Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Change Your Life: THINK (... on These Things)

(As found in the March, 2011 issue of Michigan In Touch)

Imagine with me, if you will, that you are in fact an Olympic caliber athlete. You are in training for 1,600 and 3,200 meter events at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. With just a little over two years left for training and tryouts, how many of you would begin the Twinkies diet between now and the Games?

As I write this, The North American International Auto Show is taking place in Detroit, Michigan (1.11). From what I’ve heard (I’ve never been there), it’s a glitzy display case for the newest in automobile design and technology. If you were fortunate enough to be able to buy one of the display vehicles, would you fill the fuel tank with water, or Gatorade, or your favorite beer?

The food we eat or the fuel we use will ultimately determine the performance and well being of our bodies and our vehicles. Everyone would agree with this. From Atkins Bars or wheatgrass shots to octane boosters and synthetic oils, companies which help us determine what to put into our bodies and into our cars are multi-billion dollar industries.

What could be more important than what we put into our bodies and into our cars? Unfortunately, it is an area that we rarely deliberately consider, or if we do, it is with a “whatever” nonchalance. What you “fuel” your bodies or cars with really pales in comparison with what you feed … your minds.

Come, Let Us Worship the Lord our Maker

The following is the President's Article in the December/January Michigan in Touch District Magazine.  It written to serve as "An Introduction and Invitation to the Michigan District Theological Conferences on Worship in early 2011."

In the first stanza of a hymn recently penned by Rev. Steven P. Starke of Michigan, we read these words:

O sing of Christ, whose birth made known The kindness of the Lord,

Eternal Word made flesh and bone, So we could be restored. 

Upon our frail humanity God’s finger chose to trace

The fullness of His deity, The icon of His grace.¹  LSB, #362

Having come to know the Word made flesh by God’s grace through faith, we joyously sing, praising our God for His great kindness in giving us a Savior from sin.  We read the Christmas accounts in the Gospels, marveling at the angelic announcement to the shepherds and their response of wonder, joy, and proclamation. (Lk. 2:8-20)  We celebrate God’s leading of the Magi by star which enabled them to see God, worship the Word made flesh, and present Him with gifts. (Matt. 2:1-12)

A Season of MIRACLES - YES They Still Happen ... and We Need Them

MIRACLES … perhaps because of the age in which we live, have taken on the cloak of the fantastical, whimsical, or the special effect in a movie.  Maybe because of the very tough times in which we live they impossible.  Rarely, for many, do “miracles” embrace the category of “possibility” because of something supernatural, much less because of God.

Even those who “believe” in miracles have romantic notions of how and where they take place.  Too often we suppose that supernatural miracles only happen in special or splendid circumstances.  But part of the great Good News at Christmas is that God clothes Himself in the ordinary – and does amazing things!

Not Then, Nor NOW, Can We Avoid the Cities

One of the great challenges for the Church today, and perhaps in particular for The Michigan District, is how to carry on vital and vibrant urban ministry.  More than half of the churches that were thriving in the mid 1950’s in Detroit are now closed, with those remaining  very challenged in their ministries and even in worship attendance.  It is possible that there will no longer be any Lutheran Schools in Detroit by the end of this year.

I’ve heard some excuse this as just the normal turn of events for a city.  Others have recognized the horrible economic plight of our entire state and how it has ravaged Detroit.  Still more have said that “Lutheranism” can no longer impact Detroit like it once did because of Detroit's multi-nationalism and multi-culturalism.

What Are You Doing This Summer? SPIRITUAL GROWTH: MY JOB OR GOD'S?

Psychologists say one of the primary causes of conflict in households involves disputes over what's generally called “division of labor.” If the bed goes unmade, if the dishes go unwashed, if the diaper goes unchanged, who is responsible for getting the job done?  We’re all aware that many households have never had a calm, rational discussion about who is best equipped to do what.

I’d like to ask this question:  Whose job is spiritual growth?  (This really deals with what is known as the doctrine of sanctification.)  For many Christians there is confusion about the division of labor as it relates to spiritual growth or sanctification.  "Is it God's job, or is it mine?"

Aim At Perfection (as found in the June, 2010 Michigan In Touch)

Think about it.   Most of us our average, right?

Of course it depends on what we’re talking about.  I want to emphatically state, however, that there is no correlation between being average athletically, academically, and socially, and being average spiritually.  In fact, if anything, we have an advantage.  One of the most important elements of being a healthy, holy, useful Christian is knowing how much sin has corrupted you, how much you need the Lord Jesus Christ, how inadequate you are of yourself, and how only by God’s grace can you be sufficient for anything.

The Cross in Easter

“The Cross is … to those being saved, the power of God” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Many of us, including myself, have heard, numerous times, the historical account of Jesus last few days before His crucifixion.   Even so, there is still for me the twitch of conscience, on Maundy Thursday, when one by one the disciples ask, “Is it I?”  Their query is a response to Jesus’ announcement that one of them will betray him. (Mark 14:19)  In contemplating their question -- my question -- it is easy for me to reflect upon my own culpability in Jesus’ suffering and death.  “My sin, Lord Jesus, caused your crucifixion.”

This We Believe

One of the blessings of being a District President (I'm learning) is the privilege of being able to read books and other materials prior to their publication (with the opportunity also of being able to suggest and submit possible 'improvements').  President Hoesman shared one such resource with me in August of 2009 during a transition meeting.  It is entitled This We Believe with a subtitle of Selected Topics of Faith and Practice in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. (The underlined title/subtitle are dynamic links that will take you directly to the order page at Concordia Publishing House [CPH].)

This We Believe is a outstanding resource that I've already referenced many times.  Whether sharing information and suggestions with pastors questioning how to respond to challenging questions and situations or discussing some of the LC-MS's doctrinal stances with laity, it is a most useful reference tool.

The following are a few excerpts from the Preface of This We Believe explaining its purpose and content:  "What is the position of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on ...?"  This is

SUNDAY! 6 pm - January 31 Christian Care Concert - Faith Lutheran Church, Troy, MI

"Touching Lives, Giving Hope" A Christian Care Concert will be held Sunday, January 31, 2010 at Faith Lutheran Church (37635 Dequindre) in Troy at 6:00 p.m.

This Christian Care Concert will feature:

• Billy D. Brooks Memorial Lutheran Choir
• Detroit Urban Lutheran School Choir
• Lutheran City Ministries Choir
• Lutheran High School North Concert Choir
• Arbor Song Concordia University Ann Arbor

The Manhattan Declaration

In December of 2009 I began receiving emails and calls seeking information regarding The Manhattan Declaration.  During the last month questions have increased not only from individual pastors but also from circuits asking whether they could sign the Declaration.

The authors of The Manhattan Declaration (Robert George - Professor, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University; Timothy George - Professor, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; and Chuck Colson - Founder, the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview (Lansdowne, VA)) have labeled the Declaration ‘A Call of Christian Conscience’.   It seems to be born out of two recognitions:

How is The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) DIFFERENT?

Over the last number of months I've received numerous requests from from friends (laity) and other laity within The Michigan District, to discuss or explain the similarities and differences between The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  The questions have arisen mostly, it seems, out of conversations between our LCMS members and their ELCA friends who are questioning the outcomes of their Synod's August, 2009, convention.

Godspeed and Farewell … and Forward to New Beginnings

Yesterday, October 4, 2009, was my farewell service at Our Savior Lutheran Church (and School) in Lansing, MI.  It was truly a celebratory service in which God’s past forgiveness and faithfulness were recognized as hallmarks of His future gracious presence, care and blessing.

The Deception of DEATH – that Great Enemy

I hate death.

It is, in the big picture, an unnatural event … one that God never intended.  Life was meant to be perfect – not that we know what this is – except that it was to be an unending, intimate fellowship with God.

The parents of the human race, Adam and Eve, blew it, of course, by sinning in the Garden … and death, the consequence of sin, entered into the once perfect world.  That death, physical and eternal, has been passed on to all humanity, as Paul writes, “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

We live in a world that is still haunted by the enemy of final demise, the inherited fatal downfall of the human race that reveals our decisive culpability -- death.

This great enemy is ugly; it is unnatural, ultimate separation!  No getting around it!  No compromise, no smoke and mirrors!

But, of course, we try. 

A Letter to the Members of Our Savior, Family, Friends and Prayer Partners

June 29, 2009

Dear Members of Our Savior, Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,

My brother Walter shared the following verses with me in a recent encouraging email:  “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.  Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”  Psalm 116:1-2 

I do love the Lord and continually thank Him for His forgiving grace and tender mercies given to me “a selfish sinner saved by grace and humbly seated at the foot of the Cross” (as my South African friend and brother in Christ Rev. Mandla Khumalo always signs his letters).  Over the last number of months I have spent time in prayer, and thank God for your prayers, regarding my nomination for the Office of President of the Michigan District.  My prayer was for God’s continuing mercy and grace to be evident in my life and the life of my family, and that His will be done regarding the nomination and the election.

This Monday morning at the Michigan District Convention in Ann Arbor I was elected as the new District President to succeed Pres. Bill Hoesman.  Any call that comes from God’s people is both a humbling and honoring experience.  This call is, perhaps, more humbling than honoring.  I sincerely ask for your continued prayers for faithful, humble, completely God-dependent service to our crucified and risen Lord and Savior, as I will officially begin to serve in this new capacity beginning October 1.

NO Summer 'Slowdown' - Still Trying to Twitter

Disappointing and hard to believe that its been quite a while since I last posted an entry.  Although for many the summer brings a 'slowdown', that rarely happens for me ... and certainly NOT this summer. There have been weddings, the very detailed pursuing of a Thrivent Grant, different conferences (the Funding Conference in Frankenmuth was EXCELLENT), emergencies, counseling emergencies, deaths and funerals, places along the way where it would have been fun to post but there was no access, and now the Michigan District Convention.

I just wanted to say, I think the blog is a great way to communicate to the our Savior Congregation and other family members and friends. I really do enjoy writing and posting and have missed it. Thanks for your encouragement to blog via email, Twitter (I'm still trying to Twitter when there is a moment), and the phone. I look forward to writing some blog entries in the very near future.

Being Accessible ... Can There Be Too Much?

I can hear my wife Pat ask, "Do you have to answer every phone call?"  It's not that she doesn't want me to communicate or be accessible.  It's just that it's dinner, or devotion time, or we just sat down to have a personal conversation that we haven't had in days ... weeks?  There are some priority questions here as well.

Being accessible is more than just a responsibility in the ministry, it is a key part in any position -- professional or personal -- of fostering, building, maintaining ... relationships.

To that end I recently read a blog post by one of Our Savior Lutheran School's illustrious graduates.  His name is Justin Thorp, and he works in Washington, D.C., and is intimately involved with the development of the world wide web.  Really cool stuff.

Following Up On the "PRIORITIES ..." Post

There are many things that distract us from our seeking God first! ... especially in this technological age.  Putting the best construction on everything ... we readily admit that God, time with God in His Word, Church, reading about God, praying, etc., is not only important to our spiritual life .. BUT OUR DAY JUST GOES BETTER WHEN HE IS #1!

But there are emails to check and answer (when it works), twits to tweet, Facebook to keep up, IM's to instantly message on, ... and Oh, yeah, the home or office phone to answer, SKYPE on your computer, cell phone calls, etc.

Communication ... presents some amazing challenges for just about everyone.  If your not careful ... the devil can be in these details.

Priorities and discipline seem to be in order.

Back to Blogging and Twittering

In the past two weeks I have been traveling alot ... and often without internet service or even cell service.   The out-west trip to Montana was fast but great and followed immediately by an up-north in Michigan trip with my accountability pastor friends.  So, after a brief hiatus from blogging and Twittering ... I hope to get in the saddle again this evening.

So thanks for your encouragement ... and patience.

PM

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?

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.