Singing with the Lutherans

SINGING WITH THE LUTHERANS
by Garrison Keillor

 

I have made fun of Lutherans for years - who wouldn't, if you lived in Minnesota? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn. We make fun of Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Lutheranless place, to sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Lutherans they'll smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!

Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony. We're too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment.

I once sang the bass line of Children of the Heavenly Father in a room with about three thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished, we all had tears in our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us, partly from the proximity of all those lovely voices. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this: People, these Lutherans, who love to sing in four-part harmony, are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll comfort you. If you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!

The following list was compiled by a 20th century Lutheran who, observing other Lutherans, wrote down exactly what he saw or heard:

1. Lutherans believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.
2. Lutherans like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
3. Lutherans believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.
4. Lutherans usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
5. Lutherans believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
6. Lutherans feel that applauding for their children's choirs would make the kids too proud and conceited.
7. Lutherans think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
8. Lutherans drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
9. Some Lutherans still believe that an ELCA bride and an LCMS groom make for a mixed marriage.
10. Lutherans feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
11. Lutherans are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
12. Lutherans think that Garrison Keillor stories are totally factual.
13. Lutherans still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think that peas in a tuna noodle casserole add too much color.
14. Lutherans believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.

And finally, you know when you're a Lutheran when:

• It is 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service.
• You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can!
• Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
• The communion cabinet is open to all, but the coffee cabinet is locked up tight.
• All your relatives graduated from a school named Concordia.
• When you watch a ‘Star Wars’ movie and they say, “May the Force be with you”, you respond, “and also with you”.
• You actually understand those folks from Lake Wobegon, MN.
• And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye

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This is as funny today as when Garrison Keillor first collected these musings about Lutherans prior to January of 2005. Some things are still true to this day. Lutherans DO poke fun at themselves, and they DON’T take themselves too seriously. I especially love the part (and know it to be totally true) about Lutherans being “the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll comfort you. If you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!”

Here’s a thought: Why not come sing with us Lutherans? I’ll be looking for you on Sunday!

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Encountering Grace

I encountered Grace today; what an incredible blessing!

I had just finished up with the Sunday school opening. This morning, I had a lot of ground to cover with the kids. The lesson touched on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the clearing of the temple, the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas’ betrayal, and the arrest of Jesus. It was way too much to cover in my allotted 10-15 minutes, so I had to pick my battles. I asked who could tell me about Palm Sunday, and one of the 4th graders gave a description that would have made a Pastor proud. Whew! No need for me to cover that, so I had them repeat the key verse of the day (John 15: 12-13), and then I launched into my story of how Jesus cleared the temple.

I had set up a table in the front with piles and stacks of poker chips. And I explained how the whole money-changing business worked: According to the Temple priests, real money was unacceptable to God, so you had to change your money into temple money… for a slight fee of course. I took out my ancient bull whip, but bits have snapped off over the years, it is half the length it used to be, and it just won’t crack anymore… no matter how hard you try. As a matter of fact, all I succeeded in doing was to whip my backside… to the amusement of all the kids.

I set the whip aside, and picked up a well wrung out, wet dish towel I had borrowed from the kitchen and rolled it into a tight rat-tail. I told the kids how the Bible says that Jesus wove a whip from cords, but that lots of things make for good whips… like the towel. Their laughter at my seemingly ridiculous statement gave way to surprised gasps when I snapped it at the edge of the table and got a loud “CRACK!”

Wide eyes were glued on me as I bellowed the words of Jesus as he overturned the tables of the money changers:

“My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
- Matthew 21:13

CRACK… went my whip, and money chips went flying like mini-Frisbees for 30 feet in every direction!

CRACK… went my whip again, and money chips exploded off the table to rain down on all the children!

And then… the chips were everywhere, as I lifted the table by one end, and overturned it by flipping it upside-down!

The kids were surprised that Jesus could become angry. I asked them: “Who was he angry with?”

They replied: “He was angry at the robbers in God’s house.”

In the end, as the children helped pick up the scattered chips, they each got to keep one. We called it temple money, and they kept a piece as a reminder that God doesn’t want us to bring special ‘holy’ money, sacred birds, or blessed offerings when we pray to Him. God only wants our hearts; nothing else is required.

After a prayer, an offering, and a final song, the kids all go off with their teachers to their classrooms to work on the rest of their Sunday school lessons for the day. I had packed up my stuff, and was heading out of the Life Center, when I noticed a man with a little toddler. It looked like he had come from the service, and I began to tell him about the wonderful child care available just at the other end of the building. He smiled, and said that his daughter didn’t want to go into child care… she wanted to be in with her big brother’s first-grade Sunday school class. As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what she voiced (quite loudly, too) as they peered through the glass into his classroom.

I told her that all the Sunday school children got a piece of temple money today, and asked if she’d like a piece, too? She nodded, followed me to my bag of chips, and selected one for her very own. Now she was content to follow me and her Dad back out into the courtyard. There I discovered a bright, articulate, inquisitive, happy, and polite little girl of just 21 months.

This then, is the story of how I encountered Grace.

Mom soon joined us, and immediately wondered why her daughter was clutching a poker chip. I told her about the lesson (but without the dramatic special effects), and she was delighted. As Grace went off with her father in search of a donut, Grace walked up to me, pointed her little finger right at me, and said: “Thank YOU!”

At that instant, a thought washed over me… “This is exactly how we often encounter God’s grace.” Sudden… unexpected… pure… and it fills you with an uncontainable joy!

The little girl was living up to her name. Awesome!

Then another thought struck me… here was a bright, intelligent, and joy-filled girl… worthy of my awesome 2 and a half year old grandson. No betrothal has been announced yet, but… you never know.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

By the way… here’s a portrait of Grace and her family. Make sure you say “hi” to them on Sunday.

Living under Pharaoh

A few weeks ago, I overheard a snippet of a conversation. I was in front of the Worship Center, on my way to the Life Center to be part of the Sunday school opening. Since I know almost everybody (at least in passing), I often find myself overhearing multiple conversations at once… especially in the hubbub between Sunday services.

The gist of what I heard sounded fairly political, and as I already said, I only heard a tiny portion of the conversation. A command and a question stuck in my head, though. The command: “read Genesis 47.” The question: “Do you think we are in danger of living under Pharaoh right now?” When I got home, I just HAD to open my Bible to Genesis and read Chapter 47.

The condensed version of Genesis 47 is the story of Joseph administering Egypt during the time of the famine. During the 7 years of plenty, Joseph (in the name of Pharaoh) had taxed the people 20% (one fifth) of what they produced. This was stored up in the cities in anticipation of the coming famine. Remember Pharaoh’s dreams? Look in Genesis 41 for the back story. What’s really impressive is the amount that was collected. In Genesis 41:49 the Bible states:

Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

When the famine came it was severe, but Egypt was prepared. As the famine spread over all the land Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. Not only did he sell grain to the Egyptians, but to all the countries, as the famine was severe in the entire world.

Because of the famine, people were buying grain but unable to produce anything, so eventually their money ran out. They came to Joseph and begged him for food, lest they die. Joseph agreed to sell them food in exchange for their livestock. When the livestock was exhausted, the people sold themselves and their land to Pharaoh. Joseph gave them food to eat and grain to plant, and required that 20% of their harvest be returned to Pharaoh. This was the same deal they had during the years of abundance… expect now all the money, livestock, and land belonged to Pharaoh, and all of the people were now living (willingly) in bondage under Pharaoh.

Ok, now on to the question: Are we living under Pharaoh now? I predict (only somewhat jokingly) that many people would welcome paying only 20% in taxes. I’m sure many people would point to Social Security, government bailouts, federal jobs programs, and universal healthcare to make their point that the United States is already living under Pharaoh. I’m not so sure.

I think that the story of Joseph has been replayed over and over throughout history. I bet you can come up with many examples. People end up living under Pharaoh… in bondage to Pharaoh… when they turn away from God and look only to human rulers to save them.

Just substitute government for Pharaoh.

We beg government to bail us out of a financial famine. The government bails out car companies and ends up owning the companies. The government bails out banks and ends up owning the banks. Does that sound familiar?

We see a famine coming at us as we age and can no longer work, so beg government to save us. It taxes us to store up for future years of famine, and then it taxes what it pays out. Sound familiar?

A famine of joblessness sweeps over the land and we beg government to save us. Government creates jobs, and suddenly the people are in bondage to government.

But none of that could possibly happen to us, right? God has warned us of the consequences of living under Pharaoh. Surely we will heed God’s warnings, and not live under Pharaoh.

Who is Pharaoh, anyway? In the original story, he is the ruler of Egypt; a divine entity. His word was law and his every wish was to be carried out without question. Throughout history, kings, emperors, and tyrants have claimed to be divine… or at least claimed a divine right to rule over their subjects. It’s almost too easy for these rulers to get their people to willingly hand themselves over to them and into bondage.

When people turn away from God, and look instead to an earthly king to feed, protect, or save them, they have already turned themselves over to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh hides behind many guises. He goes by many names. Whatever his name, his goal is still the total enslavement of people. Fear, addiction, shame, lust, hatred… does one of these Pharaohs hold you in bondage? Usually, we don’t need to look as far away as the government to find a Pharaoh. Often he finds us; right in our home, our workplace, or even in our churches.

With Easter fast approaching, we need to remember that Christ died to free us from sin and death AND bondage! He’s already paid the terrible price to redeem you. Whatever it was that holds you enslaved to Pharaoh, Jesus has already paid for your release. Look up. Take Christ’s hand and let him lift you out of the slave pit.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Celebrate Your Gifts

Recently, I have been in situations where people demanded that I perform or respond in a certain way; specifically… their way. Has that ever happened to you?

For most of us, these demanding people come in an astonishing number of personas. They are parents, siblings, spouses, children, co-workers, church members, neighbors, and even complete strangers. These often well-meaning folks usually pressure us with a fairly effective weapon. The club they swing most often is: GUILT.

A difficult thing to remember is that God directs and guides us with love, NOT guilt. People are busy whacking away at each other with guilt, but mostly to get you to do something they want. Or they want you to act or conform to a certain expectation.

Now I KNOW that God has blessed me with an abundance of gifts; both physical and spiritual. I’m also quite aware that God hasn’t blessed me with EVERY gift. Just as I know that I’m not gifted as a jockey or basketball player, I know that I’m also not gifted as a caregiver or a chef.

Here’s an important tip: we all don’t have the same gifts!

What are your gifts? It’s often easier to discern your physical gifts than your spiritual ones. In the past, I might have encouraged you to develop your gifts. And there’s nothing wrong with developing your gifts, but I believe that there’s plenty of evidence that God will fill you with giftedness when you are involved in the plans he has for you. Besides the example of Moses and all the Prophets, take a look at Jeremiah 1:6-10. Listen to where God might be leading you.

And remember: you don’t like it when somebody dumps a load of guilt on you (I know I sure don’t). So resolve to lay guilt aside. Don’t use it against anyone, and don’t let anybody use it against you. The God of the universe yearns for an intimate relationship with you. Celebrate the plans God has for your life… how YOU are part of God’s plan, and celebrate… and share… your gifts!

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Intelligent Design

Every so often somebody sends me a neat little examination of numbers (I’ll get to that in a minute). After having explored the Mandelbrot Set in the eighties, I have definitely been able to see the imprint of an intelligent creator in the mathematical fundamentals of Chaos Theory.

The Mandelbrot Set… what is THAT?

Back in 1985, my friend, Mark Lehman, and I began an exploration of something wonderful. Scientific American had published an article about the Mandelbrot Set and the emerging science of Chaos Theory. It was heady stuff! We read about a number set within the complex number plane which contained an infinite variety of images; images which were amazingly compelling. Seemingly, every image in the natural world could be found replicated within this thing... this Mandelbrot Set.

It’s interesting to note that it is only the computational power of computers that allows us to explore the mathematical underpinnings built into the entire universe… from life cycles to galaxies! A genuine understanding of the math is what steers mathematicians and scientists to see what they call “intelligent design”. Such a breathtaking mathematical ordering of every system in the universe could not be chance, but could only come from the hand of an awesome creator!

One of the most poetic descriptions of the Mandelbrot set is still one of the finest:

“The Mandelbrot set broods in silent complexity at the center of a vast two-dimensional sheet of numbers called the complex plane. When a certain operation is applied repeatedly to the numbers, the ones outside the set flee to infinity. The numbers inside remain to drift or dance about. Close to the boundary minutely choreographed wanderings mark the onset of the instability. Here is an infinite regress of detail that astonishes us with its variety, its complexity and its strange beauty.”

- A. K. Dewdney, Scientific American, August 1985

To try and put the mathematics in laymen’s terms, let’s consider first that the boundary of the Mandelbrot set is an example of a fractal. A fractal is a mathematical object that is self-similar at every level of magnification. Nowhere will you find a fractal with more intricacy and complexity than the Mandelbrot set. And somehow, this infinite complexity is the product of a ridiculously simple formula. The representation of the Mandelbrot set at first appears to be nothing but an ugly bug with warts. But when you zoom in on its edges, incredibly intricate patterns begin to emerge. Spirals, jellyfish, bow ties, and many other beautiful, bizarre objects abound in infinite numbers on the edge of the Mandelbrot set. And everywhere you look, at every level of magnification, miniature versions of the Mandelbrot set keep popping up.

Here’s a quick trip into a tiny segment of the infinite beauty of the Mandelbrot Set:



Now, as promised, here is a neat little examination of numbers. Some of you will pull out your calculator to check on these computations (I know I did), but it all works out. This is really cool and fun. Consider for a moment…

The Beauty of Mathematics!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9

12 x 8 + 2 = 98

123 x 8 + 3 = 987

1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876

12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765

123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654

1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543

12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432

123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11

12 x 9 + 3 = 111

123 x 9 + 4 = 1111

1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111

12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111

123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111

1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111

12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111

123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88

98 x 9 + 6 = 888

987 x 9 + 5 = 8888

9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888

98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888

987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888

9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888

98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1

11 x 11 = 121

111 x 111 = 12321

1111 x 1111 = 1234321

11111 x 11111 = 123454321

111111 x 111111 = 12345654321

1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321

11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321

111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Mind Boggling...

Now, take a look at this...

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they

are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%...

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help

answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

is

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

is

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But…

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

is

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

is

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close,

And Attitude will get you there,

It’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This last bit is fun, and can be used to encourage us, but it is just one of many substitution games that people play with words and numbers to produce a result that they want to achieve. Do you really believe that God created mathematics and set the universe in motion, so that we could try to fool people about the nature of God with parlor tricks?

With just a few seconds of tweaking, I can use the same trick to produce the answer to the question:

How can we achieve salvation?

I-N-C-H-R-I-S-T

and that is

9+14+3+8+18+9+19+20 = 100%

Yes, we do achieve salvation in Christ, but Jesus commands us to love one another… not trick one another! The bit about hard work, knowledge, attitude, and the love of God is fun, but it is a trick of man… not to be confused with the awesome building blocks of God’s incredible creation… that we dimly perceive as mathematics and science.

This week, as you worship and pray, open your eyes to the awesome wonder and beauty of God’s creation… of which you are a most beloved part. Can you sense the world spinning in its orbit around the sun? Think about our solar system being a speck in the rotating spiral arm of a galaxy. It is just as impossible for you to detect our galaxy’s flight through the universe, as it would be for you to detect the orbit of a single electron about an atom somewhere in your body. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

In that infinite vastness… whether out to the unimaginable scope of the universe, or inward to the strange atomic forces that are just as unimaginable… in all of that creation God loves you. In all of that infinity, God knows just where you are. Open up your heart, let Christ in, and begin a real relationship with the creator and sustainer of the universe!

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

All I Have to Offer

What do you say to someone who has just suffered the death of a child... or a parent… or a dear friend? My words always feel so clumsy when I try to console someone who has suffered a loss of a dear loved one. I assure them that they are in my thoughts and prayers, as I’m sure they already know. But that always sounds so hollow to me. A hug, a smile, and a shoulder to lean on, or cry on, are all I really have to offer.

Jesus, on the other hand, offers so much more! He not only stands with us, comforts us, and supports us, but he has bridged the chasm that separated us from God. He didn’t do that for himself… he did it for us… he did it for you!

This week, the words to the contemporary Christian song 'I Have Been There' keep echoing in my head. I find this song by Mark Schultz to be very uplifting, so here’s the video… followed by the awesome lyrics:

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX20vnf5hH4

I Have Been There

By Mark Shultz

In a room without a view
A new mother smiles and holds the tiny fingers
Of her brand new baby girl
Her husband takes her by the hand
So unsure about the future and no money
Can they make it in this world
And they pray, Lord all we have to give is love
Then they heard a gentle voice
Like an echo from above

Oh I have been there
I know what fear is all about
Yes, I have been there
And I am standing with you now
I have been there
And I came to build a bridge oh so this road could
Lead you home
Oh I have been there

He'd been a pastor twenty years
But tonight he sits alone and brokenhearted
In the corner of the church
He's tried to change a fallen world
With his words and with his wisdom
But it seems like it is only getting worse
And he cries
Oh Lord I just don't understand
And then he felt the hand of grace,
And he heard a voice that said

I have been there
I know what pain is all about
Yes, I have been there
And I am standing with you now
I have been there
And I came to build to a bridge oh so
This road could lead you home
Oh I have been there

An older man up on a hill
Holding flowers but he can't hold back the tears
He has come to say goodbye
He thinks about the life she lived
Thinks about how hard it's been
To live without her
Sixty years right by his side
And he cries, Oh Lord I loved her
'til the end
Then he heard a gentle voice say you'll see her once again

I have been there
I know what sorrow is all about
Yes, I have been there
And I am standing with you now
I have been there
And I came to build a bridge
Oh so this road could lead her home
The road could lead her home
Oh I have been there

Well I overcame the cross
I have been there
So her life would not be lost
I have been there
And I came to build a bridge
Oh so this road could lead you home
The road could lead you home
Oh I have been there

Are you in pain? Are you frustrated or depressed? Are you grieving? Are you worried about the future? Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda is a fellowship in Christ full of folks who ‘have been there’. I invite you to come meet us. I guarantee that besides being welcomed into our fellowship, you will make connections with people that will change your life and lift you up. We are a people that proclaim on our fountain: “Love One Another.” Drop by the sanctuary on Saturday evening, or Sunday morning, stop by the office, or catch up with me in the parking lot.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave Hoag

How to Pray

Jesus taught his disciples in many ways. Often he would use parables to teach them with stories they could understand. In Mathew 6:9-13, however, he gives his disciples (and us) very specific instructions when they ask him how they should pray. He tells them:

This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”

I was teaching this to the children this morning, and in doing so, several revelations about prayer came to me. As so often is the case for me, the children are the catalyst in this process. I think I am teaching them, but through them, God teaches me.

This prayer that Jesus has given us is something completely new in the world. It is a different way to approach God. Let’s break it down:

1. Focus.
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Jesus shows us where our focus should be directed: on our Father in heaven. On our Father in heaven whose name is hallowed… sacred, divine, and holy! He also reminds us that as God’s will is respected and obeyed in heaven, so it should also be respected and obeyed here on earth.

That got me to thinking, and I asked the kids: “Should we pray to God to have his will be done for the things we pray for? For example, if I pray: ‘I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony.’ Can I change God’s will… by chanting my will over and over?”

Even the kindergarten kids knew the answer to that question: NO! God’s will be done… not mine. And yet, so many times we chant our will (in prayer) to God hoping to save a loved one, get a promotion, land a job, rain destruction down on our enemies, or get some other form of ‘pony’. Jesus clearly wants us to pray in such a way as to fit ourselves into God’s will.

2. Faith.
"Give us today our daily bread."

In this simple request, Jesus reminds us that everything comes from God. God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. Every breath we take is a gift from God, not just the daily bread. Jesus reminds us to be thankful; to give thanks to God for… well, everything! If we think we provide for ourselves by our own hand alone, we are sadly mistaken. Daily bread comes in so very many forms. Trust in God, rely on His strength, not yours, be faithful, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.

3. Forgiveness.
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

All of us are imperfect; we sin. Whether you say “debt”, “trespass”, “sin”, or “wound”, the meaning is clear. We are to forgive the wounds that have been inflicted on us by others, before we can ask for (or expect) forgiveness for all the wounds we inflict. No longer is revenge, holding a grudge, getting even, or remembering an offense acceptable.

Jesus died to atone for the sins of ALL people. Is your wound greater than the sacrifice of Jesus? If you refuse to forgive, you place yourself first, and you place yourself outside of God’s grace. Forgiveness does not always come easy. Jesus knew this, so he reminds us to pray for God’s help to be merciful, and forgive.

4. Follow.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Jesus isn’t saying that we need to beseech God to not lead us into temptation. He is reminding us to follow God. For God doesn’t lead us into temptation, the evil one does. Do we listen to God’s will in our life, or do we put our own will first. Satan traps us into believing that we need to get even, that we can do all things by our own strength, and that where our desires will lead us is more important than where God wants to lead us. It’s simple: If you follow God, he will never lead you into temptation.

The Lord’s Prayer is not an incantation. You don’t need to pray it with any certain inflection. You don’t need to be holding beads, or lighting a candle, or holding your hands in a certain way when you pray.

The Lord’s Prayer is not a chant. Praying it over and over by reciting the words is not praying, it’s just chanting. God doesn’t want us to mindlessly chant words over and over. God desires an intimate relationship with us. In teaching us how we should pray, Jesus instructs us how to get intimate with God.

So, when I pray our Lord’s Prayer, I try to think about what Jesus teaches us about prayer. I focus my heart on God, and ask myself: “How can I draw closer to God’s will in my life?” I give thanks and glory to God for my life and the blessings that flow from His grace. I let go of all the hurts and trespasses; sometimes I have to pray for the strength to let go of some of the hurts. And finally, I ask God to open my heart to more ways I can follow His voice, rather than that of the world or the evil one.

In giving us this single prayer, Jesus gives us the means to move toward the more intimate relationship that God wishes to have with us. Try starting your conversations with God with the prayer that Jesus teaches us to pray every day this week. Think about the four Fs… focus, faith, forgiveness, and follow. See if you notice a change in your attitude. See if you notice a change in your closeness to God. See if you notice an increase of joy in your life.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

The Big Game

With Super Bowl Sunday fast approaching, I am reminded of the ‘The Big Game’ story. I have heard it so many times that I have no idea when, or from whom, I first heard it preached. In case you might not have heard the story, or you’re just a bit forgetful (like me), you needn’t worry… I’ll retell it:

The football fan was so excited! His team had made it through the play-offs, and was going to play in the Super Bowl. The trouble was, his boss at the store where he worked had already set the schedule for the month, and he was going to have to cover at the store the day of the big game. He was initially very upset, and tried to get his boss to let him take the day as a vacation day. His boss explained that everybody wanted to watch the big game, and since he had the least seniority, he’d be working that day. Although sympathetic to his team fervor, his boss made it clear that his job depended on him showing up for work; no excuses.

Rather than curse his situation, he decided to record the game, and play it back later… after he’d gotten off work. To make it more fun, he invited everyone he knew who had to work during the big game to a belated Super Bowl party. They could celebrate together with food and drink, watch the recorded game, and still have a good time. In fact, they all agreed to not listen to any news reports about the game, so they wouldn’t know anything about the game, and the whole thing would be just like watching in real-time.

For the last few hours at work, he managed to cut people off if they started talking about the Super Bowl game they had just watched. He’d politely explain the situation, and everybody seemed to understand. Virtually everybody told him he was really going to enjoy the game.

Finally, the work day was over, he could close up, lock up, and go home and start his exciting Super Bowl party. But just as he was getting close to his car, he overheard a shouted exchange in the parking lot: He heard how, in a miraculous play, his team had come from behind to win in the last-seconds of the game!

All the rest of his friends attending his Super Bowl party had managed to remain ignorant of the game’s final outcome, and not wanting to spoil any of their fun, he didn’t reveal that he’d accidentally heard what the final result of the contest would be. It was supposed to be a close game, and the excitement of those watching was high. By halftime, that excitement had waned somewhat for those rooting for his team, as they were down by more than 20 points.

Knowing the final result, he encouraged his fellow fans with: “It’s not over, yet. Don’t give up hope!”

But the third quarter was even worse. Their team was getting hammered on the field; it looked like it was going to be a humiliating loss. Some of his friends, seeing many of the fans in the stadium leaving at the start of the fourth quarter, were of the opinion that they had the right idea. He kept his friends from leaving, and again exhorted them with: “It’s not over, yet. Have some faith!”

And then, impossibly, their team rallied. They made play after play; running, passing, and moving the ball for touchdown after touchdown. With only 2 minutes left on the clock, their team got possession of the ball on their own 10-yard line, and though they trailed by 2 points, a touchdown would win the game for them. But the other team’s defense hit back with everything they had, and managed to stop them in the middle of the field. At fourth down and 15 yards, it seemed like the end with only 3 seconds left to play.

As his team lined up for what seemed to be a futile field goal attempt, everybody groaned. By the time the ball was snapped and teed, the kicker would have to kick it more than 52 yards to make a field goal. Our guy was the only one who believed they could score, and he got everyone to their feet, shouting: “They can do it… they can make the kick… they can score… they can win this!” And, of course, they did.

Afterward, all his friends marveled at how he had never lost hope, how he had never lost faith, and how his encouragement had kept them all from giving up. He finally admitted to all of them that he had been told the final result, so it was easy for him to remain calm and never lose hope.

As Christians, we too, know the final result. It doesn’t matter how many times we get blitzed by Satan or the world. So what if we just got sacked and had the wind knocked out of us? That lineup coming up against us may be fierce and unrelenting, but in the end, they are destined to lose. All the fear and worry won’t change the final outcome.

Sin and death have been beaten, but Satan tries to convince us otherwise; that the contest is still being played out. We already know how Jesus, sacrificing himself, literally takes the hit for the entire team… giving us the final victory. So encourage one another. Lift each other up. Stay in the game right down to the final second… don’t you dare give up!

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Anger and Forgiveness; Unkindness and Kindness

Some of the most thoughtful and Spirit led comments to this blog are posted by Monica. Monica is not a partner in ministry here at Messiah Lutheran Church, but she is a faithful sister in Christ, and has been a good friend of mine for many years. Though there are only a few people bold enough (or technically savvy enough, perhaps; LOL) to place themselves on the ‘followers’ list of this blog, I know that there are many people that read the blog; some more often than others. Of all of the readers, Monica is perhaps the most faithful at reading the blog posts every week… certainly, she is the most prolific at offering comments. She is actually fulfilling the mission of this blog: to be alive in God’s Spirit through the sharing of thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and… to extend our Christian fellowship at Messiah into the internet, to be accessible to all.

Last week’s post generated a wonderful response from Monica. After thinking about it a bit more, Monica sent me an email that expanded brilliantly on that same subject. With her kind permission, I now share it with you:

Anger and Forgiveness; Unkindness and Kindness

By Monica Martin

These past several months I have been working hard on forgiveness. It has been difficult for me to accept forgiveness myself and not keep 'beating myself up' over things that happened in the past. However, greater understanding that the Lord really loves me has helped in that regard.

So now, regarding other people...

I was glad to be 2,100 miles away from my nemesis relative, who verbally and sometimes physically delighted in fighting and debasing me. Locally, this past year has been very difficult with a few certain people undermining my term as President of an organization, and trying to remove people and other things which were specifically not their responsibility; going behind my back. Also, board meetings often turned into very unpleasant times. I believe in the cause of the national organization but the local problems were draining me completely emotionally.

So besides praying, I went to my pastor. He told me two things:

1. We are commanded to forgive;
2. It's not for them but for us.

Of course there is a benefit for them, but sometimes they don't even realize it because they are so busy attacking (sort of reminiscent of sixth grade, or junior high school girls).

Another pastor once told me that forgiveness is making no consequences for the person's having done something to me. No retribution. I had accomplished that much; I can be polite, I can greet people when I cannot avoid them and then do as little as possible with them. I thought I had it covered...

But no! As I was double-checking my own paperwork with the organization, I found yet another betrayal. I was angrier than I had been in DECADES. I cannot live like this!

I tend to sing often to turn my thoughts to the Lord. Being so very angry, and not able to control it, I turned to singing. One of the songs our vocal ensemble has been working on is one of my very favorite hymns, “Be Thou My Vision.” So that is what I found myself singing. I was stunned when I realized that if all else was to be nothing except that God Is, then all of the machinations, pettiness, and meanness was nothing to me.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

The problem here so far is that I was trying to 'behave' and act right on my own. We 'ought' to forgive, 70 times 7 (which is to say, without end). But having a rule/law doesn't always help. That wasn't enough. I wasn't really thinking that this was all nothing, but rather looking to my own hurt self. But turning to the Lord, realizing that He was my joy, He forgave me, and it freed me so very much to forgive them. That was really a great day of rejoicing.

But not so fast... turns out that being among them still chafes.

At one of the meetings someone asked me why I looked so unhappy (I wasn't happy). Then she asked me why not? She's also a Christian and aware that God is our joy and not the things we do or the people we are among. So I still had some work to do.

Then recently the other pastor spoke about what he will be doing in the New Year. I missed a lot of what he said because one point stuck in my brain and heart as something that I must do:

Be kind to the unkind.

That, by the grace of God, will effect forgiveness for them, and in me. I cannot do this myself, so I sing and pray, and pray and sing:

With God dwelling in me, with Jesus standing beside me,
“Thou my great Father, I thy true son;”
If my heart is really set on you God, and I walk in the love of Jesus,
Then your Spirit will give me the grace to forgive.

Post script: Monica is a professional photographer; one of the top photographers in Alabama. I asked her to pick a picture that best reflected the blog entry topic. I wanted her to choose something related to the topic, but with meaning to HER heart. Since I offered to credit her work, I thought she’d send me one of her photographs. Instead, Monica sent me a picture taken by her good friend Jim Solomon who took the photo at the 40th anniversary party that commemorated Monica and Diehl’s First Date March 11, 2007. She lovingly remembers the kindness and loving heart of her husband:

Diehl was always kind to me when I was angry; the rule from before we married was that I couldn't throw anything except paper napkins and pillows. So if I was frustrated and threw down a paper napkin, he would pick it up, present it to me with both hands, and say, "Pretty Lady is this yours?" with a loving smile; which, of course, made me smile or laugh.

Your brother in Christ, Dave

Do Not Judge

Jesus teaches us not to judge one another in Matthew 7:1 when he says:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

My friend in Texas, Pastor Pat, sent me the following story. It’s one of those things that floats around the internet, but I liked the way it illustrates how many of us are so quick to judge… and how often it causes us to utter something hurtful.

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Never Judge Someone...

“Some people!” snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store.

“You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line,” said a woman.

I looked to the front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.

“It's one of them welfare card things. Damn people need to get a job like everyone else,” said the man standing behind me.

The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment.

“It was me,” he said, pointing to himself.

The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove way.

After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use food stamps; I had learned never to judge anyone without knowing the circumstances of their life. This turned out to be the case today.

Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away.

“Why would she do that?” asked the man. Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement. “I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry,” said the man.

“Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,” he said in a very firm voice.

“I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,” he replied, shaking both his hands about.

The young man asked, “Are these paid for?” pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries. “It wouldn't take her card,” the clerk told him.

“Do you know where she lives?” asked the man who had made the comment.

“Yes, she goes to our church.”

“Excuse me,” he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, “Please use my card. PLEASE!” The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries.

“Hold on,” said the gentleman. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. “Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!” he told everyone in line.

Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts. “Go back and get two big turkeys,” yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man.

“NO,” yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds. “Four turkeys,” yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.

When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface. He turned around and handed the check to the young man. “She will need a freezer and a few other things as well,” he told the man.

The young man looked at the check and said, “This is really very generous of you.”

“No,” said the man. “Her brother was the generous one.”

Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American.

We live in the Land of the free, because of the Brave!!

Remember our Troops of Yesterday and Today!!!

A great example of why we should be kind and patient. Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.
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Your brother in Christ,

Dave