Remembering Laurie Whitt

On April 28th Laurie Whitt of Maple Grove died after a 12 year battle with breast cancer. Laurie was a member of our congregation, a woman with a very strong faith in Christ. She was heavily involved in the Race for a Cure, an annual fundraising walk to benefit the Sue Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.

Laurie's husband Mike and daughter, Michelle and Ashley, gathered with hundreds of friends and other family members for her funeral held May 5. In the service we thanked God for her life and the huge difference she made in the fight against breast cancer.

I thank God for her life and pray that God's comforting Spirit will be at work with her family, friends, and all of us who will miss her in the years ahead.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

The War

It seems that not a day goes by when we do not turn on the TV or radio or go to a news web site that we hear about the war in Iraq. U.S. military deaths, Iraqi deaths, and deaths of terrorists are announced with regularity.

I'm not writing on war today to argue for one political solution to the war over anothers. Rather, as a pastor of the church I want to lift up how much God hates war. The Lord our God is a God of life for the world in Jesus Christ and wants humanity to be honored and well cared for no matter what.

Unfortunately, sin and destruction are always at work in the world and military solutions are needed to protect humanity from each other. It is in respone to our personal sin and the sins of nations and organizations that God sent Jesus to this world to bring healing, forgiveness, and new life.

Please pray for an end to all wars in our world. Please pray for the well-being of all humanity.

Blessings,
Pastor Durk

God's Victory

Last Sunday the church I am serving was packed with worshippers! Two of three services were filled to the walls with people gathered to worship God and give God thanks for the resurrection of Jesus.

On that awesome Sunday and for the next 50 days the church celebrates the resurrection.  In a sermon series for the next five Sundays my colleague, Pastor Chiles, and I will explore the theme "Taking It With You."  How do we live the resurrection? How do we apply it to our every day lives?

In our age that commonly talks about reincarnation and the here and now, the resurrection takes us to the present and future that God has for us in Jesus Christ.  It is a radical message for our world.  It is radical call to live in the light of the resurrection.

He is Risen!

-Pastor Durk

Book Reflection: Where will the current take you next?

Last week I finished reading a novel by Nathan Jorgensen entitled "Mulligan."  In the story a Rochester, MN, dentist named Joe Mix reaches a point in his life when he discovers he really doesn't enjoy his dental practice and starts to seek a change in his life.  At about the same time his marriage ends and one day he gets in his old truck and leaves town.  

He drives for several days- days filled with pain, reflection, and hope for his future. He spends a few months working on a ranch in Montana and then ends up working as a fishing guide on a beautiful river in Montana.   While working there he falls in love with a woman who works for the same outfitter.  He also makes a few new friends and truly starts to enjoy himself.   The novel ends with an opened ended question, "He wondered where the current would take him next."

This novel is a story of self-discovery and adventure in life.  As Joe Mix starts to discover himself I found my self reflecting on how God is the One who discovers us in Jesus Christ.  The Lord our God who created us is the one who saw our sin and brokenness and discovered us- no, found us-  and has saved us in the waters of Holy Baptism.

Where do think the current of the waters of baptism will take you next?

Peace,

Pr. Durk

Have you seen the movie Juno?

Last week my wife and I saw the movie "Juno."  Based on the screen play by Diablo Cody, this is a delightful and refreshing movie. It tells the story of a teenage girl, named Juno, who got pregnant and decided not to get an abortion but have the child and let a young couple adopt the child.

Filled with quirky, yet very realistic comments made by Juno about her pregnancy, I found the film provides new insights into the world of teens as they discover their sexuality and the meaning or lack of meaning in relationships.

On her way into the abortion clinic, Juno runs into an acquaintance who is protesting outside the clinic. "It has fingernails!" she exclaims to Juno. Juno goes into the clinic for a brief moment and then rushes out with her mind made up to have the baby.

In a rather surprising and unique angle, her boyfriend is in the picture the whole way. He doesn't disappear from the scene as is most often the case in our world. Juno loves him and after she gives birth, they are together.

Since not everything in life goes the way we might expect, I am always confident that our faith in Christ gives us the strength and courage to meet those unexpected twists and turns of life.

-Pastor Durk

Travel Channel Reflections

During the course of any given week I try to carve out a little time to watch the travel channels. I love going on tours around the world with the hosts of these programs. From Egypt to France to Chine to Argentina and more the programs bring you along to see the people, sites, and historical landmarks of these lands.

The Christian religion has travelled around our world many times over with still more places to go with the gospel. I am always in awe of God's great love and power that has gone out to the world through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The next time you travel or watch a travel channel imagine all those touched by the love of God in Christ and all those who are still waiting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

Blessed and inspiring travels to all of you!

Ashes to Ashes

Last night I walked into my son's basketball practice with the cross of ashes still fresh on my forehead from our Ash Wednesday service at church. Embarrassed, he ran up to me and said, "Dad, get that thing off your forehead!!" To alleviate his being uncomfortable I turned and wiped it off.

Even though the cross of ashes is wiped off, the cross of Christ still remains on my forehead. On the day I was baptized the pastor made the sign of the cross of me and said, "You've been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever."

This cross identifies me as God's child. What identifies you? What marks you for the world and the world to come?

Blessings,
Pastor Durk