Sabbath Moments

I spend a fair amount of time looking forward to things. Whether it is a new superhero movie or a vacation it seems there is always something exciting on the horizon. This can be a problem.

If I'm always looking to the horizon for what is coming next am I paying attention to what is happening right now? When my daughter asks me to play a game with her or a friend stops me to have a conversation am I truly being present? Or am I marking time until the next "big" event?

A good exercise for me has been taking sabbath moments. Take 2-5 minutes to stop and take a breath. I ask myself these 5 questions in my 2-5 minutes.

1. How do I feel, right now?

2. Where am I finding joy, right now?

3. How am I being challenged, right now?

4. God, what is your call for me, right now?

5. Who is around me, right now?

When I stop and take a breath I get away from horizon gazing and get back to real life happening around me.

Peace,
Will +

Joy Will Find A Way

One of the themes I've been aware of in my ministry is the struggle between those who are always worried about "not enough" and those who see abundance everywhere.  I'm definitely on the abundance everywhere side.  I see God's blessings overflowing and too often the bucket we've brought is way too small.
In the face of "not enough" I was incredibly proud of the people of Peace who decided to give the Christmas Eve offering to help feed hungry people.  What a statement of abundance!  Every ministry I've been in has had hard conversations about giving.  The best times are when that conversation is centered on the notion that we aren't giving enough.
When we compare the blessings God has given us with the threats that lurk outside in the dark, it becomes clear the threats have no power.  Joy always finds a way.

Shaping the Future of the Church

Peace Lutheran was given an awesome responsibility and gift in the arrival of Justin Tigerman this month.  Justin will be learning from the people of Peace as an intern pastor.  The scary part is he'll be learning from me too.

What do I have to offer a seminary student looking to learn what parish ministry is all about?

Here's what I believe.  I believe parish ministry is where it's at.  Meaning, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than serving God's people in a community setting.  Some people are called to be hospital chaplains or missionaries, but I'm called to neighborhood communities of faith.  I love the people of God!

I'll offer Justin my view of on the ground ministry from the sacred of sitting at someone's bedside to the ridiculous of meetings that go on for far too long.  All of it is the good work of serving God.

Justin is part of the future of the ELCA and we get to help shape him.  Even cooler, he'll shape us.

Too Bright To See

Last night we had worship using our new projector and screen.  I heard several times from people the screen looked great and was really clear, but it was too bright.  I asked what they meant by "too bright" and they said it was almost hard to look at the screen because it was so clear and so bright.

This got me thinking about what are the areas of my life I don't look directly at because I really would rather not see them clearly.  When the light of the Gospel shines on my failures it can be painful to look at and it can bring a word of mercy.  God sees me clearly even when I do not want to.  Who exactly am I hiding from?

Oh How I Need You

There is a great duo called All Sons and Daughters who have been putting out great worship music for a couple of years now.  This morning their song "Oh How I Need You" has been rattling around my head.  I'm always interested in how artists come up with their art and here is a link to the story behind the song.  Click Here for the Story.

Here is a link to Oh How I Need You so you can have this great song going through your head too!

Blessings today. . .

Wake Up And Fight!

This is a little late, but the picture above is from Woody Guthrie's journal.  These are his new year's resolutions.  I like these a whole lot.  #33 is my favorite.  Wake up and fight.

Most of the time when I wake up I just want to fight for more sleep, but reading Woody's words has me thinking about what I ought to be fighting for each day.  This year at Peace we'll be fighting for hungry kids, homeless families and those who don't feel welcome.

What are you fighting for?

Peace,
Will

Shortcomings

A friend was recently telling me about a job interview and how you always get asked to share your greatest weakness.  As a manager I've heard people answer that question by saying, "I work too hard."or "I care too much."  Those aren't weaknesses.  Those aren't even answers.

When I am asked that question I know immediately how to answer.  I fail to communicate often enough about events.  A wise man once told me, "When you get tired of hearing information, the people around you are just starting to hear what you are saying."  As a pastor I'm surrounded by activity and most of it is really good stuff.  The kind of stuff I want everyone to know about.

When I look at how Jesus lived and led I notice he consistently stayed on topic and communicated clearly.  Even when those around him tried to change the conversation Jesus brought them back to the good news of the kingdom of God.  I've got a lot to learn.  Thankfully God works best where we are weak.