This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "devotion"
Easters Here, There and Everywhere
Easter Sunday was hard. Seeing all the faces of those I’ve known, the widows whose husbands I’ve buried, the hands held out that I had confirmed over the years, knowing why she doesn’t kneel but he does–seeing this and knowing it is my last Easter here. But at the same time already moving ahead, thinking of my new congregation kneeling, communing with them already together with the angels and the archangels, with Peter and John and Mary and all the company of heaven. Haven’t had one like that in years–stressful and sad and expectant and disappointing. Yes, disappointed that I will not be here again for this Feast but disappointed I’m not yet there either. It was a limbo on Easter Sunday. But it’s also saying goodbye. It’s the reason I am dreading … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Good Friday Meditation
It is finished. That’s the way the stomach rumbles That’s the way the bee bumbles That’s the way the needle pricks That’s the way the glue sticks That’s the way the potato mashes That’s the way the pan flashes That’s the way the market crashes That’s the way the whip lashes That’s the way the teeth gnashes That’s the way the gravy stains That’s the way the moon wanes –William Burroughs That’s the way it all goes, not with lightning and flashes, not with gasps and groans, with the simple. It is finished. God is a God of order. Jesus dies like a German with a stiff upper lip? It is finished. And it was. And it is. Finished. Fertig. Genug. Alles in ordnung. Jesus wrapped up the whole diabolical drama and puts it away, buried in His body. But it signified everything. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Holy Week is Every Week
Ah, Holy Week. When you’re in or around a church Holy Week works its magic on you. No, it’s not in peaceful divine rays of blessing on your shoulders. Its magic is not in beatific visions of heaven. The magic of Holy Week is that it makes us cranky and stressed and sinful. Yet it is still Holy. Part of Holy Week for us in the church is simply stress. We have many extra worship services, more music, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
There is Only Today
It’s an extra day. The world lengthened just a few hours, a 29th in a world of 28ths, an eighth day in a week. What to spend this extra day doing? For most of us it’s just the same: work and the usual Wednesday commitments. The same old same old grind. And its February. But it’s another thing. It’s “Today.” It is the day of salvation. Heaven and earth, angels and demons hang on this day and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Specific and Particular
I am called to particulars. I serve and minister to particulars. A pastor is called to such-and-such congregation and those actual, living, breathing people there in the pews and walking in the doors. There are no generic congregations, and there are no generic Christians, and there is no such thing as generic people. God’s Law is proclaimed and applied to that person, sitting right there, and the death of Christ is for this person’s salvation, sitting right there. This is how God works–He gives His eternal Word, but not in a vacuum. He gives it to this or that person, each one. This is the way God works. He became man–but not men, or humanity: Jesus is a guy. A dude. With a Mom, holy and virgin, but Mom nonetheless. God … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Little Legalists
In our hearts we are aspiring tyrants, everyone of us. Rules are to be applied, mostly to others, unless of course it’s inconvenient for us. Even when you get good Confessional Lutherans and Democrats who insist that legalism is wrong and freedom from rules and pieties is necessary, then, by God, it is Necessary, and you are wicked if you disagree. Yes, even bohemians ascribe to their own rule-book. Hippies and hipsters follow their code of behavior and thought-laws. There is no cure for this either. Only death gets rid of it. Some of us die earlier and get it over with. But even most of those still have their little legal code hiding away deep in their hearts, resisting the golden stake of wood planted once on the Hill of the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Tough Work
It’s hard work, reading the Bible. And it gets harder the more you do it. Ever try reading it straight through? That may be the toughest of all. It takes more than the dedication, say, of reading through War and Peace, or The New York Times. It’s tough because it requires discipline, but more than discipline, more than setting the goal. It’s confrontational. The more you read, the more you are confronted with yourself. It’s not just … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Jesus, Priceless Treasure
As I said on Sunday, I think this, coupled with the tune “Jesu, Meine Freude” is probably the antithesis of entertainment-driven, contemporary worship, “praise songs” so popular today. Jesus, priceless Treasure, Source of purest pleasure, Truest Friend to me. Ah, how long in anguish Shall my spirit languish, Yearning, Lord, for Thee? Thou art mine, O Lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee, Naught I ask beside Thee. In Thine arms I rest me; Foes who would molest me Cannot reach me here. Though the earth be shaking, Every heart be quaking, Jesus calms my fear. Lightnings flash and thunders crash; Yet, though sin and hell assail me, Jesus will not fail me. Satan, I defy thee; Death, I now decry thee; Fear, I bid thee cease. World, thou shalt not harm me Nor thy threats alarm me While I sing of peace. God’s great power guards every hour; Earth and all its depths … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What to Expect this Lenten Season
I hate to put it like this, but it is almost a rule that when we “make progress” in our Christian life, we will be tempted. Well, I mean we are tempted at every moment, but it gets stronger and less subtle when we are disciplining ourselves. Ok, so what do I mean? Well, if you are fasting, be prepared for temptation. Not just for eating more food, or eating the food you are abstaining from. I mean you will be tempted with things you have long set aside. That itch for nicotine you hadn’t had for years? There it is again. That feeling of sowing your wild oats, like you did before you were married? Yep, that old “friend” may come back. Sometimes literally. Even if you are not participating in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
So…Where’s the Beef?
Everything has limitations. Remind yourself of this at the beginning, before you think that it will change the world. Because he won’t, and she won’t and that Thing, the Promised Thing, is not so promising in the cold light of dawn. But don’t worry. What you want is not bad. That ache to have it all work out, that Solution that is going to Make It All Right, you know, some people called it Hope, or Change. Some people call it by the name of a country, or a church officer, or a plan. I call it the name of a Tool sometimes, or look at the clock or calendar. No, whatever it is you call it is not bad. We were promised a Messiah. It was written in our bones. It is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
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