Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

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!

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!"

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." 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 Does 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.