"We're on a mission from God"

By Sarah Teichmann

The other day I was thinking about some of the adventure movies that I really love. I would have to list Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter as being high on this list. Aside from their cinematographic value, I really love the message of these movies. A hero (Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter, etc.) is faced with a dilemma that seems larger than life. They are called upon in some fashion to go on a mission, to face all odds, and to rise to the occasion. (This is usually the part when a fantastic soundtrack by John Williams pipes in.)

Another movie that has a great soundtrack and where the heroes are faced with a dilemma and called into action is… Blues Brothers. That’s right the 1980 movie that tells the story of two brothers- Jake and Elwood and how they’re on a “mission from God.” They are charged with the mission to raise money for an orphanage, and they know that they can’t fail because they’re on a mission… from God.

I find myself somewhat envious of Jake and Elwood, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, Frodo Baggins and his crew of Hobbits, and Harry Potter and his friends. Their mission is quite clear—and they always seem equipped for the challenge—ready to rise to the occasion and see that good is done.

Hmmm…. mission.

Perhaps my mission is as clear as Luke, Frodo and Harry’s calls to action. Perhaps we’re just like Jake and Elwood in that we’re on a mission from God. Sure, our specific mission and calling may not come to us with all the blockbuster bells and whistles of the movies, but we are truly called to use our talents and gifts for God’s glory. I may not be able to aptly swing a lightsaber, ride a broom, battle orks, or have the rhythm of the Blues Brothers… but God has given me gifts nonetheless! And God has given you gifts as well.

We’re on a mission from God. How is God calling you today—and what new adventures in mission are in store for you tomorrow?

Baptism and Fire

This is part of my first sermon I gave at Christus Victor. It has come up many times since the date of this sermon so I thought I would post it.

The Gospel: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

Matthew 13: 49-50
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

When we read the Gospel for today we get to this very touchy subject – the angels will come to separate the evil from the righteous and throw them in the burning fire. This can easily be translated and read as very harsh and it is. I was joking with people in the office about my first sermon here being fire and brimstone. Yet, I can’t help but look for the good news found in these few words. I first went to the Romans reading for today where Paul says very clearly – nothing can separate us from the love of God because of Christ Jesus – Paul writes, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 26-39) Paul in the Holy Word says that the angels can’t separate us from the love of God. So, what are we missing from the reading in Matthew that the angels will separate us? The evil from the righteous. So, I headed to the Greek and found something very interesting!

"evil" is a plural substantival adjective. It could translate as "the evil (ones)" so – “The angels will come out and separate the evil ones from the righteous” which is how we tend to read it.

However, it could be translated: "the evil(s)" – so that would read – “The angels will come out and separate the evils from the midst of the righteous”. One could translate/interpret this as God separating the sin of our flesh and worldly existence from the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

That happens through the power of the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism. We are born new – clothed with Christ – having the evils in us separated and thrown into the fire – a fire – and a fire is known to be purifying and cleansing. Through Christ Jesus we are brought together as one – through our baptism we are brought together as one – seeking out this unexpected kingdom.

Already, But Not Yet

By Sarah Teichmann

New Year’s Eve—we once again are at the doorway of a new year. We stand looking to tomorrow January 1, 2009 with eyes to the future. My yearly planner stops today, but a new one is waiting in the wings with pages filled with meetings, gatherings, and important dates to remember. In some ways we’re already in the New Year—our intentions, our appointments, and our great and grand plans are already written down. But we are not there yet, we are still in 2008—still meeting today’s tasks, intentions, and plans (hopefully some of those plans include a fun and safe New Year’s Eve celebration!)

It is days like this, New Year’s Eve, that I can appreciate the Lutheran theological phrase "already, but not yet". We are already planning and expecting 2009, but we’re not yet there. This is like our walk with God. We walk in faith—living out our lives—experiencing the mountain top joys and comfort as well as the valley shadows of despair and longing. Through it all God’s presence is in the here and now. Living in the here and now we believe in a future—where God’s love and comfort will be total. This future is more certain than any meeting, agenda, or appointment in your datebook, planner, phone, or calendar. We already live in a world looking to that future, but we’re not yet there.

So what do we do in the mean time? I suggest that we follow the wise advice of James Watson’s Scottish poem Auld Lang Syne and look back at our lives. The poem asks the reader if old acquaintances should be forgot, so that memories never come to mind. The poem looks back to the yester year and asks if one should forget the memories from ‘long, long ago.’ Some of these acquaintances and memories include the good, the bad, and the ugly. Should these acquaintances be forgot and never come to mind?

Our friend James Watson suggests drinking a cup of kindness and goodwill and toasting the memories from yester year in the company of friends and loved ones. So lift up a glass of champagne, wine, egg nog, or any other cup of good cheer!

And I would add that while you toast those good, bad, and even ugly memories of days gone by, that your hearts and minds be open to God’s presence in the here and now, and that your eyes of faith be open to the future to God’s eternal promise and comfort.

Happy New Year and may the good news that is Jesus, the Messiah, bring you great joy each day.

Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and always. Amen.

Christmas Light

Since the winter months have arrived, the sun sets so early that I often don’t drive home until after dark. It takes a lot of time to adjust to the early darkness. It’s so dark outside at 6:00 pm that I often want to climb into bed at an abnormally early time. In the midst of this naturally darker time of year we celebrate Christmas.

As I drive home in the dark after work the drive changes slowly. I notice people begin to decorate their homes. Each day until Christmas Eve I see new decorative lights shining bright on my journey home. As the lights slowly go up on the houses it changes my normal drive home into a spectacular glowing journey. It suddenly becomes more beautiful to drive at night than during the day.

This Christmas season we celebrate a light born in the most unexpected of places in the most unique way. Christ’s birth reminds us that we may live in the assurance that Christ changes our lives daily into a spectacular glowing journey. The light of Christ brings unimaginable hope into the world.

Merry Christmas!!

Where is God?

In this season of Advent the question of where is God seems to be asked often. In the spirit of love we buy gifts for one another, cook together, and join in cheers for peace throughout the world.

In the midst of being surrounded with a "season of love" the world is still a harsh place. What’s going to happen to the people in the Congo, Iraq, Colombia, Africa…? Even here in the USA some people don't feel in the mood for Christmas. Maybe they have lost a loved one – because of the markets they can’t celebrate like years past - or their children have grown and won't be around - or this year has been harsh and there is nothing more to give.

I think Mary and Joseph may have experienced a similar and difficult "Christmas". A season that was full of fear, frustration, sadness, unknowingness, and hesitation.

Luke 1:29
Mary a virgin was informed by an angel that she was going to give birth (not such good news in those days - and I know I'd be perplexed too if an angel spoke to me).

Luke 2: 1-5
Caesar made a decree that they had to be "registered", which required a very pregnant woman to leave with her husband most likely on a donkey (talk about uncomfy, I can only imagine what Joseph had to listen to on their travels).

Luke 2: 7
They couldn't even get a sanitary bed for the birth - they end up in a dirty, dusty stable with no doctors and no family. (What if something went wrong?)

Yet, in the midst of all these harsh uncertainties a child is born. A savior is born. Passionate grace is born. Assurance is born. Forgiveness, guidance, light, life, and certainty is born.

Certainty that God comes into the world because we are loved -

God is with us - Emmanuel!

Eager Expectation

In Advent, we wait with eager expectation and live in "hope". Eager expectation is like someone standing in the dark scanning the horizon - leaning forward - afraid to blink - not wanting to miss a moment - waiting for the first sign of dawn. Knowing that dawn is coming the expectant watcher doesn't fear the darkness around simply tries to see through it watching, waiting, and knowing that the light will come. It's not a watcher who "hopes-so" it's a watcher who knows that light will soon return.

It's like the pelican who stands at the end of the dock waiting for the fisherman's boat to return knowing they will be fed.

It's like the pregnant mother and father who just found out their due date.

It's like a child watching a cocoon waiting for the caterpillar to break free as a butterfly.

This Advent we wait with eager expectation.

Romans 8:18-21

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

The world needs more lerts... and dancers.

By Sarah Teichmann


So here we are – the beginning of December and the beginning of Advent. Now let me share a little secret with you all. There was a time (not too long ago) that I did not understand the meaning of Advent. I realized that Advent was the time before Christmas where we got out our family Advent calendar and got out our Advent wreath with four beautiful candles. I did not realize that Advent was a time of preparation. “Prepare? Prepare for what?” I would ask myself. Was this preparation for the holidays? Like shopping, baking, decorating, etc? I also used to think that the Bible lessons read in church were happy, fluffy “Christmassy” readings.

Then (not too long ago) I started to pay attention to the Bible readings during Advent. Have you been paying attention, as well? They’re not very fluffy. An example of this apparent lack of fluffiness is from the first week of Advent this year. The Gospel text for the week was from Mark 13:24-37. We’re told to keep awake, keep alert for we do not know when Jesus will come again. Hmm… this is definitely not fluffy stuff. This can be quite serious! But let’s remember that Advent is also a time that we look forward to the celebration of when Jesus first came into the world. So Advent is a mixture of remembering the past and looking forward to the future.

And during Advent we are told over and over and over again to be alert. I like the joke “Be alert, because the world needs more lerts.” All joking aside, we are called to be alert, keep awake!!!

Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake. Mark 13:35-37

So how do we keep awake?

My suggestion to this question is: dancing.

Dancing? Dancing?! Stay with me on this one.

Whenever I’m waiting around for something or someone I find that I sway my hips back and forth. The longer I wait the more likely I am to start doing dance moves. Now don’t get images of Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, or Madonna in your heads—because I’m pretty bad at dancing. BUT I dance.

And I realize that in this waiting period, where I‘m dancing, I’m having a good time. I’m laughing. I’m smiling. I’m thinking about the joy that is in my heart and the joy that fills our world.

Think about Ellen Degeneres’ show Ellen where she begins the show by dancing. The audience LOVES it, and they dance as well. The energy spreads and you can feel the joy and good feelings.

Hmm… spreading joy… spreading good news? Isn’t that what we Christians are called to do? Could my dancing be a way to spread God’s good news and joy as I keep alert?! My gosh – I think I’m onto something!

Don’t forget to dance friends. It’s a good way to keep awake, celebrate life’s rhythm, and spread God’s love and joy where you are!