Pastor Durk Explores

Sweating and Challenged?

2012-01-19T15:56:00.000-06:00

So, how often are you working out these days? Are you working out at home or at a workout center of some kind? Has your doctor told you to lose some weight, to get your cholesterol under control, to lower your blood pressure, and to just get in shape?

About 4-5 times each week I work out by lifting weights, walking, stretching, and swimming laps. I try to eat a healthy diet along with my family. For the last seven years I have committed myself to a healthy lifestyle. This is not easy to keep going- some days are easier than others to be motiviated, while on many days I have to reach down deep to work out.

Our bodies are gift from God. In celebrating this gift from God we are called to take the best care possible of our bodies. This may involve sweat. It may involve challenging yourself.

Our Lord is well aware of the challenge to care for our bodies. He is also aware that we may suffer in our bodies at some point in our lives. Cancer, injury, and other diseases inflict out bodies with pain and discomfort.

My wife and I have a famly friend who developed Parkinson's disease at at age 40. She is trying her best ot manage the disease. After several years, unfortunately, the disease manages her. She will be going on disablity due to the disease. Her body and overall health is proving to be a huge challenge.

One day in Christ she will receive a new body- a heavenly body, spiritual body, or resurrection body. One day all in Christ will receive their new body.

In the meantime, while we love and serve, we are called to "steward" or take care of the body that our Lord has given to us.

"For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" -Psalm 139:13.

As you sweat and and challenge yourself, thank God for the gift of your body.

Peace,
Pastor Durk K. Peterson

2012- A Time To Refocus?

2012-01-04T12:27:00.000-06:00

I cant’ help myself- I am hopelessly addicted to New Year’s resolutions. At the beginning of every year since I find myself obsessing about what I will do new and/or differently this year. Last year, I committed myself to working with swimming or biking 5 days each week. On the days or week I missed, the wave of guilt and failure hit me hard, even as I celebrated my commitment to this goal.

So, this year, I’ve decided to refocus or renew an aspect of my discipleship in Christ. As a pastor I spend time each week preparing sermons and Bible studies, but not as much time as I would like reading the Bible devotionally. So, 2012 is the year I plan to allow more time each day for personal reading of the Bible and prayer time. This may not impress you and you may be thinking, “Well, duh, of course, you should be doing this. You are a pastor, right?”

What about you? What would you like to refocus your life on this year? It might be your marriage- being more intentional about spending quality time with your spouse. It might be a friendship- you’ve always shared that you would like to get together more often, but just haven’t found the time. Or, it might be parenting your child(ren) or teens- you are refocusing on your style of parenting or adjusting your parenting as your child develops.

How about renewing your life of discipleship? Is there some aspect of your walk with Christ that you would like to renew in 2012? Maybe it’s more time praying- quietly alone or even on the fly as your day unfolds. Maybe it’s reading your Bible or joining a Bible study. Or, maybe it’s worshipping more often. Or, you would like to get involved in a special service project.

Refocus or Renew? May our Lord be with you and work through you in mighty ways this 2012. Oh, before I forget, don’t feel guilty if you fall short. Celebrate what uou accomplish! And, remember the love and patience of our Lord.

Pastor Durk Peterson

Alleluia! Lutheran Church, St. Michael

Feeling Rushed? Pulled In Too Many Directions?

2011-12-13T11:01:00.000-06:00

This time of year is an incredible and joyous time as we prepare for Christmas- programs, musical events, shopping, eating Christmas goodies, and making plans for time with family and friends.

At the same time during this time you may be feeling stretched thin or pulled in too many directions. You might feel like the winds of December are blowing you around and throwing you off-balance.

Last week I finished reading a book written by Chuck Swindoll entitled Embraced by the Spirit. This book pulled me back to the center of faith and life during this mad December rush. Swindoll turns our attention to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit can and does move in our lives and families to renew and refocus on Christ. The Spirit can and does calm us and restore balance in our lives.

We all know people who exude peace and confidence, don't we? Maybe you have this or know someone near you who does. As you talk or interact with this person you sense calm and a collected disposition.

My hunch is that many of you will be able to take a deep breath and relax a bit during the week after Christmas. My hope and prayer is that during that time as well as now God's Holy Spirit will be at work in your life to give you peace and an inner calm.

Jesus calms our fears and softens the hardened edges of lives when he says this, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear...But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25,33)

And, our risen Lord says this to his disicples who are trembling with fear and anxiety about their future, "Peace be with you!"

Joy in the Journey,

Pastor Durk Peterson, Alleluia! Lutheran Church

Shocked, Yet Thankful

2011-10-18T07:26:00.000-05:00

Last week shock spread through the STMA school system and our communities. The news of Tim Larson's murder hit the ears of many with disbelief and disgust.

If you experience a strong physical and emotional reaction to eath, you may also experience a time of questioning God. Where is God when a death like his occurs? What does God have to do with this? Can God help us accept and work through the news of a loved one or friend's death?

During dark and hard times our Lord brings family and friends to our side- people with whom we can share our feelings, questions, and memories.

Right into the very heart of times of grief God says to us, "I am with you. I love you. Your are my child and I will always care for you."

Our congregation hosted a Prayer Gathering in Tim's memory and honor last week. The hard part of that evening for me that night was including the murderer and his son in my prayers. I prayed for God to transform their hearts in Christ. This is so difficult when vengeance and disgust are so raw in our hearts.

John 3:16 reminds us of God's love for every single person in this world and what God has done for us by sending Jesus to die on the cross and to be raised for us. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he die, will live..."

My hope is that when you face the sudden loss of a friend or family member or co-worker you will be aware of God's loving presence of you. And, because of this, there is.....

Joy in the Journey,

Pastor Durk K. Peterson, Alleluia! Lutheran Church

Are you being lifted up and carried?

2011-09-27T20:18:00.000-05:00

Do you recall the last time someone went out of their way to help you? To lift you up? To carry you?

A couple weeks a cross country runner from Andover showed incredible compassion. In the middle of a major race Josh Ripley heard a cry of a pain. He glanced toward the ground as he ran around a crowded corner in the race and spotted an injured runner.

A freshmen from Lakeville had a gash in his foot from a running spike that was bleeding and inflicting him with pain. In a very surprising and amazing move, Josh stopped. He walked right over to the injured runner, picked him up and carried him 100 yards to a place where he could receive medical attention.

Just as Josh lifted the injured runner and carried him, so we are called at times to simply stop- stop, respond, and help- immediately. At other times we may find ourselves injured and crying out in pain and someone will stop to lift and carry us.

I am convinced that God loves us in every step of our journey of faith. Ultimately, He is the one who lifts us through Jesus. He is the one who carries us. All out of sheer love.

So, whether you find yourself doing the lifting or being lifted, know that it is all possible through the living and loving presence of God.

Joy in the Journey,

Pastor Durk Peterson, Alleluia! Lutheran Church, St. Michael

Refreshment!

2011-08-05T07:34:00.001-05:00

The other night the temperature cooled down and a soothing breeze was flowing. As I spent some time doing yard work I hardly broke a sweat. You know the feeling don’t know? When there is a break from the heat and refreshment comes rushing in?

In our journey of faith the Holy Spirit comes as a soothing breeze that refreshes us. Through the heat and challenge of living out our faith in Jesus the Spirit rushes in to revive and refresh.

When you feel overwhelmed, tired, and sluggish in your personal, family, or community of faith, you can rest assured that the Lord our God gives love and grace through Christ to fill you with renewed hope and energy.

Joy in the Journey,

Pastor Durk Peterson, Alleluia Lutheran Church

A Young Girl's Surprise!

2011-07-28T12:10:00.000-05:00

A Young Girl's Surprise

A few years ago drought conditions developed in the southern states of our country. People were growing wearing and frustrated, with no apparent end in site.

The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain came.

Members of the local churches called for an hour of prayer in a small Kansas town one Saturday. Everyone was asked to bring an object of faith for inspiration.

At noon on the appointed Saturday the people turned out en masse, filling the
square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The people were touched to see
the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands - holy books, crosses,
and rosaries.

When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to fall.
Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and
praise.

From the middle of the crowd one faith symbol seemed to overshadow all
the others. A small 9-year-old girl had brought an umbrella. An umbrella as her
object of hope.

What is your object of hope these days? What is your source of hope?

Jesus is the Living Water from heaven who has the power to refresh our lives that might otherwise be like the dried and cracked ground of parched land.

Peace,
Pastor Durk Peterson
Alleluia Lutheran Church, St. Michael, MN

Sudden Changes...

2011-07-21T11:26:00.002-05:00

Sudden Changes…..

What kinds of change have you experienced lately?

Perhaps you’ve heard one of the following messages:

“You have cancer.” or “This is your last day of work here.” or “I want a divorce.” or “Your home is going into foreclosure.”

On a more positive side of things perhaps you’ve received these messages:

“We’re pregnant!” or “Will you marry me?” or “Congratulations, the job is yours!

When you hear any of these messages or others, your world can change immediately.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever more” is message shared in the letter of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:8).

If there is one constant in our world of change and transitions, it is the grace of Jesus for you. The love of Christ is a rock, unmovable and permanent. His love for you is forever and can never be it taken away.

Peace,

Pastor Durk

Summer's Coming!

2011-05-24T08:22:00.000-05:00

How’s Your Summer Family Calendar Looking These Days?

Summer is finally here! The sun and warmer breezes and longer days have arrived. Thanks be to God! This is the time of year for us to appreciate the beauty and growth in God’s creation.

Summer is also the time schedules change. Children are home from school. They are involved in soccer or lacrosse or baseball or softball. Adults play in softball, volleyball, and golf leagues. My guess is that for most families summer is as busy as ever, only busy with a different set of activities.

Worship at Alleluia this summer continues with worship services at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. I want to encourage and challenge you to keep worship a priority this summer. If you need to “go radical” and work with a coach on keeping your family free for church on Sundays. As a parent and father of a son and daughter involved in athletics in Maple Grove I know the turf and how difficult this can be, but you can do it.

As you know we show our priorities very clearly in the decisions we make in terms of how we utilize our time. So, please keep your worship life alive and well along with your financial giving during these summer months.

I hear the word on the street every spring that summer is coming and worship attendance goes down and financial offerings go down. Though Alleluia has trended downward slightly in the summer Alleluia does not dip down like many other churches.

Together at Alleluia let’s shout down the word on the street for summer being a “down time” Let’s kick it up a notch here and continue to grow our attendance and offerings and building fund commitments.

Remember, our church operations continue through the summer with staff and facility needs as well as our giving outside our walls toward ELCA mission support.

For Jesus’ sake, we come together to worship and serve. See you in church this summer,

May your summer be filled with fun and joy as we follow Jesus together.

Peace,

Pastor Durk

Life Passages

2011-04-22T09:07:00.000-05:00

Our daughter, Laura, will graduate from High School on June 12th. My wife and I just can’t believe this day is fast approaching! As cliché as it may sound, it seems just like yesterday that our daughter was a young girl and now she has matured into a young woman of 17 yrs. We are looking forward to celebrating her accomplishments as she begins to anticipate starting her college studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in the fall. Her graduation is a significant “life passage.”

The Passage of First Communion: Here at Alleluia there are a several significant life and faith passages that will take place in May. First Communion happens for our third graders on May 1st. After a workshop for preparation they will be joining in the full celebration of the Lord’s Supper, receiving the bread and the wine, the body and blood of Jesus. This is such an exciting time for these children!

The Passage of Confirmation: On May 15 we will celebrate the Confirmation of our 8th graders. On this day they will be entering a new stage of involvement in the church. Once confirmed they become adult “voting” members of the congregation. This is also an important opportunity for our young people to say “yes” to their baptism in Christ and “yes” to their faith in Jesus.

The Passage of Marriage: One of my pastoral duties I enjoy immensely is presiding at weddings. There are 10 wedding taking place through Alleluia’s ministry this year alone. Working with couples getting ready for their marriage is so important and so rewarding. Transitioning into a life of marriage is a wonderful time for couples as they make their life long commitment to each other.

The Passage of Baptism: Here at Alleluia we continue to have many baptisms! We are blessed with many children and also a few youth and adults who have moved into a whole new life in Christ through baptism. Baptisms are always an incredible way in which to celebrate God’s forgiveness, grace, and love for us in Jesus Christ.

Please keep our children and youth in your prayers in these days ahead as they go through grace-filled and wonderful life passages!

Pastor Durk

2011-03-17T12:20:00.000-05:00

God is NOT an app!

As you may aware I enjoy technology and how it can be a tool for ministry. Whether facebooking or blogging or emailing or skyping, technology has its benefits for communication.

One of the latest developments in technology comes in the forms of applications or “apps” that can be downloaded to your phone or computer. There are thousands of apps to choose from- everything from games to reference resources to calculators and even Bible readings. Nearly every day I read from the Eugene Peterson’s Bible translation that I downloaded as an app a few months ago.

Do you ever feel as if you treat God and His power as an “app?” That is, do you find yourself seeking out God and wanting to download his power and grace only when you think you might need it?

The other day I finished reading a book about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was German pastor and theologian who was executed on April 9th of 1945 for being in involved in a plot to kill Hitler. Obviously, he was not spending time with technology, but he did study the scriptures and write theology to help us live out our life in Christ, even during the last couple years of his life while in prison.

One of Bonhoeffer’s writings addresses the human tendency to “compartmentalize “ God or to keep God at arms length until we really need him. We might divide up our life into work, marriage, family, friends, community, religion, etc. This would lead us to have God part of our life only one Sunday mornings at church or whenever we worship. And, the rest of the week keep God off to the side and draw upon his love in Jesus only when we need it.

Bonhoeffer reminds us that God wants all of our life to follow Jesus. Every part of our life! God is at work in our family life, work, friendship, finances, activities, etc. Yes, after our baptism in Jesus’ name the Spirit is moving through every part of our life, not just one “religious compartment.”

So, whether you download a religious “app” or not, know that God constantly calls on us to follow Jesus- to follow Jesus everywhere we go and all that we do. After all, God wants all of our life- every dimension, not just one or two.

Your Jesus loving and tech loving pastor,

Pastor Durk

It's Time To Journey

2011-02-17T12:59:00.000-06:00

Get Ready, Get Set…….GO WITH LENT!

As I’ve mentioned in a light-hearted way as of late in church, “So, we’re going to have Lent again this year!” Yes, Lent is an annual part of our life as a church. For 40 days (not counting Sundays) prior to Easter we journey through Lent with Jesus to the cross.

Historically, Lent is a time of repentance and reflection on our sin and need for God’s grace and forgiveness. Traditionally, Lent is also a time many Christians will give something up for Lent or, in some cases, take something on. That is, as an act of Christian discipline some people will sacrifice meat or chocolate or another food item to focus on the cross. Others will add a discipline like pray and midweek worship.

This year at Alleluia we will journey through Lent by entering the world of Jesus’ last week of life by way of dramas. Volunteers from our congregation will portray characters like Peter, Caiaphas, and Mary Magdalene. These biblical characters will be interviewed by a news anchor to bring their message and involvement with Jesus to life. I am grateful to Mike Frickstad who is coordinating and directing the dramas this year.

Something new will happen at Alleluia during Lent as well. We will worship on Wednesday evenings during Lent by singing the Holden Evening Service of Prayer. This beautiful, very lyrical liturgy was written originally for Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in Washington state. I am hopeful this will be a very powerful and inspiring mid-week worship service for everyone.

As we look to the last days of Jesus’ earthly life during Lent, we can experience renewal in our faith in Christ. Lent is at times referred to as the “spring-time” of the soul. Lent can enliven our faith and can refocus our faith in Christ.

Ash Wed. and Wed. Midweek Lenten Services:

Please plan on beginning the Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, March 9th at 7 p.m. (no soup supper that night) and then on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m (Mar. 16, 23, 30, Apr.6 and 13 with a Soup Supper served at 6 pm and child care provided. Donations for the Soup Supper will go towards the summer Sr. High Youth Mission Trip.

Holy Week: We will hold a Maundy Thursday Service at 7 p.m. on April 21. We will have the symbolic Washing of Hands and Holy Communion that night. The Good Friday Service at 7 pm. will be held on April 22 with a reading of the passion according to John’s gospel.

Easter Celebration Worship Services! Easter Services will be held at 9 and 10:30 am. On April 24th with Holy Communion, special music and inspiring worship for our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Durk

What Are Your Reasons For Giving?

2011-01-14T09:51:00.005-06:00

These past weeks I spent time with an incredible book by Miroslav Volf entitled Free of Charge: giving and forgiving in a culture stripped of grace. In this amazing book on Christian giving he explores the reasons we give.

+ Some gifts given are coercive in nature- we give in order to manipulate others.

+ Some gifts are sales-like in nature- we give in order to get something back from the receiver of the gift.

+Some gifts are given freely- we give with no strings attached and nothing expected in return.

God gives us the gift of Jesus and his grace freely and generously. We can choose to model the giving of God when we practice giving freely.

The next time you give an offering or make a donation or give a gift of any kind consider your motives. Trust me, the Lord our God will show the way of selfless and generous giving.

Blessings,
Pastor Durk

Christmas Joy!

2010-12-22T12:37:00.002-06:00

The other day I checked in with a family from Alleluia who is going through a job transition. The husband lost his job 6 months ago. Fortunately, the wife has a very good so they are making it financially. He continues the hunt for a new job.

The wife commented to me, "It's going to be a very simple Christmas this year." "A very simple Christmas."

Maybe this year will be a renewing experience for this family and others in transition. A challenging but beneficial time of reassessing to true meaning of Christmas and time with family.

This Friday, Christmas Eve, we will gather to worship the newborn baby Jesus at Alleluia! We will slow down to focus on the meaning and message of God's love given to us through the Christ child.

How simple will your Christmas be this year?

2010-11-28T17:09:00.002-06:00

Taking Time to Slow Down...

Advent time in the church is a time to slow down and focus on the arrival of Jesus. Yes, as hard as this might seem, I would suggest God is calling on us to slow down and reflect on all we've received from God and all we will be receiving from him.

In church this morning the eyes of our children were wide open as we lit the first candle for Advent, the candle of hope. I invited our children to go home and get their advent wreath out or make a wreath.

Are your eyes wide open to Jesus? Wide open to the arrival of Jesus? Together as we slow down this time of year may our God of grace fill us with expectation and with hope.

2010-10-27T12:25:00.003-05:00

A Free Gift for You!

"Here, this is for you." Do you remember the last time you heard these words spoken to you as someone gave you a gift? "Here, this for you."

God's grace for us in Jesus Christ comes like this. God says, "Here, this precious gift of grace is given for you."

How can this happen? It happens through the grace of God we know and experience in Jesus Christ through the waters of Baptism.

So, what are we to do with this gift? Receive it with open hands. Celebrate it in the joy of Christ. Share it with others.

Now, how does that sound to you?

Celebrating God's grace, Pastor Durk

2010-09-22T12:11:00.002-05:00

Money Matters

Yes, my friends money matters! It matters to Jesus and to our kingdom mission!

How are you doing these days handling your finances? How well are you doing in planning for your future financially?

These two questions came to mind this last Sunday as I was preaching on the parable of the dishonest manager from Luke's gospel.

As shocking as this parable is- that Jesus would use a crooked manager- to teach about the kingdom, there are two things we might learn from the manager as he rushed off to close deals with two of his owner's clients.
1. He was very quick and creative with finances once he knew he would be fired for mismanagement.
2. He was very aware of his need to create a future for himself. He nurtured at least two relationships by working out attractive debt settling deals before his firing.

Just some food for thought and for money as you live in the kingdom....
Pastor Durk

It's Time to Renew!

2010-08-17T10:33:00.002-05:00

Time to Renew

With fall fast approaching, we have an opportunity to change things up and take a look at our priorities and commitments.

At Alleluia Lutheran we will be challenging everyone to Renew their Commitments to our Lord Jesus through the congregation and its mission. This will happen through the following:

Frequent Worship
Generous Giving
New Learnings
Loving Service
Connecting Prayer

What new challenges will you take on this fall in your life of following Jesus?

Peace,
Pastor Durk

2010-06-29T07:07:00.002-05:00

The Faith of our Children

Last week at Vacation Bible School at Alleluia the eyes of our children were wide open with excitement! Their enthusiasm for Jesus and being together to learn and have fun is so contagious.

Jesus told the disciples and others to let the children come to him because "it is to such as these that belong the kingdom of God."

My prayer is that we can be open to God's Spirit and being disciples of Jesus as his children- humble, inspired, open to his guidance and His leading.

Blessings children!

Pastor Durk

2010-06-03T07:01:00.002-05:00

Refreshment!

What do you do in order to get refresh or rejuvenated? What "fills your cup?" This last week-end my family and I had some time to slow down and hang out at home. No tight schedules to keep. No pressing deadlines or projects to meet. A change in pace and schedules was just what we needed.

At the start of each day our Lord refreshes us with love, renews us with forgiveness, and rejuvenates us with the love of Jesus. This can and does happen for us because of God's deep love for us in Jesus Christ.

Take a moment today to thank God for the gift of Jesus. Jesus who died for us and was raised for us. Jesus in whose name we were baptized. Thank God for the many ways in which we are renewed and given new life through God's loving care.

Peace,

Pastor Durk

2010-04-26T08:07:00.002-05:00

New Life in Christ!

The other Sunday a young couple brought their 10 day old baby boy to church at Alleluia! Yes, they looked tired from lack of sleep-dark circles under their eyes and a tinge of redness in their eyes, but their smiles were bright and joyful. I could tell in talking to them for just a few moments that they were so happy and thankful for the healthy birth of their boy.

"When can we have him baptized?" they asked me toward the end of our conversation. "Any Sunday, either service," I replied.

New life through birth followed by new life in Christ. What a holy pattern and journey for our life in Christ!

Whether you are surrounded by newborns on a regular basis or not, the love of Jesus will always make you new=- a "new creation" as the apostle Paul writes. By the waters of baptism this new life in Jesus washes over us each and every day. From death and sin we move to life and forgiveness.

Blessings to you on your new life in Christ,

Pastor Durk

2010-04-02T23:26:00.002-05:00

An Amazing and Inspiring Night....

This evening we gathered at Alleluia Lutheran in St. Michael for a Good Friday service. Two rows of chairs circled a wooden cross that was dimly light with candles. A small mound of rocks enfolded the candle light.

We focused on Jesus' death on the cross through prayers, songs, a meditation, and the reading of St. John's Passion. A simply, but powerful service.

Our eyes gazed upon the cross in the darkened room. At the same time our eyes search for light, the bright light of a new day with the risen Christ.

Easter on its way....

Pr. Durk

How Precious Is Life?

2010-03-01T16:52:00.003-06:00

The other night I received a phone call from the Maple Grove Police Dept. in need of a chaplain to speak with a woman whose nephew committed suicide. On the drive over to her house I prayed for her comfort and for my ministry of being present with her to listen and to pray.

As soon as I entered her family room she shook my hand and said, "Jesus will take care of us." I was surprised by her immediate and confident witness. "Jesus will take care of us." What a strong testimony to the foundation of her life that was with her in facing such terrible news.

What do you say to someone who has lost a love one to suicide? Not aware of his life situation and what may have led him to the point of taking his own life, I find myself still challenged as a pastor to offer care in such a painful and tragic situation.

Jesus is "the resurrection and life." In Jesus is eternal life and an eternal relationship with God.

My prayer for this woman who lost her nephew is a pray of hope, comfort and strength. It is my pray that only comes from the Holy Spirit that gives us the words when we think that there is no way we will find them.

Amen to New Life!

2010-01-26T22:34:00.003-06:00

This morning I was privleged to visit Aurie Grace McCoy and welcome her into the world with prayer. Her parents, Derek and Libby, were overjoyed at her birth and her beaming health.

It was miraculous as always to observe her finely formed fingers and nose and eyes and ears. And, yes, it was even beautiful to hear her sneeze!

Psalm 139 reminds us of how our Lord fashions us in our mother's womb. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Aurie was formed and nurtured in her mother's womb and now has entered her journey of life.

On the day she will be baptized, Aurie will become a child of God. By God's grace, she will be welcomed in to God's family and filled with all the blessings and benefits of baptism- forgiveness, deliverance, and the promise of everlasting life.

God bless the McCoys and their new baby girl, Aurie!

Peace,

Pastor Durk

God's Power at Work to Heal

2009-12-27T23:20:00.002-06:00

This morning at Alleluia the MN Teen Challenge Choir sang and shared several messages of Jesus' healing power in their lives. I was moved and inspired by the honesty and humility expressed by the speakers.

The choir participants are in recovery from chemical addictions and are living examples of how God is able to provide courage, strength, and healing in unexpected and incredible ways.

How is God healing your life at this time? How would you say that God's Spirit is at work giving you a new lease on life?

If you or someone you know is battling an addiction of some kind, please reach out for help. There are excellent programs like Teen Challenge, a residential treatment program, that can provide a place where healing can begin.

Jesus said that he is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." What more profound way to begin healing than to remember these powerful words of hope from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Durk

2009-12-27T15:10:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving Eve Sermon

2009-11-27T14:17:00.003-06:00

From Greed to Gratitude

Thanksgiving 2009

Luke 12:13-21

Pastor Durk K. Peterson

Alleluia! Lutheran Church, St. Michael, MN

From Greed to Gratitude

For many families this year Thanksgiving will be different. Different than in years past. Job loss or transition. From two household incomes to one. From one income to none. Fear and anxiety. Bills to be paid. Job search. Wondering what the future will be. Is it possible to give thanks in this economic climate?

For others who still have jobs….”I can’t complain. At least I have a job.” In this economy I am so happy to have a job. It certainly is not the Great Depression my friends, but it is the Great Recession we are living through. Is it possible to give thanks on this night?

Maybe you’ve had this experience…as a pastor I’ve most often sensed or heard thankfulness or gratefulness from people who have gone through some really hard times in their lives- suffering of any kind, addiction and recovery of any kind, mistakes and consequences of any kind…. Somehow such tough experiences shape our perspective on life, don’t they?

There is nothing like turning to scripture to gain a renewed sense and spirit of thankfulness. If you’ve had the chance to read through any of the apostle Paul’s letters you more than likely have noticed how he often begins his letters. He almost always (except for Galatians) expresses thanks to God for the people to whom he is writing. He writes such things as this…

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying in joy…” (Phil. 1:3)

“I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers…” (Eph. 1:16)

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given to you in Christ Jesus…” (1 Cor. 1:4)

“In our prayers for you we always thank God the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ….” (Colossians 1:3)

Not does Paul foster a mood and spirit of thankfulness. Our Lord, Jesus also teaches and preaches what our God desires. The Lord our God desires grateful living. God desires what you’ve more than likely heard referred to as an “attitude of gratitude.” Yes, an attitude of gratitude. Thankful hearts. Appreciate lives. This is what Thanksgiving in our country is all about. Taking time to be thankful. Thankful for our many blessings, family, friends and possessions.

As you know the opposite of this attitude of gratitude is “ingratitude” or unthankfulness. Someone takes and takes and takes and hardly ever gives thanks. Someone expects everything to go his or her way and then is miffed when this doesn’t. Someone seems to unaware of how good they have it in life and how much to be thankful for. Whether aware of this or not, we’ve all had shown this ingratitude in some way if we are honest with ourselves. Or, we’ve met up with someone who shows this ingratitude quite clearly.

Jesus teaches us about thanks and gratitude through a parable you we hear in Luke’s gospel.

Luke 12:13-21

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ ¹⁴But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ ¹⁵And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ ¹⁶Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. ¹⁷And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” ¹⁸Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ²⁰But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” ²¹So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

The writer of Luke’s gospel sets the scene. A younger brother wants the older brother to divide up the inheritance. In those days the oldest brother got it all. Younger brother gets greedy. He asks Jesus to tell his oldest brother to do this. To this Jesus responds- be aware of all kinds of greed! For your life doesn’t consist in the abundance of possessions.

Picture of field of grain being harvested (combines at work)

Then, Jesus tells the parable of the rich farmer that you just heard read. So, Jesus tells a parable about a rich farmer. He celebrated a bumper crop. He had prepared the soil. Planted seeds. Tended the plants. And then when the harvest came it was overflowing. An incredible, unbelievable crop came in at the harvest. A bountiful harvest. The kind of harvest every farmer would love to see and experience and take to the bank. The crop was so huge that he had to tear down his old barns and build new, larger storage facilities. He celebrated and immediately went ahead with the build. Now is the time to “eat, drink, and be merry!” Now it is time to party! Part with reckless abandon. Party all night long and celebrate my good fortune for the years ahead.

Unfortunately, that night the rich farmer died. That night “his soul was demanded from him. And the Lord said to him. And now, whose possessions will these be?

The Problem? My friends, the problem is not the overflowing crop. No, his problem was greed and self-sufficiency. The greed at work in his said that he would never have enough. The self-sufficient bent or attitude said that he would be able to take care of himself just fine, thank you very much! No words of thanks to God or offering made to God in response to the harvest. No renewal of his dependence on God for his livelihood. In this story the farmers shows us how possessed by his possessions he is when he says, “My crops. My barn. My grain. My goods.

Picture of dollar sign $ here

So, what about us? What is our situation? If you think about it we live in a culture addicted to instant gratification. Yes, we expect that our needs should be met now with little delay, because….well….we want things now. And, we are addicted to luck or to chance. “If only I could win the lottery!” If only I would get lucky. To get that letter from a wealthy relative that we will have enough money to no longer have to worry abut money ever again. Both of these bring the focus on to us. Yes, us as the center of the universe….and away from the Lord our God.

We also live in a time when we regularly see public displays or investigations into greed revealed. Bernie Madoff, Denny Hecker, Tom Petters, Jeffrey Skilling from the Enron collapse. As I’ve followed these stories here and there I am usually just stunned….stunned but not surprised. Because I quickly realize that all of us have the ability or capacity to do the very same things as these individuals and criminals. How could they do such terrible things. Well, greed….for starters.

The word of judgement from the parable. This judgment comes in the in the form of a question. Now that your life is over, “Now who will have these possessions?” You can’t take it with you…. can you?

The Movie “Greedy”

One of my all time favorite movies is the moves Greedy starring Kurt Douglas. Douglas plays the part of a wealthy grandfather. As he gets on in years his children grow more and more greedy. And they spend considerable time ingratiating themselves to their grandfather. Well, one year the grandfather appears to be failing-ends up in a wheelchair. And then he appears to be losing his mind- he gets a girlfriend who is 30 years his junior. And, the kids go crazy and their antics go wild. Finally, at the end of the movie Douglas’s character is in the wheelchair poolside with his children practically begging him to divide the inheritance. And, he surprises them all when he gets up out of his wheelchair and walks away from them. Obviously their greed had gotten the best of them.

One of our challenges is greed. Bumper sticker “He who dies with the most toys wins!” Greed is a force in our lives that says this. You can never have enough. You will always want more. The late millionaire Howard Hughes once said this about money. “Just when I think I have enough money. I always want to have more…

Jesus Calls Us Back With Love!

My friends, God’s grace in Jesus Christ gets the best of us in a good way. Jesus loves us. Jesus forgives us. Jesus offers us grace and salvation through holy baptism. When we go down the path of ingratitude, Jesus calls us back. When we go down the path of greed, Jesus calls us back. Back to the full life in the kingdom.

Jesus is our Savior for whom we are ever grateful, ever thankful, ever indebted. Yes, tonight we can and should be grateful for our possessions, our family, our friends, our church- this great congregation of Alleluia! Above all we thank God for Jesus. We who love Jesus who follow Jesus who worship Jesus, will always be thankful…

2009-11-09T16:59:00.001-06:00

Why Give?

In my stewardship sermon on Sunday I listed out reasons why we should give a weekly offering. #1 on the list was "to grow spiritually" in Christ. When we give we are blessed. The Lord loves a cheerful giver as St. Paul writes in 2 Cor. 9.

What is your #1 reason to give of yourself and the resources God has given to you?

What happens to you and your heart of faith when you give?

Is there a way in which you can challenge yourself to open your hand so that you can give and receive all that our Lord has to given you?

Blessings to you in your life of giving in response to Jesus,

Pr. Durk

2009-10-18T16:30:00.001-05:00

Marriage Sermon by Pastor Durk

Living Confidently in the Lord

Love and Marriage

October 18, 2009

Pastor Durk K. Peterson

Alleluia! Lutheran Church

St. Michael, MN

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

(slide 1)

¹If I speak in the tongues^[^a^] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[^b^] but have not love, I gain nothing.

(slide 2)

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(slide 3)

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

(slide 4)

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -

To begin this morning I am wondering how many of you have been to wedding in the last year? Two years? Five years? I would invite you to imagine this couple today. Bring them to mind. Recall the sights, the sounds, the emotions, the words, the music.

This morning we continue our sermon series entitled Living Confidently in the Lord. Today we will look at Love and Marriage. What does it mean to live confidently in the Lord in marriage? Or, if you're not married, to support others in their marriage? What difference does Jesus make for marriage today? Marriages here at Alleluia! and throughout our community?

First of all I want to tell you that I just love weddings. The reason I love weddings is that the services are filled with such joy, such celebration, people smiling and happy for the couple. Everyone dressed up and decorations everywhere. Oh, and the food and the music that happen bring the day alive.

When helping couples plan their service I often will say jokingly, yet seriously, "Yes, your service will be perfect.” Perfect because it is God's service after all and God has brought you together for a reason. All the preparation comes together. Oh, yes, I could tell you wedding stories. It is also a great opportunity to preach the good news of Jesus.

I also enjoy working with couples getting ready for marriage. In working with the couples I am able to help them identify their strength areas and the areas they need to work on in their future as husband and wife. Most often I will lead a marriage classes in which couples getting married in the upcoming year have a chance to get to know one another better and better. One of my requirements is for couples to watch the movie License to Wed starring Robin Williams. He plays a priest names Father Frank who takes the couple through counseling and interacts with them in some challenging and surprising ways.

In fact, just this last Saturday I presided at a wedding right here in the Historic Church. The wedding for Jennifer Weiss and Travis Dahlheimer. Travis is the son of Pam and Kent Bjorkland., who are members here at Alleluia. It was a huge wedding with the church nearly packed. The music was awesome. The couple beautiful. The wedding party large- 8 on both sides. They shared their vows and everyone witnessed their vows. It was a wonderful celebration and time of worship as we thanked God for their commitment and love. As we celebrated their love, our focus all the while was on God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

My friends, as I’ve said numerous times, we at Alleluia! need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. And the same is true for marriage. In marriage we need to stay focused on Jesus. Yes, we need to see our Lord Jesus at the heart of marriage. The very center of marriage. I tell couples that as long as Jesus is their center and focus their marriage will be fulfilling and long-lasting. Jesus after all loves both spouses- died and was raised for husbands and wives. Baptized into Jesus each receives the gift of forgiveness. I would have to say that the key to a healthy and long-lasting marriage is forgiveness. When you hurt one another or disappoint one another or fail one another, can you forgive? Yes, I am asking if you can truly forgive one another. This is Jesus’ gift for marriage.

In focusing on Jesus the scriptures show us his teaching on marriage . Now Jesus taught us about marriage in the Bible His teaching on marriage is in Matthew's gospel. Early on in his ministry the Pharisees are intent on tripping him up. To do sothey ask him if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife.

⁴"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ⁶So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

-Matthew 19

Did you hear that? One flesh? Yes, a man and woman become one flesh in marriage. Jesus points to God's heart for marriage. He does so by taking us back to the opening of the Genesis where we hear that God created male and female and that a man leaves his family to be joined to his wife and become one flesh with her

For couples united in marriage what does “one flesh” mean?

United sexually…

Sharing possessions…

Sharing financial resources …

Sharing parenting duties…

Sharing emotional concerns and issues …

Sharing friends and relatives …

Sharing each other's sorrows and challenges. …

It is interesting and perhaps surprising to you that Jesus teaches about marriage when asked about divorce. Before addressing divorce he describes what marriage is all about. Later he says that divorce can only take place because of unfaithfulness. One historic note, in Jesus' day a husband could write a certificate of divorce at any time. But, Jesus brings both the husband and wife into the picture here in terms on responsibility and role in marriage.

Not only do we hear his teaching on marriage and divorce, Jesus also attended a wedding during his earthly ministry. He goes to a wedding in Cana with his mother, Mary. There they take part in a traditional Jewish wedding: music, scriptures, prayers, message, vows, and blessings. After the service the music and dancing break out. The food is served and the people celebrate! All the while we can se in our imagination taht Jesus si smiling. Yes, Jesus is smiling. My friends, Jesus is smiling today on marriage. Marriage as an institution of loving commitment. He is smiling on all of us as we honor and support marriages.

In lifting up our theme once again....Living confidently means seeing Jesus present and at work in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, present and working in the power of the Spirit to strengthen marriages here and throughout the world. And, thanks be to God, Jesus is with us and working through us in the power of the spirit to meet up with what I will term as the stressors and testers of marriage.

·The stressor and tester of raising children- let’s have a show of hands. How many couples are challenged now in raising their children?

· Job Transition and Loss- when this happens emotions run raw and relationships can be rocked. And marriages tested...

· Significant value differences. When disagreements occur marriage can be strained.

· Fidelity Issues Unfortunately, infidelity does occur in married life. Physically and emotionally and through the internet. The obvious questions are as follows- "Is there another man in your head and heart?" "Is there another woman in your head and heart?"

· Illness and disease- when you are not feeling well, it affects how you husbands and wives relate to one another. It can change your intimacy with each other.

· Moments of hurt and misunderstanding. These too can build up and affect your marriage.

My friends, sin is always at work in our world and in marriage. But, thanks be to God there is forgiveness in Jesus. There is love in Jesus. God tells us that He is present with us in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to take on all the stressors and testers of marriage.

Now we are all familiar with the reality of divorce. Some marriages do end in divorce. It could be infidelity or abuse or other differences that get in the way. I am not going to throw out statistics to prove this reality. In Matthew's gospel Jesus says that except for unchastity there are no grounds for divorce. Divorce occurs out of sin. As a result of brokenness. Can Jesus forgive this? Yes, Jesus can forgive any sin, no matter what kind of sin occurs.

Marriage Counseling: opportunities to improve your marriage. You may of course, already be aware of this, but when you feel that your marriage is stuck in a rut or that you are just not doing well in your marriage- get help! Talk with me or sit down with another Christian counselor and get to work, talking about your marriage and working through the problems.

We can turn to the apostle Paul for more perspective on marriage. In the 5^th chapter of Ephesians Paul writes about husbands and wives. He says that the husband is the head of the wife and the wife should submit to her husband. Now, if we stop here we have very skewed view of marriage. But, right after this he says that the husband should love his wife as he loves himself. Paul then refers to the same scripture from Genesis that Jesus refers to in Matthew. A man and his wife become one flesh. This is a profound mystery. The husband should love and honor his wife, just as he loves and honors his own body. In the past, Paul has often been interpreted as they that the man is in charge. Period. Yet, if you take a closer look at Ephesians you will see that he takes the husband and wife into account, honoring and loving each other.

Back to the original question I asked at the beginning of my sermon. So, what does it mean to live confidently in the Lord with marriage? What does this look like?

Living confidently in Christ for marriage very simply means “support marriage.” Honor marriage. Build marriage up. I realize that not everyone here today is married, right? Some here today are married. My message today is for everyone in Christ. As followers of Jesus, if we are not married we are still called or challenged to support marriages in whatever way we can. Think about the married friends or acquaintances you might have. How are you supporting them in their marriage? And, how might they be supporting you in your faith life as a single person?

On a lighter note. A couple years ago I attended the 50^th wedding anniversary for Curt and Alice. We were gathered in the Fellowship Hall for their reception. I walked up to Curt and asked him, "Curt, how in the world did you make it 50 years in marriage?" He smiled and winked and told me, "why, I've always done whatever she told me to do." Then I walked to the other end of the hall to Alice and asked her the same question, "How did you make it for 50 years?" to which she responded, "Easy. Curt has always done whatever I've told him to do." Pause. Obviously Curt and Alice were still in as much love as ever and could still give each other a hard time.

Personally I've experienced and walked in a strong confidence in our Lord in my own marriage. I met my wife Susan way back in 1982 at St. Olaf College. We both played in the college band and met each other at several band functions. That fall a mutual friend invited us on a double date. We hit it off and went on to date for nearly three years. We married just after I started seminary in Chicago. Our marriage was strengthened and challenged over the year as Susan taught English in community colleges and attended law school and began her first law positions. It also grew by the several moves and calls in which I've served over the last 20 years. Most memorably our marriage has grown and changed through the adoption of our daughter, Laura and the birth of our son, Eric. Like many couple we've experienced the mountains and valleys of marriage, the ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows.

For us and for many married couples a Bible passage stands at the heart of our commitment. It comes from Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth-1 Corinthians 13 The passage you heard read at the opening of my sermon. One of the most common readings for weddings, this passage is known the "love chapter." It comes right after chapter 12 in which Paul writes about the body of Christ as consisting of many parts such as the eyes and ears and how each part if needed in order for the body of Christ to function. Paul says that the body has many parts or gifts. And, God's grace activates the gifts in everyone to be used to increase the body.

The love Paul writes about here is not romantic love or eros love or specifically love for marriage. No, rather Paul is talking her about agape love or basic Christian love. This is the love that loves another person for who they are and how this love can help keep the body of Christ united.

Like the stressors and testers of marriage, Paul faced his own in Corinth. He took on the issues of sexual immorality, division in the church based on personalities, abuses of the Lord's Supper, and the bragging about spiritual gifts. There were hyper-spiritualists who thought that their gifts were more valuable.

Now, we can still have Paul's words on love help us talk about marriage this morning. Christian love among those who follow Jesus. I say this because the love Paul is referring to here is all about giving. Giving love that is patient. Giving love that is kind. Giving love that isn't jealous. Giving love that rejoices in the good. It is a love that never ends.

My friends, marriage is all about giving to each other. Giving because Jesus has given first to us. Given us love and forgiveness. Given us peace and understanding. Couples promise and God's promise to us.

Out of the entire wedding service the most powerful moment comes when the vows are spoken. Here a couple makes their promise to each other. When I work with couples they have 8 vows to choose from- all worded differently but all include “until death do us part” or for our “entire lives.”

The love of Jesus makes these human vows possible. After all Jesus is FOR US. He died for us. He was raised for US. He walks with us. He guides and inspires us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do we live confidently in marriage? My friends in Christ, we can live confidently in Jesus. Knowing and trusting that Jesus is at work in our marriage. Knowing and trusting that Jesus is present in marriages. And, knowing that God uses us all to support marriages around us to help them stay strong.

2009-10-13T06:51:00.002-05:00

Love and Marriage

This last Saturday I was privileged to preside at a wonderful wedding in St. Michael for Jennifer and Travis. The church was packed and those gathered were smiling and so excited for this couple as they came before God to make their vows.

"One flesh" was the theme of my meditation for this couple. What does it mean to live in "one flesh?" What does it look like to live in "one flesh?"

During the music following their vows, Jennifer looked into the eyes of Travis and said "You are my husband" in an amazed tone of voice. As she said this Travis nodded and smiled.

In the middle of gay rights issues and people asserting what they deserve in the church, it is refreshing to come back to the basics of marriage at such a service as this last Saturday.

In the beginning God created us male and female. In Matthew Jesus says that a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two will become one flesh. Is there intent expressed by God for the sacredness of marriage here?

May God bless all marriages and may our Lord be honored through vows spoken and lived out in "one flesh."

-Pastor Durk

2009-09-29T06:22:00.002-05:00

The Children Arrived!

This last Sunday 160 children showed up at church! All the children arrived and dozens of adults and teens packed the church basement of the Historic Catholic Church in downtown St. Michael where Alleluia Lutheran Church is meeting until we build our new church.

During worship dozens of children came forward for the children's sermon time. I was so happy to see all the children and to meet their parents. We are so blessed at Alleluia with such awesome families and so many people to help out.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, for it is to such as these that the kingdom belongs." Children are loving, curious, energetic, and trusting- just a few of the characteristics Jesus is alluding to here in his teaching.

How curious are you about Jesus and the things of God?

How energetic are you in pursuing discipleship opportunities?

How trusting are you of God?

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of children!

In Jesus' name,

Pastor Durk

2009-09-08T06:32:00.002-05:00

Watering Your Soul

Yesterday I spent time watering a section of our lawn that was turning brown. This is a crisis for the a lawn freak such as myself! Within a few hours the grass started to look better, slightly greening up. Without the water and the attention, this area of our lawn would have continued to suffered from lack of water and stayed brown.

When it comes to our soul, our faith in Christ, we need the continual watering of God's grace. God's love and grace in Jesus Christ renews and refreshes us with the promise of growth and new life.

What steps are you taking in your discipleship to be aware of this need? How are you celebrating this gift of grace that God gives us freely through Jesus Christ? My prayer is that the watering of God's love in Jesus will renew you this day and always.

Peace,

Pastor Durk

2009-08-20T20:26:00.002-05:00

Near Miss!

Have you ever had an experience of nearly being in the middle of storm or tornado? Just yesterday while working at the ELCA Church-Wide Assembly downtown Minneapolis, a tornado struck part of the Mpls Convention Center's roof and toppled the steeple cross of Central Lutheran across the street.

I felt a rush of wind and sudden change in air pressure through the doors I was watching at the moment it struck. A young woman ran up to me and said "Mr. Security! A tornado just hit the convention center!" Within minutes I along with a team of workers were hustling people into safe areas inside until the tornado warning expired.

I learned minutes later that a co-worker was walking to her car and was nearly "taken up into the tornado." She grabbed a a pole and clung tightly with her feet in the air. A young man ran to her assistance and helped her to hold on. Bruised, soaked, and shaken, she survived.

The tornado arrived out of no-where, suddenly, with no warning.

What does God have to do with this event? Our God is the Lord of heaven and earth, the creator and shaper of all that is, including nature with all its power and beauty.

Without over theologizing this, as we pastors are want to do, this event did have my co-worker talking about God- something she said she hadn't done for quite a while.

Interesting. A door wide open for witnessing.

Pr. Durk

2009-07-30T20:39:00.004-05:00

How generous are you?

During these challenging economic times we may want to turn inward and close ourselves off from the world and the church's mission. Our hands close tightly into fists and we cross our arms and turn away from helping others.

Only the Lord our God has the power to open our hands and hearts, to unfold our arms so that we reach out with the love of Christ. And, only the love of Christ moves us to assist, help, and serve our neighbor in need.

St. Paul writes this in 2 Corinthians: "We know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ who though he was rich for your sakes became poor, so that from his poverty we might become rich."

Earlier in the same chapter as he motivates and inspires the Corinthians in their generosity, Paul writes that "they first gave themselves to the Lord and then by God's will to us."

My friends, we are only as generous as the level of trust we have in Jesus who gave his very life for us and for the world.

Peace,

Pastor Durk

2009-07-13T06:25:00.002-05:00

Waiting on God

In Isaiah 65 we hear these words- "From ages past, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you who works for those who wait for him."

You might ask yourself in light of these words how you are waiting for God. Yes, "how" are you waiting for the Lord these days?

There is such a thing known as "active waiting." This kind of living in Christ means you are active in serving and loving all the while waiting on the Lord.

I find myself often waiting for the Lord to speak to me and answer my prayers. Or, I find myself waiting for the Lord to show me a sign.

The funny thing is this- we may be listening in a very selfish manner or looking in all the wrong places. I am convinced that God loves to surprise us in our waiting.

When is the last time God surprised you?

Blessings to you as you wait on the Lord,

Pr. Durk

Peace,

Pastor Durk

2009-06-18T07:07:00.003-05:00

Striking Up A Conversation

So, last night at my son's baseball game his football coached happened to be walking through the park with his daughter. I saw him from a distance and waved. He walked right over and we greeted one another and asked how things were going with each other. He immediately responded, "Oh, fine." But, I could see in his eyes that things were not so "fine."

Remembering that he attends a local Lutheran church I asked him how things were going at his church. He commented about transitions at his church and how they've welcomed a new associate pastor.

At this point I shared with him that I had resigned my previous call at Maple Grove Lutheran and now was serving part-time at Discover Church (ELCA) in Brooklyn Park and that I was in the call process for a new pastoral position in the Minneapolis area.

I paused. And, he began to share about all his work transitions along with the pain and challenges that come with that. He also shared some family challenges as well. He shared how he ended up in the hospital with stress related physical symptoms. "I know the Lord has a plan through this, Durk"

Knowing what an experienced Christian this man is, I interpreted his comment as his confidence that no matter what happens in life our Lord Jesus Christ is with us-leading us, guiding us in the power of the Spirit, and building up our faith.

Next time you have time and someone responds "Oh, fine" get ready.
Peace,
Pr. Durk

Our Amazing God

2009-06-01T21:52:00.002-05:00

This morning for my morning devotion I continued my reading through the book of Isaiah. Today I read part of a what is known as a "servant song" in which the writer says that the servant was "wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)

What disturbing image of redemption and image of God's love for us in Christ. As we read the Old Testament with the lens of Christ these words of the prophet clearly point to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

I thank God for His amazing love that moved Him to send Jesus to suffer and die on the cross for our sins and for our wholeness.

It is hard to imagine how our God could take such a step for us and our salvation. Only one word can capture the "why" and that is love.

Peace,

Pr. Durk

Amazing Moments

2009-05-10T20:13:00.006-05:00

Do you ever have those times in your life when you experience the joy of the Lord in a powerful and overwhelming way?

At times we refer to these as mountain experiences or unforgettable moments in life. There are times in life that just stick in your heart and mind.

2:00 a.m. o Sept. 11th, 1995 I am sitting on the back steps of our home in Minneapolis following the birth of our son, Eric, amazed at the miracle of his birth.

11:00 p.m. October 18 1993 my wife and I are back from the Des Moines airport where we picked up our 4 month old daughter, just flown in from South Korea by a Holt International social worker.

June 25, 1989 I am ordained into the ministry at First Lutheran Church in Kenyon, MN.

December 25th, 1985 Susan and I are married at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA.

What are those dates and times in your life that stick? That flood back into your mind and heart?

The Lord our God is an amazing Lord who works in our lives at all times, the wonderful and amazing times as well as the challenging and low times.

Blessings,

Pr. Durk

Our Awesome God

2009-04-24T16:19:00.003-05:00

This morning for my devotional reading I spent time reading and praying Psalm 76. This psalm writer boldly proclaims, "Great is our God; more magnificent than the everlasting mountains....You indeed are awesome!"

What experiences have you had where you simply stopped and were overwhelmed by God's creative power and love? Maybe it was simply the smile and bright eyes of a child, or the morning sunrise, or, in the Minnesota today, spring bursting out all over the place.

When we are tempted to think everything is about us our human needs, we are reminded of how great and loving our God is through the message of so many psalms.

God reminded Job by asking him a long series of questions toward the end of the book of Job (i.e. where were you when I spun out this incredible creation?)

What do you think will remind you of God's incredible love for us in Jesus Christ? Pray with your eyes wide open and it will be flashed right before your eyes and heart.

Standing in the awesome light of God's love,

Pr. Durk Peterson

New Life in Baptism

2009-04-12T20:33:00.002-05:00

I was privileged be part of a service at Discover Church this last Saturday night at which 20 people were baptized. Several children, youth, and adults were baptized in Christ by full immersion in a large tank of water in the sanctuary. This was a first for me in 20 years of ministry.

The expressions on the faces of the baptized as they emerged from the water simply amazed me . Huge smiles broke the water streaming off their faces as we applauded and prayed and gave our praise to God.

This service was grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ- emphasizing that baptism is what God does to us and for us. God washes us clean of our sin as we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Another impressive aspect of this service for me came with the wide age range. In my ministry experience I've baptized hundreds of infants and only a handful of adults and youth.

As others have noted, youth and adult baptisms truly are a sign of the church's mission and growth. Rather than evangelism by procreation, evangelism occurs in reaching the unchurched and those who have never been connected to the church.

Praise God for the newly baptized!
-Pr. Durk

Jesus and Children

2009-04-01T11:00:00.002-05:00

Just this last Sunday a young girl ran up to me with a smile on her face wildly waving a small poster in the air. "Pastor Durk," she shouted, "look what I made!" She slowed for a few seconds to lift the poster right in front of my eyes. It was a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross and a bright sun painted in the upper right corner. She was so proud of her painting and so excited.

How excited or enthused are we as we complete our Lenten journey to the cross and get ready to celebrate the resurrection? I don't know about you, but every year I sense that things come crashing together during this week. The joy of the resurrection is already bursting with Easter planning and yet, the solemn time of Holy Week is just ahead.

May God bless you as you see Jesus on the cross and the bright sun of the resurrection coming soon!
Peace,
Pr. Durk

Transitions

2009-03-21T08:00:00.004-05:00

At Discover Church in Brooklyn Park where I am now serving a new job transitions group has been started by Pastor Darrin Vick. While attending this group for pastoral care support and prayer I have been amazed at the outpouring of love, support, and expertise offered by members to each other. Discover member, Joe Axe, is facilitating this group, doing an excellent job of organizing topics of of interest and help to the group each week.

During this tough economic time people are really scrambling and pressured to get a new job for the sake of income and supporting families. At the same time those big questions come along such as "What gives my life meaning?" and "What is God calling me to do with the rest of my life?"

As strange as it may sound these tough economic times may be a great time for the church and its mission as well. What is my role in the church and its mission really all about? What really counts? What does it mean to be loving and generous in hard times?

I do not have answers to all these questions, but know and trust that our Lord is at work through us in the power of the Holy Spirit and the community of faith, the church.

If you are in a transition may God open your heart to be ministered to by others. If others around you are in transition, please reach out to listen and help as you are able.

By the way, this transitions group a t Discover Church meets every Tuesday morning from 8-9:00 a.m. Check out this church at www.discoverchurchnetwork.org.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

Invitation to Sermon Chat

2009-03-10T22:28:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone! I have set up a sermon discussion group on Facebook. It is titled "Sermon Chat with Pastor Durk." This is an experiment in which you are invited to share a comment, question, story, or illustration on any of the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. This is based on the RCL or Revised Common Lectionary. Please check this group out is you have a chance. Peace,
Pr. Durk

Ah, Fresh Forgiveness!

2009-03-01T15:02:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I drove our daughter and her friends down to Afton for a day of snowboarding. As I drove I was overwhelmed with the beautiful snow-blanketed fields and the evergreen trees decorated in snow. The landscape simply glistened in the bright sunlight of a cold winter day.

The words of the psalmist came to mind, fresh in my heart from Ash Wednesday. "...wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Out of the waters of baptism we receive the gift of forgiveness. This gift cleanses us and covers us in the fresh coating of God's grace.

How is your life in need of a fresh covering? What are the sins and failings you see in your life that cry out for healing and forgiveness?

May our Lord cover you with a fresh blanket of forgiveness in Christ now and always.
Peace,
Pastor Durk

New Beginnings

2009-02-16T22:02:00.002-06:00

This morning I stepped into a new experience of ministry at Discover Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. Discover Church (formerly Brooklyn Park Lutheran) is a two site church, with its main campus in Brooklyn Park and a second worshipping site at the Mann Theatre in Champlin.

I will be serving part-time as their pastoral care minister, doing some teaching, preaching, and visitation. The staff at Discover is awesome and inspiring to be a part of in ministry. God has richly blessed this congregation and its commitment to outreach.

As difficult as it is to say farewell to the many wonderful people of God at Maple Grove Lutheran, I will be experiencing a wave of welcomes and opportunities at Discover.

I hope this will be a time of healing and refreshment for me in ministry before I begin a new full-time call as a senior or solo pastor in the Mpls. area.

God is good.

-Pr. Durk

Tough Transitions

2009-01-27T06:34:00.002-06:00

At our church's Bi-Annual Meeting last Sunday, the congregation voted to eliminate the Lead Pastor position in our staffing. This was largely due to financial challenges. As you can imagine this hard for me and many at the church to accept.

Somehow I do have a sense of peace with this in my life because I trust God will provide both for the congregation and its mission as well as my family.

There will be a new opportunity to serve at another church in the area at some point.

As of this writing I am still too shocked to think clearly about many things. My family has been very supportive through this and will continue to be my rock through this transition.

My prayers go out to the entire congregation, both the leaders who had tough recommendations in difficult times and all who took part in the 5 hr. meeting.

May God's peace be with us all.

Pr. Durk

So, how is it going for you in the New Year?

2009-01-16T07:42:00.002-06:00

Every January I find myself reflecting on what God might have in store for me, my family, and congregation for the year. I wonder how God's Spirit will be at work, moving and shaping and inspiring. I pray for God's will to be done.

What are you hoping God will accomplish in you and your life this year?

A simple yet profound way to start is to pray. Make your needs, hopes, and dreams made known to God. Sit and listen to what the Spirit might be saying to you.

Another great way to start the year is to read scripture. Dive in and explore the great teachings of Jesus, parables and stories of his ministry, and the words of the prophets. Let the Psalms lift your spirit and renew your faith.

Finally, give of yourself. Give yourself to the Lord in worship and in giving you time, treasure, and talent.

May God richly bless you throughout this year.
-Pastor Durk

A Long Way Gone....Book Reflections

2008-12-01T22:33:00.004-06:00

This last week I've spent time working my way through a book by Ishmael Beah entitled A Long Way Gone: reflections of a boy soldier. Beah recounts his teen years of being on the run from rebel forces in Sierra Leone and how he became a teen soldier in a very bloody civil war.

The passages of this book that struck me very deep and hard were his descriptions of killings he witnessed or was part of carrying out. He describes the gruesome deaths of friends and other soldiers during the course of his odyssey of war.

As I read this book I wondered how it was possible for such awful torture and killing to take place. The rage and anger toward enemies certainly drove Beah and his superiors as they sought to avenge the killing of family and friends. Spurring on his actions were drugs-cocaine and marijuana that were supplied by his fellow soldiers and commanders. The drugs propelled him into a craziness and sleepless existence that one can only begin to imagine.

Rescued out of the war by international agencies Beah began his road to healing in his life physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As difficult a book as this is to read I would recommend it as a way to enter the life and world of a young man living through the horrors of war and how this affected his growing up during his teen years.

My Daughter Being Confirmed...

2008-10-26T12:46:00.003-05:00

This last Saturday my daughter, Laura, was confirmed here at Maple Grove Lutheran Church. It was a very emotional day for me as she knelt before the font with my wife, Susan, and relatives all laying hands on her. In honor of her confirmation I would like to share the sermon I gave at the service. Please find it below.
Blessings,
Pr. Durk

Claiming Grace!
Confirmation Sermon 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Matthew 13:44-46 The Parable of the Treasure and the Pearl

A good friend of mine, who serves a church in Waupaca, WI once called me crazy. Right my face. He said, “You’ve got to be crazy if you love teaching confirmation.” Well, call me crazy or a bit out of my mind because I love teaching confirmation. Today I want our confirmands to know how much I enjoyed my time with them teaching them the great stories of the Old Testament and Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament and old Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. And, I’ve enjoyed seeing them build relationships with one another and with our youth and adult guides.

For a few minutes this afternoon I would like to turn our attention to two short parables of Jesus. The parables you just heard read. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says that living in the kingdom, living under Christ’s reign, is like a man who found a treasure hidden in a field. Filled with joy, he then hides it and goes and sells all that he has and buys the field and claims that treasure. Next, Jesus says that living in the kingdom is like a merchant in search of fine pearls who upon finding one pearl of great value is filled with joy and then goes and sells all he has a buys the pearl.

You may have noticed in both parables that there is joy and action. There is joy at the find. Joy at the discovery. Joy in seeing something of tremendous value. And, there is action. The action of claiming the item. I would ask our confirmands this afternoon, are you filled with the joy of the Lord? And, are you ready to claim the treasure or to buy the pearl? To claim the grace given to you freely the day you were baptized?

Now, it may be hard to see and express this joy and action that Jesus is teaching. But, there is a kind of joy and action our young people here can wrap their arms and minds around. It is this- the keys to the car. How many of you now have your permit to drive? How many of you have your license or will be getting your license within the next year? You know the feeling when you ask for and receive the keys. The keys to the car. No matter what kind of car it is…there is joy, isn’t there?… and there is action…and there may be fear among other drivers including your parents!! You suddenly find yourself driving down the streets and freeway to an event or out with some friends. Joy and Action.

Back to Jesus, and your faith. I hope you’ve experienced the deep and rich joy of Christ. The joy of Christ that comes with living in the kingdom. My hope is that by claiming God’s grace, you are motivated to serve Christ and your neighbor because of this joy. To step up and now take on more leadership and more responsibility for your life of following Christ. Being confirmed is like getting your license to drive and going out to drive. You say yes to the keys, your baptism, and you are given the freedom and responsibility to make decisions on where you will go. Decisions on how you will live out your faith or where you will drive.

Back to the dynamic or what is going on in this parable. In this part of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is teaching about kingdom living. What does it mean or look like to live in the kingdom of Christ. Now, it may strike us as a bit odd to talk about joy and action in our lives in light of “living under Christ in the kingdom of God.” This means as God’s baptized children we live under the rule, under the authority of Christ. How can this be joyful and full of such great action for our lives in Christ?

In the world all of us live under authority, under the power and rule of someone or an institution. For our youth the power and authority would be your parents, for example. Whether you admit this or are willing to live with this, your parents are in charge. Your parents are called by God to love you, to provide for you, to disciple you, and to teach you about life. Talk about a huge calling!!

I want to take a short break now in my sermon to thank the parents of our confirmation students. For helping them get to the point of saying yes to their baptism in Christ, for getting the keys to drive in the kingdom. Would all the parents please stand and remain standing for a minute….. For most of you, one day 15 or 16 years ago or later you brought your child to a church where he or she was baptized in Christ. On that day you made promises to God. You promised God to raise your child in the Christian faith. To teach them the Lord’s Prayer, Creed, and 10 commandments and to place in their hands the Holy Scriptures. You also promised God to be a role model of the Christian faith for your son or daughter. Then the pastor poured the water over their head and the Holy Spirit entered their life and your child became God’s child. Part’s of God’s family. So, right now, I want to thank you for that you’ve done for your child in helping them to grow up in the Christian faith. (please be seated) Let’s give them a round of applause.

Our youth here today who are affirming or saying yes to their baptism in Christ. You are called to live in the kingdom under the rule of Christ. At the same time you live under rule of many people. In this world, on a day by day basis who is in charge of you?
· At school, it is your teachers and school administrators who are in charge of your life.
· At home your parents are in charge. Telling you what you can and cannot do.
· At church as your pastor and other staff members are in charge of you, especially throughout our confirmation program and all its requirements.
· On the practice or game field or on the court, your coach is in charge of you.
· While you are on the street driving, the police are in charge of you enforcing the traffic laws
· On a youth retreat or mission trip the church staff and adult chaperones are in charge of you and your behavior.

Not only do you live under the rule of others, but you are also pulled to move toward living under the rule of temptations. You are now and will be tempted or pulled to live under the rule or influence of unhealthy and hurtful things and situations- whether sexual, financial, peer pressure, drugs or alcohol. There are many material things in our world that you may be tempted to be defined by. Today, we celebrate how you are identified and defined by Jesus in your baptism. And, by the gifts and talents God has given you use to benefit our world and others.

Confirmands, I would suggest that you are living during an in-between time. On the one hand you are still dependent upon your parents and in need of their disciple and guidance. On the other hand you are gaining freedom and independence. You can choose your friends, how you will spend your free time, what you will wear to school, when and how you will accomplish your homework, what you will do for fun and enjoyment with your family and friends. Who will be your friend on Face Book or My Space. How you will earn and spend money. And, to a certain extent where you will drive your car.

This in-between time is also a time of rebellion- pushing the limits, testing boundaries, fighting with parents, challenging authority, and, yes, questioning your faith in Christ and the whole church thing. For example some of you have said or will say, now that I am confirmed I am done with church. If your parents give you the option you may been done with church for a while or a long period of time. If, on the other hand your parents insist that you worship as a family, you will continue to be in church. If you decide on your own that worship is important and you want to get involved in the youth program, your life in the kingdom will grow and flourish.

On this day I am remembering a young man named Chris. He was in one of the first youth groups I worked with in the ministry. Chris started coming to confirmation and youth group events with his friend Bobby. Well, half-way, through confirmation one year Bobby and his family moved to another city. I thought for sure Chris would drop out. But, he kept attending every week. Then, Chris was confirmed and I was guessing he would drop out of church. Much to my surprise Chris showed up in church almost every Sunday. One day I pulled him aside and asked Chris how he felt about worshiping alone so many Sundays. He replied, “I am not alone, Pastor. I’ve got my friends at church and I’ve got Jesus.” He said this with joy and his actions reflected it.

How will our young people, our confirmands, here at Maple Grove Lutheran live out their faith in Christ? Will you reflect the dynamics of Jesus teaching in the parables of the treasure and the pearl. Can you sense the joy of Christ and the action you are called to in the kingdom? I want to challenge you and pray for you to be filled with the joy of Christ as you say “yes” to your baptism. (at the font) On the day that you were baptized God claimed you. God said that you are my child. I will always forgive you, love you, protect you, and give you the promise of eternal life. Now, it is your chance to respond to this love of Christ. Respond by saying (on your own), “Yes, I know God claims in baptism and accepts me and now I am ready to claim this. Get ready to celebrate the joy of your faith. Get ready to engage in the actions of following Christ.

Back in the 1980s I believe it was a movie came out, The Dead Poets Society movie starring Robin Williams. In one of the opening scenes of this movies Williams stands with his boys, his students before a glass trophy case. He points to a class from the turn of the century and whispers These guys all lived their lives and now, do you know where they are? Pushing up daisies. They are dead. You have a chance to make a difference in the world. Then he chants, “Carpe Deum” or “Seize the Day!” I would say to our confirmands, “Seize your life of as baptized disciple of Christ . Grab on to it. Claim it. Own it. Grow it. Be responsible for it. Seize your life in Christ! The joy is yours. The action is your call.

Welcoming Sinners Home: sermon from Sept. 7, 2008

2008-09-07T13:07:00.004-05:00

Here is a copy of the sermon I delivered on Sunday, Sept. 7th at Maple Grove Lutheran Church. It points to the hard work required of us when it comes to forgiving others.
Peace,
Pr. Durk
Now for a few minutes I invite you to turn with me to Matthew’s gospel reading. When we hear this gospel reading from Matthew this morning we may have several reactions. First, it may sound like a great, but hard method to go through for reconciliation- how could a person of faith pull this off? Second, we might jump to the conclusion that this is a method for getting rid of a difficult member of the church.

In fact, some may see in this reading support for the Amish practice of shunning. If a person in the Amish community commits a major offense such as adultery or murder, they are banned from the community or shunned. Back in the late 1990s an Amish man in Pennsylvania abused three girls. Instead of being sentenced to jail time the judge put the man on six months probation saying that the punishment he was receiving from his church was sufficient. You see the Amish church decided to deal with him by temporarily excommunicating him, taking his house away from him, and then requiring him to enter a daily program where church leaders would work with him to change his life around so that he could eventually be part of the Amish community again.

Well, we may or may not be surprised to hear that Jesus’ teaching takes us in a different direction than the reactions I’ve just mentioned. In our Matthew reading today Jesus is actually teaching us more about restoring church members into the community of the church. Not kicking out, not treating someone as an outsider, but approaching or confronting or working closely with a member to keep them in the church. So, if you are hurt, injured, or insulted in some way by another member of the church, go directly to that person. In doing so you will work out forgiveness in Christ and may regain that member into the church, the body of Christ.

This act of regaining or restoring is expressed in family life in many ways. For example, if I could highlight my family for a moment…In my family with my wife and our two teenage children life is filled with joy and fun along with challenges that come with disagreements. We do have two teenagers after all! There are those times when we celebrate and so thankful for being together as a family, especially when we agree on something. And, then, there are those times when we disagree and times when someone’s feelings are hurt. We try…and we not perfect here…but we try to approach one another in love and grace to make amends, to apologize and have forgiveness. This is, no doubt true, for many families. Regaining and restoring relationships occur on a daily basis.

Here at MGLC we often refer to our congregation as a family. As a family in Christ we have the joy of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and our faith in Christ. We have times of joy and celebration, moments of success as a congregation, ministries that flourish and take off. Yet, as a congregation, as a family, we also face challenging times. Financial challenges or realities of recent staff cuts. The task of managing our land as an investment- the land we are looking forward to selling. When we face these struggles feelings can be hurt. Questions raised. Egos bruised. Relationship broken. People leaving. Unfortunately, our congregation is not alone. This reality is true for churches everywhere throughout the world. Life in the family, life in a congregation is filled with the wonderful times and the challenging times at the same time. At all times, Jesus teaching and example of forgiveness can give us hope. Give us strength and courage.

If you look back with me to the early church at Matthew’s time you will see a church suffering greatly. Faced huge challenges. Endured strife and division. Egos were on the line. Tension grew between Jewish and Gentile Christians. The direction of the church was continually challenged. For example, just before our reading today the disciples come up to Jesus and are wondering who the greatest is. Really…”Jesus, who is the greatest disciple among us? Jesus says you must be humble like a child to live in the kingdom of God. Jesus then addresses the problem of temptation to sin. He warns against anyone who would tempt another to sin or to fall. And then, Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. The kingdom is like the shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to go and find the 1 sheep who was lost. He rejoices more over the one who was lost than the 99 who remained. In all his teachings, Jesus gives correction and direction in living together in the church. Humility and, above all, forgiveness.

One of the huge challenges of the early church centered on sin and forgiveness. There were people in the church who sinned. Who offended or hurt other church members. In response to this Jesus teaches that we need to approach the person who has offended, call that person to repent, and offer forgiveness. He even goes so far as to offer a step by step approach to this: You heard the method read: go one-on-one to confront the offender. If this doesn’t work take two or three witnesses with you. If that doesn’t work, take it to the whole church. Finally, if that doesn’t work, treat that person as a Gentile or tax collector- a person who deserves ongoing outreach, love, and care… Then, you may have noticed, right after this teaching Peter walks up to Jesus and asks him how often he should forgive. As many as seven times. Not seven times, but seventy times seven. Completely.

The late Edna Hong, a writer and translator at St. Olaf College, wrote a book entitled Forgiveness is a Work as Well as a Grace. In her book she says that forgiveness is more than saying “I’m sorry or excuse me or don’t worry about it or it’s OK. It is intentional reconciliation between two people

To bad news this morning is this. All to often we fail to do the hard work. We avoid it or run from it or cut ourselves off from each other. By doing do we withhold forgiveness and even rob the forgiveness that another can offer.

The good news is that Jesus has forgiven us for all our sins. Through his blood and death on the cross and his resurrection and our baptism into his death and resurrection we receive the awesome gift of forgiveness. A gift we are called to use with each other in the church and many, many others outside of the church.

Right now, this morning, I ask you to recall the last time someone approached you and let you know that you hurt or offended them. The last time someone walked right up to you and let you know how you wronged them? How did it go? Did you find yourself repenting, letting them know how sorry you are? And, recall the last time you walked right up to someone and let them know that they had offended or hurt you? How did that go or turn out? No matter how it turns out, Jesus does not want us to give up on the relationship. We should continue to try and reach out to the other person. He wants us to restoring sinners back into the church.

So, here is the challenge today. If you are aware of a broken relationship you have with someone here at church, please by grace of Christ, seek them out and talk and seek forgiveness. If you find yourself approached by someone, please by grace of Christ, listen and humbly be open to reconciliation.

After all, we are family here, right?

What's On Your Bucket List?

2008-07-28T06:51:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago I went to see a movie entitled "The Bucket List." The movie stars Morgan Freeman as a garage mechanic named Carter and Jack Nicholson as a wealthy businessman named Edward. Both men have cancer and receive the news that they only have 6 months to live.One day Carter starts writing up a list of all the things he would like to do before he "kicks the bucket" or dies.

He puts such things as visiting the Taj Majal and the Great Wall of China. As they share a room Edward is curious about this and adds his own things such Sky Diving and Auto Racing. The rest of the movie chronicles their trip around the world do everything on the "list."

What would include on your list of things you would like to do with the rest of your life? Take a moment now to write down a few things.

Doing this activity can show us and others what we value and what our interests are all about. Enjoy making your list!

-Pastor Durk

The Power of Children

2008-06-20T07:10:00.002-05:00

This week our church has been buzzing with the excitement and energy of children. At our Vacation Bible School program, every morning, the children display incredible enthusiasm for our Lord and a deep curiosity about the God and Jesus Christ.

Perhaps this is why Jesus says that we should let the little children lead us for "it is to such as these that belongs the kingdom of God."

Personally,I find the energy of these children contagious. And, I am inspired by their desire to learn. If you find yourself growing apathetic with life and faith in any way, simply turn to our Lord in prayer and to the children.

They truly are a gift from God.

-Pastor Durk

Great Expectations

2008-06-04T13:24:00.001-05:00

I would like to share the sermon I gave in church this last Sunday. Please let me know your thoughts on this. Blessings! -Pr. Durk

Great Expectations
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Matthew 7:21-29

Last Sunday a tornado ripped through Hugo, a town just north of the Cities. Cars were tossed around. Roofs ripped off. Homes leveled. Possessions strewn everywhere. A two-old boy was killed and many injured. One thing I noticed in the video footage is that in spite of home being destroyed, the foundations remained. Unmoved and unharmed. The foundations withstood the storm. Well, in our gospel reading this morning from Matthew, Jesus tells us that those who do God’s will are like the man who built his home on a rock. Those who hear Jesus’ word and act on it are like this man as well. The rains came, the floods hit, the winds blew, but the house did not move because of its foundation.

After church today- in the car on the way home or over lunch- what I hope you remember from today’s sermon is this: When we seek God’s will our discipleship is strengthened. When we hear Jesus’ words and act on them, our discipleship is strengthened. When we don’t seek God’s will, when we fail to act on his words discipleship weakens and ravels and comes undone.

Today Jesus tells us to seek God’s will? Now here is a huge and deep question. What is God’s will for my life, you might ask. What is God’s will for this congregation, we might ask. The other day I was reading a book containing selections from spiritual writings of leaders in the early church. The editor summarized the theme of God’s will be saying this. When most people seek God’s will they are looking for answers, for definite direction. What the early church Fathers and leaders indicate is that seeking God’s will is not about answers, but about growing in our relationship with God in Christ. When we seek God’s will we grow closer to our Lord.

Over the last few months my prayers for our congregation have centered on doing God’s will. That is, I’ve prayed that we will grow in our relationship with God in Christ. Grow in our life of worship. Grow in our life of studying the Bible. Grow in our life of giving financially. Grow in our life of leadership and participation. Grow in our outreach in the community. At the end of our service you will have the opportunity to fill out a Time and Talent survey in this effort. I am curious how you have been praying for your spiritual growth and for our congregation these last few months.
If we turn to Matthew’s gospel for a minute. Our reading comes at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. What we hear in that Sermon is a called to action. It might be summarized with the short phrase; “Act on it!” Act on Jesus’ words. Do God’s will. Act on it! The bar of expectations is raised. The bar is set very high Here are a few things Jesus tells us to do- his words we are to act on : we are to be the salt of the earth…the light of the world…we are not to speak unkindly of our neighbor….we are not to look lustfully upon another person…we are not to divorce…we are to love our enemies…we are to pray and give alms…we are to serve God only…we are not to worry about our lives…we are not to judge others…are to ask God for all that we need… Elsewhere in the gospels, Jesus says we are to love God with our whole being and love our neighbor as ourselves. Our reading brings to a climax what we are supposed to do! Act! Act on Jesus’ words.

Another rich source containing God’s expectations is the Ten Commandments. 1st I am the Lord your God you shall have no other gods. 2nd- Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 3rd-Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. 4th- Honor Your Father and Mother 5- You shall not kill 6th- you shall not commit adultery. 7th-You shall not steal. 8th- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9th- You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. 10th- You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or slave, or ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

If you sense that Jesus is putting us on the spot this morning you are right. His words sound a message of judgment. A strong message of accountability. His words put us on the spot to look at how we really are doing in terms of “acting on Jesus’ words.” Today can be a time of soul searching and evaluation. In living under Jesus’ reign, in his kingdom, we are called to do God’s will as well as to hear and act on Jesus’ words. Doing so is like having a solid foundation for our life of discipleship.

This place of Jesus judging us brings to mind an experience that my wife and I have had over the last few months. We have had the pleasure of watching our daughter in synchronized swimming. She is on the Osseo Maple Grove SyncroGators swim team for Osseo and Maple Grove- who went to the State Meet this year. Being new to this sport we have slowly learned about the scoring and evaluating system of this sport. For individual competitions or figures the girls are judged based on artistic merit and technical merit. The scores are announced from the judges. Competitions are based on the judges providing a score for their routine.

Of course, in a much more profound and important way, the Lord our God judges us. Evaluates us. Measures us. Assesses us. God is ever so aware of our hearts and love of Christ and discipleship. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus clearly lays out God the Father’s expectations for us. Only those who do the will of God will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who act on the words of Jesus will live under the rule of God. And will be part of that future kingdom of God. Even those who think they are doing good works in the name of God may be judged harshly because perhaps what they were doing do not reflect the will of God.

Now, I think we are all aware that because we are human, we fail. We fall short. We disappoint God. We let God and our neighbor in Christ down. We do not live under the reign of Christ at all times. We fail to meet God’s expectations. Thankfully, with our God in Jesus Christ there is love for us, there is forgiveness in Christ for us. There is grace for us. There is a fresh start for us. So, when we the challenge from Jesus to “act on it!” Do it! Hear and act! We are able to do so because God’s Holy Spirit is moving and working on us at all times.

So this week what challenge will you take on? Maybe it will be Great Commission to reach out in the love of Christ. Maybe it will be in your stewardship of time, talent, and treasure of financial resources. Maybe it will be committing yourself to weekly worship. The Psalm writer proclaims “Come, let us worship the Lord.” May it will be picking up your Bible to read God’s Word. Maybe, just maybe, in seeking God’s will you will grow closer to God in Christ.

My friends we can hear the hard and challenging message of Jesus today because he is our rock. He is our foundation for faith that will not be moved. Standing on the rock or building on the rock we can withstand judgment as well as all the storms of life. As the familiar hymns rings out with: The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. She is his new creation by water and by word. From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride. With his own blood he bought her and for her life he died.

Remembering Laurie Whitt

2008-05-12T12:21:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-11T09:16:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-27T08:06:00.002-05:00

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?

2008-03-10T12:53:00.004-05:00

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?

2008-02-29T16:25:00.004-06:00

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

2008-02-14T19:58:00.001-06:00

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

2008-02-07T16:52:00.000-06:00

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

What are you hoping for this year?

2008-01-14T15:13:00.000-06:00

We are well into the new year. As you look ahead to the year what are your personal goals? The goals of your family? The goals of your school?

The congregation I serve, Maple Grove Lutheran, has a couple of ambitious goals for the year:
+ Grow our worship attendance
+Create more small groups
Both of these are ambitious and will take a lot of work and effort on behalf our congregation and staff.

It is only by God's power at work in the Holy Spirit that we are moved individually and as a congregation. In serving my congregation I am always confident and hopeful in the power of the Spirit at work among us.

As you dive into this year and focus on your hopes and dreams, you can trust and know that you are not alone. Jesus, Immanuel, God-with-us, will give you all the hope, power and motivation you'll ever need.

Blessings for 2008!
Pastor Durk

The Miracle of Christmas

2007-12-22T20:16:00.000-06:00

As I worked at a flurried pace through writing sermons for Christmas and as I looked ahead to three weddings Dec. 29-Jan. 5, I paused for a moment this afternoon and closed my eyes for some time of prayer and reflection.

For a few minutes my heart and mind focused on the miracle God has done for us at Christmas. By sending Jesus to us and the world God revealed His heart of love for us and all humanity.

May our Lord richly bless you with love, grace, celebrations, gatherings, and, above all, worship.

In the name of Immanuel, God-with-us,
Pastor Durk

Whiter Than Snow!

2007-12-05T14:44:00.000-06:00

The landscape in Maple Grove is blanketed with more fresh snow today. The clean, bright, and fresh look with the new snowfall reminds me of the words of Psalm 51. "...wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness..."

In this psalm the writer cries out to God for forgivnesss. The wirter is very away of his shortcomings and sinfulnes. He honest and humbly calls out to God to be forgiven.

When we are aware of our brokeness, failings, and shortcomings, we too can cry out to God to restore us and make us "whiter than snow."

May God continually offer you a clean, bright, and fresh look for your life in Christ.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

The Gift of Time

2007-11-13T11:41:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday evening my family celebrated my father's 75th birthday. My sisters and their families gathered with my family at a restaurant to celebrate with him.

As we sat around the table kidding around, sharing stories, and laughing, I couldn't help but sit there amazed at all the years my father has enjoyed. And according to him, "I'm not finished!"

One of his birthday cards has a picture of an an older gentleman reading the newspaper. The caption read, "Glad you didn't make the obits!"

Every year of life is a gift from God. It is time given to us as a gift to use to God's glory.

Today, we might all pause for a prayer of thanks to God for the precious gift of life and time.

God bless you.
Pastor Durk

Food, Glorious Food!

2007-10-25T07:17:00.000-05:00

Last evening the 7th, 8th, and 9th graders in our confirmation program went door to door collecting food for our local foodshelf in Maple Grove. Thanks to adults to help drive them into various neighborhoods, they came back with hundreds of lbs. of food- food that will go to feed individuals and families in need.

I could see by the looks on their faces and the energy for carrying the bags of food back into the church that they were pleased to be part of such an effort.

Who are the hungry in our community? In our nation and world. A book was published recently with the title The Bottom Billion. The author attempts to explain how it is that a billion people go hungry every day in our world and suggests steps to counter this terrible trend.

With all the ways to help others, we might pray and ask God to open our eyes and our hearts to the needs of those who are hungry.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

How Long Will I Have To Wait?

2007-10-19T08:18:00.000-05:00

Remember the last time you found yourself tired of waiting?

The other day as I read Psalm 38 I came across a verse that says, "But, it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer."

I don't know about you but I often find myself asking God in my prayers when something will happen. When will a member of our church experience relief from the pain of cancer? When will a marriage suffering difficulties experience hope? When will someone with an addiction get the help they need?

I trust that God will act in a healing way with all people eventually. I know that the Lord our God has the power and wisdom to answer all our our human questions.

Still, on this side of the resurrection we wait. We wait and pray for God to act and for us to receive answers to our prayers.

Peace,
Pr. Durk

Exciting Pregnancies

2007-10-03T09:31:00.000-05:00

The other day I talked with a young couple whom I married two years ago this fall. They announced to me that they are pregnant. Huge smiles came across their faces as they shared this. I expressed how happy I am for them and that I will pray that everything goes well for them.

Pregnancies for a couple are filled with hope, expectations, and excitment for the arrival of the baby. A time of pregnancy is a time to thank God for the miracle of conception. It is a time to be amazed at what God is up to and to plan for the future arrival and well-being of the baby.

Of course, pregnancies happen that are unexpected, out of wedlock, and, at times, filled with pain and discomfort. These are times for pray and hard emotional and relational work. Even during these times God is at work creating and filling us with the promise of new life.

All I can say today is thanks be to God for the gift of human life- life that is always filled with the love of Christ and wonder.

The Life of Einstein

2007-09-20T14:33:00.001-05:00

I've been making my way through an incredible book on the life of Albert Einstein. The author, Walter Isaacson, brings to light the fullness of his life and his journey of making huge scientific breakthroughs.

One of Einstein's gifts was to question everything. He never accepted any scientific theory without questioning it, anaylzying it, and attempting to look at the subject of study with new eyes.

Another gift of Einstein was his drive to discover a unifying principle of the universe. Could everything in the universe be connected by a theory? Could a unifying theory answers so many unaswerable questions.

Our Lord, Jesus can gives us the eyes to see everything in a new way. In a fresh, clear, and inspiring manner. And, Jesus is the unifying force of love in our world that is torn apart by violence and war.

Check this book out. It's a great read! Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson.

Peace,
Pr. Durk

When Life Crashes

2007-09-20T14:24:00.000-05:00

Today as I was driving back to church from an errand, I came across an accident. It looked like a state patrol car has rammed a pick-up truck off the road. Both were perched along a grassy boulevard by a shopping mall.

As I inched by I saw lights flashing from police cars, a wrecker, and a fire truck. There were people everywhere talking, pointing, and gesturing, attemtping to figure out how the accident took place.

In our lives at times we all crash or have accidents, figuratively speaking. When we crash we stop in our tracks to figure out what happen. How did it happen? What took place in my life that precipitated my crash?

Whether we can conduct a thorough investigation or get to the bottm of what happened, we can know that God in Christ is present with us. This is what the cross tells us- God is with us, no matter where we find ourselves.

God's love covers us and is with us whereever we are because of Jesus.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

How Much Does It Cost?

2007-09-11T06:56:00.000-05:00

This last Sunday in church we listened to the words of Jesus from Luke's gospel. Jesus makes some very hard demands when he says we must hate our family, give up all our possessions, and take up our cross and follow him in order to be his disciple.

What Jesus is saying here is that he wants us to love him more than anything or anyone. Period. When we love Jesus we will be moved to sacrifice. We will serve others. We will go out of our way.

One of the illustrations Jesus uses is one about a man who who going to build a tower. If he is going to do this successfully he needs to count the cost.

How much does it cost to follow Jesus?

Because God has paid the price for us by sending Jesus to the cross to die and by raising him, we can follow Jesus with confidence.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

Who are You Supported By?

2007-08-20T07:29:00.000-05:00

This last Saturday I presided at the wedding of Ame Jackson and Grant McRandall at Maple Grove Lutheran. The scripture reading I preached on came from Hebrews 12- "Therefore since we are surrounding by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely; let us run with perservance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith..."

This couple had friends, relatives, classmates, and many others gathered together in worship to witness their vows. It was power and inspiring to see everyone and to hear all the love and support poured out for this couple.

Who are the people God has sent into your life to love you and support you? Who are the people who make up the great cloud of witnesses in your life?

May God surround you with all the love, care, and support you need.

-Pastor Durk

"My friend, Sherry, didn't make it home last night."

2007-08-05T07:54:00.000-05:00

This last week I volunteered at the Korean Culture Camp at Minnehaha Academy. Our daughter and son have attended this camp for Korean adoptees and siblings for the last ten years.

On Thursday morning a fellow volunteer said that her good friend, Sherry Engebretson, had not come home Wed. night. Sherry's husband and two girls were not able to get in touch with her. As it turned out Shari died in the collapse of the 35W bridge.

How do we respond when accidents and tragedies strike? We can turn to God for comfort and hope. We can hold on to the comfort offered us in Jesus Christ. We may not be able to understand and explain how terrible can happen, but we do know God is there for us.

This week as we continue to pray for the families and friend of the victims of this terrible bridge collapse, may God be our source of strength.

-Pastor Durk

Be Strong!

2007-07-16T21:51:00.000-05:00

Last week in my devotional reading I came across a verse from 1 Timothy, the second chapter that reads, "You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus..."

How strong are you feeling these days? Are you feeling confident in your faith and grounded in the love of Christ? Or, are you feeling weak and unsure about your faith?

Regardless of where we might be in our walk of faith, the gospels tell us over and over again that Jesus is with us. Jesus is fully present with us in his love and grace for us.

As we think about this we may very well discover that the greatest strength for our life and church comes outside of ourselves. It comes from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May God bless you with the knowledge and trust that He will give you all the strength you will ever need.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

Those Lazy Days of Summer....

2007-06-29T07:03:00.000-05:00

Is your life as busy as ever this summer? Does your schedule continue to be filled with appointments, commitments, obligations, sporting, music, and other events? Have you found yourself asking, "Whatever happened to the lazy days of summer?"

My guess is that you are not alone if the summer doesn't slow down for you. Perhaps it does and you find yourself with more time to relax, read, pray, go on walks or bike rides, or other activities you enjoy.

Summer time can be sabbath time for us. It can be a time when we do things on a different schedule or in a different way. Sabbath time is a time dedicate to engaging in activities that rejuvenate and refresh the soul. God gives us the gift of both work and leisure.

Today I will be spending time in the pool and taking a bike ride with our children, Laura and Eric. I am planning to enjoy a day away from my regular ministerial duties. By doing so, I know I will be refreshed for conducting a wedding tomorrow and services on Sunday.

Blessings to you in your sabbath time!
Pastor Durk

Amazing Kids in the Kingdom

2007-06-19T21:32:00.000-05:00

This week at MGLC is filled with excitement and tremendous enthusiasm! We have over 130 children attending Vacation Bible School. They are involved in music, drama, learning, and playing as they hear the stories of Jesus.

I truly enjoy weeks such as these at our church. One reason I find them so enjoyable is to see the smiles and excitement on the face of the children and to listen to them share their faith and excitement.

I am so thankful to God for the children at our congregation and throughout our community!

Blessings,
Pr. Durk

Reflections on Graduates

2007-06-04T07:04:00.000-05:00

This last week-end my family and I attended several graduation open houses for seniors at Maple Grove Lutheran.

I was moved as I viewed their pictures from infancy to becoming young adults. Several graduates had pictures of themselves for every year of their life. It was so amazing to see their development and to hear how proud the parents were to have their child come to this point in their life.

Just as these graduates grow up and develop so God is always at work in us through the power of the Holy Spirit of our baptism to help us grow.

How will God continue to work on you this week?

Peace,
Pastor Durk

Unless the Lord Builds It

2007-05-19T13:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I read Psalm 127 for my devotional reading. The opening verse caught my attention: "Unless the Lord builds it the builders labor in vain."

Our church will begin building a new sanctuary some time this summer. It is very exciting to anticipate this new facility for worship. The new sanctuary will provide us with an inspiring and uplifting atmosphere for many years to come.

I am already very prayerful that our Lord God in Christ will bless the construction process. I also pray that God will send us many, many new people into our congregation.

It's time for all of us to get the invitation to worship prepared. Are you ready?

-Pr. Durk

What is Grace?

2007-05-09T21:32:00.000-05:00

The other night I was part of an interview for our Director of Children and Family Ministries position at Maple Grove Lutheran. One of the questions I threw out to this candidate was this- "What is grace?"

His response was simple and, yet, profound. "Grace is God's love on the table for us that can never be taken away." "Never be taken away...."

Is that how God's grace is for you? God's free gift of grace in Jesus Christ is offered to us because of God's love for us.

My hope and prayer is that God's grace will always be life-changing for you and always available.

Peace,
Pastor Durk Peterson

Have You Ever Been Shaken to Core?

2007-05-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

Recall a time in your life when you were extremely upset. Recall a time when your life seemed to be unravelling before you eyes or when everything was going wrong. What was your reaction? What raced through your mind and heart?

In Psalm 125 that I read for my devotion yesterday the opening verses provide us with a huge wave of assurance and confidence:
"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever."

The writer of this psalm was up against enemies and forces of wickedness. This psalm is his prayer that the Lord will be with him no matter what happens. He also clearly places the future and fate of his enemies in the Lord's hands.

We who are followers of Jesus can trust God. We can trust that God will be with us no matter what happens in our life and in our world.

The Way of Following Jesus

2007-04-27T07:38:00.000-05:00

Last week I started reading a book by Eugene Peterson entitled The Jesus Way. It is the third volume in a projected five volume series on Christians spirituality. Peterson, a pastor and retired university professesor offers a challenge for following Christ. From the very beginning he identifies our culture's obsession with methods, goals, and results, that may or may not reflect life in the kingdom. Also, in the opening chapter he points out that in our culture technology has become a god and we as Christians need to be aware of this.

What are the things that get in your way of following Jesus?

Peace,
Pr. Durk

Getting God's Word Into the Hands of the People in Germany

2007-04-20T07:42:00.000-05:00

After Martin Luther started preaching and teaching in 1517 and 1518 against the buying of forgiveness for all eternity with the currency of the day, the Roman Catholic Church kicked Luther out of the church. As an excommunicated monk Luther's life was in danger.

Fortunately, a prince took Luther into hiding at the Wartburg Castle near the town of Eisenach. While in hiding Luther translated the Latin version of the New Testament into the everyday German language of the day. By doing so God's Word suddenly became available to all the people.

This explosion of people reading the Bible for themselves freed the Christians of the day from the sole interpretation of priests and scholars.

I realize today we may take it for granted that the Bible is available in over 400 translations. When is the last time you picked up God's holy Word to read it, reflect on it, and pray? There is no time like today to start.

May God bless your journey in Christ,
Pr. Durk Peterson

Fresh Back from Germany

2007-04-18T21:45:00.000-05:00

My trip to the sites of Martin Luther's life and ministry in Germany proved to be fantastic and very inspirational. Just standing where he preached and taught in Wittenberg and where he and his family lived was incredible.

Germany is a very beautiful and interesting place to visit. The historic churches, castles, and homes were delightful to tour. Also, I found the people to be very friendly and approachable.

I will offer more thoughts and reflections in coming days. For now, it is time to recover from the jet lag.

Blessings,
Pr. Durk

Germany Luther Land Tour

2007-04-09T07:45:00.000-05:00

This trip of a life-time and ministry for me starts this Wednesday, April 11 and runs through April 17th. I will be visiting some of the major cities of Martin Luther's life: Eisenach, Erfurt, Wittenberg, Coberg, and the Wartburg Castle. If possible I will post some reflections along the way of this trip.

Martin Luther was the 16th century German pastor and biblical scholar whose work initiated the Reformation. Luther discovered that the central teaching of scripture is that we are saved by our faith in Christ. This teaching challenged the Roman Catholic Church of his day and unleashed a wide-spread reform movement that resulted in the founding of the Lutheran Church in Germany and other Scandinavian countries and eventually become a world-wide movement.

More later.....

Peace,
Pr. Durk

What does it take to refresh your life?

2007-04-06T18:52:00.000-05:00

My family and I just returned a couple of days ago from a week in Puerto Aventuros, Mexico. The time there on the beach with my family proved to be one of the most refreshing and rejuvenating vacations I've ever experienced. If you can believe it, I was fully unplugged- no cell phone, voicemail, Internet, or e-mail. After one day of withdrawal- twitching fingers and anxiety attacks- I settled into a new mood for vacation.

Our Lord promises to refresh every day of our lives in the love of Jesus Christ. Each day, the gospel reminds that God loves us and forgives us in Christ.

This Sunday we will gather to celebrate the most refreshing and rejuvenating act of God ever offered to all humanity and the world. God raised Jesus from the dead, giving us victory over sin and death forever.

My prayer is that God will always refresh you in your life of faith. Whether you are on a beach or in the thick of daily life, may our Lord offer you grace and love to refresh your soul.

Am Amazing Act of Generosity

2007-03-21T15:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday as I continued to pray and reflect on the story of Mary and Jesus in John's gospel. The gospel tells the story fo Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with a very expensive perfume. This took place at an ordinary meal with Judas and Martha also present.

Two things about this story may surprise us. First, why would Mary interrupt their meal and use such expensive perfume on Jesus' feet? Second, her act of anointing points us ahead several days to Jesus' death on the cross and burial in a tomb.

Mary used expensive perfume only found in India. Pouring this on the feet of Jesus and wiping his feet with her hair was a demonstation of her love for Jesus and her sacrifice for him.

Her act of anointing anticipates Joseph of Arimethea taking Jesus' body from the cross to a tomb. The morning of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, the women were on their way to the tomb to prepare Jesus' body with spices and perfume.

As you look around you life and our world, what acts of generosity and sacrifice like Mary's do you see taking place?

Peace,
Pr. Durk

Why do we worship?

2007-03-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

"Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; in the company of the upright, in the great congregation. Great are the works of the Lord..."

So sings out the writer of Psalm111. What an uplifting reminder of why we as Christians worship the Lord our God. We come into God's presence in Jesus Christ in the company of the faithful to offer our thanks and praise.

Can you list all that the Lord has done for you on this day? No matter what kind of day you might be having if you sit down for a moment and begin to list all that God has done for you, you may be suprised at how your list grows.

I am so thankful this day for our worship life at Maple Grove Lutheran. We are blessed to gather in Christ's name in worship.

My prayer always is that more and more people will gather to worship weekly. No matter the schedule and demands of life. No matter the other commitments we might have, may we gather weekly and faithfully for worship.

See you in church!
Pr. Durk

Crying out to God: Psalm 109

2007-03-14T07:44:00.000-05:00

Do you ever find yourself calling out to God to "act now!" Do you find yourself crying out for the Lord to help you in times of trouble?

In Psalm 109 the writer cries out to God for help with enemies. He is experiencing pain and suffering from enemies who are speaking wicked and deceitful things about him.

"But, you, O Lord, my Lord, act on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!"

The psalm writers knows that he can depend on God's love. God's love is sure and faithful!

My hope and prayer is that God's love in Christ will provide you all the assurance and confidence you will ever need. Whether you are facing conflict and enemies or other challenges in life, God's steadfast love always remains active on your behalf.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

Beginnings....

2007-03-13T07:45:00.000-05:00

Friends in Christ,

God's grace be with you!

I am excited to start sharing some thoughts and reflections on scriptures, books, articles, movies, and church life. In addition, I will share portions of recent sermons.

Please e-mail me with suggestions and comments you might have about this blog. It is my hope and prayer that what is shared will be helpful and stimulating to you.

May God guide and direct your days,
-Pr. Durk

Psalm 105 Reflections

2007-03-05T23:41:00.000-06:00

In Psalm 105 the writer begins by saying the should give thanks to the Lord, calling on his name and make his deeds known among people. In this opening verse he captures our call to worship and witness. When is the last time you found yourself calling out to the Lord? When is the last time you made his deeds know or talked about the workings of our God with others?
Peace,
Pr. Durk

Welcome to Pastor Durk's Blog

2007-03-05T23:15:00.000-06:00

Friends in Christ,

I'm finally getting around to trying this blogging thing out. I hope to share thoughts on scriptures, church life, readings, and other observations in this space. Members of Maple Grove Lutheran and others are invited to read these and let me know what you think about God and our journey as disciples of Christ.

Peace!
Pr. Durk