Eagle's Wings - February 5, 2012

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Published on Friday, 03 February 2012 16:26

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but too bad.

                                                                                                            Roman 13: 1, 3

A leading presidential candidate, I won’t mention any names, stated on Wednesday, after winning the Florida primary, "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I'll fix it. I'm not concerned about the very rich. They're doing just fine.”

As Lutheran Christians that statement should be, at the very least, alarming, because, our Lutheran heritage holds good government up as a gift from God, and is in place to take care of the people in its charge.

In his explanation of the Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, in the Small Catechism, Luther states: “What then does daily bread mean?” Answer: Everything included in the necessity and nourishment for our bodies...upright and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, decency, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

The Declaration of Independence contains such language for making sure the government gives its people their daily bread, and that the people have a say in how the government gives daily bread, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

In other words, we have been given the gift of good government, and a right to be part of it. But more importantly, we also have the right and duty to change it when we see it is being ineffectual, harmful, or complacent to the very people It has been called to protect.  

So...let us pray…

 Shalom,

Pastor Mark  

Eagle's Wings - January 29, 2012

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Published on Friday, 27 January 2012 18:14

“I said, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:9, 10)

Satchel: Cheer up Buck! Things are going to get better!

Buck: Satchel, life is like a can of tuna. It’s messy. It stinks. You can fit all the good bits in one bowl. Some cans are better than others and every now and then a bone pops out, but you still eat it.

Satchel: Wow. You’re like Fuzzy Gump.

                             (From the comic strip “Get Fuzzy” by Darby Conley)

“Life is like a box of chocolates…” Remember that line from the movie, “Forrest Gump”. Whether the analogy uses chocolates or tuna, the implication is still that not everything will go according to our plans and that there will always be surprises, some not so pleasant. Contradicting that chaotic approach to life is the constant revelation of God’s love for us. Epiphany unfolds for us the constant presence of a living Lord that not only calls us, but leads us and when necessary carries us through. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, God will strengthen us, help us and hold us up. Perhaps the best resolution we can make for this still relatively New Year is to work on strengthening that relationship we have with Jesus Christ. One question that goes with that is to look for those close moments with Christ. Use those moments to re-focus our minds on the one who lives, the one who is always with us when we have to work our way through the next can of tuna, bones and all.

          Blessings and peace, Pastor Bob

Eagle's Wings - January 22, 2012

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Published on Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:10

EAGLE’S WINGS

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

                                                                        Psalm 28.7

What a wonderful time we had this past weekend, enjoying God’s creation as we skied in the mountains of West Virginia! There were seven youth and three chaperones from Advent who tackled more than the ski slopes. Though the weather was perfect for skiing (20-30’s during the day and teens overnight), it was not the only obstacle the Floridians had to overcome. Bundled up in our winter regalia we braved the cold only to find that skiing doesn’t come natural to many, especially to those in our group. But after a lesson the youth, and some adults, were ready to put theory into practice.

One thing we noticed right off the bat was that this trip was a little different than most in that, there was an element of uncertainty in it all. For our safety, we had to trust the ski instructors, the lift rats, the snow makers and groomers, ski patrol, and probably most importantly, we had to trust each other. And we did!

It was wonderful to see the transformation of individuals into a group of skiers who helped each other get down the trails. When one, or more, fell the others would stop and help that them up, or fall down too. But eventually they all would make it down to the base, laughing and talking with excitement, and race over to the lift to do it one more time.

It is blessing to experience relationships that grow and mature into reflections of God’s love for each other. And that is what I witnessed this past weekend, people who were hanging onto each other , because, whether they realized it or not, that’s how we hang onto God.

Shalom,

Pastor Mark

Eagle's Wings - January 15, 2012

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Published on Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:06

EAGLE’S WINGS

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“Jesus answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 11:1)

“The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and therefore, brothers”

            Martin Luther King Jr.

“From Antigone through Martin Luther to Martin Luther King the issues of liberty has turned on the existence of a higher law than that of the State”

            Milton Mayer

           Sometimes neighbors are difficult to love, and some are even difficult to like but there it is in Leviticus 19, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” It doesn’t help when you turn to the dictionary and find neighbor defined as (1) one who lives near another, (2) a person or thing that is near another person or thing and (3) a fellow being subject to the obligations of humanity. I figured I could worm my way out of definitions one or two by fixating on actual measured distance but that would be just like the young man in Luke. Number three however nails me to the wall; a fellow being subject to the obligations of humanity. That can cover just about anybody, anywhere and anytime.

            The only possible solution I have come up with is that wonderful gift we call grace. When encountering my neighbor, the question has to be, how does God want me to treat this person in our relationship. Perhaps a better way to put it is using the words from a song, “He’s got you and me brother/sister in his hands.” Conflict will always be a part of life. The better way to deal with life is like the good Samaritan who helped for only one reason, here was someone in need. We need to look out for the needs of our neighbors sometimes even in spite of a not so good relationship.

                                     Blessings and peace, Pastor Bob

Eagle's Wing - January 8, 2012

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Published on Thursday, 26 January 2012 09:56

EAGLE’S WINGS

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Happy Epiphany! That’s right…according to our Christian calendar its Epiphany, because last Thursday was the last day of Christmas. But before we get into all that, how many really felt that last week was still Christmas, or at least the Christmas season? How many realized the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas day and continued eleven days afterwards―not the twelve days before Christmas.

On the other hand, according to our civil calendar, Christmas was over a day or two after December 25^th. Hence, the lights were down, the music had changed, and the red hearts, signaling Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, were up, and the race was on to buy more stuff!

We are in a constant struggle between our civil calendar and our religious ones, and what each promises. Our civil calendars have been molded into seasons of consumerism, each bleeding into the next without pause. As soon as the Christmas wrapping paper is discounted, the candy hearts and paper cards for Valentine’s Day begin to appear, followed quickly by St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks and leprechauns, chased by Easter’s bunnies and candies. Then, it’s onto Mother’s Day bouquets, Memorial Day sales, Father’s Day ties, Fourth of July fireworks and hot dogs, back-to-school sales and Labor Day clearances. Halloween begins in September, Thanksgiving in October, Christmas in November. 

Our civil, consumer calendar offers us no break in the buying season, no chance to reflect, to pause, to celebrate, to truly linger over the many ways God breaks in the world and our lives. Our Christian calendar on the other hand offers us a chance to resist absolute conformity to the timetables of consumerism, to push back against a culture that requires us to find our worth in things, to stand defiantly against a calendar that hurries us past meaningful pauses and refuses to let us rest in peace. Our Christians calendar is a reminder that our time is precious and should be savored rather than offered for sale.

Happy Epiphany!

Pastor Mark

Eagle's Wings: December 18, 2011

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Published on Thursday, 29 December 2011 16:34

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.  On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  -Revelation 22:1-2

"Hey, that's a funny looking Christmas tree."  Have you ever heard that remark about a chrismon tree, and wondered to yourself, "where did it come from?"  A variation of the Christmas tree, the chrismon tree was developed by Frances Kipps Spencer in 1957, as a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, when she set out to create decorations appropriate for a church Christmas tree.

So what is a chrismon anyway?  A chrismon is a monogram of Christ -- Christ+Monogram=chrismon -- symbols reminding us of Christ.  But chrismons as ornaments are more than monograms; they also tell about Jesus the Christ, and refer to life, ministry, nature and teachings of Jesus.

So how does it all come together?  The evergreen tree, which symbolizes eternal life, forms the background for tiny white lights and gold Chrismon designs.  The lights speak of Christ, the light of the world, and the chrismon ornaments proclaim the name, life, and healing acts of Jesus Christ, which is God's constant presence in our ever changing world.

Peace,

Pastor Mark

Eagle's Wings: December 11, 2011

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Published on Thursday, 29 December 2011 16:23

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly what he has done has been done through God."  (John 3:19-21)

Most mornings, if the spirit is willing, I go on a morning walk for exercise and to just be alone and have some solitude and talk with God.  It might be called my morning offering.  I consider it my morning offering because I offer the day to God, even those parts that are already on the calendar whether it is counseling, a meeting, a rehearsal, sermon preparation or simply paperwork. 

When I start my walk it is usually dark and much around me is indistinguishable and one does not know what might be lurking in the shadows.  As the sun begins to brighten the day, things become clearer and also it seems to me friendlier because I can discern what those dark shapes were and the shadows begin to disappear.

At times like that the words of Jesus to Nicodemus remind me that the Light that came into the world will be with me that day.  There is renewed in me a sense that what I do that day will be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It reminds me also that I need to look out for those dark spots during the day when I find myself saying, My will be done.

Now believe me, during the day, in spite of my best attempts, there are times I am in the dark and there are sins of omission as well as commission.  At those times I am thankful that Jesus Christ the light has come into the world and through him I can know the grace and mercy of God.

May God's light shine in your life every day.

Pastor Bob

Eagle's Wings: December 4, 2011

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Published on Thursday, 29 December 2011 16:07

But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.  Therefore,  beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.  - 2 Peter 3:13-15

The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church year and comprises the four weeks before Christmas.  The church has observed a season of preparation before Christmas since the appearance of regulations on fasting issued by Bishop Perpetuus of Tours in 490 C.E.

Well, there you have it; according to the ELCA, Advent still comes before Christmas!  So, despite all the Christmas music, Christmas sales, Christmas parties, Christmas pageants, Christmas caroling, and whatever else we so desperately want to put in front of Christmas, this is still the season of Advent.  It is actually a time when we're supposed to slow down and prepare for what is to come, not speed up and drive ourselves crazy.

After all, the word Advent means, "coming."  Therefore, Advent is the time that we wait and hope and prepare for the coming again of Jesus the Christ for the first time.  Confusing, right?  But that's all the more reason to sit back and reflect upon what Christ in our lives means, especially just before we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, who was crucified, died and was buried...but who lives.

Living in the hope of Christ's coming and Christ's real presence with us now, we adorn the sanctuary with "blue", the color of hope, to remind us that it is with hope (faith) that we continue to anticipation, not only the coming of the Christ child, but the fullness of time that will be Christ's second coming.

So, perhaps among all the noise and confusion that accompanies our journey to Bethlehem, we might somehow hear that Advent is a time for Christians to live in the hopeful expectation of the incarnation of Christ on Christmas.  Not before!

Blessing this Advent Season,

Pastor Mark

Eagle's Wings: November 27, 2011

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Published on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 23:20

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,

My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,

Then he sat me down and spoke real slow,

And he told me there was something that I had to know;

His look and his tone I will always remember,

When he told me the horrors of .... Black November;

Come about August, now listen to me,

Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three,

And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,

And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin;

And then one morning when you're warm in your bed,

In'll burst the farmer's wife to hack off your head;

Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald and pink,

And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink;

And then comes the worst part, he said, not bluffing,

She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing.

Well the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,

I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,

And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,

I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;

I began a new diet of nuts and granola,

High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola

And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,

I stayed in my room doing exercise tapes;

I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,

and tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;

But t'was I who was laughing under my breath,

As they chomped and they chewed ever closer to death

And sure enough when Black November rolled around,

I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;

So now I'm a pet on the farmer's wife's lap;

I haven't a worry so I eat lots and then I nap;

She held me today, while sewing and humming,

And smiled at me and said: 'Christmas is coming!"

Sorry, couldn't help myself but this is my favorite Thanksgiving poem.  May God bless you with many good things this year that your heart will be filled with thanks.

Blessings and peace, Pastor Bob

Eagle's Wings: September 4, 2011

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Published on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 23:05

"Do not say to yourself, 'My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today."  (Deuteronomy 8:17, 18)

Commenting on this passage, Luther wrote:

When riches come, the godless heart of man thinks:  I have achieved this with my labors.  It does not consider that these are purely blessings of God that at times come to us through our labors and at times without our labors, but never because of our labors.  For God always gives them, because of his undeserved mercy.  For as we said above, He uses our labor as a sort of mask, under the cover of which he blesses us and grants us what is His, so there is room for faith and we do not imagine that by our own efforts and labors we have achieved what is ours."

I may have missed it but I didn't see any notice on the news or in the papers of any Labor Day parades in the Jacksonville area.  Originally, Labor Day was celebrated with a parade and large all day picnics.  However, we do have a federal holiday during which we can take time to remind ourselves of the blessings we have received from the work God has called us to do and to pray for doors of opportunity to open for those who are unemployed.  May God bless all of your labors whether they occur in home, in your community among your neighbors of at your work.

The peace of Christ be with you, Pastor Bob