Moments

Busy weekend for sure.  Lots of highs and lows this weekend.  Here are just a few of the special moments:

• Absolutely beautiful weather.  We couldn’t have asked for a nicer weekend.
• The weekend started with Jon playing baseball.  They beat St. Joe’s.
• As of Saturday, a lot of people were already gone.  That just means I got a lot of work done.
• Celebrated Ascension this weekend.  It is a great festival.
• Church and Bible class attendance was lite.  I knew it would be, but still don’t like it.  What is more, still had a great time of worship because God was definitely here.
• Funny story.  Abigail P., came up and showed off her beautiful outfit. She is in the third grade.  I said, “My don’t you look beautiful and patriotic!”  Response, “It is Memorial week.”  “Really?  Are you sure it isn’t Pastor Appreciation day?”  “What is that?” (said with crazed look).  “That is when you come and tell me how much you love me and give me a dollar.”  “What!?  I’m not giving you a dollar.  I’ll give Jesus a dollar!”  It is a great conversation and gave me great joy.  I guess her priorities are right.
• Spent Sunday with some good friends.
• Monday was spend geocaching and enjoying the outdoors.

That was all good stuff, but there was some disheartening news as well.  We need one more paper for the adoption of Lovelie.  Of course, it always seems like there is one more paper.   They have been working on it really hard.  Pastor Paul even pursued it for us in Haiti.  After over a month, it was finally determined that the paper just can’t be made.  We are waiting to hear what to do next.  Time is running out.

This last week I have seen Christianity smeared more than usual.  I know it is nothing new.  Christianity is often belittled and degraded by the media.  But this week, I have seen an unusually large amount of Christian bashing.

The reason it has been so bad this week is because it was justified.  There have just been too many people doing stupid and immoral stuff in the name of Christianity!  There is crazy stuff happening in our community, nationally and even internationally.  It is on the news and in newspapers and magazines. Satan is having a field day.

The question becomes, what can I do?  I can blog about it.  But that just becomes a vent for my frustration.  It probably doesn’t help.  Sorry about that.  The real answer, and this is what I hope get out of this, is to live a life of integrity.  While I can’t right the wrongs that are occurring all too frequently, I can live a life that honors the name of Christ.  I can let my light shine before men that they may see my good works and give glory to my Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).  I can be a light for Christ for the world to see.

As I read some of the responses to my blog of 5/13, they got it right.  Every weekend there are 430 people here who can make a difference in our world.  All we can do is honor God by our words and actions.  But that will make an incredible difference.

We don’t have to be perfect.  That’s why Jesus came.  We just walk with Him and He will take care of the rest.  And we pray, “God, let my life be a witness of your love in the world.  Give me opportunity to testify in word and deed of your love for others.”

Thanks for listening.

After much peer pressure and social threats, I gave in an watched American Idol last night.  I am proud of my son who didn’t give in, however, he did seem to know a little too much about it for my taste.  It seems as if these two gentlemen have been all the talk around the water-cooler lately.  So I watched the show.

After watching the show, I realized why I am not an idol fan.  I do love music and I love watching people sing, but this was over the top for me.

Having said all of that, I thought that overall, Adam did a better job.  Still, I enjoyed Kris more.  He seemed more versatile and like he was having for fun.  Adam just seemed mad the whole time.  He didn’t seem like he was having fun or enjoying the moment.

Bottom line, when it came time to vote, I did a call in for Larry the Cucumber.  He is my American Idol!

So much happens at First Trinity on a weekend.  This weekend was no different.  Here are just a few of the special moments from the weekend:

• Men’s group met for breakfast on Saturday morning.  Thanks brothers for such a fine meal.  You certainly fed our body well.  Then Judge Robert Alexander spoke and fed our souls.  Wow!   What a testimony.  His story is evidence of the depth of love our God has.  We can never be so far from God that His love in Christ cannot reach us.
• Then I had a chance to meet with a wonderful couple preparing for marriage.  It is great to see a couple who understand the importance of communication in a relationship.
• Abby had a softball game between rain showers.  Her team came in second.  (Yes there were only two teams).  It was close though.
• Came back to church to get ready for worship.  As always, worship is a wonderful experience at First Trinity.
• Our late service on Saturday was filled with young children.  That was unusual.  I love to see young children in church.
• Bible class on Sunday is always interesting because the questions are always challenging.  Fortunately, there are some people who also have great insights to help.
• After worship on Sunday, we baptized two children.   It was a great time.  Kristina assisted.  It was her first time helping and she did a great job.  After the baptism she gave the children their candles and spoke Matthew 5:16 to them.
• Then we had a some youth over for a movie at our house.

It was a busy weekend, but fun and filled with God’s blessings.

Next month we have a Congregational Meeting.  The Executive Ministry Team (E.M.T.) will present our vision and goals for the coming year.  It is always an exciting meeting as we look to the future.  I know I get excited just thinking about the possibilities before us.  First Trinity is a great place to be.

As I prepare, I have been considering a question that I really need some help with.  (I know what you are thinking, “You only have one question you need help with – really?”)  The question is, what is preventing us from moving deeper into mission and ministry in our area?

If you had to narrow it down to one or two areas, what suggestions would you make.  I really would appreciate some response to this.  Again, the question is not what areas you would like to see us get more involved in, but what is preventing us from being more involved?

Mother’s Day is always a special day around First Trinity.  In fact, it is just a special day period.  Here are just a few of the special moments from the weekend:

• Looks like we have a bass guitar and amp missing.
• Lots of families together for the weekend.  That is always special.
• Jason and I got to tell Sue how much the congregation appreciates her ministry.
• Great discussions in Bible class.

But the big question is, “What did I do for Susan for Mother’s Day?”  I know people are wondering after the response to my blog.  Well, we came home from church and I made lunch.  Becky, Joe and JoJo came over for lunch too.  Then we went to see Star Trek.  Yes, it is true, I do spoil her.  But she is worth it.  There is nothing I won’t do for her, including suffering through Star Trek.  I did enjoy it.

I was going to take Leo, but Kathy wouldn’t let him go.  Funny thing is, I talked to a handful of moms who were going to see the movie too.  It was better than flowers.

It was a great Mother’s Day.

The last couple of days I’ve had the opportunity to lead chapel with the preschoolers.  That is always so much fun.  Many of you know I am not as gifted as Sue, you’ve seen my children’s messages.  But I still enjoy it very much because the kids say such wonderful things.

So today I bought a bunch of objects and talked about Mother’s Day.  No matter what I talk about, the kids have their own topics they want to discuss.  For example, I show tissues and ask, “How do moms use these?”  Bad question.  I heard more stories about runny noses than I ever wanted to hear.

Let’s change the question.  I show musical instruments and ask, “How do moms use these?”  I learned a lot about radios and broken appliances and singing sisters.

Again, let’s try something else.  I show an apple and talk about moms feeding us.  “I don’t like apples.  Well, I really just don’t like the skins.  Well….”  (I must get back control).  “My sister has a toy oven and she…”  (Retreat!  Retreat)  “I feed myself.”  “My brother feeds me.”

At this point I know I must hurry and show another object.  It is hard.  By this time there are many conversations.  We finally get to moms telling us about Jesus and praying with us.  (Thank You Jesus.)

Still, the funniest moment comes when a teacher hands me a note.  A child, very serious says to the teacher during all of this, “My mom can’t cook very good.”  I think it was a prayer request.

I have relearned to valuable lessons.  Don’t believe everything your child says when they get home, and I won’t believe everything they say at school.

And yes, children are a gift of the Lord.  Their faith is beautiful.

I have been receiving subtle hints from people (mostly women) that taking Susan to see Star Trek for Mother’s Day may not be the best plan.  I worked so hard on it too.  I was going to buy her a communicator.  That way she can’t say I don’t communicate enough.  Sounded like a good plan to me.  Even many of my men friends agreed.

Still, I am leaning toward the wisdom of the ladies since my wife is one.  However, I seriously considered Leo’s suggestion of just sending my wife a dozen roses and taking him to see Star Trek.  My wife heard about that suggestion, and guessing from the look I received, I will probably go with something else.  By the way, “You’re not MY mother,” is not a good defense.

So the question is, what are you doing for your mom on Mother’s Day?  I am open to suggestions and wise counsel.

Another very busy, and very joyful weekend at First Trinity.  Here are just a few of the special moments:

• The Haiti team had the opportunity to share a little about our ministry in Haiti to a regional gathering of LWML.  It is always fun to talk about Haiti and the team did a great job.
• In our Joshua Men’s group, we are studying “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.  Great book and very challenging.  I highly recommend it.  It is always a blessing to gather with the brothers and encourage each other.
• Sunday’s Bible class is always great.  people are asking such challenging questions.  I am thankful for God’s living word.
• Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was our Confirmation celebration.  We had 19 of our young people stand before us and confess their faith, including our daughter Abigail.  There are so many great stories and testimonies in this class.
• Abigail had a great time as well.  We got to see a lot of friends.
• Kim K. said the moms should receive special prayers on Confirmation Sunday.  She is right.  Susan worked tirelessly.  And Becky came over and helped a ton.  I had better thank Susan with a special Mother’s Day because she works so hard for this family.
• Mother’s Day is this Sunday?  I had better go and start planning now.  I hope Susan wants to see the new Star Trek movie for Mother’s Day.

Yes, I’m looking pretty good about now.  Yesterday proves it.  There is no need to argue.  It is just fact.  But then again, like every “star,” there are make up artist.  If you were to see them early in the morning, you may scream with fright and wonder if an alien invasion had snatched that beautiful person and replaced them with the early morning ogre.

That is certainly my case.  While the day may have begun as so many others, it didn’t take long before I was looking pretty good.  I have a wonderful “make up” team of specialist who are able to transform me to beauty from the beast.

We hosted a meeting with a lot of the local church leaders (non-Lutherans).  Kathy and Tim immediately stepped up and help me out big time.  Jason came through and got all the media stuff set up.  And then Kathy and time also set up the room.  By the time all these church leaders showed up, I was looking good.

Then came the confirmation banquet.  It was a wonderful evening.  I really don’t have a lot to do with confirmation any more because Jason does such a great job.  But the banquet was great.  Mike Hangen did a great job in the kitchen, assisted by Kathy and Anne.  Jason and Sue and Tim and others, set up for the evening.  Many of the older youth, Kelsey, Anna, Shannon and Meg served.  The evening went very smoothly.  The faith stories were phenomenal, and the food and presentation were excellent.  Even though I had a small role, it was fun to be a part of.

Needless to say, I was looking pretty good yesterday, and the reason was the people of First Trinity.  I am sure I forgot to mention somebody, but the truth is, all of the people of First Trinity make me look good.  It is nothing I do, but the way you live and serve our Lord.  You look good, so you make me look good.  As always, it is a privilege to be called your pastor.