The Power of Words

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…

Sometimes I like to believe that I am immune to the words of other people, as this saying suggests.  However, looking back at my life, I know the words of others have deeply influenced me.  At times, words have dragged me down.  Other times, words have lifted me up.  Personally, I am grateful to have had so many positive voices in my life, and I actually owe so much of who I am, a running climbing pastoring dad, to the wonderful words of the people who believed in me. 

However, I also know words can hurt, and I know my life has been molded by this too.  When a colleague or coworker tells us we are incapable of a task, it can shut doors.  The judgments of people we’ve just met can destroy us.  When you think about your life, how are others influencing you? 

In the Bible, it is very clear that words are powerful.  In Genesis 1 and 2, God creates everything with His Word.  God gives life to humans with breath.  Words, and the Spirit that is behind them, create.  In the Gospel of Mark chapter 7, Jesus says that our words can bring good or evil.  Our words, and the spirit we share through them, can create good things in this world, or they can tear others down.  Today, I hope we can remember the power we all have.  Whether we realize it or not, we can each change the world.  We have the breath of God inside of us, and we can use it to love, or we can ignore it and pretend our actions don’t matter.  How do you want to live?

Blessings!

PB

Spirit of 45

Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a “Spirit of 45” event.  This event was celebrating the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II.  It recognized around 50 veterans of World War II, who were present at the event, and it left me with a sense of hope even in the darkest of times. 

It’s crazy how often I feel entitled to a care free life.  I mean, I’ll get frustrated when I run out of breakfast cereal or stub my toe…  However, we are all called to serve, and that’s not easy.  Seventy years ago soldiers risked everything they had in the hope that they could provide a better world for future generations.  Today, I wonder what we are living for?  Do we see ourselves in a world full of problems? Is everything against us?  Or, do we live with the hope that we can really accomplish something amazing?  Today I hope we can remember Christ is with us, and He asks us to believe we can work together to really accomplish something in the world.

Blessings!

PB

Summer Fun! (From Pastor Dan)

On the LA Mission Trip!

"Greetings to you! I am NOT Pastor Brian. This week’s “Brian’s Blog” is brought to you by Intern Pastor Dan! I am delighted to get to write a little bit and share some of my own thoughts and feelings about Ministry and Scripture.

We have had a very busy summer at CLC. Between mission trips, VBS, and different staff being on vacation, the heat of the summer has flown by. Something that has been on my mind and heart often over these weeks are just how difficult ministry, and life, would be without the love and support of those around us. We have around 2 dozen people working throughout the week to make sure that worship and ministries happen, and they happen well. This is including, but not limited to: Worship Leaders, Musicians, Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Gift Shop, Office Administrators, Accountants, A/V/L Techs, Custodians, Graphic designers… So many people prayerfully working for the Kingdom of God! To me, this is a wonderful example of living out what Paul addresses in Galatians 6. He writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (v. 2).

As disciples of Christ, we are called to live in community with others. This is not always easy; sometimes we can’t stand the people we do community with! Even more dangerous, is the temptation to think we can do it on our own. Society informs us that we can “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps”, and we are tempted to justify, or even save ourselves. Paul assures us that we have an advocate in Christ through the Holy Spirit, and we have lists of “fruit” in how the Spirit lives in us. I challenge you this week to look for ways the Spirit is calling you into community, and how you can help others in their times of stress or need.

- Intern Pastor Dan Nelson"

Pastor Dan and Pastor Brian... Can you tell the
difference?

VBS Week!

How to climb Mt. Everest!

It’s time for Vacation Bible School here at Community Lutheran Church.  That means every day this week our church is filled with kids running, jumping, and singing to God.  This year one of my responsibilities is teaching Bible Stories to preschoolers, and I have really been impressed with the kids.  Sometimes I kind of wonder how much the kids are really taking away, but it’s amazing to see these kids becoming passionate for God.  Yes, they want to be silly, and they certainly want to have fun, but they also want to hear about God’s Love.  These preschoolers are also proving that they have the ability to share God’s love with others.  They’ve shown such genuine love to me that it’s been impossible for me not to turn around and share that with others! 

I know I can get caught up thinking my studies in theology somehow put me on a different level, but that’s not the case.  Yes, my seminary degree has been pretty useful over the years, but God Spirit moves inside of preschoolers as much as it moves inside of me.  We are all called, and we all have gifts!  This week I hope we can appreciate the fruits of the Spirit in everyone we meet! 

Blessings!

PB

The Art of Teaching Preschoolers...

Child of God

Many of you know that I love to ride my bike.  It doesn’t matter if it’s 0 degrees or 110 degrees outside.  You can always catch me out there riding.  However, this past week got pretty frustrating.  I had to buy two new tires, patch five flats, and I noticed I am going to have to replace the chains on two of the bicycles we have.  It’s turning out to be an expensive and annoying week for riding.  I feel like I have spent more time sweating on the side of a dirty road than I have on the bike.  Insane!

When I get home, it’s easy to take out my frustration on others.  Minor bicycle problems can really have a big effect on my attitude.  However, something struck me as I was reading Galatians chapter 4.  The verses remind us to focus on what really matters.  Yes there are things in life that annoy us, but God has called us each His children.  That is what matters!  It’s pretty incredible to think about how much we are all loved.  This week Kira and I are celebrating because we are baptizing our baby.  It’s pretty amazing that God has made each one of us a part of the family!  That is what I want to focus on.  There is nothing else that matters!

Blessings!

PB  

Who needs sleep?

As many of you may know, Kira and I have a wonderful baby.  We’ve taken him on airplanes, camping trips, and hiking adventures.  He seems to be able to go anywhere, even when that means he will be strapped to my sweaty shirt as I climb a mountain.  However, his new favorite game is trying to keep his parents up all night.  Gone are the days when he just slept.  At the moment, he just wants to kick, shout, and slobber over everything.  I guess this is what babies do, but we could seriously handle a bit more rest!

Thankful for every moment...

Children are a blessing.  However, there are certainly moments where I’ve become tired and overwhelmed.  No one ever said this would be easy.  Instead, we are promised that love would show up – even in the difficult moments.  I know this is true.  If I open my eyes, there are so many blessing spilling over in my life.  I simply need to take the time to see them.  It is my prayer that we could all believe in God’s promise of love, because we all have so much to be thankful for.

Blessings!

Brian

LA mission trip!

View from the top of the Union Rescue Mission.  Looking out
we could see downtown LA as well as skid row.  

Last week I had the privilege of traveling with the youth on their annual Los Angeles mission trip.  It’s hard to explain why I love these trips so much, but I do.  Sure there were difficult moments… I mean, I was responsible for driving a 15 passenger van with a bunch of wild teenage boys… so the LA traffic got a little weird at times! :) However, I also got to see that same group of guys, who normally only seem to care about flatulence, care for people on skid row, clean up local school yards, and speak to others who were struggling to find hope.  Watching all the kids from CLC was amazing.  Even though they came from different places, they all stood together for love, and that was inspiring.

This week in Galatians, Paul writes that there is only one thing that really matters in this world: Grace.  We find Grace and Love through Christ Jesus, and it binds us all together.  Yes, Los Angeles is crazy, but grace shows up… and that brings hope.  I hope we can all find God Love and Grace this week.  No matter what we are going through God is here, and we can all believe we are accepted and loved.

Blessings!

PB