It's Official!

Well, finally got orders and further instructions! After school in Ft. Jackson, SC, I will be going on to Ft. Hood, TX, where I will be part of the 1st Cavalry Division. I am excited that things are moving and shaking!

Lloyd Sittler Funeral Sermon

What can be said about a man like Lloyd Sittler? Some one like me, who knew Lloyd only for the last few years of his life cannot do this man justice or give him the honor he deserves.

This was a man who as a young man would see a plane in the sky and say, "Someday, that will be me." This was a man who did not shy away from adventure or back down from a challenge:
• a man who, in 1940, rode across the country to California to go to school.
• a man who would elope with the woman he loved;
• a man whose hands built B-25 bombers, a man who those who flew those planes would trust with their lives;
• a man who fulfilled his dream of flying and experienced WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam

This was a man who traveled around the world with experiences others only dream of:
• a man who took his family to Japan and Turkey
• a man who stood in the shadows of the statues on Easter Island in wonder;
• a man who would drive to Alaska--twice!
• a man who taught his children the meaning of words like character, honor, faith, and love.
So I ask again, can someone who knew Lloyd only in the last years of his life adequately describe him?--probably not. But there are a few things about Lloyd I do know. When I met Lloyd, his life had changed
• he stayed home more and more, yet when he and Mildred came to church, he was always ready with a firm handshake, a big smile, and a hug for my girls.

In his last months, Lloyd didn't speak much, yet he was always ready with a smile, and eager to hold someone's hand.

The man that held the lives of hundreds of airmen in his hands now found his life in the hands of those who would provide care for him. Is there dishonor or shame in that? Not at all. It was simply a change in roles, a shift in responsibilities. Yet these things frustrated Lloyd to no end--he felt somehow diminished, yet Lloyd also discovered, perhaps only through his experiences, the truth of Paul's words to the church at Rome, "that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God... in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Scripture reminds us that this body is but a shell--that it is perishable. But through faith in Jesus Christ, we have victory over death--and this perishable body must put on imperishability.

Friends, Lloyd was a man of character and honor. He lived his life well, serving his country, his fellow man, and his wife and family well. And Lloyd found it a great honor to have served his Lord, Jesus Christ. Today we honor this man with our words and praise, and I believe that he has received an even greater honor. The honor I speak of is not found in our words or actions, but solely in our faith. The honor I speak of is the welcoming embrace of Jesus Christ and hearing those coveted words--"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Let us honor Lloyd today with our words and remembrances and honor Christ with our lives, so that through faith, we can point to Lloyd's victory today and echo his words, "Someday, that will be me."

Ruth Rine Funeral Sermon

As I listen to the words of scripture read to us today, I hear in them a definite progression of ideas. First, the passage from Isaiah reminds us of the fleeting nature of the life that we live--that life is but a vapor, a fragile and delicate thing which passes all too quickly and inevitably. We shared together the reading of the 23rd Psalm--a passage that reminds us that throughout this fragile and fleeting life, God is with us--even in times of pain and sorrow, and that God's provision and gentle care remains. The passage from Revelation describes to us the future that awaits--a glorious gathering of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue to give praise to God in the New Creation "for the old has passed away and all is made new." Finally, Christ comes close to us, as we hear again the words spoken to those closest to him in his last days before he gave himself for us on the cross.

These passages present to us a reassurance of the ebb and flow of life, and God's presence, provision, and care within it. I believe that Ruth was well aware of these words and ideas. She had a firm grasp on the realities of that a life of faith provides, and tried to share those ideas through her actions as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Ruth cared for her family deeply and found great joy in caring for them and providing for them. Even in the last week of her life, she thought more of them than of herself, concerned that they had not eaten--I'm sure that if she had been able, she would have had something waiting for everyone who came to visit, even if it was only something as simple as her cookies.

But those last days are only a glimpse of who Ruth was--she lived life to the fullest. She loved to dance, to play golf, to go to Las Vegas, and to follow Nebraska football. Even then, it seemed, she knew how fleeting life was, and celebrated each moment, cherishing those closest to her. She was a servant to her family and to others, sharing whatever she had, whether it was a hot meal or simply the knowledge of how to sew and cross-stitch.

Ruth's understanding of God and her relationship with Christ helped her to know the value of these moments spent with those near and dear, and while she would have rejoiced that her family was together, she would ask that today would be a celebration--a time of rejoicing that she has awakened in heaven.

Ruth knew well that life was more than simply surviving. Life needs purpose and meaning. Life is not always fair, or fun, or even pleasant. Yet, life can have meaning beyond day-to-day existence. Ruth found that meaning in Jesus Christ, and wanted you to know that truth, sharing her faith through the care she provided, and through her embrace of the good things in life.

Some of you may know that Ruth was well aware that her time among us was coming to a close. After this past Christmas, she began speaking more of joining her husband--how she missed him and longed to be with him again. Imagine her joy today as they dance together to the sounds of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, while the smell of Grandpa's catfish cooking wafts across heaven tonight.

Rejoice! For Ruth knew the joy that awaited her--not just a reunion with her husband, but the embrace of Jesus Christ her Lord, thanking her for the care she gave to her family and her daily witness to others throughout her life of faith. Imagine her joy as she hears those words, "Welcome home--well done, good and faithful servant."

Privacy in the Blogosphere

Writing a blog seems a little different than writing in a journal. While both have their merits, a journal has a semblance of privacy, of just me and God--both my thoughts for God and Gd's nudgings to me. On the other hand, a blog gives the world an opportunity to see these ramblings--whether they will or not is a slim chance. But on the slight possibility that someone else will read these words, I feel somewhat fettered in my writing. I suppose this will pass, as whatever I write, while still somewhat private because no one may really hear or care what I write (except God), is published in the world of the web and is accessible by anyone who has internet access anywhere around the world, so my thoughts are very public.

This morning I give thanks for my family and pray for their health and safety and their own spiritual growth. God continually reassures me that he is in control and that they are in good hands, yet it is difficult to watch them struggle to grow and develop, making mistakes and learning from them. I pray that my wife will be blessed in her work, and healing would come to her body. I pray that my oldest would find happiness and be renewed in her faith, and healing and health would come to her. I pray that my middle daughter would continue to spread joy to those around her, but that she would take responsibility for her schoolwork and buckle down. I pray that my youngest would find himself--that he would grow and kn ow that he is loved unconditionally and that he would find his joy in God.

I went to the hospital last night to visit the mother of a friend and former parishioner. I pray that God would give her health and healing, but even above that would give her peace--assurance of his will and providence in her life, and that peace would pass on to her family.

This morning I go to work again at Farmland. Today I receive individualized training for my new position as HOG DRIVER. Isn't that a hoot? I receive my Master of Divinity Degree, and the next week begin working as a Hog Driver--I guess that will teach me to pray for humility. But still, I am learning the same lessons--that God is sovereign, and works his will in our lives in strange and wonderful ways. I am being equipped for what God has for me. Let me remain pliable in His hands.

Christ in me?

H.A. Williams writes, "The more God gives me his grace, the more I am myself. The more I discover the greater than me within me, the more I discover that the greater than me is authentically me."

I struggled with this for a few minutes not wanting to make too much of myself or commit any sort of heresy by saying that I am any way divine. Truth of the matter is that I am fallible and weak and broken. Last night I seemed to be unable to behave in a manner that did not upset my son, daughters, or wife. I struggle to maintain discipline in our home while remaining gentle and kind--sometimes that balance is tenuous.

But as I said, I struggled with these words from Williams until I remembered John 1:35-42. Peter simply heard John call Jesus "the Lamb of God," and he immediately followed, staying with him and the next telling others that Jesus was the Messiah. It spoke to me of humanity's hunger for God. We all have an innate desire to know God and to have God in our lives. It is simply how we have been created--for relationship, with others, but especially with God. Peter recognized that need within him to be in relationship with God was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and was changed by it.

In a similar way, as we recognize that "God-shaped hole" within us, we see ourselves in a truer light. And as that hole is filled by God in our lives, we are more authentically human because we more clearly understand ourselves and need for relationship with God. We are more ourselves when we live in relationship with God, embracing the life He sets before us in obedience, humility, and grace, but most of all...a relationship with Christ.

Character of Christ

This week, I hope to spend some time thinking and praying about the character of Christ. The first attribute that I want to explore is that Jesus was a man of prayer. The only thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them was to pray. His prayers healed the sick, drove out demons, gave sight to the blind, simply changed lives. His prayers were filled with humility, yet he also knew who he was and embodied that power. His prayers were simple, yet profound.

My prayers are often tied up in my thoughts of what a prayer should be. The old ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) often seems formulaic and programmed. Yet without it, my prayers are often selfish and powerless. I long for prayer that is not about "just me and Jesus," although my personal relationship feeds the rest of my life. I want my prayers to affect my family, my community, my world--to be about peace and justice and salvation and hope.

But is that really what it is all about? Do my prayers have any power? Or do I simply cast myself on the mercy of God? I believe that God longs for relationship with us just as we long for relationship with God, and as such longs to hear our prayers, just as we long to pray. It is in this partnership with God that we find strength. Strength for the day ahead, strength for the lives we lead, and strength--to pray. Lord, give me the humility and simple relationship with you that gives wings to my prayers. Let me walk in the steps of my Lord, let me pray as Jesus prayed.

A Lawless Life?

Paul wrote to the Galatians, telling them they were foolish for returning to the law, having experienced the freedom of Christ. "Those of you desiring to be under the law, do you not hear the law?" The law stifles humanity's relationship with Christ--causing us to think that we can mediate our salvation.

Hoekstra writes, "Many who are redeemed, having found new life through faith in Christ, also want to remain under the law concerning spiritual growth and service. This is another case of "not hearing the law." Any believer who expects to make progress in a life pleasing to the Lord on the basis of one's own best efforts does not really hear what the law reveals as God's will for lives.

The law of God is not suggesting that we "be better;" it is demanding that we "be holy," as holy as God. The law is not implying that we "be nicer;" it is requiring that we "be loving," as loving as Christ. The law is not proposing that we "try harder;" it is insisting that we "be perfect," as perfect as our Father in heaven.

The law of God is not asking us to improve ourselves or to be better than the next person. Many times this inaccurate statement is heard: "Just do the best that you can; what more could God require?" Well, God is demanding far beyond our human best. His law is demanding that lives "be holy," "be loving," and "be perfect." Moreover, He Himself is the standard of this holiness, love, and perfection."

This being said, what is our response to the law? Do we make efforts in spiritual disciplines to improve ourselves? or to develop the relationship with Christ, through which the Holy Spirit instructs and transforms us? Methinks the latter. We have no power to make ourselves holy or pure, it is only through relationship with Christ that this can happen.

Sunday, I received communion. I say received in the sense that I sat in my pew and a loaf was passed and a tray full of cups as well. However, no one gave me the bread or cup, I took it myself when they were passed to me. I believe this is a picture of our response in this matter. We, given free will, take Christ, and then, having been given the gift of salvation, allow the Holy Spirit to melt and mold our hearts into what Wesley would call "perfection."

Is this living under the law? or is it a life freed from the law, rejoicing in renewal daily? Methinks the latter.

New Beginning

Things are changing rapidly in my life. This morning is the first Sunday morning for the last seven and a half years that I have not been running around trying to get ready for leading worship in the local church. It seems so different to be part of the congregation rather than the pastor. Moving to this new position has been somewhat humbling, because I believe God has called me into leadership within the church.

Over the last few weeks, I have received so many encouraging notes--letters and cards from those parishioners who have expressed the impact God has had on their lives through the witness of me and my family. But moving into the chaplaincy in the Army will be a new adventure and opportunity to respond to God's calling.

Over the next few weeks, I hope to transform this blog into more of an online journal. I find that I have much more time to write and read and think now that I am not working in the local church. I hope that whoever reads this, if anyone will find in it not only food for thought, but the grace of God reflected through my writing.

I realize these paragraphs are somewhat disconnected, but I have much to say and this will help me to clear the processes of my mind.

As I read the Bible this morning and considered the coming of Jesus, an event recognized by the kings of the east, I contemplate my recognition of what it means to have the King coming into my life daily, moment by moment. I want to recognize God as a constant presence, yet often, I know he is there but don't sense it or dismiss it without a second thought. Oh, what a wonder it is to have the Creator of the world at my right hand! Yet what a wonder it is to simply dismiss Him as though he did not exist.

I read a poem this morning by Elizabeth Basset which spoke to my heart and speaks my prayer to God:

My God, I desire to love thee perfectly,
with all my heart which though madest for thyself
With all my mind, which only thou canst satisfy
with all my soul, which feign would soar to thee.
With all my strength, my feeble strength, which shrinks before
So great a task and yet can choose naught else but spend itself
In loving thee.
Claim thou my heart,
Fill thou my mind,
Uplift my soul and
Reinforce my strength,
That when I fail thou mayest succeed in me
And make me love thee perfectly.