God's people to repentance, and in these verses to help them understand the
true character of fasting as an expression of sorrow for sin and an opportunity to have mercy on the hungry.
In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say regarding fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [17] But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you...."
So I guess there can be some great benefits to fasting, when one does it spiritually in connection with repentance, or to give us thought and lead us to prayer for brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering from hunger, that we may also have compassion on them.
Of course I realize the reason I was fasting last night was much different than these reasons for fasting, but I think my attitude toward fasting could use much improvement, and next time I will spend it in prayer and contemplation instead of whining and complaining!
What are your own thoughts about fasting?
Thanks for reading! Blessings to you from God our Father, and let's be thankful for the food we do have!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
God's gifts bestowed on us.
I know, I know, I wrote yesterday about marriage, and also that I would continue on that
subject today, but a situation regarding a wedding came up today that caused me to think
twice about blogging on weddings/marriage today, while I am frustrated about it.
SOOOO, instead I thought I would post about another subject that has been on my mind lately....the gifts and talents that God gives to us. This is kind of a stewardship issue. Ok, not kind of, it is!
Every person is given gifts and talents by God. A person doesn't even have to believe in God to
receive such gifts and talents--God still provides to believers and non-believers alike. But that is not the direction I want to go with this topic. Rather, I wanted to write today about using and not making use of the gifts and talents we have been given.
I am a firm believer in that old adage "Use it or Lose it," particularly when it comes to our gifts and talents. If God gives us a good gift/talent, I believe that He expects us to use it. Now granted, sometimes we are not even aware of "hidden" talents that we have. Those must be explored and I think that God helps us to "discover" those hidden talents that He gives to us.
Regardless if a talent/gift is hidden or known, I think we should use them. If we ignore them, or refuse to use them, I think that God can take it away just as surely as He gave it. I hope this is making sense. The Lord our God blesses us with so many things, and we should use them, not only that, but make good and proper use of them. I would say when in doubt, pray about it. Ask for God to show you those "hidden" gifts that you have. Or if you do know a gift or talent you have, ask for God to help you to use it in ways that are pleasing to Him.
I apologize if this post sounds like I am rambling, I just felt like it today!
Thanks for reading, and make use of those gifts and talents to the glory of God!
subject today, but a situation regarding a wedding came up today that caused me to think
twice about blogging on weddings/marriage today, while I am frustrated about it.
SOOOO, instead I thought I would post about another subject that has been on my mind lately....the gifts and talents that God gives to us. This is kind of a stewardship issue. Ok, not kind of, it is!
Every person is given gifts and talents by God. A person doesn't even have to believe in God to
receive such gifts and talents--God still provides to believers and non-believers alike. But that is not the direction I want to go with this topic. Rather, I wanted to write today about using and not making use of the gifts and talents we have been given.
I am a firm believer in that old adage "Use it or Lose it," particularly when it comes to our gifts and talents. If God gives us a good gift/talent, I believe that He expects us to use it. Now granted, sometimes we are not even aware of "hidden" talents that we have. Those must be explored and I think that God helps us to "discover" those hidden talents that He gives to us.
Regardless if a talent/gift is hidden or known, I think we should use them. If we ignore them, or refuse to use them, I think that God can take it away just as surely as He gave it. I hope this is making sense. The Lord our God blesses us with so many things, and we should use them, not only that, but make good and proper use of them. I would say when in doubt, pray about it. Ask for God to show you those "hidden" gifts that you have. Or if you do know a gift or talent you have, ask for God to help you to use it in ways that are pleasing to Him.
I apologize if this post sounds like I am rambling, I just felt like it today!
Thanks for reading, and make use of those gifts and talents to the glory of God!
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Few Thoughts On Marriage
In light of officiating my first wedding of the season, I thought I would reflect on a few things about marriage.
When I do pre-marital counseling, I usually start off by saying marriage is work. I do this just to see the reactions of the couple, so that I know how I am going to proceed. Besides, marriage IS work, but if the work is done right (out of love for your spouse) and consistently, marriage is very rewarding, and a blessing to both persons.
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18
What a blessing! God does not want that we should be alone. And furthermore, a spouse is to be a help-mate. I have seen the manifestation of that term over the years, often in some of the most extreme and difficult circumstances. Truly marriage can be a real blessing, as God intended.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephes. 5:22-33
This is a difficult passage from Paul, and yet it shouldn't be if we merely understand that Paul is making a comparison to Christ and His "Bride"-the Church. Husbands and wives should love and repect and honor thier spouse, just as Christ Jesus loves His Church. This passage is often misunderstood and sometimes despised because of it. But a pastor could do much good by taking the time to explain what Paul is saying. Of course what I have written here about this text is just a start, there is much more to say. Perhaps I will break it down some more tomorrow!
Thanks for reading and may God bless marriage, and you!
When I do pre-marital counseling, I usually start off by saying marriage is work. I do this just to see the reactions of the couple, so that I know how I am going to proceed. Besides, marriage IS work, but if the work is done right (out of love for your spouse) and consistently, marriage is very rewarding, and a blessing to both persons.
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18
What a blessing! God does not want that we should be alone. And furthermore, a spouse is to be a help-mate. I have seen the manifestation of that term over the years, often in some of the most extreme and difficult circumstances. Truly marriage can be a real blessing, as God intended.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephes. 5:22-33
This is a difficult passage from Paul, and yet it shouldn't be if we merely understand that Paul is making a comparison to Christ and His "Bride"-the Church. Husbands and wives should love and repect and honor thier spouse, just as Christ Jesus loves His Church. This passage is often misunderstood and sometimes despised because of it. But a pastor could do much good by taking the time to explain what Paul is saying. Of course what I have written here about this text is just a start, there is much more to say. Perhaps I will break it down some more tomorrow!
Thanks for reading and may God bless marriage, and you!
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