The Heart of a Pastor

Sunday morning prayer - 02/24/08

Greetings and salutations...happy morning to you all!

...don't ask...I just woke up this morning full of energy and ready to go...despite the trying week I have had.  Maybe it's because I haven't preached and lead worship for a couple weeks...I don't know, but I am ready for the day.

Another death
My trying week involved not only mourning my grandma's death but also mourning the very unexpected death of a 77 year old woman in my congregation on Wednesday morning.  Gladys went in on Tuesday for a "routine" surgery (whatever that means), developed a blood clot on Wednesday and died at around 2am Thursday morning.  I was at the hospital on Wednesday night with the family (I never got to see Gladys) but left at 10pm...fully expecting to see Gladys the next day.  I guess you just never know.  Please pray for her family.

The orchestra
My highlight of the week, though, was listening to the Minnesota Orchestra during their concert here in little ole Jackson, MN.  It was an absolutely amazing show.  One of my favorite pieces featured a bassoon duet.  WOW!  According to my wife, bassoons often get the nickname "belching bedposts" (no offense to any of you bassoon players) but these two bassoons were far from being "belching bedposts".  They were amazing.  My wife and I along with four of our friends went to the concert...dressed in "formal" wear.  After all...we were going to the orchestra.

So this week has been an up and down one.  I am praying for an "up" day today.  So to start things out let's join together in a word of prayer...

Loving God, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  You sent your Son, Jesus Christ to seek and save us.  You know our sins.  You know our past. You know that we will let you down again and again...but that doesn't matter to you...for your love is great.  Thank you for sending Jesus into the hostile territory of our hearts; quenching our spiritual thirst and desire.  Thank you God for not holding our sins again us but rather offering "Living Water" to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Thank you God for saving our lives.  In Christ's name we pray...Amen. (reference made to John 4:5-42 - The woman at the well)

Take care and have a very blessed day.
-edh-

Musings from a weekend

Sonshine
I am back!  I returned from the Sonshine Christian music festival Saturday around 8:30pm.  After two nights of camping (I slept outside under the stars), listening to great Christian music, keeping an eye on 15 middle and high schoolers, and cooking, my body was shouting to me..."ENOUGH!"  As soon as my head hit my pillow on Saturday night I was off to la la land.  The problem was that 5:45am Sunday morning came way too quickly.

My favorite group at Sonshine was the Newsboys.  They can sure put on a show, but its not all show for them.  The lead singer spoke for a while and shared his faith.  For them (and for many others there at Sonshine) being on stage is about serving and worshiping God.  I think sometimes our kids miss that so I really appreciate it when these popular bands stop and talk for a while.  I know some people get testy and want them to sing, but the reason they are doing what they are doing is because of Jesus, so why not talk about him.

One of my favorite parts was when someone got up to talk about sponsoring a child through Compassion International.  After talking about the difference we could make in a child's life they asked who would like to help save a life.  A number of hands went up in the crowd (not as many as I would have liked to see), but my favorite part was that half our kids took home information and are going to talk to their parents about sponsoring a child (I have been sponsoring a child for about 2 years and it has been very rewarding for me).  I just hope and pray that our kids follow through.

Sunday
My wife and I had a great time hanging out together on Sunday.  Connie was unable to go to Sonshine with me so we had a happy reunion yesterday.  Later that night we spent some quality time with some close friends.  All in all it was a really good day.

Vacation this week
Starting on Thursday I go on vacation until next Tuesday.  I know it is not long but it will be fun and relaxing to have some time off.  This weekend we are going to Shetek Lutheran Ministries for a family camp weekend (I am on the board at Shetek).  This will be the first time in 21 years that I have been a camper at Bible camp.  This will be great. 

The funny thing is that my mother-in-law is having a fit that I am taking vacation on Thursday and Monday and Tuesday next week.  "How much vacation does he need!" she said to Connie (don't worry, my mother-in-law does not read this site).  If only she knew that I still have about 2 1/2 weeks of vacation left this year :)  Maybe I will have to egg her on a little this weekend (but in a nice and Christian way).

Anyway...
That is it for know.  I will have a more theological and "deeper" post later.  Right now my brain is still recovering from being baked in the Sonshine sun.  I hope you all had a great week.  Take care and remember to bask in the glow of God's glory (and don't worry...you don't need sun screen).  God loves you no matter what.  Take care and God bless.
-edh-

Sonshine

I am super excited about getting out of here today and heading up to the Sonshine Christian Music Festival in Willmar, MN.  Five stages, hundreds of artists, thousands of people praising God, three days and two night of camping and of course the 15 middle and high school students we are taking.  It should be a fun (and interesting) weekend.  I just hope I can get up for worship on Sunday morning.  So all of this means that I will not be able to check my blog until Sunday at the very earliest.  But I will be back to give you a full report of the weekend's festivities.

In the mean time I would like to leave you with a couple more quotes from the book Dangerous Wonder that I read this week.  I am still thinking and praying about what I read and these two quotes are currently running around in my heart:

"The greatest enemy of Christianity may be people who say they believe in Jesus but who are no longer astonished and amazed." (pg. 24)
I have encountered way too many people who take God for granted and therefore are no longer amazed.  How about you...what is your experience?  And what can we do about this?

"Shouldn't Christians be known by the fire in their souls, the wide-eyed gratitude in their faces, the twinkle in their eyes, and the holy mischief in their demeanors?  Shouldn't Christianity be considered dangerous?" (pg. 31)
I like that phrase "holy mischief".  What does that phrase mean for you?  How can we embody that phrase and help others to do the same?

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Pray for me and my group as we travel and praise God through great music.  And remember to be "mischievous" all for the glory of God. Amen.

-edh-