Bound Together in Christ

Bound Together in Christ…

Did you ever stop to think about how God continually prays for us that we might be one and that we too should pray for the same thing.

I was reminded that when we are gathered together, it is a holy thing.  It is holy because only through the power of Christ and the work of the Spirit, is gathering people together in love possible.  On our own we will gather for self-interest, for free food, for making a good impression.  Only Christ can make the gathering of two or more together express Christian love.

It is also holy because when we are bound together in Christ, we participate in God’s life.  Abiding in community means we each hear a responsibility for the well being and work of the community.  We all have been given gifts, we all have the power to love and forgive, and we all share in the goals and mission of the community.

Responsibility, accountability, stability; these are the marks of being bound together in Christ.  Love, forgiveness, repentance, and building up one another; these are the signs of His presence among us.

Blessings to you,

Pastor Nord

Easter 2013 For the disciples their life was over when Jesus died. I am sure that they were crushed and numb. They stayed in the supper room in fear and without a leader not sure what their next move was. "Get out of town" sounded like a good idea. So the risen Christ has to go out and find them and then demonstrated in a rather practical way that he has not left them and he will provdie them all that they need. Need for what? Fishing, yes for people. And the risen Christ is still doing that today. Not just in our weekly gatherings but in the world. But you did not see him? Maybe we need to make it a regular habit to "recline with Jesus." Spend time with God in prayer or thought. Prepare you minds and eyes to see Christ in the world around you. Then roll up your sleeves and ask "what is it I need to do,to bring in the kingdom?

Do I really what to be a Christian I am so tired of well intentioned groups who use the word Christian and give the rest of us a bad name. From anti gay to carrying guns to church these folks use the title "Christian "and make it synonym for hate and prejudice. No wonder lots of young people who were raised in the church have decided not to be part of these "anti" groups. Meanwhile we "the silent majority" live out the values of compassion and diversity lived by the Prince of Peace. I am proud that through Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Social Services stand with the "lost, least and lonely." The problem is that folks like to me need to stand up and say to these supposed spokemen for Christ..."I do not agree there is another interpetation." As a Christ follower I need to understand that when I say "i love Jesus" I must also accept all of his friends.

Longing for a break in this world

Some days are hard. Some days are full of stress and anxiety and fear that you long to get away. The problem is that we can't always run away to an all inclusive resort. Vacation and "mental health days" are great but we can't stay there forever.
The Book of Revelation is an authentic taste of what will be. It is a promise that in the end, God wins.      Life may be hard now and unfair. But in the end, God will win. And we get paradise.
I do not think that paradise is a place like Jerusalem but a state of mind, of course that is another whole blog.  But for now let us be content with this.
"All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved." The end will much like the beginning. The God who shaped Eden out of the chaos of our world will shape it into some thing new.  Come Lord Jesus come.

It is amazing to me how I can ask any question and find an answer within seconds on a search engine on my computer. I was surprised to find out that the #1 question asked is "Where is the safest place to stand outside in a thunderstorm?" Jesus liked to ask questions of his disciples like "who do people say that I am?" But really he was far more concerend about their own personal answer. "who do you say that I am?" Friend, teacher, compassionate leader are all good but Peter hits it right on the head.. You are the Christ! He is God in the flesh, he is the king of my life. He is my savior. Of you may have enough common sense to not be caught outside in a thunderstorm but what does your life say about who Jesus is to you? Your answer may be the best thing you do all day.

When life feels like it's on a roll. Sometimes you may feel like life is a big gamble. Like the outcome of your life is resting on how the dice roll for you. If they roll right, you get "lucky". If they roll badly, your life goes down the tubes. It does seem that certain times in our life the stars are in align and there are lots of blessings. Then just when your relax everything seems to fall apart. Others may call this luck. But I don't. That's life and in everything, good or bad I see another hand at work, God. In the past few months my reading of THE STORY I realize that I need to remmeber the UPPER STORY, God will. The Book of Esther is a dramatic portrayl of this. God seems to be silent as his people suffer but then there is Queen Esther standing up to the King and the reversal of fortune of Mordeci. Whew! God was doing some major stuff. There are days you may think God is not around or even cares. But as you read the book of Esther it reminds us that God is active, often behind the scenes, working things out for "the good of those who love him." Romans 8.28 He has put you right where you are, right now, so you can make a difference. You can say the words someone needs to hear. You can be the example someone needs to see. You can help someone find freedom from sin. So let others roll the dice and you let God take care fo the rest.

More to the story

As we read through The Story we meet lots of people like ourselves, maybe some who are even worse. David is one of those people. His little affair with Bathsheba may have not been caught on tape but it was seen by God. When the prophet Nathan says "you're the man" he had a choice, deny, run away or confess. He could have made excuses or blame Bathsheba but instead he chose the better and healthier choice. "I have sinned against the Lord." 2 Samuel 12.13.
And God did with David's sin what he will do with yours or mine. He put it away. Psalm 103: 12-13.
You can so what David did today. Whatever you did on the first week of April you can stop right now and admit you have not only hurt yourself and maybe someone else plus offended God. Isn't that the apporiate thing to do on Holy Week?
And then let another shepherd from Bethlehem forgive it. That's better than any other choice you could make.

God's people

"childbirth. taxes and death. There is never a convenient time for any of them." As I read Matthew 22. 15-22 I realize that I owe "Caesar" taxes and a few other things but I owe God my very life!
As I look at the pictures of dead presidents on the bills in my wallet I realize I do not worship them. But what does it mean for me to bear God's image?
We should walk around each day as if we have God tattooed on our foreheads and on our hearts.
What does it mean for the cross of Jesus to take central place amid all our other pledges of allegiance? How do we use the dollars entrusted to us as signs of Gods' reign in our lives? As the people of faith how doe God DNA of compassion show in ou lives? What will we give in his honor?
But amazingly, this isn't a one way street. God has a tattoo!
He has our names, his children tattooed on the palm of his hand. he cares for us, forever.

And jesus Sang

One of my favorite preachers is Barbara Brown Taylor let me share her latest post:
"After all this time I thought I knew Jesus really well. Then just last week- preparing to preach at a worship time - I discovered something unsettling about him. I discovered that Jesus never played an instrument, never led his followers in song, or even hummed a familiar tune. How is it possible to be fully human without ever making music?

After a word search I tried hymn and struck a jackpot. According to Matthew and Mark, it is possible that Jesus sang once. On the first night of the Passover, after he had shared the last supper with his friends,they did one last thing together before they headed out that night. "when they had sung a hymn " both evangelists say " they went out to the Mount Of Olives." How had I missed that verse? How many Maunday Thursday services had I sat through without ever hearing that verse? Then I remembered that they would have sung the Hallel- Psalms 113-118- sung during evening prayers.

I know there are others who are ahead of me on this, but this is the first time I have heard that Jesus was fully human for he sang. The lord to whom I pray to not only sang praises and asked for strength to endure. Jesus may only have sung once, but when he did, the Word Made Flesh became Music as well."

Lnet 2011

What is faith?
All of us can resonate with the phrase "life is difficult." But how many of us could reply "but God is good!" In Hebrews 11 Paul states "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." What does that mean?
When life throws us lemons can we see the need for lemonade? Paul states that the ability to live through life with serenity and hope is a gift given to us by God and lived out each day in daily life. Like most followers of Christ, Paul knew that God does some of his best work in the worst of times. He then recites case after case of people who stuggled in life yet continued to believe in the goodness of God. Could our names be added to that list?
How can we have such faith? It begins with the word HAS. Jesus has already paid the price for our forgiveness and HAS offered the gift of life with God. Pray to God that he not only gives you the gift of faith and the eyes to see his goodness in the midst of these dark days.

Visibile words

Advent is a fresh and powerful season to look at how words become visible. As we walk through the malls or stores what images stand out? Do any those images tell you of the birth of the Christ child? Then when you re in Church look around you and see if the images are different? Hopefully they are?

So how do we make the word of God visible to others? The easiest answer is ringing the bells for salvation army or donating to a charity. But could we be more creative? Stopping by to visit with a neighbor or old Friend, or inviting a person who just became single due to a death or divorce to dinner. Join the Advent Conspiracy. As a community we will ask our members to be "subversive" and not be caught up in the madness called Christmas. How about spending less on each other and giving more away to the people in need of fresh water or warm bed? How about reading one chapter of Luke each day in December. Do this as a family.

We all complain about his seasonal madness yet we buy into it! Why?
Thne let us all come to worship on Chrsitmas eve and through candles, hymns and communion let us see the word become flesh

Consider the cost
Luke 14 offers some troubling words."hate" my mother, my father, my sister! As I prepared the sermon on these texts I realized that there is a "cost" in following Christ. In an age of instant gratification and cynicism I am a person who looks for long term results and seeks to offer hope.
One of the greatest challenges is to be generous. In a time when I am told we are "running out" of most things and I need to hoard what I have. God tells me that he is a God of abundance and will provide what I need. Too often the idea of scarcity has been disguised in the church as "conservative budgeting" and "protecting what we have." This negative attitude is holding the church from becoming what God calls it to be, an oasis of hope.
Now I realize all of us have limitations due to our economic times and need to wise in using our resources to care of our families. But have we let the voices of the world tell us "You can't"?
God provides enough resources to accomplish the entire mission and ministry he call us to do. But do we trust in that promise? Then pick up your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 9.8
Generosity is a Christian value.

Easter always rises

The Sundays of Easter is our time to let people know that Christ is alive. How will they know?Through our changed lives. When you hear the stories of Peter and Paul you can see something changed them. But can others see that in us? Are we transformed or simply admiring Jesus? Can I get a witness? It is our duty and privilege to live as though we are Easter people not Good Friday people. We need to be good news people in a bad news world.

If you are like me and believe that the grip of the forces of evil and death are slowly slipping away, then was must declare with our lips and our lives that the old order of things is passing away. Because of Easter we know that God gets the last word. That we can climb out of the pit.; we will find hope emerging from despair; God's love will not be kept dead and buried. Why?
Because the stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty and our lives are changed. So let us remember that and remind others. That life is stronger than death and hope will defeat despair.

Just recently a very nice man died suddenly. One of his relatives asked "Did he believe in Christ?" the answer sadly was "I am not sure."
This in itself would be motivation enough to start up a conversation with some one you may have a similar question about? If you are so motivated and have introduced each other the next step is to listen to them. What are they passionate about? What do they value?
This is the part of witnessing we forget about, to listen and then listen some more. Too often we feel it is "telling them ". That is why everyone gets turned off. Witnessing has a lot to do with you genuinely loving them and listening to their story. You can tell God's story later.
Its time to "walk across the room" remember pray before you do it.

Living in 3D

Why would a nice person want to bring up one of those "forbidden topics" in a conversation? You know, religion! Because I want them to know the same wonderful life I have. I have a savior who loves me as I am and offers me to live as I was created to be. So it is not just simply walking across the room and striking up a conversation. It is much more. I want those who share my earthly life to be with me forever. So I do have a mindset as I go about my day. Living a 3D life.*

• Develop friendships- I want to engage as many people I can into a relationship with me and Jesus
• Develop stories - I need to work on a short story with a little personal humor about my life with God
• Discern the next steps- remember the Holy Spirit is in charge so I let her take the lead.

On a scale of 1-10 where would you rate yourself on a 3D life?

*Thanks to Bill Hybels for the idea.

Just walk across the room

What if you knew that by simply crossing the room and saying hello to someone, you could change that person's life forever? Just a few steps could make an eternal difference. it has nothing to do with methods and everything to do with making a genuine interest in another human being. All you need is a heart that's in tune with God and a willingness to venture out of your circle of comfort.
This summer I read a book I think all Christians should read Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels. This book brings the need for all of us to share the wonderful news of Jesus to those whom we rub shoulders with in life. It is an easy book to read and has thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter.
This is what I propose that you go out and buy a copy of the book. ( You can order it on line or get it at a book store.) Then starting Monday September 7 you go to www. Belviderezion.com and click "spiritual web " on the lower left hand side. Now you are set to join in on the conversation.

Pentecost is more than a day it is a season. The problem is that most people know very little about his wonderful festival day. Maybe that is fitting. Since it is about the Holy Spirit. Being holy means that he is divine in nature and can not be controlled or manipulated. Being a spirit he is elusive and yet powerfull. Maybe it is fitting to refer to the third person as "she". When you study the spirits part in the the divine community we call the trinity, you can see that she is to empower, guide and inspire. All of these terms to me are about nurturing which comes more naturally to females than males. What do you think?
Yesterday I read over Ezekiel 37 and saw that I am to "prophesy to the breath or spirit of God". So join me in asking the spirit to inspire God's people to do ministry and to do it in community.

New life nevers coems quietly

New life never slips in the back door quietly or painlessly. Every birth in only the beginning a whole set of disruptions. So is the Resurrection. In the Gospel of Luke the disciples and the women were resigned to the power of death. From the very first words in chapter 24 however the old script is changed. Luke's account of the resurrection begins with a powerful disruption in the form of a single three letter word,but.
2000 years later when our violence world scares us and the economy abandons us we are still disrupted by the simple word., but Luke announces that hope is not dead and the tomb is the beginning of new life.
This new life comes alive in us. How will you show that you trust in this surprising good news?
How will you rebel against the power of sin, death and the devil?

Difficult moments or experiences can often signal the beginning of a new work or stage in one's life and development. God often uses these defining moments, called transitions to take Christ followers from where they are to where they need to be. Transitions play an important role in getting from somewhere, to somewhere else, and to hearing those words, "well done!"
As 2009 offers us a bunch of transitions do we see it as the hand of God or just another fact of life I need to endure?

Advent

Wow it has been a long time since I have been on. The month of December is such a change for all of us. The weather becomes cold and we focus in on the holidays but what about making room for Jesus. As a liturgical church we try to hold off Christmas while the media has been pumping it out since October. Instead of battling it why not lay them side by side? In the midst of darkness and cold, talk about the light of Christ and the warmth of Christian fellowship. Talk about giving oursleves away in the name of Christ. Instead of a "making merry" why not searching for joy? The true gifts of Chrsitams are the relationships we are in which will sustain us through all of the seasons.