Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Dreams Come True - The Boys Head to Big Sky Country

In 1985, in what first seemed to defy reason and logic to our parents, Pat and I along with friends Tom and Jeri Arenz (met these wonderful people and friends for life on vicarage in San Francisco), were able to purchase 15+ acres in the Swan Valley in Montana. With frontage on the Swan River and views to the east of the Swan Range and to the west of the Mission Range and situated between two wilderness areas it is truly "God's country." I am fond of saying, "When you pray there, it is a local call."

We started camping there in our "L & L Bean 4 man pup-tent," but quickly outgrew that with 2 dogs, 2 children, and Pat and myself sharing the tent (in no particular order of importance). We since have camped in a cabin tent borrowed from the Youth Group (Arlington Heights, IL), a borrowed pop-up tent camper (that seemed like the Ritz Carlton compared to the pup-tent), our own pop-up tent camper purchased from the sale of two sets of black lab puppies, and finally a hard sided camp trailer.  With electricity, a well, and an outhouse with the best view in North America, it has become a place our family cherishes, especially when the Arenz's are there and other family members visit.

EVERNOTE - Great Application

I pretty much organize my days, and especially my “To Do’s”, with lists.  Lots of lists. The problem I have is ... having a list here, there, and the next place (loose lists [paper], on my phone, on my computer, etc.)… and having the propensity to then lose the list .. hard to believe I know.

Can anyone relate?

The Ascension of our Lord - 6:30 pm Worship TONIGHT, May 21

Today is the 40th day after the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter. Tonight, we have the opportunity to mark this day and celebrate what used to be one of the major festivals in the church - our Lord's Ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven.

Jesus' Ascension into heaven used to be for me merely an historical fact, a part of salvation's story, something I would regularly confess in the second article of The Apostles' Creed:  "... was crucified, died and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead."

Angels and Demons - The Movie

I can remember the summer I read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I found it thoroughly entertaining and somewhat ‘gripping.’ (In fact, I read it before his The Da Vinci Code, which, because of its total disregard of the truth of the Scriptures and the deity of Christ, ticked me off. But, it too was a good ‘read’.) 

This past Friday, the boys and I caught the early 10:45 am showing of Angels and Demons at Celebration Cinema (pretty cheap) in Lansing.  I found the movie thoroughly entertaining … albeit implausible.  Tom Hanks once again plays Harvard symbologist, Robert Langdon.  Even though the Vatican is upset with him because of his previous ‘discoveries’ in The Da Vinci Code, it desperately needs him NOW. 

You see, in the next 24 hours, during which time the College of Cardinals begins meeting to elect a new Pope (who it turns out was murdered inside the Vatican), Langdon, hopefully, can figure out some clues and a dire threat left by the Illuminati.  Clues?  For what?  Why?  Threat?  Illuminati?

FAITHFUL!

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Jesus

Tomorrow is Confirmation Sunday at Our Savior.  The Scripture chosen for the mediation for this special day is Revelations 2:8-10:  8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:  These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

How You Can Know What You Are Getting - The Validity and Efficaciousness of the Means of Grace

It’s in Membership Classes or in our Confirmation classes -- our adult Discover 101 Class, or our “in school” confirmation classes -- that numerous questions arise regarding our practice of close communion.  It goes further when the questioning steers toward our members attendance at other churches. 

“Should I commune there if the church doesn’t believe the same things we do?”

The questioning continues like this, “And if they don’t believe like we do, Pastor Maier, why can’t we still commune there with our ___________ (you fill in the blank with friends, relatives, neighbors, etc.)?  I mean, I know what I believe, even if they’re mistaken.  I can still take it for my forgiveness.”

My short answer is, “You can’t put medicine in a placebo.”

2009 Confirmation - Their Blessing and OURS

This coming Sunday, May 17, is Confirmation Sunday at Our Savior.  What that means this year is … 16 of our 8th Grade students will make a public profession of their faith that was first made for them at their baptisms.  They have been prayed for by parents, God-parents, friends, our congregation, and their assigned prayer angel.  They have been taught for at least two years, immersed in the Scriptures, Luther’s Small Catechism, with discussion and daily application to life.

And as of last week, they have all been questioned regarding their knowledge of the Scriptures and right doctrine, and its faithful application to life and inspiration for life.  That questioning for these students took place in their interviews with a pastor, their Family Care elder, and their parents.

"A Faith to Remember" - Mothers' Day Message Preview

Tomorrow is the opportunity we are given nationally to honor our mothers.  So, first, I want to express my gratitude for my godly mother, who through a great deal of patience and prayer, helped keep me on the "straight and narrow" road.  How well I remember her instruction (given in numerous ways ...) when I was very young, words of encouragement when I was in college, encouragement when I was going through treatments, reminders today of the promises of God in His Word. Thanks Mom!  I love you!

Certainly, there would be a great deal of affirmation for the thoughts that "Mothers are a blessing from God," and "the cement of the home," holding everything together.  Their influence in our homes, especially with children -- from the time the they are born until they leave to begin their own families -- is inestimable.  I have witnessed it first hand.

Day of Homiletical Reflection - Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

I’m very excited to be able to attend Concordia Seminary’s (St. Louis) annunal Day of Homiletical Reflection. The Day of Reflection will be take place this Thursday, May 6, on the Seminary campus. The featured speaker will be Walter Wangerin Jr., professor of writing and theology at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana. His sessions will concentrate on “Preaching Paul.”

Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year Award and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. His most recent book, Father and Son: Finding Freedom, tells of the relationship between Wangerin and his adopted son, Matthew.

The planets sort of aligned on this opportunity. First, Bill Yonker (pastor at Immanuel, Dundee, IL) gave me an invitation I couldn’t refuse: travel with him by car to St. Louis to attend the Day of Homiletial Reflection. Bill is adored by my children and by most other youth in the Synod and beyond who know him and have heard him speak at National, Synodical, and District Youth Gatherings, Lifest, Camp Arcadia, Chastity Rallys (we're having Pastor Yonker speak at OSL's Chastity Rally this November 1, 2009), etc. But he is also a great friend and I never get to spend time with him. This will be a high.

TWITTERING IN CHURCH?? ... Well ... What Are You Twittering About?

OK, let's talk.  First, "What is Twittering?"  Twittering is microblogging.  That probably wasn't helpful, was it?  "What's microblogging?"  That's trying to communicate in 140 characters or less on your phone, messaging service, or online.

So what about twittering in Church?  Isn't that like doing a crossword puzzle in church? ... or drawing pictures in church? ... or day dreaming?

Maybe.  Maybe not.  For some people it might actually assist them in concentrating on the service or message.  It might be a better way for some folks to share what they're learning while they still remember it.

DON'T KISS THE PIG (... and Other Precautionary Thoughts Re. Swine Flu)

FIRST, Don't Be Alarmed! 

This is being written to be proactive ... and, accept for the common sense recommendations, is really not being implemented. 

But please read on ...

Do you remember the story of Jesus driving out the demons from two demon possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes. (Matthew 8:28-32)  That’s the first recorded instance of ‘deviled ham’.

Wonderful Tool as One Choice for you Daily Devotions - TREASURY OF DAILY PRAYER

In some of my Bible classes over the last several months I shared with you my joy in purchasing and using a new devotional book:  Treasury of Daily Prayer.  (I brought it in and showed one of the Sunday classes.)  Pastor Olsen and I each picked one up from the Seminary Bookstore when we attended the Exegetical Symposium at the Ft. Wayne Seminary at the end of this last January.

We had both received pre-publication PR ... but neither of us had ordered it.  Being frugal Lutherans (and knowing we would have to give answer to our wives as to why we allowed ourselves the temptation of entering the bookstore) ... we noticed that it was a good buy - discounted during the Symposium, I believe.

TAKE A STAND / FIRE SOME SHOTS - It Happened on EASTER Day, 2009

My parents heard it on their way home to Ft. Wayne, and when they arrived to let us know they arrived there safely they also informed me, “Captain Phillips is safe!  We heard it on the radio on the way home.”

Remember that Captain Richard Phillips was captain of the Maesrsk Alabama that had been attacked by Somali pirates.

I immediately checked the internet and just as they said, he had been rescued and was safe.  And what a rescue it was.  “Three of the pirates were killed by the U.S. Navy SEALs and the fourth one is currently in custody.” Apparently, the Navy SEAL sharp shooters had done their work.