Messages

1

Your Turn / Re: A Concern for "Morality" in our Land, or not?

« on: September 08, 2018, 04:03:47 PM »

Harvey,
I have walked and continue to walk the same path you are following here. I agree with your thoughts and continue to struggle with this whole question.

2

Your Turn / Re: I think this pastor should be defrocked...

« on: January 14, 2014, 10:50:28 PM »

At the risk of putting myself at the mercy of some on this forum I will confess that serving my first parish in Montana I would often wear my town softball uniform under my robe so I would at least have a chance of making a Sunday tournament game. I did not, however, cut the service short or leave anything out just to hurry things along. I don't think anyone, other than my wife, knew when I did this. I never thought this was much different than the hunters and fishermen in the congregation wearing their hunting and fishing outfits to worship. And another confession, the organist of the congregation I served in Northern Virginia was known to play "Hail to the Redskins" as a postlude on Super Bowl Sunday. That of course was many years ago... Both of these congregations were wonderful people of God being disciples together in the world. I believe they all realized divine worship was a special place to meet God who was the One who then sent them back into the world to be His witnesses, servants, and lights. I thought it a blessing when we didn't ignore what was happening in the world but connected it to our living out our faith in Jesus Christ. 

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Your Turn / Re: Prayers for the Families in Newtown, CT

« on: December 15, 2012, 10:17:22 PM »

Thank you Brian.

4

Your Turn / Re: Installation sermon

« on: October 31, 2012, 08:48:44 PM »

I was blessed by this sermon. Thanks.

5

Your Turn / Re: Praise and Thanks and Adoration

« on: October 20, 2012, 10:36:27 PM »

For God's still small voice cutting through all the noise of living in this world.
For the smells of Autumn and the color of the sunlight which comes with the change of the season.
Praise God for all who contribute to this forum and are led to think deeply about questions and opinions.
For times of worship and times of service, times of work and times of rest.
Praising God for retirement and time to experience more of His wondrous creation and the variety of those created in His image.
Thanking God for my wife who has shared in the ministry God called me to for 40 years.

6

Your Turn / Re: Abortion and Politics

« on: August 29, 2012, 09:50:55 PM »

Reading through this paritcular thread reminds me of how important forums can be when we are able to share resources and thoughts without debating in print. This thread has been a blessing. Just saying.

7

Your Turn / Re: An Uneaten Meal

« on: July 17, 2012, 09:18:16 PM »

Amen indeed Pastor Weedon

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Your Turn / Re: Coming soon to a pulpet near you - Censors! Wait, they are already there.

« on: May 04, 2012, 03:06:39 PM »

Thank you, Erma and Scott.

9

Your Turn / Re: Neuhaus on Gnosticism

« on: May 03, 2012, 08:56:12 PM »

I am going to have to do some thinking and praying so I can discover why I really appreciated the Neuhaus quote you shared. You are blessed to be in such a study group.

10

Your Turn / Re: Congratulations to Buckeye Deaconess

« on: March 07, 2012, 09:12:30 PM »

I will look forward to reading it.

11

Your Turn / Re: Valpo student killed while serving in Afghanistan

« on: February 14, 2012, 11:20:09 PM »

I served an ELCA congregation in the Washington, DC for 29 years. During that time I had the honor of presiding at many military funerals, a few of them being with full military honors - an honor guard, horse drawn caisson, 21 gun salute, taps from a real bugler, flag folding, and once even a military band. I have to admit that the first time this happened I was in awe of the ceremony and the dedication of the young men and women who were assigned funeral duties at Arlington National Cemetery. I often had the opportunity to talk to the Chaplains on duty at Arlington and they would always say these young people from the armed forces of our country really did take their duties seriously. This was especially true for the funeral of an infant daughter of an Air Force Captain and his wife. The image of two dress uniformed Air Force personnel carrying that tiny coffin to its final resting place is burned into my memory.
I think that the military honors are the way our country says thank you and goodbye to those who have faithfully served in our military. This is totally appropriate. I also agree that after the military ceremony the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promises of God have the last word. I have never had any difficulty working with the military in this regards. 

12

Your Turn / Re: ELW optional absolutionary formula and poorly worded texts

« on: November 12, 2011, 01:12:11 AM »

And here I thought that prayer was to open our hearts to God? In my own prayer life I often find it takes many words to get to the real point of my petitions. When this happens I see it as the Holy Spirit leading me to what I really need to pray. In the Sunday Liturgy intercessory prayer simply doesn't need all those extra words. In that context I think we need to be concise so we aren't tempted to pray/preach another sermon. Although I must confess that as a retired pastor now sitting in the pew I may sometimes, in my mind, add some words to the intercessions being offered in the prayer of the Church. It is also true, however, when an intercession goes straight to the point it will often prod me to include words and thoughts about it in my next prayer time. Having said all that I also have a suspicion that we should be open to some extemporaneous moments in worship and corporate prayer as the Spirit may lead us. Just some thoughts.

13

Your Turn / Re: Hope Thou in God

« on: September 15, 2011, 06:11:16 PM »

Thank you for sharing your journey with us.