“Now faith is the belief in that which you cannot see and the confidence in that which is yet to be.” —Hebrews 11:1
Faith is a gift. You cannot conjure it up – or create it yourself. We all have faith. Some have taken their gift of faith, unwrapped it, used it, cleaned it and then used it again. Others just put the pretty box on a shelf and dust it now and then. Some just can’t believe that the gift is really for them! And still others tossed the gift aside rejecting the gift all together, but it follows them.
You may not be able to see it, but faith is there. Thanks to Jesus who promises us the gift of eternal life – a gift of faith.
Use your faith!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Depression, Recession... What To do?
I remember as a college student doing a special report for my history class about the depression of the 30’s. I remember interviewing my grandfather and thinking that it was all so very unbelievable. I remember thinking, “Well, we’ve fixed all that and it will never happen again.”
Yesterday, we got the news that Texas would be among the states that would rebound faster – from this ‘recession’. Banks may fail. Car companies may declare bankruptcy. Vast numbers of people may be laid off. But, we will rebound.
My grandfather told me that in his day, as a young father and dried out farmer, all he could do to feed his family was to work for the government driving a wagon. He only got the job because he had a good stubborn mule. He worked hard, saved his dignity, and prayed. He stayed faithful to Turkey Valley Lutheran Church at his home in Irene, South Dakota.
I have looked to find information about what the churches did during the Great Depression. I really can’t find anything different. They seemed to keep on doing what they were doing. They preached the good news and they loved their neighbor. They helped each other. They fed the hungry. They worshiped, and taught their children. They baptized, and buried.
What kind of Stewardship message does the church in financial crises need to hear? I believe that we need to hear that God continues to call us to administer the sacraments, love our neighbor, and preach the good news. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Today, is no different.
Yesterday, we got the news that Texas would be among the states that would rebound faster – from this ‘recession’. Banks may fail. Car companies may declare bankruptcy. Vast numbers of people may be laid off. But, we will rebound.
My grandfather told me that in his day, as a young father and dried out farmer, all he could do to feed his family was to work for the government driving a wagon. He only got the job because he had a good stubborn mule. He worked hard, saved his dignity, and prayed. He stayed faithful to Turkey Valley Lutheran Church at his home in Irene, South Dakota.
I have looked to find information about what the churches did during the Great Depression. I really can’t find anything different. They seemed to keep on doing what they were doing. They preached the good news and they loved their neighbor. They helped each other. They fed the hungry. They worshiped, and taught their children. They baptized, and buried.
What kind of Stewardship message does the church in financial crises need to hear? I believe that we need to hear that God continues to call us to administer the sacraments, love our neighbor, and preach the good news. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Today, is no different.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
ACTS
Acts. I have been studying the book of Acts with two different bible studies this past month. While it is labeled the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ it is said that it really should be called the ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’. The book reads like a great mystery novel. Will the followers of the Way make it? Will they reach the ends of the earth? Will Gentiles be welcomed? Will Paul see Rome? Will Caesar be converted? It is a book of the early church. It is a study of the early believers striving to be faithful followers of the ways of Jesus. I think we could all use a reminder of the first church and of the things that we too should strive for; fellowship, table, baptism, study and prayer. It is not easy to be the church, but as those first believers discovered, we are not alone.
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” —Acts 4:32-33
Pastor Lynnae
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” —Acts 4:32-33
Pastor Lynnae
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Summer Vacation
When did I start to not think of the entire summer as vacation?
I know as a child that was my joy. That the whole summer was vacation and that I was going to play every day! Suddenly, I’ve grown up. Summer now consists of regular work days with a planned vacation somewhere in the middle of it all. The days seem to be long and, of course, hot.
As the seasons turn, I don’t see summer in the same bright light that I used to. In an attempt to re-capture our child like understanding of summer – we at Abiding Love introduce the Summer Styles of Worship Celebrations! Each Sunday at the 11:00 service we will explore an emerging worship style. You won’t want to miss it! It will be designed to touch your heart and soul. As you see summer approaching, remember; God vacations with us!
See you in church!
Pastor Lynnae
I know as a child that was my joy. That the whole summer was vacation and that I was going to play every day! Suddenly, I’ve grown up. Summer now consists of regular work days with a planned vacation somewhere in the middle of it all. The days seem to be long and, of course, hot.
As the seasons turn, I don’t see summer in the same bright light that I used to. In an attempt to re-capture our child like understanding of summer – we at Abiding Love introduce the Summer Styles of Worship Celebrations! Each Sunday at the 11:00 service we will explore an emerging worship style. You won’t want to miss it! It will be designed to touch your heart and soul. As you see summer approaching, remember; God vacations with us!
See you in church!
Pastor Lynnae
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Humility...
“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5
My grandmother used to say that she didn’t have wrinkles, she had laugh lines. In this world and time of ‘youthfulness’ and ‘Botox’, it is truly a counter cultural statement. No one wants wrinkles, but maybe we all need a few ‘laugh lines’. Humility is a quality that is often overlooked. Some think that humility is weak and powerless. Jesus showed us at the cross that what looks weak actually has the greatest power. Humility laughs in the face of pride and aggression. Humility probably gives a person many – lines.
Go ahead, laugh.
My grandmother used to say that she didn’t have wrinkles, she had laugh lines. In this world and time of ‘youthfulness’ and ‘Botox’, it is truly a counter cultural statement. No one wants wrinkles, but maybe we all need a few ‘laugh lines’. Humility is a quality that is often overlooked. Some think that humility is weak and powerless. Jesus showed us at the cross that what looks weak actually has the greatest power. Humility laughs in the face of pride and aggression. Humility probably gives a person many – lines.
Go ahead, laugh.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Jesus Justice Jazz
As the Senior High youth get ready to go to the ELCA National Gathering this July, they are studying the theme – “Jesus, Justice and Jazz”!! It’s easy to figure out how ‘Jazz’ fits the Gathering because it is being held in New Orleans! As the capital of jazz in the United States, New Orleans offers the variety and free spirit that are required by the unique style of jazz. Jazz also fits a spiritual mandate of community, cooperation and freedom. Did you know that in jazz music no one carries the melody line? Each instrument at one time or another plays a few notes of the melody, but the song only comes together when all the instruments play together. It is the same with the Christian Church and community. The Holy Spirit works in and around us to make beautiful music!
Justice is not a new theme for God’s faithful people. Justice is as old as Abraham and Sarah. “Compassionate justice” is a newer way of presenting the biblical theme of justice. In this day, too many people mix the judicial understanding of justice with the Godly understanding. To say ‘compassionate justice’ is to clarify that God’s justice is not always fair and that in God’s justice we find kindness and humility. As the Senior High youth prepare to go to New Orleans, we ask that you help us to learn of – ‘Jesus, Justice and Jazz’! Play on!
(Any who would like to donate monies to help a young person afford this spiritual journey, please let me know!)
Justice is not a new theme for God’s faithful people. Justice is as old as Abraham and Sarah. “Compassionate justice” is a newer way of presenting the biblical theme of justice. In this day, too many people mix the judicial understanding of justice with the Godly understanding. To say ‘compassionate justice’ is to clarify that God’s justice is not always fair and that in God’s justice we find kindness and humility. As the Senior High youth prepare to go to New Orleans, we ask that you help us to learn of – ‘Jesus, Justice and Jazz’! Play on!
(Any who would like to donate monies to help a young person afford this spiritual journey, please let me know!)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
In the Shadow of the Cross
Being plunged into darkness. That is what is happening. We are being plunged into darkness. We don’t generally go into darkness easily. It is natural to want to be in the light. Darkness is for sleeping. Darkness is for secrecy and underhandedness. As we prepare for Holy Week, we choose to step into darkness. At the shadow of the cross we stand.
Theologically, the last days of Jesus life on this earth were full of secrecy, underhandedness and shadows. To willingly go to that place in our own hearts where we confront the darkness of our own lives is to confront that which Jesus came to die for. It is for our sinful selves that Jesus took his place on the cross. We remember his life and death as we mark our own sin and confess our need for Jesus. The Gospel of Mark tells us that “darkness came over the whole land” at the death of Jesus. We know that darkness. We know that place where our sin and his grace meet – in the shadow of the cross.
Theologically, the last days of Jesus life on this earth were full of secrecy, underhandedness and shadows. To willingly go to that place in our own hearts where we confront the darkness of our own lives is to confront that which Jesus came to die for. It is for our sinful selves that Jesus took his place on the cross. We remember his life and death as we mark our own sin and confess our need for Jesus. The Gospel of Mark tells us that “darkness came over the whole land” at the death of Jesus. We know that darkness. We know that place where our sin and his grace meet – in the shadow of the cross.
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