Freedom

Sunday's sermon - Galatians 5:1, 13-25

It’s no secret that we’re approaching a big national holiday, the 4th of July. There are bound to be gatherings and fireworks, but I’d like to take the next few minutes to talk about a word all of us often use without thinking about the true meaning. The word I’m referring to is freedom. Take 30 seconds or so to think about what this word means. Also think about this question: What is absolute freedom?

My first impulse is to negatively define freedom. My first thoughts are absolute freedom is freedom from tyranny, from being told what to do, freedom from my car payment and student loans would be true freedom, and of course I’d be free to do whatever I want. Absolute freedom would mean that I am free from all laws imposed on me by the U.S. government and I would not be indebted to anyone or anything.

These thoughts of absolute freedoms are incredibly individualistic, selfish and negative. I essentially asserted that freedom from everything defines freedom.

I’d like to offer another way to look at freedom, that is, freedom to. In this case, freedom is defined by what it is instead of what it is not. I am free to worship this Sunday. I am free to live in the covenant of marriage and I am free to gather with my friends on Tuesday night for a fireworks display.

When defining freedom as “freedom to” the connotation changes. Instead of choosing something over another, becoming bondage, or something that impedes my freedom, the opportunity to live into a choice becomes freedom. Freedom is the freedom to act, the freedom to live and freedom to love. The definition changes drastically.

In 1 Kings, Galatians and Luke all the folks that were called to follow were free to follow. In the letter to the Galatians Paul certainly understands freedom when he writes; “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery… You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

“Freedom to” is the lens with which Paul is writing.

Craig Koester puts it, “According to Paul, true freedom is precisely the foundation for community, because it means freedom from sin as well as from law. Community is destroyed not by freedom, but by bondage to the desires of the flesh. True freedom is produced by the Holy Spirit; it is expressed in love for the neighbor and in the joy, peace, patience [and so on] which build up the community. Such love is impossible precisely for those held captive by the flesh.”

True freedom is only found in, and given by, God. The expression of our true freedom is in living a life where we love our neighbor as ourselves. It’s not a duty to be discharged or another law from on high – it is true freedom to love your neighbor as yourself.

One who knew freedom in Christ in such a deep and real way was Archbishop Oscar Romero. Romero was the bishop of El Salvador, a small country in Central America. He began ministry as one with conservative social and doctrinal leanings. About the time he became bishop, El Salvador saw escalating violence from death-squads against union organizers, striking workers and human rights activists.

Romero was deeply affected by the murder of his friend and colleague, Rutilio Grande, who was murdered with a young boy and an old man who were on their way to vote. In response to this murder Romero held a mass at San Salvador Cathedral where mass was celebrated with over 100 priests. It became clear that Romero had heard God calling him to love his neighbors as himself as he became a voice for the Salvadoran peasants.

As Romero lived into loving his poor neighbors as himself, brutal violence continued to escalate, 4 priests and hundreds of church workers were assassinated. Romero himself was assassinated for his words and actions on behalf of his neighbors. Two weeks before his assassination Romero stated, "If they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people." Romero also was compelled to speak directly to soldiers and policemen saying, “Brothers, you are from the same people; you kill your fellow peasants…no soldier is obliged to obey an order that is contrary to the will of God…In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people, I ask you – I implore you – I command you in the name of God: stop the repression!” The next evening, while presiding at a funeral mass, Romero was murdered as he held the cup for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Today Romero’s memory, generosity and love for his neighbor continue to live in the Salvadoran people and many throughout the world. He was a man freed by the gospel for the sake of loving his neighbor unto death.

You and I might never love our neighbor unto death, but rest assured that we are free to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is only in the freedom of the risen Lord that we truly are free and we will only ever love our neighbor as ourselves as an expression of the perfect love of God in Christ.

Reunion

Saturday the Matson’s will gather for the annual family reunion in Volga, SD. After loosing so Grandpa, his brother, his sister and his sister-in-law I’m left in awe of the repeated message at Grandpa’s funeral just a week ago, "We need to get together to laugh instead of cry" although I’m sure tears will be shed. We’re supposed to be gathering to celebrate the 65th wedding anniversary of Anne and Charles – we will be celebrating them, but instead of their lives we’ll gather to celebrate their lives as well as the lives of Donald and Grandpa. We’ll also celebrate family with joy and sorrow entangled.

Aaron and I are processing and grieving the best way we know how. Somehow we both learned the same coping method – comfort food. We’ve eaten at Jimmy John’s, Panera, Q’Doba, Old Chicago and the list continues. Sunday night we decided to get away from our house…we ran all the way to a suite at the Holiday Inn 2 miles away. We filled our evening with food and drink from the spectacular Hyvee and a few hours in the pool. Monday we put off coming home by going to see Ocean’s 13. Grieving sucks, it really does, but we’re doing it and loving on each other as our way through it.

Tomorrow night we get to spend the night at Uncle Scott and Aunt Jan’s in Volga, I told Aaron that I need to be around his family, I didn’t care if he wanted to stay in Sioux Falls, but I wanted to hang at Scott and Jan’s with all the four cousins (‘cause Aunt Shirley and maybe Uncle Joe will be there too) before the reunion. It’s a time to be together, it’s a time for love, family and faith.

Grandpa Matson's Eulogy

A month ago we were gathered in this place to celebrate Grandpa Arnie’s 80th birthday. Today we gather in praise and thanksgiving for the fun, food, faith and family that Shirley identified as central to his life. His last day was filled with these four central ingredients at Audra and Jake’s wedding. When I married Aaron, Grandpa’s grandson, Grandpa must have clinked his silverware on his glass to get us to kiss somewhere close to 50 times. During my sister-in-law, Amber’s wedding to Tyler Grandpa received a set of plastic utensils to eat with to cut down on the clinking, but as you can imagine this didn’t stop Grandpa. To make sure Grandpa had something to clink at the reception this Saturday Tyler snuck in Jake’s SDSU cowbell for Grandpa.

Of course a clinking cowbell is just a clinking cowbell without his distinctive laugh. On a memory note card Nicole wrote, “When I think of my Grandpa Arnie I always think of his laugh. If you have every heard it, you know what I am talking about. His laugh comes from his toes, it comes from his soul, and you can’t fake that one. It is the sound of complete happiness.”

Grandpa found complete happiness when the love of his life, Lorraine, heard his laugh from across the room. She was determined to find out where that wonderful laugh came from. Arnie and Lorraine were married for 44 years and had 6 incredible children. Their children have written many memories about their parents for various wedding anniversaries and birthdays. On a memory card Steve wrote, “I remember Dad and Mom and the excitement surrounding their trip to Norway. I remember dad thinking Mom would leave her purse somewhere along the trip.” Lowell wrote, “I remember the love you showed to our mother, your wife. The tears we shed when she left this world. She was the force and you were her strength.” Also thinking about her parents, Loretta wrote, “Dad loved mom with all his heart and soul and I know he still misses her a lot even though it has been almost 15 years since she went to meet her maker. His example of loving a spouse is one I have also followed and love my husband with all my heart and soul.”

Teaching love by loving is something that naturally flowed out of grandpa. After loosing Lorraine he began doing the things she used to do out of love for the family. He made lefsa by the dozens for us even though he didn’t like it. Everything he did was a labor of love. Scott wrote, “There are lots of happy memories of dad helping me with all of my ‘honey-do’ projects. Dad is my right and left hand man.” He did the small things big. Every year he’d say we’ve got to cut back on the garden this year and inevitably he’d plant more than the year before because if one is good more is better.

And a big part of our family life is faith. One weekend when Grandpa was still farming Loren remembers enormous amounts of snow. Apparently the snow piles were almost as high as the tractor grandpa used to move them, but he moved mountains to get his family to church, because that’s just what you do.

Faith was more than attending worship – faith is a gift that God has richly blessed this family with. In April grandpa was in a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of his brother Donald, sister Ann and brother-in-law Charles. He struggled a great deal with these losses but he also found comfort in the promises of Christ. Today we trust deeply in those promises, the promises grandpa knew deeply, loved dearly and passed on to us.

In the freedom of the promises that we are God’s children we go on with the values grandpa embedded in us - food, fun, family and faith – as well as the desire to not throw anything out and the enjoyment of a thrilling game of Rook.

Also embedded in us are Grandpa Arnie’s love for children and his favorite sayings. How many times have you heard, “You know why you lost those teeth, you’ve been kissing to many boys.”

In closing I’d like to share a story from earlier this week. 4-year-old Luke was getting ready to leave Grandpa’s house. Luke ran up to Grandpa, jumped on his lap and gave Grandpa a big goodbye hug. Then, all of a sudden, Luke reached out grabbed Grandpa’s nose and said, “I got your nose” as Grandpa laughed his big Grandpa Arnie laugh.

Grandpa's obituary is available at Eidsness Funeral Home.

Introducing Mr and Mrs Jake and Audra DeGroot

Grandpa

Saturday was a day of great joy - Audra and Jake got married! Love and joy filled the day. Sunday Aaron and I got the call that Grandpa Arnie died in his sleep. Back in May we celebrated his 80th birthday. During the birthday party Aunt Shirley noted Grandpa Arnie’s 4 F’s – food, fun, faith and family. On the date of his passing Audra and I noted that his last full day was full of all 4 F’s. Saturday was a day for the entire Matson clan to celebrate with Jake and Audra’s wedding. As far as we know his passing was free of pain and suffering. No one predicted that Saturday was his last day with us, but what a day it was! It was a day of celebration for Audra and Jake filled with all the virtues he taught his children and his children taught their children. Grandpa Arnie is missed, but Grandpa Arnie has filled his family with the life giving faith that will sustain through his passing. All who have heard his laugh, all who have eaten the lefsa and all who have been privileged enough to embraced Grandpa Arnie have been blessed. May God continue to bless his family and all who have encountered the faithful man of God.

The wedding photographer blogged a few pics of Grandpa at AC Ellis Photography

East Coast

This past week I traveled to Washington DC for two conferences, Pentecost 2007 with Sojourners and Call to Renewal as well as Bread for the World. I also made it to NYC, VA and MD.



Famous places
1. White House
2. National City Christian Church
3. March to Congress from #2
4. Smithsonian sculpture
5. Congress
6. & 8. Washington Monument
7. & 9. Lincoln Monument



Here are some of the folks I saw during my stay.
1. John Edwards
2. & 3. John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Jim Wallis & Barack Obama
4. Barack Obama
5. Hillary Clinton
6. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
7. Rep. John Lewis
8. Shane Claiborne
9. Harold Ford. Jr., Chair of the Democratic Leadership Council


On my last night Steph took me to Solomon's Island, MD for crab. The boat we're standing next to caught the crab we ate for dinner.

The View from Ohio

Peace in Endings and New Beginnings

This sermon was preached my last Sunday as Augie's Intern. John 14:23-29.

I wonder how many times I have said, this is the last time I’ll __________ over the course of the past week. When an end is approaching I always try to savor each “last.” Or at the very least I try to acknowledge the “very last” time I do something. I’ve done this at different points in my life, but never quite as much as when the school year comes to a close. Sometimes it was exciting, I found myself saying things like “this is my last week of being a junior, yeah, summer is here!” Other times it is bitter sweet because the ending is more final, like when I was a senior. I wasn’t ending for the summer only to pick things up again in the fall. When these endings come, my response usually goes something like this. “Oh, this is the last time we’ll gather for a midweek worship” or “this is our last chapel staff meeting” or “this is one of the last times I’ll have the opportunity to have to hang out in the huddle.”

Thoughts and talks about endings usually contain language of the new beginning created by and with the ending. They usually go something like this. “Yeah, it’s summer and I’m off to camp, but this IS the last time we’ll be able to play Frisbee on a sunny Saturday afternoon”. Or “I’m so excited to start my career, I’m done with finals and I’m ready to put my skills and knowledge to work, but I will certainly miss those afternoon naps.”

Endings and new beginnings provide a time for excitement and possibility. They provide reflection on what is ending, the good and the bad. With endings comes grief. As the end and new beginning get closer the feelings cycle faster and faster.

One afternoon before I graduated from my undergraduate program a few friends, fellow social work majors and our professors were gathered at Professor Ross’ house to celebrate the end of our time together. It was a beautiful spring day and the 15 of us were enthusiastically discussing the new beginning for us students. After about half an hour of excitement, after the sharing dinner the conversation shifted. Laura began telling the professors that without their dedication and diligence without their support and high expectations she wouldn’t be as prepared and excited for her new beginning as a licensed social worker. Half way through her third sentence Laura broke down with grief over graduation, over the loss of the life we’d all grown to known and to love.

As I approach the ending of my time serving as Augie’s intern pastor I must admit that I am excited about going back to the classroom to work the questions of life and faith that have emerged this year. I truly love the world of academics and I’m thrilled to have another year of class time before I graduate. But I’m also not okay leaving this place and leaving all of you.

Going away is frightening for not only those of us who are doing the leaving, but also for those who are left. Today in the gospel of John Jesus talks of endings and new beginnings. Jesus tells the ones who will be left what will happen when he leaves.

The good news is Jesus knows that going away is a scary thing. He uses the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Jesus comes to those who are troubled with fears, doubts and tears. Jesus comes to us knowing what we need.

The good news is Jesus knows going away is a scary thing, and the excellent news is that Jesus not only knows - he also does something about it. To that I say, Alleluia, praise the Lord, Jesus understands, endings are frightening. Into fears, doubts and tears Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is coming. Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Jesus understands that hearts are troubled and afraid and Jesus responds by giving peace.

Part of the peace is that Jesus never completely leaves. His place is changing. He is getting the disciples ready for when he won’t be literally walking with the disciples. In Matthew he says, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Those are words from Jesus to us. Going away doesn’t mean complete separation. This is part of the peace even with earthly relationships. In many ways relationships are changing, but we are never completely separated. Even if we don’t see one another or this place they are never fully separated from us. We always have memories, and we carry these with us. We have memories of Jesus, and the promises, and we have memories of the past. We have been changed and nothing can take that away from us.

Into these places and memories Jesus speaks peace. Jesus speaks peace in the places of great joy and light, and Jesus speaks joy into places of trepidation. On Friday the word of peace came to me by means of worship. This coming week in the midst of finals peace comes in the form of Midnight Madness at Our Savior’s (that’s 6p-2a tonight and tomorrow). Peace also comes in the classmate who speaks the words of solidarity and encouragement. Next Sunday I pray that peace comes to the seniors in the form of baccalaureate worship as well as in the form of beaming proud parents and in the form of the gauntlet. The peace that Jesus gives comes into our lives at unexpected times in surprising ways.

I conclude with one final example of peace from the life of Horatio Spafford. Horatio was an attorney heavily invested in real estate. In the Chicago Fire of October 1871 he was financially ruined and shortly after, his 4 year old died of scarlet fever. He poured his grief into rebuilding the city and aiding the 100,000 who lost their homes to the fire. Shortly after the fire his wife and four daughters were on a transatlantic ship when their ship collided with another ship. Horatio’s wife survived and sent him a telegram saying, “Saved alone.” His four daughters were killed in the wreck. Upon receiving the telegram he boarded a ship to join his wife. Several weeks later, as Horatio’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the captain said, “I believe we are now passing over the place where the Ville de Havre went down.” Horatio returned to his cabin but couldn’t sleep and said to himself, “It is well; the will of God be done.” Later he wrote the words to “It is well with my soul”, also known as “When Peace like a River”. The lyrics speak to the eternal hope of peace that all believers share, no matter what ending or new beginning comes.

We sing together the old words “when peace like a river attendeth my way; when sorrows, like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul.” May the Lord bless you with faith to sing these peace filled words in every ending and in every new beginning. Amen.

DC & NYC

Yesterday I found out that I’ve been awarded two scholarships for the Bread for the World and Sojourner’s conferences in DC this June! After internship ends it’s travel time again. May 23 – June 1 we’ll be in Ohio. On June 2 I leave for the Sojo (faith, values and poverty) conference with guests Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren, Shane Claiborne and Derek Webb. This conference ends on the 6th so what’s a girl to do for 3 nights? Since DC is so expensive with housing and food costs it is cheaper to hop on a train to visit Tina in NYC for a few nights than stay in DC. Once I get to NYC Tina will take care of me like the awesome aunt that she is. After visiting NYC it’s back to DC for the Bread for the World conference June 9 – 12. This conference is focused on eradicating hunger at home and abroad. My June just went from a relaxing month off to an east coast tour!

Screenless after 6

Aaron and I are trying a grand experiment this week – no screen time after 6p, that includes TV and computer screens. Our evenings feel so much longer. So far we’ve played Frisbee and canasta; hopefully I’ll work in a game of Scrabble before the week ends. Tomorrow we’re breaking the screen fast to go to Spider Man 3 at the drive in, but we’re back to it on Saturday with tickets to hear Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”. Augustana’s choir will join the South Dakota Symphony for the night. Yeah weekends!

Meeting Mason

Sunday and Monday Aaron and I went to southern Nebraska to visit with Lori and meet her new baby Mason. She's adorable! Check out more pics click here. We talked the entire 5 hours home trying to figure out the next year and plans beyond, but as usual we didn't really figure anything out, if anything we just came up with more possibilities and more things we'd like to do. One question we debated is...does Washington D.C. figure into the total number of states one visits? Example - I've been to 31 states, but Aaron said it's really 32 because of D.C.. I argued that D.C. doesn't count because it's not part of the 50 states. Okay, enough rambling (see this is how we chatted for 5 hours yesterday) back to work, happy Tuesday:)

Tuna

It’s official I’m loosing it. I haven’t relieved or dealt with anything lately. Most of the ‘stuff’ is more in Aaron’s realm, but I think I’m internalizing my feelings as well as trying to take on and work through Aaron’s as well. Just tying this might help, so really, after you read this I’m sure I’ll be better for writing as you start to worry. Here goes a summary of the past two weeks. Two weeks ago today we were watching OSU in the Final Four when we got a call about a tragic accident involving four great aunts and uncles as well as grandpa on Aaron’s side. One aunt was killed instantly and we went to the Sioux Falls hospital to be with two great uncles and keep the out of town family informed of what was going on. Both died due to injuries. During Holy Week we traveled to Red Wing, MN for a funeral as well as Sinai, SD. Aaron did two funerals for folks at his internship as well as preached Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. Following Easter worship we went to Mitchell, SD to visit with a cousin in her early 20’s fighting cancer. After most of the family left we were able to get a detailed report of her fight from her dad and we left with our hopes in medical treatment pretty much completely smashed. Monday we had the best day in a long time exploring Wind Cave in the Black Hills as well as driving through Custer State Park without tourists. Then it was off to a theological conference. Our time in the hills gave us a much needed break and time together, but now we’re back and I should be writing a sermon on Doubting Thomas for tomorrow. I’m also really concerned for my step-sister and her unborn baby. History shows that she can’t care for her children – she has two living in different families. When will she realize she can’t care for this one? All this leaves me exhausted. I haven’t been to the grocery in almost 3 weeks, but I have found a new recipe for tuna – when in need combine, diced sweet pickles, ranch (expiration date 3.21.07, but smell it first), mustard and corn serve on toasted stale wheat bread. Today if I get the sermon written and grocery shopping done it will be a good day.

Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park

On our day off we toured some parks in the Hills. April weekdays are ideal, no crowds, animals are everywhere and you'll still see some snow on a 60 degree day.

a House Became her Home

Yesterday I posted photos from my trip to New Orleans because I didn’t know where to start writing and processing the trip. I still don’t know a good place, but I’ll start with the basics. During our time we worked on the house of a blind woman. She could afford all our supplies, but not the cost of labor. We were required to keep track of our hours so that the government would be billed for labor and the money could be spent to buy more materials for families in need, and we were worth $8,400 according to government standards. The group insulated her floor by lying on the ground and stapling insulation to the floor beams, scraped, primed, painted and screened her back porch, scraped and painted her rod iron fence, laid tile in her washroom, installed light fixtures, towel racks and toilet paper holders and even hung curtain rods.

For me, the work we were doing and the devastation we were seeing hit when she and her mother talked about the storm. Their stories put names to the reports I’d heard over a year ago on the news. I heard of one of their friends who ventured out after the storm was over to be swept away when the levy broke. I heard of another who was ‘rescued’ by a group helping animals. The ‘rescuers’ dropped their friend off at a bridge. When they attempted to walk across a bridge out of the city they were met with military folks carrying guns who told them to go back. These are only the beginning of the stories I heard. Everyone we met had their own stories to tell. Each wanted to share their experience.

In the evenings we ventured out to explore the city. Many 12 and 15 passenger vans filled the city streets and parking lots with tags from all over the US. Many volunteers were in the city with various groups. The organization we were with said they plan to stay in the city for 10 years. Cleaning and rebuilding for 10 years! To say the need is great is a colossal understatement. On the night before we left I was filling the van at the gas station beside the church we were sleeping in. While cleaning the windshield a couple pulled up at the pump next to us. The first thing out of their mouths were ‘thank you.’ A big white van with a tired driver wearing jeans soaked with paint automatically equals volunteer. Not a day went by without the group being recognized as a group of volunteers rebuilding New Orleans. When folks saw us they knew why we were in the city. Many more groups like ours are needed. The people of New Orleans are hungry to hear they aren’t forgotten. They want you to know they are still hurting. 13 of us were able to work, walk and talk with a family for a week where we transformed one person’s house into a home.

Spring Break New Orleans

Gulf Coast

Finally, I've begun to post on a regular basis and now I'm going away. Tomorrow 11 other Augie's and I will be headed to New Orleans to do some rebuilding for a week. The trip promises to be an adventure
-over 2800 miles to drive
-sharing 4 showers with 50 people
-one swamp tour complete with alagators and snakes
-a work project or two and that should complete the week
If you're inspired by students paying $450 each to work through their entire spring break consider donating yourself at Lutheran Disaster Relief. Check back for pics and stories in about a week.

Iraq Veterans Memorial

This memorial was conceived as a place to honor the servicemembers who lost their lives over the past four years during the Iraq War. By watching the videos, you will have the opportunity to learn about these heroes from those who knew them best -- their family, friends, and fellow servicemembers. Each man and woman represented in the memorial had attributes and qualities that made them unique, but they all have one thing in common - they were truly loved and are deeply missed.

IraqMemorial.org

Broken

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A baby, my nephew, will be born this month to a mother and father who wish he was a she
The baby will be born to a mother who only gets 'clean' to have her babies before loosing herself to mania, depression, drugs and alcohol
She already has two babies she gave both away
One is my lil brother, chad
The other is his brother my Godson, D.J.
The baby is their brother
The baby is not the son of his mother’s husband
Who will love him?
Who will answer his cries in the night?


Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A young woman, Aaron’s 1st cousin, is getting ready for surgery tomorrow
Cancer is forcing her to choose between sight and walking
The cancer that has invaded her laughs “in the face of chemotherapy” according to her doctors
This is the same young woman whose smile and humor lit up her grandmother’s living room at Thanksgiving
Who will cure her?
Who will finally comfort her?

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A congregation goes behind their pastor’s back to tell the bishop “get him out!”
No firing wrong has been committed
A pastor leads tonight in a congregation where some want him out NOW and others don’t even know he’s been asked to leave
Their feet say, “We want the status quo”
Their mouths say, “We need vision”
Who will guide them?
Who will offer forgiveness to them?

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A city cries to the nation and a world, “we’ve been destroyed by a hurricane and we live in the richest country in the world, help!”
19 months have gone by since the disaster and still cries are unheard
It’s great for colleges, spring breaks trips can be led to help while folks outside the disaster area say, “Thanks for making a difference”
She still doesn’t have a house of her own for her five children, they’re in FEMA trailers
Who will take responsibility for the nation’s response?
Who will restore dignity?

Retribution is out - Repentance in is!

Sermon - Luke 13:1-9

Welcome to the third Sunday of Lent where retribution is out and repentance is in. Please indulge me as I share the latest list of what’s in and what’s out.

What’s out – perishing! What’s in – self examination!
What’s out – nations in war! What’s in – nations in dialogue!
What’s out – hording the food! What’s in – feeding all who are hungry!

What’s out – judgment! What’s in – confession!
What’s out – believing natural disasters are divine retribution! What’s in –believing God was the first to cry at the tragedy!

I began with this list to introduce a new reformation, a reformation that begins inside each one of you, and a reformation that begins where you are and turns you to repentance. I offer the word reformation as another way to think of repentance. Reformation is a word that we commonly associate with Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, and the other protestant reformers in the 16th century. But it is precisely a reformation is called for in Luke.

Today I ask, what needs reformation in your life? What needs drastic change? What will cause you to parish if you fail to repent of it?

Tragically, time and time again we’re called for reform, yet we never quite manage to do this on our own power. No matter how much harm is caused by not reforming we continue in our ways. Only a force outside our self can cause us to spin around.

One simple illustration of this comes to us in the form of the comic strip Peanuts.

In one episode, the weather is snowy and icy. We can all sympathize here. Poor Snoopy is in his doghouse and he is terrified to leave because of the snow and ice. The problem for Snoopy is the extra weight of the snow is going to collapse his roof. Snoopy needs to move from under the snow covered roof or he will parish. Charlie Brown sees the impending collapse and a scared Snoopy underneath. Charlie Brown pleads with Snoopy to come out of the dog house into safety, but Snoopy can’t bring himself to leave his doghouse. Finally, Charlie Brown, decides to try to lure Snoopy out with a pizza. Snoopy is unable to resist the savory scent of pizza and runs out of the doghouse, just before his roof gives to the weight of the snow.

In Snoopy’s case, Charlie Brown was able to rescue Snoopy before he perished. Tragically, this is not always the case. In Peanuts, the Bible, and in our lives, there are stories that end with people being lured out of their doghouse in time and stories where people whose doghouse roofs cave in before they leave. And it seems that more often than not, the doghouse roof caves.

In Snoopy’s case as in our own, retribution isn’t the reason to repent. Jesus points this out quite clearly. God doesn’t send the snow and ice to collapse roofs in response to un-repentance. In much the same way Jesus says the 18 that were crushed when a tower fell in Jerusalem were no better or worse than others in Jerusalem. Tragic events happen. We must always be careful to appropriately label them as tragedies and not divine retribution. Jesus very clearly rejects retribution and calls for repentance.

Unfortunately, there were those in Jesus’ day and there still are, those who link their loyalty to God with retribution. Those who were and are trying to link God to retribution were and are trying to divide the world into two camps: the us, who are righteous and virtuous, over and against the them, who are sinners and profane. And when bad stuff happens to them, for example, a hurricane, a terrorist attack, or a pandemic disease, we call it God’s retribution for their sin. This is exactly what Jesus is speaking against. If you try to divide people not only is it wrongheaded, but it brings destruction and that is not what God is about. God is about the redemption and reconciliation of all of creation, bringing us all together, ultimately and finally.

The truth is the idea of retribution is relentless. Fred Craddock says that illness, poverty, disease, loneliness, and death are often viewed as the punishment for sins known or unknown. For Christians, the fatal blow to the idea that suffering and death are the lot of the guilty came at Golgotha. The One without sin suffered and died on the cross. We, who are Jesus' disciples are forever freed from the ancient notion that prosperity and good health are evidence of divine favor, and that poverty and suffering are clear signs of divine wrath. Jesus rejects ideas that attempt to explain God causing suffering, not only because they don’t work, but because they direct attention from the primary issue, that is, the obligation of every person to live in repentance and trust before God without linking their loyalty to God to life's sorrows or joys.

In closing I must make clear…God is certainly with us in everything we celebrate and in everything we lament. God is with us in the triumph of earning the ‘A’ and in the sorrow of losing of a loved one, in the joys of a reconciled friendship and in the struggles of depression, whatever we go through wherever we are in life God is with us. We must remember that Jesus says these life experiences are not in any way reward or retribution. And yet he still makes clear the urgent need to reform. I must confess as I wrote this I found myself asking the same question as Prof. Shore : "If punishment is not directly related to sin, then—explain it to me again—why should I repent?"

Jesus might simply say, "It is necessary."

“Unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Friends in Christ there is still time, the fig tree has not been cut down yet, God is willing that none should perish. Friends in Christ, repent and live.

Blizzard!

Uff da it's windy! We got ourselves a blizzard! This is my first blizzard and it's been really nice. We have snow and wind, cable and internet, we even have electricity! Need I say it's a mild blizzard.?Just enough to keep us home, but mild enough that we get to keep our creature comforts. After being cooped up inside since yesterday morning we decided to venture outside to prevent the dreadful cabin feaver.

1. On our walk we made a startling discovery - we are Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota!















2. Aaron freezes in a big gust of wind.














3. I'm Queen of the Snow Mound! Behind me is our house.