Costumes 10.27.2023

In just a few days my golden retriever, Sophie, will be celebrating her favorite holiday.  Oh yes, Sophie has a favorite holiday…it’s Halloween!!   For Sophie, Halloween isn’t about spooks, candy, costumes or anything like that.  Halloween, from her perspective, is about kids coming to our house to pet her!!!  Yep, Sophie loves Halloween and all the attention she gets.  

Now from my perspective it is always interesting to see all the costumes that come up our driveway.  There’s usually a lot of the favorite superheroes of the day. In recent years there have been a few tall walking dinosaurs that have strolled by our house.  There’s always some ghosts, skeletons, and witches.  There are usually a few zombies, princesses, Elsas, and cowboys.  I’ve seen some pop and rock stars come to our front steps.  There are always a few babies or toddlers dressed as jack-o-lanterns in strollers or pulled in wagons.  There are always police officers, space aliens, and monsters of unknown origin.  It also seems the older I get the more there are costumes or characters that come by, but I have no clue who or what they are.  I wonder how many “Taylor Swifts” I’ll have stopping by to give Sophie a quick pet?  

But speaking of dressing up or putting on costumes, we all tend to do this.  We all get dressed up every day, and I’m not just speaking of the clothing we wear.  Did you know the word “costume” comes from Italian and also Latin.  The older Latin word is “conseuetudinem” which means “custom or habit.”  Isn’t that interesting.  So, you might say that the costumes we put on in life at times represent the customs or the habits that we regularly make a part of our lives.  Give that some thought!  What would you say…what would I say are the customs or habits that I consistently make a part of my life?  That might be an interesting question for each of us to reflect on and maybe even grab a piece of paper and make a list of the costumes that we wear, especially the ones that maybe aren’t so uplifting or helpful to bring about the life we really want.  

In the New Testament letter of Romans, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome.  He’s writing a letter laying out his thoughts and beliefs as it relates to the Gospel, or Good News, of Jesus Christ and what God has done and is doing in the world.  Paul reminds us that as followers of Jesus we are to no longer be a part of the darkness of the world.  He mentions just a few of the more common costumes of darkness in their day; drunkenness, debauchery, quarreling, jealousy, etc.  

What Paul reminds the Christians of his day, and us yet today, to do is to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 13:14.  Paul expresses what that looks like is putting on love, a non-judging spirit, to not intentionally cause others to stumble in their faith, to be a blessing to others, even to those who do evil to you, to live peacefully with others, etc.  In other words, Paul is saying that “putting on Christ” means putting on the characteristics that Jesus lived out in his life and ministry while he walked the earth.  These are the customs and habits that are intended to mark our lives as followers of Jesus in our world today.  

But putting on Christ isn’t just something we do once a year or just once a week, and then we put away the costume until next year (like a Halloween costume).  No, this is a “costume” that is to truly represent what we are trying to live into more and more or what is something we are seeking to characterize our life now.  So, as we see various costumes roaming our community over the next few days, remember to put on your own “customs or habits” that represent Jesus in our lives today.  And be sure to put on Christ every day!!

On Halloween night, you’re welcome to stop by our home on Sawgrass Avenue to see the happiest dog on earth, plus you’ll see a great Halloween display in the yard across the street from us.  Happy Halloween, everyone!   And don’t forget your costume!!!

Pastor Keith

Your Pictures 10.20.2023

There’s a unique building in our community – in fact, it’s referred to as the “world’s only.”  This building is decorated annually with items, corn, other grains, and grasses, that are produced right here in our area.  Plus, the decorations on the outside and inside of this building form pictures or murals made out of these area “crops.”  Yes, we all know it well.  This building I am referring to is our own world’s only Corn Palace.  

Each year we here in this community get to watch as the transformation takes place with the old murals coming down and the new ones going up.  And again, the pictures are totally designed to be made up of corn and the “other grains and grasses” grown from the area. 

With this in mind, the other day as I was looking at the corn palace the thought came to mind, “What are the pictures that the materials from my life are creating, that others see?”  The truth is, whether we like it or not, our lives are telling a story, just like the murals on the corn palace tell a story.  This past year the corn palace’s theme was “Scenes from the Big Top.”  This year’s theme is “Famous South Dakotans.”  But again, the question to consider is, “What are the pictures that the materials from my life are creating, that others see?”

We maybe don’t always realize it, but our lives do tell a story.  In fact, we each have certain natural talents, we have gifts and abilities, we have spiritual gifts given by God, we have personality traits, we have life experiences, we have intelligence traits, we have strengths, as Jesus followers we have the Fruit of the Spirit, etc.  We have all these things, and so much more, that all goes into creating the pictures or murals about who we are and what is important to us.  And these pictures that are created by what is “produced” in and from our lives; these pictures are available for the rest of the world to see.

Recently I was listening to a sermon on life.  The pastor was speaking about the Fruit of the Spirit.  The preacher made the comment that the Fruit of the Spirit are an overflow of God’s Spirit at work in our lives.  An overflow…I like that.  In fact, I believe that the pictures others see about our lives are indeed an “overflow” of the produce of our lives. 

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7, Jesus makes the comment, “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit and a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit.”  Jesus ends this teaching by saying, “Thus you will know them by their fruits.”  Now of course, we realize Jesus isn’t just talking about fruit trees.  He’s talking about people and the “fruit” of their/our lives.  And again, it is a combination of the overflow or the fruit of our lives that create the pictures that others see.  

From time to time it would probably be a wise thing to ask our friends, our trusted friends, just what the pictures of our lives are that others see?  And when truthful answers are shared, the second question becomes, are these the pictures that I want displayed about who I am?  The neat thing is, just as the murals on the corn palace exterior are changed yearly, so it is that the pictures displayed by of our lives are not permanent.  They too are changeable.  It just takes desire, time, and effort on our part to grow a new crop of the “fruit” we want our life defined by.  Because remember, the pictures of our lives are created by the “corn, other grains, and grasses” from our lives.  

Now, none of us are perfect, thus we don’t live perfect lives.  This means the pictures reflecting our life will never be perfect.  But by continuing to improve the overflow, the produce of our lives, we will be able to create pictures/murals that reflect more and more the Lord and master that we follow.  

I’ve never really considered myself an artist, but maybe I am through the pictures I create through the fruit of my life.  How about you?  What pictures are you creating?  Let’s all commit to creating beautiful images that tell the story of Jesus in our lives.  

Pastor Keith

Consequences 10.13.2023

Consequences.  Rarely do we really think about the consequences of our actions.  Today I live with the consequences of my actions from my days on the farm.  We never thought much about hearing protection when I was growing up on the farm and helping out with the farm work.  All the grinders, choppers, revved up tractor engines, etc.  There was a lot of noise on the farm. I didn’t think about the potential damage it was doing to my inner ears.  Yet today I am dealing with the reality of damaged hearing that has worsened in the last six months.  Thank goodness for the technology that goes into hearing aids.  It helps.  It can’t and won’t restore my hearing to what it used to be, but it is helping me overcome the issues I am currently dealing with.

 Even more rare is the thought about the long-term impact, or the consequences, of our actions affecting generations later on.  Is it really possible that my actions today could impact my children, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren, or even my great great grandchildren? The truth is, in my ministry experiences, I have seen behaviors passed down multiple generations and yes, this impact can be both positive and negative.

Today, once again our world is witnessing the consequences of actions from centuries and generations in the past.  This past Sunday morning many of us woke up to the news that attacks had been carried out by Hamas against Israel.  Yes, Hamas is a Palestinian Militant group that many nations, including the USA, consider a terrorist organization.  Please know that not all Palestinians are represented by or believe in Hamas.  Not all Palestinians are Muslims; some are Christians.  Not all Palestinians can be lumped into one, just as all Israelis cannot be lumped into one, just as all American’s cannot be lumped into one.  

The last time Nancy and I were in the Holy Land we had dinner with a wonderful Palestinian family.  The food was great, and the conversation was filled with hope, love, laughter, and friendship.  In fact, one of my treasured pieces from that trip is a chalice (made from wood) with the scene of the “Last Supper” carved in it.  

So, the consequences that I am thinking of today goes back to Genesis 16 in which Abram is promised to have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky…by his wife, Sarai, who is unable to have children.  Yet, God has made the promise to Abram about his future and his extended family.  Sarai takes matters into her own hands and takes her Egyptian servant and tells Abram to have children with her.  The thought is the child will be Sarai’s because Hagar is Sarai’s servant.  Abram unfortunately says yes to this arrangement.  Hagar does bear a child, but then Sarai despises the child, Ishmael, and treats Hagar and the child with contempt and abuse.  Then Sarai becomes pregnant. By this time God has renamed her Sarah, and she gives birth to Isaac. 

Long story short and simplifying things a bit, Ishmael and Isaac live very different lives and in constant tension.  From Isaac comes the nation of Israel and from Ishmael comes the people we today refer to as Palestinians.  And the consequences, tension, and even hatred that started so long ago is still being lived out today.  My heart breaks…lives are lost on both sides…and the circle of meaningless violence continues on.  

Today may our prayers and our actions be for that of peace in our world.  In great part, God’s Kingdom is about peace; the lion and the lamb lying down together.  Isaiah 11 and 65 both speak of this image as a part of God’s new creation, God’s new order, and God’s Kingdom made real.  May the consequences of our actions, short term and long term be about bringing God’s peace here on earth.  As the song says, “Let there be peace on earth…and let it begin with me.”

Pastor Keith

Changes 10.06.2023

It came in the mail a few weeks ago.  It’s easy to spot…but also easy to ignore.  It’s the bright orange postcard that comes from a local business telling me that they’ll be in our neighborhood on a certain date blowing out sprinkler systems in preparation for winter, and they want to know if they should schedule us in on that day. It’s easy to spot because of the color…but it is easy to ignore because when it arrives it seems like we’ve got so much of summer and fall to get through before winter really arrives.  

However, as I write this reflection, I am aware that we, here in Mitchell, are under a Freeze Watch for Saturday morning.  This is the first potential frost or sub-32-degree temperatures of this season.  And yes, I did get my name on the list to have the in-ground sprinkler lines at our home blown out in preparation for winter.  

That orange card got me thinking about what needs to be done In the midst of the changes taking place and as colder weather approaches.  Are there other tasks that need to be completed?  What preparations need to happen now to be ready when the snow flies?  I’ve started my list.

There are some other orange cards that I’ve been receiving lately too.  These “attention” cards aren’t coming in the mail, but are orange cards, or attention grabbers, that are coming from different realms of the world, but are still telling me changes are taking place and am I or are we prepared, or at least preparing, for what is happening all around us? 

One of those orange cards is a newly released book entitled, “The Great De-Churching of America.” A study done over several years is showing that we are in the midst of a great shift, faith wise, in America.  After WWII, there was a great shift of the American population to attending and involvement in church.  We are now in another great shift in America that is church related, but it is not a positive shift.  It is a negative shift of people leaving church and organized religion.  

Another orange card is the fact that volunteerism in America is way down.  This is a reality and a problem in many clubs, non-profit organizations, and even the church.  This is a critical issue in ours and most churches in America today.  It is challenging to get people to volunteer to be a part of the ministries of the church.  

Yet another attention grabber is the fact that we are living in a time of great Biblical illiteracy.  Even a question like, “What are the two sections that make up the Bible?” The answer is not readily known. Of course, this all makes sense when you realize that the predictions of the past several years are coming true in that America is following in the footsteps of Europe and Canada, and entering into what is known as a Post-Christian, or even Pre-Christian, era.  (I’ll write/talk more about this another time.)

What I, and I believe all of us are realizing, is that things in our world…and even things in the church are changing.  And the question becomes are we aware?  Are we preparing?  How will following Jesus look different in the days and years ahead?  I am reminded of Paul’s words to the church in Rome when they were in the midst of persecution and great societal change.  Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

May the “orange cards” of our day help us be prepared as individuals and as a faith community to consider what transforming work God is up to in our midst. I do believe God is wanting to “renew” our mind in order to make God’s Kingdom more real today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. These are days filled with great possibility and opportunity!

Pastor Keith

Soft Answers 09.22.2023

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1

I so wanted to give a particular individual a harsh word the other day.  I was certain the “company” or “person” was trying to scam me.  But I wasn’t going to fall for it.  I was ready with plenty of harsh words.

Let me explain.  It all started with a letter I received, which had my name but came to my mom’s address.  This was my first reason for suspicion.  The letter claimed that on August 22, last month, I had a toll violation.  I drove on the Dulles Greenway Tollway without paying the toll.  Umm…I’m pretty sure I’ve never been to Virginia or that part of the country.  Second reason for suspicion.  They also had the old license plate for the car.  We had to put on a new license plate in July.  So, the plate number listed wasn’t even on my car on August 22nd.  Three strikes…You’re out…this is a scam.  

I was ready to just throw the letter in the trash and ignore it.  However, I showed it to Nancy just for the fun of it.  She looked at it, read it, and then said, “This looks pretty legit.” My reply was, “Of course it does.  Scammers are getting really good.  They want it to look legit.”  Nancy gave the letter back to me but had that look in her eye that said, “You might want to dig into this deeper.”

I checked with the Better Business Bureau.  The company was listed but not accredited.  There were complaints listed but all had been resolved.  The customer service number on the BBB listing matched what was in the letter.  So, I decided I would call but I was ready for them.  I had all my arguments and proof that this was a scam laid out in my head.  

I called the number.  I actually got a person right away.  No recorded message or push this or dial that.  I calmly and politely said who I was and told the individual why I was calling.  Very pleasantly he said, “I can help you with that.”  Then he politely asked what the issue was.  I told him about the letter I received.  He asked for the license plate that was listed in the letter.  I gave it to him and before I could unload my “proof” of why this was a scam, he said, “I think I see the problem here.”  He said their camera scanner had misread the license plate.  It was actually a West Virginia license plate (same number as the old plate on my vehicle), but the scanner misread the state.  

Without my saying anything else, the customer service gentleman apologized for the mistake, totally admitting it was their error and he would correct it.  And he did…immediately.  In our ending conversation I admitted that I hoped to visit his area of the country sometime, to which he replied that I absolutely needed to, especially when the colors are changing.  

As I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, “Well, that went way better than I thought it would.”  And then this passage from the Bible came to mind.  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1. It struck me that this passage was just lived out.  I was ready with lots of harsh words.  However, the soft, personable, and even respectful answers I received turned away wrath….my wrath.

As we all go through our day, may we remember this proverb.  When we find ourselves in stressful and tense situations, may we remember that a soft answer can often turn away wrath, or hostility.  But a harsh word is likely to bring exactly what we don’t want, an angry response.  I’m going to strive to remember this experience when I sense angry words filling my mind.  A soft answer turns away wrath….  Good words from God’s word!!

Pastor Keith

Life Is Better With God 09.15.2023

Last Sunday was a great day (9.10.23).  It was the Sunday School Kick-Off Carnival.  It was a time of fun, games, music, good food, conversation, and just hanging out together as a church family as we launch into another Fall season…or another school year.  I was certainly sad to miss the Kick-off event, however I was certainly joy-filled to have the opportunity to participate in the spiritual journey of my grand or great niece by officiating her baptism.  It is always a wonderful thing to hold a precious child in my arms and claim them as God’s and to mark them for service in the Kingdom of God.  And yes, there are pictures if you’re interested. 😊

This Sunday is also going to be a great day because it is the first official day for children, youth, and adults to be back in the Sunday School classroom participating in this opportunity to learn and grow in one’s faith.  I hope to make it around to every class and welcome all the students and leaders back.  

But this has me thinking, why do we do Sunday School as a part of church activities?  At its origin Sunday School was not about Bible stories, fun songs, and learning about Jesus.  No, at its origin in the mid 1750’s in England, Sunday School was about providing children, who worked menial jobs to help provide for their families, a chance to better themselves through education.  These classes were not about things related to the Christian faith, it was about reading, writing, and arithmetic, as they say.  

Obviously, things have changed over the years since the 1750’s, but the question is still a good one.  Why do we do Sunday School?  There are a lot of ways we can answer this question…

Tradition – Some would say we do Sunday School because of tradition. It’s just something the church does.  I had Sunday School when I was a kid…so it’s something we should still do today.

Education – Others might say Sunday School is learning about faith and Jesus.  After all, church or Christianity is a significant part of our culture here in the Midwest (though it is declining rapidly) so it’s something we want to expose our children, youth, and even adults to.

Societal Change – There are some who see Sunday School, for both children and adults, as something that is necessary because of what is viewed as changes in society, and not necessarily positive changes.  The hope is Sunday School and faith will be a counter-balance to what we see happening around us.

Values – There are certain values that have tended to go along with those in the Christian Faith.  So, Sunday School is seen as a way of exposing those participating with the values that have traditionally been a part of our faith tradition.  (This relates directly to Societal Change)

Disciplines – Sunday School helps plant the seeds of spiritual disciplines, like prayer, Bible reading, service, etc. in a person’s life, no matter their age.  The earlier one starts utilizing the spiritual disciplines in life, the better.

These are all valid reasons that might be given for the “Why” of Sunday School.  For myself, there are two main reasons that I feel Sunday School is so important.

1. Because life is better with God in it.  Sunday School helps plant seeds of hope, love, and faith in a person’s life, no matter their age.  Even through the most basic of Bible stories, there is often the lesson learned that God is real and that God makes a positive difference in a person’s life.

   
   2. Our God Shaped Hole.  A well-known theologian from the mid 1600’s by the name of Blaise Pascal, made the statement that every person “Has a God shaped hole” in their heart that cannot be filled by any created thing, but can only be filled by the creator.  Or St. Augustine, another Christian theologian from days past said that our hearts are restless and will always be until we find our rest in God.  Our culture today is good at trying to fill the God shaped hole or the void within us but can’t.  Sunday School is a piece of helping us recognize the God-need within us and fill it with the Spirit and presence of God.

So, why Sunday School??  There’s lots of reasons!! The easiest way for me to put it is to say, “Life is better with God in it.”  I look forward to seeing many of you here for Sunday School and Worship on Sunday.  Both of these experiences provide the opportunity to allow the light and love of God into our lives…and then to shine through us into the darkness of the world around us.  Yes, Sunday School is about providing the spark of God’s love in our lives and helping the flame of God’s Spirit grow within us. So, my friends…let your light shine!!  I hope to see you on Sunday.

Pastor Keith

Memories 09.08.2023

In the course of my ministry, I have been invited into people’s lives to be a part of some incredibly beautiful and touching moments of families’ lives.  Some moments have been joy-filled…others have been tinged with tragedy.  In my role as a pastor, I have been a part of great celebrations and also incredible sadness.  This is what life is about and this is what ministry is about…being there with people.

Earlier this year there was a day that stood out with two very touching moments.  The first, I was with a family as one of their parents had to say goodbye to their spouse that had died.  They had shared life together for 60+ years.  It was so touching to see the tenderness of the moment and how the surviving spouse gently caressed and touched their life mate who had died.  The love was so very real.  The connection was so genuine.  It’s always such a sad thing to see when the words in the wedding vows “till parted by death” are lived out, especially in a couple who had celebrated so many anniversaries and experienced so much joy and love in those years together.  

The very same day, I was driving by one of the care facilities here in our community.  I could see two women walking down the sidewalk together.  The one was very elderly, kind of hunched over and slowly making her way.  The other was a much younger woman, maybe in her 20’s, who was wearing scrubs, so I assumed she was on staff there at the facility I was driving by. But this younger woman was patiently walking right beside the other.  As I drove by those two women out walking, I realized they were holding hands.  No, this wasn’t a professional way of holding hands to support or guide the one.  It was a loving holding hands.  Maybe it was a grandma and a granddaughter, or maybe a great grandma and a great granddaughter lovingly taking a late afternoon stroll together.  It didn’t appear that many words were being shared between them, but in that moment, there was love, there was connection, there was a memory being made.  

I was touched by both these scenes on that particular day. In a world in which it seems there is so much division, anger, and disconnection, it was great to see these situations and moments in which it seemed that love was so real.  One moment I was invited into because of my role.  The other I happened upon.  But like so many moments I’ve experienced, they were both holy and sacred moments.

As many of you read this Friday Reflection, maybe Friday afternoon or evening, I’ll be heading west.  I’ve been invited by my niece and her husband to baptize their nine-month-old daughter.  I am so honored to be asked to share in this holy moment.  I’ll admit, part of me hates being away from our church for our Kick-Off Sunday.   This will be a special Sunday! But then I decided, this is a family moment and opportunity to make a special memory.  One that doesn’t come around all that often.  

A friend of mine, whenever he posts a comment on Facebook for someone’s birthday, he always writes, “Make a Memory!”  I haven’t always appreciated or understood his words, but I’ve come to value what he is saying; take the time to connect, take the time to do something special, take the time to do something to create a holy moment that will last a lifetime. No one can take that away!  So, today I would encourage each of you to do something special with a family member, you never know when it might be your last time together.  Take a walk…hold a hand…don’t worry about words…watch a sunset…just be together.  Yes, go ahead and make a memory.  Later on you just might realize the holy moment that it was!!!

Pastor Keith

Reflection 09.01.2023

Have you ever caught yourself working at odds with yourself?  I know, this sounds like a crazy question, and you might be wondering what I mean.  Let me ask the question in a slightly different way.  Have you ever discovered a way that you were working against goals or purposes you have in life?  Just the other day I discovered such a place in my own life, and it literally made me laugh.

The other evening, I needed to finish mowing the lawn.  I had had an evening meeting at the church and with the days getting shorter the sun would soon be setting.  But I thought I’d have just enough time to finish the job.  So, I quickly changed clothes, grabbed some ear plugs and fired up the lawnmower.  

Now before I started the lawnmower, I took a moment to insert the earplugs.  These weren’t the usual earplugs I use, but they were on the counter by the back door, so I grabbed them because I was in a hurry.  Well, right away I noticed that they didn’t seem to go in very easily.  That was odd.  But I figured that maybe they were old, and the foam was less pliable…just making it hard to insert.  I finally thought I had them in place.  So, then I started the lawnmower.  Boy it seemed really loud.  I tried adjusting them, but nothing seemed to make any difference.  I just figured they were no longer effective.  However, since I was in a hurry and the sun was going down fast, I simply pressed on with the task at hand.  Get the lawn mowed!!  But I also made a mental note to throw these earplugs away when the task was completed.

I did accomplish the task.  The backyard got mowed while I still had a bit of light. After putting the lawnmower away in the garage, I reached up and pulled out one of the earplugs, preparing to throw them away.  Something else came out with it.  What…that’s one of my hearing aids.  I reached up and pulled out the other earplug…and yep, there was the other hearing aid, too.  So, while I was trying to muffle the noise of the lawnmower my hearing aids were doing their thing and making the sound louder.  So…talk about conflicting purposes.  

My first reaction was truly to laugh.  I’ve never done that before…with my hearing aids.  But as I stopped and thought about the irony of that moment, I realized that I have done a similar thing in other areas of my life.  I’m trying to drop a few pounds, yet every so often I make my way to Caseys for an apple fritter (they have the best ones in town).  Or, I do like my Dark Chocolate Mint M & M’s, etc.  

Another area where I’m working against myself is that I’m trying to develop some new spiritual practices, but I tend to mentally schedule those activities for the evening…and then I’m too tired, or I’m watching a TV show, or…well there’s lots of ways I can fill in that blank.  

This unexpected moment the other evening has me thinking and reflecting on other ways I may be, knowingly or unknowingly, working against myself.  How else am I trying to do one thing but sabotaging my efforts by other conflicting actions?  Asking this question, I feel, is an important part of our faith journey.  Part of our growth is being open to the voice or the presence of God pointing out those areas where we are working against ourselves and our desire to follow Jesus.  My hope for each of us today would be that we might take a few moments to talk with God and reflect on our lives and our spiritual practices, seeking out those places where we just might be working against ourselves and the desires we have for living a Christ-centered life.  

Pastor Keith

Open Your Heart and Mind 08.25.2023

One of the fun things about this time of year is seeing the first day of school pictures that are being taken in our neighborhood as I walk my dog.  The children are gathered on the front step or in the driveway of the home, sometimes with the family dog, and mom or dad has the cell phone in hand capturing a few pictures of the “first day” that will likely end up on Facebook.  

The younger children are usually full of energy with big smiles on their faces and the older youth may not have quite the big smile, but there’s usually some energy in their eyes revealing their eagerness to get back to school to be with friends, etc.  A part of the excitement of the morning, I hope, is the anticipation of what the children and youth will learn, the new experiences they’ll engage in, and the ways they’ll grow.  I’m sure those thoughts aren’t in their mind, but that’s always an aspect of new beginnings…and the first day of school is certainly a new beginning.

As I watch the children head off to school, it also makes me wonder, in what ways am I seeking to learn and grow in the coming year?  My belief is there is always something new to learn and ways to grow, so we as human beings should always be stretching, learning, and growing in life and also in our faith. 

For those of us who are Jesus followers, we realize Jesus was constantly stretching people to think in new ways.  In fact, Jesus tended to challenge the people of his day who seemed to act like they had all the answers.  After all, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and his Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6) are teachings in which Jesus is saying some pretty bold things and turning people’s world or understanding upside-down.  

One of the phrases Jesus speaks in Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the New Testament of the Bible, is “To the one who has ears, let them hear.”  In a sense it is Jesus’ way of challenging people to think in a new way, to gain some new life and faith truths, to hear something new that God might be saying to them.  Those words about one’s ears just might also be a way of Jesus gently, or not so gently, asking the question, “Is your mind and heart open to the whispers or the voice of God?”

As the children, youth, and even some adults from our community go back to the classroom to learn and grow, may we each reflect for ourselves on learning and growth in our lives.  After all, I believe Jesus is still speaking the words, even to us today, “Let the one who has ears, let them hear.”  In this upcoming school year may we pick up the Bible, may we connect with a church family, participate in a small group, or find an online class to take (this is the one I’m putting extra energy into, all to keep on learning and growing… and allowing God to speak into our lives.  

I suppose every day we could take a selfie and post it on social media, proclaiming it the first day of school because every day is an opportunity to learn.  As Jesus followers, there is always something new to learn or a new way to grow as we seek to live into God’s Kingdom here on earth.  To the one who has ears, let them hear!

Pastor Keith

God's Lessons 08.18.2023

It seems to me that God sometimes uses the most unexpected moments to make a point or teach a truth.  Such was the case for me while I was on vacation last week.  And of all the things God might use for an object lesson for me…God used a paddle board and some waves.  Let me tell you the lesson made real to me.

Some of you may not know what a paddle board is.  It basically looks like a surfboard, but a paddle board tends to be longer, wider, and thicker.  A surfboard is intended to be propelled forward by riding the movement of an ocean wave.  A paddle board is propelled forward by a person on the board using a paddle to stroke the water, thus moving the paddle board forward.  

Nancy and I started paddle boarding about 10 years ago when we were living in North Dakota.  We actually bought a couple of paddle boards and still have them.  So, whenever we go to the lake in Minnesota, a popular destination point for us each August, we always take our paddle boards along.  

Now paddle boarding is fun, but it also takes some balance, coordination, and experience.  One basically stands on a long and narrow piece of wood in the water and uses a long paddle to maneuver around on the water.  Paddle boarding can be a bit tricky because of the various forces upon the paddle board in the open water, such as the wind and other boats, jet skis, etc. that are also cruising around the lake creating ripples and waves that can impact the movement and the stability of the paddle board and the balance of the person on the paddle board.

So, last week there were several times Nancy and I were paddle boarding, cruising across the lake or around the island that we camp on.  On one of our trips a big boat zipped by us creating a big wave. “Oh, this could be trouble,” I thought to myself.  But I did what you’re supposed to do to handle waves on a paddle board; you flex your knees or get low on the board, and you head directly into the wave.  I did all that and was able to ride through the waves without too much problem.

Just a bit later I was standing up on the board, taking in all the beauty of God’s creation around me, when all the sudden my paddle board began to wobble.  I was totally caught off guard by a small wave or wake from a boat that was actually quite some distance from us.  But that small wave hit my board broadside, so there I was rocking on a three-foot-wide board in the middle of a lake.  I thought I was going in the water.  However, I managed to keep my balance and stay on the paddle board, but I was reminded to always keep an eye on the surface of the water and stay aware of what is going on around me…even at a distance.  

The object lesson I feel God was pointing out is that quite often it isn’t the “BIG” sins that trip us up in this journey of faith. You know, the big sins like murder, robbing a bank, stealing a car, something big like that.  Rather the things that most often trip us up and throw us (or at least me) off balance are the little things – the small unexpected “waves” in life, such as… My eyes lingering on something they shouldn’t.  My mind dwelling on something not appropriate.  Participating in an unhealthy discussion or saying something hurtful that didn’t need to be said. There are all sorts of “little things” that come along and if I/we aren’t diligent or staying alert, it is likely to be those small unexpected moments that throw us off track in our walk with God.  

Now that I’m home, the paddle boards are put away for the time being.  But the object lesson of the waves…that is still with me.  Maybe this is a principle that speaks to more than just me.  May we all beware and be aware of the little ripples and waves on the journey of life.  After all, many of the BIG sins in life quite often have their beginning in the little ripples of life-events that slowly pull us away from our connection with God.  Paul’s words to the Jesus Followers at Corinth are so fitting for us/me yet today.  “Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.”  I Corinthians 16:13 

Pastor Keith