Pastor David Maier - Fighting Forward!

N E W … The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV) … If you can wait, a GREAT Confirmation Gift

There is something that I am waiting for with great anticipation.  Anticipation, of course, builds the excitement.  On Reformation Day, 2009, there will be available for purchase for the first time The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV) – Life by His Word from Concordia Publishing House.  You can pre-order it now.

From my readings from the PR that it is receiving it is meant to be an engaging, Christ-centered reading and study Bible.  What makes this particular Bible different will be the comprehensive notes and practical application that are distinctively Lutheran -- prepared by Lutheran contributors from over twenty Lutheran church bodies.  The best of Lutheran scholarship, insights from the Church Fathers, and meaningful devotional insights emphasizing justification by grace through faith, the means of grace, and the centrality of the cross of Christ ... should make this Bible a real standout for both young and mature Christians. 

You can download The Lutheran Study Bible sampler HERE! 

But make sure that you get The Lutheran Study Bible from CPH (Concordia Publishing House) and NOT “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).  They really are quite different.  An excellent article entitled, Two Lutheran Study Bibles? A Cautionary Tale is worth a careful read!

This article will show the differences between these two Bibles in the notes and commentary.  It does so by looking at just two topics where dramatic differences clearly show up:  The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and Homosexuality (numerous Scriptures).

I’ve ordered a free sample of The Lutheran Study Bible from Concordia Publishing House.  Upon its arrival it will be put in each of the church mailboxes.

GM to cut 21,000 jobs, scrap Pontiac brand ... OUCH! ... but ...

The major headline of the Detroit Free Press online (Freep.com) announced:  GM to cut 21,000 jobs, scrap Pontiac brand.

How quickly life as we knew it and the future's horizon is changing for so many.  I am not even sure yet how this will affect the members of our congregation, but I know that it will, and some of your relatives and friends as well.  I know that it is already effecting thousands in this state.  Many of those effected are God's children ... and are wondering, "What is happening?"  "What next?"  "What do we do?" "Everything now seems, NO ... IS ... so uncertain!"

I do not mean to belittle any of the personal and family economic fears and concerns that this announcement has raised.  But I do want to point to a source of comfort, concrete assurance, and absolute certainty -- our God and His promises in His Word.

A Psalm verse that I cherish every time I have a 6th month checkup /followup at the U of M Hospital Cancer Center is Psalm 112:7.  The psalmist, speaking of the 'righteous man' states:  He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  That doesn't mean there won't be bad news sometime.  It means that when bad news comes the righteous child of God made righteous, made right with God, because of Christ's all-sufficient sacrifice on Calvary, given to him by grace through faith ... NEED NOT FEAR!

Affliction - A Teacher of Grace

There is an interesting passage of Scripture found in Hebrews 12:15.  (It should be a guideline for all our worship services ... and my sermons.)  Hebrews 12:15 reads, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." 

I think, perhaps, that there are many times that we miss out on the grace of God because we fear, and fret, and fuss, and even fume over difficulties when they come our way … and the bitter root can grow in our lives and relationships.  Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is instructive:  “… give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We need to remember that suffering and/or affliction always tests us.  Someone once commented, "You never know what's inside until you see what spills out when you are shaken up."  Often, suffering and affliction will show us how self-centered and self-focused we are.  That is not how we usually see ourselves.  Generally, our attitude is that we are doing pretty well.  Suffering strips off that veneer and shows us our true colors.

Affliction does not teach you about yourself from a textbook; it teaches you from experience.  It will always show you what you love – either the God of all comfort or the comfort that can become your god.  (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4)

The God of all comfort went willingly to Calvary's cross bearing all my sin, all my shame, all my sorrow, all my burdens and afflictions.  By grace through faith I have a Savior that not only has perfectly supplied my salvation but also can relate to everything I am going through. He is more than capable and ready to help in every time of need.  He is the star breather and the sin bearer.

May we grow to indeed “give thanks in all circumstances” lest we miss the grace of God, the God of all comfort, and the opportunity to comfort those in trouble.

Peace,
PM

Twenty Fours Hours in the Life Of ...

Here’s a brief look at the last 24 hours … It was quite an awesome period of time … probably not too atypical of the ministry in some regards …

Had the opportunity to work with OSL’s minister of music, John Horak, on reworking/writing some lyrics for a couple of contemporary songs that we are considering for our contemporary worship services.  Music – traditional and contemporary – is such a gift of God.  I agree with Martin Luther when he said, “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”  I think that could also be said of some of the classical music I enjoy as well.

Then there was a pre-marriage session with a wonderful couple.  Went through the last part of our Prepare/Enrich marriage inventory.  It’s part of the pre-marital counseling that our Bd. of Spiritual Life has required of those getting married in our church.  It is an outstanding tool to look at couple strengths and areas of growth … that in the end their marriage would be a joy to them, a blessing to those around them, and bring glory to God.

Off to run some personal errands.  What a beautiful day it was … too bad I had to spend so much of it inside.

Phone calls … while on the road and upon returning to church.

Then people started arriving around 6 pm for our 6:30 pm meeting (preceded by a great pizza from DeLucas) with Gift Planning Services.  Pastor Bill Weiss was present from Peace Lutheran Church, Saginaw; Lance Moquin from MOST Ministries, Ann Arbor; 9 members of our Bd. of Directors and the presentors … Jennifer Nohelty and Ron Smith, Gene Kuebler, and OSL’s own Adam Heinlein.  Phenomenal presentation on “Helping people maximize what the Lord has given them to manage.”  Although the presentation fits into the whole of life stewardship … it especially recognizes that we each have the ability to make a difference … in our lifetimes, and after.  Gift Planning Services, a Lutheran and Christ-centered ministry, uses their skills and financial savvy “to help ordinary people do extraordinary things.”  It is true that most hard working people have far more assets than they realize.  They help identify those assets, set goals, and manage your resources in a way that supports and expands your belief system.

Interestingly, even with a modest estate, it is possible for them to create “lasting good works”.  They can help you:

    * Establish living trusts to provide for loved ones
    * Create scholarships and memorials
    * Pass gifts to your church and charities of choice

The HUGE realization was how Planned Giving allows you to protect your assets from undue taxation.  In other words, YOU, not Uncle Sam, should be able to choose your legacy, and decide how your life ’s work will impact the future of others.

Gift Planning Services works directly with churches and charitable organizations, and provides their services free of charge to the congregation or its members.  They are not commission based and they do not answer to Wall Street as large investment firms do.  But, as they say, they answer to a Higher Power.

The Bd. of Directors will be considering how we may join them, and they with us, in a joint ministry endeavor here at OSL.  As always, there was the meeting after the meeting … and I didn’t get home until 11 pm.

After a little bit of sharing when I got home, getting ready for the next day’s big events, I didn’t get to be bed until 12:30 am.

The 4:20 am alarm … seemed distant at first, THEN, way to loud.  But it served its purpose and soon I was getting coffee ready to brew for Pat when she would rise, and taking a quick shower.

Why so early?  By God’s design … to enjoy a phenomenal day.  It continued in the dark by driving to a friends and new members home so that we could go turkey hunting!  Two other gentleman joined us and we were soon headed for the woods.  One of the other men that joined us – is an expert turkey caller and strong proponent of managed land resources.  The other man, his brother, came along to film the hunt.

PASSIONATE ... AGAIN (A Preview of the 4.26 Sunday Sermon ...)

Rarely do I find myself not passionate about what I am doing … accept when I have to gather, organize, and input all the data for the man who prepares my taxes.  I find that, well, taxing …

But just about everything else … spending time with the family, taking walks with Patto, cleaning the house especially before holidays and other major family events, cutting the grass, trimming the yard, camping, hiking in Montana, deer camp, fishing, cutting fire wood, driving, flying with a friend, golfing, reading, studying to prepare a message, blogging, and ESPECIALLY preaching and teaching … I am totally, excitedly, engrossed.

Maybe the joy and excitement I experience is a result of my father’s biblical encouragement:  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” … and “Rejoice always.  I will say it again, REJOICE.” … or “… give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  More than anything, however, it is a gift of God that He has renewed throughout my life. 

God does deserve our best in everything … especially our love!

Consequently, I can’t stand it (or maybe “me”) when my “fire” is burning low … or the “passion” is diminished.  I, quite frankly, don’t appreciate that in others either … a ho hum, what can I do to get by, “whatever” attitude and life.  Carpe Diem … Seize the day … not sleep the day or slouch the day away.

Six Month Check Up in Ann Arbor … GREAT – All Clear!

Last Thursday was my six month CT Scan at the U of M Hospital, a routine meant to keep an eye on the lymphoma that caused emergency surgery while on vacation in July of 2002.  That appointment is regularly followed by another appointment for blood and other tests at which time they give you all the results.  That was today.

I am joyful and praise-filled because I can share that there was no recognized continuance or growth of the disease at all!  They were very pleased, and Pat and I were most thankful.  Dr. Kaminski was stuck in an airport in Minnesota, but we were able to see his assistant and get the good news (which we passed on almost immediately on Twitter.  See PM's Tweets in the lower right column of this Blog).

There is much that is going on in this day and age – so many sins and perversions – that it makes one cower.  On this day 10 years ago most of us have seared in our minds the broadcast news images of the Columbine High School massacre.  Life, then and now, is continually being devalued, demeaned, and desecrated.  On the other hand, to live in a day and age where chemo and Bexxar, an injection of radiation that seeks out lymph sites, can be administered for your health and healing under God’s providence and wisdom is a miraculous blessing. 

I personally believe that God is still working today in awesome ways.

There are no greater ways than in God’s Word and the Sacrament.  In and through them I am assured of the greatest healing known to man – a healing I have – the forgiveness of sins.  With that forgiveness as Luther says, “There is life, eternal life, and salvation.”  What that means is … by God’s grace … I can’t lose!  As I continue to live now it is for a purpose, but when I die, that is gain.  (Paul’s comments are very instructive and helpful in Philippians 1:21-26)

Physical healing is wonderful!  Helping to proclaim the transforming Gospel to all – like the kids at Columbine – PRICELESS.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

PM

Ugly Ducklings (Don't Judge by Appearance)

We shouldn't judge by appearance.  We know that.  But in reality we often do.  Consequently, I believe, we often miss out on the beauty of seeing the ugly duckling now turned graceful swan.

As God's children we picture old faithful Samuel coming to anoint a new king in secret (for fear of Saul's reprisal) at Jesse's home in Bethlehem.  Samuel will eventually anoint David, but only after he has viewed the rest of Jesse's stable of sons, seen them rejected by God for that royal office, and learned God's particular method:  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

God does not judge by external appearance.  Neither should we.

It is somehow uniquely wonderful, encouraging, and a bit humbling when the world -- the entertainment world even -- comes to acknowledge that truth.

Such was the case with Susan Boyle.  This woman came out of nowhere on Britain’s Got Talent (their version of Idol), was almost laughed off the stage, but then gave the crowd a performance of "I Had A Dream" from Les Miserables which resulted in ... well ...

Get a Kleenex and watch ... (YouTube video of Susan Boyle)

May we, as Pastor Olsen recommended in his sermon this morning, laugh and learn and truly live to the fullest our lives that Christ has redeemed ... an integral part of that being our initial acceptance of all others. I think there will be many great surprises -- ugly ducklings -- all along the way.

How about you? Have you had any Ugly Duckling experiences?

[My son told me of another similar video/story on YouTube.  Take a look.  It is good to dream!]

PM

Looking Forward to Read ...

I wanted to see if I could blog from my phone. So mentioning a book that I am looking forward to reading seemed a simple way to experiment.

I was reading am article in Leadership Magazine by John Ortberg entitled, "The Sin Tamer". In it he makes mention of a book that he believes is worthy of reading every year or so. It is entitled, Not The Way Its Supposed To Be: A Breviary of Sin, by Neil Plantinga. Ortberg references Plantinga describing how we have largely lost awareness of sin; how sin was once something Christians hated, feared, grieved, and fled; now when we see the word it tends to be on menus ("Sinful Chocolate Decadence").

Ortberg contends that we need to thoroughly understand what it is that is bad about sin, which is power to corrupt the goodness of life. Then he quotes Plantinga: "Sin is both the overstepping of a line and the failure to reach it - both transgression and shortcoming. Sin is a missing of the mark, a spoiling of goods, a staining of garments, a hitch in one's gait, a wandering from the path, a fragment of the whole. Sin is what culpably disturbs shalom." How true. How very true.

I'm looking forward to reading all of this book.

Has anybody else read this book? What did you think?

(Sent from my phone.)

April 2, 2009 Letter to OSL Congregation RE. The 6.2009 Michigan District Convention

The following is a letter that I was encouraged to write to the congregation by the Bd. of Directors and Spiritual Life Team of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School.  In it I share the possibility of serving the Lord in a different capacity other than as Senior Pastor at Our Savior, depending on what happens at the Michigan District Convention, June 28 - July 1.

If you have questions after reading the letter, I would look forward to addressing them at the Congregational Meeting after the late service this Sunday in the Sanctuary, or at another mutually agreealbe time.  In the mean time, as ALWAYS, your prayers are greatly appreciated!

April 2, 2009

Dear Members of God’s Family at OSL,

I look forward to experiencing with you our first Holy Week commemorations and Easter celebrations in our new facility.  As a reminder, the Maundy Thursday service is at 6:30 pm; on Good Friday, there is a 12 noon service and the 7:30 pm Tenebrae service (service of shadows).  Our Easter Sunrise Vigil will begin in the lobby or, God willing and weather permitting, on the east formal patio at 7:00 am.  Our youth will serve a wonderful Easter breakfast in the commons and gym from 8:00 am – 9:15 am.  The Easter Victory Service will begin at 9:30 am and will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  Although this Holy Week is also the Spring Break week for many different schools, please remember to worship, wherever you are, during this most holy time.

This letter is written to inform you of a special “meeting” which will be held after the late service on Sunday, April 19 in the Sanctuary.  At that time I would like to explain in greater detail what it means for OSL and me that I have allowed my name to stand in nomination for the Office of the President of the Michigan District.  I would also look forward to prayer together over this matter.  This office will be filled through an election process by delegates at this year’s Michigan District Convention, June 28 – July 1, 2009, in Ann Arbor.

Questions:  (A) How is this different from a call from another congregation and (B) why does this election for the presidency appear to be taken more seriously now than in past years?

Simple Pleasures

It's Friday evening.  Pat came home from school and I BBQ'd some chicken (Maier chicken) on the grill.  The weather outside was/is beautiful.  The cloak of Michigan's winter had been hung in the closet, and the appropriate lite wraps have been selected.

Joel is home from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, for his 21st birthday.  The boys and I earlier today had an incredible joy -- spring golfing for the first time -- although "incredible" does not describe how we played.  "First time" does ... (Check out Twitter and PMs Tweets to the side of this blog.  There's even a picture of one of the holes ...)

Immediately after supper three of us and Izzy (our dog) took a walk into the quaint village of Dimondale. We have a select route, although this time it did not include walking over the bridge over the Grand River ... and therefore no icecream at the Creamery.  That simple pleasure will have to wait ...

The sky was just getting dark, the bats were flying, but the temperature ... oh, the temperature ... just perfect for walking in only a long sleeve shirt.

Simple pleasures are the best ... 

Let us give thanks for them.

Inside Love - What's it Look Like?

We bask in the Easter glow of knowing that God loved us so much that He gave his only begotten Son to suffer, to die, to rise again for all mankind.  God loves us.  Yes! ... and Wow!

Jesus says in John 15:9:  "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."  In other words, the love that exists inside the Trinity, the love the Father has for the Son, Jesus, is the same love that Jesus has for us.

The logical question then is, What does "love" inside the Trinity look like? Since all the persons in the Trinity have always existed, God's love for Jesus was without beginning and will be without end.  It is eternal.  In Jeremiah 31:3 we learn that we have been loved also with "an everlasting love."  Already in eternity, before the cosmos was created, God saw us and loved us.

Our "loving" here on earth has beginnings (and quite often endings).  You can think of relationships that you have or have had, even your love with Christ had a beginning for you.  But God's love for us has been a steady flowing stream from eternity.

God the Father also loves Jesus immutably, that is without change.  What great comfort for us also that we should be so loved; that God's perfect, comforting, forgiving, peace giving, transforming love for us DOES NOT CHANGE!  We will have great highs and lows in life ... but God will love us just as much in the valley as he does on the mountain top.  Psalm 139:5-12 reminds us that wherever we are, wherever we flee too, God is there.  And since God is love, God is present there -- wherever "there" is -- with His love.  Since God does not change, neither does His love.  We are loved with an eternal love.  God's love for us knows no end.  In that love, in that inviting love we can come to Him and find rest for our weary and burdened souls ... always.  Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord.

God's love for Jesus knows no end.  Neither does Jesus' love for us.  His love for us is complete.  We must always remember that "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:2) 

We truly have an awesome God and Savior!  We have been, are, and will forever be loved without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end.

Just like the Father loves the Son.

I'd Like to Try Again ... Blogging that is ...

Easter ... the celebration of the greatest victory, the greatest "comeback" (as Sport Illustrated stated in 2002), in History.  Jesus died; the blood and water that flowed from his side from the piercing of the Roman soldier's spear proved it.  The fear of the religious leaders who asked Pilate to place a guard of Roman soldiers at Jesus tomb documents it.  The forgiving and transformational power of Jesus in peoples lives throughout history ... including NOW ... continually provides contemporary evidence. 

I was so enthralled again by the Easter Gospel reading from Mark 16.  The angels tell the women who have come early to open the tomb of Jesus to "go and tell his disciples and Peter" ... that He is risen, just as he said.

"... and Peter."  You've got to love that.  Peter was one of the disciples and the angels knew it.  But, obviously, God wanted to make sure that he got the message.  "Peter, I am alive.  I was dead; I died for your sins, your threefold denial of Me, in fact.  But I am alive forevermore; I live to forgive, restore, and change your life. "  God wanted Peter to know.