The Wave 08.04.2023

God waved at me this morning!!  Seriously…I believe God waved at me!  OK…for sure a doe waved at me.  But since I believe God is a part of all creation, I’m still saying God waved at me this morning during my morning run.  Let me explain what took place.

Most weekday mornings at about 6:10 or so, you’ll find me running.  Since it’s summer, I’m usually running outside.  My usual route is to run along Indian Village Road.  I like this route, because it’s about the distance I want to run, but also because I usually get to see some wildlife along the way.  

So, this morning I’m running along by the Prehistoric Indian Village.  I’ve already seen several squirrels, a few rabbits, etc.  I notice some movement in the trees up ahead.  Yep, there’s several deer stepping into a clearing and heading toward the road. The doe that was in the lead noticed me and froze on the side of the road.  I could sense her thoughts… “Do I dash across the road and hide in the thicker brush along the golf course or do I just stand here hoping this human won’t notice me.”  At least that’s how I interpreted the moment. 

Well, the deer decided to just stand there frozen, unmoving, a perfect deer statue.  I didn’t change my pace, direction, or even where my face was looking.  I didn’t want to startle the deer.  I always feel it is so cool when I can run and be so close to other creatures.  I admit I did give the doe the side-eye as I was going by just to see that beautiful creature.  She simply stood there watching me go by.

When I was probably about 40-50 feet beyond the deer, I turned around, walking backwards so I was still moving away from her.  It was then that I waved at the deer.  I don’t know why…I just did.  Even as I was doing it, the thought was in my head, “That’s dumb Keith, the deer can’t wave back.”  

Those words were still rolling through my mind when it happened.  The deer waved at me.  No, she didn’t pick up a hoof and wave at me.  Her wave came through her tail.  No, the tail wasn’t up in a “caution” or “alert” position.  It was hanging down.  But then, she simply wagged her tail!  Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.  I know, maybe there was a fly or some other insect flying around her hind quarters, I don’t know.  But that wag came just as I was finishing waving at her.  So, again, I take it that the deer waved at me, at the very least.  But also, maybe it was God’s way of waving at me and saying, “Thanks for noticing this beautiful creature.”  “Thanks for respecting her space and not intentionally startling her.”  “Thanks for taking a moment to greet my creation.”  And the words came to mind… “When you do it unto the least of these…you do it unto me.”

You know, I needed a God wave this morning.  Just some little way of God saying, “Hi Keith…I see you and I’m with you today.”  Thanks God!  I see you and I’m with you today too.”

I’ve heard of God Winks, Godincidents, God sightings, etc.  Now I’m claiming a God Wave.  Today and in the coming week, as we each make our way along this journey, may we be open to the presence of God in our midst.  May we see God all around us in nature and creation.  And may we see some little or big way that God is waving at each of us saying, “Hi there…I see you…I’m with you!!  Now, together, let’s make it a good day!”

Pastor Keith

God's Children 07.28.2023

There is a movie currently in theaters that is surprisingly taking our nation by storm, meaning it is drawing larger crowds than other big name – big star movies.  In our own community of Mitchell, I believe this movie started showing about the same time as the new Indiana Jones movie starring Harrison Ford. Indiana Jones has moved on from our community, but this other popular film I am speaking of is held over for another week.

This film (I’ll give you the name in just a moment) isn’t the new Barbie movie or the film called Oppenheimer, which details the people and events surrounding the development of the atomic bomb.  No, the film I’m writing about today is “Sound of Freedom.” This movie is also based on a true-to-life story of a US law enforcement officer who happened to get involved with a case of child trafficking, which then led him deeper into the “recruiting” side of this horrible criminal organization.  The main story line is that of one individual, with the help of others, how he makes a difference, risking his own life, and is able to rescue numerous children from what would have been a horrible life of being exploited in the child-sex industry.  

The name of the movie comes from a scene where children, who had been trapped in this ugly business, were rescued and were finally feeling comfortable and “free” enough to simply do “children” things…including playing.  

I have known that child-sex trafficking is an issue here in America and even in South Dakota.  The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the big events for this criminal activity in our state.  However, there are other events that draw human and child trafficking here to SD.  The unfortunate reality is that we don’t hear a lot about this dark business and activity.  

What really got my attention was to hear at the end of this movie, in a special message from actor Jim Caviezel, who is the main character in this film (He also famously played Jesus in the movie “The Passion of the Christ.”) is that America is the #1 destination for children who are kidnapped and trafficked in the sex industry.  THIS SHOULD NOT BE!!

A theme and saying that pops up in the story line of this film is, “God’s Children are not for sale!”  This simple saying, brought to life through this powerful film, is greatly resonating with people across our nation.  Angel Studios, that produced Sound of Freedom, had set a goal of selling 2,000,000 tickets.  The most recent information on their website states they have sold over 12,500,000 tickets.  

I encourage everyone to see this film.  It probably is not a film for young children, and if youth do see it, I feel there should be time set aside to discuss the film and the realities that it portrays on the screen.  Here in the Dakotas, we like to think this type of thing doesn’t happen here.  Maybe on the east coast or the west coast…but not here.  Unfortunately, that simply is not true.  Maybe this movie will be a wake-up call in our nation, in our homes, and even in our churches, to begin to see this ugly and dark reality, and find a way to somehow make a difference because…God’s Children are not for sale!!

Pastor Keith

Your Strength 07.21.2023

What is the source of your strength??  You know, the strength that helps you make it through the day.  The strength that keeps you going in difficult times.  The strength that gives you confidence to power through those moments when temptation is seeking to overwhelm you.  What is the source of your strength?  The second, and very closely related question is, what are you doing to guard your strength?  These are two very important questions that I believe we all need to be aware of in order to successfully, not necessarily perfectly, but successfully and faithfully walk as a follower of Jesus each and every day.  

 Now the reason I’m asking this question is because just a couple days ago I read the story of Sampson and Delilah from the book of Judges in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Reading this story again brought these powerful questions to mind.  Sampson was very much aware of the source of his strength, but he had a little difficulty guarding it or keeping it safe and away from his enemies.

Quick review if you don’t remember the story.  Sampson was born to a couple who for years had been unable to have children.  An angel of God appeared to Sampson’s mother and tells her that even though she has been barren she is about to have a baby.  But this isn’t just any baby, he will be a special child with a special purpose from God.  Sampson was to be raised as a “Nazarite,” meaning he wasn’t to cut his hair and he was to be very careful with what he consumed.  Sampson, as an adult, became a judge over Israel, meaning he helped provide some leadership for the people and tribes.  Sampson was also very strong, with the secret to his strength being in his long hair.  

Sampson married a Philistine woman (Philistines were the enemy of Israel) by the name of Delilah.  She proceeded to try to get Sampson to share the secret of his strength so the Philistine leaders could capture and conquer Sampson.  Sampson kept toying with the Philistines, giving them partials truths, or information that was getting them closer to the truth.  Finally, Sampson broke down and told Delilah the secret of his strength, which was the cutting of his hair.  

Shortly after this, Delilah cut Sampson’s hair while he slept, and the Philistine’s were able to capture and contain Sampson.  He was no longer a threat.  Sampson does have one final moment of glory for God, but I’ll let you read that for yourself.  The story can be found in Judges 13-16.  

Sampson knew the source of his strength…it was God.  But the symbol of his dedication and connection to God was in his uncut hair.  I believe after so many years of enjoying his strength and connection with God, Sampson began to take it for granted.   He was careless, even reckless with his special gift and connection, maybe even flaunting it a bit.  He kept giving hints that were getting his enemy closer to the truth of how he could lose his strength and connection with God.  And ultimately when his guard was down, he gave in, told the secret, and lost his connection, his strength, and ultimately his life.  

As disciples of Jesus, we too have a strength.  Our strength and hope is found in following Jesus.  Our strength is gained through trusting his teaching and seeking to do likewise.  Our strength is found in community dedicated to worshiping, serving, and doing life together.  But sometimes we take our connection and our strength for granted.  At times we can also hold our strength rather loosely or carelessly, just assuming it will always be there.  And, like Sampson, over time we might slowly give in and surrender bits and pieces of our strength and connection with God, until finally, the secret of our strength is claimed and used by the enemy against us.  It’s then we find ourselves, like Sampson, blinded and powerless, and controlled by the enemy or distractions we use to have victory over.  

May we learn from Sampson, to not only claim our strength and our connection to God, but may we also protect it and guard against anything that seeks to slowly steal it away.  And how do we guard our strength?  Paul gives us an answer in his letter to the Philippians.  In Philippians 4:4-7 Paul writes that we should rejoice in the Lord, remain gentle, not let anxiety get the best of us, and stay connected with God through our prayer life.  If we do that, Paul says, the “peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  

One other passage that speaks to this topic, this time from the Old Testament book of Psalm – “The Lord is my strength and shield, in him my heart trusts.”  Psalm 28:7.  This Psalm and Philippians 4:4-7 are great passages to memorize.  They are both great guardrails to rely on and help keep us safe as we journey through life. So, know your strength, guard your strength, and stay connected with our living God!

Pastor Keith

Hidden Potential 07.14.2023

Within every acorn is the potential for a giant oak tree which, when mature, can produce up to 10,000 acorns a year, though oak trees don’t necessarily produce acorns every year.  Within most watermelons is the potential for several hundred other watermelon plants found in the seeds and each seed has the potential to produce 3-5 watermelons.  Within every sunflower seed is the potential to produce a sunflower head that produces at least another 1,000 seeds.  

Wow, there is a lot of potential out there in nature in our world, and I’ve just barely scratched the surface of the often-hidden potential.  In the same way, within every person is a buried potential…just waiting to be released.  The question becomes, for each of us, “How is that potential discovered and released?”  That is a very good question with several different answers.  

One answer, I believe, is that hidden potential is discovered within each of us by trying different activities and experiences and not being afraid to fail.  An example is, I cannot draw.  I am not much of an artist with pen, pencil, or paints.  I have trouble drawing stick men that look decent.  Yet, I have been told that my creativity or artistic side is released in the words that I use for writing and speaking (giving sermons).  By the way, I can still remember the first children’s sermon I ever did.  It was awful…I hyperventilated in the midst of it all.  I have discovered that I don’t care much for putting puzzles together.  But I do enjoy riding my bicycle or hiking.  I find those two activities very relaxing.  

Another example, I don’t particularly enjoy jail ministry.  However, visiting people in the hospital or a care facility I do enjoy.  Or, I’m not much of a fan of custard.  But frozen custard…big fan!!!  I tried wrestling once…not good.  Later on I tried track/running…very good!!!  Trial and error has taught me things, and continues to teach me.

Another way of discovering the potential within us is through intentional choice.  Recently I was reading a book entitled “Lovingkindness.” Part of a paragraph really spoke to me.  It said, “Our potential to love is very real and is somehow not destroyed, no matter what we experience; all of the mistakes that we might make, all of the times that we are caught in reaction, all of the time we have caused pain, all of the times we have suffered.  Throughout everything, our potential to love remains intact and pure.  Through practicing lovingkindness in meditation and in daily life, we cultivate this potential.” Lovingkindness page 32-33

Did you catch that… “Through practicing lovingkindness…we cultivate this potential.”  In other words, through the intentional choice of doing something, in this case practicing lovingkindness, we cultivate, we nurture, we encourage, we harvest, we bring forth more of the potential of lovingkindness in our lives.  

During this season of summer, may we each try a few new things.  You never know what untapped buried seed or potential will be discovered by doing so.  And may we also be intentional about practicing even just one of the fruits of the spirit in our lives.  Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the list, which starts out with “love.”  The seeds, or the potential, of love is there…it’s just waiting to be practiced and cultivated.  Love is a good place to start in this world of ours.  And remember, Jesus’ new command to us, his followers, is to love one another.  

Now I’m off into the day to practice lovingkindness.  I know I’ve got some cultivating to do in this area.  Won’t you join me?

Pastor Keith

How Is Your Garden? 07.07.2023

So, what is coming up in your garden??  That’s a question that I’ve heard being asked in a number of different settings this past week.  In this season of year, when people get together, they tend to talk about their gardening exploits.  As much interest as there may be in the “how to’s” of gardening (wire cages, A frames, mound planting, plastic sheeting vs. mulch, etc) what people are really most interested in knowing is, “What is coming up in your garden?”  You see gardening isn’t so much about technique, though that can be interesting to compare different ways people do things, but gardening is really about fruit or produce.

 This is such a wonderful time of year because we, at the Nelson household, are starting to enjoy the benefit of our plots at the Community Garden. In the last couple weeks, we’ve eaten lettuce and spinach from our garden.  Within the past week we’ve harvested our first zucchinis.  Yes, lock your car while you’re at church, because as the joke goes, it’s zucchini season!! 😊

This year in our garden, we’ve planted the basics; lettuce, spinach, zucchini, beans, peas, kale (not my idea), tomatoes, squash, carrots, beets, kohlrabi (again, not my idea), and just a few other basics.  Things are looking really good in the garden.  In fact, all the garden plots are looking good.  With the moisture we’ve received, it could be / should be a great year.  

Because we’ve planted the above-mentioned seeds in the soil of the garden, that is what we expect to harvest, lettuce, spinach, beans, peas, kale, tomatoes, squash, carrots, beets, kohlrabi, etc.  Of course, there are plenty of weeds coming up too, so we have to do the work of weeding the garden.  But things are looking good for a bountiful harvest over the next few weeks and month.  

So, the question becomes, how are things looking in the garden of my soul??  How are things looking in the “Discipleship” garden of my life?  You see, as Jesus tells us in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, our hearts and minds are like soil, and the type or quality of the soil will determine, in part, the quality of the growth that takes place in our lives.  Another story in the Bible speaks of the fact that a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit.  Again, the question being quietly asked is, “What kind of fruit am I bearing in the way I’m living my life and my faith?”  

And of course, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he tells the Jesus followers that how one lives is important.  In other words, our behaviors, actions, attitudes, etc. will impact our faith and the witness we bear for Jesus.  Paul writes that God isn’t surprised by our lives because, “You reap what you sow.”  Galatians 6:7. In other words, the seeds you plant in the soil of your life, and the seeds and plants that you nurture, that is what you will sow…or harvest.  If you sow love and hope, you’ll reap love and hope.  If you sow anger and deception, you’ll reap anger and deception.  That’s just how it works.  

Like a friend of mine has suggested, I wish bacon came from a seed…but it doesn’t.  So, I can’t expect bacon to be harvested in my garden.  In the same way, wishful thinking won’t bring personal or appropriate faith qualities to develop in our lives.  Only by planting those seeds and nurturing them, will the fruit of the spirit come forth.  

So, the question remains…what is coming up in your garden?  That’s a great question to ask yourself.  It’s a great question to talk with a trusted friend about so they can help you examine and evaluate the “fruit” in your life.  The life of faith really is meant to be lived in community.  That is where we find strength and encouragement.  But that is also where we find accountability and honesty as we continue to plant, nurture, and harvest fruit, spiritual fruit, in our lives.  What does God want to see grow in your life?  Make sure those seeds are being planted and nurtured in the good soil of your soul. 

With all this fruit and produce talk, I’m getting hungry.  I guess I’ll go gnaw on a kohlrabi.  I hear it’s good for me!!

Pastor Keith

Who Is Pulling You? 06.30.2023

So, who is pulling you forward in life??  No, the question isn’t who’s pushing you around?  Who is pulling you forward?  Who is going slightly ahead of you but also going with you?  Who is helping to stretch you?  Who is helping you grow on this journey of life?  This can be an important question to ask ourselves on our journey of faith, because really, this is a discipleship question.  

What got me asking this question of myself are some recent experiences I’ve had with my dog Sophie.  As many of you know, Sophie is a 6-year-old Golden Retriever.  She’s well into middle age, but she still has a good amount of energy and is full of life especially when it comes to chasing squirrels or going in a direction she wants to go in.  I can remember the days when Sophie was a puppy and when we went for our walks together I’d have to walk pretty slow so she could keep up.  Then I could sort of jog with her, except she’d have to stop all the time to smell something.  But now…now when we go for our morning walk, she usually goes with my pace, yet there are clearly times that she is leading the way and pulling me along; and sometimes pulling really hard!!

I’m sure we all recognize there are many different “forces” in the world around us.  Some forces seek to make us better human beings.  Other forces tend to distract us, pulling our attention away from where it needs to be, and getting us off track from the direction we really want to go.   That’s why having a positive influence that is seeking to help us grow in a good way (pulling us forward), is so important.

I Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”    Proverbs 27:17 says “Iron sharpens iron.”  In other words, I believe the message that both these passages are getting at is that it is good to have someone in our lives who pulls us along in a positive direction.  It is good to have someone helping us become a better person…and a better disciple of Jesus.  Plus, we should also be investing in people around us, helping others become better people and better followers of Jesus.  

I’ll admit there are times on my morning walks that I want to slack off a bit or go in a different direction.  But my coach…my morning-walk buddy…my Golden Retriever reminds me that my real goal is to keep this body of mine as healthy as possible and to stay in shape.  Thus, slacking off my “pace” isn’t what I really want to do.  So, Sophie pulls me forward and keeps me going, even on occasion trying to get me to move a little faster – “Come on… you can do it, Keith!”

So, seriously...who is pulling you forward in this journey of life?  Who is helping you/me become the person you/I want to be?  Who is helping us to become the disciple we want to be? If you have someone that fits that role, give thanks to God for that person…and thank them too!  If you don’t have someone in that role, maybe your prayer should be, “God, send someone to pull me forward.”

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Children and Sea Monsters... 06.23.2023

I love children!!  I love the energy they have.  I love the curiosity they have.  I love the big hearts that they often display.  I love the fun nature and imagination that often fills their minds and daily lives.  I love their honesty and the directness that they can often speak with.  There is a note in my office that I have laminated and keep quite visible.  It was given to me a few years ago by a child in our congregation and it reflects the directness of a child.  The note says, “God loves you no matter what. PS, so you are loved!” I love that note.  I read it often, especially on the difficult days of ministry!  Yes, God loves me no matter what…So I am loved!  And so are you!!  AMEN!!

Well, another note has recently been given to me that just might get laminated.  The background story is that part of this year’s Vacation Bible School, Becky had different prayer or activity stations set up around the Gathering Area and the office area.  One of the stations was by my office door.  Children and parents were invited to leave me a note or a word of thanks.  (Becky, that was so kind of you…and kids and parents, your words of thanks and encouragement were all so great.)  

One note in particular caught my attention and made me laugh…but it also made me pause.  In a child’s handwriting the note simply said, “Thank you for not being a sea monster.”  Now, it is hard to know for sure what is going through a child’s mind when they write something like that, but I take it to mean, “Thanks for not being a scary person.”  

One of my brief but clear memories from my childhood is that of standing at the back of the little country church our family attended, and looking up at this tall, tall person wearing a long black robe.  My impression was that he was really old, though he was probably around my age now.  I believe his name was Rev. Pray.  He was the pastor of our little country church.  This isn’t a scary or fear-filled memory, but I remember feeling so awed and that he wasn’t particularly approachable for someone like me, a child, a little boy.  It’s not that he did or said anything to scare me, it’s just the impression I had in that moment.  

This memory has impacted my ministry in that I have always wanted children to sense that I was approachable and that I wasn’t some big scary creature…like a sea monster.  I remember as a child that whenever there was a nighttime thunderstorm, I dreamed about dinosaurs stomping around outside our house wanting to step on me. I’m sure that’s how my little brain made sense of the scariness of big thunder.  It did frighten me!  Who knows, maybe this child had recently heard a story about some big scary sea monster that was still on his mind.  I’m just glad to know he doesn’t think of me as a sea monster.  

So, why do I stay involved in doing the Children’s Moment during worship?  Why do I bend down when offering a child the elements of communion?  Why do I often squat down or get down on a knee when talking to a little child?   Why do I sometimes slip into the Sunday School rooms during the Sunday School hour, just to say “Hi” to the children and teachers?  Why have I been known to dress up in silly costumes for VBS or some other children’s program?  Why have I been known to get on a dunk tank?  It’s because I want children, and adults too, to know that I am not a sea monster.  I don’t want to be that scary person in a child’s life that they feel they can’t approach or ask a question of, no matter what that question might be.  Not being a sea monster…for me, I’ll take that as a win!!  To the child that wrote that note…Thank you for making me smile.  And thank you for letting me be your friend and your pastor.  

Pastor Keith

The Rest of the Story 06.02.2023

Growing up in the Nelson household, we learned very quickly that when Paul Harvey came on the radio, it was time to be quiet.  The radio was the center of attention until we heard Paul Harvey say “Good day” in the way only he could.  Once those words were spoken, other conversations could continue.  But what I remember the most about Paul Harvey was not his news and commentary, but his other broadcast, “The Rest of the Story.”  

The “Rest of the Story” broadcasts ran from May of 1976 until the time of Paul Harvey’s death in 2009.  These programs featured the telling of stories about some person, some moment in history, or some item that most people thought they knew all about.  However, the “Rest of the Story” broadcast always found the untold story that few people knew.  In fact, the way the stories were told, the listener tended to jump to conclusions and make assumptions that generally were incorrect.  The beauty of “The Rest of the Story” was that of being reminded there is so much we don’t know about people and even moments in time, that is until we start asking questions and being open to new information.  

There’s a wonderful story in the Bible that reflects this same truth and reveals the power of and the need for people to ask questions.  The story is found in the Old Testament, in Joshua 22.  Joshua has led the Hebrew people into the Promised Land.  They’ve fought many battles and the time has come for the tribes to each settle into the territories that have been assigned to them to live.  Most of the tribes received an allotment of land on the west side of the Jordan River.  However, there were several tribes that asked for and received land on the east side of the Jordan River.

What the story tells us is that the tribes that were heading to the east side of the Jordan River stopped, just before crossing the river, and they built a huge altar.  The tribes and leaders on the west side of the Jordan River noticed the large altar and made an assumption, that those tribes going to live on the east side of the Jordan River had already abandoned God and were worshipping another god.  The tribes on the west side of the Jordan River gathered together, formed an army, and as the story says, “Prepared to go to war” against their relatives who built the towering altar.

However, before any attack and battle took place, the leaders of the East Jordan tribes went to the leaders of the West Jordan tribes and said, “How could you break faith with God?  How could you turn away from God and build an altar in rebellion?”  Joshua 22:16.  The response from the West Jordan tribes was (I’m paraphrasing here…) “What are you talking about??”  They go on to explain they built the large altar as a reminder for the West River Tribes that they are connected with the East River Tribes.  The intended message was “We are connected” and “God is our God together.”

Rather than this altar being about separation and differences, it was really about connection and togetherness.  But this meaning was only discovered by asking questions and listening carefully.  And now you know the rest of the story about the large altar built by the Jordan River.

This story from the Old Testament is really a great story for our world today.  It seems that nowadays people are so quick to jump to conclusions without asking any questions or getting more information.  I’m guilty of that from time to time.   May this story from God’s word be a reminder to us all that asking questions and getting the rest of the story is really a good thing.  In fact, just like in this story, asking good questions just might be a God-honoring thing.  

If you find yourself questioning a persons beliefs or motives, rather than starting a fight (like almost happened in Joshua’s story) instead, ask a question.  “Tell me more?  How did you come to believe or feel this way?”  Then listen carefully.  If we all take the time to do that, we too just might learn “The rest of the story.”

Pastor Keith

Happy Birthday! 05.26.2023

Happy Birthday to who….  Happy Birthday to who…  Happy Birthday dear….  So, who are we singing Happy Birthday to??  Well, that would be to you and me…and the Episcopal church just a block over.  It would be to the UCC Church and First Lutheran, Holy Family Catholic Church, Life Church, all of which are just a stone’s throw away.  And we’d also be singing to all the Christian Churches and Faith Communities here in Mitchell, the region, the state, the nation, and all around the globe.  Yep, Happy Birthday to US!!

Yes, we’re singing Happy Birthday to the Church because that is what Pentecost Sunday is often referred to as, the birthday of the Church.  Why??  Because it was on Pentecost that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, and the followers that were with them in the upper room, and the Holy Spirit, the power of God filled them and sent them out into the world, bringing the Good News of God’s presence and God’s love to all.  

You know the Pentecost story as Acts 2:1-4 (CEB) tells us, “When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.”

Isn’t it interesting that at most birthday celebrations we light candles that are atop the cake.  It would be interesting to know how that tradition started and what the symbolism is.  However, with the birthday of the Church, we don’t light candles, we celebrate people being lit afire with the presence, power, and love of God.  Acts 2 tells the story of “flames” coming upon the disciples, and the rest of the book of Acts is about how they took Good News and the power of God out into the world, with that message ultimately even coming to a place like Mitchell, South Dakota.  How amazing is that!!??

It is interesting to me as a United Methodist (influenced by John Wesley) that Aldersgate Day – May 24th, the day that John Wesley was empowered by the Holy Spirit and finally felt the love of God, is so close to Pentecost Sunday.  Truly, Wesley’s Aldersgate experience was his personal Pentecost.  It was after this moment that Wesley truly touched the world with the fire of faith that was burning within him.  

This Sunday, May 28, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday.  As I mentioned last Sunday, the tradition is that people wear red to church on Pentecost Sunday, the red represents flames.  So, again, come join us for worship…and wear something red!!  Let’s truly celebrate the birthday of the church!!

But my real hope about Pentecost Sunday is that this wouldn’t simply be a time to celebrate and look to the past and the fact that the Church is another year older.  No, my real hope is that Pentecost would be a reminder that we are an empowered and a “sent” people – sent into the world with Good News, with God’s love, and with God’s power.  Our current day is truly a time in which we need to once again experience and share the power, the joy, the hope, and the love of that first Pentecost.  

At birthday celebrations we don’t just celebrate the year that is past, there is also a sense of hoping and dreaming of what will be in the year to come.  May this be our focus too, as we celebrate the birthday of the Church.  Pentecost isn’t about the year past…it’s about the God’s Spirit at work in the year to come!!!  May we make the Holy Spirit be evident in who we are, in how we live, and in how we follow Jesus!!  Happy Birthday Church!!!

Pastor Keith

Mother's Love 05.19.2023

Spring has sprung…the grass is riz…     I’m sure there are many of you who can complete that little saying!  I grew up hearing those words several times each spring and…I’m sure I’ve said it a time or two myself over the past 40+ years of my adult life.  Spring is such a great time of year, the flowers, the grass turning green, the trees budding and leafing out, the geese flying north, the temperatures warming up, baby bunnies, etc.  We all like these signs of new life in our midst.  This year we get a fun view of spring’s new life because a robin has built a nest in the tree in our front yard.  The nest isn’t high up in the tree, it’s rather low so we can see the nest and the momma sitting on the nest. 

So, today (Thursday) it was time to mow the lawn.  I started mowing the front yard and I noticed that momma robin stayed on her nest the whole time…but she kept a pretty careful eye on me.  When I got close to the nest, I totally ignored her and the nest, I didn’t stop to look and just kept on doing my thing, walking back and forth across the lawn pushing a noisy machine.  When I got to the other side of the tree, I noticed that momma robin even turned around on the nest so she could keep a careful watch on me.  I wonder how anxious that momma was when I kept getting closer and closer to her nest, yet she stayed in place protecting those eggs…caring for her young.  

That made me think of some other caring, protective, and loving moms.  On Ground Hogs Day in February two babies were born.  One here in the Mitchell community and another in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Both babies developed digestive issues and the doctors decided it was connected to the mother’s diet impacting the infant through breast milk.  So, what did both of these mothers do?  They both cut out dairy and soy, at the doctor’s recommendation.  

Now, you might think this sounds like no big deal.  Let me tell you, it is huge.  Yes, it might be easier now than it was a generation or two ago, but if you really look into the ingredients of things we normally eat every day, it often includes dairy and soy.  Why did these mothers so quickly alter their lifestyle??  Because of their love and protective care for their child.  

Even in my own life, when I was an infant, I hear that I was pretty fussy.  My mother took me to the doctor to figure out what was wrong.  It was determined that I was allergic to dairy and lots of other foods.  Mom took the time and effort to figure out what I could and couldn’t eat.  Mom and dad had to regularly travel to Wessington Springs to get goats milk for me to drink.  That is dedication, love, and parental commitment!

I look at my wife, Nancy, and I think of all that she sacrificed in pregnancy and also in her past and present role as a mother. There is a bond that we guys, and fathers, don’t fully understand.  And yes, I learned the value of the words of a friend from many years ago, “Never get between Momma bear and her cubs.” ☺  

Anyway, watching this momma robin display her instinct and strong commitment to her forth-coming young, it made me think about and give thanks for the many mothers in my life (and in the world) that have, and continue, to make such a big difference in this world.  I know Mother’s Day was a week ago, so I’m a week late with this reflection.  But then again, mamma robin reminded me of the firm commitment that is a daily part of being a mother.  Even in the noise and chaos of the world, momma’s keep doing their thing – mothers keep on caring for, protecting, and loving their young…no matter what their age is.  Thanks Mom!  Thanks Nancy!  Thanks Eileen!  Thanks, moms, for living out your love as best you are able.  You all do need a word of “thanks” more than just one day a year!

Pastor Keith