"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." 2 Corinthians 3:12
This verse was the first verse of our Epistle reading on Sunday morning. It's always easy to skip over that first verse in a reading, because you're just settling in, or readjusting, but look at it. Since we have such a hope....what hope is that? The previous verses are talking about the new convenant with God and the glory brought by it...but what is that? HEAVEN! So, since since Heaven is our hope, we are very bold. Bold to do what?
I was impressed this past week with our Synodical President who was asked to testify before a committee on abortion and contraception in the new healthcare law. The concern from many churches is that there is a mandate to provide contraception and pills that basically terminate a pregnancy, even if there is religious objection. The words shared were clear, concise and BOLD.
But what about us? Those of us who are not deeply theologically trained? Those of us "regular folk". How are we bold? I am ashamed of myself at many times because I "work" for God, yet, how bold am I? I fall very short in my boldness most often.
So, maybe it's not about the boldness of our actions. That's a good thing. But maybe, just maybe, we need to be bold not in ourselves or our actions, but bold in talking about God. Bold in falling into His grace and mercy. Bold in forgiveness. Bold in living joy-filled lives, because we have a hope and confidence that as children of God, heaven is ours.
Let's get bold. Bold in speaking about how imperfect we are, yet are forgiven by God. Bold in speaking about how God loves us, in spite of us turning our backs on Him. Let's be bold, because God was bold for us. He sent His only Son, Jesus, the sinless sacrifice, to be our stand-in. We'll stumble, we'll fall. We'll even be timid. But I pray that in this world that needs to hear good news more than ever, we'll be the ones BOLDLY saying, "It's not about what you've done wrong. It's about what God has done for you." Building those connections, speaking in love, and allowing the Word, the love, the joy of God to penetrate and permeate the deepest places of all of our souls!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
I've got the joy?
Yes, I put a question mark after that statement. The statement usually ends with an exclamation point, but it's a question I've been asking myself recently for many reasons. As the dad of a nearly 3 year old daughter, a 2 month old daughter and a husband to an amazing and beautiful wife, these are reasons to be bursting with joy. And I do. To be blessed with an amazing family that has passed on a legacy of faith that I try to share with everyone around me, who loves me and cares for me and prays for me daily, I burst with joy. So why am I posting about joy?
Well, we're getting closer to Lent. As a Lutheran, Lent is far from joy filled. In being honest, as a Lutheran, most Sundays seem to be far from joy filled on the outside. We may be dancing on the inside, but our faces sure don't know it. Part of my struggle with Lent is that as an Easter Christian, I know the end of the story! I get excited because it's the best ending any story could have! I understand as well that we Lutherans (and other Christians as well) remind ourselves of why God sent Jesus to redeem us. And that is a beneficial and needful thing too. But how do we strike the balance? How do we remember that in the end, GOD WINS AND DEATH IS DEFEATED, but it was because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf because we cannot redeem ourselves? Sorry if I spoiled the end of the story.
For a while now, I've shared with people my observation that after receiving the body and blood of Jesus in The Lord's Supper, there is a lack of smiling. Typically, there's a lack of any expression. My contention is that you have just received the body and blood of Jesus, forgiveness of your sins.....wouldn't that bring you joy? Or another observation, and maybe it's living in Texas now for 4 years, wouldn't it be great if after the pastor shares the absolution with the congregation, there's a collective "YAHOO"!!!! I may get a few people upset with me for saying it, but how do you hear those words of forgiveness and NOT smile? And NOT be joyful?
I don't have the answers. I just seem to keep coming up with questions. But the one answer I personally keep returning to is that joy of serving God and serving God by serving others is where I find my joy. Even in those moments where I wonder what God is doing, or why God has me doing what I'm doing, I can be filled with joy because whether I understand God's working or motives, I am serving Him and answering His call.
Well, we're getting closer to Lent. As a Lutheran, Lent is far from joy filled. In being honest, as a Lutheran, most Sundays seem to be far from joy filled on the outside. We may be dancing on the inside, but our faces sure don't know it. Part of my struggle with Lent is that as an Easter Christian, I know the end of the story! I get excited because it's the best ending any story could have! I understand as well that we Lutherans (and other Christians as well) remind ourselves of why God sent Jesus to redeem us. And that is a beneficial and needful thing too. But how do we strike the balance? How do we remember that in the end, GOD WINS AND DEATH IS DEFEATED, but it was because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf because we cannot redeem ourselves? Sorry if I spoiled the end of the story.
For a while now, I've shared with people my observation that after receiving the body and blood of Jesus in The Lord's Supper, there is a lack of smiling. Typically, there's a lack of any expression. My contention is that you have just received the body and blood of Jesus, forgiveness of your sins.....wouldn't that bring you joy? Or another observation, and maybe it's living in Texas now for 4 years, wouldn't it be great if after the pastor shares the absolution with the congregation, there's a collective "YAHOO"!!!! I may get a few people upset with me for saying it, but how do you hear those words of forgiveness and NOT smile? And NOT be joyful?
I don't have the answers. I just seem to keep coming up with questions. But the one answer I personally keep returning to is that joy of serving God and serving God by serving others is where I find my joy. Even in those moments where I wonder what God is doing, or why God has me doing what I'm doing, I can be filled with joy because whether I understand God's working or motives, I am serving Him and answering His call.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Holy Hand Clap
http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2012/01/the-clap-offering/
The link above is a blog post on Jon Acuff's blog called "Stuff Christians Like". It's great. It is a great reflection on the church and the Christian subculture in a funny and unique way. Like this post. In "the world" (which we all live in), if we are appreciative of something, we clap. We clap if it's good, we clap if it's not so good. But what about church?
It comes down to why is music offered in worship? It's been something I've been pondering for a while. Particularly in light of a few not so positive comments shared in our recent congregational survey on worship regarding my organ treatment of hymns. That's another post for another day. But why is music in our worship services? It's Biblical. That's the easy answer. But, I'm thinking on a higher level here. A month ago, I was at a conference in Dallas and the (not-Lutheran) pastor shared some thoughts on Christmas and singing. He said why is it that Mary, Simeon, and the angels burst into song? His thought: Music goes farther emotionally than mere words can. And I think that's spot on. If I just speak words to God, there's power there. But if I match it to beautiful music, you have powerful words and powerful music connected at a much deeper level.
So, back to clapping. Why don't we clap when the reader speaks the Old Testament lesson filled with really difficult names without stumbling? Why don't we clap when the Pastor is done with the sermon and did a great job of expounding on Law and Gospel? Why don't we clap at anything else outside of music in our worship service? I just don't get it.
Am I saying don't clap? No. Just trying to figure out why we do it. I've spent many years trying to figure it out, and probably will continue to. To me, I don't share music or encourage others to share music to gain applause of the people in the pews. That's not what it is for. It is to praise God for the blessings He gives and the joy that comes from serving Him!
The link above is a blog post on Jon Acuff's blog called "Stuff Christians Like". It's great. It is a great reflection on the church and the Christian subculture in a funny and unique way. Like this post. In "the world" (which we all live in), if we are appreciative of something, we clap. We clap if it's good, we clap if it's not so good. But what about church?
It comes down to why is music offered in worship? It's been something I've been pondering for a while. Particularly in light of a few not so positive comments shared in our recent congregational survey on worship regarding my organ treatment of hymns. That's another post for another day. But why is music in our worship services? It's Biblical. That's the easy answer. But, I'm thinking on a higher level here. A month ago, I was at a conference in Dallas and the (not-Lutheran) pastor shared some thoughts on Christmas and singing. He said why is it that Mary, Simeon, and the angels burst into song? His thought: Music goes farther emotionally than mere words can. And I think that's spot on. If I just speak words to God, there's power there. But if I match it to beautiful music, you have powerful words and powerful music connected at a much deeper level.
So, back to clapping. Why don't we clap when the reader speaks the Old Testament lesson filled with really difficult names without stumbling? Why don't we clap when the Pastor is done with the sermon and did a great job of expounding on Law and Gospel? Why don't we clap at anything else outside of music in our worship service? I just don't get it.
Am I saying don't clap? No. Just trying to figure out why we do it. I've spent many years trying to figure it out, and probably will continue to. To me, I don't share music or encourage others to share music to gain applause of the people in the pews. That's not what it is for. It is to praise God for the blessings He gives and the joy that comes from serving Him!
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