Category Archives: Joy

Preparing the Pre-Wedding Feast

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This week will have fewer posts due to the joyous celebration on Friday of my son Jon and Maggie’s wedding.  I have taken the week off so I can assist my wife and daughter as they prepare the rehearsal dinner on Thursday.   Since daughter Suzanne is passionate about cooking, she will be preparing a marvelous meal for the 60 guests at Jon and Maggie’s church in Edina.  My primary task is grocery pick-up and delivery plus airport taxi.

I have been reflecting upon how the Bible use the metaphor of the wedding feast as a description of God’s kingdom.   In John 2, Jesus preformed his first miracle at the wedding of Cana, turning several large barrels of water into the best wine.   In Mark 2, the Pharisee’s criticize Jesus for not fasting.   Jesus responded, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”   And in Revelation 19, St. John has a vision of the church prepared as the bride of Christ and an angel says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

I am not sure if our rehearsal dinner will be comparable to the heavenly banquet, but I am confident that our week-end celebration will be a kind of foretaste of the feast to come.  And I certainly want to invite you to that most glorious wedding when the King of Heaven and Earth gathers in his bride, the church.  We all have an open invitation from Jesus,

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. (Rev. 3:20)

Doesn’t it make you hungry to feast with God?

Lord Jesus, let our joy be ever as your bride.

Rain Down Your Love

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Campers Smiles Tell It All

I am at Camp Wapogasset near Amery, WI with 40+ campers.  Yesterday and today have had frequent thunderstorms.  We lost electrical power this morning and had to eat breakfast in the dark.  The kids have not been able to play the big outdoor games nor swim.  Yet the staff has been creative seeking ways for the youth to be active and positive.  Afterall, the theme of the week is community in Christ and this kind of adversity can build stronger bonds of friendship and faith.

This morning for chapel the kids raced in prior to a downpour.  The staff had connected a generator to the sound system so that the kids could sing praise and hear scripture.  They had the youth movin’ and groovin’ to contemporary praise songs.  The skit centered on Matthew 25 and how Jesus comes to us through the needs of others.  Benny gave a short talk about how Jesus was able to work through his disability for God’s glory.  The love of
God was raining down all around.

How do you handle challenges when your expectations are not met?

Lord Jesus, work in my life today, through any challenges or rain.

Joyful Noise Sounds Great

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 O come, let us sing to the LORD;
 let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
 let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
 Psalm 95:1-2

Worship Team from Resurrection Lutheran Church

Music has such a joyful, liberating power.  When we sing in worship it starts deep within us and then spreads and fills the whole room.  Many of us love to sing; I see it on faces as worshippers sing praise to God.  That is what draws many of people to Sunday worship–the joyous worship of our God.  I am so thankful for Resurrection’s worship team who faithfully and joyous lead us in song each week.

But joyous worship is not limited to contemporary Christian music. Singing praises to God is as ancient as the Bible.  One of the oldest pieces of song is from the exodus, when the Israelites escaped the Egyptian chariot army as they fled across the Red Sea.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.” Exodus 15:1

The earliest church continued the Hebrew practice of singing praise to God.  Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus, “but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts” (Ephesians 3:19).  Throughout the centuries, the church has used song as a primary means of worship.  Singing praises to God unites our heart with God’s heart.

Music has a way of touching and stirring our emotions that words cannot do alone.  You can experience it at a concert, whether it is U2 or the Vienna Boys’ Choir.  The power of song is a gift God gives us to express ourselves, whether we can carry a tune or not.  After all, the psalmist commands us to make a joyful NOISE to God.   Let us make some NOISE today!

What is one of your favorite hymns or spiritual songs?

Lord Jesus, help me make a joyful noise of praise to you this day.

Mission Trip Report

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Today  I have a guest blogger, Brian Wright, who give us a report on our recent youth mission trip. Thank, Brian!

Brian Wright between Tonya and Terri

Twelve amazing and energetic youth of Resurrection put their busy summers on pause for the week of July 10 and entered into an unfamiliar territory to serve members of the town of Sisseton South Dakota. This small rural town was considerably different from their home towns, pushing the leaders as well as youth to journey outside of their comfort zones and to confront a number of fears to show their love for God and people.

To fit with the missions theme: ‘Be Different’, the youth of Resurrection began spreading their joy of the Lord with the four other churches immediately upon their arrival. During our first worship service and throughout the week, the other churches as well as Youth Works staff were in awe of the love and the energy that each and every one of the twelve youth displayed in their love of God and for others. This energy and love proved to be contagious, by the end of the week the Youth Works staff and other churches stared to feed off of this enthusiasm.

Each day of our adventure began between 6:45 and 7am (depending on their assigned breakfast preparation responsibilities) and the days were filled with service and devotion, seeking to discover how God was at work in each of our lives. The days’ events did not end until 11pm in the evening. Despite running on little sleep and sleeping on the floor or air mattresses in sleeping bags, the youth refused to display fatigue and maintained their joyful and energetic attitudes (the leaders did the same with the help of some coffee). ☺

During the trip, we were divided into three different groups and took part in various service projects throughout the community by painting houses, leading youngster of the community in worship, and spending time with the elderly in nursing homes.

On the last night of the trip, the leaders and youth took part in a foot washing ceremony to commemorate their last night in Sisseton. The ceremony proved to be a moving and emotional experience that allowed each member of the trip to connect with one another on a stronger and more spiritual manner and to reflect on the growth and love that was spread throughout the week.

From this trip, new friendships were formed and old ones became even stronger: both with members within our church and with members within the Sisseton community. The youth of Resurrection returned home safely reflecting on how they could continue living in a manner that is different from the society just as Jesus did during his time on earth.

 

Running with the Truth and Joy

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You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.  John 8:32 

When Jesus said this, he was not talking about a kind of philosophical truth that only deeper thinkers would find.  Rather Jesus was saying that he was the source of all truth and that knowing him would give us the freedom to live fully alive.  Later in John’s gospel, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”   Knowing Jesus as friend and savior guides us to knowing the truth about ourselves, our world and our relationship with others and with God.  Jesus is the true source of a vibrant life.  

Running with Joy is TRUE Running

Truth as personal knowledge of Jesus is similar to how I understand running.  On a biological and psychological level I can know that running is good for me, but that rarely gets me out the door and on the trail.  Rather I need to experience the benefits first hand, feel the joy of lungs breathing deeply and legs turning quickly.  As I run I experience the real truth about the benefits of running. My head clears and my spirit soars (at least on the good days.)  Now that I can run four miles again, the joy is especially sweet. 

The same is true with knowing Jesus, only as I run with him and experience him in my own life do I discover that he is the truth.  Jesus is not some collection of doctrines to comprehend, but a true friendship that keeps me moving along the road of life.  He is a true friend who seeks to guide, encourage, warn and embrace us.  

How true and real is your friendship with Jesus today?

Lord Jesus be real to me this hour, this day.

The Gift of Mentoring

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Tonya, Brian and Terri

One aspect of our youth mission trip that makes me proud as a pastor is the joyful enthusiasm our adult mentors bring to the trip.  Tonya Bushard, Brian Wright, and Terri Nelson agreed early on to accompany the youth as “chaperones,” but they are so much more.  They are fully engaged in the mission, participating in all the activities and encouraging the youth to be open to God’s Spirit.   They are mentors, demonstrating how to trust, live and serve as a follower of Jesus Christ.

When I was in high school, my youth group advisors were Jerry and Nada Torgerson.  They opened their hearts and their home to the dozen or more high school youth who participated in our congregation.  They took us to special youth rallies at Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle, packing more than the legal limit into their station wagon.  They organized backpacking trips into the Olympic Mountains.  They shared scripture and prayer and modeled the Christian life.  They were a big influence in my call to pastoral ministry.

Mentoring youth needs to be a high priority in congregation like Resurrection.  As a congregation we pledge at every baptism to guide and assist our children and  youth as they grow into adult followers of Jesus Christ.   Many have embraced this pledge by being Sunday school teachers, confirmation guides and Vacation Bible Adventure mentors. Others participate in more informal ways, praying for and encouraging our youth.  Mentoring youth is a congregational ministry that cannot be left solely to a professional youth director or pastor.  All of us need to use our unique gifts and strengths to raise up children of God. 

How are you participating in the ministry to children and youth?

Lord Jesus, show me ways to encourage and support children and youth as they grow in you.  

The Father Challenge

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This post is a little longer than most, but it ties yesterday’s post with Father’s Day

A favorite author of mine is John Ortberg. He once wrote about his three small children that when they would go out to eat, there was only one place they ever wanted to go, and it was “the shrine of the golden arches.” His children seemed to be convinced that they had a McDonald’s-shaped vacuum in their souls. The kids always want the same thing: a combination of the food — about which they really don’t much care — and a little prize. It’s not much of a prize, really, just some cheap little plastic thing, but in a moment of marketing genius, the folks at McDonald’s gave it a particular name: the Happy Meal. It is “the meal of great joy.” You aren’t just buying chicken McNuggets and a plastic princess, you’re buying HAPPINESS.

Every now and then he tried to talk them out of it. He told them to order whatever they wanted and he would give them a quarter so they can buy their own trinket and everyone would come out ahead. But the chant went up, “We want a Happy Meal. We want a Happy Meal.” Other customers stared at the skinflint of a father who won’t buy his kids the meal of great joy.

So, he bought them the Happy Meal. And it makes them happy –for about a minute and a half. The problem was that the happy wore off. The contentment did not last.

You never hear of a young adult coming back to his parents and saying, “Gee, Dad, remember that Happy Meal you gave me? That’s where I found lasting contentment and lifelong joy. I knew if I could just have that Happy Meal, I would be content for a lifetime, and I am. Thank you. There’ll be no need for therapy for this boy.”

You would think, kids being fairly bright these days, that sooner or later they would catch on to this deal and say, “You know, I keep getting these Happy Meals and they don’t give me lasting happiness, so I’m not going to be a sucker any more. I’m not going to set myself up for frustration and disappointment any more.” But it never happens. They keep buying Happy Meals and they keep not working.

Of course, only a child would be so foolish. Only a kid would be so naive as to think that contentment could be acquired through some kind of external acquisition. Only someone very young would have a high enough stupid quotient to believe that lasting happiness could come by a change in external circumstances. Right?

Ortberg’s final reflection is this: The truth about human beings is that as we grow up, we don’t get any smarter; our Happy Meals just keep getting more expensive. The world around us tells us that happiness is always just one Happy Meal away. That new car, new boat, new deck, new lake cabin will somehow meet our need for happiness. Our ever-growing pursuit of happiness rarely seems to make us happy.

Perhaps we need a whole new perspective. A perspective Jesus offer for us.

“If anyone wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose themselves?” Mark 8:34, 36

Where do you find your source of happiness?

Lord Jesus, show me your path to joy.

Name That Commandment IIb

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Yesterday I made simplistic remarks about our capitalist economic system, especially the principle of supply and demand.  Fortunately a reader, a professor of economics, gave me a gracious critique of my explanation. She wrote,

I’m not sure if it is society today or human nature which creates the demand for more.    Hobbes contended people operate based on self interest while Locke didn’t believe this was always true.  . . .  The law of demand and supply are not causal models as much as they are descriptive models or this is simply what we observe in the world.  It is true that suppliers only supply what people want but it isn’t true that they have unlimited powers to make this happen as the many failed products and services can attest.

My critique is not on capitalism per se. God made us with wants and desires that are not evil in themselves.  I appreciate how the market allows us to enjoy an amazing amount of products: from Guatemalan mangos to Korean cell phones. I appreciate how the market can reward hard work.

My critique is on the pervasive nature of marketing and advertising.   I am not against all advertising.  My father worked as a newspaper advertising salesperson most of his life.    I like to know when a new product can enhance my life or where I can find a favorite product at a cheaper price.   What I struggle with is the constant barrage of messages that seem to tell me that my life story is incomplete or empty unless I have this product.   Coca Cola has been doing this in its television commercials for years.

In the novel, The Gospel According to Larry, 17 year-old Josh Swenson starts a website that attacks the consumer waste that he sees.  Josh decides to have only 75 possessions, counting all clothes, school supplies, recreational equipment, and software. He has an exact list of how many possessions he has. If he wants a new CD or book he has to sell an old one or trade for it. This means every purchase is a major decision and he takes it seriously.  The novel helped me reflect on the wants and needs of my life.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11

Do you think our culture overemphasizes consumption?

Lord Jesus, teach me to be a good steward of my material blessings.

Running Club Passion and Pain

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One of my passions is consistent aerobic exercise. However my passion has been inconsistent, waxing and waning through the years. Through most of my adult life, I have had spurts of consistent running, only to be sidelined by the “urgency” of my daily life. This was especially true when my children were little.

The Running Club in a non-running moment

Then in the winter of 1999 Tim Torgerson approached me about starting a church-based marathon training group. He was looking towards October’s Twin City Marathon. I was gullible and naïve and so said yes. The training group started in March, running together on Saturday mornings. Each week we were accountable to each other. I had a training schedule to keep and people checking on me.

However a dreaded “running injury” struck and I had to take a month out in June for physical therapy. Still I felt this need/desire to be back with the group as quickly as possible. Finally on October 3, 1999, I finished TCM with seven others from the group. After our suceess “the training group” became a year-round running club.

Over the next ten years the St. Andrew’s Running Club gave me the support and encouragement to finish ten marathons. Last summer when I finished Grandma’s, I knew I needed a break to recover from some nagging injuries. Later I said good-bye to St. Andrew’s Running Club as I followed God’s call to Resurrection Lutheran. After a long winter of physical therapy, I am now finally ready to start running. Last week I was able to do three runs of 2-3 miles.

I have also discovered a new joy with cycling. Last Wednesday Dave Johnson from Resurrection showed me some of the great bike routes nearby. Yesterday I biked with Tim and Dan and needed their support as I experienced my first three flats.

Through these experiences, I have discovered that I benefit from a group to help me stay consistent in running or cycling. Which leads me to a question: Is anyone interested in a running or cycling club based here at Resurrection? Let me know.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another, Proverbs 27:17

Lord Jesus, lead us into the fellowship groups you want us to have so that we might live the vibrant life.

The Door of Death

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In reflecting on the deadly tornadoes this week, one spiritual question arises about which I am hesitant to write. The question has an answer that has caused harm to grieving people. “Is death always a tragedy?”

A Door into Deeper Joy

In C. S. Lewis’ The Last Battle, the last book of his Chronicles of Narnia, all the children* who once visited Narnia are reunited in a new, wonderful land that resembles Narnia. They wonder how this is possible since the great lion Aslan had told them that they would not return to Narnia. Yet this new land is more spectacular and more real than the old Narnia they had known. Slowly the children come to realize that their last memory of our world had been a terrible train wreck. Unlike previous stories, Aslan had not transported them from our world to the world of Narnia. Instead they have walked through the door of death and entered the outskirts of heaven itself.

Lewis does something incredible in this story. Certainly he could have written about their deaths from the tragic perspective of the survivors still on earth: friends and relative who grieved the children’s sudden absence from life on earth. But instead Lewis gives an imaginative description of their homecoming in heaven, where the joy and delight of heaven grows deeper and more profound each moment.

As Christians we believe in the promise of God that whether we live or die we belong to Christ. In Philippians 1:21, Paul writes, “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” The gain in dying is to gain more of Christ and his joy. Death is not something to be feared, but rather embrace as the door to God’s good presence.

So what is the harm in telling a grieving person, “Your loved one is in a better place?” The harm comes from the fact that a grieving person does not want the person “in a better place” like heaven. The grieving person wants the loved one in this life, sharing in the joys and sorrows of their mutual love. In time the grieving person may embrace the truth of “a better place,” yet in the aftermath of death, such words can be biting and harmful. Compassionate silence is better than quick answers.

What perspective do you have on death?

Lord Jesus, help me to see death as the door way into the resurrected life and to be gracious towards those who grieve.

*Susan is not included, but that is a different posting.