Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Newfound fun in Glencoe...the BMX track, and Buffalo Creek BMX is a really fun Tuesday evening.

Now, I realize it's been there for a few years now, but now that Javier knows how to ride, we've been there 6 times in the past week. He gets sweaty, and a very serious face when hitting the berms - learning how to stand and pedal through them instead of coasting from time to time.

It's a family-friendly concept...alcohol is not allowed at the site, and swearing is likewise frowned upon - with a reminder before the races begin.

When races aren't in progress, anyone can go and ride the course. I have done this, and I am quite horrible...just shy of falling off my bike and breaking body parts, I think. But, it's FUH-UN!

Okay, that said...I invite you to come out some time and get some exercise...or, at least watch some local kids (our own Aaron Donnay) work hard for a victory.

http://markconley.com/buffalocreekbmx/

I am sooo mad at stupid Oprah Winfrey. She thinks she can do anything and say anything! And, the truth is...she can. People have bought into the Church of Oprah...where anything goes if you've got a sob story.

The guest she had on yesterday said, "I just realized that you have to earn grace." Now, I might be crazy in thinking about this as a Lutheran...but, the concept of EARNED grace doesn't even make sense! There are many other words for what we earn in life...but, GRACE isn't one of them.

The problem I have is not that the guests have thoughts...and feelings...and a sad story to tell sometimes. The problem is that everyone's thoughts and feelings are ratified. The age-old question about what TRUTH is...seems to be unimportant and irrelevant - as if it doesn't exist and/or cannot be found.

As a Christian, I am blown away by the way people seem to be on-board with Oprah, who has had many years to accumulate her following. If she offered something of substance...she'd have to actually nail down what her belief system is...beyond "anything goes."

How do I write a movie review before seeing the movie? Well, I don't...but, I can comment on what kinds of movies are appropriate for adolescents and teens.

To Save a Life is rated PG-13. Yes, those who are younger can watch it, and it can be totally okay...if that youth is mature for his/her age...and has ways to debrief with parents or other adults afterward. That sounds like alot of work, but the content requires it.

This movie contains "teenagers, alcohol, drugs, teen pregnancy and suicide." So, yeah...mature content in many ways. It's designed to be "real", but it doesn't mean your should bring 1st Graders to it just to make sure they aren't sheltered from "real life" issues.

Wait until they can understand a bit more...so that, when you do talk about it, they will process it in a healthy way.

I will post again after seeing the movie...

While we are not an ELCA Congregation, I am posting this so that we can know what our brothers and sisters in Christ are dealing with in their own congregations. We can and should pray for those who do not uphold Scripture's authority. We should also pray for those who are standing firm - that they would be encouraged in their conviction of the truth.

I am posting the text from an article, as reported by CBN. The link can be found below.

A new Lutheran denomination is being formed for congregations who are opposed to the gay-friendly policy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Last August, the ELCA National Assembly voted to allow gays and lesbians to be ordained as clergy.

However, Lutherans who oppose the action say the new policy contradicts scripture. So far at least seven Evangelical Lutheran congregations have voted to leave the church. According to church insiders, an additional 28 congregations may also vote to leave.

As an alternative, a group of Lutherans who left the denomination have formed the North American Lutheran Church.

Rev. Mark Chavez of Landisville, Pa. is director of the group Lutheran CORE, which is overseeing the breakaway. He said organizers are "united in a common confession of the Christian faith and commitment to submit to the authority of God's Word over all matters of faith."

Although, the size of the new denomination remains unclear. So far, several hundred congregations appear to be moving toward a permanent split with the ELCA.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/March/Dissident-Lutherans-Forming-New-Denomination/

Just wanted to share a story tonight...for the past couple of years, I've been kind of upset about something. It wasn't affecting my day-to-day thoughts or activities, but it was nagging me. Well, this week, I can put that in the past.

I thought a friend of mine had turned a blind eye to the way another friend of hers was treating me...and, she just blew it off...not realizing that I was hurt by it all.

I tried to explain it, but it didn't really work. Finally...earlier this evening...there was a breakthrough. I talked with the person who had said some mean things...and, I also talked with the friend of mine. I guess all this is to say that some things aren't resolved right away...even for those of us (pastors, maybe) who are supposed to know all the "right" aways to work out problems.

God takes these opportunities, which might also be considered our stubborn moments, to teach...discipline...instill...or change people. And, right this moment...I am glad to have my friend back without reservation. And, I'm glad that our joking back-and-forth is part of our friendship...but, there is a serious side that allows us to talk about real life, too.

Anyway...just a short reconciliation story for y'all...

Yes. We had services as scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No cancellations. No rescheduling. What we DID have was a dedicated custodian in Wes Olson to clean off the sidewalk and parts of the lot. We also had a dedicated and efficient Bob Mathews (or one of his peeps) take care of the parking lot.

We also had the good Lord keeping people safe...even giving some members an opportunity to help push/pull others out of a ditch on the way. Way to go, Acts of Service!!!

We had Deacons who showed up...early, as usual...and, took care of business. Choir members, and director Jack Noennig...organist Cindy Longhenry and pianist Gretchen Haukos ALL found their way to church these past two days.

What's interesting is that we knew the snow was gonna fly. I felt very comfortable having service for 10 people if that's who showed up...and singing the hymns/carols a cappella, if necessary. Instead, we had a FULL house on Thursday for the candlelight, and a good turnout on Christmas morning. Seriously, this was a fun, energetic couple of days to worship the Newborn King Jesus!

I might sound a bit bold here...but, if you ever are wondering about services at Good Shepherd being cancelled...stop wondering. They're on. I can walk to church if I have to...and so can 40-50 others who live within 3 blocks of the church. We're worshiping...that's what we do. Praise God in His sanctuary!

I love garage sales! Not shopping at them...working at them. Over the past few days we've had a heaping helping of Glenconians, as well as non-residents, to our home for perusal of our wares. While we had some "big-ticket" items that we were trying to sell...we also had some meek crabapples for people to try...and to buy.

I enjoyed explaining that they were manzanitas...muy acido...to some of our Hispanic customers. I also enjoyed the facial contortions of the brave souls who dared to sample.

I met a Mr. Miller among the shoppers. New to town, along with his wife of 55 years. He prefers the church without walls - that we often call the "invisible church." He has provided ministry to those who struggle with alcohol and drugs for many years. God bless Mr. Miller!

We met people who gave US advice...people who bought garage sale items to give to others...people who were bubbly and happy...and people who carried a sadness with them wherever they went.

Still, this was an opportunity to talk with all these varied personalities of our town/area. We played Christian praise songs on the radio, and we gave out Women's Bible Study invitation flyers. We made church-chat a part of our regular conversation, and shared the love of Jesus in our actions and words.

This was an opportunity! I relished it...and jumped at the chances we were given. Thank you, Jesus, for bringing people to us!

Garage sales might not be your thing...but, if you check your attitude at the driveway...you might find people who are ready for something better than good deals.

This is a post that nobody knows anything about, but I'm putting it here anyway.

Rock the River is a music tour that began in New Orleans, headed up the Mississippi, and ended up in St. Paul on Harriet Island last Sunday (August 16). I signed up to volunteer. An uber-busy weekend where I really felt like just taking a nap instead of driving to the Twin Cities. Bleh.

Kirk Franklin, Flyleaf, Superchick and DecembeRadio all played, with some others...but, mostly the idea was to share a Gospel message and tug at people's hearts if they weren't already saved. How would I not want to be a part of that?! So, I ended up directing traffic all day, met some really cool guys, and got sore legs.

I had a chance to sneak a peek inside, where close to 40,000 people had gathered. It was mighty impressive! I just hope that events like these are produtive for the Kingdom of God. Rob, a guy I was working with, said that he wondered if these were more "social events for Christians" or if they actually proclaimed the love of Jesus in a way that led to true conversions.

I'll follow up on this as info comes through. The plan of the RTR committee was to follow up with all the people who wanted to know more about being a Christian...for the next year!

Like I said, who wouldn't want to be a part of something that brings about the conversion of a hardened heart?! Directing traffic didn't seem all that important at times...until we step back and realize everyone was kept safe after a beautiful day of music and a very important message.

Peace.

PJG

Well, again I'm not sure how "spiritual" this issue is...but, I'd love to have the opportunity to rant a bit on this topic. I intend to post links here, as they are appropriate.

For now...this is from my friend Brent Hellickson:

When our country was founded, what made it different than every other country on the planet? It was the idea of individual rights. I'm having a hard time understanding why our country now thinks that it should abandon (and has started doing so in the last 50 years of the welfare state) this idea of individual liberties and move towards collectivism.

This is not an economic issue. It's a moral issue. Should one person die to help save 5, 10, or 100? Well of course, it's for the common good! Well, sure, unless you're the one who has to die. If I have a bushel of wheat and 100 other people don't, should I be forced to share it with others because it's the right thing to do?

From an abstract perspective, it can be argued that slavery was the ultimate form of taxation.... collectivism. Work all day and have nothing to show for it. It's fascinating to me that we continue to think it's not fair that the rich are rich and they shouldn't be allowed to be so rich, so let's tax the bejesus out of them so that life is more fair for everyone else.

It's very realistic that in some states, when you add the local and state taxes to the Federal, wealthy individuals will be taxed at nearly 50% if all of this legislation gets passed...Does this not seem like robbery? If this continues, the rich are going to stop working so hard and live off what they've already made. What incentive do they have to keep working so hard just to have half of it taken from them? It should be noted that the majority of wealthy individuals in America are first generation rich. They were not handed their wealth by their daddy or grandaddy.

Are we going to let our country and our freedoms be taken away from us? Of course, this is a philosophical debate on where your politics lie. If you think that it is fair to steal from the rich so that the non-rich can have better lives, why aren't you the first one in line to say you'd like to be taxed higher? Why aren't you writing checks to the government every month to help subsidize other people? Ohhh, well when I'm the one who has to be stolen from, I don't want to do it. Oh really? Why? Is that not fair?

The people that are for having the village raise the child and want to abandon their individual freedoms to do what they want, should be the first ones giving their time and money away to those who need it. As for me, I want to be able to give my time and money when I choose to and what amount I choose to give. Not to be told I have to because it's not fair that other people are less fortunate than me.

Whoa Nellie! I am alarmed at this: in the news, it was reported that a 13 year old boy with Lymphoma was going to be MADE to undergo Chemotherapy. A local judge imposed that ruling on a family who HAD tried it briefly, and made a decision to try alternative means.

While the family is planning to appeal this ruling, the potential precedent is just plain nuts. The implication that the state can manage family affairs better than the family can is unnerving. We're not talking about an abused child...this is a 13 year old boy who can think and reason along with his parents. I'm not sure that subjecting a child to chemotherapy is any less "abusive" than striving for health/healing through other methods.

I know, I know...I've got a "conspiracy theorist" streak in me...but, if this ruling is upheld, I would wonder when and where it would stop. What else can the state make us do? Medical research and science is great...but, everyone can name mistaken treatments from recent history. I'd rather not consider our fine physicians and our medications to be God. They don't want that pressure either...