One, He created us, all of us, in His image. What does that look like? Well, just look in the mirror, His image is what you see. Diverse and beautiful in nature. Look at His creation of trees. Many different types, shapes and colors, many different fruits and flowers they all have, yet they are all trees and all beautiful in His sight!

People, we need to remember this!

            Two, our mutual Father sent His one and only son, Jesus to say the entirety of humanity. “Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight.” The WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD was reconciled to our mutual Father through his Son, Jesus. The person of diversity you see in your daily walk, well, Jesus died for them, just as Jesus died for you!

People, we need to remember this!

            Finally, Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to walk before, beside and behind us, and gave us a mission to be Ambassadors of Reconciliation. To share the Good News to all the world, to all people of nations, all of all ethnicities. We are to be the light in the darkness fo this world. We are to be the salt in this tasteless world. We are to love all and to seek and save those who are lost, regardless of who they are or where they come from or the color of their skin.

People, we need to remember this!

In the movie Avatar, the main female character Neytiri of the Na’vi people, looks at Jake in his Avatar form, and said: “I see you.” What she meant in that line was I see you for who you are, not what you look like or where you came from. It reminds me of our mutual Father who “sees you”. He sees you not of what you have done or the darkness within you but sees you through the blood of Jesus. He sees you as one of His precious and redeemed creation. My prayer is when we look around us and see others created in His image, we see them, not as different, but as the same.

People, we need to remember this!

           I was out getting some essentials for the “staycation” for the next couple of weeks, it was somewhat of a shock to see shelves bare of the essentials. There was no toilet paper and a sign stating they are experiencing high demand and hope to have more in stock soon. For one surreal moment, it seemed odd to not have to ponder over which brand to choose and who’s actually is the softest. I thought of our missionary friends in “K-stan” and on their first furlough home, brought some toilet paper from the mission field so we could see what they lived with daily. It was more of the texture of crepe paper, you know, the kind we hang up for decorations on birthdays. There I stood, looking at empty shelves wishing there was at least one package left of any kind of toilet paper. Some have calculated the usage of this highly sought after commodity and it has been determined that hoarding has occurred as it would take a long time to go through the amount of toilet paper secured by some folks. In a moment of panic, we all tend to overbuy or purchase items we don’t need. Pause for a moment and think about the Commandment. Are we loving God in our response? Are we loving our neighbor in our response?  

           As the Matthew text echoes in my mind, as Christians, we have the opportunity to live out these words and impact our community during this time of need. Two observations I made. First, we should be looking at the needs of others as well as our own. My mother-in-law went into town to get some supplies and found four 12 packs of toilet paper on the shelf. She took only one pack. When asked why she didn’t take all of them, she said she only took what she needed. 

Others would need some as well. 

My suggestion, buy two and give the other to someone who needs it. How many times have we overlooked our neighbor’s needs when we had the opportunity to share the abundance we have. I even wonder if we know all the neighbors on our block? Who lives there? Who is elderly and needs attention? Why not make a list and make sure they are taken care of during this time? 

Shouldn’t our response as Christians be to “love your neighbor as yourself”?

           As I was getting some essentials and I saw some hoarding, some needing and some just not heeding. They just didn’t seem to care and as we (Linda and I) have talked, 

it is about giving up to help others.  

If you need to shop, practice loving your neighbor as you pick up the essentials. Take what you need (actually need) and leave some on the shelf. Bless your neighbor, the person coming up the shopping aisle behind you. Don’t go out unless necessary (I mean necessary). I encourage you to keep up with the social distancing and in doing so we all can participate in keeping the virus in check and lessen the impact on our daily lives and the lives of others. Now would be the time to write a letter, text your friends, take the time for that extended phone call to relatives and friends. I would bet to say, we will find the voices of the world kept us from reaching out before this “corona” time, were not that important to not have called before this all came upon us. Family and friends are important, now more so than ever, when we are isolated from others.  

           I admit there are times that I am down and frustrated with the situation we all are enduring, but even then, I am reminded, God is in control and even though there is death and illness around the world. 

We can still love God for His mercy and grace and show the same love to our neighbor. With the fears of the Covid-19 virus and the news of the pandemic, let us all practice the social distancing and washing of our hands, but let us all add a step. Check up on the elderly friends you have. Use our social media outlets to call, text, video chat and stay connected. Continue to support your local church as best as you can. Let us all pray for our neighborhoods, city, state, country, the world and share the love of Jesus. And when this crisis is all over, how about we continue to do these grace-filled things.

In His Grace, Pastor Doug

I begin this post with this quote from Dr. Henry Cloud, to remind us of the reality of this world and God’s hand in all things. One has to be honest with oneself and nod our heads in agreement, that we all look back over situations and judge the actions and reactions of the past. “Things would have been better if only…” or “If only I would have done that instead of…”! To the “if only”, I say, “if only frogs had wings, they would not bump their butts every time they hop!”

“If only” statements represent two things and neither are good.

First, it is self-demeaning when we say, “If only I had…”. When we speak those words, we could lead us to demean ourselves because of the decisions or actions we have made. Yes, they may have been bad choices and may come with unfortunate consequences, but to wish things were different is to miss out on the opportunity to learn from those decisions and to lean on God! In our self-righteousness, we may try to justify our poor choices. Self-righteousness often leads to showing us our shortfall and can make us feel incapable and defeated. And, to be honest, that is where self-justification will always lead you in the end.  

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. Romans 3:9-11. Our righteousness comes not from what we have done, but from that which has been done for us through Jesus Christ. Yes, we can do righteous acts and live our lives in His righteousness, but when we rely on our self-righteousness we will eventually fall short and the result is “if only I…”

Second, we turn from trusting God in all situations when we say “if only”.  What “if only” we would begin with prayer in all things? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 reminds us to; “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”  Can you imagine if we bathed our daily walk in prayer? What would the outcome be if we prayed before every major decision? 

How could it change our view of the outcome of each decision? To trust in God with all things is to remember HE is in control of all outcomes, no matter how they appear to us.  

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. We may not be able to see the good in a situation at a specific moment in time, but God does. He will take all situations and turn them to His good. There have been many times in which I did not see how good would come out of a situation. To me, it felt impossible! However, in the end, and at times much, much later, God gave me the view of what good did result. I (we) have just to trust He will eventually turn that which we thought bad into good, for His glory and honor.

So, the challenge is to live in the reality of the here and now. We can learn from our mistakes and turn to God to seek His (and to those we offended) forgiveness. Pray, lean and trust that God has you in the palm of His hand and has the power to change the bad into good, for He has said, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I firmly believe God the Father has called me into His ministry and into the lives of people to share with them the grace, mercy, and forgiveness He has shown to us through His Son Jesus. Walking in mission with God has its costs. And sometimes the costs added by ourselves are a result of the stewardship of our time.  

These costs are often personal in nature, as Pastors, we often put their own lives on hold for the sake of the church. The demands of the ministry call upon the heart of the Pastor to serve the church are more than often at cost of their relationship with their children and their wives. A call for a Pastor (and his family) requires placing healthy boundaries and rest, a Sabbath rest.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:1-3

Our heavenly Father saw the need for rest when His work done. If the Creator saw the need and established a time for rest, then why do we as His creation not always follow His lead and directive? Pastors can allow the demands and our own pride for the ministry to overshadow our need for a Sabbath rest. Two people can ensure the Pastor gets the rest needed. The Pastor himself and the congregation he has been called to serve. 

This is a call for the Pastor to care for himself, because if you don’t care for yourself, how can you care for others? And, for the church he serves, take care of your Pastor. Make sure he is taking time off with his family and for a spiritual retreat. Surround him with your love and support, the rewards for all of you will be a Pastor who is rested and fulfilled both in his personal life and in his life as your Pastor.

As a veteran church planter, I had to learn these lessons the hard way. After 14 years of planting two churches and a child development center, I was tired and approaching burnout from ministry. I had allowed my pride of accomplishment to overshadow my responsibilities to my family. That is to keep my priorities aligned, God, spouse, children, and church. A much needed sabbatical rest was needed and after counsel with my District President and with my spiritual mentors, it was agreed this was exactly what I needed.  

While we had a healthy congregation, we were not a wealthy congregation. They were not in the position to fund a time of sabbatical rest. To ensure the congregation would continue to grow, it became evident I needed to make the toughest call I would have to make, to resign my call at Messiah Church. 

An interim Pastor was secured, leadership stepped up to fill in the gaps and the ministry continued to move forward with the mission God has equipt them to perform.  

Thus we moved to Minnesota in October 2019, to be closer to Linda’s parents and our grandchildren. It truly has been a time of rest, renewal and reflection. This time has given me time to focus on my next season in ministry and to bring the past 14 years into perspective and given me a new directive in my continued ministry and service to my Lord and the congregations in His church.

Yes, it was the toughest call to make in a ministry, to know when it is time to step down, but it has been a blessing from God. I am rested, relaxed and ready to go with God!

In His Grace!

Pastor Doug

Even as God’s most precious creation, charges have been brought against each and every one of us. We have been charged with crimes and misdemeanors against the Highest authority in Heaven and Earth.  We have been found guilty of sin against God Almighty and the sentence has been commuted and the decree is final.  There is no rebuttal, there is no factual evidence to prove innocence, there is not one legal leg to stand upon, you are guilty.  The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All have sinned.  All have fallen short.  All have come under the judgment of sin against God’s commands and we stand convicted.

Well, that sure stinks!  What chance do we have to put together an appeal?  Is there any kind of community service or acts of contrition that we can do to get out of this mess we are in? We can try to defend ourselves and make a case that we are “not as bad as others”. But, judgment is final and there are no appeals. However, this is where our story ends and God’s redemptive story begins!

God’s criteria for living is one of perfect righteousness following His decree of perfect living through the Ten Commandments.  Since we are born into sin, through Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, we are already in a hole we cannot climb out of.  Thus, in His wonderful mercy, God had a plan from the moment Adam and Eve sinned to bring us all into His presence once again.  The plan, sacrifice His one and only Son to take the punishment for our sins and then to declare us acquitted.  Not guilty of the crime (sin) with which we have been charged.  Through our faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we are no longer guilty!  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.

Did you hear this!  NO CONDEMNATION!  Acquittal It is a strong word with finality in its tone. Yet in the middle of the word is the final say about the issues brought against you, quit. So QUIT looking at your sin as a curse.  It is no longer there to be held against you.  QUIT, living in shame and disgrace. For your robes of sin and disgrace have been replaced with the Robe of Christ Righteousness.  QUIT listening to the voice of Satan saying you’re beyond God’s redemption.  For you are NOT GUILTY though Jesus Christ.  Stand firm in God’s promise of forgiveness and redemption.  The price of your sin, death, has been paid by Jesus and death no longer has a claim on you.

This week, I want you to quit the negative self-talk and listen to the words of your Heavenly Father tell you that you are His beloved child and the heir to His Kingdom.  You are freed from the bondage of your sins and are acquitted of all charges! 

In His Grace!

Pastor Doug

All these questions and many more challenges each of us as we navigate through the choppy waters of this life. One would think, for the most part, daily life doesn’t always “test” our faith nor cause us to wonder about our faith.  We just move along each day methodically going through the motions of our lives and give little thought to our faith as we plod along.  But when something of great importance shakes up our world, then things begin to change.

A tragedy, a diagnosis of serious illness, the death of a loved one, financial issues, relational issues, and a host of things that plague this existence come into play and what do we do? Most of the time, we panic!  We deny, ignore, plead, cry and search for answers to fix the problem.  And then we wonder why is all this happening? 

I must confess that I have had moments like this.  Wonder, confusion, and anger are the three emotions that I would describe hit me at times like that.  It is in the midst of these things that the one thing we don’t want to hear, but should, is where is your faith?  Doesn’t that just want to make you do something you would regret later?! 

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us in times like these to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make straight your paths.”  Make one want to kick the dirt at our feet and mumble something, but His Word never fails. So…have faith and trust that God has your back and has your best interests in mind.

I did say in my first post, I was going to tell you how I came about the decision to go into the seminary, but I think I will leave that for a later post.  Sorry if you were expecting that revelation, but it will have to wait for now.  But suffice it to say, it was one of those times I listened to God’s Word and not the words of my own path.  Even though the path look (and was) hard, it was well worth the first step!

It was a call to lean on my faith and to trust God.  What struggle or decision are you wrestling with?  What is calling on your heart?  Will you turn to God in prayer and in His Word and listen?  Can you calm down the hurry in your life and be still?  I encourage you to take a deep breath and in a quiet place, still your mind, wait and listen.

In His Grace,

Pastor Doug 

Eventually, and I will expand in next week’s blog, I entered into seminary to become a Lutheran Pastor.  While attending, I met a pastor who was a church planter and mission developer.  I was hooked!  The ministry context I was seeking presented itself as a church planter.  Utilizing my entrepreneurial skill to grow God’s Kingdom was the direction I had been seeking.  Truly a Holy Spirit moment.

My first call was to Leesburg, Virginia to launch a new church and child development center.  Within the first six months, we had charters and begun the business plan for the new Leesburg Open Arms Child Development Center.  Jump ahead four years later and I received a call to plant another church in Prattville, Alabama.

This second church plant was different but working toward the same goal.  Reach those who do not have a church home or a relationship with Jesus.  Starting from nothing to seven years later with over 30 baptisms and land purchased for new church campus.  It was time to move from Alabama back to the frozen north, Minnesota.  Family drew us back “home” and now we rest as we await God’s calling to a new ministry.

Now that you know a little bit about me.  Let’s explore our faith together!  Let me leave you with this question to ponder.  What does your faith mean to you and how do you practice your faith in your daily life?

Until then. 

In His Grace!

Pastor Doug