P asked, in regard to the proposed discussion of the ELCA's proposed statement on sexuality, why it is that we should bother. What's the point of the conversation?
1. Though I have personal and pastoral positions on issues such as (1) unconditional love for sinners of all kinds and (2) upholding God's created sexual standards, the way the "Big Church" deals with issues affects us in because we are part of the ELCA. Read my "Big Church" and "Bridge Inspection" posts for more on that.
2. The Bible speaks highly of Christians who "examined the scriptures every day" to see whether they were getting the right message from their church preachers and leader (Acts 17:11). We need to be discerning when we hear rumors. We need to check things out.
3. Though we feel uncomfortable with this topic, when society and families are endangered, many times through the misuse of sex, love commands us to be informed, to pray, repent, forgive, and do all we can to share unconditional love in a sometimes messy world.
4. Many folks from our church are interested in talking about this.
5. We can have influence, however small, in what the Big Church ELCA comes up with in their statement and their future policies as regards leadership and teaching.
Let me know, P, if I've stated "the point" in a helpful way.
-----------------------
Note added July 24, 2008: Some of my personal convictions on sexuality can be found in an Interview on Sexuality. I don't expect we'll all agree... for more on that read Fill in the ___.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Help Wanted
REVISED 1:00 p.m.
This morning I posted the following: I would like to put some things on the internet that are more permanent than what is appropriate for a blog. If you can help me know how to do this, please let me know.
Someone suggested using a "google" page and that's what I've done. You can find it here.
This morning I posted the following: I would like to put some things on the internet that are more permanent than what is appropriate for a blog. If you can help me know how to do this, please let me know.
Someone suggested using a "google" page and that's what I've done. You can find it here.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Living with Thorns
...the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word... Matthew 13:22
On Monday I ran some errands and on my way stopped in at the future Cokato Food Shelf building. W, T, and Pastor R were chatting in the front room. How big will the sign be? Should we be guided by Matthew 5:14-16 (let your light shine) or by Matthew 6:1-4 (keep it secret)? And what will we do with the front room when the food shelf isn’t open? How will God’s kingdom be expanded through this place?
On Monday I ran some errands and on my way stopped in at the future Cokato Food Shelf building. W, T, and Pastor R were chatting in the front room. How big will the sign be? Should we be guided by Matthew 5:14-16 (let your light shine) or by Matthew 6:1-4 (keep it secret)? And what will we do with the front room when the food shelf isn’t open? How will God’s kingdom be expanded through this place?
Two single working mothers asked for help today. How wonderful it was that I could refer them to the food shelf at Elim Mission Church and the “Save and Share Thrift Store” in the building behind “The Grounds” coffee shop. How excellent that generous people give to the ministerial association and our own church’s discretionary fund so we could help buy $4/gallon gas.
Later I shared worship with Cokato Manor residents, men and women who benefit from the care of an excellent staff. Every day I am thankful for this community. Every day I see how the Word of God is at work in many lives.
But what would happen if the Manor staff decided to get work based on how much it paid? And what if the volunteers and donors spent their time and money gambling or vacationing? It’s good to take some time off to rest and recharge, that’s true. But what if all the able bodied and secure went north in the summer and south in the winter? Tempting, isn’t it?
Chapter 13 of Matthew’s gospel, which we will read in church on Sunday, July 13, talks about the Word of God as a seed intended “produce a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times” what was planted. But there’s fierce competition! The Bible talks about two kinds: “the cares of the world” and “the lure of wealth.” Wealth isn’t just money. It’s the relaxation and escape money can buy.
The Word can be overgrown also with the “cares” or “worries” or “troubles” of this world. With food and fuel getting so expensive, low income people are especially overcome. One of the women today expressed lots of skepticism about the church. Are we really as caring as God says? Or is the church overrun with judgmental attitudes? I had to admit that yes, thorny sinners abound even at church.
So, seeing that the thorns are there, and, being aware of them, will we continue to bear fruit just the same? Jesus worked among people no better and no worse than we. And he was tempted, it says, just as we are! Yet he was willing to do whatever was needed. Are Christians thankful, generous followers of that Lord?
In this world, we will always live with thorns of fear and thorns of greed. But as we open our hearts to our precious Lord, who promises us security in God’s Kingdom, we can continue to share, burdens and resources, and many can be saved.
Please be in prayer for the weak, the ill, and for all single mothers and fathers. And pray that all Christian hearts would stay open and soft to what God wants to be doing in our midst.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Internet First
Our church office manager sent me an email last week reminding me about the August Pulse* deadline. Well, this is my Pulse article for August. But I'm putting it up on the internet first.
Those of you who are reading this on paper that has been printed and mailed from the office are receiving this at least 23 days after it was written. I'm asking our church office staff to simply copy these words from my blog and put them in the Pulse. Those of you who are reading this on line will notice I am writing this mainly for those who rely on the mailed newsletter.
When pastors write, we hearken back to a tradition that began in Bible times. I think particularly of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 3, he said that reading what he had written would make it possible to understand his "insight into the mystery of Christ" (v. 4). In another place, Paul commands that his letters be read (Colossians 4:16).
What I write isn't the Word of God, so I won't make demands. But I do hope you won't ignore what I write. I do have a key role in this congregation and community, and hopefully, at least part of what I write is worth reading.
The amazing thing about the inter-net is that it is inter-active. The Pulse might be helpful, but responding or replying is so easy on the internet. At least that's true for those who use email and etc. But THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT to use the internet! Everything on the internet can be printed on paper for you to read.
I am, however, writing on the internet first. So far I have published 40 articles on all kinds of subjects, some short, some longer. We're printing them out and putting them in a notebook here at church. I've written about the synod assembly, mental health, liturgy, social ministry, the Apostolic Lutheran church, sexuality, climate change, prayer, how God provides for our needs and many other topics. If you want to get these articles mailed to you, just ask!
I foresee that more and more, we'll be putting things on the internet first. But, as long as I am pastor here, we will always provide them on paper upon request.
The internet, however, can never replace human community. So we gather for worship, every week, to learn God's love and share that love with one another. If you cannot gather, let us know and we will come to you.
Sincerely, in Jesus,
Pastor Steve Thorson
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Cokato, MN
----------
*The Parish Pulse is our church's newsletter. This post is written to be printed there.
Those of you who are reading this on paper that has been printed and mailed from the office are receiving this at least 23 days after it was written. I'm asking our church office staff to simply copy these words from my blog and put them in the Pulse. Those of you who are reading this on line will notice I am writing this mainly for those who rely on the mailed newsletter.
When pastors write, we hearken back to a tradition that began in Bible times. I think particularly of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 3, he said that reading what he had written would make it possible to understand his "insight into the mystery of Christ" (v. 4). In another place, Paul commands that his letters be read (Colossians 4:16).
What I write isn't the Word of God, so I won't make demands. But I do hope you won't ignore what I write. I do have a key role in this congregation and community, and hopefully, at least part of what I write is worth reading.
The amazing thing about the inter-net is that it is inter-active. The Pulse might be helpful, but responding or replying is so easy on the internet. At least that's true for those who use email and etc. But THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT to use the internet! Everything on the internet can be printed on paper for you to read.
I am, however, writing on the internet first. So far I have published 40 articles on all kinds of subjects, some short, some longer. We're printing them out and putting them in a notebook here at church. I've written about the synod assembly, mental health, liturgy, social ministry, the Apostolic Lutheran church, sexuality, climate change, prayer, how God provides for our needs and many other topics. If you want to get these articles mailed to you, just ask!
I foresee that more and more, we'll be putting things on the internet first. But, as long as I am pastor here, we will always provide them on paper upon request.
The internet, however, can never replace human community. So we gather for worship, every week, to learn God's love and share that love with one another. If you cannot gather, let us know and we will come to you.
Sincerely, in Jesus,
Pastor Steve Thorson
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Cokato, MN
----------
*The Parish Pulse is our church's newsletter. This post is written to be printed there.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Big Sort
I've often said one of the reasons I love living in smaller towns like Cokato is that we have, in church and community, more diversity than what one might first expect. A book by Bill Bishop called _The Big Sort_ talks about how how people cluster into communities of like mindedness. I think our church has quite a bit of diversity in it, and I find that quite invigorating. A question, however, is whether can talk together about important things? I found an NPR radio show on this subject fascinating. A link is here.
ELCA Sexuality Discussion
If you would like to discuss the ELCA's Proposed Statement on Human Sexuality on Sunday mornings, 9:40-10:20, let Nate, Paul or myself know. I've written a brief comment on this subject in Don't Forget the Kids.
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See an announcement on this by clicking here.
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See an announcement on this by clicking here.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Fifty to Five-thousand
Maybe there were a few more than 50 worshiping at 8:30 at our church this morning. Maybe there were slightly fewer than 5,000 at the Laestadian Lutheran "Summer Services." But I had to park a long way from the door and had a hard time finding a seat in the quadruple size high school gym where the "Summer Services" were being held -- and lots more people were milling about and gathering in other rooms where video feeds were playing the same sermons. I left intern Paul Gustafson to lead our 10:30 contemporary worship and went to what must be described as a cross-cultural experience.
I heard three sermons and four hymns between 10:30 and 1:00 at the "summer services." The sermons were based on the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), Jesus coming to the disciples in the storm (Matthew 14:22-34) and God's providing for Elijah when he was ready to give up (First Kings 19). I'd guess the sermons lasted 45 minutes and the hymns (except the last one) had about 10 verses each.
At the Laestadian summer services, there was a great emphasis faith and on God's grace for sinners. The huge emphasis seemed to be on staying together in God's kingdom. God's kingdom was described as a congregation where at least 2-3 of "God's children" are gathered to hear and believe God's Word. The final preacher wept as he said how he knew some would drift away before the 2009 "summer services." The people were warned against listening to the preaching of the "threefold enemy"--our sinful self, the "world," and the devil.
A lot more could be said about the "Apostolic" or "Laestadian" Lutherans. All this is pretty new to me as I've only been in the Cokato area for 3 years. There was a pretty good article you could access by clicking here (on Wikipedia). "Apostolic" Lutherans are those who follow the teachings and belief of Lars Levi Laestadius, a pastor who served on the border of Sweden and Finland in the mid 1800s.
So why so few at our church and so many at the Laestadian "Summer Services"? What do you think? Let me know by emailing me at steve@equalsharing.com or by making a "comment" below. Thanks.
--------------------------
* corrected email address as of April 9, 2012
------------------
From the article on the Apostolic Lutherans in America on Wikipedia, retrieved today.
NOTE: I have replaced the term "Laestadian" with Apostolic Lutheran in italics because in the Cokato area that is more commonly used. In our area "Laestadian" is used only for certain Apostolic Lutherans that are members of a particular local Apostolic Lutheran congregation.
Beliefs and Characteristics
American Apostolic Lutherans practice varied degrees of fundamentalist Christian belief. Most avoid alcohol; varying numbers of adherents avoid a number of "worldly" practices, including dancing, card-playing, cinema, television, high-school sports, popular music, and the performing arts (listed in approximate order of avoidance). However, caffeine is widely consumed and tobacco is generally tolerated. Family size tends to be large compared to the American average; most families in non-urban congregations have between 4 and 10 children, while most churches have a few families with 12 or 15 children. Birth control is generally not practiced, and some consider it a sin (although as on most issues, urbanites tend to be more liberal than rural adherents).
Apostolic Lutheran asceticism is distinguished from other American fundamentalist Christians in that none of the above-mentioned pastimes is officially proscribed; rather, Apostolic Lutherans counsel each other and employ a reinforcing system of social feedback to encourage abstention. Active congregations provide social outlets in keeping with the beliefs of the church; nearly every weekend evening will find Apostolic Lutheran teenagers congregating at one or another's home (get-together).
Apostolic Lutheran churches teach that every human is a sinner and that every sin can be forgiven; forgiveness stems from the hearts of Apostolic Lutherans, not from ceremony or hierarchy. Some Apostolic Lutherans practice lay confession whereby a member confesses to another member; in the Heidemanian** tradition, some vestige of this practice remains in the liturgy but confession is not widely practiced.
Some Apostolic Lutheran congregations consider themselves the one, true Christian church, and preach that all other Christian churches (including other branches of the Apostolic Lutheran tradition) are not true Christians.
Ceremony and Service in the Heidemanian** tradition
American Apostolic Lutheran churches provide services in Finnish to varying degrees; in some churches circa 2000, every service is bilingual, while in others only special occasions merit translation, and in yet others all preaching is done in English. In any case, an Apostolic Lutheran may request to receive Communion in Finnish; another lay member of the congregation can deliver Communion if the pastor is not fluent. Communion is the only regularly practiced ceremony (performed once or twice a month, or every week, depending on congregation), and consists of unleavened wafers and wine (sometimes grape juice), delivered assembly-line fashion at a communion rail at the conclusion of Sunday services.
Teenagers undergo Confirmation around age 13 to 15, after which they are eligible for communion. Other significant life ceremonies are baptism (performed during the first months of life, and rarely for adult converts) and marriage.
...Apostolic Lutheran bodies hold "big services," in which members of multiple congregations gather in one location to hear speakers from the United States and from Scandinavia (if they have a cooperating European counterpart).
History
The Laestadian church arrived in North America with Nordic (especially Finnish) immigrants in the latter half of the 19th century, many of whom arrived to work in the copper mines of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Some of these new immigrants found themselves in conflict with older, established immigrants from the same countries, being generally poorer and less established, and hewing to the new, fundamentalist teachings of Lars Levi Laestadius. As a result, Apostolic Lutheran congregations separate from the extant Scandinavian Lutheran churches were formed in Cokato, Minnesota, in 1872 and in Calumet, Michigan, in 1873.
As of 2000, the following Apostolic Lutheran church bodies are believed to be active in the United States: First Apostolic Lutheran Church, Laestadian Lutheran Church, Apostolic Lutheran Church of America, Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, Finnish Apostolic-Lutheran Congregation, Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church.
-----------
**What is the Heidemanian tradition?
The following quote is from a paper on Disputes and Divisions (page 50) among Apostolic Lutherans. The article talks about how strict obedience to the decisions of its meetings as the “decisions of the Holy Spirit" is demanded by Apostolic Lutherans known as "Heidemanians."
"...The humility of children is the acceptance of all things from the hand of God, who in the fellowship of His kingdom cares for His own. The humility of a child of God is total acceptance of the voice of His Spirit, which speaks through the mouths of the previously believing. ‘He that heareth thee, heareth me.’ The true humility of a child is realized obedience to the voice of the congregation, the kingdom, and ‘Mother’ of us all. ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God among men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God’ Rev. 21:3. This is why Paul calls the kingdom, the congregation, ‘the ground and pillar of truth.’ The Spirit of God, which dwells in the kingdom, the communion of saints, the holy congregation, is an unerring, infallible Teacher; for Jesus says: ‘It shall lead you unto all truth.’"
-----------
Revised Monday, 9:30 a.m.
I heard three sermons and four hymns between 10:30 and 1:00 at the "summer services." The sermons were based on the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), Jesus coming to the disciples in the storm (Matthew 14:22-34) and God's providing for Elijah when he was ready to give up (First Kings 19). I'd guess the sermons lasted 45 minutes and the hymns (except the last one) had about 10 verses each.
At the Laestadian summer services, there was a great emphasis faith and on God's grace for sinners. The huge emphasis seemed to be on staying together in God's kingdom. God's kingdom was described as a congregation where at least 2-3 of "God's children" are gathered to hear and believe God's Word. The final preacher wept as he said how he knew some would drift away before the 2009 "summer services." The people were warned against listening to the preaching of the "threefold enemy"--our sinful self, the "world," and the devil.
A lot more could be said about the "Apostolic" or "Laestadian" Lutherans. All this is pretty new to me as I've only been in the Cokato area for 3 years. There was a pretty good article you could access by clicking here (on Wikipedia). "Apostolic" Lutherans are those who follow the teachings and belief of Lars Levi Laestadius, a pastor who served on the border of Sweden and Finland in the mid 1800s.
So why so few at our church and so many at the Laestadian "Summer Services"? What do you think? Let me know by emailing me at steve@equalsharing.com or by making a "comment" below. Thanks.
--------------------------
* corrected email address as of April 9, 2012
------------------
From the article on the Apostolic Lutherans in America on Wikipedia, retrieved today.
NOTE: I have replaced the term "Laestadian" with Apostolic Lutheran in italics because in the Cokato area that is more commonly used. In our area "Laestadian" is used only for certain Apostolic Lutherans that are members of a particular local Apostolic Lutheran congregation.
Beliefs and Characteristics
American Apostolic Lutherans practice varied degrees of fundamentalist Christian belief. Most avoid alcohol; varying numbers of adherents avoid a number of "worldly" practices, including dancing, card-playing, cinema, television, high-school sports, popular music, and the performing arts (listed in approximate order of avoidance). However, caffeine is widely consumed and tobacco is generally tolerated. Family size tends to be large compared to the American average; most families in non-urban congregations have between 4 and 10 children, while most churches have a few families with 12 or 15 children. Birth control is generally not practiced, and some consider it a sin (although as on most issues, urbanites tend to be more liberal than rural adherents).
Apostolic Lutheran asceticism is distinguished from other American fundamentalist Christians in that none of the above-mentioned pastimes is officially proscribed; rather, Apostolic Lutherans counsel each other and employ a reinforcing system of social feedback to encourage abstention. Active congregations provide social outlets in keeping with the beliefs of the church; nearly every weekend evening will find Apostolic Lutheran teenagers congregating at one or another's home (get-together).
Apostolic Lutheran churches teach that every human is a sinner and that every sin can be forgiven; forgiveness stems from the hearts of Apostolic Lutherans, not from ceremony or hierarchy. Some Apostolic Lutherans practice lay confession whereby a member confesses to another member; in the Heidemanian** tradition, some vestige of this practice remains in the liturgy but confession is not widely practiced.
Some Apostolic Lutheran congregations consider themselves the one, true Christian church, and preach that all other Christian churches (including other branches of the Apostolic Lutheran tradition) are not true Christians.
Ceremony and Service in the Heidemanian** tradition
American Apostolic Lutheran churches provide services in Finnish to varying degrees; in some churches circa 2000, every service is bilingual, while in others only special occasions merit translation, and in yet others all preaching is done in English. In any case, an Apostolic Lutheran may request to receive Communion in Finnish; another lay member of the congregation can deliver Communion if the pastor is not fluent. Communion is the only regularly practiced ceremony (performed once or twice a month, or every week, depending on congregation), and consists of unleavened wafers and wine (sometimes grape juice), delivered assembly-line fashion at a communion rail at the conclusion of Sunday services.
Teenagers undergo Confirmation around age 13 to 15, after which they are eligible for communion. Other significant life ceremonies are baptism (performed during the first months of life, and rarely for adult converts) and marriage.
...Apostolic Lutheran bodies hold "big services," in which members of multiple congregations gather in one location to hear speakers from the United States and from Scandinavia (if they have a cooperating European counterpart).
History
The Laestadian church arrived in North America with Nordic (especially Finnish) immigrants in the latter half of the 19th century, many of whom arrived to work in the copper mines of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Some of these new immigrants found themselves in conflict with older, established immigrants from the same countries, being generally poorer and less established, and hewing to the new, fundamentalist teachings of Lars Levi Laestadius. As a result, Apostolic Lutheran congregations separate from the extant Scandinavian Lutheran churches were formed in Cokato, Minnesota, in 1872 and in Calumet, Michigan, in 1873.
As of 2000, the following Apostolic Lutheran church bodies are believed to be active in the United States: First Apostolic Lutheran Church, Laestadian Lutheran Church, Apostolic Lutheran Church of America, Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, Finnish Apostolic-Lutheran Congregation, Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church.
-----------
**What is the Heidemanian tradition?
The following quote is from a paper on Disputes and Divisions (page 50) among Apostolic Lutherans. The article talks about how strict obedience to the decisions of its meetings as the “decisions of the Holy Spirit" is demanded by Apostolic Lutherans known as "Heidemanians."
"...The humility of children is the acceptance of all things from the hand of God, who in the fellowship of His kingdom cares for His own. The humility of a child of God is total acceptance of the voice of His Spirit, which speaks through the mouths of the previously believing. ‘He that heareth thee, heareth me.’ The true humility of a child is realized obedience to the voice of the congregation, the kingdom, and ‘Mother’ of us all. ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God among men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God’ Rev. 21:3. This is why Paul calls the kingdom, the congregation, ‘the ground and pillar of truth.’ The Spirit of God, which dwells in the kingdom, the communion of saints, the holy congregation, is an unerring, infallible Teacher; for Jesus says: ‘It shall lead you unto all truth.’"
-----------
Revised Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Change? Me?
Almost time to go home. Having these days with family has been great. A lovely time of renewing relationships and sharing. Songs and prayers blend seamlessly with fun and relaxation. Unforgettable.
Tonight on our way home we'll see "The Singing Revolution" a film showing how freedom came to the Baltic countries after years of Soviet domination. It's at the Lagoon Theater near Hennepin and Lake in "uptown" Minneapolis for a week or so.
I had the opportunity to visit the southernmost of the Baltics in May. Lithuania is pressed up against repressive Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Until the early 1990s it was behind the "iron curtain." It's better there now, but the people know what it is like to suffer and live in fear.
While there I spent some extraordinary days with my daughter Naomi. She had just finished a semester studying at LCC International University, one of the positive agents of change in the former Soviet bloc. During her time at LCC she was part of a group Bible study. The topic: Matthew 5-7, Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount."
Click here and you'll go to the part of Naomi's blog where she quotes her Bible study leader who said: "I hope this study of Matthew changes your life... it's well and good to read the Bible for knowledge, but that's not enough..." I'd encourage you to read that blog entry, and other parts of her amazing experience in that far "corner" of the world.
Travel, like reading and studying the scriptures is intended to bring change to our lives. It's not just tourism or recreation. God continues to change me and I hope you'll allow him to do the same.
Naomi writes: What is the Sermon on the Mount all about anyway? It's about the Kingdom of God, and bringing it to earth. The Kingdom of God is full of "the least of these," the untouchables, the forgotten, the poor and the meek, the mourning and the persecuted...
As you read through Matthew's gospel, pray and ask God to make an impact on you through his Word. As Christ was not a mere tourist in this world, God calls us through this Sermon to truly notice those around us, especially the least of these, and to notice how it is we live in relationship with them, near and far. Even in small places like Dassel, Cokato, and Lithuania.
Tonight on our way home we'll see "The Singing Revolution" a film showing how freedom came to the Baltic countries after years of Soviet domination. It's at the Lagoon Theater near Hennepin and Lake in "uptown" Minneapolis for a week or so.
I had the opportunity to visit the southernmost of the Baltics in May. Lithuania is pressed up against repressive Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Until the early 1990s it was behind the "iron curtain." It's better there now, but the people know what it is like to suffer and live in fear.
While there I spent some extraordinary days with my daughter Naomi. She had just finished a semester studying at LCC International University, one of the positive agents of change in the former Soviet bloc. During her time at LCC she was part of a group Bible study. The topic: Matthew 5-7, Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount."
Click here and you'll go to the part of Naomi's blog where she quotes her Bible study leader who said: "I hope this study of Matthew changes your life... it's well and good to read the Bible for knowledge, but that's not enough..." I'd encourage you to read that blog entry, and other parts of her amazing experience in that far "corner" of the world.
Travel, like reading and studying the scriptures is intended to bring change to our lives. It's not just tourism or recreation. God continues to change me and I hope you'll allow him to do the same.
Naomi writes: What is the Sermon on the Mount all about anyway? It's about the Kingdom of God, and bringing it to earth. The Kingdom of God is full of "the least of these," the untouchables, the forgotten, the poor and the meek, the mourning and the persecuted...
As you read through Matthew's gospel, pray and ask God to make an impact on you through his Word. As Christ was not a mere tourist in this world, God calls us through this Sermon to truly notice those around us, especially the least of these, and to notice how it is we live in relationship with them, near and far. Even in small places like Dassel, Cokato, and Lithuania.
Friday, July 4, 2008
God's Blessed Boundaries
There's nothing like early morning at the lake. I didn't plan on getting up at 5, but now that I'm up I'm thankful. I'm also trying to be as quiet as I can so the other 15 people (and 1 dog) can sleep. I went out on the dock awhile ago to watch the mist rise and now am sitting where I can see the pale pinkish orange sheen on the water. The sun will be up soon.
Before bed I looked at Matthew 4. It reminds me of other verses. From Hebrews 4, Jesus was tempted as we are, yet without sin and from Psalm 19 my boundaries enclose a pleasant land.
I remember years ago someone asked whether it's harder to know God's will or to do it. The devil can work either way, confusing us as to what God wants _and_ at the same time, telling us it's okay to get more. And there is no area of life that the devil doesn't attack.
(The sun has just poked over the horizon - 5:33 a.m. - what a transformation!)
The three temptations might be summarized as "appetite," "fear," and "power." The first is physical desires that go beyond God's good plan - it was God's plan to provide for Jesus' time in the wilderness. Fear makes us unwilling to trust God. The devil would have us only trust those promises we ourselves have already tested. The third temptation would bypass God's glorious way of saving sinners - a plan that would first lead to humiliation and the cross.
In so many ways I am tempted every day. I want to go beyond the boundaries God has set. My appetites know no natural limit - if I conquer one another rises. Instead of accepting the quiet assurances that God will never leave nor forsake me in the next days and years, I retreat to the familar past. And I do not want humiliation or suffering even when I preach the outcome of faith - resurrection and blessing forevermore.
We're approaching a boundary - the end of vacation will come in about 24 hours. I pray that we might all trust that even that boundary is set by the Lord, and that He wants to bless us as we live within his plan.
Before bed I looked at Matthew 4. It reminds me of other verses. From Hebrews 4, Jesus was tempted as we are, yet without sin and from Psalm 19 my boundaries enclose a pleasant land.
I remember years ago someone asked whether it's harder to know God's will or to do it. The devil can work either way, confusing us as to what God wants _and_ at the same time, telling us it's okay to get more. And there is no area of life that the devil doesn't attack.
(The sun has just poked over the horizon - 5:33 a.m. - what a transformation!)
The three temptations might be summarized as "appetite," "fear," and "power." The first is physical desires that go beyond God's good plan - it was God's plan to provide for Jesus' time in the wilderness. Fear makes us unwilling to trust God. The devil would have us only trust those promises we ourselves have already tested. The third temptation would bypass God's glorious way of saving sinners - a plan that would first lead to humiliation and the cross.
In so many ways I am tempted every day. I want to go beyond the boundaries God has set. My appetites know no natural limit - if I conquer one another rises. Instead of accepting the quiet assurances that God will never leave nor forsake me in the next days and years, I retreat to the familar past. And I do not want humiliation or suffering even when I preach the outcome of faith - resurrection and blessing forevermore.
We're approaching a boundary - the end of vacation will come in about 24 hours. I pray that we might all trust that even that boundary is set by the Lord, and that He wants to bless us as we live within his plan.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Healing Scummy Relationships
It's a beautiful day at Durphee Lake. In the shiny screen reflection of Daniel's notebook computer screen I see the sky and trees. I spent part of this morning hauling waterweed up from the beach where it washed up. Good exercise!
The lake is quite calm and the water is nice and clear. Probably a bit more than a half mile long and wide, it's not a lake for powerboats. There is a nice sand bottom and the weeds aren't rooted here. They just blew over yesterday when we had some high wind. They'll be gone soon.
The Dahlins tell of a time, many years ago, when they thought the lake was done for. There were cranberries being raised on farms at both ends of the lake. One of the farms used to pump water from the lake to flood the bogs to protect them from frost. The excess water, full of fertilizers, would drain back. Toni's dad says that the whole lake was covered with "solid scum" in the summer of 1965, a couple of years after they bought the cabin.
You might imagine that lake cabin owners, including my in laws, were quite unhappy. Fortunately, the cranberry farm family saw what it was doing to the lake and stopped the pumping. Over a period of years, the lake healed. Now, 40 years later, hard feelings between farmer and cabin owners are gone.
The health of this lake today is a wonderful reminder of the power of repentance. It takes recognizing error and living a new way. Because of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who takes away our sin, everything can be clean. Even scummy human relationships can begin to heal.
It's good when people realize what they are doing and repent. Repentance means admiting the wrong and changing one's way of life. It's repentance that John the Baptist calls for in Matthew 3. As we read Matthew this month, let's consider what God wants to heal in our lives, our relationships, and in the world God loves so much.
The lake is quite calm and the water is nice and clear. Probably a bit more than a half mile long and wide, it's not a lake for powerboats. There is a nice sand bottom and the weeds aren't rooted here. They just blew over yesterday when we had some high wind. They'll be gone soon.
The Dahlins tell of a time, many years ago, when they thought the lake was done for. There were cranberries being raised on farms at both ends of the lake. One of the farms used to pump water from the lake to flood the bogs to protect them from frost. The excess water, full of fertilizers, would drain back. Toni's dad says that the whole lake was covered with "solid scum" in the summer of 1965, a couple of years after they bought the cabin.
You might imagine that lake cabin owners, including my in laws, were quite unhappy. Fortunately, the cranberry farm family saw what it was doing to the lake and stopped the pumping. Over a period of years, the lake healed. Now, 40 years later, hard feelings between farmer and cabin owners are gone.
The health of this lake today is a wonderful reminder of the power of repentance. It takes recognizing error and living a new way. Because of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who takes away our sin, everything can be clean. Even scummy human relationships can begin to heal.
It's good when people realize what they are doing and repent. Repentance means admiting the wrong and changing one's way of life. It's repentance that John the Baptist calls for in Matthew 3. As we read Matthew this month, let's consider what God wants to heal in our lives, our relationships, and in the world God loves so much.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Love & Duty
The first chapters of the New Testament tell how God came into this broken and suffering world. God came through, and in spite of, an ancient family. God chooses to bless right in the midst of sin, taking our flesh upon himself through the virgin Mary. The fullfillment of God's plan in Jesus Christ is the main point.
As as sidelight, I find it interesting that Matthew's Gospel begins with the focus on Joseph. Jesus' step-father does his duty and loves his wife and child. Joseph remained faithful to his wife and her son, doing what he needed to do to keep them safe. Of course, the Lord guided him, but he had to be willing to accept the Lord's will.
In a very human way, this is amazing because it says that Joseph waited to have intimate sexual relations with Mary until a time after Jesus was born. Maybe it was different in those days, but because men are pretty much the same biologically now as ever, it's my guess that sexual fulfillment was just as important for Joseph as it is for men today. The book His Needs, Her Needs claims that its a top "need" for men in marriage - but somehow Joseph was willing to wait.
The Lord commands men to "love their wives." This "love" is to be a self-giving love instead of a way that men get what they want from women. Joseph can be an example for us because sometimes there are long periods of waiting--and not only for sexual fulfillment. Men and women often need to wait and continue to love their mates through periods when we are less than fulfilled. In this way we can be a blessing to our children and beyond.
As as sidelight, I find it interesting that Matthew's Gospel begins with the focus on Joseph. Jesus' step-father does his duty and loves his wife and child. Joseph remained faithful to his wife and her son, doing what he needed to do to keep them safe. Of course, the Lord guided him, but he had to be willing to accept the Lord's will.
In a very human way, this is amazing because it says that Joseph waited to have intimate sexual relations with Mary until a time after Jesus was born. Maybe it was different in those days, but because men are pretty much the same biologically now as ever, it's my guess that sexual fulfillment was just as important for Joseph as it is for men today. The book His Needs, Her Needs claims that its a top "need" for men in marriage - but somehow Joseph was willing to wait.
The Lord commands men to "love their wives." This "love" is to be a self-giving love instead of a way that men get what they want from women. Joseph can be an example for us because sometimes there are long periods of waiting--and not only for sexual fulfillment. Men and women often need to wait and continue to love their mates through periods when we are less than fulfilled. In this way we can be a blessing to our children and beyond.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
How It's Supposed to Be
Those who were in church on Sunday heard the challenge to read the book of Matthew during July. I encouraged people not to ignore the difficult parts. Chapter 1 has its geneology, and that's one of those spots not to skip.
Though I'm not a total literalist when it comes to the Bible, I do believe everything in the Bible is there for a reason, because the creator of all things, God Himself, wants it that way. But it does take some work to understand things, and Matthew 1 is a perfect example. If we really want to know what's going on, we need to know who those people are who are listed in that geneology.
Joanna, my niece, asked me this morning if I was familar with a "Chronological Bible." Yes, I've heard of them, but never looked at one. It's been put together as a way of helping people understand, for example, what the connections are between prophets like Amos and Jeremiah and the particular historical and political situation that are recorded in historical books like First and Second Kings. Where biblical historians an interpreters differ, she says the chronological Bible notes this somewhere.
But the Bible itself is put together more like a library. It's not wholly chronological. Matthew doesn't happen before Mark. Some of the books (like the prophets and Paul's letters) are simply put in the order they are because they are longer or shorter than the ones before and after.
God wants us to use our brains to do our best to discern what God is doing and what He is saying to us as we read along. That does mean, however, that we need to reference various parts to understand, instead of just skipping over what's not so easy to understand. As we use our brains, and talk together with scholars and teachers, we will learn more of what God wants us to learn, as we grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Though I'm not a total literalist when it comes to the Bible, I do believe everything in the Bible is there for a reason, because the creator of all things, God Himself, wants it that way. But it does take some work to understand things, and Matthew 1 is a perfect example. If we really want to know what's going on, we need to know who those people are who are listed in that geneology.
Joanna, my niece, asked me this morning if I was familar with a "Chronological Bible." Yes, I've heard of them, but never looked at one. It's been put together as a way of helping people understand, for example, what the connections are between prophets like Amos and Jeremiah and the particular historical and political situation that are recorded in historical books like First and Second Kings. Where biblical historians an interpreters differ, she says the chronological Bible notes this somewhere.
But the Bible itself is put together more like a library. It's not wholly chronological. Matthew doesn't happen before Mark. Some of the books (like the prophets and Paul's letters) are simply put in the order they are because they are longer or shorter than the ones before and after.
God wants us to use our brains to do our best to discern what God is doing and what He is saying to us as we read along. That does mean, however, that we need to reference various parts to understand, instead of just skipping over what's not so easy to understand. As we use our brains, and talk together with scholars and teachers, we will learn more of what God wants us to learn, as we grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.
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