Grace for all

Over the last few weeks, our church has been looking at the book of Galatians in the Bible. This letter was written almost 2,000 years ago to a church that was struggling, not with finances or so many of the concerns that affect churches today. The church in Galatia had lost sight of what it means to live by grace. This is also a problem in our world, but we tend to be more concerned with other things. To Paul, the pastor who wrote the letter, grace was a primary concern. The church loses something essential if we start judging others. We judge people's economic status. We judge cultures. We find all kinds of ways to put some people down and lift others up. Paul saw this as a critical problem in the early church, and I believe he would still see this as a problem in our world today. 

The church talks about grace all the time, but this is very different from living it out. I encounter people every week who tell me how they were just about to leave the church entirely. They felt beaten up and worn down by the church. It's too easy to let these judgments rule our lives. 

This morning I was a little stressed getting my one year old ready for daycare. I was in a rush, and he was not. He was in a great mood. He loved playing with his brothers, running around the house, and putting blueberry pancakes in his hair. I was trying to prepare for the day, and I was getting a little overwhelmed trying to clean up after him. However, I had to admire the joy he was living in. He was laughing and playing, and everything seemed right in the world. Eventually, I had to get to work and he had to get to school, but I had to stop for a minute to watch this little guy live in the moment. He was not feeling any judgment or any other stress. He was happy to be right where he was. 

Today I hope we can all let go of the burdens that Christ doesn't want us to carry. Jesus wants us to be free. Let's open our hearts and live in God's Grace.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

The Season of the Spirit

We are in the season of Pentecost at Community Lutheran Church. Sometimes this season is known as Ordinary Time. However, in reality there should be no "ordinary" season. Pentecost is a season of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit always shows up when we least expect it. Long ago, Pentecost was a celebration after the wheat harvest. There was something sacred about gathering together to share in the harvest. It was supposed to be a time of hope and generosity. It was a time to remember that every person was blessed by God, and that everyone could share something out of their blessings.

In Jesus' time, the disciples came to Jerusalem, but after the crucifixion they were not feeling particularly blessed. After Christ died, they wondered if they were going to have to return to "ordinary" time. However, it was in this moment that the Holy Spirit arrived. Jesus was no longer walking alongside them in the same way, but Christ was still with them. They could still share God's grace and walk in God's path.

As I write this newsletter, I am in the midst of all kinds of summer preparations. We have two major youth trips, Vacation Bible School, and so much more. There are times in the midst of all of this that I feel a bit overwhelmed. It would be nice if there were some ordinary time... I am struggling to prepare all the VBS stations. I am trying to make sure I have van rentals and airline tickets purchased. Then there is the task of herding everyone together to try and create a meaningful experience. There is a point where I have to say, "I've tried my best — now let the Spirit work!" I think that is important for all of us. We need to open our hearts and follow the God who loves us.

Today the Holy Spirit is still guiding us. We just have to open our hearts and listen. It doesn't matter if everything feels like it is coming together, or if it feels like it is falling apart. God is with us.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian