Armed for the Battle

How well protected are you?  I would dare say, we could look at a number of different places in our lives, and see that we are "armed" in different ways, and to different degrees.  How armed are you against identity theft?  Against actual theft in your home?  How armed are you in case of an accident?  In case of death?  How armed are you when it comes to eaching your family the faith?

Just these few examples show us that being armed for the battle means a lot of different things.  It also shows us that our armament will look vastly different from one battle to the next.  The armor you have for your home probably is far different from that of your identity.  Both are important, but they also require different armor to be of any use.

This applies, also, to our faith lives.  We may we well armed in some respects, and woefully lacking in others.  For example, we may be armed with great biblical knowledge, but woefully lacking in being armed to help our neighbor in need.  We may be armed with great compassion, but woefully lacking when it comes to actually knowing the content of what we believe.  We may be armed with regular worship and Bible study attendance, but woefully lacking when it comes to having the faith be active and present in our homes.

When we look at the armor of God (look at Ephesians 6:10-20 for a great list of what it looks like), one thing we realize is that our need for protection runs far deeper than most of us may ever think.  We may feel we are well armed for the battle, only to find that there are unprotected areas of our lives that we didn't even consider. 

That's where the role of the Body of Christ comes in.  When our weak spots get exposed, it sure is much nicer to have it pointed out by someone who wants to build up our protection rather than someone who will use it against us.  The Body of Christ may also be the ones who will hold up a shield while we expose ourselves to that weak spot, so that we are protected while we may be engaged in another battle in another area of life.

Just like the armor works together to protect, so also the Body of Christ.  That's the unity that Paul calls for us to have in Ephesians, even when it comes to our armor.  May that be one of the reasons that we strive to gather together in the name of Christ Jesus. 

"Let the children come!"

Up front, I'm going to admit something.  I am a big fan of children learning by watching and participating.  For example, my little girl and I were recently at the playground together, and she wanted to slide down the slide on her belly.  So, after giving her the typical precautions and while waiting at the bottom of the slide to catch her, she slid down on her belly.  Then, when she arrived at the bottom, she wanted to climb back up the slide.  While you could argue with me about the proper way to make use of a slide, I let her do it, keeping my hand at her back in case she fell back, but also pointing out how she could put her hands and her feet in ways that would help her learn how to climb up the slide better.  After just a couple of minor slips, she was back up at the top.  Then, we started the process all over again, and each time, she showed a greater ability to do it without the extra assistance and tips.

Children learn by watching, by doing, and by being gently instructed along the way.  I believe this goes for so many faith matters, as well.  Children learn how to worship and what is proper in worship by being in worship, but also by being instructed why we do what we do, and how we do what we do.  Yes, there are times when they get frustrated and squirmy, and maybe didn't sleep enough or are hungry, but what is gained by their presence far outweighs any "advantages" to not having them in worship.

One day, many of His followers were trying to bring children to Jesus.  The disciples attempted to persuade the parents that this wasn't good, right, and proper, to which Jesus replied, "Let the children come to me!"  God has a heart for children, since we all are children in His eyes.  And from the very beginning, children have always been included in the promise that God gives.  Circumcision was the sign of God's promise.  Baptism now extends God's promise to each child that is baptized.  God eagerly desires for children to be an active presence in His Church.

As we at Oak Road look to deepen and expand our ministry to children, we do so with the full understanding that this is something God repeatedly reminds us is a good thing.  We hope and pray that a love for children will grow and grow among us as His people, especially as these ministry areas develop more fully.

Children, Instruction, and Discipline

In Ephesians 6, we find a brief section in which Paul addresses the relationships between chilren and parents.  Paul directs children to obey their parents, especially when it comes to the ways of God.  And then, as Paul often does, he shows that there is a mutual submission in the relationship of parents and children, as parents are not to provoke their children unnecessarily, but to bring them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

If you didn't know this before, I love kids.  I love playing with kids, working with kids, teaching kids, and just spending time with kids.  I dearly love the time I get to spend with my 2 yr old daughter, and look forward to the time I will get to spend on the upcoming blesssing of a son that will be introduced into our family later this year.  I've spent a significant time of my life working as a preschool teacher, and dearly loved the time of working with those children.  Children are a very dear gift from God.

Children have much to learn about this world, and to learn about our God.  While we are thankful that God extends His promise to children through the washing waters of baptism, we also realize that the faith God plants in their hearts at that time needs nurturing.  It needs instruction.  It needs discipline.  Otherwise, that faith may wither and die away, which would mean eternal separation from God.

Throughout the centuries, the Christian Church has emphasized instruction for children and young people.  They need to be taught about our God, the basics such as who He is, what He tells us, and the like.  That's the instruction part.  But, along with that, there is also the part in teaching them how that applies to the living of their lives.  When they encounter life, how does their faith inform what they do, and why they make the decisions that they do?  That's where the discipline part comes in.

Faith instruction is essential, and just as essential is faith discipline.  A youth who knows that Jesus died and forgave him is a wonderful thing, but loses its luster if that youth is stealing, or vandalizing, or any other particular sins that he may willfully engage in.  As we consider what ministry to children looks like, we remember that it's not only about teaching Bible facts, but training for living as God's children in Christ Jesus as well.

Learning from the Family

There are a few ways I see that I resemble my father in my life.  One is a love of reading books.  I can't tell you how many times I would see my dad back in his room reading a book in the evening.  Sure, he sometimes had the TV on, but he usually also had a book in hand.  He would go back to his room, probably to get away from the chaos of myself and my two sisters, and take up his book and relax.

I also have seen ways that I resemble my mother.  My mother has a heart that wants to help people, and she is willing to sacrifice of herself to help them.  Quite often, it was to help out family members, or people from church, and so from her, I learned the value of helping others in need.  Though we may not have had a tremendous abundance growing up, we always found a way to help others in their needs.

Learning begins in the family.  In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul encourages us to imitate our Father, who is none other than God.  But where is the place where learning starts?  In the home.  In the family.  Spouses learn from one another.  Kids learn from parents.  Friends and family learn from the interactions they see in the life of the family.  Learning begins in the family.

So what do we do when families don't know how to lead in learning?  That's where it falls upon us to equip them to be those leaders in learning.  I often hear the comment that people don't really know how to pray out loud in front of others.  If this practice isn't in the home, because fathers and mothers don't know how to pray out loud, how will that impact the prayer life of the children?  And that is why it falls to Christian Churches to engage in teaching the family how to do even these very simple practices.

Sure, some of them may seem so simple that it's just common sense.  Yet, the one thing I have learned over the years is that what seems so easy is always challenging the first few times you do it.  Even something as simple as offering a mealtime prayer isn't easy if you haven't really done it before.  And as these rituals and practices get lost, it takes time and intentional effort to re-introduce them into the context of the family.

That is another area of emphasis we will be taking in terms of family ministry at Oak Road.  How do we teach the head of the household how to introduce and lead these rituals and practices in their household and family?  As we develop this area of ministry, it will be something we work diligently to accomplish.

Worship, Family, and Ritual

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

In pretty much all Lutheran worship services, this is the very first thing you encounter.  We are reminded that we are God's children of promise, made so through our Baptism, which is a daily renewal of our life in Christ Jesus.  We remember the name that was put upon us in those washing waters.  We remember the God who has claimed us as His own.  We remember that we are recipients of God's grace.

In most cases, these words are typically spoken by the Pastor, as he makes the sign of the cross over the congregation.  In many respects, this is a reminder to us that it is God's declaration and gift to us.  We are His, and He is the one who put His name on us, and so we passively stand to receive His gift yet again.

Theologically speaking, that is how things always are for us.  As we live our lives in this world, though, it is often helpful to enact a ritual to remind us of the name that was placed upon us.  In fact, for Christians, it is and should be more highly emphasized that the name of God is upon us each day of our life.  When we wake up, we do so with God's name on us.  When we go to sleep, we do so with God's name upon us.

As we at Oak Road begin planning and putting into place an active family ministry, one of the elements of that will seek to bring our faith practices and talks into our homes.  It sounds so simple, and yet, one of the facts is that many Christian households simply lack Christian practices and rituals outside of times together in worship.  At Oak Road, we will be working to introduce these back into the place where the majority of Christian instruction is Biblically expected to take place.

So, let's take the example from above.  What if, in worship, rather than merely having the pastor proclaim God's name over us, we instead encouraged the heads of household to make the sign of the cross over each family member, followed by the Pastor's pronouncement of that name over the whole congregation?  Then, what if families were encouraged to take that practice, and to start and end each day with the head of the household making the sign of the cross over each family member, reminding them of the God who has redeemed them and put His name on them?

It sounds simple, almost too simple.  And yet, far too often, such practices are lacking in our Christian homes.  But as we look to develop family and children ministry at Oak Road, we will be looking to such practices to bring the faith into our homes on a daily basis.  

Devoted to Families

One of the resounding themes you find throughout the Bible is that of the family.  All the way in Genesis 2, we get the foundation of this building block for society, when God created the woman from the man, gave her to him, and united them as one flesh.  Since then, the foundation of family has been central to society in God's eyes, and in the practical matters of this world.

So it isn't surprising, then, that we would find that Satan would attack families.  It's not surprising to discover that our sinful nature rebels against the idea and thought of commiting ourselves to our spouse and to our children, regardless of what may come our way.  If God intended for families to be good, and to be the foundation of life in this world, then all that is opposed to God will fight to destroy that foundation, or to cause it to be something other than what God designed it to be.

Often we hear in the Christian Church that we battle for marriage.  In doing so, we battle for family.  However, one of the realities that we face is that families don't always look like our traditional idea of family.  The reality of "Leave it to Beaver" may never truly have been the reality, even in its day, but today we are very familiar with the variety of what is called family. 

Sadly, we as Christians have not always fought diligently for family.  Too often, we have settled for waiting around and picking up the pieces when family falls apart.  We look at what society calls family, and while we may be vocal against some of the forms that it has taken, very rarely are we going out and talking to those who are actually creating such families.  Very rarely are we talking about why God's wisdom lies in the fashion in which He created family.  Truth be told, we've spent far too much time complaining rather than in fighting for family.

This week, I'm going to be dedicating my blog to explaning the foundation of family ministry at Oak Road Lutheran Church.  What you will probably find as you follow along is that family ministry resists any particular form or approach, but rather, encompasses a wide range of approaches, even as we see that family resists any particular definition.  So, rather than being specific, what you will find in the entries ahead is the foundation of what we will be building, led by God's Spirit, to battle for family, and to teach God's wisdom in holding to family in the way that He designed and fashioned it.

Yes, you may read this and think I'm being rather vague.  Truly, I am, but I will be fleshing this out more in the entries to come.  I encourage your feedback, especially for those of you who are part of Oak Road, as we journey to minister with families, to strengthen them, and to teach others God's wisdom.

Comic Relief

Here you go.  The cartoon to go with our Bible readings for this coming Sunday.

How Would You Respond? The Mouth and the Soap

It's time for the Friday focus, how would you respond.  Today's focus is going to be on Paul's words from Ephesians 5:4, with a particular focus on our language and use of words.  In this verse, Paul asserts that Christians are not to engage in filthy talk, foolish talk, or crude joking.  Since we take the word of God as exactly that, let's dive in a little bit to set the stage for our "How would you respond?"

You're in the parking lot after worship and the gathering of the saints on a Sunday.  There are a couple of guys discussing the college football game from the day before.  You know they are big fans of the local college team, and some things happened that they weren't too happy about.  As you pass them on your way to the car, you hear a few explicit words coming from their mouths about the coach, the team, the refs, you name it. 

As a Christian, who is supposed to take God's Word seriously, how do you respond to this?  Sure, it's in the parking lot, where it's unlikely that many sensitive ears will be.  You also may happen to agree with some of the assessments they are making about the various individuals.  You also know that, if you approach them, there could be some kind of consequences, either in what they think of you, or in calling them out.

So how do you respond to this situation?  And as you consider that, I would even throw this out there too.  Even if it wasn't on the church property, but perhaps in the context of a coffee break at work with a fellow Christian, how would you respond?  Are there times where it would actually be better to let things slide, rather than address the situation?  I look forward to seeing what you think as we consider how we would respond to this particular type of situation.

One Shining Moment? Or A Lifetime of Shining Moments?

Every year, when the NCAA basketball tournament reaches its conclusion, one team stands above the rest as the NCAA championship.  March Madness ends with a flurry of confetti falling down on the victors, as they climb up ladders to cut down the nets as a reminder of their shining moment.  They are the champions!  They are on the top of the world, in a manner of speaking.  And for as long as I can remember, as these festivities are taking place, a song begins to play.  A song which contains the line, "one shining moment."

For these players, this is their shining moment.  For many of them, they will never again acheive such heights in their life in terms of accomplishments.  For some, it might even be the final competitive game of basketball that they play in their lives.  For others who move on, there is no assurance that they will once again stand as the ultimate victor on the last day of the season.  This is truly their one shining moment.

Reading through Ephesians 5, you come across verse 8, where Paul writes that Christians should walk as children of light.  Our lives are not to be a reflected glory of one shining moment.  Rather, we are to shine with God's glory, with the glory of being God's children, with the glory of being forgiven and redeemed by Jesus, and not just once or twice, and not just on Sundays, but every moment of life.  We don't have one shining moment.  Instead, we live a lifetime of shining moments, shining out God's grace in Jesus.

That's only possible for us because Jesus has redeemed us and made us God's own children.  We shine a reflected light, but it's to be constantly shining in our lives.  That is why we pay particular attention to the manner of life in which we live.  We don't do it to draw attention to ourselves, but to show others that we are redeemed by God in Jesus, and that the light that shines in us is His light shining through us, every moment of every day.

Walk as children of light, my friends.  Let God's light shine in you, and then through you, that people may not see one shining moment, but a lifetime of shining moments.

If you don't know it exists, can you be guilty of it?

In Ephesians 5:3, we have an interesting thought written by St. Paul at the inspiration of the Spirit.  "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among the saints."  The thing I find so interesting here is that Paul basically says that the Ephesian Christians are to be so far removed from things like sexual immorality and impurity and covetousness that they don't even know what such things are.  It's almost as though they don't know what to call it, since they haven't ever experienced it before.

Of course, you and I sit back and laugh at Paul here.  How can they not know these things?  The world seems to throw such things our way.  And doesn't our sinful nature want these kind of things by nature?  How can they not be present, much less have no name?  All good questions, and really, ones that I think we ignore at our peril.

One reality for us Christians is that we cannot escape the fact that we have these desires within us.  We covet.  We have sexual sin.  We aren't pure, but filled with imperfections.  So if that's the case, then is Paul's point here negated?  Does Paul simply not know what he's talking about?  Is this one more of those condeming "contradictions" that the Bible is supposedly so filled with?

Or, is it that, as God re-creates us in the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus, we are to actively be working so that such things aren't a part of our life anymore?  Let me be the first to admit that it's difficult for me to imagine that we would be rescued at such a high cost by God, given the greatest inheritance of all, and then basically be told that it's okay to be unchanged.  Go back to what you were doing before as if it didn't matter, since you are saved by God's grace, not by being good.  Let's just say that I have a really tough time with that kind of thinking.

Instead, since we have been redeemed and lifted up to such a place of high standing, isn't our life worth more than clinging to that which brought us death in the first place?  If we are worth so much to our God, then why would we want to be immoral, or impure, or covetousness, as much as it lies within us to control such things?  What does it say about us if we really don't make any effort to change such things within us?  While our reality may be that they will never leave us, our reality is also such that we don't stop trying, just because we can't.  And sometimes, that means that we work to live as though such things didn't even have a name among us.

How Well Do You Draw?

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."  Jesus, as recorded in John 12:32.

We've all known that person who just seemed to draw a crowd to themselves.  They had something about them that just seemed to attract others to them.  And, truth be told, we've all probably had those moments where we had a bit of envy toward them.  We wonder why we can't naturally draw people to us the way that they are able.  They seem to naturally converse with others.  They seem to set people at ease.  People actually like to be around them, and look for opportunities to be around them.

It's not a stretch at all to say that Jesus was like this.  When you read through the Gospel accounts, you find that people were coming to hear Jesus, and people were generally saying good things about Him.  And then, in the verse we have above, we also see that Jesus is eventually going to draw all people to Himself.  Everyone in this world will eventually stand before Him, on the day of judgment, and will be drawn to Him, whether they want to or not.

But as we await that day, I want to put a different thought before you.  How well do you draw?  How well do you draw others to yourself?  And right there, some of you might stop reading.  You might not want to draw others to yourself.  You may comfort yourself by saying that you are an introvert or something along those lines, but really, that's no excuse.  You really do want others to notice you and to like you, you just may find that you aren't as comfortable in doing that as other people seem to be.

Here is where this also hits us as Christians.  How well do you draw others to yourself, because, when you bear the name of Jesus, what you do is what also gets associated with Jesus.  If you are a Christian and you avoid others, those others will inevitably think the same of Jesus.  As Christians, we aren't called to live lives of isolation.  Instead, just as Jesus was sent to draw people to Himself, we are also sent to draw people to Jesus.

So how well do you draw?  It might not be the most natural thing, but you know what?  It doesn't have to be dynamic or anything like that.  In fact, I would even suggest that you start off by choosing one person that is newer to you, and taking a genuine interest in their life.  When you get down to it, that's actually the heart of what makes you a drawing person.  You are interested in others.  You ask questions about them.  You want to see them, and to spend time with them.  They are drawn to that.

Who is there that is newer at your local body of believers that you can work to draw to Jesus by drawing them to yourself?  Simply start showing an interest in them that isn't just superficial, but that truly wants to get to know them.  You might even just find that others start to see you as one of those people who seem to draw others as you grow in thise!

I'm at War With Myself

"...put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires...put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."  Ephesians 4:22-24

I daily face a challenge.  I have things that I want to do, which I know and believe God would have me to do.  And yes, I really do try to do them as often as I can.  But I face another reality that is at work within me.  I have a rather significant part of me that wants to do what it wants to do, and not what God wants to do.  I have an old self, that lives for its own good, and at the same time, I have a new self, which wants to do what is good for others.

I make a lot of efforts to put off this old self, to a lot of mixed results.  There are certain things that just simply are not greatly tempting to this old self, and in that, I thank God that He gives me strength in such areas.  Yet, there are also those things that really do seem to speak powerfully to the old self.  The old self wants to get involved in them, and to put off the new self when it comes to those things.  Shoot, I even find the old self making what sounds almost like a godly excuse.  "Go ahead, because you know you're forgiven by Jesus.  Just give in, and that will take away the temptation."  And I have to admit that I find myself sorely tempted. 

Putting off the old self isn't easy.  In fact, one of the things that I have discovered as a pastor is that one simply cannot do this on our own.  That's why God gives us the Body of Christ, our fellow brothers and sisters.  If we try to put off the old self on our own, we're simply going to slip back into that same thing time and time again.  However, when we ask someone to help us bear the burden, to keep us accountable to our God and to each other, we have a source of strength that we would not have on our own.

Where are those areas in which you have a tough time putting off the old self?  Is it some sinful behaviour you are caught up in?  Is it something you know you should be doing, but simply aren't?  Who is there within your body of believers that can share the burden with you, holding you accountable, and yet lovingly walking with you through it?  I would dare say that such a person would be one of God's greatest gifts when it comes to putting off the old self.