Category Archives: Bible

Habitat Joy

Today was fun. For the first time in a long while the Twin Cities had a full day of warm sunshine. I was able to enjoy it working outside on a Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity work site. Eight members of Resurrection Lutheran joined fourteen others on a new build at 522 Thomas Avenue in St. Paul, MN. We pounded nails, cut boards and lifted roof trusses. We ate pizza and drank lots of water. As I said, it was fun.

I had the opportunity to lead a short devotion before the work began. I centered it on the book of Nehemiah and their rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the exile. The people had become discouraged because their capital city was in chaotic disrepair. The most grievous symbol of that brokenness was their wall. For people of that time, a walled city was sign of protection and vitality.

We no longer need city walls for safety, but we still need to rebuild walls of shelter for others ins our city. The previous house at the Habitat site had become a drug haven and the city closed and condemned it. Now Habitat has the opportunity to rebuild and reclaim this neighborhood with a new home and enthusiastic homeowners. Though no homeowner has yet been selected for this home, I am confident that Habitat will select a family that will invest in their home and neighborhood.

My favorite verse from Nehemiah is “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). I experienced that joy today working with others and so thankful that their joy gave me strength.

Lord Jesus, lets us rebuild our city with your joy, strength and peace.

Superior Hiking Trail – Day Three

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The night’s rain was still dripping from the trees as I stirred from my tent. A thick fog covered the beaver pond and surrounding forest. Though it was not raining at the moment, its threat would be my constant companion.

After a hurried breakfast and fast packing, I was on the trail by 6:00 am. I was glad to have a trail since I could only see a few yards in any direction due to the thick fog. The guide book described the trail as having several scenic overlooks but I could see nothing except grey mist. I scramble up and down the ridgeline, wondering what was ahead. The hike had a surreal feel to it as I moved through the wet forest.

I was reminded of a sermon I heard in seminary. The preacher was describing a similar experience, driving along a foggy highway in North Dakota. He had to trust the road since he could not see very far ahead. He described our faith in God like that drive. God rarely gives us long-range vistas of how our life will unfold. We see only a short ways down our path of life. Our call is to daily trust in God’s presence as our guide for each step along the path.

I was also reminded of a sermon (do pastors always think in terms of sermons?) based on Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The lamp of the Psalmist was not a searchlight that could cast a brilliant beam for miles, but rather a weak oil-wick lamp that helped you see a few feet so as not to stumble at night. God does not give you a google-map direction printout that shows every twist and turn in your life, but a promise to be with you even in the fog.

Later that morning I reached the Beaver River. It was roaring full of water. There was a tent at one campsite, but no campers around. I continued on through the fog.

I reached the trailhead by Silver Bay about noon. Though it was misting, it felt like heavier rain could happen at any time. I had a choice. I could either continue on the Superior Hiking trail towards Finland MN over a section of the trail described as the most challenging in the region OR hike down into Silver Bay and check into a motel for the night.

My ankle was sore, my gear was wet from last night’s shower, and the cloud cover threaten heavier rain. I turned towards Silver Bay and the Mariner Motel. An hour after I checked in, a large thunderstorm dropped buckets of water and I was glad I had made this choice. After all, God had given me a brain to use as well as strong legs and back.

Still I had one more day of hiking before heading home.

Lord Jesus, guide me through the fog and the rain of life.

Running Out of Water

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Confirmation students often surprise me with the questions they ask. Recently we were discussing the Lutheran sacrament of baptism. They wanted to know, “why do we use water for baptism?”

The simplest answer would be that this is what Jesus used and commanded (though technically Jesus never used water since he never baptized anyone, see John 4:2). Though John the Baptist baptized Jesus with water, he remarked that the Messiah would “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 4:11). However water remained the essential physical element for baptism in the early church. As the Ethiopian Eunuch observed after his conversation with Philip about Jesus, “Look, here is some water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ (Acts 9:36). Since the early church, water has remained an essential element of baptism.*

Jesus might have chosen another physical element, but water was what he chose. Water remains a basic part of life. Without water, biological life dies. Jesus takes this simple, basic element and does something extraordinary. That is the power and wonder of the baptism.

In my old church I was leading worship and preparing to do a baptism. I discovered a great-grandfather of the child was a former governor of Minnesota and he was present for the service. I was a bit nervous knowing this. As I called the family forwarded to the baptismal font to start the service, I looked into the baptismal bowl. It was empty. No water. My nervous meter shot straight up.

I picked the empty bowl up and said, “An essential part of baptism is water and our bowl is empty.”

I started to walk towards the side door, saying as I walked, “There are two essential parts to baptism: the Word of God and water. I have God’s Word here (holding up my Bible), but I need water as well. And do you know where we get our water for baptism?”

I stepped into the kitchen.

“From the faucet right here in the kitchen.”

I turned on the water and filled the bowl.

“It is just ordinary water that we start with, but used with God’s Word it does extraordinary things.” I walked back into the worship area holding the bowl of water.

“And that is part of the power of baptism. God takes ordinary people, like you and me, and does extraordinary things we them. Turning us into the children of God.”

I placed the bowl of water back into the font and continued the baptism.

Later the former governor told me that was one of the most memorable baptisms he had seen. It was for me as well.

Lord Jesus, thanking for taking ordinary stuff, like water and me, and doing extraordinary work with them.

*The gift of the Holy Spirit remains connected to the act of baptism, but certainly not restricted or limited to water baptism (see the story in Acts 10:44-48).

Lite or Light Christian

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My baptism with Aunt Nola Mathre

I grew up in a loving Christian home. My parents had me baptize when I was six weeks old and brought me to the worship services at church throughout my childhood. For the most part I enjoyed going to church. Sunday school, especially the Bible stories, was something I grasped easily. I grew up singing and believing the song, “Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.” I never wandered too far from church or faith.

Several of my high school and college friends rebelled against the faith. Drinking, drugs or other addictive behavior pulled some of them out of the “safe” environment of church and family. Others just sorted of drifted away out of boredom or dissatisfaction. Meanwhile I continued to find meaning and identity as a Christian, even at a secular college.

Conversion by Caravaggio

Other friends had powerful religious conversions in which their lives made a 180 degree turn. They had been running away from God or ignoring him, but one day they embraced faith in Christ and their life changed. Like Paul on the road to Damascus, they had seen the light and struck down by God’s grace (Acts 9:1-5). Like Paul, they were zealous for others to come out of darkness and into the light.

I marveled at their stories of transformation. Part of my wonder was a sincere praise for God’s amazing grace towards His children. But part of my marvel was envy. I never had the “amazing” conversion story of being trapped in darkness and seeing the light. Among my evangelical friends, I felt somewhat inadequate.

Once, when I was camping after college, I started a conversation with two women my age. The conversation turned to religious faith and they asked me the fateful evangelical question, “When did you become a Christian?” I responded, “When I was baptized.” Since I was baptized as an infant, they could not comprehend this. I did not fit their standard of being old enough to “ask Jesus into my life.” I was not “real” Christian in their eyes.

For some time I thought of myself as “Lite” Christian, not having the full-conversion experience that my evangelical friends had. But now I see myself more as a Light Christian, who has had the joy of living in God’s light all my life. Christ is the source of light and I am thankful for every time it shines on me. As Paul proclaims, For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Have you ever wrestled with feelings of inferiority in your faith?

Lord Jesus, let your light shine in and through me.

The Dream of Mars

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I recently read about Mars One, an organization that has the lofty goal of creating a permanent human settlement on Mars by 2023. They are seeking applicants for this journey who will become part of a reality television show that will fund the project. The kicker is that the journey is one-way. The astronauts would not return to earth, but become “Martians.”

I was immediately intrigued because as a child I followed the earliest astronauts with a passion. Pictures of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spaceships covered my room. In third grade as we watched one of the first Americans in space, I told my teacher that my life goal was to be one of first men on Mars.

My dreams of being an astronaut died the day I got glasses. I knew that my vision would not allow me to be a military pilot, let alone an astronaut. Still I love the idea of space travel, moving beyond earth orbit and reaching for the moon, the planets and eventually the stars. I realize that I will never leave the gravitational pull of earth yet my imagination can still soar to distant galaxies.

My Christian faith did not directly curb or inspire my passion for space travel. I don’t imagine Jesus becoming an astronaut; neither do I see him condemning such endeavors. The human thirst for knowledge and exploration seems to be created within us. The medieval church became the birth place of modern science with its emphasis on the rationality of God’s creation, while at the same time the church rebuked scientists like Galileo. Today a key question is whether spending money, time and energy on space flight is good stewardship of our limited resources. However the same questions can be raised about spending the same resources on the military and/or entertainment.

Modern writers have used space as a place to explore Christian faith and alien cultures. C. S. Lewis’s first science fiction novel, Out of the Silent Planet, is based on travel to Mars. Mary Doria Russell’s novel, The Sparrow, explores how the Catholic Church might respond to the discovery of an alien culture near Alpha Centauri. Such reflections are often an attempt to understand our own history and place in the universe.

One of my favorite scriptures reflects upon the nature of the night sky,

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than angels and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:3-5).

Part of our glory and honor is our human curiosity for new knowledge and understanding. I know that I will not be applying for a spot on Mars One. But if it does move forward, I will be one who watches with fascination.

Have you ever dreamed of space flight? Or some other great adventure?

Lord Jesus, thank you for our mental curiosity.

New Connections and New Shoes

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Yesterday I was with a group of Resurrection members, discussing our New Connections campaign. I asked them to name some of the connections that keep them connect to the congregation. The answers varied widely. Several commented on the connections of friendship that comes from worshipping, serving and playing together.

One member spoke to the fun he had serving on the Property and Image Team (aka “The P.I.T. crew”) who meet monthly to use tools and fix things around the church facility. Another appreciated the connections she makes in playing with a talented worship team and the praise we give together to God. A widow spoke on the comfort she finds in hugging others after church. A grandfather shared how significant it is to help shape and share the developing faith life of his granddaughter as she discovers the joy of God’ Word.

Discovering connections in God’s Word

Community is a central piece of the Christian faith. Jesus started his ministry by immediately calling disciple to be his followers, his community (Mark 1:16-20). Throughout his ministry, Jesus gathered with people for meals and hospitality, even eating with outcasts and sinners like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). As he prepared to leave this motley crew of followers, he gave them his most demanding command.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another (John 13:34).

I shared my own recent connection. In the morning worship Sarah Strovick had gathered the children for the children’s message. I was sitting in the front row watching the children seated on the floor in front of me. One little girl, about two years old, had taken off her new shoes. She was looking to her older sister for help. Her sister pointed to me and the younger child toddled over, holding up her new shoes for me.

I reached out my arms and placed her on my lap. She handed me each shoe and peacefully watched as I replaced them on her feet. As I did this, I was reminded of the story of Moses and the burning bush when God commanded Moses to take off his shoes since he was on holy ground. I also thought of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Memories of putting shoes on my own children years ago flowed through me. As the little girl sat in my lap it became a holy connection for me. It became a moment when God reminded me again that I am loved, just as this little girl is loved and cared for. With a touch of reluctance I place set the toddler back on the floor with the other children.

A new connection with God and community had been formed in me.

Lord Jesus, thank you that I am your child, connected to you through your word and your people.

Waiting for Patience

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Patience does not come easy.

MN Public Radio Picture

As I watch another April snow shower blanket my Minnesota home and as I struggle to rehabilitate a sprained ankle, I realize how impatient I am. I yearn to be where I am not. I want quick fixes and instant answers. I want to run NOW. I want spring NOW.

Yet inside I hear a different voice calming my restless heart, a true voice calling me to wait patiently.

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings life eagles. They shall run and not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31).

Waiting is not a virtue in our American society. We hate waiting in lines, waiting for an event to start, waiting for a spouse to arrive, waiting for leaders to act. We think waiting is for wimps. After all we want ACTION heroes, not WAITING heroes.

Yet the Bible is filled with stories of waiting. Abraham and Sarah waited decades for the birth of a son. David waited years to become king. Israel waited centuries for a Messiah. When Paul begins his great description of love in I Corinthians 13, the first descriptor is “love is patient” (I Cor. 13:4).

As I listen to that inner, calming voice to wait, I realize that many things are at work. God’s Spirit is active, breathing new life into my spirit. I learn to live in the present moment, to be awake and at peace. These moments of awareness are intermittent; l slip back into self-pity. Still I wait, remembering an Objibway proverb,

Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the time I am being carried on great winds across the sky.

Spring will eventually come. I will at some point run again. But for now I wait on the Lord.

Lord Jesus, I wait with you.

The Love of Reading

Faith in Action

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Yesterday was Resurrection Lutheran Church’s annual Faith In Action Day. Over 200 volunteers worked on a wide variety of service projects. From making snack kits for children-in-need and kitchen packs for families in transitions to serving meals at local food shelters, we honored and celebrated one part of our mission statement: To Serve the world God loves. I wrote about my first experience with Faith In Action day here.

Preparing Sandwiches at Dorothy Day Center

It was a day that both encouraged and humbled me as a pastor. I was extremely proud to see children, youth, and adults using their gifts, talents and dependable strengths to help their neighbor. I felt like a cheerleader, supporting all the good works. I was also humbled because I realized that so much of the good that members do does not require a pastor, but rather the power of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful for the team of lay members, led by Terri Dokken, who coordinated the fifteen projects we worked on.

Earlier in the morning I preached on Ephesians 2, especially verse 10,

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

In my sermon, I talked about two kinds of good works. The first is the kind we experienced on Sunday, volunteer good works. As volunteers we do something directly to help our neighbor in need. We pack food at Feed our Starving Children or pound nails at Habitat for Humanity. These are valuable experiences where we learn about the needs of others and actually practice service in a tangible way. Plus it builds a sense of community and identity as old and new member work side-by-side.

But there is the second kind of good work, the daily good work, where we love our neighbor in our daily activity. A mom or dad who taxis the children to their daily activities, a nurse or doctor who treats patients, a social worker who aids families in caring for an aging parent: all of these can be considered good work. Some good works become our vocation or career. Hopefully as Christians we see our career as a way to serve others, either directly or indirectly. I have written regarding daily work on other posts: here and here.

Both volunteer and daily good works are valuable and productive. One of the values of volunteer work for youth and families is that it helps youth begin to discern their vocational callings, so that it can become “our way of life.”

Lord Jesus, help us to walk in the good works you have prepared for us.

Easter Search

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Worship Team from Resurrection Lutheran Church

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. (Luke 24:1-11)

Today I am honored to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ with the people of Resurrection Lutheran Church. Together we will remember that he is risen and will celebrate with joy. Alleluia!

Christ’s joy and life be with you this day and always.

Pastor John Keller

Reflections of a retired Lutheran Pastor

Category Archives: Bible

Habitat Joy

Superior Hiking Trail – Day Three

Running Out of Water

Lite or Light Christian

The Dream of Mars

New Connections and New Shoes

Waiting for Patience

The Love of Reading

Faith in Action

Easter Search

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