Everyday Lutherans

The Apostle's Creed is one of those creeds that we continue to recite within many congregations.  Yet it is filled with old language and ideas that we do not typically think of anymore.  The early church developed this creed as a statement in which each person wanting to be Baptize would agree with before their Baptism.  This was a creed that would unite all the Christians with all the same understanding of what the three parts of the Trinity related to humanity. The first part helped people understand God as Creator.   I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.  Why is this important? That God created all things within the world, things that are seen and unseen.  Things that we encounter and things that we hope for.  God is the creator and sustainer of all things. _____________________________________________ The second part helped people understand what Jesus has done and the important aspects of his life. I believe in Jesus ...

Traveling is something that we often enjoy thinking about. Distant places that are so much different than our homes.  We think of the adventure and escaping some of the stresses that are surrounding us.  Perhaps some of you are thinking: I really wish I would have planned on going to Hawaii this week.  Especially with these -40 wind chills happening.   When we decide that we are going to go some place, we plan things out.  We decide where we are going and how long we shall be there. We decide what we are going to do there.  After that is decided, we begin packing.  We fill our suitcases so that we are ready for our trip with clothes, shoes, and many other things that we could possibly need.  We often fill our bags so full and put all our trust in what is in the suitcase. So that we do not always enjoy what is truly around us within the trip.  However, when God warns Joseph in a dream that they should leave, there is no time to prepare.  ...

Since my 30th birthday, I have been reflecting on all the things that I wish I had more time for and things that I have heard from others that I would like to do more of. Within our modern time in which we have the most modern conviences and extra time within our schedules.  I would think that we should be able to find time for these things that our ancestors wanted to do and encouraged us to pursue. 1. Time for Worship      It is important for people to stop and enjoy what is truly around you but to be reminded that all around you are gifts to enjoy, care for, and love.  2. Time for Family 3. Time for Friends 4. Time for Exercise 5. Writing notes to others 6. Reading a book 7. Writing for reflection 8. Learn and play with the previous generation 9. Learn and play with the next generation 10. Listening to Music 11. Enjoying Nature 12. Cooking 13. Cleaning 14. Exploring what's around you 15. Trusting others 16. Thank others for being in our life 17. Thank a ...

Tonight is the third most important night within the Christian faith.  Tonight we celebrate, we gather together, and we welcome family and friends to be a part of it all. We wouldn’t be the church, we wouldn’t be called Christians without this night.  For some of you, you were hauled here so that you can enjoy the festivities later.  Some of you have been gone to school for so long that you are so glad to have a home cooked meal and not have to stare at a computer screen to write another paper.  Perhaps even some of you have been coming here for years and it is just part of the traditions.  Good, that’s important; but what’s even more important is why this is part of your traditions. Yes, more important than the gifts, the tree, the food, and all of those things is this event that we hear about.  Why?  Because without this event, without this child, without God’s love, none of those things would have happened.  Now for some of you this may come as...

A cold winter night in December, it was about -5 that night.  I got done with confirmation and then had a council meeting of the Parish leaders.  Following that meeting, at about 10pm, I walked outside where one of the leaders had the hood of his truck up.  At first I thought that he was having engine trouble and that he would need a jump or something.  I walked over and asked if I could help in anyway.  He said, he noticed some paw prints in the snow and they ended at his truck. So he pounded on the hood and heard a small "meow".  He opened the hood and there was a small kitten that had entered into the engine in hopes to find a warm place. So I helped him coax out the kitten and since it was so late and he had dogs at home, I took home the cat.  She was cold, hungry thirsty and a little scared.  I placed her in my spare bathroom, gave her some water but I had no food, no litter, and did not know if she was healthy.  I let my parents know an...

From the very beginning, the Jewish people gathered together and were given the law of God. The law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. From this time they heard, learned, and understood the law that God was calling them to live out. Yet this law was given to them to love, to care for one another, to share love with one another. They were to have a good and healthy relationship with all whom they encountered. But the people soon forgot. They were not able to fulfill the law because they could not truly love and care for one another. They strove to do such, but they strove to be God's people and to help one another. Yet sin would still get in their way. So the people clung to the law.  They clung to the law that God had given to them. The law that made them God's people. They strove to do the work that God was calling them to do. However, in their lives as the traditions were formed, they lost the meaning.  They lost the why.  They lost the purpose why they did these things...

This time of year, we gather together to see the celebration beginning.  We see the halls being decorated with wreaths, tinsel, lights, and other signs that Christmas is nearly here.  Yet Christmas is not here.  We are reminded of the time before Christmas, a time in which we are called to reflect, prepare and live into that life that God is creating right before our very eyes. The greens, the light and the songs remind us of the hope that we live in and the life that God continues to bless us with. Today, we hear of John the Baptist.  The man who was born to Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, just a few months before the birth of Jesus.  For John was born with the very purpose to prepare the way for Jesus.  Yes, John was born to be a Preacher.  To help people understand that the time of the Messiah was coming and they should prepare their hearts, minds and lives for that day.  Yet, John was not sent to a great school, he did not have a great degree or l...