Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Christmas Traditions … Rocky Balboa?

Over the Christmas break I sure that our family will carry on a tradition that’s existed since our youngest was able to sit still … either in Pat’s arms or between favorite siblings, with popcorn or a sweet treat of some kind … and go to a movie.  The movies we have seen have usually been Christmas related … The Santa Clause, The Family Man, Jack Frost, Polar Express, etc.  (During Christmas breaks … I’ve also had the honor of going out over the years with my older children to a movie of their choice (Vertical Limit; a James Bond flick, etc.) … sometimes even being invited to join a group of their friends in doing so.) 

I’m not quite sure what movies I will see this Christmas break … but one that has caught my interest is Rocky Balboa.  Of course I’ve seen a number of the previous

Rockies

, and enjoyed some of them, especially the first and third in the series (I think there have been five).  But this one, some 30 years after the first movie, what can if offer?  What appeals to me this time?

I think that it is far more than that an older guy can get in shape (although that is encouraging to me, and hopefully inspiring as well, having received my AARP card about 2 months ago).  Although I don’t know the full storyline … the four words that are used to advertise the movie appeal to my inner spirit: 

Courage      Integrity      Faith      Victory

Some of the quotes from interviews with Sylvester Stallone regarding the movie intrigue me even more, and seem to indicate that a change has occurred in his life and he is a Christ follower.  Could that be?  Could Sylvester Stallone be a Christian?  Listen to some of his and “Rockie’s” quotes …

·      It ain’t about how hard you hit.  It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

·        “No matter what, you can overcome your past," he said. "With help, if you look to God, you can overcome your past and be reborn."

·        “There’s a point where the body stops and inner strength begins.  It really begins from the soul – from God.” 

·        "The more I go to church," he said, "and the more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus and listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, I feel as though the pressure is off me now."

And making the analogy between physical and spiritual fitness ...

·        "You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else. You cannot train yourself," he said. "I feel the same way about Christianity and about what the church is: The church is the gym of the soul."

The “gym of the soul”.  Church viewed as “the gym of the soul.”  I like that … and that is probably something I will comment on later.

Until I’m done with my Christmas / New Year’s season sermons, I won’t be able to see the movie.  But I am looking forward to it … and hope I will not be disappointed.

Tell me what you think if you see it … or give any other recommendations for our tradition.

Youth Ministry at Our Savior Church, Lansing, MI

Over the past year TJ Wulff has been an incredible asset to the spiritual growth and maturing of our youth here at OSL.  From summer outings to Wednesday evening “highs and lows” and a topical discussion … addictions, dating, how to say to your boyfriend or girlfriend that your not comfortable with how the relationship is going, honoring your parents, etc. … TJ, a young man studying for his Masters at MSU in Social Work and Counseling, has given some incredible insights, encouragements, and some stability to our High School Youth Ministry.

With some changes and schedule, approaching marriage in June, and time marching on I am thrilled to share that Mrs. Sherry Burmeister will soon be taking the lead as the OSL Youth Ministry Director.  She will not only be overseeing the coordination of the Jr. High, Sr. High, and College Ministries, but will take over the direct leadership of the High School Ministry.  We are also incredibly thankful for the help of Sara Bennington, and OSL member and alum of Our Savior Lutheran School.

Sherry brings with her and awesome heart for kids to know Jesus, excited willingness, committed availability, and dedication to Christ and the OSL ministries.  She has raised 4 boys with her husband Bill and they are growing, productive, members of various LC-MS congregations – with two still her at OSL. 

Can’t wait to see how the OSL Youth Ministry continues to expand and mature.  Welcome Sherry!!

OSL School Children’s Christmas Service -

Quick Take … If you even needed a reason to check out sending your children to a

Lutheran

Day School

… come to the Dress Rehearsal next Wednesday, December 20 at 1 pm, or the real deal at 6:30 pm that night.

Why?

I had the opportunity to walk through our Sanctuary the other day … and caught the kids practicing, get ready for, the Christmas Service / Program that they will be leading on Wednesday evening December 20.  The excitement that pervaded the Sanctuary, the special music, little kids looking up in awe at big kids (thinking what it will be like when they are in the Jr. High, I imagine) and Christ being celebrated freely, festively, phenomenally … was inspiring to me. 

The kids were sincerely involved in knowing that this service would have a message, not only for the grandparents and other family members and friends that will be coming, but also for them.  God loves them and brings them incredible hope.  If its anything like in the past … this is a message that they will remember all of their lives as they drift back in their memories of School Children’s Christmas services at Our Savior.

We have this awesome faculty that loves these kids, and prays for them, and makes sure they have the message of salvation straight while giving them the very best of academics, music and sports … and what I saw will impact them, me, and all who see “Christmas at Hope Central.”