We say in the church all the time that “God is Good”.  What does that mean?

It doesn’t matter whether if we are talking about God, a work of art, a movie, a restaurant or the newest fashion design – how do we decide that something is “good”?  How do [...]]]> How do you know when something is good?

We say in the church all the time that “God is Good”.  What does that mean?

It doesn’t matter whether if we are talking about God, a work of art, a movie, a restaurant or the newest fashion design – how do we decide that something is “good”?  How do we decide if God is good?

When we talk about God, we read about the things that God has done for us, and continues to do for us in the Bible.  We learn more about our faith by attending church and talking with others.  This enables us to think about our faith and discern what is good and what is bad about what we believe.

Some people however just listen to the authority in their lives and not really think about what they personally believe.   They follow certain rules because some authority figure told them to do it, but they never took the time to think and pray about it for themselves.

Living a life based on second hand values isn’t living at all.  Saying the right things and doing the right things is nice but that can lead to simply “existing.”  To really live out our faith, we  must trust our own instincts and take the risk of stepping out of line now and then.

Questioning our values might seem like heresy to some.  However, we all do it at one point or another in our lives.  For example, when I was in college I questioned my faith.  I started to look at my life and I realized that I was baptized a Lutheran when I was a baby, I was raised in a Lutheran Church, I went to a Lutheran summer camp and I was attending a Lutheran College.  So was I a Lutheran because of my history or did I really want to be a Lutheran?  While I was questioning my denomination, I  also started to question my faith, did I really believe in God?

My answer to all my questions was “Yes!”

“Yes”, I was Lutheran because I was baptized and raised in the Lutheran Church, “yes” I did believe in the teachings of the Lutheran Church and I did embrace them as my own, and “yes” I did believe in God, I knew that my life would be unbearable if I did not believe in a loving God who was always there for me and who carried the burdens that seemed so hard for me to carry on my own.

Even though I have come to that conclution, it doesn’t mean that sometimes life is hard, that sometimes faith is hard.  Even recently when I look at the death and destruction in our world, I ask myself “where is God in all of this?” Then I see it…..I see God in the people,  dropping everything, traveling thousands of miles to help those in need, I see God in families giving up time in their busy weekends to help a stranger….I see God in my children as they run and play and make me smile…..I see God in the beauty that surrounds my world.  I see God in these places and many more — this is why I think, why I know that God is good.

My prayer is that when we say that we think something is good, when  we  like something, when we think something is “good”  we should think about the reasons.  This applies even when it comes to our faith.  We should not listen to the authorities blindly, but we should stop and think why we believe what we do, we should ask questions, talk with others and look…..where do we see God in the world, and think about how our faith impacts our lives.

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More often than not we are afraid of failure, we don’t want to fail.  We may think that if we are going to do something and we are not going to succeed, why waste our time?

But we do fail….we are not perfect — But [...]]]> What do you think when you hear the phrase:  “You are a failure!”

More often than not we are afraid of failure, we don’t want to fail.  We may think that if we are going to do something and we are not going to succeed, why waste our time?

But we do fail….we are not perfect — But do some people fail more than others?  If so, why?

Perhaps the problem is that we are not afraid of failure, but somewhere deep inside of us we are afraid of success?

We see this in the Bible:

The Prophet Jonah chose to turn away from the great things God had planned for him.   Jonah eventually found himself eaten by a whale.

Most people who fear success find themselves consumed by regrets for things that might have been.

There are many reasons why we might turn away from the challenges that could bring us success, but it is usually because we just don’t believe we have what it takes to pull it off.  We don’t have the self confidence to really believe that we have the knowledge, skill set, or ability to get the job done.

But like the old saying says “you can do anything you put your mind too.”  That’s the key!

What does our mind say?  If we believe that we can’t get it done, then we won’t. However, if we believe that we not only can get the job done, but we were put in place for a reason, then we will get the job done with excellence.

They only way we can make this happen is to take “baby steps.”

For example, I am not really that handy around the house……well that’s the impression I have of myself right now.  I have been watching many hours of the DIY Network channel.  I have been learning alot about home projects.  I have a little more confidence in myself when it comes to projects around the house.

But before I start to build my outdoor room, or before I rip down my back porch and build a bigger and better one…..I am first going to start small and switch-out the shower head, and maybe build a bookcase in the kids room.  I am going to start small and start to have many small victories, build my confidence and learn more and more everyday.  I am going to take on risks and then gradually – step by step – up the ante.

So instead of going into a project, or going into life, with a negative view, with a mindset for failure, I believe we can all turn our thinking around. Believe in ourselves, know that we are called to be where we are, to do what we are doing and that believe that God will always be with us.

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Let’s see how many people can do this. Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as [...]]]> For the last month I have been reading about all the thankful things in my friends lives through status messages on facebook.  Many of my friends began by posting this:

Let’s see how many people can do this. Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. “Today I am thankful for…” The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what YOU are thankful for today.

I commend them for attempting to do this.  I chose not to participate on facebook.  But I would like to now post 27 things that I am thankful for here to make up for my lack of participation on facebook.

Here goes nothing:

1.  For my wife and my best friend.  She stands beside me in all aspects of my life, she pushes me to do my best no matter what the obstacles are, she seems to love me more and more each day, evenn the parts that I may not love…

2.  For my son, who is one of the most important people in my life.  He is bright, active and he is always ready to have fun.  He is smart and fun to be around and he always surprises me.   I love coming home to him and hearing about his day.

3.  For my daughter, who at 2 years old already has me wrapped around her little finger.  She gets so excited every time I come home from work.  She makes me laugh and cry in a matter of seconds.  She is going to grow up and be a beautiful, intelligent, independent woman.

4.  For a church that has been patient with a first call pastor.   They  work with me as I learn what it means to be a pastor and they allow me to work with them as a congregation in the community that we live in.

5.  For our house.  Even though we may not own it yet, we are happy to be settled in a house that we can almost call our own, and we can feel completely settled for the first time in our life together as a family.

6.  For me extended family.  I love my parents and my brothers who bring so much to our lives.  I may not say it enough but there is no measure of gratitude I can express for the positive presence they have been and continue to be in my life.

7.  For my friends who are like family.  I have the best friends a person could ask for….I have been inspired, awed, humbled, and wowed over and over again in my life by these people.  I am thankful for any time that I get to spend with them (because it is not much these days).  I miss them but I am thankful for the quality of time that I do spend with them and I look forward to that more than getting presents at Christmas.

8.  For all of those who have died this past year.  So many people walk into our lives and make lasting impressions on our hearts….I give thanks for them.

9.  For music — so many times I don’t have the right words for a certain situation and so many times music steps in and gives the words and/or the sound to complete my thoughts.

10.  For celebrations, this year I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with my wife, my first anniversary of being at the church I serve and the first anniversary of my ordination…..I look forward to celebrate more in the years to come.

11.  For the opportunity to work with the youth of my church.  I love youth ministry and I am thankful for being able to have a congregation that sees my passion and ability to work with the young people of the church and I am thankful for the opportunity to do so on a daily basis.

12.  For vacation….do I need to say more?

13.  For the opportunity to serve, especially during our trip to New Orleans this past summer.

14.  For my heath.  Even though I continue to struggle with some health issues, I am thankful for the health that I do have an the opportunity to continue to live a healthier lifestyle.

15.  For colleagues that have been so important to my ministry this past year.  For my colleagues who check in with me and who offer advice as to how to improve my ministry.   For my colleagues who just lend a listening ear.

16.  For new beginnings………

17.  For opportunities to walk with people in the best and worst times of their lives.

18.  For the ELCA who struggles with its identity as a denomination.   For people who are able to have a constructive conversation about their beliefs and interpretation of the Bible.  For those who may disagree with decisions by the ELCA but choose to work from within rather than leave or withhold money.

19.  For the leadership of bishops, especially Bishop Hanson and Bishop Jerge.

20.  For my pets,  I am thankful for our dog and two cats.  I love them and I can’t imagine my life without them.

21.  For my ability to self criticize.  For my ability to see my mistakes and not to get frustrated with myself but to grow and blossom as an individual as a leader.

22.  For things that make my life easier (ie technology) my iphone, my laptop, wireless Internet, Google, spanning sync, MoblieMe, ect

23.  For the things that I take for granted — being a white male, living in America, freedom, an education, a job, a family, my health, my cars, electricity, running water ect

24.  For all those who fight to serve our country.  May God bless them in the work that they do.

25.  For DVR (can this count as two?)

26.  For the stress releases in my life:  music, working out, television.  I will need them more and more the closer we get to Christmas.

That is my list, I am sure that I am not including everything — because it was not hard to come up with the many blessings in my life.  I feel blessed!

I hope that everyone who reads this had a blessed Thanksgiving.

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When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest [...]]]> When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!

Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

This hymn was written by Horatio G. Spafford after two major events in Spafford’s life. The first was the great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially.  Later in his life, Spafford’s wife and four daughters were crossing the Atlantic on a ship namedVille du Havre, headed for vacation (Spafford was held up due to some business).  All of a sudden their ship collided with an iron sailing vessel and 226 people died including all four of Spafford’s daughters.  However, his wife survived and she sent him a telegram from England that read, “Saved alone…now what shall I do?” Several weeks later, Spaffordleft to meet his wife and his own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired the words to the song It is well with my Soul. Spafford once said that “They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief they experience here on earth.”

I have been thinking alot about souls lately.  I have talked with other clergy about the importance of walking with people as they search deep within their souls.

My first reaction when talking about souls is the episode of the Simpsons when Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for $5.00.  Lisa warns Bart that something bad will happen, but he doesn’t believe her until he can’t pass through automatic doors, and animals are afraid of him. Bart tries to buy his soul back but finds that Milhouse sold it to the Comic Book Guy, who sold it to an unnamed person. Turns out, Lisa bought Bart’s soul and returned it to him.

How many of us do not realize the importance of our souls?  How many of us have a soul that is not well?  How do I as a religious professional help people become well with their soul once again?  These are the questions that I have been pondering, and these are the questions that I do not have answers.  When I talk with people, it seems that everyone has something that they are dealing with, some more intensely than others and I want to be there for people, I want to empower them to take care of themselves which includes their soul.  So how do you build a network inside of the church to help people with their souls?  This is a question that I will be pondering, working with, talking about for the next year or so, hoping that one day it can be well with all of our souls.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8z7f7a2Pk

Those of you who came to see a video of me dancing might be disappointed.

But there is a video I would like to share with you that has been making it’s way around the internet.

The video is from the 2009 Sasquatch Music Festival.  It is of a man dancing.  Now that by itself  might not be [...]]]>

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8z7f7a2Pk

Those of you who came to see a video of me dancing might be disappointed.

But there is a video I would like to share with you that has been making it’s way around the internet.

The video is from the 2009 Sasquatch Music Festival.  It is of a man dancing.  Now that by itself  might not be news.  However, the dancing man is suddenly joined by someone else and before you know there are hundreds of people dancing.  If you don’t believe me check the video out!

This video has been called inspirational, this video been described as a way to promote perseverance and determination within us all.  The reviews I have read have been right on.

But I see something else in this video.

I see this video revealing something about our society in general. I think we as a society are still too quick to judge someone because of who they are, what they look like or things that they might do. For example, the man in the video is not a good dancer, we expect him to fail, we expect him to feel embarrassed by his actions and to sit down.  It reminds me of Susan Boyle, who walked on stage and was almost booed off until she started to sing; and now she is an international star.  We too often look at someone, quickly judge them and then we are surprised when they produce something good.

It doesn’t matter if the person is too fat or skinny, too white or black- or anything else that we use to judge someone it is not right.

This happens in the church as well.  In too many congregations we are quick to judge if “they” walk into “our” church not dressed the way we would like them to be or not act like we think they should.  We start to push them away before we really get to know them and accept them as a child of God.

My prayer is that we can look past that and see who is on the inside. Or like the man in the video – if we think we are not being treated fairly because of what we look like or how we might act in certain situations, that we can keep dancing and doing what we think is right until the crowd starts to follow us.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8z7f7a2Pk

That’s right, the lucky people of region seven will soon be embarking on a journey with me in my ministerial vocation.

Last night the seniors at The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia worshiped with the community and then went to the Presidents house for conversation, anticipation and opening of our regional assignments.   It was a [...]]]> Region Seven!

That’s right, the lucky people of region seven will soon be embarking on a journey with me in my ministerial vocation.

Last night the seniors at The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia worshiped with the community and then went to the Presidents house for conversation, anticipation and opening of our regional assignments.   It was a very tense time but I think that everyone at LTSP was able to receive their first or second choice in region.

Region Seven is the North East United States. Now we have to wait until Palm Sunday when we will gather at the seminary in Philadelphia and we will interview with the bishops in the region and then be assigned to a synod after that.

I must say as I get closer to graduation, as I get further along in assignment the more nervous I get.  This means the more I need to rely on the Holy Spirit throughout this process.  I know what I want and I know it is not up to me but it is up to where God sees it best for me.  I know that in my head and I need to also feel it in my heart.

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Class was okay, I really don’t understand everything becuase Dr. Gafney goes WICKED fast and uses many Bibical names which I don’t know how to spell. [...]]]> Today I am doing well in my Lenten journey. I went to the gym this morning. I went swimming and I did about 10 laps, with various strokes…..

Class was okay, I really don’t understand everything becuase Dr. Gafney goes WICKED fast and uses many Bibical names which I don’t know how to spell. So my notes read

Ambliech said to harmilain about YHWH ect…….

See what I mean???

THe rest of the afternoon I have been cleaning the house and watching Music of the Heart. It is a great movie if you have not seen it yet. It makes me want to go back to school and study music again. I am always inspired by those type of movies…

I have to head to the kitchen and clean that (or attempt too) before Katie gets home. I wanted to get the whole house done but a boy needs to rest.

Tomorrow we have football practice again!!! I a m very excited, it will be nice to get out and run around with my friends again. I think football is my favorite time of the year even though i had to find a babysitter every friday in the fall. I love being active and athletic. Another reason to get back in shape.

Well I am off and I want to leave you all with a Chuck Norris Quote…..

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.

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