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In the name of Jesus. Amen. Sometimes real life takes us and shakes us in such a way that we lose our
smiles for an instant and weep with those who weep. Other times, we get to
learn the Gospel from those who weep.
My first reaction to Hurricane Katrina was to rejoice that my family was ok. My
mom and brothers were safe in Baton Rouge. My wife's huge family was all safe in
Houma, Mobile, and even those who fled to Texas were peachy kean. Then, I got in touch with my catechism instructor in Baton Rouge.
Pastor Anderson informed me that the devastation in New Orleans was
unfathomable. He had a few of my brothers in Christ staying at his house.
Their homes and parishes were utterly destroyed or under water. He
gave me these names:
Rev. Bradley Drew,
Mount Olive Lutheran Church , Matarie, LA
Rev Keith Brda, Senior Pastor,
Salem Lutheran Church, Gretna, LA
Rev. Mark Buetow,
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Orleans, LA
Rev Limakatso Nare,
Mount Zion Lutheran Church, New Orleans, LA
Rev. Larry Beane, Associate Pastor,
Salem Lutheran Church, Gretna, LA
Rev. Brandon J. Simoneaux,
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Harvey, LA
Rev. David Lofthus,
Faith Lutheran Church, Harahan, LA
Rev Philip Miller, Christ Lutheran Church, Chalmette, LA
These men aren't just men, but my brothers in the ministry in New Orleans. I wouldn't
be a Lutheran if it weren't Pastor Drew asking me, "Why don't you just become a
Lutheran?" It was such a simple question that it floored me
(smile). In
college I argued for months with a seminarian named Mark Buetow, until I got to
seminary and he told me I was right (grin). Since then, Mark's been
doing the teaching and Bloghardt has been doing the learning. When I was college, I taught Sunday School. A
young man named Brandon Simoneaux was in the class. Now, he's a pastor on
that list. When your pastor is a doctor, sometimes you need to know that normal
people can become pastors. Lofthus taught me that. (smile)
When the year 1999 turned 2000, my family was celebrating with these guys.
Rejoicing in the gift that the Lord had turned the calendar another year.
In college, I followed them around like a puppy dog. When I was ordained, they
rejoiced that the Lord had put me into the Office of the Holy Ministry.
These aren't just names, these are my brothers. These gentlemen are my
big brothers.
So, Amy and I are filled with joy to hear concern for what's going on with
our family. How's our family? Our family is without
homes and parishes. My big brothers served the Lord faithfully on Sunday and now
their pulpits and altars are under water. They have no incomes, no money coming
in, but growing credit card bills. They've been told to go somewhere else,
for New Orleans is closed for
months. That means new homes for months, new schools
for kids, new means of income, and a new life.
There is a feeling of helplessness in our midst as we feel like we need to
do something - anything - yet don't know what to do. We want to help all the
Lutherans in New Orleans - both the parishioners who are scattered
now throughout the South and these their pastors. I encourage you to give to
your districts and to Human Care. In addition to this, Pastor Anderson,
Pastor Drew, and Pastor Brda asked me to
also put before you to consider that you send your donations directly to these parishes by means of
Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, LA. Until one of these
faithful churches in New Orleans is in operation, this would be a great hub
for direct donation to these churches. Sometimes smaller organizations,
while collecting less money, move faster in getting money to those individuals
who need it most. If you have any questions, please direct your questions
to
Pastor Anderson or myself. Please mark your check as for "New Orleans
Relief," so that the money can be distributed to these pastors and to their
parishioners in need. If the phone lines allow it, I'm gonna talk to him tonight about setting up something for Paypal.
Yes, Higher Things right now is discussing what we can do to help out too.
We are discussing what to do.
Yet, the Gospel shines through, even in a day that seems heavy.
Yesterday, Pastor Drew called me. He told me that one of his elders had
called from Texas. The elder and his family had evacuated to this unknown
place in Texas where they had family. He called his pastor to let him
know he was safe. Then, he said something amazing, "Pastor, we are fine.
We are here. But what bothers me more than the whole losing our home thing
is that we are here in Texas where we won't hear the Gospel. The Gospel is
so very lost amongst us, I just don't know where my family will go to church."
So, Pastor Drew asked the man where he was. "Conroe, TX." And there
erupted joy on the phone as Pastor Drew informed him of a little brother, a
little Louisiana brother who used to tag along behind, now served in .... Conroe, TX.
(smile)
This man calls me up before I can call him to find out where St. Mark is
located. He then proceeds
to thank me for preaching the Gospel and for giving him a place to take his family
to receive the Sacrament.
As if, after all that happened, all that mattered was that his family hear the
Gospel. Huh? Could this be true? He told me that his kids got
enrolled in the public school here in Texas and I told him about our school and
how we would register them tomorrow. Over and over and over I was thanked
for doing nothing but being here where the Lord put me... in Conroe, TX.
Afterwards, I called his pastor and informed him that his parishioner would be
coming here and Pastor Drew became frantic with joy. As if all that
mattered was that his sheep hear the Gospel. As if all that mattered was
Jesus Christ crucified delivered in the water, the Word, and the Body and Blood
of the Lord. What faith!
What Jesus! Didn't Pastor Drew know that his house was under water?
Didn't he know that his church was too?
Then, I learned how to weep for joy. For these two "refugees" the words of
"A Mighty Fortress"
do mean everything:
"The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone,
They yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom our remaineth. (TLH 262, v. 4)
The kingdom still remains theirs - even when it doesn't happen for them in New
Orleans. And for me, more gifts of faith from Louisiana - even from
refugees and their pastors.
Lord, I believe. Help now mine unbelief. In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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504) 352-5155 if you need to contact me. I think it's working now. You can also contact me at this number: (512) 733-0399.
