St. Luke Lutheran Discussion Board

St. Luke Lutheran Discussion Board http://forums.stluke.info St. Luke Lutheran Discussion Board 60 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:23:38 GMT What do think about Ann Rice quitting Christianity? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4831951 I find it interesting that a person will "quit" Christianity in the name of Jesus Christ. Ann is another example of someone who does not like the institutional church but still wants a relationship with Jesus.  I still believe that God did not create us to live our faith lives as individuals that the Spirit gave birth to the Church on Pentecost.  That being said, I know the institutional church has failed on many fronts but to me it just another sign that God works through not just perfect people or institutions. <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4831951 Thur, 05 Aug 2010 17:27:01 GMT pastorstevect June 20: Oil Spill Disaster in Gulf http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4767561 It seems that we have been watching pictures from devastation of the gulf oil spell forever now.  To see the underwater pictures of oil and methane gas continuing to billow up almost becoming numbing after this long.<div><br></div><div>Without getting involved in a let's bash British Petroleum,  President Obama, the government, etc.,  what should a "Christian" response to be such a man made disaster?</div><div><br></div><div>First I truly believe that we are stewards/caretakers/trustees of God's creation.  This world, the earth, the universe are God's.  Certainly there is enough blame to go around on how we failed time after time to be good stewards of creation.  So one response would be for all Christians to have a healthy dose of repentance.</div><div><br></div><div>It also speaks loudly to me of our continuing addiction to fossil fuels and especially oil.  If we had the national will power and were willing to make the sacrifices necessary we could produce highly efficient vehicles and move to green technologies as a national number one priority. It would take a few years to create the infrastructure and design electric cars and charging stations, address our inadequate national power grid, etc.  But all of this would come at cost which American seem unwilling to pay unless forced upon them by a crisis.  I for one would simply like to see some leaders from the President down who would actually lead on this issue, ignore the big oil interests, and do what is not only right for USA but from God's good creation.</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4767561 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:13:23 GMT pastorstevect May 26: Isn't blood thicker than money? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4725995 For Rose and Theresa it is obvious that blood isn't thicker than money especially if it is a $500,000 winning lottery ticket!  Yet this is just one example of a situation that can cause family relationships to be stretched to almost the breaking the point and, in this case, beyond.<br><br>1 Timothy 6:10 says: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered aay from the faith and<b> pierced themselves with many pains" </b><i>(emphasis added by me).<br><br></i>It is not money itself but the "love of money" that is the culprit.  Is money worth the breaking of sisterhood that has lasted for 80 years?  Will Rose discover that her winnings may bring more pain than joy?  I heard of family relationships that have ended over who becomes the executor of a will or how an inheritance has been given out.<br><br>Jesus in the great commandment says we are to love neighbor as ourselves.  If we lived by such a commandment, I believe the material things of this world would become secondary as they are ultimately transitory.  What do you think?  What advice would you give Rose?<br><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4725995 Thur, 20 May 2010 16:27:49 GMT pastorstevect April 25: Interruptions something other than a bother http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4685517 Henri Nouwen (one of my favorite authors) wrote: "While visiting the University of Notre Dame, where I had been a teacher for a few years, I met an older experienced professor who had spent most of his life there. And while we strolled over the beautiful campus, he said with a certain melancholy in his voice, 'You know...my whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered that my interruptions were my work."<div><br></div><div>As a pastor I can really resonate with that statement.  So often I have a plan for my week with a to-do list of several items.  The phone rings and someone is in the hospital or needs to see me and my best laid plans for the week fly out the window.</div><div><br></div><div>Jesus was interrupted himself on several occasions (see Mark 5:21-43) and he always ministered to those in need.   What probably bothers most, including myself, about interruptions is that it dispels the myth that we actual control our time.  Time really isn't a commodity but a gift from God.  </div><div><br></div><div>In the midst of all the problems caused by the Icelandic volcano there are also wonderful stories coming out of people stepping up to help strangers and conversations at airports that have been life changing.    My challenge is to let go of the control of my life and allow even an interruption to be seen as a gift from God.</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4685517 Thur, 22 Apr 2010 16:40:49 GMT pastorstevect April 18: Love: Placing self in second place http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4674982 The Mickelsons' hug was a very touching moment and one that spoke loudly of the true love and affection Amy and Phil have for each other.  One of the questions to reflect upon this week is :  In what ways does being loved free you? In what ways does it obligate you?<div><br></div><div>In my fifteen years as a college chaplain I had many many conversations with students about love and intimacy. When is the right time to have a relationship move into being not just a romantic relationship but a sexual one too.  I often would ask what was the motive in having sex?  Was it to satisfy ones own need for sexual gratification?  Or what it to satisfy the other?  So often it was self-centered which I then remarked was not a sign of true love.</div><div><br></div><div>I believe the Bible speaks of love as freeing you as you are accepted as you are. The one you love is a person who you can hopefully let down all the masks we hid behind and be just who we "really" are.   There is an obligation but I believe it is freely given in allowing the other person to be more important than you.</div><div><br></div><div>I believe this is an essential characteristic to have a successful and happy marriage.  What do you think?</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4674982 Thur, 15 Apr 2010 15:08:10 GMT pastorstevect Mar. 28: Is Keeping Silence a Sin? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4647403 The topic for the week is the continuing sexual scandal that is shaking the Roman Catholic church this time in Ireland and Europe. I brought to mind the film "Doubt" that I just recently saw and is a story of two nuns who were concerned about their priest and what they believed was probably mistreatment of the some of the boys at their school. While pedaphila is not restricted to the Roman Catholic Church is does raise the question of when not speaking out, holding silence, is wrong or dare I say even a sin.<br /><br><br /><br>I am always reminded of the popular poem attributed to Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemller (18921984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. In Niemller's first utterance of it, in a January 6, 1946 speech before representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt:<br /><br><br /><br>"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,<br /><br>and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.<br /><br><br /><br>THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,<br /><br>and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.<br /><br><br /><br>THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,<br /><br>and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.<br /><br><br /><br>THEN THEY CAME for the Catholics,<br /><br>and I didnt speak up because I was a Protestant.<br /><br><br /><br>THEN THEY CAME for me<br /><br>and by that time no one was left to speak up."<br /><br><br /><br>In Connecticut clergy are mandated reporters of sexual abuse. I believe that is appropriate and that Bishops should also be mandated reporters not only in the US but throughout the world.<br /><br><br /><br>While the Church of Jesus Christ is called to proclaim forgiveness our baptismal charge is also to fight for justice throughout the world. Speaking for those who have no voice or it is marginalized is what Jesus calls us to do. Those who abuse children should be brought to justice, removed from every having the opportunity to hurt a child again, and handed over to the civil courts for justice to be carried out. So I do believe not speaking up can be sin.<br /><br><br /><br>Pastor Steve <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4647403 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:03:24 GMT pastorstevect 12 March '10 New Law to Protect Credit Card Users http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4626661 The credit situation has spun out of control. What got us to this point? Sometimes it's helpful to put things in perspective by looking back on history. Technology improvements in manufacturing and global commerce have improved availability of goods offered at a cheap price. Bottom line, there are so many more convenience and fluff items to buy than 100 years ago.  Shopping satisfies a need for instant gratification, seemingly so common in our current culture.<br><br>It's easy to say we can't help it. So much is at our fingertips. Temptations are greater to spend...sometimes on things we don't really need. We buy because we find a great deal and then we forget we already have a stock pile at home and end up buying more stuff! We think we're saving money but in reality, the net result is more money out of our pocket and into a merchant's. <br><br>Wouldn't it be great if we could think about spending toward our goals each time we're in a store or shopping in our pajamas on line? Having a sense of God's purpose of our life helps move us in that direction. We can let the fluff go while  focusing on using our resources to continue Jesus' mission here on earth. Now I imagine that could be a rich feeling!<br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4626661 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:28:55 GMT Valerie March 5 Suicide and Life's Meaning http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4615039 <font face="Courier" size="1">Welcome, friends! While Pastor Steve is recovering, I'm happy to coordinate our Wired Word discussions. Little did I know this week's topic would be so heavy.<br> <br></font><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CFamily%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style>  </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Courier" size="1"><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;">At times in our life, each of us feels abandoned, isolated and alone. Over time and increasing severity of the circumstances, a person may quietly slide into sickness and feel it would be easiest if they simply did not wake up to another day. Relatives, friends, and companions may or may not have actually abandoned their friend, but the sick person isn't dealing with reality; he or she is dealing with what the experience of the illness<i> feels like</i> inside, and it feels like isolation.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Courier" size="1"><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"> </span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Courier" size="1"><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;">In Psalms, we find many references to the psalmist feeling despair. These feelings are raw and real. Check out Psalm 38:10-11. However, despair is followed by a hopeful note in verse 15: "But it is for you, O LORD, that I wait</span><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: red; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;">.</span><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;">" That indicates that the psalmist is holding on, not accepting the feelings of isolation and abandonment as the final answer. He or she believes that life has meaning found in God, even if it cannot be seen in the present circumstances.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt;"><font size="1"><br></font><font face="Courier" size="1"><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"></span><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Tahoma; color: black;"></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Courier" size="1"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Tahoma; color: black;"><span style=""></span></span><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"> As Christians, I believe we need to let our friends and acquaintances know that were with them in their difficulties and that life is worth living. As the author Anne Lamotte has written, when someone is at the end of their rope, people of the church can be the knot to help them hang on. </span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Courier" size="1"><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"> </span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><font face="Courier"><span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;">I pray that God will be especially close to those who are considering taking their own life, that they may have the clarity of mind to see better alternatives and the will to pursue them. I pray that God will help us to recognize when people are suffering and to use us. We can help them to realize they are not alone. They have never been unloved by God.</span></font><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Tahoma; color: black;"></span></font></p> <font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><br></font><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4615039 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:58:45 GMT Valerie Feb. 21 - Welcoming to a Town or a Church http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4594717 I the topic this week is very close to my heart.  Ultimately the reason any church exists, I believe, is to invite those who do not know Jesus Christ into a relationship with him whom we believe is the Savior of the world -- the messiah.  The Great Commission of going out into all the world to bring the lost to Christ is the primary mission of any congregation.  Is this how the majority of Christians who belong to local congregations see the mission of their church, I do not think so.<div><br></div><div>I believe we have boughten into the church as one more place where my needs or the needs of my family are met.  Name the program, whether it be in Christian Education, Discipleship, Worship, Music, whatever it is has too often become the focus of how we get people to join our congregation. </div><div><br></div><div>I also worry that the driving force behind many welcoming approaches to the church is not to build this important relationship with Christ but get another person or family to join who will add financial resources to our congregation and help meet the budget.</div><div><br></div><div>I often think that one of the real reasons most mainline denominations are losing members is that we have lost this central mission of reaching out to the "lost" with the hope of the Gospel.  We may not like the knocks at the door from the Jehovah Witnesses but their church is a growing church.  If we really thought we were dealing with the eternal destiny of people, that someone might not be saved because we or our congregation failed to reach out to them with Gospel and the freedom that comes only from knowing Christ as our Lord, we would be celebrating many more adult baptisms than we presently do.</div><div><br></div><div>We can all get involved in lengthy discussion on what is the best approach to Evangelism but what I too often see happening in the church is that this discussion turns into a litany of reasons why we are not comfortable with this basic mission of the church and we simply put it off in favor of developing this or that program.  I believe one of my great failures as a pastor is my failure in setting a fire in the congregation to seek the lost and welcome the stranger.</div><div><br></div><div>St Luke is a wonderful congregation.  We have so much going for us and I love being a pastor of this congregation.  I believe we are a welcoming church but we still have a way to go become a truly evangelistic church.  </div><div><br></div><div>We have chosen the theme for 2010 "Building Community." My concern is that we fall into the trap of working on building the ties within the community, which is important, but the task of building the community by expanding it to those who are not currently members, will get only lips service because inviting the stranger is often the more difficult task.</div><div><br></div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4594717 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:44:27 GMT pastorstevect Feb. 7 Baseball player gives us career to become a Priest http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4519018 This week's Wired Word is wonderful as it picks up the exact theme of "calling" which is at the heart of the Gospel Lesson from Luke 5:1-11 this Sunday.  What is unique about Luke's version is that Jesus really is having a private conversation with Simon Peter and he never asks Peter to "follow him."  Rather Jesus simply announces that "from now you will be catching people."   <div><br></div><div>We sometimes put so much emphasis on being the ones called to "fish for people" that we forget that we are the "caught ones."  I wonder if all we really need to do is to open up opportunities for God to caught people with God's grace and love instead of worrying so much about whether we have the right bait or not?</div><div><br></div><div>Grant Desme decision to follow the call to become enter the priesthood is evidence not only of the sacrifice that he is willing to make (financially) but also a witness to having been caught by the love of God.</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4519018 Thur, 04 Feb 2010 21:17:46 GMT pastorstevect Jan 31: Do we possess our possessions or do they possess us? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4461974 This week's discussion raises that age old concern about our possessions.  Jesus spoke a lot in the Scriptures about money and possessions.  In fact some have calculated that he spoke more about this single issue than any other.  Why?<div><br></div><div>Was it because the people of his were more self-absorbed than we are today?  I doubt it.  Yet nothing causes Christians in this country, including me!!, to become uncomfortable when the issue of priorities and possessions is raised.</div><div><br></div><div>This Sunday's lesson of 1 Corinthians 13 includes verse 3: "If I give all away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may not boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."  When I hear that verse I realize I have way too many possessions.  How much could I give away and still live comfortably?  A lot!   I can watch the pictures coming of Haiti and just feel so guilty.   </div><div><br></div><div>I think Jesus is calling us to use love as the ethic we use for our life.  When my possessions become a barrier for me to reflect the true of God to others, then they have begun to possess me.  It is a life-long struggle that possessions confront us.  I need to hear about others who have learned to live "happily" with much less.  I need to allow the Holy Spirit to help me downsize and discover the freedom of living with less so others may simply live.</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4461974 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:37:18 GMT pastorstevect Jan 31: Do we possess our possessions or do they possess us? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4461973 This week's discussion raises that age old concern about our possessions.  Jesus spoke a lot in the Scriptures about money and possessions.  In fact some have calculated that he spoke more about this single issue than any other.  Why?<div><br></div><div>Was it because the people of his were more self-absorbed than we are today?  I doubt it.  Yet nothing causes Christians in this country, including me!!, to become uncomfortable when the issue of priorities and possessions is raised.</div><div><br></div><div>This Sunday's lesson of 1 Corinthians 13 includes verse 3: "If I give all away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may not boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."  When I hear that verse I realize I have way too many possessions.  How much could I give away and still live comfortably?  A lot!   I can watch the pictures coming of Haiti and just feel so guilty.   </div><div><br></div><div>I think Jesus is calling us to use love as the ethic we use for our life.  When my possessions become a barrier for me to reflect the true of God to others, then they have begun to possess me.  It is a life-long struggle that possessions confront us.  I need to hear about others who have learned to live "happily" with much less.  I need to allow the Holy Spirit to help me downsize and discover the freedom of living with less so others may simply live.</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4461973 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:37:17 GMT pastorstevect Jan 31: Do we possess our possessions or do they possess us? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4461972 This week's discussion raises that age old concern about our possessions.  Jesus spoke a lot in the Scriptures about money and possessions.  In fact some have calculated that he spoke more about this single issue than any other.  Why?<div><br></div><div>Was it because the people of his were more self-absorbed than we are today?  I doubt it.  Yet nothing causes Christians in this country, including me!!, to become uncomfortable when the issue of priorities and possessions is raised.</div><div><br></div><div>This Sunday's lesson of 1 Corinthians 13 includes verse 3: "If I give all away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may not boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."  When I hear that verse I realize I have way too many possessions.  How much could I give away and still live comfortably?  A lot!   I can watch the pictures coming of Haiti and just feel so guilty.   </div><div><br></div><div>I think Jesus is calling us to use love as the ethic we use for our life.  When my possessions become a barrier for me to reflect the true of God to others, then they have begun to possess me.  It is a life-long struggle that possessions confront us.  I need to hear about others who have learned to live "happily" with much less.  I need to allow the Holy Spirit to help me downsize and discover the freedom of living with less so others may simply live.</div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4461972 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:37:17 GMT pastorstevect Jan. 17 - Haiti: Is it possible to be a faithful Christian without making some sincere effort to help the poor? http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4332720 I believe Matthew 25 settles that question for me.   A Christian because of the "love of neighbor" imperative must respond to such a humanitarian crisis as a devastating earthquake in Haiti.  In fact, the Church was already in Haiti trying to help the impoverished with food, education, and health assistance.  Part of the reason our congregation has a mission trip to Honduras each year is that we are  trying to make a small difference to those in such great need.<br><br>I believe the United States of America shows its best side in catastrophes likes this.  The generosity of our people is amazing and the desire to help the people of Haiti is genuine.  Hopefully our assistance will extend beyond just the immediate needs of food, water, medical assistance.  It should include a longer term commitment to help rebuild the nation.  But the immediate needs must take precedence now.  <br><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4332720 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:55:58 GMT pastorstevect Jan. 10 - Confronting Real Life Temptations http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4273232 The Wired Word for this raises the issue of temptation.  When notable people fall into sin like Tiger Woods the whole world takes notice.  One of the big questions for this week is: "Are committed Christians as susceptible to temptation as are people who have not committed themselves to follow Jesus?"  I would answer that question with a great big "YES."  <br><br>Our faith only gives us a resource to resist temptation it is not shield.  Jesus as soon as he embarked on his public ministry was driven the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by Satan.  If the very son of God had to face temptation certainly we present day disciples of Jesus.  <br><br>Every person who has attempted a diet knows how hard it is to stick to it.  Candy, cookies, frappuccinos, etc. all seem almost unavoidable.  It is so easy to give but we do have will power to resist.  In fact we Christian may face more temptations. <br><br>As a pastor I remember these words of Martin Luther: "That a preacher should take care not to bring three little sly dogs into his profession; viz. PRIDE, COVETOUSNESS, and ENVY." To which he added to preachers, "When you observe the people hear most attentively; be assured, they will return the more readily. Three things make a divine, <i>meditation</i>, <i>prayer</i>, and <i>temptation</i>. And three things are to be remembered by a minister; <i>turn over and over the Bible; pray devoutly; and be never above learning</i>. They are the best preachers for the common people, who speak in the meanest, lowest, humblest, and most simple style."                                         <br><br>As long as we live on this earth we will face temptation but with God's help there is no temptation we cannot resist.<br><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://forums.stluke.info/?forum=151278">The Wired Word</a> http://forums.stluke.info/post?id=4273232 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:08:10 GMT pastorstevect