Imagine...

One of the things I love most about Christmas is that it has a way of stirring up our hopes and dreams.  It has a way of realizing our creativity and imagination.  I never want to lose my capacity to hope and ponder, and to wonder and to imagine.  

Every year, I always enjoy watching the Charlie Brown Christmas.  In this story, Charlie Brown is trying to find the true meaning of Christmas.  He finally gets so frustrated that he screams at the top of his lungs, “Is there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”  

Then Linus says, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”  And he recites by memory part of Luke’s Gospel. Watch Linus>>

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.     

"That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown!”

Can you imagine what it would have been like to have been part of that scene?  To be one of the angels who was chosen to announce to the world the greatest news of all time?  

Can you imagine what a thrill it must have been for the shepherds to hear the news before anyone else?  After all, they were considered to be one of the lowest classes of people.  But on this night, God chose them to be the very first people on the planet to hear that a Savior had been born.  Imagine what it would be like to realize that maybe you are not so “insignificant” after all and that you really matter to God.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Joseph?  Imagine his faith and trust in God.  Think about all the harassment he took from his buddies.  Snickering comments like “Your fiancé is pregnant with God’s baby?  Right Joseph, wake up and smell the coffee!”  And Mary, imagine being the mother of God and being able to trust so fully and completely in the Lord’s plans despite all the gossip and criticism being thrown at her.  

Mary and Joseph fully trusted God and stepped out in faith knowing that God loved them and chose them.  May all of us realize as well that God has chosen each of us and that He knows us all by name.  We are not insignificant in God’s eyes.  We are loved more than we could ever imagine!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Carol

Gift Wrapping

Every year, a few days before Christmas, you will usually find me amidst a mound of wrapping paper, attempting to creatively wrap all the Christmas gifts.  I suspect that, for many of you, wrapping the gifts can be a really painful experience, too.  While I was in college at the University of Minnesota, I worked in the gift-wrap department at Dayton’s.  And, let me tell you, some wrapping paper often covered up some pretty tacky and weird gifts! 

At the first Christmas, the wise men brought “unwrapped” gifts to the Baby Jesus.  I think we can learn something from the Wise Men about gift giving.  They teach us to give an unexpected gift to someone.  Some of the best gifts I’ve received over the years have been the totally unexpected ones. 

The wise men also gave a gift with genuine joy.  They rejoiced when they saw the star!  They rejoiced when they saw Mary.  They could hardly wait to present their gifts to Jesus and bow before Him. 

And the gifts they gave were personal.  The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were unusual gifts to bring to a baby, but they had very special meaning associated with them.  Each of these gifts was given for a very specific reason.  Gold was associated with royalty and kingship.  Jesus was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The frankincense was given as reverence.  Since the incense was often used during times of worship.  And the myrrh was given as a symbol of his death, a prophecy of what was to come.  Myrrh was often used to perfume the bodies of the dead.

One of my favorite Christmas books, which was made into a movie, was The Christmas Box.  In this movie, one of the characters asks this important question:  “What was the first gift of Christmas?”  Finally, at the end of the movie, someone answers the riddle: a child.  So, on this day before Christmas, remember that the first gift of Christmas was a Child and He came for you and for me.

He walked up a hill to a cross to pay the penalty for our sin – so our lives could be full, free, forgiven and forever.  Now that is some gift!!  It’s a gift that is eternal – it doesn’t rust, can’t be thrown away, and it won’t wear out.  And He’s just waiting this Christmas for you and me to fully embrace his gift of grace and love. 

Calvary’s youth choir will be singing a song on Christmas Eve at the 5 p.m. service that sums it up so well.  In the chorus, the lyrics say, “He found a way in a manager, to find a way to the cross.”  Listen now>> 

May the blessings of Christmas “wrap” your heart with love, hope, joy and peace!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Carol

I Need a Silent Night

Let it snow!  Let it snow! Let it snow!  For some reason, that song has been stuck in my head all week!  Over the past week, many of us have spent countless hours shoveling snow from our driveways and roofs.  The snow seemed to keep coming!  And coming!  And coming! 

Last Saturday, amid the avalanche of snow, my plans for the day were suddenly changed.  I had planned to run errands, ship a couple of packages, and finish some Christmas shopping at various shops around the Twin Cities.  Well, how quickly those plans changed!  I suspect that, for many of you, your plans changed as well, due to the snow. 

Calvary’s children’s Christmas program rehearsal was canceled on Saturday but, on Sunday morning, we all experienced one of the best Christmas programs ever!  Plans changed, but the “gift” of Christmas was proclaimed by the children and experienced by us all, regardless of the snow! 

Interestingly enough, the Christmas story is a story of plans being changed, too.  Everyone in the Christmas story had their plans changed!  Think about that for a minute.  Mary and Joseph were just an ordinary engaged couple wanting to be married and to live a peaceful life, BUT God changed their plans!  The innkeeper wasn’t expecting the Savior of the world to be born in his stable, BUT God changed his plan!  The shepherds were probably looking forward to another “silent night” amid the stars and the sheep, BUT their plans were changed, too, when the angel appeared to them!

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (Luke 2:15)

As we prepare for the birth of the Christ child this week, may we be open to God changing our plans as well.  The world was forever changed because of that single event – the birth of Jesus.  When God changes our plans, amazing things can happen in our lives.  And, just like the shepherds, may we journey to Bethlehem this week with the same excitement and anticipation as we celebrate Emmanuel’s entrance to the world – “God with us!” 

Perhaps we all need a “silent night” during this week so we can truly experience the “real gift” of Christmas – Christ the Lord.  Here’s a song by Amy Grant that gently reminds us not to forget the true meaning of Christmas amid all the busyness of this week.  Listen now>>

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Carol

Looking for Baby Jesus

Over the past week, I started to set up my Nativity sets in my home.  I have little ones and larger ones; some are wood and some are made of porcelain.  My favorite part of putting up the Nativity sets is placing the Baby Jesus in the mangers.  I get a big lump in my throat each and every time I place Him in the manger.  Why?  Because that’s the “real” Christmas! 

“And she gave birth to her first born, a Son, and she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”  (Luke 2:7, NIV) 

As a child, my mom always set up a tiny Nativity set in my room on my dresser.  One year, I wanted to help put the Nativity set up in my room.  After begging to put the Baby Jesus in the manger, my mom reluctantly handed Jesus to me.  So I stood up on my tippy-toes and reached for the manger.  At that moment, Jesus fell out of my little hand and hit the hardwood floor.  His head went one way and His body the other!  I “broke” Jesus!  As I started to cry, my mom discovered another miracle that Christmas -- the gift of super-glue!  She quickly glued Him back together and then glued Him into the manger so he wouldn’t fall out. 

Sometimes we need to get a little closer to the manger so that we don’t miss the greatest Gift given to us – the Baby Jesus.  And, just like children, we need to get on our tippy-toes, and with an air of expectancy, look at the baby in the manger.  Have you ever noticed how children delight in going up to the manger and not only looking at the Baby Jesus, but they also try to touch Him too?  They instinctively reach out to Him; they don’t hold back! 

The closer we can get to the manger, the more we are able to see the miracle!  It’s so easy to miss the Christmas miracle because it comes around every year.  But think about this for a minute: the God of the Universe came into the world as a helpless baby.  How in the world do you fit God into a baby?  It’s like trying to fit the ocean into a thimble!  There is only one word that describes why God did this for us and that word is LOVE! 

Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.”  He came for you and for me out of love.  The glory of God came into this world at Christmas!  That’s what’s in the manger!  So this year, don’t miss the “real” Christmas!  If you seek Jesus and reach out to Him, even on your “tippy-toes,” He will reveal Himself to you and He will give you the most amazing “gift” this Christmas--His unrelenting love! 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Carol

The Advent Calendar

In the sermon this past weekend, we were challenged to reprioritize our lives.  As we begin Advent and the journey toward Bethlehem, perhaps we should ask ourselves: "What are we focusing on?"  Sometimes we get so busy we just want to “survive” Christmas rather than “celebrate” it.  There are parties and kids programs, invitations and cards to get out.  Not to mention the shopping and the shipping of gifts.  Then there are the outside lights and wreaths to hang, along with the Christmas tree and other decorations that need to be set up inside.  Survival sometimes seems to be our focus.

I’ve been reading Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose of Christmas, over the past week.  In the opening chapter of the book, he said this: 

Ironically, at most Christmas parties the person whose birthday you’re supposed to be celebrating is completely ignored.  He’s never even mentioned.  Although Jesus is the reason for the season, He’s often overlooked or merely mentioned along with Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, the Grinch, the elves and a long list of celebrated fictional characters. 

With all the Christmas activities, not to mention the busyness and stress we find as we work to get all the accoutrements of Christmas set up in our homes, it’s no wonder we have overlooked Jesus.  It’s no wonder that our priorities get a little out of whack during the Christmas season. 

Have you ever watched children during Advent and Christmas?  They have a sense of wonderment, excitement and awe.  When I was a child, I couldn’t wait to celebrate Jesus’ birthday!  I had an incredible sense of anticipation.  In fact, I remember when I was about five years old, I opened all the little windows on my Advent calendar because I couldn’t wait any longer.  My mom asked me why I had done that.  I replied, “Because I wanted to see the Baby Jesus!!”  My anticipation was so intense, I couldn’t wait for Dec 25 to finally SEE the Baby Jesus – I wanted Him NOW! 

Christmas, through the eyes of children, remind me of the shepherds who experienced the first Christmas.  In the birth story of Jesus, found in Luke 2, we find that after the shepherds had found Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, they went home and told everyone. 

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”  (Luke 2:20) 

The shepherds had an uncontrolled excitement and they shared it with everyone!  When was the last time you were seen glorifying and praising God with a sense of wonderment and joy?  When did we forget to really celebrate the most amazing Gift ever given to the world – Jesus the Christ?

As we continue to prepare our hearts and homes for Christmas, may we also have a renewed “child-like” sense of wonderment and joy as we journey toward Bethlehem to encounter the birth of our Savior and Lord.

The song, “I Need a Silent Night” sung by Amy Grant, is a wonderful song that reminds us all of WHO should be the priority in our lives this Christmas and all 365 days of the year!  Listen now>>

So go ahead… open all the windows on your Advent calendar!  The Baby Jesus is waiting! 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

A Thankful Heart

November 25, 2010

On this Thanksgiving Day, I would invite us to find time between the turkey, the pumpkin pie, the shopping and the endless football games to thank our Heavenly Father for His extravagant love and grace that He has so richly given to each of us. 

Colossians 2:6-7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built-up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.” 

You know, regardless of life’s challenges that we each face, we have much to be thankful for.  I know we have all heard the phrase “have an attitude of gratitude,” but what would happen if we truly lived out that attitude?  You and I can choose to be thankful for what we have or, instead, we can look at the things we lack in our lives. 

I’d invite us all to offer thanksgiving to God today, not only for the blessings we have received this past year, but to offer thanksgiving to God in “advance” for the blessings that are to come this next year.  In Philippians 4:6 it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  While we do not yet know the trials and triumphs we each will encounter in the future, we do know that our God is the same today, yesterday and forever. 

Here’s a wonderful song by Don Moen called “Thank You, Lord.”  It’s a great reminder that we have much to be thankful for in our lives. Listen now>>

My prayer on this Thanksgiving Day is simply this: “Lord, help me to have a thankful heart today and everyday.  Amen."

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Sitting in the Front Pew

Last weekend, Pastor Steve challenged us to look at worship as “our responsibility” and encouraged us not to be merely spectators, but to be participants.  When we do that, we don’t focus on ourselves, but rather we focus on the reason we are gathered together – to worship our Creator and Lord.  Our very lives should be an act of worship.  However, while we were created to worship God, sometimes on Sunday mornings, many of us struggle to just get to church on time and find a parking spot.  So when we enter the Sanctuary for worship, many of us may be feeling a little frazzled and stressed.

As a child who grew up here at Calvary, my family was often late for church.  In those days, the Chapel was the Sanctuary, and the ushers would literally escort you to the front row if you were late.  Parking was a problem then, too!  We often arrived during the opening hymn and we would be paraded down the main aisle to the front row.  It was a mortifying feeling to always be late and to have people stare at you as you were being escorted to the front.  I felt so embarrassed. 

When I was a young 20-something, I decided that I would never be late for church.  I would usually be in the Sanctuary about 10 minutes BEFORE the service started.  I suspect part of the reason for being early was to avoid sitting in the front pew, but the main reason I did it was to get my “heart” ready for worship -- to sit quietly and to just spend time with God. 

When we arrive in a frazzled state to church, it takes us a few minutes to lower our blood pressure and set aside the chaos of our lives so that we can make room for the Holy Spirit to move in, around and through us.  And that does make all the difference!

Worship is not just something we spend an hour “experiencing” every week.  Rather, worship is a way of life.  We are invited to be a worshipper everyday and everywhere we find ourselves.  When we sing a song or say a prayer -- we are worshipping.  When we reach out to a co-worker at work and speak words of encouragement – we are worshipping.  When we read God’s Word – we are worshipping.  When we serve others who are in need or alone – we are worshipping.  How does worship look in your life?  Remember, worship doesn’t start and end on Sunday morning; it is meant to be part of our daily lives.

Listen to this wonderful song written by Lenny LeBlanc and performed by the Women of Faith worship team called “We All Bow Down.”  Listen now>>

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Calling All Worshippers!

In his sermon this past weekend, Pastor John talked about the fact that we are all “born to worship.”  Yet, the statistics seem to suggest a different story.  Only about 20 percent of all those who say they are Christians actually worship on any given Sunday.  Of course, there are a myriad of reasons why and lots of excuses people use to justify not going to church, especially when the Vikings are playing at noon, as they were last Sunday.

I’ve been reading a really interesting book by Craig Groeschel called The Christian Atheist.  In his book, he talks about how so many of us believe in God, but live as if He doesn’t exist in our lives.  Throughout the book, Groeschel tackles some of the common issues many people have about faith and about why they don’t attend church.  He says that many who grew up in the church are not asking “Which church should I go to?” but rather they are asking, “Why should I bother with church at all?” 

In our culture, there is a consumer mindset when it comes to “going to church.”  We can get all the Christian material we need by going to various Web sites, podcasts, books, TV and even radio.  Going to church on a weekly basis is seen as a needless waste of time, energy and money by many.

Friends, God is not calling us to GO to church; God is calling us to BE His Church and SHARE the hope of Christ with the world.  The people in the first “church” that we read about in Acts 2 didn’t see the church as an additional burden to their lives.  The difference, you see, is that they didn’t GO to church; they WERE the church! 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.”  (Acts 2:42) 

In other words, they were worshippers!  They gathered together to read and hear God’s Word, to share communion as God’s children, to pray as a community of Christ followers, and to be about God’s mission in the world. 

Dream a little bit with me.  Can you imagine what our churches and our worship would be like if we all stopped merely “GOING” to church and seeing it as a burden to be endured, but started to BE the church as Jesus intended it to be? 

Listen to Chris Tomlin’s song, “Made to Worship.”  It’s a wonderful reminder that we are called to be worshippers!  Listen now>> 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Mirror, mirror on the wall--I am an ELDER brother after all!

Pastor Steve’s sermon this past weekend may have left some of us “elder brother” types feeling a bit exposed.  Yet, perhaps it is good for us to confront those tendencies that many of us have: the anger and feeling of superiority, along with works-righteousness and the idea that life is seen as a duty rather than as something beautiful to be experienced.  How do we change?  How do we remove the scales from our own eyes?

The words that touched me the most this week were the words Jesus shares with us through the father who says to his elder son, “My son, my child, you have always been with me.”  Jesus is basically saying to you and to me, “Come home, I’m waiting for you.”  Whether we are the elder brother types or younger brother types, it doesn’t matter; we are all in the same boat and that boat’s name is “LOST.”  In fact, the boat called LOST has a big hole on the bottom that duct tape won’t plug, and it is sinking fast! 

Every one of us is indeed alienated from the Father and only through Jesus’ death on the cross can our hope be found and the hole in our boat be plugged for good.  The Son of God had to die so that we could be found and saved.  Only through God’s grace we are saved. 

Recognizing our own “lostness” is not only the first step toward “shedding” our elder brother tendency, but also the first step toward finding our way “home.”  The journey to our “true” home is one to which only Jesus can lead us.  And, once we realize that we are “sons” of the Living God, we need to claim our status and not only come home but run towards “home.”  Run like you’ve never run before!  Jesus is waiting for all of the “lost” to come home – that includes you and me! 

Perhaps when we look in the mirror now we might say instead, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, Jesus loves ME, after all.” 

Listen to this touching song called “Mirror” by BarlowGirl.  This song talks about how we can see a new reflection of who we are when we start to see our reflection through the eyes of the God who made us. Listen now>>

Pax,

Pastor Carol

That's How the Lost Get Found!

When I was in Kindergarten, I remember “getting lost” at the grocery store.  I guess the candy aisle was calling to me and I just had to go and look at it!  When I went back to the other aisle where I had left my mom, she was nowhere to be found.  I ran up and down aisles looking frantically for her and then I started to cry.  A kind, older woman, who was a check-out person, came over to me and I told her that I was lost.  Of course, my mom heard my cries and came running over to me within about 30 seconds.  I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it was to be scooped up by my mom, who said, “I knew where you were all the time!  I never took my eye off of you!  You were not lost!”

This past weekend, Pastor Steve talked about how the older brother in the story should have gone after his brother and should have found him and then brought him home.  The younger brother was unfortunate to have a Pharisee for an older brother.  We, on the other hand, have an elder brother who will indeed run after us – Jesus.  No matter how far we try to run from Him, Jesus will never stop running after us.  He will recklessly run after us when we lose our way.  

Not only that, but Jesus invites you and me also to run after the lost and to bring back those who have walked away.  What a wonderful opportunity Jesus gives to each of us to help grow His Kingdom!  The question is this, are we looking for the lost?  Perhaps many of us are not even looking. 

I would challenge each of us this weekend to “really see” the people God puts around us each day and to begin to seek after the lost.  It’s easy to pass co-workers, neighbors and even family members each day, yet not really “see” them.  We have an opportunity to be Jesus’ hands and feet on this earth – to seek the lost and to bring them Home.  What an awesome ministry Jesus invites us to be a part of! 

Britt Nicole has a wonderfully challenging song to us all about seeking the lost.  As one line from the song says, we need to relentlessly seek the lost because “somewhere somebody needs a reason to believe.”  The song is called “The Lost Get Found.”  Listen now>>

Pax,

Pastor Carol

I Want My Blankie!

In his sermon this past weekend, Pastor Steve talked about homesickness and how we were never made for “this” world and that we will never be satisfied until we go to our “true” home.  Then all homesickness will cease, and our deepest needs and longings will be met. 

When I was only four years old, I had to go to Mt. Sinai Hospital to have my tonsils taken out, adenoids removed and tubes put in my ears.  I remember being excited about the fact that I could eat as much ice cream as I wanted, but what no one told me was that I would be too sick to eat anything and that I would have to be away from “home” for three whole nights.  No blankie!  No dollies!  No stuffed animals!  Times have changed and hospitals are a lot more “kid-friendly” then they were when I was growing up.  Thank goodness!

I remember pleading and crying with my mom and dad to take me home.  All I really wanted was to “go home”--to sleep in my bed with my bedraggled “blankie” and my hairless dolly named Pammy, and to snuggle with my worn-out, well-loved stuffed doggie named Rufus, whose head had been sewed-on a couple of times.  That was all I wanted!  “Home” was pretty simple for me when I was four.  It was a place where I was loved and felt safe--where my tummy was always full and my bed was always warm and covered with all my “beloved” stuffed animals and dolls that were important to me. 

One of the most touching movies about coming home, was the re-make of the movie “Homeward Bound.”  It is a story of two dogs and a cat who are lost and who make their way home to their “family.”  Michael J. Fox is the voice of Chance, one of the dogs.  At the end of the movie, when they are reunited with their family, Chance says:

“A strange new feeling came over me.  I had a family!  I had found out that sacrifice, friendship and even love were more than just the mushy stuff.  At last, for the first time in my life I was home!” 

Watch video>> 

As adults, we long for “home,” especially when things in this world get tough for us.  We long for a deeper security and a peace that this world can’t provide.  One day, we will indeed be welcomed to our real “home” and sit with all the saints who have gone before us at the most magnificent banquet feast of all time!  Jesus, our Host, will welcome us personally to this ultimate homecoming party! 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Killing the Root of Unforgiveness

This past week, I’ve been busy getting my planters cleared out and the lawn furniture put away for the winter. As I was pulling up the plants, I was amazed at how large and long some of the roots were. In fact, there were a couple of plants I could hardly pull out because the roots were so huge and so thick. I had to really wrestle with them! 

Hebrews 12:15 says, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Sometimes the root of unforgiveness runs deep. It may have taken many years to fester and grow, so uprooting our resentments and hurts may not be easy to do. 

Craig Groeschel, in his book The Christian Atheist:  Believing in God, but Living as if He Doesn’t Exist, tells a story about his own struggle with forgiveness after a family friend molested his little sister when she was in sixth grade: 

"The root of bitterness grows in the soil of hurt that has not been dealt with properly.  Unknown to me, a root of bitterness started to grow in my heart. Roots absorb and store, and my heart absorbed and stored hurt, anger, hatred, and thoughts of revenge. Love keeps no record of wrongs, but bitterness keeps detailed accounts."

How do we kill the roots of bitterness and free ourselves from those “detailed accounts” that may have taken root in our own hearts? Forgiving is most definitely easier said than done. With God’s power, however, He can bring us to a place where we can forgive. That place is, of course, the Cross. Remember, that’s where Jesus forgave us and that’s where we turn as well to forgive others who have hurt us. 

The song “In Christ Alone” is a perfect reminder to us all that it’s only in the power of Christ we stand. Listen now>>  

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Forgiveness – a radical idea!

Pastor Steve’s sermon this past weekend challenged us to take forgiveness seriously and to dream a little about how our community would look if we all showed radical forgiveness and reconciliation on a regular basis.  In our Gospel reading, the father not only forgives the younger son, but he embarrasses himself by running to him and lavishly reinstates his sonship, welcoming him back into the family.  I would suspect that for many of us, we would not have been quite so generous to this younger son.  In fact, I would suggest that we all have carried some grudges or resentments toward someone at some point in our lives.  It’s tough sometimes to forgive those who have wronged us. 

Jesus did something super-radical for us; He came from heaven to earth to die on a cross for you and for me!  He was rejected by us and was killed to pay the debt that we could never pay.  So, why is it so hard for us to forgive others who have wronged us if Jesus was so willing to pay the ultimate price for you and me? 

As Christians, we are called to not only admit our feelings of un-forgiveness, but we are to go further.  In fact, we don’t deny those feelings, but we do something “radical,” we forgive that person or persons who wronged us.  Why?  We do so because Jesus did it for you and me.  We are called to forgive. 

Now, it is important for us to understand that forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong that they did toward you.  It does, however, mean that when you forgive the person, you receive a kind of deep peace that helps you go on with life and it releases you from the painful grip of resentment and anger.  Forgiveness brings freedom to you and me. 

Jesus went to the cross to give us all eternal freedom from our past.  It’s not about your sin or my sin, it is about what Jesus has done for us that enables us to all focus on our future and not get stuck in the past. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!”

 -- 2Corinthians 5:17

Rebecca St. James sang a wonderful song about forgiveness a couple of years ago.  It’s called “Forgive me.”   Click here to watch. 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Just begin – one, one, one

During the sermon this week, I mentioned that as “sons” we not only have a sense of belonging, but that this gives us a future hope that can never be taken away.  Remember, it was the job of the son to carry on both the family name and the family business. 

If you and I are God's “sons,” then how are we to carry on the family name and business?  What does is really mean when we are called to carry out our Father’s business in this world?  Well, if it is God’s business to care for the world, then we are called to also care for the world.  What would happen if ALL of God’s “sons” did one small act of service or kindness to one person every day?  That could, over time, change a street, a neighborhood, a community, a city and the world.

Mother Teresa once said this:

I never look at the masses as my responsibility; I look at the individual.  I can only love one person at a time - just one, one, one.  So you begin.  I began - I picked up one person.

Maybe if I didn't pick up that one person, I wouldn't have picked up forty-two thousand....The same thing goes for you, the same thing in your family, the same thing in your church, your community.  Just begin - one, one, one

There was a movie a few years ago called, “Pay it Forward.”  It was about a little boy who wanted to change the world.  He challenged everyone to pay it forward by helping just three people.  Then those three people would help three more people and so on and so on.  It was an amazing story of the power of one person to change the life of another person. 

So, today, as “sons” of God, let’s be about our Father’s work in the world!  I would challenge us all to touch ONE life today – just one.  Then tomorrow, do the same and the next day do the same. 

Billy Gilman sang a song called “One Voice” a few years ago.  One voice can change a life.  Click here to watch video

Pax,

Pastor Carol

He Chose Me!

This weekend we focused on what it meant to be given the amazing title of “son.”  During the sermon, it was mentioned that there is no title in the world that could ever compare to being called a child of the Living God. God “chose” us and that makes us all royalty. After all, we are all sons of the King! Sonship was conferred on us. We are part of God’s family—forever.

At Baptism, God bestows all His promises and God will never “renege” on those promises that He gave to us. Once we are God’s sons, we are His forever. And, as chosen “sons,” we have an assurance and an eternal inheritance. We will always be part of God’s Royal Court! We receive a “forever” title—a title that will never be removed.

Here is an amazing song about adoption that I hope will touch your hearts. As God’s sons, we have all been adopted and welcomed into God’s family forever. Listen now>>

On Sunday, I invited us to lay down the burdens we were carrying at the foot of the cross—those things that have been weighing us down, the hurts, the pain, the disappointments, the brokenness, the grief. My prayer today is that you embrace God’s amazing love for you this day and every day.

Remember, Jesus chose YOU! You are HIS son and YOU are worthy!

Pax,

Pastor Carol

The Porch Light of God

On Monday I suggested that we embrace a lifestyle of repentance each and everyday of our lives.  Now I know that repentance isn’t exactly a word that produces “warm fuzzies” for most of us.  And, I would hazard a guess that most of us would not think that there is any “joy” in repenting.  The Bible tells us to renew our minds daily or as Pastor Matt suggested, we need to “come to our senses.”.   

We get busy in our day-to-day lives and it is easy for each of us to get discouraged and begin drifting away from God.  We get “off-course” and need help to get off the winding path and back on the main road again.  We need a GPS voice to say to us “re-route” or “re-direct” so that we can find our way “home” just as the younger son did.

Pastor Matt’s sermon focused on the younger son coming to his senses.  Check out this song by Chris Rice called “Home Tonight” which is about the longing to go home. Click to play song.

When you and I put our lives together with God’s plan and stay there, we find the “sweet-spot” of life.  When we resist living a life of repentance, the burdens of guilt, discouragement and anxiety begin to overwhelm us and we long for a chance to have a “do-over.”  I know that I need many, many “do-overs” everyday!

God graciously gives you and me “do-overs” on a daily basis.  We are given the chance to come “home” again just like the younger son; to be freed of the burdens of our past mistakes and pain so that we might experience joy once again.  God always has the porch light on waiting for His children to come home.  Maybe tonight you might want to meet God on the porch?  He’s waiting…the light is on. 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Walking Wet

In his sermon this week, Pastor Matt talked about repentance.  He challenged us to not only become people of repentance, but to make repentance our lifestyle.  When I think of repentance I automatically think of those things or actions that I regret doing or saying, but a lifestyle of repentance goes much deeper.  In fact, Tim Keller, in his book, “The Prodigal God,” suggests that we even need to repent for the very reason that we do anything good as well.  That’s a bit counter-intuitive and even more challenging to consider.  

Pastor Matt mentioned that Martin Luther’s number one item listed on his 95 Thesis that he nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg Germany, dealt with repentance:  “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ said repent, He called the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”  Repentance isn’t a one-time event, but an everyday freedom we can experience and a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity.  

Check our this fun rap about Martin Luther and his 95 Thesis.Click here to watch the video 

Interestingly enough, Martin Luther also felt very strongly that Baptism was a life-long experience as well.  Each day, Luther suggests that we are to remember our Baptism and make the sign of the cross on our forehead before our feet even hit the floor to get out of bed!  In fact, Luther talked about Baptism as, “walking wet.”  If we live a lifestyle of repentance we know that God has forgiven us and as Baptized believers we have this assurance each day as we “walk wet” with our Lord and Savior. 

When we are Baptized, God doesn’t just bestow on us a “few” benefits.  He doesn’t “dangle the carrot” in front of us and say, “Now, Carol, if you are VERY good, I will give you a few more blessings, but you have to prove to me that you are worthy.”  No, instead, God gives us the WHOLE enchilada at once!  We get all the blessings – all the “goodies” that a life with Christ brings, including an eternal “home.”  The wonderful thing is these blessings are FREE to all who desire them. 

“Walking wet” each day means that we are drenched with God’s forgiveness and drenched with His love through our Baptism!  So today, as you are going about the day-to-day activities in your life, think about what a privilege it is to live a life of repentance and start “walking wet!” 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Putting on a New Heart

At the end of Monday’s posting, I suggested that if we center our thoughts on God and our love for Him and Him alone, rather than on the “things” God could do for us, our hearts might be enlarged and transformed in new ways.  Well, that got me to thinking about a fictional character that we all know who suffered from a small heart:  the Grinch.  Now I know Christmas is another three months away, but the message from Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, has a life message that I think transcends the Christmas season. 

Every Christmas when I was a small child, I remember watching the cartoon and being scared to sleep that night.  The Grinch was this scary green “meanie” who hated Christmas and wanted every one to be as miserable as he was.  He thought that Christmas was all about the “stuff”: the presents, the trees, the ornaments and the feasts.  At the end of the story, however, he learned that despite the fact that he stole all the presents, trees, ornaments and food from the Whos in Whoville, he couldn’t stop Christmas from coming.  The Whos still gathered together and were singing and rejoicing. 

In the end, the Grinch comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes that day!  This “heart change” transforms his life forever! 

Perhaps we all need a “heart change” in our relationship with God.  A heart change that would result in rejoicing and celebrating God’s presence in our lives and in this world each day.  What if every day was like Christmas and Easter combined?  Can you imagine what that would be like?  I would guess that all of our lives and hearts would be enlarged and changed in new ways!

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove

from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

-- Ezekiel 36:26

Watch this clip from the movie version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” in which Jim Carrey plays the mean Grinch.  This is a touching clip where the Grinch’s heart grows and he begins to have tears for the first time.  He begins to “feel.”  His heart of stone gives way to a heart of flesh! Watch video>> 

Today, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Easter! 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Desiring God for God

In his sermon this past weekend, Pastor Steve focused on an interesting and thought-provoking issue: the problem of idolatry.  Both the elder and the younger sons in our Gospel reading were guilty of idolatry.  The sons wanted the father’s “things” and not the father.  Pastor Steve also suggested that you and I can be guilty of idolatry as well.  We can come to church, pray, sing the songs, follow the Ten Commandments, teach Sunday School and confirmation, go to Bible studies... and still be guilty of idolatry.  We want the blessings of the Father like good health, wealth, a good job, thriving kids, a nice place to live and maybe even a “cool” car.  The list is endless.  We want the Father’s things and blessings, rather than merely the Father. 

Do you remember Tevye from the musical and movie “Fiddler on the Roof” ? While he was in the barn one day he prays a prayer asking God for wealth.  I know I’ve asked God for lots of “things” and “needs” over the years, so I can relate to Tevye’s prayer.  

“Oh Dear Lord, You made many, many poor people.  I realize, of course, that it’s no shame to be poor.  But it’s no great honor either.  So would it have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?”  Then he starts to sing a song many of us know well:  “If I Were a Rich Man.”  Watch the video>>

While we may laugh at Tevye’s prayer, I would bet that many of us have prayed a similar prayer asking God for something that we want.

Pastor Steve’s sermon got me to think about my own relationship with God in a new light and to ask a hard question:  Am I guilty of idolatry just like the sons in our Gospel reading were?  Yikes!  Do my prayers seem to be full of “requests” rather than just a “desire” to spend time with the Creator of the Universe?  With my Lord and Savior?  With my Father who calls me His child?  I would have to answer – Yes!  And, I suspect, if all of us were brutally honest, there are times when we ALL ask God for His blessings and for “things” we want.  We desire what He can do for us, but we don’t always desire spending time with God for who He is. 

So today, I would challenge each of us to look at our faith and relationship with God with a fresh set of eyes and a new heart.  What if you and I spent time with God today just because we desired His presence?  What if our prayers were not focused on our wants and needs, but on listening to God and spending time with Him and in His Word?  Perhaps, if we centered our thoughts on God, and our love for Him and Him alone, our hearts might be enlarged and transformed in new ways! 

Pax,
Pastor Carol

Who Broke the Hummel Figurine? Not Me!

I’m sure you have all heard the saying “Confession is good for the soul.”  It may be good for us, but it can sure be tough to do sometimes. 

I remember when I was about eight years old and I broke one of my mom’s Hummel figurines.  I had always been told not to play with them or to touch them.  Well, I decided to take one off the mantle to just look at it.  I dropped it and it hit the fireplace door.  I had to think fast, so I hid it in my room.  That night I glued it together and put it in my closet to dry.  I figured it would be dry by morning so I could sneak it back on the mantle before my mom noticed it was gone.  It worked!  Well, not exactly.  It worked until the next time my mom dusted the mantle a week later.  Then I was in a boat-load of trouble! 

I think the whole neighborhood heard my mom, as she opened the back door and shouted, “Carol Ann Skjegstad, get in this house NOW!”  Boy, I knew I was in for it.  If only I had confessed to breaking the Hummel when it happened, I would have been so much better off.  In retrospect, confession would have truly been the better option, but at the time I was trying to avoid getting grounded.  Instead, I lived with the guilt that my mom would one day discover the broken Hummel, which she did.  If I would have confessed when it had happened, I would have been given a lengthy lecture, but because I confessed willingly, there would have been no penalty.  However, because I covered it up, lied about it and then denied that I had done it, I was grounded for two whole weeks.  I had plenty of time to think about what I had done! 

I still have my mom’s broken Hummel.  Every time I see it I’m reminded of that simple “life lesson” my mom taught me about sin and confession.  Yes, confession is not only good for the soul, but it is good for our overall health and well-being, too. 

Check out Morgan Cryar’s song called “What Sin?”  It’s a simple song with a profound message about how we don't need to struggle with all the guilt and shame of our sin because God forgives and forgets it as soon as we confess it.  Listen to "What Sin?">>

What a gift God’s forgiveness is to us!

Pax,

Pastor Carol