Good Shepherd Church (LCMS)

Life Issues Elective

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:40:00 +0000

In this BLOG entry, over the next couple of weeks, students at Good Shepherd will be adding their reviews of books they read for the "Life Issues" class. This is part of their REVEAL coursework.

In addition to the reading and classroom time, we went on two field trips: 1) to the Birthing Unit at GRHS; 2) to the McBride-Hantge Funeral Chapel. They students saw and heard about things at both ends of the spectrum.

So, read on! Enjoy what the students have to say. What they read. What they learned. And, maybe how it shaped their thoughts. Through it all, they are confident to say that in matters of Life/Death...we are glad that God is in charge of it all. We don't know enough to make these decisions...except to trust Him to guide us.

Pastor James

Week #2

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:59:00 +0000

Okay, so I let Week #2 go by the wayside for a time...when time runs short, something's gotta give!

Anyway, so we watched the video that helped us understand Leviticus and its offerings of all sorts this morning...which was truly insightful. What I got to thinking now is this:

Paul's emphasis in the New Testament, as he says it, is to "preach Christ crucified." Now, I'm always very interested in taking the Old Testament for what it says, and make application for what it is...BUT, with the sacrifices having a specific fulfillment in Christ...I can't help but think that if I preach the Bible with any integrity at all...I am, in effect, preaching Christ crucified!

The people of the Old Testament...would not know exactly what that means, however. So, I do want to look at it through their eyes...but, if I get all excited to know more deeply what it means to have my sin and guilt taken to the cross...I can understand how the Israelites reacted to their sins being taken to the altar.

The transfer of sin/guilt to the animal...the placing of the hand(s) on the head of the animal...the bull, the birds, the goat, whatever...relinquishing burdens/anxieties unto the Lord...all very cool...

PJG

Week #1

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:27:00 +0000

Greetz! What we have here is an opportunity to connect with others about what we're reading.

I've heard some murmuring about "Lot's ridiculous requests", "Men who meet Alimelech and claim their wives are their sisters", and "How old is too old?" Yeah, I thought these would make good Jeopardy categories!

But, they're the things that come up in early Genesis readings.

Let the ramblings begin! Ask, make notes...let's pow-wow. Or, you can just read whatever everybody else writes...either way, stay tuned. The Word of God is an interesting thing to read.

WELS

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:05:00 +0000

So, some people have maybe seen my most recent status update on Facebook. It says "I'm WELS - I'm supposed to kill other non-WELS."

For clarity, this is not something I said. It comes from somebody in the Wisconsin Synod who does not believe this is true...but, said it as an exaggeration of what she feels the teaching on Fellowship is all about.

It just brings to mind other issues of fellowship. It's a fallacy to think that life is all about "just getting along" but it's likewise false to suggest that we must be constantly at odds and separate. I have talked with many people who grew up not being allowed to "cross the tracks" or were excluded from the family if they were dating (or heaven forbid, marrying) a girl/guy from another denomination.

In the LCMS, there are regular...persistent attempts to bring reconciliation to the pastors and people of our church body. Sometimes, I roll my eyes at how ineffective these attempts seem to be. Then, I realize that there is simple value in the attempt itself. I've realized how little I understand my own children sometimes,but they do (or will) value the fact that I try.

There must be room for these attempts - within church bodies, and amongst church denominations. I've said this other places before...but, I am willing to identify what I have in common with another...and identify what is not a point of agreement - call them what they are, struggle/wrestle with it, and call them my brothers and sisters in faith who struggle/wrestle with similar issues.

I will call wrong - wrong, evil - evil and sin - SIN! I cannot just leave it be or ignore it. But, I would also pray for all people to be reconciled to one another - and especially to God. Identifying fault. Admitting errors. Being broken in conviction. Seeking healing for that brokenness from God alone.

This is my desire for every church group...and every person within those groups...that together, make up the body of Christ.

The Case for Faith, Part 1

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 04:20:00 +0000

It's Thursday night after Bible Study...having just discussed the first session of Lee Strobel's "Case for Faith" study. The concept of the course is to identify some of the challenges to Christianity, and...really, just process them. Some will have definitive answers and some are still gonna be lingering questions as we wrestle with them for a while.

4 men. 20 women. More next week for sure. Honest discussion about what doubts are...and where actual "confidence" fits into our lives...and then, where REALITY is.

Ponder with me...if you could ask God one question today, and you knew He would answer you...what would you ask? Now, you can't do a two-parter like Bill Dunbar...ONE question!

This study is gonna allow us to dig deep. Looking forward to next week.

Compromise

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:40:00 +0000

Ran across this word in a Bible Study this week: Compromise. Allow me to now ramble.

Compromise implies meeting halfway from two opposing starting points. Neither party fully gets what they desire in a compromise, which would tend to leave them dissatisfied and unmotivated.

We tell our youth to never compromise on their Christian beliefs. Don't give in to what other religions may want you to believe. Listen, yes. Learn, yes. Be swayed by the false teaching that all religions lead to the same place. NO!

Compromise is the enemy of sacrifice AND conviction, as in "I will sacrifice my wants for yours" and "I will stand my ground on the truth."

In a relationship, you either stand on the truth (to not give-in on the non-negotiables)...or you sacrifice your own wants for the pleasure of your spouse (adiaphoron).

I'll get back to you on this...as I determine what the exact phrasing was in that Bible Study booklet...

BMX Racing

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:31:00 +0000

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/

James MacDonald

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:41:00 +0000

Went to see Pastor James MacDonald tonight at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. He is a gifted speaker - WOW! He spoke on James 1:2-8 as a lead-in to his full-length DVD message series.

Main thought of the night was 'upo mena, a Greek term literally translated as under-remain. It gets translasted as patience or endurance quite often, but he brought out the concept of remaining under the "test" or "trial" as a way of life for the Christian...as opposed to doing everything we can to get out from "under" the burdens we carry.

Anyway, we purchased the Fall Bible Study curriculum for the Community Bible Studies we host at Good Shepherd. It's called "Downpour", by James MacDonald. The Fall session will be mixed - men and women together watching the video on Thursday nights. Then, we'll go our separate ways for the guy's groups and the women's groups...

I'm stoked about the teaching, and the Fall Study! In the mean-time, I bought a few of his DVDs for check-out from Good Shepherd's library. So, hey...do that...check 'em out! :)

Oprah Winfrey

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:06:00 +0000

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."

Director of Christian Education

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:47:00 +0000

While numerical growth is a wonderful experience in a church, keeping up with it is usually a more difficult task. Programming, relationship-building, teaching, organizing and recruiting are all big jobs...and all are vitally important to facilitating our growth.

To that end, the Board of Education, the Presidents and the Church Council have researched the next steps to take, and have presented the concept of calling a DCE to the congregation. While playing the "God card" is sometimes met with skepticism, it is truly God who is guiding and directing us in this way. We believe that the right person will present himself/herself through the process set before us...and, that the goals we have set will be met.

It is the desire of the Boards of Education/Presidents to keep the congregation informed of every step in this journey together. Please visit this Blog for ongoing education/information about the process. Feel free to ask questions here. Let's get engaged and get excited about the direction our great God is leading us!