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Seeing the Word

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Among the many presenters at the Festival of Homiletics this week, Barbara Lundblad is one that I wanted to hear.  She is one of the first women preacher to develop a national reputation as communicator of the gospel.  She is also a Lutheran and has ruffled many feathers with some of her controversial statements. 

She gave a workshop Tuesday called “Seeing the Word.”  Barbara is a professor of Old Testament and she focused on the Advent scripture texts from Isaiah.  She encouraged us to see the significance of using visual metaphors to help the congregation not only hear the word, but see the word as well.  She asked us to engage the artists and designers in our congregations to create visual symbols that help the congregation fully enter the story of the texts.  

Barbara then told a humorous story about a young intern pastor spending nearly the entire annual budget for worship in her congregation on a long bolt of clothe.  He then ruined the church kitchen sink dyeing the fabric blue.  For Sunday worship, he rolled the blue cloth from the altar down the center aisle, through the narthex and out the church door and into their neighborhood.  He preached on Ezekiel 47 where the prophet describes a river of water flowing from the temple in Jerusalem into the Dead Sea.  The river was a symbol of life for Ezekiel and for us.  The intern’s  blue cloth symbolized the congregation becoming a God’s river of life in their community.  

forgiveness logI was reminded of last fall when our stewardship team encourage me to use some visual symbols as part of our “Fuel the Flame” stewardship theme.   Members of the congregation created logs that captured some of the words of faith and we used them in worship.   Later the logs became part of a congregational bonfire.  The logs became symbols of how our faith can catch fire with God’s love and in turn we can share the fire with others.

I am thankful for all that I can learn from some of the outstanding preachers in our country.

Lord Jesus, you are the Word made flesh for us.  Open our eyes to see your Word for us.

Lite or Light Christian

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My baptism with Aunt Nola Mathre

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

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.

Giving Perspective

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Yesterday I preached on “What Happens When You Give.” I listed five things that happen when you give money to your congregation. Personally my favorite reason was #4, “When You Give You Gain Perspective.”

Mission JamaicaHave you ever met someone who went on a foreign mission trip? Those can be expensive.   Between food, airfare and supplies, someone could easily spend thousands of dollars traveling to another country to work with children or work on a house. I have traveled to Jamaica to help build homes for needy families and I know how expensive a trip can be.

But when these short-term missionaries return and talk, they use words like “incredible” and “life changing.” They talk about the experience like it was one of the most important things they’ve ever done, no matter what the cost may have been.

I’ve never met anyone that said, “Man, I wish I hadn’t raised all that money to go to Jamaica and help people…I would have rather used that money to buy an Iphone or laptop.”

You never hear that story because spending money on others in need feels right.  It gives us a new perspective on the values of life.

People often regret something they buy, but they rarely regret something they give to others.

Financial giving to your congregation gives you a new perspective on what it means to have and how rich you already are. You see your church not as a market that dispense religious goods for your benefit, but rather as a community where you are invested and connected. It is not about getting more stuff, but touching more lives for Jesus sake.

Money HeartJesus taught, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21.

I want my heart to line up with Jesus’ treasure. Giving to Jesus’ mission helps make that alignment real.

Thank you, Jesus, for investing in me. Help me to gain your perspective.

Running After Boston

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Boston CupYesterday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon had repercussions throughout America, especially within running communities. The Boston Marathon is the most prestigious marathon in our country. Many marathon runners yearn to run it; I have had it as a running goal for more than a decade.  My office coffee cup is a gift from a running buddy who ran Boston eleven years ago.  Last fall at Twin Cities Marathon, I was finally able to qualify for Boston in 2014.

Yesterday I was tracking on-line my friends Mike Johnson and Dan Foster as they ran the marathon. (Runners carry a timing chip which charts their progress as they cross timing mats along the course.) Mike and Dan were moving along the course nicely. It was cool spring day, a good day for running. Dan finished the race in 3:28:57, a great time on a challenging course. Mike was further back; his training for the marathon had suffered from a variety of issues. I noted that he had complete 40K in 4:25:47 and was less than 2 miles from the finish. This was at 2:46 pm.

When the bombs went off, Mike was only a half mile from the finish. Here is what he wrote on his Facebook page

I was about a half mile from the finish when everyone ahead of me was stopped. The spectators around us said they heard two explosions near the finish line area. I asked the spectator that first told us about the explosion if I could use his phone and I was able to connect with Zanny (his wife) right away. I am so glad I was able to do that so she wouldn’t worry.

Later Mike was able to reconnect with Dan and both are now recovering: physically, emotionally and spiritually. Like so many in the world, Mike and Dan are praying for those victims who were injured or killed in this terrible event. Events like this show us the depth of human sin and wickedness and push us to reflect on life’s meaning.

I remember writing to my running friends the day after the 9/11 attacks that I planned to run that day. On the day of the attacks I was too upset to run, but I decided that I could not let the terrorists “win a disruptive victory” and deny me the routine of solace and prayer. I ran that day praying for those who had died, praying for the responders and leaders, praying for our nation, and even praying for the terrorists who cause such evil. After all Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

I plan a similar run today (though it will be more a walk due to my sprained ankle). I will reflect on ways that I can be God’s agent of peace, hope and love for the world. The tragedy of Boston places a media spotlight on the evil that human beings can cause (as well as the tremendous response of dedicated care from first responders). Yet this tragedy will not turn me away from the ultimate source of hope and renewal: Jesus Christ. His cross and resurrection is the paradigm through which I see all such tragedy. Even when humanity killed God’s Son, God brought new life: the resurrection.

In the fall I plan to register for Boston, train and run it next April. I am confident that officials will find ways to improve security, though no one can make it absolutely safe. At the start the marathon will have a moment of silence to remember those killed and injured. Then the race will start and runners will do what they do: run. I plan to be one of them.

The Love of Reading

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Kelller SmileAs a new grandpa I enjoy holding and playing with my grandson. Like nearly all grandparents I delight in both my grandson’s ever-expanding abilities while appreciating my son and daughter-in-law’s parenting challenges and joys. Last week they sent me a video of Jack’s new ability to roll over and I was dancing with joy as I watched.  I fully embrace my new role as “papa”.

Family Reading Baby Yawning by Jacob Schriftman

I saw this photograph from a blogger in Ireland, Jacob Schriftman, and it immediately reminded me of one of my parenting joys: reading to children. Most parents in our society know the value of reading as well the intimacy of holding a child. One of my professors in seminary said that as parents we teach our children both the value of intellectual knowledge and emotional intimacy when we hold our child in our lap to read to them. There is something powerful and significant in this nightly ritual.

And naturally there are all kinds of books to read to children. One of my favorites as a parent was to read Goodnight Moon and search for the mouse in each picture. Even though I grew tired of reading it, my children’s fascination kept me engaged.

Spark Story BibleA member of my congregation stopped by my office the other day and said how much his five-year old son appreciates their family reading from the Spark Story Bible. His son was very upset when the family return from a trip and the Spark Story Bible could not be found right away. They had to do a thorough search for it prior to bedtime so that the story ritual could be restored. Perhaps they read the story of the lost coin in Luke 15 and the rejoicing that took place when the coin was found.

I look forward to reading to my grandson in the years to come. It is one way that I can live out my calling to “love my neighbor” and to bear witness to Jesus Christ. At baptism, parents promise to place in the hands of their children the Holy Scripture and provide for their Christian instruction. I think grandparents can play a big part in that promise as well.

Lord Jesus, may your Word become the joy of our hearts.

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

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.

Faith in A 2013 bIn 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.

Faith in A 2013But 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.

New Connections

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New Connections 6 - purple

The congregation I serve, Resurrection Lutheran Church, faces a unique situation this summer. We need to connect to the city sewage and waste system. When the church was constructed ten years ago, the city system did not reach us.  This summer it will and we are required to connect to it.

Sign with worship Times croppedAt the same time our leadership has chosen to connect to community through a new electronic display sign at our entrance and connect to our future by starting a facilities master plan study. These connections are all tangible and vital to our mission together as a congregation. A special New Connections fund drive is underway to raise $80,000 on Sunday, May 12, to cover all three expenses.

But there is a fourth connection that is less tangible: our connection to God’s mission in our world.

God has called Resurrection Lutheran Church to a great mission: to call all people to a vibrant life of faith in Christ. Like other congregations, Resurrection calls each person to consider how they can use their gifts, strengths and resources together to make the mission happen. I am excited that members are already contributing to the planning, financing and implementation of each project listed above

This is not just a financial challenge, but a spiritual challenge as well. Do we believe in a God who has richly blessed us in the past and will guide us into the future? Will we trust God as we each consider our special offering to New Connections? Will we see New Connections as an opportunity to deepen our trust in God especially in financial matters?

The Old Testament prophet Malachi put forth a spiritual challenge to God’s people as they prepared to make their offerings. Many were not bringing a tithe or 10% of their harvest to God’s house. So God through Malachi issued this challenge, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”

Making a financial contribution to the mission of our congregation is both a tangible yet spiritual connection. Are we ready to respond?

Lord Jesus, help me connect my checkbook to your mission.

Holy Saturday

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garden tomb

    There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character.  He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea.  He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used.  It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin (Luke 23:50-54, The Message).

On Saturday, the Sabbath, Jesus’ body rested in the tomb.  The Sabbath was created by God as a day for humanity to rest and reflect on God’s goodness and blessings.  Today the church rests in the story of Jesus’ passion.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting for the new creation, the eighth day to dawn.   The stone will be rolled away and the world will never be the same.

Lord Jesus, I wait with you today.

Good Friday’s Promise

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Jesus crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem.

Roman did not conduct quiet executions. They wanted maximum public disgrace when they executed an outlaw. The marched the convicts out through the public crowds to demonstrate their power over the population. They stripped the criminals of all clothing and possession.

And they chose a public place where all who passed by could see their display of power. To show that Jesus was no one special, they crucified him with two other criminals.  And to mock Jesus they printed a sign over his head, “King of the Jews.” The sign reminded all that any rebellion against Roman was futile.

If you want to be king, this is the kind of throne you will have, a throne of nails with a crown of thorns. Here is the kind of royal court you deserve, two criminals who share in your crucifixion. It will be your total humiliation and the complete demonstration of Rome’s power.

But the Romans were not alone. The temple priest and others joined in scoffing Jesus. They threw back at him his words of healing and hope. “He saved others, let him save himself.” Three times the word “save” is thrown at Jesus. But no saving angels came to rescue him.

Here was the miracle worker, who at his most desperate hour, had no miracle. Here was the great teacher, who from his bloody pulpit had no word for the crowd. From all outward appearances, Jesus was defeated, destroyed and dead.

From the outside all was darkness and pain. Jesus was utterly abandoned by his disciples, his friends, his powerful deeds and words. As the crowd stared at the cross, they did not see a Godly messiah, only a miserable joke.

But something else was going on behind the scenes. And only those who come with the eyes of faith will see it.

As the soldiers, priests and others mock Jesus, one of the criminal, for reasons unknown, spoke up to defend Jesus. He reminded the other criminal that they are being executed for just reasons, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. “Have you no fear of God?” he asks.

He turns to Jesus and says “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

Whether this criminal fully understood the words he spoke or not, we do not know. But Jesus had once said, “If you have the faith of a mustard seed, God will hear and act”(Luke 17:6). In many ways, this criminal echoes our prayer as we watch this battle between the powers of darkness and destruction and the power of God’s love. We ask that Jesus will remember us.

Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus responds, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Lord Jesus, lock your promise in my heart today.

 

The Cup of Choice

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This is the Kidron Valley looking to the North. To the left is the Temple Mount. To the right is the Mount of Olives.

On Maundy Thursday, as they ate the Passover meal, Jesus confronted the disciples with the harsh reality that one of the disciples would betray him. Jesus was not surprised or stunned that one of his twelve companions, Judas, would turn against him. Jesus seemed to be reading off a script, part of an unfolding story. It seemed as if Jesus had no choice, no freedom, all the options are closing in upon him.

As if to seal his intention, he picked up the cup and said to his disciple, “This cup is that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).  He was ready to go to the cross, to pour out his blood, to be the lamb of God.

Jesus and the disciples then went off to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. As they walked towards the garden, Jesus told them that they would all desert him that night. Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus responded to Peter with the fateful warning, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times” (Luke 22:34).

Again it seems as if everything is fixed. The relentless march, a constant drum beat, continued towards Jesus’ suffering and death.

He asked the disciples to stay awake and pray, because he was deeply grieved, even unto death.  Jesus went a little farther and threw himself on the ground. “Abba, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Here for a moment the relentless drum beats stops. Jesus is not some mere actor, reciting the lines of a play.

He is a flesh-and-blood human being who sees the horrendous suffering he is about to undergo. He is not some robot who is oblivious to human pain and suffering. No, he is a human being who relishes life, the joys and blessings of life.

Jesus does not want to die. Here he is like you and me. Here his humanity is on full display.

Jesus now comes back to the disciples to discover they are all asleep. Are they worth Jesus’ effort? Can’t they stay awake an hour with him? Are they worth the pain and suffering?

Jesus goes to the cross NOT to die for the worthy, for the great, for the valued disciples.

He dies for the weak and vulnerable.

He goes to the cross precisely because we are too weak, too sleepy, too self-absorbed, too sinful to go ourselves.  He pours out his life because we are weak and sinful and need to be rescued.

His love for the disciples, for you and me, overcomes any fear or temptation he faced.

Jesus, thank you for drinking the cup for us.