Everyday Lutherans

Today we bear witness to one of the most important days of anyone’s life, our Baptismal day.  This is the day that we are called, claimed, and declared a child of God. Just as the disciples were called by name, so are we. It is from this day and forward that we are on our journey of life and faith   It is also from this day, that we begin with the question, ok, now how am I supposed to live differently? I still need to eat, sleep, have a job, and so much else so truly what is different about me and how I shall be living my life? Now growing up, we learn from others what is right and what has worked for them.  It is Jesus himself who takes the disciples with him to show them and teach them. Today, within our gospel, we hear of the way that Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray.  This has become known as the Lord’s Prayer. Yet we often speak the words, but we should also be reminded of what those words really mean for each and every one of us that say them. Martin Luther emphasized and...

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...

Recently I was watching a movie in which a large congregation was gathering together. The pastor within the congregation was speaking about the great work that the people were doing within the church.  Instead of going on and on, the pastor turned the microphone over to the leader of the new group.  The leader began speaking to the congregation about the work they were doing and how simple it was but then turned and said you need to be a part of it too.  God is calling you to do the same thing.  More people needed to join this movement and enjoy the same success and glory that they have enjoyed.  The inspiring speech was great, motivating and yet was so very scripted for the movie it was in. At first, I thought that this movie was great.  The Pastor was encouraging and growing leaders within the congregation gathering everyone to Jesus Christ.  This is what the church should be doing and helping people live out within their life.  The people were ...

When you think of church, what do you think of? Honestly, write it down.  It all down.  Maybe even draw a picture, to help you capture all that you are thinking of. Now think of the church that you attend.  How are the same? How are they different? Now for the truth:  That ideal church that you first wrote about, can not happen.  For one thing, it is in your mind.  It would only happen if everyone did what you did.  You would be the god of that church. The church that you attend is not perfect.  Why?  The people who attend there are sinners and saints.  Yes even you.  Don't get me wrong you are not a bad person but within our lives, things happen, we make choices that we find out later, hurt someone else or even ourselves.  That's ok, you are human.  Along with that, when you get more than one person in a room, there are different ideas, concepts, and thoughts of what this church should be.  When that happens, there a...

I have talked to a lot of people who attend church every so often to not really a whole lot. In one of my most recent conversations, a person asked me, "So, what does a pastor do?" I started thinking of all the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly things that I do and I could have listed them all off , but that would take a very long time. Then there are the things that no one can plan for. How do you tell someone that you live a life of chaos and unknown, and help someone make sense of it??? Here is my attempt. A pastor does many, many things; largely depending on the congregation's size and whether or not there is more than one pastor. If the church is large and there are multiple pastors, then they are specialized into separate fields.  In a one pastor congregation, then he/she does most (if not all) of the following. Depending on where the congregation is located will also determine the work that the pastor will have as a focus or time for travel between p...

This question was raised by a confirmation student. While I wrestle with this question, it is one that all people wrestle with. There are evil things that happen all around our life. A fire will destroy someone's home, a flood will destroy farm lands and the death of a loved one. These are all terrible things that happen within the world around us. Yet is God the one who causes these events? I would argue that God does not however, God has the power to stop them. This is quite the distinction. For the original cause did not come from God, such that we know. For God knew the difference between good and evil. This was something that God did not intend for us to know. Yes God created us, happy, healthy and enjoying the world around us. It was not until we disobeyed God and learned the difference between good and evil that suffering truly began. For the punishment for disobeying God is death. However, God had mercy on us. Instead of killing us out right, God allowed us to l...

Online dating is one of the new ways people are meeting someone to date. It is a way for people to meet people who are actually single.  No guessing within the bar if a person is single or even interested in getting to know people for a relationship.  Yet on these sites there are people who you will want to get to know and things won't work out.  There are other times that you will meet someone and you find that you wish you had not given out your number to a person.  While there are some great safety features within online dating websites, there is also a time in which you want to get to know someone between the website and meeting in person. (And perhaps even a few dates after meeting a person.)  That you wish your personal information had not been given out to people. Thus the reason that I write this article. For most people they want a way to get to know someone through email, text messages, or web chat before meeting them in person.  Other people...

Comics are one those powerful things that often can convey a thought, idea, a full story and even render a complex situation seem simple.  Yet it is also through just a picture that a person can bring in to a story elements that were never even included but have been brought into the understanding of the reader because of the society in which the story or event is taking place.   Here is an example within the first comic.  There is no real truth to each one of us having a devil or evil figure or an angel or good figure attempting to influence within our lives.  By the way, if you do see these, please let me know.  However, this understanding does draw us into the understanding that within the world, we face choices and decisions that are good and bad. They can help us, harm others, or anything in between the two or combination.  This understanding has since been a part of people's reading because it makes logical sense.  They may even follow into the w...

Lately I have been really busy. I had 3 funerals within a week and then the next week was Easter.  Needless to say, I was kind of exhausted after all of that.  Thankfully, I was able to get caught up with most things however, I still working on something within a to do list that just keeps going.  I am utterly amazed at all the times that I do not expect to actually start talking to someone about ministry or something that is church related.  I am often stopped when walking, going to a game or even when the phone rings.  When becoming a pastor, I knew that ministry was something that happened 24/7 but I am also just aware of all the terrible theology that has taken root.  It is like bad weeds that have come into the garden and are growing right next to the Gospel that was planted by God.  While I do not feel that I have all the answers and nor do I stand on the corner in the small town and show people how they are wrong.  I am saddened to hear and...

Within the world there are many religions. A religion "is  a   set   of   beliefs   concerning   the   cause,   nature ,  and   purpose  of   the   universe,   especially   when   considered   as   the   creation  of   a   superhuman   agency   or   agencies,   usually   involving  devotional   and   ritual   observances,   and   often   containing   a  moral   code   governing   the   conduct   of   human   affairs. or  a   specific   fundamental   set   of   beliefs   and   practices   generally  agreed   upon   by   a   number   of   persons   or   sects:   the   Christian  religion;   the   Buddhist   religion.  Each one has it's own understanding a...

Ever wonder about those really big questions about life and the Bible.  Well I had another theologian ask the question: " without saying the person is going to hell, "why do I need to do what the Bible says?".  This question really intrigued me so I simply gave answer and a small conversation followed, and here it is.   My Answer: Well this answer may use different words depends on the situation that the person is in and their age: You do not need to do what the Bible says, however, by studying the Word of God, we are able to hear what God has done for us and understand how it is that we are called into this world.   The theologian replied with:  The question on my mind is that Christians ought to live a certain way, and the problem with society is that most believe in Jesus but do not feel compelled to do anything or change the way they live. Thus, the Bible tells us we ought to do these things. As you  put it "how we are called into this world." Being cal...

Yes I am that guy who will take this wonderful cartoon and turn it into an article for my blog because I think that both are needed.  This is truly a great cartoon and one that speaks volumes.  (I often enjoy the work from www.reverendfun.com if you have not done so you should definitely check them out.) They are right, there is an app for everything that you could ever want.  Although this is not necessarily what they had in mind.  Technology as a whole is moving so quickly and the church is not really catching up. In fact, I have seen some church that have not changed a thing and actually they are fairing better than some of the congregations that have tried to put together various ministries within the web.  I recently went to a conference and they told us that we should all have webpages for our church.  It should be simple and clean cut and most important of all accurate with current information.  One of the biggest things that I have seen is tha...

My first Christmas as a Pastor just took place this last week and it was quite different.  It will definitely take some getting use to.  While I did not have Sunday worship to plan and lead, I did have two jammed packed Christmas Eve services.  Both were fantastic. I did not do anything out of the ordinary for a sermon but the Christmas sermon and how we gather to be like the shepherds, to hear and see the good news of the angels.  Following the services, I attended a wonderful meal with a family from the congregation.  It was great to get to know them and their family a little bit better. Then when I got home, I went straight to bed because I was exhausted from all the festivities.  On Christmas day, I got up and started getting ready for the day.  Then my phone went off and it was my mom, we were going to open presents via google chat.  It was fantastic.  I was able to see the presents that they had received and the ones that were given to ...