Amiga: Luvable lutheran's blog

A Sweet Escape?

2008-10-12T18:02:56-06:00

Maybe you have heard the pop song, A Sweet Escape, on the radio just as I have. In case you haven't here's the lyrics and music on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2h1YDC84Bo

I heard it first on the radio a few days before my sister's 30th birthday and then a dance mix version as she and her friends were what some woudl desribe as "dirty dancing." I had mentally placed it into a category of musci that I didnt' prefer to listen to and one that really isnt' helpful to helping me live as Christian. You can read Kelsey's and Sandra's blogs for more examples of song reviews in that category.

Anyhow, I started listening to the words more closely as I was sucked in to listening to the hip tune. This song was different, not really talking about provocative love, sex, violence or the other not so healthy things that permeate our culture today. In some regards, one could put a Christian spin on the words if one thinks aobut he Sweet Escape as heave and paradise that Christ has promised us. Perhaps it was the timing of events in my life too that casued me to dream about a sweet escape like heaven. I'll be frank, I was bummed when my travel plans to Minnesota in the peak of fall were changed by my committee wanting me to edit and rewrite parts of my dissertation (which is slow going since I am working full time and friday, the grad school sent out yet another formatting change. uffda!). In addition, I've been settling into my new job which I love, but there have been challenges in getting used to my boss' personality and management style. I'll leave it at that, but some days have me left me yearning for that "sweet escape." So I digress.

Back to the lyrics. Natasha Bedingfield has a way with words in her song. Take me a way to a higher place-- could this be heaven? Sticks and Stones are never gonna break me--Is this her being assertive to the negatves in society and people? Take me away to a secret place to better days-- Is this paradise? To a place where the rivers flow and there are no more lies and nobody cries, there's only butterfiles.... The rivers flow part reminds me of Psalm 23 (which was my grandmother's confirmation verse). When I'm united with her and the Saints in heav3en each Sunday when I partake of communion, I think of her dancing up in heaven without a care in teh world and enjoying herself and pain free as she is made perfect in that robe of white in the shedding of Christ's blood. She was in a lot of pain iduring her last few days on earth until she succumbed to her cancer, but now she is whole again and at Peace with Christ as a baptized child of God. Yet again I digress. However, it's the hope of Christ and paradise that makes our life here on Earth seem so meager at times. I look forward to that day when I can be in heaven and not have a care in teh world since I know Christ has taken care of all of it for me. I'm made pure as snow by His Body and Blood and Satan can't tempt me with my sin no more since I'm pure and free of sin and therefore guiltless! Every day will be filled with joy as though I have a "pocketful of sunshine."

Now I also should have preaced this with that I'm NOT feeling depressed or suicidal, lest anyone think that is why I want to have a sweet escape. I also mention this since I recently listened to a Christ on Campus retreat online on this very topic. Dr. Bev Yahnke spoke about Depression, Dysfunction and Mental Illness here http://www.ulcmn.org/LSF/Retreats.html I heard her talk about the same topic back in Colorado Springs at the her In depth sectional at The Feast (HT conference in 2006). She is most excellent and whether you are young or more seasoned with life, I highly encourage you to listen to all the sessions. If you don't have mental illness yourself, you will most lifely come across someone in life that does. This is true especially in the college years as that is when mental illness is commonly diagnosed. I never knew anyone with MI until I was partway through my undergrads years and knew someone who had a panic attack. Since then I've had friends or family that have been diagnosed with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, manic depression or bipolar disorder (can't remember which), anxiety and perhaps many still undiganosed or who haven't shared. In short listen to the presentation as it may save your life or someone close to you.

Lastly, I've been busy with life and haven't blogged as often, but a bird told me that someone had missed seeing my blogs so JS this is for you ;) I honestly don't know who reads them as with my pokey computer I've had issues with blogs getting lost when my screen freezes. So it's pretty plain for now, but hopefully the content is well worth the read. :) Have a great week. I'm off to make my sweet escape to work on the dissertation...

A Sports blog about Pondscum

2008-09-21T18:28:14-06:00

Huh you ask? I just don't get it! Neither do I! let me explain...

The weather forecast was great and since my trip to Minnesota to defend my PHD has been postponed, I decided I needed some love from my two nieces. I decided to surprise them by attending the older one's soccer game. I got up super early to road trip there and boy were they surprised. Aunti! Aunti they shouted as they ran across the field with big hugs. (I got my lovin' kids are great! )

During the game we over heard a soccer mom call her daughter Pond scum (in an affectionate manner, mind you). She explained to another mom that her daughter's initials were LJ and when the kids said it, it sounded like algae and hence the pondscum nickname by her parents. Granted I don't think they meant their daughter any harm form it, but I got to thinking, how does the daughter feel?

WIth the teasing that kids do this day and age, I can't imagine that not even one child would tease her about it. I'd also feel personally demeaning being called that. I had a nickname in grade school that kids gave me based upon an initial and it was a not so affectionate bug name, so I can relate. You can only laugh off such behaviour so many times until it begins to affect you. I mean the poor child will probably feel like pond scum.

Luther says we are all nothing but a pile of dung. I saw plenty of that on my evening walk left by the neighborhood geese. Luther is right we are nothing, worthless in our sin. Yet Christ has robed us in white by His very Body and Blood to wash our sin away. Assuming the child above isn't beaming with pride from the emotional lifting program of self esteem many schools have today and is just a regular run of the mill child (which I have no idea if they are or aren't), beating them down with more law isn't going to help much. What the child needs to hear is how much her parents lover her and are proud of her. I must admit I did like the adult rules printed on the back of the soccer coaches T-shirts. They are to cheer for everyone and behave. In this day and age where competion can be fierce, it is nice to have fun and enjoy the spirit of the game. That is what I told my niece. I sad it doesn't matter if you win or lose, just play and have fun. It was hilarious seeing the kindergartners herd around like cows! They do that at that age, which I found out when I refereed soccer games. Besides they will learn soon enough about the real world and they can enjoy being kids just a bit longer. Play ball!

happiness

2008-09-13T07:49:44-06:00

"What makes you happy?, " a Mormon missionary asked me after my final one year. They proceeded to tell me their happiness was derived from someting in the Book of Mormon, but quickly left me alone when I said something to the fact that I am Christian. Everyone tries to find the secret to happiness. Afterall that is what we all desire isn't it? Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? There are a ton of articles, self help books, movies and the like on the very subject. Now I've even seen scientific research on happiness. It's been shown to be partially genetic . http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/la-he-happy8-2008sep08,0,3932061.story?page=1

Reading this article though does bring out some truths albeit from a different way of calling it as we'd call it. It mentions after our basic needs are provided for, humans tend to look to help others and as a result it produces happiness. Christians already have a heads up on this knoledge tidbit as it's in the BIBLE. Imagine that! It's all part of God's plan. God provides us with what we need daily and as we pray in the Lord's Prayer. Then we are free to serve our neighbor with our various vocational talents. It is how God has designed us orignally to be as humans. I'm glad science has finally caught up to what Christianity has known for thousands of years.

Secondly, most people expect life to be a field of roses, that is to constantly be happy. God forbid something bad to happen. I mean this week there have been rememberances of the 911 tragedies, the usual senseless crime in our communities, the natural disaster called Ike and now a train crash that has taken so many lives. In the midst of all this bad, where can one find happiness---In Christ! That's right, Christ has gone through more than we will ever have to by His death on the cross, but doesn't that make our pains not seem so bad? When a Christian dies, sure there is sadness when you can no longer spend time with them here on Earth. Isn't there even more happiness though when you cling to the promises of Christ that, He who beleives in me will have eternal life?" I mean I can't wait to feast in paradise in heaven without having a need or care in the world. How awesome it must be. Of course I get a foretaste of that feast to come each time I partake of the Lord's Supper. How sweet it is! Not only are my sins forgiven, but I'm given peace and joy to serve others. Did you hear that? Joy! Joy is pure bliss and the ultimate in happiness. Christ gives us happiness. The more we work to make our selves happy with things of this world the more depressed we becoem because we can't achieve happiness on our own. It's a gift form God. It comes from serving others in love, with that love that Christ first gives us. So whether it will be helping clean up after IKE or helping an elderly neighbor or yours or babysitting for friends, serve your neighbor with God's love. You'll be much happier if you did and so will they to receive your gift and offer of help.

Come and get your free stuff

2008-09-02T06:01:25-06:00

DId that get your attention? Are you feverishly reading to see what is free and how to get it? Here's the scoop!

One church is hoping you come through their doors to get free gas and then stay and hear the Gospel. It's not the gas that's so important, but hearing about how Jesus died for you and sets you free. That's free stuff indeed. However, that isn't usually how these churches work.

They want to bait you to their door with the free offer of gas. The implication that my church is better than your church since it offers church plus a freebie. One church went so far as to cancel services to give away the free stuff. They miss the point alltogether. Not one really mentiones the free gift of the Gospel. Sure it's implied, come to church and hear a sermon. Isn't that what sermons are all about? It depends. Many churches these days don't even preach the Gospel, but some law driven focus on how to improve one's life.

I think it would be much better if they just preached law and gospel and it's all free. Free to you, free to me. The funds that would have been spent on advertising, the gas cards and other programming aspects could go to feed the hungry and provide for our neighbor's needs. Why not use the gas to provide rides for elderly or others to church to hear the free Gospel? I wonder why they haven't thought of that? Is it too simple, too oxymonoronic to today's culture? Insead of gettign people to pay attention to those freebies in our earthly life, why not get them to pay attention to those freebies in our eternal life, the love of our Lord Jesus Christ that has been given for us. Not earned by any merit by us, but given and shed for free. That's the good stuff indeed!

Are you an Olympic Champion?

2008-08-20T06:39:04-06:00

In light of the Olympics I began to wonder what the many hidden talents are of you the readers. If you were to compete in the Olympics what sport would you compete in? I would participate in women's soccer and probably play the position of goal keeper.

Nonetheless, I doubt I could participate seriously the amount of hours of training required to be in collegiate sports, much less Olympic sports. Although I did play on a club team that traveled in college, one issue I have is that many sports are played on weekends and wouldn't allow my spiritual being to be fed. I know of a student from a church who does compete collegiately and in fact is the tops in her conference. Yet during her sports season I rarely if ever see her, especially in church. Is it a sacrifice worth making to excel in your sport or not? Thoughts?

Would you pay to goto church? and Cowboy Church :O

2008-08-10T19:46:21-06:00

I'm still visiting churches to find a church home in Chicagoland. Almost all require a commute on the Illinois tollway system in order to get there and without taking hours to get there. It got me thinking that I am paying tolls, much less gas to goto church. Although church itself is free, it has been costing me toll money for each trip to worship and midweek bible study. Is it worth it? By heavens, YES! That said, I must warn the reader that I think the Illinois tollway is a scam. Alright, let's just say it doesn't make me happy. I finally had to break down and get an IPASS fo my birthday to avoid paying twice as much in tolls without one. Tolls have been going up over the years and the roads have been getting worse. Ok, ok, I'll confess the open road tolling has eased some congestion, but some roads (hwy 52/I-290) in front of Woodfield Mall, I can't remember a time when they were NOT under construction. The roads are still crumbly and the congestion is as worse as ever. Yet I'm willing to bear the cros and pay to goto church! Let me also say that it's worth paying the tolls to goto a solid Lutheran congregation instead of just any old church. Heck if I wanted to avoid the tolls I could goto the WillowCreek church near work. Of course I'd probably be fed spiritual junkfood but that is for another post. Out of curiosity and to not speculate, but share with you readers the truth about the congregation, I do plan to attend one of their services at a later point. A friend of mine who did a vicarage in Chicago mentioned he visited the main campus and was struck by how large it was. I jokingly asked him if he signed up for the parking lot ministry. (If you goto their website, this is one of the ways people can serve the congregation-- directing traffic before and after services.) No thanks, I'll stick with altar guild. I think my talents are better used there.

Ok enough of a tangent and rant. I found an article I think some of you will be most interested in, one about cowboy ministry and churches. Hmm what will they think of next? A scuba ministry in the Caribbean to cater to divers? Hey Pastor Cwirla, where are you? ;)

testing bloggiing

2008-08-04T20:39:24-06:00

I'm trying a new thing--blopgging from my blackberry. I'm still learning features. My pc is also pretty slow and needs to be replaced. I thought I'd try the cell. I also dodged tornadic storms tonight. This test also shows if o lpst electricity I can still communicate--something that didn't work a few weeks ago with a 4 hour outage. Well I should get some sleep as work has been keeping me busy. Ta ta for now

Connections

2008-07-23T07:01:46-06:00

Ever play the 6 degrees of separation or is it 7 to Kevin Bacon game? You make connections with people based on what movies they were in until you get to kevin Bacon. The idea is to get the fewest connections. Well this last week I went to several events where I felt like that. One event was a professional meeting that was held on a boat cruise. I began meeting one lady who is a health care administrative officer and she began introducing me to many of her colleagues that served within the professional organization and the healthcare organization in which she worked. It was very helpful in meeting people and networking within the organization. The second event I went to was an alumni club send off for students starting at that university next month. Again I was working the crowd so to say and introducing myself to folks. I met a doctor who did his residency training at the same time as one of my old roommates. In fact he recalled a fond memory during that time. Then I met a lawyer and we were chatting about alumni interviews so I can help out in my new town. I mentioned where I work and come to find out she's the niece of the organization's president! I didnt' realize that we all went to the same university at one time. Small world!

Perhap at Higher Things conferences you feel like that too as you meet people who know people you know. I feel like singing it's a small Lutheran world after all. I visited a congregation and noticed one of my best friends had signed the visitor's book, as well as another pastor from where I moved from. I figured if it's good enough for them, it'll be good enough for me. Think of it as sort of the best friend's recommendation that distinguishes a place or person above the rest. I also meet a HT person in person finally after working with them in some capacity for last year's conferences when I visited their church. It'll probably be too far for me to drive to their congregation, but it was nice to visit. A few folks I met virtually on the HT forums contacted me offlist and began a conversation of sorts. I have yet to meet these people in person, but they attended conferences this year and worked with many of the friends I've already met through HT. My Lutheran circle of friends keeps expanding.

That is a good thing, but have you ever thought how big it really is? I mean those of you who are on the same page theologically? When you comunion with the whole company of heaven and earth, there are all those saints who have gone before us. I mean I think of my grandmother and a pastor who passed from cancer, but there are thousands of saints in heaven. There are quite a few here on earth too. Think of how awesome it is to worship with 1300 of your friends, some of whom you havent' even met yet at a Higher Things conference. It is amazing! We are all on the same page theologically, worshipping together. We all are Lutheran. Sometimes it seems at times that there are few who share the same beliefs, especially if you are in an area where there aren't many Lutherans or have a small congregation. However, when brought together we reaffirm the faith and lift each other up. It is utterly amazing. Know that you aren't alone, but joined in the same confession of faith with the saints of heaven and earth whenever you partake of communion, that is the community in union. Furthermore you are connected vertically with the Holy Trinity by eating Christ's Body and Blood and receiving His gifts of forgiveness and salvation. Membership does have it's priviledges! We are priveledges to be children of God and saints. It doesn't get much better than that!

Finding a Church

2008-07-14T19:09:52-06:00

Those of yo who have been following my blog for the past month or so know that I reently relocated the Chicago area for a new job. One aspect that is crucial to consider in any move, whether for college, short or long term is to rpvide for your spiritual well being, namely finding a church home where you can be fed with the Word and receive the Sacrament.

Where do you start? Do you just goto the closet church near your home? What do you consider in making your church selection? Do you go for the largest, smallest, one with prettiest gardens and landscaping, modern building, flashiest website? What factors are most important and which are secondary?

I must preface this with I am still in the process of finding a church to call home in my new city. To begin, I started by asking my current pastor for recommendations. I also know some of you from HT blogs, conferences and the like and have contacted you with your recommendations or where you have attended in the area. Personal reference is one of the major ways people are referred to congregations. I mean how did you find the church you are in? I suspect most o fyou would say that your family brought you there as an infant and you've attended ever since or you went with a friend or relative or family at an older age.

So I have a list of almost 10 churches from recommendations. I also visited the LCMS website to find out which ones are within 10 miles of my new home. However, that really doesn't tell you too much that goes on behind the doors. One must do a bit more research. Sure you could goto the first one on the list or first reocmmended or closest to yoru home, but is that the best option for you? Not to sound like a postmodernist, but not all churches are the same! I personally am repelled by praise music and not to get into all the debates and controversy, but it actuallt detracts from my worship experience and it's not just a feelings thing as in my preference, but also because of the Scriptural issues it has. Enough said.

Unfortunately, when I look at the website information for those churches in my neighborhood, most all list or describe some sort of praise service, praise singers or puppet program or other similar aspect. Well these churches have repelled me from stepping foot inside just by their "so called programming or services" geared to make church more inviting. Heck if I want to attend a contemporary service or praise service, why not go for the best? I mean the most influencial contemporary church in the US is Willow Creek with it's many campuses in Chicago land. In fact, one is right next to my new workplace! If you sin, as Luther puts it, "Sin boldly!" (Ok not really lest you think I promote SIN!) Although I am tempted to visit out of curiousity to blog on what a service actually is liek at Willow Creek for the benefit of y'all across the US. I can tell you it is definately not Lutheran!

I mean I've been raised Lutheran, so why not goto a Lutheran church that can foster and nourish that Lutheran identity, rather than quell it or dilute it down with something else? Getting back to my church search criteria, yes commuting distance is a factor. I am willing to drive up to 45 minutes to go to a good solid church taht will feed my body and soul with the Lord's Body and Blood and not just some fluff. My family asked me why I don't goto a church in my neighborhood. Frankly I said the LCMS congregations near me offer praise music and I prefer somethign a bit more traditional. (They don't understand all the theological implications as many of them attend non LCMS churches that feature some praise music even though they don't like it that much either, so I'm not opening up that can of worms. They do however understand my answer.)

The first week I drove all the way to Wisconsin to attend church and it was good, but unfortunately I think it is a bit too far as it took me almost an hour to get there with all the road construction. Yesterday I visited another recommendation only about 30 mins away and it was very good and solid. It was different from the congregation I came from, but I felt as though my previous pastor was there preaching as it was the solid preaching one might get at a Higher Things Conference (since I missed all them this year ) It was good food for the body and soul. A recent service elsewhere left me hungering for Law and Gospel and not some fluff and a basic understanding of what the Scripture readings were that week. I kept waiting and waiting for the meat and the ending with the Gosel asuring me the forgiveness of my sins through God's gifts, but it never happened. However on Sunday, the law prevailed early in the sermon and the Gospel overflowed! It was so refreshing fo rmy body and soul. In fact, it brought me to tears at the communion rail as I knew I was getting the very best that God had sent. It was very similar to my old congregation in that way.

However, almost all the members were elderly and it was in an older hispanic neighborhood. I could tell from he bulletin that the congregation also has some financial needs. As I signed the guest book, I noticed several friends that attend solid churches including one of our former congregational presidents who'd visited this congregation durign their travels. In other words, it might be off the beaten path, but well worth the detour for these folks and possibly for me too. I talked to one of those visitors about their visit and they recalled more college students so I suspect many of them are away for the summer. Perhaps the demographics will shift again when they return.

I looked for other hints about their practices that would be indicators as to what they believe, teach and confess. Some of these indicators include whether or not they celebrate communion every week or not, whether they use cmmon cup or individual cups or a combination of both, what hymnal they use, what liturgy service they prefer to use, what hymns are sung, do people bow or genuflect and express respect to Christ, His gifts and/or the pastoral office? What programs do they offer-self help groups or bible studies and sunday school? Do they do community or mission outreach in the neighborhood or community and which types- Habitat for Humanity or generaic interdenominational activities or supporting those missions of the district and synod as a whole? One even had a the Higher Things conference poster hanging in their narthex. I arrived right before the service started and as a coutesy, I normally introduce myself to the pastor the first time I visit and verify their communion policy and announce my intent to commune, allowing the pastor to question me as to my membership, etc to make sure I'm in altar and pulpit fellowship with the congregation. However I wasn't able to do that, but as my previous pastor would do, the pastor asked me at the communion rail about my membership, before serving me Christ's Body and Blood. That was a test in itself since it shows the congregation and pastor know and respect the closed communion policy of the synod to which they belong and take God's Word seriously concerning the Lord's Supper not wanting anyone to eat nor drink to their damnation. What a loving pastor and congration that cares enough to do that!

So I continue my search for a church. The one I visited Sunday is pretty high on the list, but I don't want to choose just yet until I have visited several congregations as one may be even better for various reasons-shorter commute and solid, perhaps have other opportuniteis where I can serve my neighbor and also help them out financially. I know God will lead me to a congregation that is a good fit. I mean he led me here to this wonderful job, helped me find a place to live in a day, and has provided for every other need in this move. It's realyl scary how well God has provided! I keep trusting that he guide me and use me to do His Will in serving my neighbor as HE knows best, not me. Yes, I might find a congregation I like, but another one may be better for me and them. Perhaps there are things that I can share and teach them as well, whether things I've learned at Higher Things conferences, other pastors, etc. (Let the reader understand that what I can share and teach is mostly logistical, not anything involved in the worship service unless it is describing how I've seen aspects handled by pastors or an altar guild related issue.)

For now, I'll visit a few more congregations and hopefully it will be clear which congregation will be be a good fit for me. I remember when I went through this process about 10 years ago, I visited 3 congregations nearby me. One was recommended by friends of friends and I felt like nobody knew I visited. The other 2 were a bit smaller and although I attended one for about 6 months, I still felt like a first time visitor. I didnt' even attend the campus congregation where I eventually became a member for about 6 months as I had it in my head that I didnt' want to commute all the way to campus on Sundays too. (Ok I was being lazy!) Howver I did attend the wednesday night bible study and free dinner so I began to meet people. I also began to have discussions and they asked why I didnt' attend sunday service too. They were patient and kept inviting me, but didn't force the issue. I was asked by a student who did english conversation if I wante dto help out with an international student. She had discussed the Scripture readings for the day and I noted they were different than what I heard where I worshipped. I decided if the international student had questions, it would be helpful if I was hearing the same Scripture readings that they were and so I drove to campus to attend church and continued for almost 10 years! God knew what was best for me even if I didn't at the time! So I trust He'll guide me to the best once again, even if it is a bit of a commute!

have or have not

2008-07-06T20:33:51-06:00

I hope all of you (all's y'all) had a blessed fourth of July weekend. I spent it with my family and it was good, but too short.

I'm settling into my neighborhood and have been exploring my new area. One thing that caught my attention is that sometimes there is a short distance between areas that "have" and those that "have not." Let me explain a bit further... One suburb in which I was driving I noticed as having very nice things: country clubs with valet parking, heck valet parkign at restaurants, a Bentley dealership (an expensive car), groomed lawns in gated communities, etc. A few miles away along the same street I drove through a different suburb that I describe as teh "have not," as it did not have these features, but rather older buildings and homes, many of which are crumbling, strip malls with vacant store fronts, ethnic grocery stores, pawn shops, and the like. There was as distinct disparity between the suburbs.

Now I am grateful with what God has given me and know that there are many that have and many that have not in the world. It just makes me sad that the haves don't share more with those that have not. Then it got me thinking, what distinguishes the have and have nots? Where is the border that separated the two? Is it wrong/an issue for those in the congregation to have moe expensive or nicer things (cars, homes, schools) if God provides that individual or family unit with the resources to have them? One Pastor I knew did not think so and God had provided a nice lifestyle for he and his family. That got me thinking as to what constitutes have and have not. I've been living more in the have not area for awhile as a college student on a limited income. God has provided a roof over my head, acar to get me to church and school, food on teh table and clothign on my back. Now that I've gotten a job, my income has increased and God has provided the means for a new car, professional clothing, housing in a nice area near work, and other things I've put off upgrading or replacing for awhile. I guess part of me is feeling guilty, but part of me is also enjoying the gifts that God has provided. Hence I feel a bit conflicted. I guess it's nothign new since I'm saint and sinner at the same time too. I guess I'll always be conflicted in one way or another. Replies or thoughts are welcome.