Disciple's Devotions

Don’t Be Weighed Down

2010-02-10T09:22:00.001-08:00

A recurring theme has been turning up in my readings lately, and in my interactions with people, and in the things I’ve been hearing; Are we giving God everything we’ve got? Are we submitting ourselves wholly to God? Are we able to just drop everything and follow Jesus Christ?

As we read in Acts 4:32, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” So is this all about being “as one” with our fellow Christ followers and serving those in need?

Pastor Nate has said that God is loose in this world. That’s a big concept. It’s exciting. It gives me the idea that radical things are happening. Are we aware of this, or are we looking the other way? He’s also telling us that we should be giving things up in our lives so we can more open to where God is leading us. What is standing in our way? What are we clinging to?

Jesus himself tells us in the Gospel of Luke, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Ananias and Sapphira were willing to let go of most of their money, but because they couldn’t make a total commitment, they lost out. The rich young man thought he had it all figured out, but he just wouldn’t part with his stuff, and as a result, he lost out.

Erwin Raphael McManus in his book, Seizing Your Divine Moment, may have it right when he says, “When Jesus walked this earth, His disciples had to keep up with Him. If they were to stay close, they had to choose to leave the life they lived without Him and go wherever He would go.”

Putting this all together, if we’re going to be a part of Christ’s church, and keep up with Him, we can’t be weighed down with selfish desires. We must live as one, united in heart and sole and ready to be led. We must be willing to sacrifice ourselves and give Him everything. Maybe when we do we will find we are free, totally free to honor and follow Jesus Christ and where he leads us. Maybe that may mean stepping out of our comfort zones. Only then can we even possibly begin to keep up with the radical journey he has planned for us.

Pat Barnes

My God Is So Big

2009-10-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

The following is Allison (Barnes) Potratz's sermon on 10/4/2009.

Intro:
-I want to start by re-reading a part of the readings for today. “What is man that you are mindful of him? The son of man you that you care for him?” Looking back on your life, I’m sure there has been a time in your life that you have asked “Why me? What purpose do I have here on earth? Why did God create me? Does God really love me?” I know I have. I often think about these questions when I hear the song by Casting Crowns that says “Who am I that the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt. Who am I, that the voice that calmed the seas would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me.” My hope today is that I can help you realize how much our God really loves and cares for us! I just finished asking the children what kind of things they consider to be “big.” And, yes it is really interesting what some of their answers are, but we can really learn a lot about our God and how much he loves us by looking at the gigantic and marvelous things that he has created for us as humankind! It’s through these creations that we can somewhat understand how big and majestic our God is and ultimately how important we are to him! I want to share with you some things that I think are “big.”

Mount Kilimanjaro
-Located in North-Eastern Tanzania
-One of the highest mountains in the World, highest peak in Africa
-15,100 feet high from its base
-It is one of the largest stratovolcanoes in the world.
-Covers an area of 157,200 acres.
-Peaks on this mountain reach between 5,000 and 6,000 meters above sea level.

-Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach, SC
-Total area of about 106.4 million square kilometres (41.1 million square miles).
-It covers approximately one-fifth of the Earth's surface.
-The average depths of the Atlantic, ranges anywhere from 10, 936 feet to 28,232 feet deep!

-Visited there about a month ago and saw the Ocean for the first time! It was unbelievable! I remember when were driving towards Myrtle Beach I kept saying “I’m nervous to see the Ocean!” Then, when we turned on the road where our hotel was (which was right along the Ocean) I looked on the GPS and saw that there was land, and then BLUE, lots of BLUE (which meant Ocean!) And I kept thinking to myself-we are on the coast, beyond this point there isn’t land for thousands of miles! My husband stood on the beach and pointed out to the middle of the Ocean and said “How weird is it that the next piece of land beyond this body of water is Africa??” IT’S CRAZY! When I stood on the beach I looked right and all I saw was ocean, I looked left and all I saw was ocean! I was in such shock that I was standing next to a body of water that literally goes for miles and miles, has billions of gallons of water, and is miles deep! I was so intimidated. However, our God created this huge body of water, as well as so many other deep bodies of water. Our God is bigger and even more powerful than this huge body of water!

-SOHO MissionThe SOHO (Solar & Heliospheric Observatory) project is a cooperative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. SOHO was designed to study the internal structure of the Sun, and its extensive outer atmosphere.
-This image captures a sweeping prominence -- Prominences are huge clouds of relatively cool dense plasma suspended in the Sun's hot, thin corona. At times, they can erupt, escaping the Sun's atmosphere. Emission in this image shows the upper chromosphere at a temperature of about 60,000 degrees Kelvin.
-The hottest areas appear almost white, while the darker red areas indicate cooler temperatures.
-The mean distance of the Sun from the Earth is approximately 149.6 million kilometers (1 AU) (93 million miles), and its light travels this distance in 8 minutes and 19 seconds.
-Mean diameter of the sun is 109 × Earths diameter.

-The Whirlpool Galaxy
-Approximately 20 million light years from Earth
-Radius of about ~38,000 light-years

-The Whirlpool Galaxy (looks so cool because it has a cross in the middle of it when you look at it from this angle.
-The cross in the middle is actually a black hole with dust rings surrounding the hole-but how cool is it, that something so beautiful and so far away, could bear the sign that brings so much hope to Christians. A sign that we believe demonstrates God’s ultimate love for us?

-6.786 Billion-Estimated World Population as of September 23, 2009

-Of course we can’t guarantee that this number is 100% correct, but all I can say is that God loves every single one of these people, including you! And can you imagine the billions of people who have lived since the beginning of the Earth? Generation after generation after generation, etc! Well, God loved them too! You see, Genesis tells the story of creation and talks about how God created the entire world (including magnificent things like Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ocean, the Sun, and beautiful galaxies so far from earth in outer space) and said that it was good, but when he created humankind, he said that it was very good! We are the crown of creation. God adores us and longs for us! Let’s read it!

-Genesis 1:27-31 “So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth, and subdue it….(God tells humankind that earth was made for them to live)….{verse 31} God saw all that he had made, and it was very good!”

-We mean more to God than all these beautiful things that are part of creation. He created us to belong to him and made this world to live in! God was thinking of us long before we were even born! Let’s read it!

-Psalm 139: 13-16 “For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full and well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

-God had a plan for every single one of us when he created the earth and knit us together. He is the ultimate creator (his works are wonderful (we saw some of them in the pictures today) )but most of all WE are the wonderful part of creation because we get to have a relationship with God! We get to experience God! We get to see him move on this earth and show his love for everyone! We witness miracles and experience connections with him when we read his Word and pray in his Name and worship him every day. We experience his love for us through all the gifts that he’s given us. But there’s one gift that makes our relationship with God even more meaningful-it’s the ultimate gift and sacrifice that he made for US to show his LOVE for US! It’s the gift of salvation that he offers through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ! Let’s read it!

-2 Corinthians 5:14-21 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now one we regard no one from a worldly point view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.”

-The first part of this section talks about how Christ’s love “compels” us because Christ died for us. Christ’s love “compels” us (drives us) to no longer live for ourselves but to live for HIM! It’s not about us…not at all! It’s all about Christ!
-Compare to the movie “Fireproof.” Both couples were so involved in their own lives and so selfishly looking for their own benefit that their relationship was failing. Both so deeply involved in their careers and own interests, they didn’t even know or understand each other. It wasn’t until Caleb started trying to win his wife’s heart back that he realized that he wasn’t able to love his wife because he wasn’t loving the Lord. There is a part in the middle of the movie when Caleb is talking to his father about how he is ready to end it with his wife and get a divorce and give up on trying to win her heart back. He says:
"In fact, when I come home, she makes me feel like I'm an enemy. I'm not even welcome in my own home, Dad. That is what really ticks me off! For the last three weeks I've bent over backwards for her. I've tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship. I bought her flowers, which she threw away. I have taken her insults and her sarcasm, but last night was it. I made dinner for her. I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her—to show value for her—and she spit in my face. She does not deserve this, Dad! I'm not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody—over and over and over—who constantly rejects me?"
-The thing is, we are like Caleb and Catherine. We are the ones who are constantly involved in our own lives that we spit in God’s face and reject him. We have to realize that we mean more to him than anything else on this Earth. We have to surrender to him and live according to his will. Let’s continue reading.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

-First of all, we are FORGIVEN! We are reconciled of our sins and God has wiped them clean. They are on the bottom of that ocean floor (which we learned is miles deep!) We are also called “ambassadors.” The word ambassador means to be a representative. In Hebrew, the word is interpreted as “one who goes on an errand,” ultimately making US messengers of God! We are to LIVE for him! Turn away from sin! Live according to God’s righteousness. Realize how much our God loves us and how much he desires us to submit our lives to Him and Him alone! Live according to the righteousness that is described in these verses. Be reconciled in Christ and become New Creations!

-Let’s look back at pieces of the readings from today:

-The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word

Hebrews 1:3 "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet."

Hebrews 2:5-9 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

- Like it says in Hebrews, he made him a little lower than the angels and sent him to save us. “Who is man that you are mindful of him??” Can’t you see HOW mindful our God is about us???

Let’s read John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He sent his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.”

-God loves and cares so deeply for us! We know that and see that through the gift of his Son. So now, when we find ourselves asking “Why me?” We won’t even question our purpose here on earth! We are truly loved and God created us and has a plan for us. Remember that as you look around this earth and find yourself in awe of magnificent and marvelous things! Remember that our God created it, but he also created us and loves us!

“Who do you see?”

2009-07-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

Mark 6:1-13

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Today’s reading seems to be two different stories presented together, and while they seem very different, I believe they go together well. They’re all about faith, truly knowing and trusting Jesus Christ then and heeding his call to tell the world about him. Who do you see in this man Jesus? How well do you know him? I’d like to take a look first at last weeks Gospel. I think it’s important because it’s a story of people with great and genuine faith. Here is Jesus doing what he does best. First he heals a woman who had been sick for many years and shunned by society and the church. She was as good as dead. This is a very powerful story. She merely touched his robe and Jesus felt her faith. It must have been very strong and genuine. I’ve noticed so much lately that many of those people who are the worst off in society show a very great faith. They’re very open and aware of Jesus Christ. Maybe they have reason to see him just a little bit differently. I believe this is because they have nothing to stand in their way. He’s their only hope. They recognize Him for what he truly is. It’s as if they’re saying, “He’s my savior, I put all my faith and trust in him. Not in my money, because I have none, not in all my stuff, because I have none, I’ve made such a mess of my life but he loves me no matter what!”

As the gospel continues he brings life to a dead girl. Here we’ve gone from a woman who was as good as dead to a young girl who was dead. Once again, where is our hope found? Where do we place our faith? Two weeks ago we heard about Jesus calming a violent storm out on the water. How comforting it is to know that when the storms of life come, Jesus will be there for us. I heard on the radio the other day something which caught my attention, and I can’t remember who said it, “the toughest man to ever walk the face of the earth is seated at the right hand of the Father.” What’s this all about? I believe it’s all about faith, and knowing Jesus Christ, and knowing him in your heart. Who do you see in this man Jesus? How well do you know him? Here’s two great acts of faith, let’s see what happens in this weeks lesson.

In today’s gospel he goes back home to Nazareth, his hometown, and begins to teach. These were his family and his people. I can’t help but think these were the ones he cared for most, the one’s closest to his heart. These were the ones he’d grown up with. They hear his powerful, authoritative words, and wonder where this lowly carpenter, Mary’s son, who they watched run the streets with his brothers and sisters, and probably had gotten into a little mischief, has gotten this kind of knowledge. They’ve only known him one way, and it’s blocked their ability to have any faith in him. It’s blinded them from seeing him as being any more than that. If they were looking for a Messiah, it sure wouldn’t be Jesus. In fact, the gospel says, he found so little faith there, that he was unable to perform many miracles or healings. This just doesn’t seem right. In my research I found that even a few scholars were a little confused with this one. Was it Jesus lack of ability, or were the people of Nazareth blinded as to who Jesus really was? Was their lack of faith in him keeping them from receiving his blessings? This had to have really hurt. He had to have been so disappointed. These were his people, the people he knew and loved, the people he was closest to, and they were rejecting him. And so he left them and moved on.

I want to take a few minutes to tell you about my home town, the place of my childhood, the place I grew up, the place that I loved, the place that I think about often. I grew up in a very small rural town of around 35 people called Slifer. It’s about 20 miles southwest of Fort Dodge. It’s just a little farming community with around ten houses, a grain elevator, and a few closed down businesses on the crossroad of two county highways. But to me it was the perfect place to grow up. It was a world of tree houses, out houses, and hen houses. Within a quarter mile of my home there was a creek, two groves of trees, and a set of railroad tracks. Our house backed up to a cornfield, come to think of it everyone’s house backed up to a cornfield. We had a little acreage with chickens, a Shetland pony, a couple cows, and a huge garden. I spent my days exploring, fishing, camping out, and getting into mischief. I had the local paper route. Once I got the papers folded it took me about ten minutes to deliver them. I earned most of my money walking beans, mowing lawns, and baling hay. Of course everyone in town knew each other. At least once every summer we would all gather in someone’s yard and have a town picnic. There would be plenty to eat and drink. We would get a big game of softball going, kids and adults, and have a great time. I remember watching Neil Armstrong first walk on the moon as the whole town gathered at someone’s home. As I grew older, I bought my first car. I’d be over visiting Teresa, then I’d come speeding on into town on my way home. Sure enough one of the neighbors would call my dad, Harold, Pat was speeding through town again, and then I’d be in trouble. Even the bad things are good memories. I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. I loved my hometown. Every now and then my Mom will call and tell me of someone from Slifer who’s died, and it will bring some sadness, and a whole lot of memories. Why am I talking about my hometown? Because this is how these people knew me, this is how they will remember me. If I came back as anything else they would probably have a hard time accepting me. I can’t help but think of how broken hearted Jesus must have felt being rejected by his own hometown and his own people. It’s not that they disliked him, but that they couldn’t see who he really was. He’s who they needed most, but they rejected him. How well do you know him? Who do you see when you think of Jesus?

The second part of today’s reading is a call to discipleship. It’s a call to evangelism.

Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs, travelling light with a simple yet powerful message. It’s like Jesus is saying, “Know me as I truly am, believe in me, have faith in me, I’ll show you the way! Don’t clutter your life with things you don’t need. I’ll provide everything you need! It’s okay if they don’t like what you’re telling them, just walk away and move on. Now go, and do my work. ”

As Paul tells the Romans, “How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

How can people know of Him without those of us who really know Jesus? He has a beautiful message and he’s chosen us to deliver it. “But how can I, I’m not an evangelist? I don’t know what to say! I don’t know what to do! I don’t know where to go! I don’t want to go anyway. What will people think of me?” Remember, there’s a hurting world out there. People are searching. People are reaching out for help.

How well do you know Jesus Christ? How much faith do you put in him? How much do you love him? Maybe you’re the one in need. Maybe you’re the one with the outstretched hand. As we heard Jeff Hanna speak a couple weeks ago, we’re all in the same boat. We all need Jesus. We all have storms in our life. Maybe the storms are raging harder for you than for others right now.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In his book, “Blue Like Jazz”, Donald Miller talks about how he has come to love Jesus. “I think the most important thing that happens within Christian spirituality is when a person falls in love with Jesus.

Sometimes when I go forward at church to take communion, to take the bread and dip it in the wine, the thought of Jesus comes to me, the red of his blood or the smell of his humanity, and I eat the bread and I wonder at the mystery of what I am doing, that somehow I am one with Christ, that I get my very life from him, my spiritual life comes from his working inside me, being inside me.

I know our culture will sometimes understand a love for Jesus as weakness. There is this lie floating around that says I am supposed to be able to do life alone, without any help, without any stopping to worship something bigger than myself. But I actually believe there is something bigger than me, and I need for there to be something bigger than me. I need someone to put awe inside me; I need to come second to someone who has everything figured out.”

Donald Miller has found Jesus as we should know him. He has looked beyond himself and discovered a life giving and loving Jesus. As we gather for Holy Communion today, as we eat the bread and drink the wine, let us think about Jesus and who he is, and what he has done for you. And allow him to put an awe inside of you. You may experience him in a very different way.

Evangelism isn’t necessarily about going out and knocking on doors. From what I’ve read the most effective form of evangelism is all about relationships, your relationship with Jesus Christ showing in your actions, in your eyes and your speech. Jesus Christ finds his way into people’s hearts through their relationship to you. We have several opportunities in the next couple months for you to reach out to others and bring them to know Jesus Christ. On July 19th, Justin and Amanda Fletcher will be showing the movie, Facing Your Giants for our New Life Family Theater. It’s a great sports movie with a Christian theme. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors, family and coworkers. On August 2nd we will have our annual Vacation Bible School. Did you know that half of the children attending are from the community and not members of New Life. Parents drop off and pick up their kids and see an excitement in them. What a great way to introduce an unchurched child and their parents to Jesus Christ. The very next week on August 9th we will have a friendship Sunday. We are encouraging you to invite your neighbors, coworkers, or unchurched friends to worship with us that week. We will have a wonderful worship experience, a late morning brunch, and some time for outdoor fun and games. In September, we will be bringing back the Alpha program. Alpha will answer many of the questions you may have about the Christian faith. Many of you have been through Alpha already. This is a great evangelism tool. You can just sit and listen, and you won’t have to say a word. If you’ve already taken Alpha, invite a friend and take it again with them.

These are easy evangelism tools for you to take advantage of. As Jesus sends you out into your day, remember him, know him, trust him, love him, and think about who you could invite to meet him. He’s waiting for them. I’ve met many people whose lives have been changed by meeting Jesus.

We are Jesus people who’ve been molded, saved, loved, filled, fed, watered, washed, educated, protected, directed, and commissioned.

Let us close in prayer,
Father God,
Open our hearts and minds as we worship you this morning that we may fully know you and experience you. As we receive your body and blood, may we remember you and all that you have done for us. Fill us with an awe that we will want to share with the people in our lives. Help us Lord to be inviting Christians. Send us Lord into the world that we may reach out to those in need with your word and your healing and your love.

(Pat Barnes' sermon on July 5th)

"With God's Help"

2009-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

"With God's help, I shall not fear change.
Some changes will cause great pain; others will bring joy.
Some will pass by barely noticed; others will alter the deepest parts of my being.
I will bring about many changes myself;
but changes I experience will also be brought about by others around me,
and I will be the tool God uses to change others' lives.

With God's help, I shall accept that change will happen every day, for I am not alone.
God shares the changes with me.
God rejoices with me and comforts me through the difficult days.
As the quiet, solid center that gives me something to cling to,
God is the constant in my quicksilver existence.

With Gods' help, I shall embrace it all. Therefore, I shall not fear change.
I shall trust that I can face all the changes, welcome them all,
and be stronger after they have done their work on me.

I can do all this, with God's help."

- Ms.Ethel Crawford

A Lesson from the Mud

2009-02-19T09:35:00.001-08:00

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40: 2-3

I love my woods. Actually I need to clarify something right from the start – they aren’t my woods at all – they belong to the person that owns the farm ground surrounding my home and he quite graciously allows me free access to them for my enjoyment. I also need to clarify the term ‘woods’ this area is really what most folks in Iowa would refer to as ‘scrub timber’ with lots of fallen trees, weeds, brush and in need of pruning (or burning). But be that as it may, I’ve grown to love this little piece of ground that borders a small creek and river along the adjoining fields. I walk the well worn path every day with my dogs and ride through it often on horseback.

This small piece of ground provides a living mural of the changing seasons and a constant reminder of the wonders of creation and our Creator. It’s easy to talk and listen to God in this environment. His presence is everywhere. There is no way to escape the absolute awesomeness of His Creation. I feel truly blessed to be able to experience this wonder on a daily basis. I often wonder how different life would be without this daily dose of humility – what it would be like to wake in a high rise apartment in a congested city and maybe go for months or years without experiencing anything that wasn’t man made. Thankfully, this is not the life He chose for me so it has become easy for me to ‘Grow where God plants you’. But I digress……..

I’ve been given another great blessing of 5 grandchildren (I think this one is to offset some of the other ‘blessing’ of growing older!) Through the years, we’ve all spent a lot of time walking in the ‘woods’ together (long walks on short legs result in long naps) and they’ve come to love it as much as I do. A couple of years ago, around late April, two of the grandkids, Parker (4) and Allison (3), came out to spend the weekend and were really looking forward to our walk in the woods – we had just come through a couple of days of spring rains and the path was really muddy so it didn’t seem like a very good idea. However, as most grandparents know – “No” is a word very rarely used in conversations with grandkids, I finally relented to their pleas but under the condition that they had to follow exactly in my footsteps – thinking I would keep them on the grass and out of the mud. (silly old grandma!) Things went pretty well at first – kind of a short lived game of Follow the Leader – then a bunch of wildflowers caught Allie’s attention and within the blink of an eye she shot off across the thick, soggy timber soil to pick ‘just one’ (didn’t matter if she picked one or a dozen – fact is she was in the mud). And by the second blink, Parker was in hot pursuit (after all big brothers are supposed to be watch out for their little sisters), leaving me, the ‘Leader’, with the only clean shoes still firmly planted in the clean green grass next to the muddy path.

Within just a few steps, my little nature enthusiasts learned a new lesson…..not all mud is created equal. Wet timber soil is not only dirty, slick and messy; it’s sticky – real sticky – almost like gum. It sort of grabs hold of you and sticks you in place – or at least your shoes. You guessed it – they were stuck in the mud. So much for my clean shoes and “I told you so” – there was only one course of action……get into the mud myself and pull them out – no way of doing that without getting myself at least as dirty as they were, probably worse. I’m happy to report that the rescue was successful, even the handful of wildflowers was saved – in fact they were the only ones that came out without one bit of ‘Yuk’ stuck to them.
We headed back to the house, got hosed off in the spare tank and finished off in the shower. While the shoes and clothes were in the washer, we sat down with a snack (the wildflowers in a glass of cold water providing a beautiful centerpiece) and discussed how much easier it would have been to simply follow the rules (we also had some good giggles about how silly they looked stuck in the mud).

Reflecting back on this afternoon, it came to mind that this brief episode is really what happens to all of us on a daily basis…….God says “follow me and I will take care of you” and we start out so enthusiastically, following exactly in His footsteps but within a very short time, we take off on our own, trusting our own judgment, changing the rules to suit our self-interest, looking for shortcuts, chasing after the first thing that catches our fancy and the results are always the same. We get stuck in the mud of life. The harder we try to get out on our own, the dirtier we get. The only way out is for our ‘Leader’ to save us and the only way he can do that is to get right into the mud with us – and that’s exactly what He does isn’t it? Jesus comes right into our messy world to pick us up, take us home and make us clean again. And just like silly old grandma, He loves us just as much when we’re dirty and muddy as when we’re all clean and shiny but we sure feel better after He’s cleaned us up again.

-Submitted by Sandy Anderson

Slow Down, Listen!

2009-02-09T08:00:00.001-08:00

The following is Pat Barnes' sermon from February 8, 2009.

Mark 1:29-39
“As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother in law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
In the morning while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, where he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let’s go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.”

(Psalm 147) “Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting! Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.”

I love the Psalms and these words from today’s Psalm is so fitting for this season of Epiphany, this season where we recognize and celebrate the light of our Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate his presence in the world. We celebrate the Lord who brings light and hope to a world full of darkness. His light would forever change the world. The Magi followed that light, and discovered the Savior. In the light of his baptism he was filled with the Holy Spirit. On the Mount of Transfiguration his glory was revealed. In the light of his resurrection we can know his promise is real. His glory is revealed in so many ways. It’s a glory that we want to be connected with, a glory that we never want to lose sight of. It’s a glory that we want to tell the world about. It’s his glory that has given us life, and faith, it’s what makes us Christian.
If we look back into the earlier verses of this first chapter of Mark, we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism. Verse 10 says that as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. A God says from heaven, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” And immediately Jesus goes into the wilderness, he’s living among the wild animals, and being tended to by angels. And don’t you suppose that he was in constant contact with the Father? Then he is tempted by Satan, and then he begins his ministry. Here is God taking care of his own. Here is God’s glory being revealed.
Don’t you feel like that some time? This is how I see our lives as Christians, we are baptized and we are made God’s own, and his glory is revealed in us, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and we begin our life of faith. Then we’re thrown into the wilderness of life where we’re tempted by Satan, living among the wild beasts which threaten our well being. We have demands being laid on us. From one day to the next we never know how our life might change. But there is always something we can count on, Jesus is always with us, to guide us, to nurture us, to strengthen us, to help us grow as Christians, and help us grow as disciples. How hard would life be without Jesus Christ to help us through it?
You’re going to hear this over and over in this sermon, Jesus Christ is present and active in our lives.
In our Gospel lesson for today, the mere touch of Jesus hand brings healing to a sick woman. With his word, the mere sound of his voice, he brings demons down to their knees. I’d love to see that. And in the middle of all this, he goes to a quiet place, and drops down to his knees and prays to God. He took time to slow down and connect with God before continuing on with his work.
Isaiah 40 tells us, "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary: his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
This is a great song to sing during Holy Communion. Jesus is present and active in the bread and wine. In this way he strengthens us and renews us. We connect with him and celebrate him. He lifts us up with wings like eagles…..Focus on this song as you receive communion today. What a beautiful experience.
Soon after the 9-11 tragedy, stories started appearing in the various media. Stories from the rescuers, the policemen, the firemen, and the citizens who were involved in the rescue efforts. These were stories of sadness and horror, stories of amazement, stories that brought people together. The twin towers were brought down and what remained was a mass of carnage and death. Columnist Anne Coulter wrote an article that was published about one of these stories:
The rescue workers found a cross standing in the rubble of Ground Zero. It was discovered just a few days after the attack. While performing the soul-numbing work of pulling human bodies and body parts from the smoking wreckage, construction worker Frank Silecchia happened upon a perfectly symmetrical cross in the midst of the wreckage. It was standing straight, 20 feet high, surrounded by many smaller crosses. Silecchia stopped in his tracks and stood crying for 20 minutes. "When I first saw it, it took my heart," Silecchia said. "It helped me heal the burden of my despair, and gave me closure on the whole catastrophe." Hard-hat Silecchia brought his fellow rescue workers to the site of the cross, and they have been making regular pilgrimages to the cross ever since. Many of the men call it a miracle. The daily horror of pulling human remains from the rubble has the rescue workers at the breaking point. Someone etched "God Bless Our Fallen Brothers" on the cross. The cross at Ground Zero was not simply the cross beams remaining from an existing building. It was formed out of beams from Building One plunging, splitting and crashing into Building Six. "There's no symmetry to anything down there," the FBI chaplain said, "except those crosses."
. Do I believe God placed those crosses there in the midst of the carnage? I don’t know, but what I do believe is that in the midst of tragedy and despair, in the midst of heartache and sadness, in the midst of the crisis in our lives, we can be reminded of the presence of Jesus Christ. He is active in our lives. In this case those crosses were right in the middle of the worst tragedy most of those people will ever face, and they stood as a reminder that God was with them, comforting, warming, uniting them together, and letting them know that he is there with them. He’s there in the good times as well as the bad. These seem like dark days with the economy going bad, people losing jobs and their homes, and sickness seems to be everywhere. The wild beasts are all around us. In the midst of our busy lives, in the coming and going, our jobs, our home life, and school activities, we should to take time to slow down and feel God’s presence. Jesus did that in our Gospel reading for today. Amid all the healing and demon bashing, he stopped and went to a quiet place to pray. He wanted to communicate with the Father. He wanted to get away and talk to God, and feel his presence. It gave him the strength to continue his work. As Lutherans, we focus on the Word. God strengthens us through the Word. Sometimes the Word can come to us in the silence. I’ve prayed alone and have been in group prayer many times, and some of the most powerful prayer experiences have been experienced in the silence.
I’ve recently read an article titled, “Make a joyful silence” by Ruth Haley Barton. The theme of this article is about how we, as Christians, should take time periodically, to just stop and have a little quiet time. Time to stop and listen for God’s voice and feel his presence. She used the example of a jar of river water, “Sometimes you are like a jar of river water all shaken up. What you need is to sit still long enough so that the sediment can settle and the water can become clear.” Our lives sometimes seem to be like a whirlwind, and finding a quiet time is almost impossible. But the stillness and the silence can be very rewarding for us as we connect with God.
Another similar article recently appeared in the February issue of The Lutheran Online written by Joann Nesser entitled, Solitude and Silence. She is quoted as saying, “Often we must get away from our surroundings to really begin to experience the presence of God even when our circumstances are very ordinary. This is even truer when we are surrounded by constant noise and busyness or when we are going through difficult times of depression, loneliness, or fear. In the place of solitude and silence we can begin to hear God and experience God’s intimate, loving presence in our lives.”
God reveals himself in His written word, in prayer, in music and singing, in our friendships, and especially in his real presence within the sacraments. Many times I’ve felt God speaking to me in these ways. But we may also find his presence when we stop and quietly listen. I feel that when we do, he’ll help us deal with all the things that drive us crazy, all the stuff that drags us down, that makes us sad. He’ll help us celebrate our triumphs and our good times, and our faith will grow stronger. He’ll help us strengthen our relationships, in our homes as well as our friendships among our Christian brothers and sisters. We can lean on each other and support each other. That’s where God’s presence may be found.
Mr. Silecchia found Christ’s presence in those crosses in the wreckage of the twin towers. It was a powerful presence that brought him and others a sense of peace and hope in the midst of tragedy and despair. Again as we understand from our Gospel lesson, Jesus Christ is present and active in our lives. I love this verse from Revelation 3:20: “Listen! (Do you hear what he’s telling us, how can we hear him if we don’t listen?) 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.” That’s what he wants for us! He wants us to slow down and quietly listen, and hear his voice.
Paul told the Ephesians, "Pray at all times and on every occasion",
he told the Romans, "Always be prayerful",
and he told the Thessalonians, “Pray without ceasing".
Prayer is so essential.
What was Moses and the Israelites doing after the walls of the Red Sea closed in behind them? They were praying to God. What was Jonah doing when he found himself in undesirable surroundings? He was praying to God. What was the disciples doing as they huddled in the upper room after Jesus crucifixion? They were praying to God. Think of prayer less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge His presence everywhere you go. As you stand in line at the grocery store think, Thank you, Lord, for being here. As you go about your day at work, pray to God for being there, as you sit in the classroom at school, pray to God for being there, and as you’re driving down the road turn the radio off, and quietly pray and listen for God’s voice.
As you go about your busy lives , slow down and find a quiet place and feel his presence and hear his voice and experience his light, then we will be able to truly say, “Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God!” Amen

Child of Mine

2008-12-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 43:1 … "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

What’s your name? How many times in our life are we asked that question? I for one have had to spell for first name for everyone and my maiden name and now my married name. When we name our children we want them to be unique, but then come to find out that there are 5 other children with that same name in their kindergarten class. Did you have your child’s name picked out before they were born or did you wait to see what they looked like?

In the 60’s it seemed like the thing to do was to give your kids names that all stated with the same letter. 3 out of 4 of my siblings all start with “S”. The kids in my husband’s family all start with “J”. Now if it wasn’t enough that people would get kids mixed up anyway – now they have the added benefit of names sounding alike.

The Lord knew our name before we were born. We may have one name on our birth certificate, but we probably answer to many other names.

We also have many names for God: Father, Lord, Emmanuel.

But when you boil it all down aren’t we really all the same? Aren’t we all sisters and brothers in Christ? Isn’t it what really matters is that we know that whose children we really are? And I’m sure when we truly see the Lord face to face, we will know our name. He will have his arms stretched wide and will say “Welcome Home, Child of Mine”.

(Inspired by Shawn who passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 37 leaving a loving wife and two daughters, ages 5 and 8)

Unexpected

2008-12-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:4-5

Now there’s something you don’t see everyday? Today on my way home I saw a red helium balloon bouncing it’s way along the side of the road – the temperature was 20 degrees. How did that balloon get there? Doesn’t the sight of balloons just make you smile? Especially when it is freezing outside and the roads are crappy!

This season is the season of “unexpected”. When I was getting our mail, which is across the highway, a car stopped to let me cross the road (remember the roads are crappy). What an unexpected nice gesture! Last week a couple friends surprised me and took me out for lunch to say “thank you”. What an unexpected blessing! This week a friend went out of his way to pick up something at a store for me and delivered it. What a unexpected gift!

What do you think the shepherds thought when the angels appeared to them? “Now there’s something you don’t see everyday?” What do you think they thought when they saw the newborn King in common everyday stall for animals? It certainly wasn’t where the wise men were expecting to find the Savior?

In this season of rushing around, make sure you thank those that have blessed you with their gifts of kindness. And let’s pass on the feeling of the unexpected – help out a friend in need, donate to a charity, hold a door open for someone, and give someone a smile.

Unconditionally

2008-11-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Psalm 52: 8-9 “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

Each time I return home, I am greeted by a four-legged bundle of joy. Regardless of whether we have been gone two minutes or several hours, our dog Bristol greets my husband and me with a wagging tail and the happiest look on her face. Her affection for us is unconditional.

I often wonder if God has a similar view of us. When we come to His house for worship, I can imagine God shaking a bit with joy at our entrance. He might not have a big tail or sloppy doggy kisses, but the feeling is the same. God loves us unconditionally.

The first verse reminds us of God’s unfailing love for us. We grow in God’s word each day that we read the Bible and grow in community with other Christians. Having trust in the Lord is important for our spiritual growth.

The second verse is instructions for how we are to live our lives. We are to praise God and hope in God. God is a source of positiveness in our lives. All we have to do is believe in God.

Each day, I am reminded of God’s love for me when I awake, when I see a beautiful full moon, and even when my dog greets me at the door. All I have to do is believe.

Submitted by Kari Murray

2008-11-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

Last Wednesday the Spiritual Formation youth had the privilege of listening to a presentation by Mr. David Burrier of Hope Ministries and a gentleman by the name of Norman who has been a client with the Ministries for over a year. I came in about a halfway through and they were seated up in front of the sanctuary engaged in an unrehearsed dialogue. Mr. Burrier was leading Norman in a question and answer session which was absolutely riveting to me. Norman spent seventeen of his forty years in prisons for many offenses, but from what I gathered they were mostly drug related. He’s been in prison in Mexico and has spent a lot of time in drug trafficking across the border. Norman said he was an extremely mean and hateful person. He ended up at Hope Ministries weighing 100 pounds, his teeth had fallen out, and he has tattoos over half of his body. He left no question of why he ended up in Des Moines. A self described extremely shy person, he sat in front of our church and spoke boldly and matter of factly, of how Jesus Christ came into his life and made him a new person. What a witness for the young people and the few adults who were there that night. He had a syringe tattooed on his arm which he has since covered up with a tattoo of a cross. I saw great meaning in that, here was a man so controlled by the drugs he was shooting into his body, slowly dying, hopelessly dying, yet covered by the cross, the instrument of death for Jesus Christ, also the symbol of assurance and new life for us. Here is a man who knows what it means to be free.

This reminds me of Romans 6:5-8, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” ESV

I talked to Norman afterward for quite some time. It both amazes me and yet it doesn’t of how openly and boldly that once broken man speaks of God in his life. There is power in the words of the gospel. I feel that people need to see and hear this kind of witness. Norman will be visiting us soon to share his story with others.

Posted by Pat Barnes

Remembering

2008-09-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Where were you seven years ago? I think most of us can remember that Tuesday morning; images of crashing planes, burning buildings, buildings falling to the ground, fear and sadness in the eyes the witnesses. We remember the phone calls to loved ones, discussions of terror with our coworkers, halted conversations as we tried to explain to our children why someone would do this. It seems like each generation has "that moment" when the little bit of innocence we have is crushed by an act of violence.

But all too often it seems like that first act of violence is expanded by more violence, in retaliation. It seems that all too often politicians, on both sides, use the death of the victims to promote their own ideology, or as an excuse to advance an agenda in a totally unrelated area. In the midst of all the political promotion; and in the midst of the violence and retaliation, Jesus speaks.

“But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:27-31)

The world says, "Retaliate!" Jesus says, "Love!" The world says, "Kill!" Jesus says, "Pray." The world says, "Be afraid!" Jesus says, "Have no fear little flock."

I like what the ELCA Church Council states in their response to 911 "Message on Living in a Time of Terrorism",

"Fear generated by the threat of terrorism may be a reasonable response to danger, alerting us to take steps to address it. Yet fear can become part of the fabric of society and make people its captives. Fear then paralyzes, divides people, fosters distrust, and clouds judgments. The Gospel promises freedom from living in debilitating fear. Through Word and Sacrament the Holy Spirit surrounds children, youth, and adults with God’s unfailing love. 'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4:18). In faith we may carry on our lives with the confidence that nothing—including terrorism—'will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 8:39). Living from the security of faith in God, Christians in a fearful society may exhibit courage to evaluate soberly the threat of terrorism without ignoring it or becoming all-consumed by it."

"The Gospel also frees us from fear to see others as brothers and sisters for whom Christ died and lives. Believing that God’s love in Christ Jesus extends to all, we are freed to attend to the interests and welfare of those who might be considered 'enemies.' We are better enabled to know and feel the vulnerability of others around the world and to work for a just peace in light of our mutual vulnerability."

Maybe the best memorial we can give to all the victims of 911 is to do as Jesus told us. Love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who abuse us, and give to those who need. Now you might respond, "Don't be so naive, Tim, that is not the way of the world." You are right. But, maybe we would be better off in the world if we lived the way of Christ.

Thank You, Harry

2008-07-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28:17-20
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (NRSV)

During these last few weeks of summer, I have been finding myself reflecting upon my life and my faith story. This is due to the change that Bette, Allison, and I are facing with Tim being in Tanzania and John at Wartburg College. As I reflect upon God's gift of grace I realize that this is a great medium to write a thank-you letter. Unfortunately, I do not know where the recipient is, or even if he is still alive. So, I would like to write this thank-you letter to all the “Harrys” out there.

Dear Harry,
Did you have any idea what your invitation would create? Did you know how the Holy Spirit was going to work in my life and the life of my family? When you made that first invitation, were you afraid? Were you worried that we would reject you, think less of you, or even worse, laugh at you? Did you fear that you might loose your job for talking about faith at work? Did that even matter to you? Or were you so compelled by Jesus’ call to make disciples, that rejection and embarrassment, and even fear of losing your position would not stop you from your proclamation?

I know that Faith Lutheran was having an invite a friend week, but I don't know if this was the first time you invited anybody, or if this was a normal activity for you. But, on that day, you changed our lives.

Bette and you had worked together for a few months, and you had a good relationship, both of you originally being from North Dakota. Although almost fifty years separated you, you had a good working friendship. One evening, as you stood there with Bette in the men’s accessories department at Dillard’s straightening the ties, somehow the conversation turned to faith. (Was that your intent?) With your eyes glued to your task at hand, you nonchalantly and quietly said, “Maybe you would like to visit my church, Faith, on Spain Road. It’s a Lutheran church and the sermons are pretty good. I think it might be what you’re looking for.” Possibly to your surprise, Bette accepted your invitation and asked about worship times. And that Sunday, she would attend. But she didn't want to ask me. (I had rejected her request to go to church so many times before.) She told you, "If you wanted Tim to attend you had to ask him."

So on your break you walked down to my families store. You would often stop by and visit but this time you had a calling. You cleared your throat, you seemed nervous to me, then you did it. You asked me. "Hey Tim I just invited Bette to join me at church at Faith Lutheran and she said she would love to go, but, she asked me to invite you also. So would you like to come?" How could I say no? Your were such a kind and gentile man. "Sure I guess that would be alright" I answered. With a smile on your face you proclaimed "Great I will see you Sunday" and went back to Dillard's

Over the next few days I tried to think of a way out but Bette would respond, "You told Harry you would go!" So on Sunday she dragged me back to a church. The way I complained you would think I'm was going to my death. In a way I was. Something happened. It could have been looking out the wall of window at the beautiful Sandia Mountains. It could have been the pastor’s sermon on God's grace, forgiveness, and love. It might have been the beautiful piece the choir sang. Or maybe it was the way the people greeted us, like we were truly welcome, like lost children returning home. From that moment on, were knew that’s exactly where we were: home. Whether it was Faith, or Zion, or Holy Trinity, or Our Savior’s, or First, or New Life, we were home. It did not take long until the pastor realized that I knew the bible stories pretty well. Soon, we were teaching 5th grade Sunday School and Bette was singing in the choir. As time went by, we started getting involved more and more. Four years later, we found ourselves at Zion Lutheran, somehow being leaders in this congregation. Education chairperson, stewardship chairperson, youth leader, small group members, called to ordained ministry.

Harry, did you know what the Spirit was going to do? I thank you and all the other “Harrys” out there. People willing to risk embarrassment, relationships, and their position in order to proclaim the Gospel. Harry, thank you for your invitation.

For all you others reading this, is God calling on you to be a Harry in somebody’s life? Take the chance for Jesus. Risk for the Gospel. There are a lot of Tims and Bettes out there just waiting for your invitation.
Amen.

Freedom In Christ

2008-06-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." John 8:31b-32 (NRSV)

The truth will make you free. Jesus did not free us so that we can do whatever we want. Instead, we are made free by Christ so that we can be who we truly are, children of God. Our freedom comes from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (not from any gift of humans). In this we are free from our sin through the forgiveness Jesus gives us. In this we have eternal life that we live right now as children of God. Sometimes we may feel that we are not good enough or important enough to matter, but each one of us is so important to God that Jesus gave his life so we can live as God's children. All people are important to God. All people are children of God whether they know it or not.

Our salvation, our life, our hope is in Christ alone. There are some who believe that they can save themselves. Many in print, on the radio, and TV tell us that if we try hard enough we can achieve greatness. We can even make ourselves good and be god-like. But, history has shown time and again that when we rely on ourselves, and not on God, when we try to be god-like, we fail miserably. Instead of being free, we become enslaved to the self.

Let's go back to the beginning, to the story of Adam and Eve. In that story the serpent told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, they would not die but they would be like God having knowledge of good and evil. So they ate the fruit, but they did not become like God; instead sin and death entered creation.

During the time of Exodus, after God had freed the people from slavery, Moses goes up the mountain to receive the law from God. As soon as Moses does this, what do the people do?They become impatient. They don't wait for Moses to return. Instead they turn their back on God. They worship a false god of their own making; one they can control. How soon they forget God's promise to them and their promise to God. Instead, they make a god for themselves, forgetting how God had saved, rescued, and freed them.

God has also saved, rescued, and freed us. Like the Israelites, we did not do anything to merit our rescue, salvation, and freedom. God alone took the initiative. Whether we like it or not, only God can save us. At the right time God sent Christ to die for us. While we were still sinners God sent Christ to die for you and me. We are made right, righteous, we are saved, we are freed to truly be ourselves by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Paul says in Romans 5 that when we rely on our own ability, we run into trouble, we fall short, we fail. But, God showed us true love, for while we were still sinners Christ came and died for us. Jesus is our lifeguard freeing us, saving us, and giving us life through his own life.

How then do we respond to God's free gift of salvation? Do we hide this gift of forgiveness and life, locked away in a vault, so no one can get at it, only taking it out for display on Sunday mornings, then hiding it away until the next Sunday gathering? Are we freed on Sunday only to let ourselves be enslaved again on Monday? Or do we respond to God's saving grace by living as a freed disciple of Christ every day of the week?

Each of us is called on to respond to God's loving grace. Only you can answer your calling from Jesus to be an example of faith through word and action. Others can guide and help us in our response to God, but in the end, each of us are called on to respond. As an individual and in community we are called on to respond to the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Today many are lost and drowning in a sea of confusion that is our world. They are pulled in many directions, bounced around from one inadequate philosophy to another. In times of crisis, all they can respond with is hopelessness, despair, anger, and fear, often using some hyped up form of patriotism that forces God to be on our side. All this only causes more hopelessness, pain, and suffering.

But, God calls on us to be beacons of light, love, and peace in a world of darkness, pain, and war. We are callled on to show the one true way of freedom and life, the way of Christ Jesus. This is why God has called us: to be lights in a dark world, to be living examples of the Gospel in action. God calls on you and me to take a stand, a stand for the good news of Jesus, to proclaim to the world God's saving and freeing grace.

Martin Luther writes in his explanation of the second article of the Apostles' Creed. "I believe that Jesus Christ.... Has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil...with his holy, precious blood...He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness." Today we have the opportunity to take a stand, to respond to salvation, to respond to God's forgiveness, to respond to the true freedom we have in Jesus.

Today you and I have the opportunity to share with others the gifts that God has given to each of us, to use those God-given gifts for the benefit of all. Working together as the body of Christ, we can lift one another up, we can proclaim to our community, and to the world that in Jesus Christ there is hope, there is freedom, there is life. That through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ all are offered God's free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. We have been rescued by God and are free indeed. How then will you respond?

Lord Jesus, guide us in being your disciples. Help us to live under the freedom you have given us and to proclaim your love to all the world. Amen.

Shelter From The Storm

2008-05-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (NRSV)

Last night I was watching the local news in Des Moines and they where showing damage from the tornado that tore through Parkersburg and New Hartford, Iowa last Sunday. Then today my wife sent me a slideshow of the disaster. The damage is immense and overwhelming. I can not imagine what it would be like to see all that I owned smashed and scattered all over the countryside. The electronic items that it seems like we can not do without, the clothing, the books, toys, dishes, keepsakes that remind us of times of joy, and pictures and videos of those great times in the past including pictures and keepsakes of those loved ones that have died. All the things we hold dear scattered and gone.

Even worse is the loss of seven people, whose families have lost far more then things they have lost someone who they love and hold dear. They are missing a smile, a voice, a hug that they will not experience again.

As I looked at the images of that terrible storm I thought of how I take so many things for granted. Today I woke up in my safe bed, which was not crushed under beams of my house. I turned on the morning news; my TV was not smashed and thrown down the road. I said good-by to my family, they were all alive and well. I drove my daughter to school, my car was not wrapped around a tree and her school was not torn apart. I went to our Church to start another day of work; all of its windows were in tact. Just the simple everyday things that those sifting through debris whished they had. How I take so much for granted.

Then I thought of the harsh words that I have said over the last few days and weeks that have ripped through some of my relationships with family and friends. Leaving our relationship and friendship smashed and scattered. All because I perceived that I did not get what I wanted or because of some minor inconvenience that I had to face. How I take so much for granted.

I reflect upon all the brokenness that I have seen, some created by a thunderstorm and some cause by my own storm, and wonder is there any hope? Yes there is, for even in our worst storms our Lord is their. As the tornado ravaged through northern Iowa Christ was there giving hope and comfort to those who lost so much. As I create a storm with my tongue Christ is there nudging me to repent and ask for forgiveness from God and from the ones that I hurt.

As the Psalmist says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” As we look up in our despair God is there. The one who stepped down into creation and who went up on the cross is here bringing comfort, hope, and love to all that are broken. As Paul writes in Romans 8:35-39: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NRSV)
In your hurt, in your loss, in your pain know that Christ is with you and that nothing can separate you for God’s love in Christ Jesus. Jesus gives us shelter from all the storms that we face in life.

God of hope, we pray for those who have lost so much in the storms of this spring. Bring them comfort and hope. Touch them with your healing touch. Help us to reach out to them with prayers and with help. Help us to be your hands in this time of rebuilding. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

(If you would like to help the victims you can give to ELCA Disaster Response. One hundred percent of gifts designated for a specific response will be used for the immediate and long-term response to that disaster. Give through your ELCA congregation, give online at, www.elca.org/giving, or call 800/638-3522.)

Who Do I Serve?

2008-05-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

This is the start of my new blog and I hope you find it helpful in your discipleship walk. If you like what you read and want to discover more about our ministry you can go to http://www.newlifenorwalk.org

Matthew 6:24 & 33-34
“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today." (NRSV)

In this reading from Matthew Jesus tells us that we will serve something, it is either God or something else that is what God is not. What is it that I serve in my life? If we take a simple inventory of where our resources go that may give us some idea of who or what we serve. We can all ask ourselves, where do I spend my time and my money?

Where do I spend my time? Well this week it has been in the yard and in my gardens. Now this is a great hobby and I truly enjoy my garden time. But, if my desire is to have the best landscaping on the block, a real showplace of a yard, neglecting all else including my time with God in prayer, worship, and scripture, and my time serving others in God's name then my garden is my false god.

The same can be said about my work (lets not mix up church work with God time for they are not always the same). I can even make a false god of my family as Jesus points out Matthew 10:37 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." How often have I missed worship because of my child’s soccer or some other sport or event? Even our "family values" can become a distraction from the love of God.

Where do I spend my money? As I look around my office I see a large bookshelf filled with books. Would it no have been better if I did not buy all those books but borrowed some of them and use those funds for others in need? How about all the electronic equipment that I have at home do I really need to up date my computer, TV, or kitchen? How about all those old “obsolete” gadgets that were so bright and shiny but now I see them as just more trash for the already overflowing U.S. landfills, Globally, the 20% of the world’s people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures — the poorest 20% a minuscule 1.3%.. Our unchecked consumerism has taken over many of our lives. Has my desire for newer and faster become my god?

What ever we hold vital in keeping our lives intact may be pulled away at a moment's notice. By November my garden will be gone. All the stuff that I surround myself with is all subject to decay and soon will be gone. My employment and my work in the church will someday come to an end and eventually be forgotten. Even those in our family will be gone and someday be forgotten only a name on a stone. We cannot be assured by things of this world;our time, talent, stuff, even our family will some day be gone.

We cannot be assured by material reality that suffering and deprivation are not immanent. But, God’s grace is eternal. God's compassion for us is like that of a nursing mother toward her infant, (Isaiah 49:15) calling us to the reign of God where we receive faith and are cared for. In this reign of God we are freed from worry over that which is not permanent. We are freed to care for the other to reach out with what God has first given us so that others may have hope.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for freeing us by your grace, by this same grace empower us to serve others in your name. Through your Holy Spirit guide us in living under your reign, Loving you and loving others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

In Christ's love,

Pastor Tim