Happy New Year

"Happy New Year" is the most common greeting we hear these days.  I suppose it is more a seasonal saying than it is a truly thought-out hope for the one to whom we offer the greeting.

What would happiness in a new year look like?  Surely most or all of us would pray for peace in the world and an end to hunger.  We may hope for fulfillment in our relationships and in our work.  Some may yearn for material blessings that are lacking.

Happiness can be elusive if it is based on the circumstances of the moment.  But there is a greater sense of happiness that evolves from one's spirit.  Repeated studies have shown that people who have faith in God are happier than those who don't.  For instance, the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University reports that religious participation brings happiness even in times of economic distress.  The CBS Interactive Business Network reports on a Gallup poll that indicates people with religious involvement are twice as likely to say that they are very happy than those with no religious involvement.  It is easy to find these studies on the Internet--no need to take my word for it.

Every couple I see who intend to marry hears me say that the best gift they can give to one another is the sharing of a faith life.  If they want to wake up 50, 60, even 70 years from the day of their wedding next to the one they love, the best guarantee of that is a faith life they share.  I ask them to google "faith and happiness", "faith and length of marriage", "faith and satisfaction in marriage"--really, anything they can think of.  The research always comes down in favor of those with a significant faith life.

Happy New Year.  How could it be even happier?  If you have a house of worship, you will have one more important resource to which to turn in both good times and bad.  I wish you a happy new year.  I wish you a faith that brings you great, new, and renewed joy!

Fail...Really?

On Facebook, I have a young friend who frequently ends her posts with the word “fail”.  It may be something she has observed in society; it may be something that has been done to her; it may be something she has done herself.  In any case, it is something that disappoints her, and she writes, “Fail.”

That could be true of all our lives.  Here are some of mine for the past month:

• Thanksgiving Eve Day travel.  Fail.
• Palm Pre (smart phone).  Fail.
• Snowblower start.  Fail.
• Snowblower started but broken on huge snowplow deposits.  Fail.
• Palm Pre .  Fail again.
• Palm Pre.   Failed two days in a row
• December 12 worship attendance after 16 inches of snow and bitter cold.  Fail.
• December 12 offering—worst in modern history.  Fail.
• Broke a Christmas gift before I ever got it to the car.  Fail.
• Furnace thermostat.  Fail.
• Vikings.  Fail.  (You know my passion here…)

But my fails are minimal compared to the hardships for others.  In fact, the great things that happen eclipse the failures by many times.  I began to think of a young man and woman about 2000 years ago:

• Engaged, but woman is pregnant.  Fail.
• Said woman is in her teens.  Fail.
• Said fiancé intends to end engagement quietly.  Fail.
• At nine months of pregnancy, woman is forced to make a 103 mile journey either by foot or common animal (donkey?).  Fail.
• No room at the inn.  Fail.
• Earliest known visitors to the baby—smelly shepherds.  Fail.

You get the idea.

As we read the scriptures, we see many instances of “fail” in Jesus’ life.  He had to follow a most difficult road, up to and including his death on the cross.

But the non-fail aspects of his life and ministry make all the difference.  To all the world.  For all time.  We romanticize the holy birth of Jesus.  The list above would indicate it probably wasn’t as pristine as “Silent Night” or “Joy to the World” would have it.  Real life comes with challenges.  Jesus was able to meet all those challenges.  Because of that, we worship a baby born into crude surroundings and whose first bed was an animal’s feeding trough. 

That is amazing.  Non-fail.  The biggest non-fail of them all.

My Song in the Night

Hundreds of singers.  Thousands of worshipers.  Many songs.  One question:  What will your song be this Christmas?

Advent Vespers is not a Christmas concert offered at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis by Augsburg College.  It is an Advent worship experience pointing toward Christmas.  About 15,000 people witness the five worship experiences.

This year's offering was entitled, "My Song in the Night".  We have so many songs that we sing at night--particularly lullabies when we have small children in our midst.  Perhaps we sing or hum that we might calm or bring comfort to ourselves.

And we have a wealth of songs that we sing at Christmas--the best hymns and carols of the year!  People come to church just to hear the magnificent Christmas songs!

But there is one song that abides with me after Advent Vespers:

     O, Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night,
     Come to us with Thy tender love, my soul's delight,
     My comfort and joy, my soul's delight,
     O Jesus Savior, my song in the night.

That is the song that will sing in my heart this Christmas Eve.  If I am to put all my trust in just one place, it is going to be with the one who brings light and love to the world.

If you are interested in hearing more of this song in the night, be at Bethel in Rochester at 3pm, 4:30pm, or 6pm on Christmas Eve.

What will your song be?

Early Christmas Inspiration

Do you need to get in the mood for celebrating Christ's birth?  Check out these two:

http://www.godvine.com/Celine-Dion-Sings-O-Holy-Night-Simply-Incredible-83.html
May a holy night soon visit you with the gift of a savior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=player_embedded

This is not the Macy's rendition, but a food court in Canada.  Watch for the little boy a few times.  Has his heart been forever changed?  "Let ev'ry heart prepare him room...."

A merry and blessed Christmas to you.

How soon, Christmas?

Thanksgiving is over.  As I write this, it is the evening of the First Sunday in Advent (November 28).

While there have been Christmas displays up in stores for months in some cases, and while most peoples' attention has already turned to buying gifts (anyone for Black Friday, Super Saturday, or Cyber Monday?), when is it appropriate to start with "Merry Christmas"?

(And don't get me started on the "Happy Holiday" thing.  Anytime someone says that to me, they get a quick and enthusiastic "Merry Christmas" in return.)

Last night I attended the Festival of Trees with eight family members.  It was beautiful and celebrative.  Trees and lights were everywhere, of course.  Carolers, Santa, live reindeer, and a special guest star singing Christmas music were all a part of the evening.

It was excellent.  And it was the Eve of the First Sunday in Advent.  Too early?

Maybe.  In the church we try to preserve the character of Advent as a time of preparation--a time of getting ready to the point of wanting to burst with celebration on December 24 and 25.  But my own home already features two Christmas trees, and whenever I hear a "merry Christmas" in the next weeks, I will smile and offer a like greeting in return.

Isn't it always Christmas after a fashion for Christians?  We proclaim that Christ was, is, and is to come.  That is as true in July as it is in December.

Too early?  Or just right.  Your call.

Merry Christmas. (I couldn't resist.)

Church Just Messes Up Holidays

This past week while in the car and listening to sports talk radio, a commercial for a local business was aired.  It was one of those "conversations" between the radio host and the business owner.

The businessman was looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday because "it is all about family and food."  While I may have a word or two wrong in the next quote, I was next astounded to hear, "Thanksgiving isn't like holidays like Christmas and Easter when church messes things up."

Either this man has issues, or I do.  There are at least two glaring problems with his statement.  The first is the most egregious.  Church is not something that "messes up" holidays.  It is the reason that there is a holiday.  If it were not for God's gift of a Son at Christmas--celebrated, oddly, with worship services around the world and attended at rates higher than any other time with the exception of one day--there would be no holiday to "mess up."  If it were not for Christ's resurrection from the dead on Easter--strangely again, celebrated at church in the other prominent holy-day (holiday) that brings more people to church than any other--this man would not have to worry about whether he serves red wine or white wine with his spiral ham.

Worship services lift up the foundation for the days themselves.  There is nothing wrong with family and food at Christmas and Easter.  But if they are celebrated without church, they are devoid of meaning.

Second problem.  At Bethel we actually do try to "mess up" Thanksgiving with a worship service.  More than 25 family members will be gathering at my house on Thanksgiving.  It will be a joy to prepare a 22 pound turkey and to eat and laugh.  Prior to that, however, we will be at worship thanking God for all his bounty.  After all, even Thanksgiving has a focus.  The businessman should look at the name of the day:  thanks giving.  To whom will you be giving thanks this year? 

Go ahead.  Mess up your holidays. You will be glad you did.

Adultery; Faithfulness

The Bethel confirmation program in early November had its 110 students in Bethel Hall studying the sixth commandment, "You shall not commit adultery."  Some people believe that the church has given up teaching fidelity in marriage.  Not true.

It is true that we are swimming against the current.  Our confirmation curriculum reports that the average number of scenes including sexual content in an hour's television programming is five.  For the most popular teenage programs it is seven per hour.

On television only 13 percent of the people engaged in sexual activity are married.

It is no wonder that our young people are swimming in a sea of confusion.

But here is a bright spot.  When these youth 13-15 years old were asked why a person should refrain from sex before marriage and why they should be faithful to their spouse in marriage, outside of one answer, the answers didn't differ from those that would have been common 50 years ago.  Why wait?  Why be faithful?

1. God expects it of us
2. We have given promises to God and to a spouse
3. We could hurt friends and family with inappropriate sexual behavior
4. It would kill our love for a husband or wife
5. Not mature enough before marriage
6. Could get bad reputation
7. Unintended pregnancies

Does that list look different from when you were (or are) a teenager?  The one answer that would not have been common 50 years ago but is a reality today is:  sexually transmitted diseases.  While they have been around for millennia, we just didn't talk about them in places such as the church a generation or two ago.

 So, in spite of the spate of sexual images, maybe youth aren't all that different in these days.  It sounds as if they are listening, learning, responding to faith-filled messages.

As the hour ended, the teacher, Pastor Andy Nelson, closed with this statement:  "This is not God's suggestion.  It is his command."  That command isn't going to change--no matter how far television or culture might go.  Thanks be to God that youth are still listening to the message!

New York City Contrasts

Kathy and I enjoyed a quick MEA trip to New York City--a lifelong dream for Kathy.  We were privileged to enjoy a lot of what New York has to offer (including appearing on "The Today Show" group shots on Saturday morning).  Many of those activities took us to Times Square, a hub of entertainment, commerce, and people watching.  Twice in Times Square we bought discount tickets for Broadway musicals.

Saturday evening we had no agenda but to be in the lights and among the people.  Who could possibly count them all?  Tens of thousands?  A hundred thousand?  And most were young.  We have never been in a city teeming with people like New York.  We enjoyed visiting.  We were glad to get back to the reality we call home.

On Sunday morning we attended an Episcopal church a half mile walk from our hotel.  People were not streaming into the church building.  They weren't even trickling.  In a building that could easily seat three hundred, there were 17 of us sitting in the pews, and Kathy and I were among the youngest.  The five person choir was professional.  I assume they were young singers looking for fame on Broadway and who took jobs to pay the bills--like being in a paid church choir.  Oh, they were good.  They were very good.

And the preaching was good.  The service was well done out of the Book of Common Prayer.  It was a good and worshipful experience.  For 17 people.  I wondered about the tens of thousands that we had rubbed shoulders with the night before--where were they?  That night we were treated to the lights of Times Square.  Sunday morning we were treated to the light of the world.  Saturday evening we enjoyed lasagna and connolis in Little Italy.  Sunday morning we dined on the bread of life.  Saturday evening the sounds were cacophonous--music blaring from gigantic screens, cab horns, people and more people.  Sunday morning the sounds were those of music that has stood the test of hundreds of years--sounds of forgiveness.

We enjoyed Saturday evening.  We were fed on Sunday.

Have you heard of Chuck E. Jesus?

To say that I have a family who loves sports of all kinds would be an understatement.  If I said that we had hundreds of balls at our house, that would not be an exaggeration (and I am not counting golf balls of which there are a few dozen).  And if I told you that we had two dozen footballs of one kind or another, that is probably low by a bunch.

At least a half dozen of those footballs are always immediately available.  Not long ago I was in the basement with our 2½ year old grandson, Jarek.  He was lining up in a straight row five footballs that were within his immediate grasp.  One of those footballs looked unfamiliar to me.  I picked it out of the lineup to see what it was.  As I twisted it around, I saw that it had come from a Chuck E. Cheese pizza and game parlor.  (As it happens, Rochester will be getting a Chuck E. Cheese soon—not two miles from my house!)

Excitedly, I told Jarek about Chuck E. Cheese and how his next birthday party (in April) could probably be at this place—how much fun we would have together.  He seemed more interested in the football of the moment rather than a promise sometime in the far distant future.

So we continued to play with the footballs—he loves to play “fumble” and “tackle”.  We also got a yoyo out and a fire truck. 

It came time to put the toys away, and as the balls were being placed in the toy box, he picked out the little black one, brought it to me, and said, “Chuck E. Jesus”.  I smiled and said, “No, Jarek, that is a Chuck E. Cheese football.”  And he said, “No, Grandpa…Chuck E. Jesus!”

Jarek has no concept of what Chuck E. Cheese is (though I suspect he will soon find out).  But he does know something about Jesus—a frequent topic of conversation and song.  He doesn’t care if there is a little mouse on the football—it still is a Jesus football!  From his frame of reference, pretty much everything in life is connected to Jesus in some way.

And he would be right.  As Christians we come from the conviction that everything, everything belongs to God, and it is given to us to use for a while.  That includes our homes, families, possessions, money…and even our footballs.

Jarek changed the name of the football to something that was more familiar and comforting to him.  That new name is the one who has promised to watch over him for a lifetime, and even unto eternity.  It is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who has promised to pick up innocent children in his arms and bless them. 

Chuck E. Cheese is a fine place.  I can already hear the birthday parties and the whack-a-mole (do they still have that?) from my house two miles away.  But for my part, I believe I will throw my lot in with Chuck E. Jesus.

"Lutheran" Commandments?

Just yesterday friends from Bethel (both of them former presidents of the congregation--Cindy and Doug Boese) gave me a gift that they had found while on vacation.  Hilarious. 

Martin Luther once gave a comprehensive explanation of the Ten Commandments.  In Minnesota, I guess we need an even shorter explanation.  Hence, this shirt.  On the front, the logo reads, "Minnesota Style".  On the back we read these commandments (and please note that the numbering is one off what we normally consider in the Lutheran church, but a numbering that is accepted by a wide range of Christians--for instance, our commandment four, "Honor your father and your mother," will in this listing be number five):

1. Der's only one God, ya know.
2. Don't make that fish on your mantle an idol.
3. Cussin' ain't Minnesota nice.
4. Go to church even when your up nort.
5. Honor your folks.
6. Don't kill.  Catch & Release.
7. There is only one Lena for every Ole.  No cheatin'.
8. If it ain't your Lutefisk, don't take it.
9. Dont be braggin' about how much snow ya shoveled.
10. Keep your mid off your neighbor's hotdish.

So, der ya go.  Easy, ain't it?

You're Thankful for What?

Every week we have a staff devotional time before our staff meeting.  This week one of our office staff, Judy Gittus, offered us some wisdom about thankfulness as we approach a season of Thanksgiving.  Here is her list:

... the taxes I pay because it means I'm employed

... The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat

... my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine

... A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

... the spot I find at the end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking

... all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech

... my huge heating bill because it means I am warm

... the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear

... the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are near

... weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I've been productive

... the alarm that goes off in the morning hours because it means I'm alive

... the friends and family I can share this message with to remind us all what is important in life.

I imagine we could quibble about one or two of those.  So often we grumble about most of them.  But in the blessed part of the world in which we live, even the things we might grumble about can bring blessings.

For what will you be thankful in this season?

The Canvas of Creation

Recently I was Augsburg College for two days of Board of Regents meetings.  On a brilliantly beautiful October Friday morning, I came out of the chapel building and saw twenty or so students painting or drawing.

I asked the students if I could see what they were working on (and if I could take their pictures).  They all happily agreed.  Of course, there were varying levels of skill in the class.

But one thing was consistent--they were painting the creation we have been given in this world.

I admired some of their work.  Others were a bit too abstract for me.  Then I would look up from the art work and compare with what God has given to us.

There really was no comparison.  God's handiwork will always remain supreme, no matter how hard we try to copy what comes naturally in his great gifts to us.

Joyce Kilmer has written a poem that says, "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree."  Will we ever seen a piece of art that is as beautiful as the tree God has already created?

We are so blessed to live in this canvas of southeastern Minnesota.  Of course, I might write that no matter where I might be if I had grown in that place and had come to love it.  God's creation is even more varied than our ability to copy it.

May you enjoy these last days of fall as we have opportunity to look out every day onto the most beautiful art possible.

Connected

Most of us are connected in multiple ways.  Even the church is connected to the world and to each other in so many, many ways.  The first picture you see here is a welcome luncheon for new Rochester Chamber of Commerce members.  While I have been an individual member for over five years, recently the chamber made it affordable for the church to join as a business member.  We are able to make connections in new ways with a cross section of our community.  In some ways, Bethel is a business and has to be run like a business.  If we do not meet our monthly obligations, like all businesses, we would have to close the doors.  We need to be smart in our use of technology and in using media (like this blog?) to reach out to people.  Being connected in a chamber of commerce is one way to extend our reach.

The second picture is even more exciting.  On the same day of the luncheon our normal confirmation group came together in Bethel Hall.  More than 110 students.  Some 16-20 adult leaders who serve as small group leaders at the tables.  Four to five staff
members who devote their time so that our confirmation students are

afforded the best possible confirmation program. 

Have you ever been in a room with 110 excited 7th, 8th, and 9th graders?  The energy, even at 6pm, is palpable.  They may have just spent a long day at school, and they might have been to a sports practice or music group in the late afternoon.  Yet they show up faithfully, Wednesday after Wednesday, to learn about God's great love for them and our response in love to God.

The students are connecting, and they are connected.  This is just one of the programs the church offers to ensure that youth know they belong, that they are loved by God.

They are connected because you have helped to connect them.  You promised that you would support them in baptism.  You are making the promises come true.  I pray for you the connection that these youth feel week after week.  There is a God who wants to connect with you and offer his best.  We are the body of Christ.  Connected from head to toe.

Harmon Killebrew and Jesus

Last night Kathy and I saw our second Twins game at Target Field in Minneapolis.  Taking a different route into the stadium, we saw the statue of Harmon Killebrew--my favorite Twin as I grew up in the 1960's.  You might have guessed that since in the picture I am wearing a Killebrew jersey which I received for my birthday (a month early!).

Like so many children, I hoped that I would one day play professional baseball.  I matured earlier than classmates, and I could hit the ball a long ways.  I fashioned myself as a home run hitter like Killebrew.

In third grade we needed to do a report on what we "wanted to do when we grew up".  On the cover of my report were two pictures.  One of them was a picture of Killebrew.  I would play baseball in the summertime.

But that would leave many months of the year to pursue my other love--the church.  The other picture on that report was of a pastor.  From my earliest days of recollection, I felt called to be a pastor in the church.  From elementary school on, people would encourage me and affirm in various ways my pursuit of being a pastor.

This picture--the Head of Christ by Warner Sallman--was hanged over my bed, along with many other Sallman lithographs that I received from perfect Sunday School attendance.

There were many people I admired when I was young (including many Minnesota Vikings players starting in 1961).  So many teachers and coaches and friends and relatives were formative in my upbringing.  But Harmon Killebrew and Jesus were on a different plane than most.

I once met Harmon Killebrew in the Minneapolis airport.  He was kind to exchange a few words with me.  It is my privilege to encounter the Risen Christ every day.  Anywhere.  All times.  Harmon remains a hero in my book.  Jesus has turned into something much more real--a Savior and Lord.

Who are your heroes?

Sunset on Sabbatical

Sabbatical has ended, and I am officially sitting at my Bethel computer. It has been a wonderful three months. As the time away for refreshment and learning has come to an end, I have reflected on those months. I have come away with three major learnings, none of which will probably surprise you.

1) God has created a world of wonders. Kathy and I had the chance to travel widely in these months. We visited Florida for a couple of days prior to a short Caribbean cruise. A ten day trip to Israel was a highlight of the summer.
Twice we visited the summer home of my sister, Carolyn (the sunset picture is a view from her home at Ham Lake near Park Rapids, MN). Napa Valley and San Francisco were home base for a week. A weekend trip to Chicago helped to prepare for the wedding of our son, Chris, to Michelle this fall. And we finally made the trip to Door County, Wisconsin, staying at Little Sweden outside of Fish Creek for a week. I cannot begin to list the many experiences we had in these various places. I can only tell you that God's world is a marvel.

2) Family is a blessing. Kathy had some doubts that we could co-exist in a house (even with extensive travel) for an entire summer. I guess I can be pretty intense. But she was an excellent partner in all that we did. I am blessed with her presence for more than 36 years now. The birth of our second grandchild in July is an incomparable blessing--all life makes other blessings seem small. Joren grows in leaps and bounds these early weeks. We have had opportunities to spend time with all three of our children and their families at various places (Ham Lake, Little Sweden, Chicago). It is a great joy to be with them. It was good and reminiscent to spend a couple of weeks with my sister. And we have had even more time with our first grandchild, Jarek. My sister says that I am "smitten" with him. She is right. He will never remember this summer, but I will cherish it forever.

3) Bethel is the place I want to be. Kathy and I worshiped at many wonderful places this summer (including the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem). The churches were near and far, big and small. Most of the time the services were very good to excellent. Out of the 13 Sundays in those three months, we were away from Bethel for 12. The exception was the Sunday after Joren's birth when we had much family in town, and we all wanted to worship together. It would be at Bethel. And that is the best Sunday we had amongst the 13. It was a time of coming together with friends--people with whom we have celebrated and cried. It was the familiar and good voices coming from the pulpit and the pew. It was home.

So it is from home that I am composing this blog today--my work and church home. It is good to be back. The sun has set on sabbatical. The sun is rising in so many new ways.

Don't Jump?

Cave Point Park in Door County is worth the drive and time to get there (and it is free!). As we explored the first bit of the park, we saw three young men in swimming trunks standing at the precipice of an abyss yet unknown to us. Drawing closer to the edge, we could see a pool of water provided by Lake Michigan.

Amazingly, we also saw one of the young men do a somersault into the shallow pool about 18 feet below. As he stood after the plunge, I could see that the water was a mere 3.5 feet deep! As well, there were rocks in that clear water. If the jumper misjudged, a rock could clearly ruin his day (week, year, life...). Additionally, there was another pool of water surrounded by underwater boulders a bit farther out to sea that required a leap. One of the jumpers preferred this landing spot.

Of course, that brought me back to my first attempt at a sabbatical eight years ago when I jumped off a 35 foot cliff into the Colorado River and broke three vertebrae. Thankfully that only ruined my summer and not my life. As I peered over the edge of this 18 foot drop, Kathy said, "Don't even think about it." And I thought about all the people who, humorously, told me before going on sabbatical not to jump off any cliffs this time.

So I didn't. I climbed down some rocks to the edge of Lake Michigan and was rewarded with all varieties of coastline--caves, boulders, sand--different around every corner. Now it is only five days to the end of my sabbatical, and I have only to survive a long weekend at my sister's lake home in northern Minnesota.

Don't jump. But we do. I recall Peter stepping out onto the Sea of Galilee. It was a leap of faith. Abraham and Sarah's jump from a secure home to wandering towards an unknown home is well documented in the Bible. As a teenager, Mary, mother of Lord, needed a huge leap of faith in her journey to motherhood.

Are we still jumping into sometimes turbulent water in our journey of faith? Sometimes the water seems too shallow, other times too dark and deep. Do rocks surround the safe pool of water in which to land? Are the risks too great?

The risks are too great for some. They would rather rely on their own strengths. Someday, however, the strengths of any one person will erode. What we need is a pool of faith. We know who can provide that. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, lest anyone should boast."

Join in the water--sometimes turbulent water, sometimes as graceful as the waters of baptism. It is a great swim...