Day #432

March 8, 2015

Perhaps the only thing better than celebrating Holy Communion, either as presider or as recipient, is talking with folks about the Lord’s meal. What joy to gather around a table with four young folks, and their parent(s), who are preparing to celebrate their first meal on Maundy Thursday. What holy ground to try and articulate what it means to hear the words “the body of Christ given for you” and “the blood of Christ shed for you.” Needless to say, I am very excited for them and this step in their life of faith.

Blessings.

Day #431

March 7, 2015

Church Council Retreat. While I was pondering over what to say about our time together and its relation to the intersection of faith and life, I landed on the word retreat. Interesting word choice for spending some intentional time with a church council. After all, isn’t retreat what one does to get away from some danger?

With that question in mind, I looked it up. One definition of the verb retreat is just that, to withdraw from enemy forces or to remove oneself from a difficult or uncomfortable situation. Another is to withdraw to a quiet or secluded place. Ah, that seems a better focus. But then there is also to become smaller in size, or to change one’s decisions as a result of criticism, or to decline in value (think shares of stock). Then there is the noun definition of retreat. The one that resonated for me: a period of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation.

Ok, maybe retreat is what we did, in a positive way. For we spent our extended time together dreaming, talking, sharing, getting to know one another better, and planning ahead. And we did pray.

It proved to be a fruitful time. Three areas of focus bubbled-up for us to be intentional about for the rest of our year of working together, so I am excited to discover where and how God will lead us from here. All in all, it was a good time of retreat!

Blessings.

Day #430

March 6, 2015

During Lent, I have been receiving Luther Seminary’s “God Pause” emails. Just had to share the one from today:

The last time I was in New York City, I visited the Sept. 11 memorial for the first time. The memorial has a peaceful yet commanding presence. It serves as both an aching reminder of what stood there before and an overwhelming tribute to those who lost their lives on that day. One of the things that struck me most at the memorial was the Survivor Tree. The tree was discovered about a month after the attacks, severely damaged with snapped roots and burned and broken branches. Today it stands with multiple ties stabilizing it and a barrier around it so it is not disturbed as it heals. As one of the only living things to survive at Ground Zero, it is a beautiful reminder that life can (and indeed does) come out of death. You may not look quite the same as you did going in, but alas, life, hope and faith can find you again. Thanks be to God for that! 

Healing God, build us up out of the brokenness of sin and death and remind us of the hope of the resurrection in our times of darkness. Amen. 

Elizabeth Pedersen
 

Director of Senior High Ministry, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, Minn.
 

Master of Arts, 2009

For all who may be struggling in any way (and isn’t that all of us), grace, peace and hope. God knows and God is with you!

Blessings.

Day #429

March 5, 2015

Just one word - perfect! That’s how the man I am married to is for me - perfect! Not that either one of us is a perfect person (certainly not me by a long-shot), but I do believe he’s the perfect match for me.

And I am grateful that when life becomes overwhelming, he listens. Thank you, sweetheart! You knew I needed it!

Blessings.

Day #428

March 4, 2015

Have you ever mulled over what you wish you had said, only to come up with perhaps the “perfect” response DAYS later? My husband and I were having dinner a couple of nights ago in one of those places where it seems you become a part of the conversation with the strangers at the table next to you more so than with your own dinner partner. Or at least overhearing their conversation is nearly impossible. Anyway, when the couple began talking about God, my ears perked up, curiosity getting the best of me.

The young man was saying, “Don’t you just love when fundamentalists use the Bible as the basis for their argument? When they go around in circles with, ‘but the Bible says...’. That’s when I say, but what if I doubt the Bible is really the word of God? After all, the Bible says I can have hundreds of wives, or commit genocide on people from other races. What about that?” To which his female friend agreed and they continued to talk about the vengeance of God. It was difficult to determine if they did not believe in God, or if they were just wanting to poke fun at certain denominations.

Either way, the conversation was painful to hear. And I fought the urge to defend the Bible, and God. But not having any relationship with these two, I wondered if anything I might have said would have helped or simply fallen on deaf ears. So I did what I knew I could do, and I prayed for them, letting the opportunity to interject pass.

It was later I remembered something David Lose (at least that is who I think it is) has written about. When he has met those who doubt or are struggling, he has asked them to describe the God they have trouble believing in. Often God, as they describe God, is difficult for David to believe in, as well, and he has said something like, “that is not God who I believe in, either.” This opens the door for conversation about the God of grace, love and forgiveness.

Wonder how that conversation may have gone? Suppose it’s just another round of wishing I had been bolder (see Day #160 about my struggle with being bold).

Blessings.

Day #427

March 3, 2015

It was my fault and I readily admit that it was. But here is the deal...there are different traffic expectations in my new town. I make that statement that not as an excuse, but as a clarification of the reality of the situation. I am simply not accustomed to having four-way intersections without ANY stop signs in either direction. Yet, with that said, I confess I was in a hurry. But with reason. Running over something in the road sending two long screws into one of my tires necessitated an emergency trip to the tire store, before I had a complete flat tire.

“We can’t help you. It's too late in the day and that can't be repaired. You’ll have to get FOUR new tires (seems having an AWD vehicle means all four tires must be "worn" the same amount - who knew!?!?). I recommend a different tire store just down the street.” Not what I wanted to hear! After putting some additional air in the leaking damaged tire, I quickly headed to the other place.

In route (all of three minutes, thankfully) I had a thought - how about just going to the dealership. They know the car, they might have a tire that is suitable, they will be the logical choice - and it’s only a couple more minutes away. I should be able to make it there before the tire goes flat.

Now you understand my reason for being in a hurry! Except, in the five or six blocks to get to the dealership are a couple of those aforementioned four-way intersections. As I was just about to enter the second one, out of the corner of my eye I notice a car approaching to my right. That means I am supposed to yield, which I try to do, except I’m traveling a tad too fast, so the other car stops. But, of course, the other car isn’t just anyone - it’s a police officer - and my getting stopped in the middle of the intersection was not, repeat, NOT good. So when he waved me on, I just pulled over to the side of the road. I knew I was BUSTED!

Then comes a moment of grace in the midst of all this. In my humbled state, I must have looked pitiful, because he took mercy on me and only gave me a warning violation. With the admonishment, “If I hadn’t been paying attention, you wouldn’t have made it to the dealership to get that tire fixed.” True, and duly noted. Believe me, I will pay better attention!

Also believe me, I truly appreciate the kindness! Truly! Paying a ticket on top of a ruined tire with only 6,000 miles on it would NOT have been fun.

Blessings.

Oh, turns out heading to the dealership was helpful. Just the one tire has to be replaced, not all four. Not great, but better than it could have been! Whew!

Day #426

March 2, 2015

Some days the simple pleasures give me the biggest boost of the knowledge of God’s presence. An offered cup of coffee with a cookie, and a smile. A gracious welcome and appreciation for my coming. The desire and willingness to tell me about yourself. These are not the motivations for my making a visit, but they are little surprise reminders that it matters that I take the time and make the effort.

Thank you for the hospitality, the welcome, the introduction, and the reminder that it really does not take much to make someone’s day.

Blessings.

Day #425

March 1, 2015

Some days the sermon just does not finish well. What has been laid on my heart to proclaim just does not connect. It is a painful thought, to realize I may have let down God’s word, and a humbling one.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is at work in other ways in worship than simply through the preached word - in the prayers, the scripture, the confessions, certainly the Holy Supper, and in song.

As I was finishing the sermon today, I knew it was not going as I had hoped. The words to describe the thoughts in my head were not connecting. This was the planned ending:

Maybe we wonder about our own worthiness. Maybe we hope no one notices the details of our life. Maybe we don’t even know we are in need of Jesus’ living water. Rest assured, we are worthwhile to Jesus. We are loved by him and of extreme value to him. He has all the time just for you and me and wants us to know him and believe in him. Every encounter with Jesus may not be a home-run, so hearing the different reactions of the people who encountered Jesus on earth is helpful to see that no matter where we are in our understanding, Jesus loves us, desires for us to know him more deeply, and is here for us everyday.

I’m not really sure how the ending actually went, but that wasn’t it. But then we began to sing the hymn, You Are Mine, by David Haas. And the words of that hymn said what I had failed to:

I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear. You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice. Be still and know I am here. Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine.

Oh God, thank you!

Blessings.

Day #424

February 28, 2015

There is a monthly magazine I enjoy, especially the articles written by the editor. In the March issue, she writes about "safe places." We all are in need of a safe place, a place of comfort.

Her words caused me to ponder about what I consider my own safe place and where I go when I am afraid, nervous, anxious, or sad? Perhaps my place is not so much a “place” after all, but a “to whom” I go. Simply put, my safe place and one of comfort is God. I turn to prayer, scripture, worship, or conversation with follow Christians - wherever I can sense the presence of God and am assured of God’s love and grace.

And God has never failed to provide what I need. Thanks be to God.

Blessings.

Day #423

February 27, 2015

The word for the day - FRUSTRATED!

For years I worked in the insurance industry. It was not always easy or fun, but there always seemed to be a solution to a client’s needs. Things seem much more complicated now, however. What my husband and I need to have insurance cover does not seem to be an unreasonable request, yet we have not found an easy answer - or any answer. And time is running out.

Good grief! I despise situations without solutions, because I believe there is always a solution. Guess I need to keep digging.

Blessings.

Day #422

February 26, 2015

For the second time this week, the Devotion d365 spoke directly to me. Here is another portion of the “think” section, this one for February 26, 2015, by Stephen Mazingo:

Do you think you are small, poor, or your grades are not as good as those around you? Guess what. God wants you to lead. It is your weaknesses that God cherishes. Strange, right? But that is what makes you human, created by God.

If anyone had told me as a child I would one day be a pastor, a leader, a strong individual, I would have laughed in their face. I was small in stature as a child, very small, and shy. Very shy. My family was not really poor, but there was much we lacked the ability to buy. And my grades, while they were good, I cannot say they came easily. These are not exactly qualities one would assume exude leadership or strength.

Yet, once God got my attention, there was no stopping what God wanted of me. All of me. And what I had always thought of as weaknesses, God is using in strong ways. The challenge of getting out of God’s way makes for amazing times.

Blessings.

Day #421

February 25, 2015

One of the privileges of being called to ordained ministry is accompanying folks in times of need. It is an honor to be invited into moments of pain and grief in a person’s life. It is truly holy ground.

I met a couple in that situation. The death of a relative brought them to town and the church where I serve. My being the pastor caused our paths to cross. Gracious people, I was welcomed into their moments of grief, and my presence was deeply appreciated.

What joy to represent a presence of Christ, to invoke God’s name in prayer, and to walk as an advocate with them in a process that can be confusing and very trying. Two people who were strangers to me just days ago have become someone I care about and pray for. Amazing grace.

Blessings.

Day #420

February 24, 2015

This is a portion of the “think” section of the d365 Devotion for February 24, 2015, by Stephen Mazingo:

Those who have suffered know how to treat others who are suffering. Perhaps this is why our faith is tied to suffering. When we know what it means to be hungry, we are more likely to feed those who are hungry. And if we know what it means to believe in the midst of that hunger, we also know how to share the love of God.

Reading that reminded me of the training I took for the program called Family Promise I wrote about in Day #397. In order to volunteer in the program, training is mandatory. As we gathered for the class, the director asked us to share our name, church, and why we wanted to volunteer for Family Promise. One person said they were almost homeless once, and wanted to help in this way.

When we have walked the walk, we desire to do more than just talk the talk, don’t we?!

Blessings.

Day #419

February 23, 2015

The question was asked in a meeting, "pastor, what is discipleship?" The brief answer I gave: “all that I have and all that I am comes from God.”

But there should have been more said. There should have been an explanation that discipleship is being intentional about learning what those twelve words mean. Then it means responding to what I learn and joyfully following the One who gave all for us, no matter what is asked of me or where it leads. It means a daily opening of heart, mind, body and soul to what God would have me do and be. It means putting aside my own desires and wishes, perceived needs and wants, for the sake of someone else. It means dying to self, relying on prayer, trusting that God is bigger than any plans or dreams I can concoct.

In the end, I suppose discipleship really means that God is God, and I am not, and that I can only believe in or follow Jesus through God’s mercy and grace. To realize that is to be a disciple and to be a disciple is to live in response.

Yep, there should have been more said.

Blessings.

Day #418

February 22, 2015

There is no more precious moment of Intersection between faith and life than this:

Welcome to the newest member of God’s family!

Blessings.