I suppose that most of you, like me, are tired of seeing all the coverage of the tragedy in Newtown. I can't comprehend what anyone that is connected to that community and that school is going through. I don't want this blog to pile on concerning that incident, but I do want to respond to some things I've heard.
First continued thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the events on last Friday. I'm not interested in getting into a debate about gun control and our gun culture. That's something to be had at a later time. I will acknowledge that our nation does need to be a lot better about how we handle mental illness, but that topic isn't for this blog. What I want to talk a little bit about is how I see God working through all of this.
I've read a number of posts on Facebook and heard some commentators talk about how this is what we, and by we I mean the United States, get by taking God out of the schools and taking God out of our culture. Frankly that idea offends me. To think that God allowed this to happen, or even caused this to happen to show us as nation we've erred is horrifying to me. To think that God abandoned these kids and this community because we as a culture have abandoned God in some ways doesn't hold water with me. We can have a discussion about the consequences of pushing God further and further from our lives, and there are consequences to that, but I do not believe this incident is God trying to get our attention.
I firmly believe God was at Sandy Hook elementary that day. God is everywhere, and God has promised to never leave us or abandon us. News flash...the world is broken...breaking news...the world has always been broken. Since the beginning of time God has chosen to work with us through this mess we call life. God has allowed us free will, and has chosen to work within that free will to try and make this world as good as it can be. I do not know, or understand, why God allows free choice. I do not know why God allows such atrocities to happen since I believe God has the power to stop them. Sometimes bad things happen because we, and by we I mean us personally and us as a society, make bad choices. And sometimes bad things happen for no reason. I think it is a mistake to try and make sense out of the senseless. Sure there might be reasons for why this happened, and we should investigate what can be done to stop this from happening again. But, God did not abandon those kids and teachers at that school. I cannot and will not believe that. I believe that God has a plan for this world and for each of us. I believe it is our job, if you will, to try and follow that plan as best we are able. When horrible events happen I lean on my faith. That faith reminds me that God is always there, that God is in control (even if I don't understand why or see how), and that God will walk with us through it all.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Don't tell Tracy...
I love this time of year. You can feel the anticipation and the Christmas joy in the air. Each morning the boys get up and go on a desperate search to find Jasmine. Jasmine is our elf on a shelf. If you're not familiar with the elf on a shelf it is a personal elf that visits your house during the holiday season and reports to Santa each night if you were naughty or nice. Personally I think it's a brilliant discipline tool for at least one month out of the year. Those boys fear that elf, and what she might tell Santa more then their mom and dad. If I could come up with an elf on the shelf concept that lasted a whole year I'd be rich and maybe have better behaved kids!
I also love this time of year because it gets colder out and it is supposed to snow. I've always said if it has to be cold it might was well snow! Family traditions also make this time of year great too! From watching the Christmas stories on TV to waiting until Christmas to open your presents I really enjoy all of the family traditions surrounding this year and passing them onto my boys.
I also love the idea of Tracy starting a new tradition each year. Each year in November and early December Tracy tells me, "Let's not get each other anything for Christmas." I say, "ok sounds good"...knowing full well the boys had better get her something and that Santa had better come through too! An aside, Tracy's birthday is on the 23rd of December so we still get her birthday presents. I can expect this statement as I said in late November to early December. This year she tried a new twist to the tradition by saying we should take what we would have spent on each other and given it to some charity. I think what a great idea. We've also cut the presents the boys get from us back some for 2 reasons: 1) they have enough stuff already, and 2) we're going to take a few more small trips throughout the year where we can make memories as a family instead of spending money on stuff they'll use for a week and then forget they have.
Well Tracy's "new" tradition of not getting each other something lasted until last night. As we're unwinding after the boys are in bed she says, "I'd like a pair of those slippers that go up to my knees." I think to myself, I'd call those boots, but that's a different story for a different blog! I remind her that we weren't getting each other anything, and she replies, "well that's something Santa can bring me." HA, December 9th and the "new' tradition is dead!
As I said I love this time of year. No deep theological thoughts this week...just a reminder to start some family traditions of your own, and to spend some extra time with loved ones this Christmas season! And, if you're married and male, she wants something for Christmas even though she says she doesn't!
I also love this time of year because it gets colder out and it is supposed to snow. I've always said if it has to be cold it might was well snow! Family traditions also make this time of year great too! From watching the Christmas stories on TV to waiting until Christmas to open your presents I really enjoy all of the family traditions surrounding this year and passing them onto my boys.
I also love the idea of Tracy starting a new tradition each year. Each year in November and early December Tracy tells me, "Let's not get each other anything for Christmas." I say, "ok sounds good"...knowing full well the boys had better get her something and that Santa had better come through too! An aside, Tracy's birthday is on the 23rd of December so we still get her birthday presents. I can expect this statement as I said in late November to early December. This year she tried a new twist to the tradition by saying we should take what we would have spent on each other and given it to some charity. I think what a great idea. We've also cut the presents the boys get from us back some for 2 reasons: 1) they have enough stuff already, and 2) we're going to take a few more small trips throughout the year where we can make memories as a family instead of spending money on stuff they'll use for a week and then forget they have.
Well Tracy's "new" tradition of not getting each other something lasted until last night. As we're unwinding after the boys are in bed she says, "I'd like a pair of those slippers that go up to my knees." I think to myself, I'd call those boots, but that's a different story for a different blog! I remind her that we weren't getting each other anything, and she replies, "well that's something Santa can bring me." HA, December 9th and the "new' tradition is dead!
As I said I love this time of year. No deep theological thoughts this week...just a reminder to start some family traditions of your own, and to spend some extra time with loved ones this Christmas season! And, if you're married and male, she wants something for Christmas even though she says she doesn't!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Advent and hope
Sometimes I have to laugh at us ministers. We can get stuck on something and be ornery about stuff with the best of them. I'm part of a clergy group on Facebook and one discussion was about how some ministers dislike the Christmas decorations in the church during the season of Advent. Their contention is Christmas doesn't arrive until midnight on December 24th, and then we have 12 days to celebrate it. The discussion went on some with a few agreeing and a few disagreeing.
Technically I suppose Advent is not Christmas. Advent is the time of the year when we prepare for Christmas so to have the decorations up skips past any preparation. But, I love Christmas decorations...don't tell the misses because then I may have to do more in the decorating department...and I think we will miss a good chance to celebrate Christmas if we don't decorate or sing Christmas carols until Christmas and the 12 days after. Plus, we have been so ingrained to celebrate Christmas right after Thanksgiving and take all the decorations down right after Christmas I don't think we can change.
This discussion online got me thinking about how we treat Advent. The advent season is truly a great time of the year. The advent wreath and the traditions around it can truly keep is grounded and reminded of what Christmas is really about. This week we lit the candle of hope. Hope is something we all need. During my sermon on Sunday I talked about the hope we have in the return of Jesus. I mentioned that the promise of Jesus' return lets us know that things aren't always going to be like they are. Jesus has promised to come back one day and set up a new heaven and a new earth where everything is perfect. We waste our time predicting when that will happen. What these promises give us is hope in a better future, and also not knowing the time helps us to remember to live as though Jesus was coming back at any moment.
Does that sound like Advent and your life to you? Do you live following the commandments of Jesus to love others and be selfless and loving and forgiving as though He was coming back tomorrow to see how you did? I know I certainly don't. I can get so wrapped up in day to day activities that I lose sight of the big picture and hope is the farthest thing from my mind. Sometimes we get so busy with the minutia of life that we lose sight of what we're living for. We forget Jesus calls us to be his hands and feet in this world and that He gave us an example of how we should live our lives. Especially during this holiday season it is easy to get all caught up and forget to take a step back and truly look at how we live our lives and to be grateful for all we have. Will you try to find time this year to enjoy the advent season and truly anticipate the celebration of Jesus' birth? Will you share with family and friends the message of hope and remember that no matter life's circumstances there is a savior who loves you? Do that and you'll truly experience the joy and happiness of Jesus birth.
Technically I suppose Advent is not Christmas. Advent is the time of the year when we prepare for Christmas so to have the decorations up skips past any preparation. But, I love Christmas decorations...don't tell the misses because then I may have to do more in the decorating department...and I think we will miss a good chance to celebrate Christmas if we don't decorate or sing Christmas carols until Christmas and the 12 days after. Plus, we have been so ingrained to celebrate Christmas right after Thanksgiving and take all the decorations down right after Christmas I don't think we can change.
This discussion online got me thinking about how we treat Advent. The advent season is truly a great time of the year. The advent wreath and the traditions around it can truly keep is grounded and reminded of what Christmas is really about. This week we lit the candle of hope. Hope is something we all need. During my sermon on Sunday I talked about the hope we have in the return of Jesus. I mentioned that the promise of Jesus' return lets us know that things aren't always going to be like they are. Jesus has promised to come back one day and set up a new heaven and a new earth where everything is perfect. We waste our time predicting when that will happen. What these promises give us is hope in a better future, and also not knowing the time helps us to remember to live as though Jesus was coming back at any moment.
Does that sound like Advent and your life to you? Do you live following the commandments of Jesus to love others and be selfless and loving and forgiving as though He was coming back tomorrow to see how you did? I know I certainly don't. I can get so wrapped up in day to day activities that I lose sight of the big picture and hope is the farthest thing from my mind. Sometimes we get so busy with the minutia of life that we lose sight of what we're living for. We forget Jesus calls us to be his hands and feet in this world and that He gave us an example of how we should live our lives. Especially during this holiday season it is easy to get all caught up and forget to take a step back and truly look at how we live our lives and to be grateful for all we have. Will you try to find time this year to enjoy the advent season and truly anticipate the celebration of Jesus' birth? Will you share with family and friends the message of hope and remember that no matter life's circumstances there is a savior who loves you? Do that and you'll truly experience the joy and happiness of Jesus birth.
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Yucky Stuff
Well, it finally happened...I got the flu that had been going around our house. Isaac started it, passed it to Tracy, then Alex, and just when I thought I was in the clear wham-mo. Isaac and I got it the worst of course, so I'm sitting at home today recovering and thinking about the Yucky stuff...not only the flu, but some of the yucky stuff we're asked to do in life.
When I'm talking about the yucky stuff I'm talking about more then cleaning up after your kids when they just don't make it to the bathroom in time! Thanks Tracy for keeping the streak intact and taking another one for the team. What I mean about yucky stuff is all the behind the scene work that goes into making life, and more specifically our church work. You know, the behind the scenes stuff, the stuff that needs to be done but no one likes to do...the stuff you hardly ever get thanked for. Without someone willing to do the yucky stuff in our church life we would struggle to get as much done as a church family as we do. Think about the planning that goes into making sure we have lunch for the church sale or any dinner we host. How about the cleaning of the church, the refilling of the candles, the hanging of the banners, the making of desserts, the volunteering for children's sermon and church, the million other things that people step up and take care of without the thought of a thanks.
We as a church family are very good at stepping up when the need arises. We just completed another successful church auction and we've met the challenges of VBS and Sunday school and various other offerings our church has. I know I can't name everyone I'd like to thank, so I'm just going to say thank you to all who do the yucky stuff that holds our church together.
Now, just because we do have a good cast of characters who do the yucky stuff doesn't mean we couldn't do better. We're entering into the time of the year when positions on certain boards are going to need to be filled. Please prayerfully consider saying yes when called to serve. Also, we can always use more help with activities and pretty much anything else that is happening around the church. I know the yucky stuff isn't fun and glamorous all the time, but it is necessary and it is fulfilling work. So, I challenge you to step up and do volunteer for one more thing this coming year in the church life. Serve on a board, volunteer to help with an upcoming dinner, volunteer for a children's sermon or children's church, and let's see if we can't continue to grow our church family.
When I'm talking about the yucky stuff I'm talking about more then cleaning up after your kids when they just don't make it to the bathroom in time! Thanks Tracy for keeping the streak intact and taking another one for the team. What I mean about yucky stuff is all the behind the scene work that goes into making life, and more specifically our church work. You know, the behind the scenes stuff, the stuff that needs to be done but no one likes to do...the stuff you hardly ever get thanked for. Without someone willing to do the yucky stuff in our church life we would struggle to get as much done as a church family as we do. Think about the planning that goes into making sure we have lunch for the church sale or any dinner we host. How about the cleaning of the church, the refilling of the candles, the hanging of the banners, the making of desserts, the volunteering for children's sermon and church, the million other things that people step up and take care of without the thought of a thanks.
We as a church family are very good at stepping up when the need arises. We just completed another successful church auction and we've met the challenges of VBS and Sunday school and various other offerings our church has. I know I can't name everyone I'd like to thank, so I'm just going to say thank you to all who do the yucky stuff that holds our church together.
Now, just because we do have a good cast of characters who do the yucky stuff doesn't mean we couldn't do better. We're entering into the time of the year when positions on certain boards are going to need to be filled. Please prayerfully consider saying yes when called to serve. Also, we can always use more help with activities and pretty much anything else that is happening around the church. I know the yucky stuff isn't fun and glamorous all the time, but it is necessary and it is fulfilling work. So, I challenge you to step up and do volunteer for one more thing this coming year in the church life. Serve on a board, volunteer to help with an upcoming dinner, volunteer for a children's sermon or children's church, and let's see if we can't continue to grow our church family.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Hope
I can't wait for tomorrow...all of the robo calls and letters and political ads will be over, at least for 2 years or maybe 1 year...well at least for awhile. Man, if half of that money were used for education, food banks, infrastructure, but I digress. I'm not here to whine about the election and the 24 hr news cycle. I'm here to talk about a word that I think we all need to focus on a little more...hope.
I watch a television show on cable called "The Walking Dead." It is a story about a zombie apocalypse and a group of people trying to survive. The show isn't for the faint of heart, and in its third season it is going strong. After watching this past episode I think I might be done with the show. The show never has a good ending. There is no hope for the living in the show. I can predict each episode...survivors find safe place, zombies find survivors and another member of the group dies. The only thing that changes is the scenes are getting more and more gory. I know what you're saying..."It's a zombie apocalypse show what do you expect?" I guess what I expect, what I need to keep me engaged, is some hope. I need to see the survivors have a good day once. I need to feel that there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel. I don't get that from this show and I don't think I can stomach it anymore.
We need hope in our lives too. With the election coming up very shortly you hear doom and gloom scenarios from each side if they lose. One thing I can predict about the election is that for a lot of people the "right" person isn't going to win. So does that mean for those people who's candidate doesn't win there is no hope? The country is in a free fall to nothing? I don't believe that... no matter if the person I vote for wins or not. You see my hope isn't in this world. I know that there is more to this life then politics, career, pain, suffering, etc. This life is temporary. Of course I want my time on earth to be as comfortable and joyful as possible, but I also know everything will pale in comparison to eternity with Jesus.
I guess what I'm trying to say is we have hope. When we begin to believe there is no hope then life becomes too much to stomach. There is hope even when life might be tough right now. Hope for better days and a hope that stems from the promises of God to never leave your or forsake you. So when the next president is decided, when life throws you the next curve ball, when you begin to think that life is in a downward spiral remember you have someone willing to cry and suffer with you. You have a savior that has been through much more than you and truly knows how you feel. Remember that there are friends, family, and a community that is ready and willing to help walk with you through the dark times if you'll reach out and let them. Remember...we have hope that this life is temporary and better days are truly ahead.
I watch a television show on cable called "The Walking Dead." It is a story about a zombie apocalypse and a group of people trying to survive. The show isn't for the faint of heart, and in its third season it is going strong. After watching this past episode I think I might be done with the show. The show never has a good ending. There is no hope for the living in the show. I can predict each episode...survivors find safe place, zombies find survivors and another member of the group dies. The only thing that changes is the scenes are getting more and more gory. I know what you're saying..."It's a zombie apocalypse show what do you expect?" I guess what I expect, what I need to keep me engaged, is some hope. I need to see the survivors have a good day once. I need to feel that there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel. I don't get that from this show and I don't think I can stomach it anymore.
We need hope in our lives too. With the election coming up very shortly you hear doom and gloom scenarios from each side if they lose. One thing I can predict about the election is that for a lot of people the "right" person isn't going to win. So does that mean for those people who's candidate doesn't win there is no hope? The country is in a free fall to nothing? I don't believe that... no matter if the person I vote for wins or not. You see my hope isn't in this world. I know that there is more to this life then politics, career, pain, suffering, etc. This life is temporary. Of course I want my time on earth to be as comfortable and joyful as possible, but I also know everything will pale in comparison to eternity with Jesus.
I guess what I'm trying to say is we have hope. When we begin to believe there is no hope then life becomes too much to stomach. There is hope even when life might be tough right now. Hope for better days and a hope that stems from the promises of God to never leave your or forsake you. So when the next president is decided, when life throws you the next curve ball, when you begin to think that life is in a downward spiral remember you have someone willing to cry and suffer with you. You have a savior that has been through much more than you and truly knows how you feel. Remember that there are friends, family, and a community that is ready and willing to help walk with you through the dark times if you'll reach out and let them. Remember...we have hope that this life is temporary and better days are truly ahead.
Monday, October 29, 2012
A shout out..!
We made the quick trip to MN this weekend so Tracy could cross an item off her bucket list. She ran a half marathon. 13.1 miles! It was cold, but it was awesome. I could not have been more proud of her. I think of the beginning of her journey when she started the program to get herself in shape to run that far. I think of the dedication that she put in, and the many times she'd come home and say man I didn't want to run that far today. I was impressed by her dedication let me tell ya. Well, she put the effort in and it all paid off. Way to go Tracy!!!
I don't have a lot of inspiration this morning. Watching Tracy run 13.1 miles was inspiring, but it didn't make me want to run that far. I once ran 4 miles with her and that was plenty far let me tell ya. I did take a lesson from this though...maybe a couple...1) Tracy looked better after running 13.1 miles then I do on my best day, 2) don't make her mad because she can out run me, and 3) when we make something a priority in our lives we carve out the time to do it.
I've spent more then a few blogs talking about our need to talk to God, pray, do devotions, and attend worship services. I talk about those things because I struggle at times with my relationship with God and I need reminding of it's importance. I also talk about these things because I think they are vital for our lives. When we place importance on something we find time to do it. If watching football on Sunday is important to us we'll plan the weekend around it. If going out with family and friends is important we'll plan our week so we can have that night free. If volunteering for our community is important we'll find time to work it into our schedule. If training for a half marathon is important we'll find time to do it. What I'm trying to get at is we are all busy, but we will find the time for important things in our lives. I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is: "Is my relationship with God important?" If it is then we'll find ways to include the Spirit in our lives...if it isn't then we will always be too busy.
I don't have a lot of inspiration this morning. Watching Tracy run 13.1 miles was inspiring, but it didn't make me want to run that far. I once ran 4 miles with her and that was plenty far let me tell ya. I did take a lesson from this though...maybe a couple...1) Tracy looked better after running 13.1 miles then I do on my best day, 2) don't make her mad because she can out run me, and 3) when we make something a priority in our lives we carve out the time to do it.
I've spent more then a few blogs talking about our need to talk to God, pray, do devotions, and attend worship services. I talk about those things because I struggle at times with my relationship with God and I need reminding of it's importance. I also talk about these things because I think they are vital for our lives. When we place importance on something we find time to do it. If watching football on Sunday is important to us we'll plan the weekend around it. If going out with family and friends is important we'll plan our week so we can have that night free. If volunteering for our community is important we'll find time to work it into our schedule. If training for a half marathon is important we'll find time to do it. What I'm trying to get at is we are all busy, but we will find the time for important things in our lives. I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is: "Is my relationship with God important?" If it is then we'll find ways to include the Spirit in our lives...if it isn't then we will always be too busy.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Conversation on the Road...
A week or two ago my wife and I went to a NU vs. MN volleyball game in Lincoln, and we had an interesting conversation on the road. I suppose there were many interesting parts to our conversation, but I'll spare you the details about our children and various other discussions spouses with children have when they are alone! The conversation that stuck in my mind was the one we had about heaven, blessings, church attendance, and our relationship with God. That's right...when we travel we don't travel light!
What got the conversation rolling was my out loud thought..."what do you suppose happens to people who basically ignore God all their lives and then stand before God after this life?" My wife, in her infinite wisdom says, "I dunno." Well of course I don't know either, but my puzzeler was thinking about what did people expect from God if they basically ignored him all their lives and then they die. Did they expect a full pardon? Did the expect to go to hell? Did they even consider or worry about any of those consequences? As Tracy and I talked a lot of ideas flowed forth and I think I was enlightened. Or was the enlightening about me picking up my socks...well I digress.
I guess I was wondering what the benefits were of a relationship with God beyond our traditional thoughts of saving us from hell. Honestly, I got out of the business of deciding who was going to heaven and who was not. Besides, if that is your sole reason for believing in God then I think you're missing a big part of what God has in store for you. Only God knows a person's heart, and only God gets to decided who's in or out so I'm not concerned with that discussion. What Tracy and I talked about was what people are missing on earth by neglecting their relationship with God.
As we talked I articulated my belief that a solid relationship with God leads us to more and more blessings on earth. I'm not talking the prosperity Gospel here...more faith does not equal more money. Also, more faith and a solid relationship with God doesn't mean no suffering; Job tells us otherwise. But, I do believe that if we grow our relationship with God then we will experience a better life here on earth. Our relationships with family and friends will be better, our outlook on life will be better, and when the tough times come we will have a better footing to stand on and help us through them. I do believe God wants to bless us with a great number of things and we miss a lot of them because we neglect our relationship with the Spirit. We don't attend church to nurture our faith and connect with like minded people who are on a similar journey. We don't take the time to pray and spend time in God's word to allow ourselves to connect with the Spirit. We think we are so busy with just living life that we miss maybe the most important aspect of our lives and that's our relationship with God.
Obviously I believe in the value of going to church, spending time in the Scriptures, and carving out time for devotions and prayer. I've seen the blessings that come from that. Unfortunately I've also struggled at times with those 3 things and I've seen how life isn't as good. I want so much for people to see and experience what God has to offer them...God is always there waiting and hoping and knocking on our hearts...the question is can we find the time to let the Spirit in? I hope so.
What got the conversation rolling was my out loud thought..."what do you suppose happens to people who basically ignore God all their lives and then stand before God after this life?" My wife, in her infinite wisdom says, "I dunno." Well of course I don't know either, but my puzzeler was thinking about what did people expect from God if they basically ignored him all their lives and then they die. Did they expect a full pardon? Did the expect to go to hell? Did they even consider or worry about any of those consequences? As Tracy and I talked a lot of ideas flowed forth and I think I was enlightened. Or was the enlightening about me picking up my socks...well I digress.
I guess I was wondering what the benefits were of a relationship with God beyond our traditional thoughts of saving us from hell. Honestly, I got out of the business of deciding who was going to heaven and who was not. Besides, if that is your sole reason for believing in God then I think you're missing a big part of what God has in store for you. Only God knows a person's heart, and only God gets to decided who's in or out so I'm not concerned with that discussion. What Tracy and I talked about was what people are missing on earth by neglecting their relationship with God.
As we talked I articulated my belief that a solid relationship with God leads us to more and more blessings on earth. I'm not talking the prosperity Gospel here...more faith does not equal more money. Also, more faith and a solid relationship with God doesn't mean no suffering; Job tells us otherwise. But, I do believe that if we grow our relationship with God then we will experience a better life here on earth. Our relationships with family and friends will be better, our outlook on life will be better, and when the tough times come we will have a better footing to stand on and help us through them. I do believe God wants to bless us with a great number of things and we miss a lot of them because we neglect our relationship with the Spirit. We don't attend church to nurture our faith and connect with like minded people who are on a similar journey. We don't take the time to pray and spend time in God's word to allow ourselves to connect with the Spirit. We think we are so busy with just living life that we miss maybe the most important aspect of our lives and that's our relationship with God.
Obviously I believe in the value of going to church, spending time in the Scriptures, and carving out time for devotions and prayer. I've seen the blessings that come from that. Unfortunately I've also struggled at times with those 3 things and I've seen how life isn't as good. I want so much for people to see and experience what God has to offer them...God is always there waiting and hoping and knocking on our hearts...the question is can we find the time to let the Spirit in? I hope so.
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