Do you notice anything about the results that are pulled up.  Almost every single image that’s returned is of the temptation, the fall, or the expulsion.  Why is this so?

It’s interesting that when we think of this seminal moment in God’s creation, the creation of the human race as man and woman that our minds and paintbrushes apparently go straight to the fall.

At first, I wasn’t that excited about the image on the right.  It’s not very modern.  There’s nothing in it that necessarily grabs a person right away.  But as I was thinking about it, I began to like it more.  There’s an innocence attached to this image, both in content and in style.  Things are whole and wholesome.  As they were meant to be.

When God created Adam and Eve this was his desire.  To create an environment where things were innocent, not in a foolish “golly gee” way, but in a way where people followed God’s will and were in line with the design.  Part of that desire was man and woman to meet.  To care for each other and for the creation.

Think about it- what would a creation look like where sin had not entered, where people saw God’s will as good and went back to his designs.  What would the relationship between man and woman look like?

What does it mean to be a godly dad?  That’s the question asked and answered in this video.  Take a moment to think about this.

Then take a moment to read the promotional material below to learn more about a ministry we’re starting here at Messiah called, “Letters from Dad”.  If you’re close, talk to us about signing up.  If not, think about bringing the program to your church.

THE BIG QUESTION?

If God were to take you home today… what would your wife and children hold in their hands tomorrow that would let them know that they were the treasures of your life?

THE RIGHT ANSWER… Letters from Dad

You will learn what it means to give THE BLESSING to your wife, children and grandchildren. In addition you will:

Learn to write the things you have always wanted to say but didn’t know how.
Leave treasured letters of love that will be read long after you are gone.
Learn to speak and write these Blessings to your family.
Build deep and lasting relationships with other men in your Legacy Group.
Store, in letter form, the only 3 things that remain: Faith, Hope and Love.

Those are some powerful words, huh?   Well, what are the details?  Essentially this is a program that asks men to sign up to gather at Messiah 3 or 4 times to learn how to write letters to those who are significant in their lives- to our wives, our children, and our parents.  If you don’t have those same categories, you can write letters to mentors, coaches, grandchildren, etc.  When we gather there will be time for fellowship, a time where we study Scripture, and also a time to learn more about the lost art of letter writing.   Finally, within smaller groups we’ll work to put together the pieces so that we can actually write the letters and take time to reflect on the process with each other.  Between the sessions which will probably take place a month or so apart, you will deliver the letters to your loved ones and also work on devotions which help keep you active in the process so that it’s not simply a one day high followed by the “same-old”. 

When does this happen? Register now and the first session is Aug. 24^th 7-8:30 pm (sessions 2, 3, 4 will follow based on our men’s time schedules)

Where will this happen?  At Messiah Lutheran Church

How much does it cost? The only cost is your curriculum and materials which you pay directly to Letters from Dad.  The costs range based on what your order and scholarships are available.

How do I register or learn more? You can speak to volunteers in the narthex after our worship services or contact Pastor Borkenhagen- 972-398-7500 or dborken@messiahlutheran.com

Clearly, in every stage of life is important for a person to have a father figure, but what I liked about this image is that it shows an adolescent Jesus with Joseph, maybe close to the age with the Temple incident(Lk 2:41-52).  It’s a great image becuase it shows Joseph with his arms around Jesus- arms of love, support, and most of all pride.  Adolescent boys need to feel that sense of pride from their fathers.  They need to keep hearing that their fathers see them maturing and they are with them through those stages.  I’m sure Joseph felt an incredible sense of pride in watching Jesus grow up, taking something from his earthly father as he walked forward to complete the mission of his heavenly Father.

We’ll actually be beginning a new ministry at Messiah soon called, “Letters From Dad” which is focused on helping men leave a legacy of blessing to their wives, children, parents, and beyond.  I’ll post more on that soon.

I also wanted to include the artitst’s own statement in relation to this work.  Here it is:

“I will establish his line forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens.” (Psalm 89:29) This psalm, chosen from the feast of St. Joseph, reiterates Nathan’s prophecy to King David in the second book of Samuel, chapter 7. A prophecy that is fulfilled in Joseph and Jesus. While preparing for this painting, my thoughts steadily moved toward a vision that would address this legacy while gently revealing the reality of Joseph as the man chosen from the beginning of time to be the earthly father of God’s only son. I saw an image that spoke not only of the magnitude of this relationship, but also of the closeness and intimacy they must have shared.

Here’s a link to the page as well if you want to learn more or buy the image.

I’ve been thinking on the issue and was excited to come across this article on the Concordia Seminary St. Louis theology page.  Leopoldo Sanchez does a great job reflecting on some of the Lutheran distinctives that guide us theologically on this issue.  Especially the ideas of vocation, of the two kingdoms (spiritual and civic), and the idea of neighbor.  He even points out that the Arizona governor is an active LCMS member and in her speech you see that these teachings have impacted her thinking on the issue.

The article doesn’t claim to answer definitely what is right and wrong, but helps set up a context for discussion.  What do you think?

We as Christians can respond in many ways.  First, I think we should get involved.  Sign the petition to express your disagreement.    This is a pretty easy step.  You can forward this on to other Christian friends as well. Again, a relatively easy step.

The bigger question is, how will you discuss this with nonChristian friends.  Obviously, we don’t want to be whacking people with this, but I think this is a great opportunity to engage in dialogue.  We can express our desire to pray for our country, our desire that while religion is not imposed, that we would still like to see our nation uphold values and protect the ideal that the sacred and the secular can and should touch.  This is a point on which there is great debate.  And yet, we need to help others understand there is no way a person can truly divorce their spiritual beliefs utterly from the civic world.  There is so much ground where they just will touch.  There are some places I don’t go.  I don’t want a prayer imposed on school students.  But then there are positive places.  I do like time of silence for prayer.  I do like allowing Christian (or other religious groups) to advertise and meet at school and governmental offices.  National Day of Pryaer to me is such a place.  It expresses that our government understands there is an important place for the people to pray for the country.  It mandates nothing, but opens our hands to so much.

Take advantage of this as a chance to dialogue with Christian and nonChrsitians alike.  I think this is a place for us to take some risks and look forward to the conversations.

The Lord is depicted with bright garments within a transparent and interrupted circular “glory” that follows the contour of the cross-engraven crown of light around His head. The “glory” is faintly noticeable above His head. The Lord, having descended into Hades with authority, is seen with a firm footing and a powerful stance upon the gates of Hades, fallen in the shape of an X. In His left hand, Christ is holding a huge Cross, the symbol of victory. With His right hand (where “the mark of the nails” is obvious, as well as on His feet) Christ is raising out of the cave of Hades the forefather Adam, who symbolizes the human race, with a vigorous and unilateral motion. As a result of this movement, the garment of the triumphant Christ is shown as being blown upwards by the wind.

Together with Adam, Eve also stretches forth her arms in a beseeching manner. Behind them and a little higher is St. John the Forerunner, who is indicating the Lord. The space is completed with the righteous Abel, a young, beardless man with a long shepherd’s staff and an ecstatic expression. In the dark cave of Hades, “the locks of death,” the age-old bars and chains are seen as if shattered by a supernatural power.

At the top of the trapezoid composition two angels are bending over behind the craggy peaks and are sharing in the triumph of the cosmic and eschatological victory of the Theanthropos Lord.

The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom (Read Each Year at Pascha)

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!  Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?  Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?  Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour,  let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour,  let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour,  let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour,  let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,  let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,  as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!  First and last alike receive your reward;  rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,  rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,  for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;  for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, “You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God.  It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

As I start thinking about thinking about the future, I’m thinking abou this blog (probably not the greatest sentence in the world).  I’d like to take some time to evaluate what we’ve done here and what the direction toward the future should be.  Who’s reading?  Where are you reading from?  What do you get out of it?  What articles or themes do you like or would you like to see? 

If you could take literally just 15 seconds to reply to the blog or even just email me at dborken@messiahlutheran.com if you’d like your comments to be private.  Answer any or all of the questions above.  Even a simple, “Yes I read it,” helps as I think about how or if this fits into future ministry.

BUT IT WILL SURE HOLD YOUR ATTENTION.     

That’s the quote that grabbed my attention in a forward recently.  And I did click on the link and then found this quote as the video loaded.

The Bear” is an unusually involving film about animals that will give you a fresh perspective on their world.

That’s a big claim, so I thought I’d watch.  But I found something interesting in myself going on.  I started watching and I found myself growing impatient as the seconds ticked by. The claim was that this would sure hold my attention and that it would be unusuallyinvolving.  It should give me a fresh perspective on the world, but I’d watched for what seemed like plenty of time and nothing significant had yet happened.  I was about ready to navigate away, when I thought, “oh whatever, give it a little longer.”  The rest of the movie was kind of interesting.  Especially the ending scene where the small bear growls and seemingly scares away the mountain lion only for us to discover it was a bigger bear in the background.  You could definitley draw some Christian parallels there.

But what was more interesting to me than all that was my reaction to the video.  I rewatched it and discovered that my impatience happened within the first 45 seconds, probably the first 30, because even after my internal dialogue I had to wait a little before the acton got going.  Once the action gets going, I was involved enough to watch and think, but isn’t it interesting to see how quickly we make decisions in the digital world of today.  I was ready to cast aside a video because it made big claims and wouldn’t deliver in the first 30 seconds.

Today I was looking at the bounce rate for this blog, and it’s interesting to see that a significant number of people hit the site but bounce off it in under a minute.  That probably means they couldn’t get to this sentence before they’d left. So if you’re still reading, you’re a winner (kind of kidding I think). 

This makes me think in a couple of direction in terms of faith.  First, as we listen to the Scriptures I think of the psalms that constantly remind us to “wait on the Lord.”  How good are you at that?. . . . Yeah, exactly.  Neither am I.  We live in a world today that wants to get to the action immediately.  Like the video.  It made big claims but wasn’t delivering right away, so I was ready to leave it, despite the fact that in the end, it really did give me something worthy.  How often do you delve into Scripture and leave because you’re not getting an instant “wow” moment?  How often do you see a promise from God and grow impatient because God doesn’t seem to be delivering?  What do we need to do to help ourselves learn the process of slowing down and waiting on the Lord.

The second consideration is this.  One of the things that made me impatient was the big claims in the link and on the site.  I felt like I should be immediately wrapped up in action.  In today’s world, we need to be careful of our claims in regards to faith.  We’re dealing with people like. . . well, like me, who hear a big claim and then expect immediate action.  So when you’re talking to them about faith, or your worship, or time in Scripture, be careful of how you “sell” it.  Maybe God will deliver them some action right away, but we might also be wise to talk to them up front about the value of patience or about our own experiences waiting on the Lord.  It may be countercultural, but it might also speak a word to them that will ring much truer than big claims which they might not “feel” right away.

I think this ad was indeed a great example of God doing some amzing things despite the opposite intention of many.  You’ve got Planned Parenthood and other groups going after the ad and saying CBS should cancel it.  You’ve got a ton of people saying Tebow shouldn’t get involved in so much controversy.  And there’ s a ton of hype.  Everyone is waiting to see the controvesial piece.  And all you have is a quick little thought from Pam about how thankful she was for her miracle baby and that sometimes you have to be tough.  Then they point you to Focus on the Family’s website for more.

That’s it.  Not much in general in terms of message, but I think they did exactly what they wanted.  They got to put out a positive, humurous message that would drive people to their site where more information could be found. They got a ton of free publicity thanks to the controversy. And in the end most people would have watched the ad and been thinking, “What were those pro-choice people so worked up about?”

Nice to see God’s hand at work.

Here’s a video on the issue.

Here’s a WSJ article that takes another look at the problem in Haiti with adoption in general.

This is a very complex issue and one that raises a lot of thorny questions.  Maybe the missionaries weren’t intending to traffic children, but the reality seems to be that they didn’t have the proper documentation and should have known that.  This is kind of one of those “does the ends justify the means” type questions.

Another side of this is questions about the broader implications of their decision to take some chances.  Did they think what kind of an impact this would have on the image of Christians worldwide?  Did they think what the ramifications would be for other missionaries dealing with orphans when something like this comes to light?

I certainly understand hearts that want to reach out to children, that just want the best for kids.  Having dealt with CPS and the foster care system, I understand frustrations with beuracracy and the feeling that you know what’s best, but I also know that these are also situations where despite our feelings, we sometimes have to pray for peace and let go and let God.  It may not seem like the best thing to us, but it’s an issue of trust.

Having said that, I certainly pray that things get cleared up and that these people whom I really believe weren’t doing this maliciously or for the sake of trafficing are eventually cleared of charges, but that this sends a message to all to make sure they work within means that uphold the Christian spirit as well as working towards such ends.