Synod Assembly was last week. One of the best moments at Synod Assembly was when it ended and Cheryl and I stayed a little later so that we could spend quality time in the lazy river. We were staying at the Omni Resort which had a pretty large lazy river by the pool. Cheryl and I forgot swimsuits, but the river was simply too tempting. We went to a JC Penny to get suits our first night at the hotel but hadn’t had a chance to use them yet. We had already checked out of the hotel, but went back to the car to pull our suits from the JC Penny bag and used the public restroom to change. Then we grabbed our tube and floated around and around, under the waterfalls, through the bubbles, and eventually went to enjoy a wonderful lunch together.
It was a peaceful moment in the midst of a chaotic life. The truth we are busy people and have daily decisions to make. It could be things as simple as what food to eat to how can our lives reflect Christ and do Kingdom Work to our family life at home. Decisions, decisions, decisions! These are not just for us to make but the church has some decisions to make too.
At the final session one of the resolutions on the table was to declare a moratorium on social statements. The fear was that we spend too much money trying to put together social statements. One clergy rose to the microphone first with a passionate speech. What he shared with the assembly is that if we no longer have social statements then all the world will hear is what comes out of Rome. Rome doesn’t offer for all congregations to send representatives to have discussion and vote on what they believe. Rome simply has a process in-house and declares a statement. We as the ELCA create a statement and invite the whole church to include voices in the decisions and statements we make. It may be tough for us to make statements, but the gift is that we get to be a part of the process. The resolution was defeated.
It would be easier, like floating down a lazy river, if we stopped making social statements. However, Jesus calls us to speak out in the world and this is one way that we do Kingdom Work. If you are unfamiliar with ELCA statements I hope you take time to check them out online: http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues.aspx
And as we work to bring God’s Kingdom here, we give praise for those peaceful moments in the midst of a chaotic life!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
What’s there to stop him?
When I started college every freshman was given an obnoxious key chain to hang from around our necks. We were told over and over not to lose our key, and to take it everywhere…even to the shower. Year after year, and speech after speech it made no difference. Dozens of us still found a way to lock ourselves out of our dorms. I was there no more than a week, and found myself stunningly surprised that I had forgotten my key as I was trying to get back into the dorm after a shower. There I was in my towel, holding my shower caddy, flip-flops and wet hair…with no key!
When I read John 20, this is the first thing that came into my mind. Instead of being locked out and unable to get in, the disciples locked everyone else out and secured themselves inside. Twice in this story about Jesus’ first appearance the doors were said to be locked and yet Jesus stood among them saying, “peace be with you.” When we are afraid, embarrassed, vulnerable, guilty, lonely, or terrified we tend to lock the door of our heart. We expect that no one will be able to hurt us there, in our safe place, or should I say…in our hiding place. When we feel ashamed for our sins, afraid of what the world will say, or afraid of what’s on the other side of the door we can rest in the comfort of knowing that Christ is always with us. In our pain, doubt, and disappointments, Christ is there. Sometimes we try to hide ourselves away from the world and even God, but the truth is God will never abandon us…no matter what. Even if we’ve been locked up for longer than we can remember, no door can stop God’s love. If Christ can conquer death and the grave, what’s there to stop him?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Who is this?
By: Joseph Murdy
“When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘this is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’”
“Who is this?” Is a question we still face today? We might get wrapped up in impossible questions over scripture, or we might get overwhelmed with theological debates. When the people of Jerusalem asked, “who is this.” They knew Jesus was from Nazareth, and they knew he was a prophet. What they wanted to know was “Who is this, and what are we to do about it.” Do we follow him? Or crucify him? The question of Jesus’ identity does not demand an answer, it calls for a response.
What do your actions say about who Jesus is? What does your life style, attitude, and relationship with friends, family and strangers…say about who you believe Jesus is? This week is considered the most sacred time of remembrance for the Christian church. In Holy week we encounter the answer to this age old question, “who is this?” As we journey through Holy week, be mindful of the question, “who is this?” Don’t take the story of Christ’s life, death, and promised resurrection for granted. Not only will you discover who Christ is, you will discover who you are because of who Christ is. Let us be mindful of the question, “who is this?” Because as the story of Christ’s passion unfolds we shall see how deep the love of God really goes. When you discover who Jesus is, how will you respond?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Braille on elevators...
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.” John 9: 3
My only encounter with Braille is on elevators. I always notice the dots below the numbers that we press to choose which floor. Because I haven’t grown up around someone born blind there are a lot of things I’ve never thought about. I was out to eat with Tyler (who was born blind) and Bethani the other day and realized I have never wondered until today if menus come in Braille.
Often we are “blind” to things until we have a reason or insight to see.
Braille is a worldwide system is used by the blind and visually impaired to for reading and writing. It was created by a man named Louis Braille. Louis was not born blind. He was blinded by an accident that happened while he was young. According to Wikipedia, “At age three, he scratched his right eye while making holes in a piece of leather with a pruning knife that was too heavy for him. There was nothing anyone could do except patch and bind the affected eye. The wound became severely infected and spread to his left eye causing his blindness.”
One of the powering forces behind Louis creating a system of raised dots (made by the same tool that blinded him) was that he wanted to read the Bible. As a matter of fact most the contracted words in Braille are the most common words found in the Bible.
Here is a man who was blinded after birth and he brought the Word of God to all the visually impaired who followed. Talk about a man who God worked miracles through…
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”
Sometimes the things we claim hold us back are the very things that guide us to follow God’s call.
My only encounter with Braille is on elevators. I always notice the dots below the numbers that we press to choose which floor. Because I haven’t grown up around someone born blind there are a lot of things I’ve never thought about. I was out to eat with Tyler (who was born blind) and Bethani the other day and realized I have never wondered until today if menus come in Braille.
Often we are “blind” to things until we have a reason or insight to see.
Braille is a worldwide system is used by the blind and visually impaired to for reading and writing. It was created by a man named Louis Braille. Louis was not born blind. He was blinded by an accident that happened while he was young. According to Wikipedia, “At age three, he scratched his right eye while making holes in a piece of leather with a pruning knife that was too heavy for him. There was nothing anyone could do except patch and bind the affected eye. The wound became severely infected and spread to his left eye causing his blindness.”
One of the powering forces behind Louis creating a system of raised dots (made by the same tool that blinded him) was that he wanted to read the Bible. As a matter of fact most the contracted words in Braille are the most common words found in the Bible.
Here is a man who was blinded after birth and he brought the Word of God to all the visually impaired who followed. Talk about a man who God worked miracles through…
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”
Sometimes the things we claim hold us back are the very things that guide us to follow God’s call.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Set Free
By: Joseph Murdy
There in the guilty seat, I sat facing my accusers. All of my sins, doubts, and failures pointing at me with their long crooked finger of guilt and shame. I had done so much wrong. All the evidence was there, one picture after another came flashing through my mind. There was no need for questions, interrogation, or investigation I was guilty as sin…pardon the pun. As I sat deep into the chair I was terrified and trembling waiting for the verdict which would decide my fate. I was guilty and I knew it! I deserved the worst punishment! I should be locked up and forgotten. My mind racing with possibilities, what’s going to happen to me? Just when I could stand it no longer, the judge returned to give his decision. “I find you innocent, blameless and irreproachable. You are free to go.” (Col. 1:22)
Do you ever feel so guilty, so utterly ashamed, and all alone? This is how we find ourselves most days, especially when we forget what Jesus has done for us. Paul’s letter to the people of Colossae is full of reminders, “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13-14) The feelings of guilt, shame and loneliness are the greatest obstacles in our relationship with God. They make us hid from God, our loved ones, and in some ways from ourselves. Today, remember that you are a child of God and God forgives you, abides with you, and loves you! “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6-7)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Cross
By Robert Hereth
Is the sole purpose of the golden cross my wife wears every moment to remind her of God's love and forgiveness? She would modestly say it's at least the primary purpose. But Jesus wouldn't talk that way. He hopes, correctly, it also reminds her of the crosses she must be willing to carry to be a Christian.
He made it clear: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their crosses daily and follow me." Luke 9: 23
In that way a cross is the perfect symbol for the spot we are on. The vertical trunk stands for our relationship with God, while the horizontal branch represents our relationship with everyone and everything in the world about us. And we live on the spot where the two intersect!
On that spot we best express our love of God - by our sacrificial love for his children and his world. Also on that spot we sacrifice to love and forgive others - in the strength God provides and in trust that God's Spirit can use our little efforts to further his Gracious Plan.
On the spot where we Christians live, always the vertical and the horizontal are working at the same time.
Is the sole purpose of the golden cross my wife wears every moment to remind her of God's love and forgiveness? She would modestly say it's at least the primary purpose. But Jesus wouldn't talk that way. He hopes, correctly, it also reminds her of the crosses she must be willing to carry to be a Christian.
He made it clear: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their crosses daily and follow me." Luke 9: 23
In that way a cross is the perfect symbol for the spot we are on. The vertical trunk stands for our relationship with God, while the horizontal branch represents our relationship with everyone and everything in the world about us. And we live on the spot where the two intersect!
On that spot we best express our love of God - by our sacrificial love for his children and his world. Also on that spot we sacrifice to love and forgive others - in the strength God provides and in trust that God's Spirit can use our little efforts to further his Gracious Plan.
On the spot where we Christians live, always the vertical and the horizontal are working at the same time.
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