Christmas Blizzard

Yes, That's snow on the INSIDE of our house.  No, we didn't leave the window open.  It was shut and latched, but very drafty.

The Barna Group - Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches

Another interesting article out today. Although Barna generally lumps the LC-MS in with evangelicals, there is much anicdotal evidence that our denomination's experience parallels that of the "mainline" denominations.
The Barna Group - Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches: "Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches"

The Alban Institute - 2009-12-07 Is E-mail the New Parking Lot?

An interesting article which encourages churches (and members) to be more discerning when it comes to what will and won't be discussed/decided via e-mail.
The Alban Institute - 2009-12-07 Is E-mail the New Parking Lot?

The things you find on Wikipedia--Quote from Daddy Buffett

Howard Buffett - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Even if it were desirable, America is not strong enough to police the world by military force. If that attempt is made, the blessings of liberty will be replaced by coercion and tyranny at home. Our christian ideals cannot be exported to other lands by dollars and guns"

This quotation was spoken by Warren Buffett's Father on the floor of Congress when he served as representative from the district in which Omaha resides. He served two terms in the forties and one in the fifties.

November 6, 2009 ~ The Church and the Fall of the Wall | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

November 6, 2009 ~ The Church and the Fall of the Wall Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

The Sermon on the Mount as Peaceful Revolution--20 years after the Wall came down.

November 6, 2009 ~ The Rev. Christian Fuhrer Extended Interview Religion & Ethics News Weekly

An interesting interview with Rev. Christian Fuhrer, pastor at St. Nikolai Lutheran Church in Leipzig describing the peaceful demonstrations which eminated from his church and eventually led to the fall of the Berlin wall a month later.

Interestingly, it really all began with public and weekly prayers for peace beginning in 1981 & 1982. Only in the church was free speech able to be expressed.

While Rev. Fuhrer's comments posted here do not give a clear witness to the gospel, he shares some insights into occations when such witness did occur. I suspect the PBS based webpage had something to do with the "sterile" nature of his God-speak.

I think his last paragraph is quite poinient, however, in helping us understand the proper relationship between Church and the non-Christian:
"The role of the church did not diminish, at least not here in the Nikolai Church. It continued. Huge protests against the war in Iraq, peace prayers involving many people to save jobs…It continued, but under different social circumstances. However, there are always certain peaks, unique times, such as October 9th. It was a peaceful revolution which was a unique process. You cannot expect that it will go on like that every day. What this revolution aimed to achieve was indeed achieved, and then people stepped back. The important thing to remember is that we did not do that to get people to join our church, but because it was necessary. That is what Jesus did as well. When he provided help, he never asked if that person went to the temple or if that person said all his prayers. He just realized that this human being needed help, so he helped. That is exactly how we did it. We never said “but you must return the favor,” the way it is done in politics and in the world. We created something, and the blessing continued for the people. The most important thing is that the church has to remain open. Whenever people need the church again, in everyday life or in very specific situations, they should find the church open. The church should be there for the people, the way Jesus intended. An inviting, open church without the expectation that people join; an inviting, open church offering unconditional love, just as Jesus did, and [we must] act in this spirit."

E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Dr. Paul Manz, well-known musician, dies

"E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come"

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Dr. Paul Manz, well-known musician, dies

The church on earth has lost a great man, but the saints heaven are blessed by his presence. His famous "E'en so..." is one of the earliest pieces I can remember learning as I sang with my "adult" choir as a teenager in Fremont, NE. I also remember our Pastor's wife (and organist) was a huge fan of Paul Manz and played his organ pieces regularly.

I also remember a "Pipe Dreams" episode on public radio in which he was featured and interviewed. During that interview he gave witness to the fact that God continued to bless him--even at an advanced age--with the gift of playing the organ. As one reads the obituary (linked above) one can't help, however, but to be reminded of the divide in our church which occured in the 70's and effected so many people. His funeral will be an an ELCA church and a celebration of his music will be at an LCMS college where he served for a few years before the split.

Of course, where Dr. Manz is now, there are no denominations, no quarrels and no voters meetings; only praise and honor and glory to God. Until that time we toil. "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me[Jesus]. Night is coming, when no one can work." John 9:4 "E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come." Rev. 22:20

Losing it all to gain everything.

Another great devotion from Os Hillman.  I know I struggle with this.  How about you?  I'll let you read it for yourselves and then feel free to comment.

God Is Not About YOUR Success

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
11-02-2009

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).

God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.

"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).

How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."

Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.

A great devotional for all us working stiffs.

One of the many daily devotions I receive in my in-box is one called "Prime Time With God" and is geared toward Christian men and women in the workplace.  I highly reccomend it for everyone--regardless of vocation.  It comes from a group called Ephesians 4 ministries who focus on helping congregations administer spiritual gifts inventories so that each member might live out their faith to the fullest.

As a Lutheran, I'm familiar with Luther's writings on vocation which I think is one of his greatest contributions to the church.  However, I think we sometimes have a hard time translating it to our own lives.  Perhaps we don't try too hard, perhaps we don't teach it enough.  Whatever the case may be I encourage everyone to become familiar with Luther's teachings on this topic as it really speaks to how each one of us lives as little Christ's in every aspect of life and the great impact that can have on others; both temporally and spiritually.

Today's devotion from TGIF (Today God is First) really illustrates the disconnect I'm talking about and shares some interesting ways in which various congregations have tried to bestow this sense of Chrsitian Vocation upon their membership in meaningful, tangible ways.  Some are pretty good.  I would tie them to baptism some how as that is where our Godly vocations begin.
Enjoy!

Workplace Minister

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
10-28-2009

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col 3:17).

Over 70 percent of our time is spent in the workplace, yet our training and teaching in local churches focuses on areas where we spend much less time. The workplace is the greatest mission field of our day and represents the greatest opportunity for societal transformation, yet we do not train workplace believers how to effectively integrate their faith life into their work life. The wall between Sunday and Monday still exists and most workplace believers do not understand that all of life is spiritual, not just life on Sunday.

Our studies show an alarming 90 percent of Christians do not feel they've been adequately trained to apply biblical faith in their work life. We have focused on the fringes rather than the center where most people spend most of their time.

God is removing the wall of separation by speaking to pastors and workplace believers all over the world. A pastor recently shared how his church ordains their workplace believers for their calling to the workplace. Another pastor described their church's commitment to integrating training for their workplace believers on the theology of work. Another told how they began a workplace ministry within their church for their workplace believers, and even integrated Sunday school programs specifically geared to help workplace believers understand their calling in the workplace.

We are entering a new era in the Church when workplace believers are seen as a remnant of the Body of Christ who need to be mobilized and trained for the work of the ministry to their own mission field?the workplace. We are changing the 80/20 rule in the 9 to 5 window from 20% of the people doing ministry to 80%.

Are you one of the men and women God is raising up for this task? Pray that God will help local church leaders understand and affirm this calling, and that they will respond by training their people for their own ministry in their workplaces.

Cyberbrethren » Banishing the Dead from Their Own Funeral

For my pastor friends... An interesting commentary:
Cyberbrethren » Banishing the Dead from Their Own Funeral: "Banishing the Dead from Their Own Funeral"
I've found that if you take the lead, the family will let you. Don't let the funeral homes take the lead in logistics or program, even if it might be easier. They aren't anti-church, their just looking out for the bottom line and what is easiest for them. Most funeral directors I have met appreciate it when I have a preferred way of doing things and guide them by it. Their whole business is based upon mitigating discomfort and if you take the lead in this it makes their job easier as they can then focus on flowers, grave sites, traffic, etc.

The Alban Institute - 2009-10-19 Stewardship and Simple Thinking

This excerpt is from the very end of a very good article. A good read for clergy and laity alike. Read the whole article before you judge it. It may stretch you a bit, but there are excellent points made in it.
The Alban Institute - 2009-10-19 Stewardship and Simple Thinking:
"If you are a clergyperson reading this as you prepare a fund-raising sermon, or a lay leader getting ready to make the fall pitch for money, I suggest you go ahead and pander. Tell them God rewards a generous giver (to your congregation) and that all your problems will be solved (with money).
But next time—or this time, if you have a few months' lead time—gather some of those wise heads and ask yourselves what challenges (other than a lack of dollars) face your congregation. Look beyond the need to maintain real estate, meet payroll, or continue customary programs: what changes in the world are gradually rendering your ministry irrelevant? What are the glimmers of a new ministry that need attention? What fresh ideas are your structures of decision-making squelching? What human needs cry out, and how could you respond?
By raising such disturbing questions early, with the right people, and at the right speed, you might find yourself, next time you prepare a fund-drive message, less tempted to take refuge in the simple answers and more willing to call on people to join in addressing the real challenges of stewardship."

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - New Family Ministry Logo

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - New Family Ministry Logo: "New Family Ministry Logo


The LCMS District and Congregational Services is pleased to reveal a new signature logo to promote Family Ministry.The logo is the creation of LCMS member, Jason Brauer, a professional graphic artist from Minneapolis, in consultation with Dr. Steve Christopher, Interim Associate Director for Children's and Family Ministry.
The logo spells out the word Family in flowing cursive letters giving a sense of forward movement, symbolizing that families are often in motion and moving toward the future. Each letter in the word family, if you look closely, is separated just a little, indicating that while a healthy family is united; they are made up of individuals living their own unique lives, yet connected with other family members.

The focus point of the logo is the cross, which dots the “i” and is in the color blue, representative of Christ as the focal point in the Christian home, rising up and drawing us close to him. The color blue is a reminder of Baptism, by which all of us become members of the holy Christian family, united with each other as the church on earth and with our Father in Heaven."

St. Luke the Healing Messenger

On October 18th we get to celebrate St. Luke the Evangelist on a Sunday. His is the example for us as we apply the balm of the Gospel to heal broken lives. The following excerpt is from a longer commemoration on the LCMS web page.

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Saint Luke, Evangelist: "One commentator writes: 'In St. Luke's Gospel our Savior is pictured as the merciful Physician of bodily and spiritual ills. It has, therefore, been called 'the Gospel of mercy and love.' The beautiful passages of God's loving-kindness touch us deeply, for example the parables of the prodigal son and the Good Samaritan, the account of the penitent woman, and the good thief on the cross. Of inestimable value are the first two chapters on the incarnation and childhood of Jesus. Here Luke preserved for us the three precious canticles…the Benedictus, the Magnificant, and the Nunc Dimittis' (Pius Parsch, The Church's Year of Grace, Vol. 5, Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1958, p. 295)."

Hi, Ho, Silver!

Susan and I just celebrated 20 years in May. Here is a great perspective on marriage from Steve Gruenwald in the Fall, 2009 issue of Better Health:

Hi, Ho, Silver!
By Steve Gruenwald

I used to think that any husband buying something made out of silver to give to his wife after 25 years of marriage was being predictable and unoriginal. I changed my mind, however, after becoming a bit more educated about silver. What I learned about this soft, white, lustrous metal is that it is both ductile and malleable. Yup, I had the same catechismal thought that perhaps you’re having right now: “What does this mean?”

Those highfalutin words simply mean that silver can deform under tensile stress (it can be stretched into a wire) and it can also deform under compressive stress (it can be massed together in a bar or column). Either way, the important understanding is that silver has tremendous, forgiving qualities that allow it never to snap or break whether it is lengthened or squeezed together. Those qualities are quite symbolic and fitting of any marriage that has reached the 25-year milestone! For a marriage between two imperfect, sinful human beings to endure and grow through a quarter of a century – perhaps with kids added along the way – it’s an understatement to say that the marriage has endured its share of stress.

Yet despite getting pulled and compressed every which way for a quarter century, the union has endured: to God be the Glory! Oh, I’m sure there may have been moments along the way that have tarnished the sheen. No marriage is perfect and no couples are perfect; but thanks to God’s grace and forgiveness, couples can also forgive one another. So regardless of the obvious blemishes (perhaps only noticeable to the couple), the core of the union is still strong and still shining brightly. Ultimately, however, it’s not simply the quantity of twenty-five years that is a testament to the marriage. Instead it is the essence of the relationship after that length of time that is a more reliable showing of the true mettle of the marriage. If the marriage is solid – bonded with Christ to make a three-stranded alloy, as it were – the core is better equipped to withstand the corrosive elements that have the potential to deteriorate a marriage over time.

While reaching the silver plateau of 25 years is just one of many markers along the marriage journey, it is certainly not the end. In fact, were we to apply another metal analogy, we know that for many couples, silver is not enough: the higher goal is to shoot for the gold! May God continue to guide and strengthen all marriages – whether paper, bronze, silver, or gold – so that they may continue to be a witness to His love, grace, forgiveness, and peace.

(permission to re-publish received from the Author/editor of Better Health)

Kierkegaard on why we can't follow God's Word

Reflections from an Ecumenist, a Charismatic, and a Philosopher — Lutheran Forum:

Sorry for the (1,2,3,4...) Fifth-hand passing of a quotation, but this is a good one.

It's found in this excellent article from Sara Wilson and the gang over at the Lutheran Forum which quotes Larry Christianson, writing in Micheal Root's blog and ends with this quote from Soren Kierkegaard (as any good Scandihoovian would!) It sums up the reason why major church bodies can pass "statements" and "policies" which are clearly against God's word by showing how we as individuals do it all the time in our own lives.

"'The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any word in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world?'
(Cited from Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard, ed. Charles E. Moore [Farmington, PA: Plough, 2002], 201.)"