The Pastoral Grind

(Photo cred: Pixabay.com via PEXELS.com) (Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation December 4, 2018) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, throu

(Photo cred: Pixabay.com via PEXELS.com) (Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation September 18, 2018) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God ha

(Photo cred: Grant Lubbers) (Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation July 10, 2018) A couple weeks ago several youth leaders and I got to take 22 young people from our area on a service trip in Holland, MI.   For a week, we joined about 30 other students and leaders from churches in Sioux Falls, Ann Arbor, MI, and Rochester, NY.   We were mixed together and split into small groups for work during the day, and after supper, came together for worship and a message, before dividing back into our small groups for discussion.   One of the passages we kept coming back to was the parable of the lost or prodigal son ( Luke 15:11-32 ).   The short version is a father had two sons, one of whom wanted his inheritance early so he could do what he wanted with it.   We’re told this son “squandered his wealth in wild living”—he wasted it!     Having gone broke, he ended up taking one of the lowliest jobs—it would have been humiliating for a Jewish p

(Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation April 24, 2018) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3) According to Google, weary is defined as “feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.”   All of us can probably think of a time, whether now or in the past, when we could identify weariness as part of our lives.   I was on vacation a couple weeks ago in Minneapolis for 5 days, and yet since then I’ve been tired.   Getting b

(Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation February 6, 2018) I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.   Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.   Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.   The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me… Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.    (Psalm 116:1-6, 15) First of all, thank you to many of you who I’ve talked to, received cards from, know that you’ve been praying for me and my family in the recent passing of our newborn, Ellie Hope. We are grateful for your support and love, and for your care during the pregnancy and loss. Because of that experience, death has been in the front of my mind lately.   As I t