A Matthew West Concert in Our Area?

I've been in contact over the last several months (ever since I saw Matthew in concert in Adrian in Oct.) with his "peeps" about coming to Port Huron sometime after the New Year.  I then started meeting with the great folks at WNFA radio in PH since they do this concert stuff, and with the blessing of our church council, we're hoping to bring Matthew to Port Huron some time in March.  PLEASE keep this in your prayers!  This will be another awesome opportunity for the message of God's love to be shared in a very unique way with a lot of hurting folks in our area, and everyone else who just needs to be reminded otherwise!  Will keep you posted as to the progress as further events unfold.  Peace...

New Matthew West CD is Out!

Well, my friends, by now you know that I really enjoy listening to the music of Christian artist Matthew West.  A while ago I wrote about a new album that he was working on where the premise of it was that he wanted to hear the different "life stories" of people, and from those letters and emails, he would write his next album's songs. 

Drum roll, please....  that new album has been released this week, and it is as good as I've been expecting!  Better!  MW is such a talented singer & songwriter with an uncanny ability to tell an amazing story in a song, but to also be able to properly include the "God story" in each one also.  The album is called "The Story of Your Life" and it's available in stores and i-Tunes. 

While all of the songs are really great, some of the ones that really stand out are the title track, which kicks of the album appropriately so; "My Own Little World," that tells stories about sharing ourselves with others; "One Less," that describes how families are able to, by God's grace, adopt kids from around the world and reduce the number of broken hearts by one (or three, actually!); and "Two Houses," that describes the pain of divorce through the eyes of those who never really wanted it in the first place, and are fed the lines: "Look on the bright side, you have two Christmases, now!"  Yeah, right...

But all in all, as I said, it's an incredible album, and I'm sure you're going to hear more about it from me.  Either blaring from my office, or referred to in sermons, or (oh, I really hope) played in worship sometime.

Receive God's desired peace and joy that can only come from a relationship with Christ,

Pastor D

Logo Items

A while back, I wrote about our efforts to come up with a new logo that would capture what we are "about" here at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  I wanted something a little edgy, along with the timelessness and certainty of the Cross of Christ.  Here's what we came up with: 

So, what do you think? The wood of the cross has the water of baptism seeping from it, and the agedness (yet timelessness) of the "Immanuel"  ("God with us" - Jesus) is easily recognizable.  So, I hope that it is received well.  We kicked it off at our church-wide picnic last month.  We gave away T-shirts and window stickers with the new logo on them.

So here's my question for anyone who is reading this:  Is this something that you would want to wear on some other item of clothing?  I'm thinking quality polo-style tops, sweatshirts, and wind-shirts, to name just a few things.  What do you think?  Let me know!  "May the peace of God be with you. (Philippians 4:9b)"

New Matthew West Single Out!

There's a brand new single out from my favorite singer - Matthew West!  It's called "My Little World."  It's from a new album that is due out on October 5th, that's rather unique.  He put a call out to all of his fans to submit their own stories of their lives.  The highs, the lows, the joys, the pains.  Stories of God's hand working in your life, and maybe not.  Nothing was "out of bounds."  The name of the album then, is "The Story of Your Life." 

He's touring to support the new album, and will be nearest to Saint Clair on October 15th in Adrian, MI.  I'm going with my beautiful wife who couldn't go the last time we saw Matthew in Flint last year, so this will be a treat for me to go with her and share a beautiful time with her.  (He's written some pretty amazing love songs, too, guys  :)  ) 

It's going to be wonderful, and my Immanuel family will be sick of hearing about more Matthew West by the time this is all through.  But he has such a wonderful God-given and Spirit-inspired talent and gift of lyrics that capture Christian life and at the same time give glory to our amazing God.  See you there!

Precious in the Sight of the Lord

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15)"  What an amazingly Christian take on death!  Don't get me wrong, death is the enemy (1 Cor. 15:26); it has been ever since the fall of Adam & Eve and sin has infected all of creation.  What the message tells us is that our earthly death is the portal into our eternal life with our heavenly Father forever in the joy and splendor and perfection of heaven. 

And our dear friend Nancy Fleury is resting forever in the arms of her Savior Jesus there, joining with all of the company of saints who have gone before her in faith.  So we mourn, of course.  A dear friend has been ripped from our lives.  Yet we also rejoice because she has realized the goal of her faith.  A faith that began at her baptism and was sustained all of her life through the Word of God and His Sacrament of Holy Communion, received with her Fleury family each week and her Immanuel family gathered around her.  We will gather again tomorrow to honor her and remember a life that was given and lived out in faith and to hear words of promise and victory!  All praise and honor and glory be to our Lord and God!

Back Home

Whew!  It's good to go away on vacation, but boy, is it good to come home!  I don't think I'll attempt two border crossings (Niagara Falls and the Blue Water Bridge) in the same day.  More than three hours of waiting in line!  But the boys were awesome even with all of the time in the car.  I'm so proud of them. 


I told the congregation yesterday in service that the people of Boston were so kind and helpful.  Even though they've seen millions and millions of tourists walking their streets looking for Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church, they still patiently tell us where they're to be found.  Why do they do this?  They're kind folks, as I said, but also, they know that they're ambassadors for the city of Boston.  If they make a bad impression upon the guests that come to their wonderful city, chances are that people will be turned off by their attitude and won't want to return.  And worse yet, they may tell their friends and families of their not-so-good experiences. 


In the same way, we're to be ambassadors of the local church we belong to, and more importantly, of the message of Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world.  In this consumer kind of world we live in, it doesn't take much to turn people off.  That includes our attitudes, words, and actions that are in contradiction of our faith in Jesus.

"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth."  (2 Timothy 2:14 - 15)

And now, it's back to lots of work as we prepare for a "new year" that begins in the fall with the start of the school year.  It's going to be here before we know it, to the chagrin of all the kids enjoying the fleeting days of summer!  God's incredible peace to you all!  Pastor D

Down Time

I'm leaving with Mitzi and the boys after church today and going to Bah-ston via Niagara Falls.  So, no posts in the coming week as I go "incommunicado."  It'll be wonderful to slow down and shut down a bit and just relax with the fam.  I was thinking this morning, Christian is twelve now, and in a few more years, he may not think it's "cool" to do this sort of thing.  So we'd better take advantage of the time God has given us now!  His incredible peace and strength to you in the coming week.  Keep us in your prayers!

The Time is Now!

This morning, as we do every morning of VBS, I began the day with our crew leaders in the sanctuary for a beginning-of-the-day devo.  Today, I shared some thoughts of one of my favorite people from the Bible, the Old Testament figure and prophet Nehemiah.  If you remember his story, he, along with most of Israel, had been exiled throughout the middle eastern area, specifically to Persia (what is now modern-day Iran).  Having been away from Jerusalem for so many years had begun to soften the thoughts he must have had that his precious city might be falling into disrepair and despair.  But it was true, as various reports had come in confirming his fears. 

As soon as he heard the news, he did some amazingly faithful things.  First, he simply prayed.  Even in his devestating grief, he knew that he had nowhere to turn but to God for confession and repentance, on his behalf and the behalf of all of Israel, and also that He would reveal to Nehemiah what part (if any) of a plan God had in mind to restore the city of Jerusalem. 

And God confirmed this, after a short time of waiting and being still (Psalm 46:10).  In his position of cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes, he had found favor in the king's eyes.  God opened the king's heart to first ask what was bothering his servant (unheard of!), and then to grant Nehemiah God's plan of sending him back to Jerusalem to lead the rebuilding of the city walls.  The amazing "God thing" that we take from this portion of the story is that the window of opportunity to respond to the king's offer was quickly closing.  No matter how close you were to him, it was always his prerogative to retract whatever offer he had previously given upon his whim.  So Nehemiah knew that he may not get another opportunity to be a part of God's plan there.  The time was now!  And off he went, with the king's blessing and cooperation from those whom Nehemiah needed help from, in procuring materials and safe travel to and from Jerusalem.

What's our 21st C takeaway in all of this?  Simply this:  THE TIME IS NOW.  Each and every day people are dying without a saving knowledge and faith in Jesus their redeeming Savior.  Turning a blind eye to it or claiming that "my God would never be that cruel to do that to someone who never heard the Word of Christ" doesn't make the situation go away.  The second option just listed actually makes you God and takes from Him His right to do as He pleases, which is always good and right and perfect and holy (Deut. 32:4).  I don't relish the thought of taking the place of God!

Let's join hearts and hands in allowing the Holy Spirit to renew each of us, and His Church to wake up to the call that THE TIME IS NOW! to be Christ's ambassadors to the world around us.  Peace...

VBS Week @ ILC

Woo-hoo!
It's Vacation Bible School (VBS) week here at Immanuel.  What an incredible God-filled, Jesus-enriching, Spirit-driven week where 300 or so little precious ones of God come through our building to hear once again (or for the first time) the love Jesus has for them.  It is truly amazing what God does here each year in VBS.

We have been blessed with a congregation that is wholly behind this holy adventure each summer, including a group of incredibly talented people who come together and, with the general theme in mind (this year it is a "High Seas Expedition"), they make it all come alive with amazing decoratoins, transforming the building into ships and harbors and the like. Thank you, especially, to Lisa Whittlesey and her decoration crew that worked tirelessly once again to make it come alive.

Thanks also to all of the other volunteers who are giving a week of mornings this week to be crew leaders and key leaders and snack makers and registration takers.  So much time has gone into the preparations for this, with an uncountable amount of volunteer hours, and that continues this week as they lead the little ones from place to place each morning.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  To God be all glory and honor, and for the benefit of these little ones.

Going Home!

Well, I'm sitting in the Starbucks by the hotel as I make my way back from the convention on its last day, to check out and get to the airport in time.  A lot of things went on this week.  I saw a lot of old friends I hadn't seen in a while; I saw a lot of good work done to move our beloved synod (which means literally "walking together") forward in the shared mission of the Gospel of Jesus, the Savior of the world; I saw a lot of "politics" that also slows all of this down too.

I'm deeply conflicted, so I'm praying for God to continue to show His grace and sort it all out in my superbly finite mind.  Ultimately, I trust in Him that His will is done, working through sinful human beings like myself and my fellow delegates that His mandate to "gospelize" (Thank you, Dr. Bunkowske!) the world continues.  I've missed my amazing and beautiful wife and my dear boys so very much this week.  I've missed being a pastor to my family at Immanuel also. I look forward to being with them and in the pulpit tomorrow, bright and early.  To God be all glory and honor!  His humble servant,  Pastor D

The Christian-Lutheran Basics

Well, we're on the downwind run of the convention!  Still got lots to discuss and vote on, but we've accomplished a lot already, by God's amazing and limitless grace, as He works through frail and weak human vessels.

It was a "God-thing" this week, being here at the Convention, and preaching on Sunday with the theme:  "Summer HABITS - The Basics of the Bible." How appropriate.  We came here to affirm and confirm those basic and foundational Biblical things that bind us together in faith as Christian-Lutherans.  What is that theme, which I'll be talking about on Sunday?  God's Love, of course.  But more specifically - and this distinction MUST be made - it is His redeeming love for the world.  Redeemed from what?  Our sins that we were each born into.  We are all beggars before God, but through the blood of Christ that stigma is removed, yet at the same time we live with it until we are called to heaven through faith.

Redeemed for what?  To praise God's name and share His love with those who don't know Him yet.  That''s why we're still living and breathing and existing on this big blue ball we call 'earth.'  Let's help others find out where they're to be going.  (You'll find out what I mean on Sunday!)  Peace ya'll!

Just How Stubborn Are Lutherans?!?!

OK,  this one's for the "just when you thought you've seen it all" file...

Today at the LCMS Convention, there was a motion to commend Lutheran military chaplains for all of their hard work and dedication to serving our Lord and this great country He's given us.  Pretty simple, huh?  Nothing more and nothing less.  No dollars involved.  Nothing out of line.  AND WE COULDN'T EVEN GET A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON IT!  Like one or two persons voted against it.  Probably just because they can.  And because they're stubborn, more than likely.  Hmmmmm....  And the theme has been reconciliation and forgiveness and unity.  God help us.

New LCMS President

Well, the Big Day finally came today at the LCMS (Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod) Convention.  Typically, the most important piece of business to be done is the election of a new president for a three year term.  We had lots of other important things to discuss and vote on, that were initiated at the last convention in 2007, before we could take care of any other new business, like the election of a new president, so it had to wait.

Long story short, Rev. Matthew Harrison succeeds Rev. Gerald Kieschnick as our new synod president.  I have mixed feelings about this.  Although President K did a great job, he had become somewhat of a lightning rod for polarization within our synod, even though I truly believe that was never his intention.  At the same time, when a coach or a manager of a sports team finds himself or herself in similar situations, most times, it's best to bring in a new person to lead the team and initiate healing and unity and harmony.  I pray that this will happen within our beloved synod.  We move forward, forgiven through Christ our Lord.

Texan Grammar

I'm reminded once again of how to "speak Texan."  I was given my first lesson back at the sem by a classmate of mine, and was reminded this week again.  Here goes:  When you speak of someone in a singular sense, they are referred to as "ya'll."  As in, "Ya'll wanna go to the movies tonight?"  But if you're speaking to more than one person, they are collectively referred to as "all ya'll," as in, "why are all ya'll pointin' them guns at me?"  (note:  we're staying in downtown Houston.)

All in all, the convention is going well, I guess.  Pretty slow, as parliamentary procedure is followed for everything.  So, I guess we're making progress.  As always, we leave it confidently in God's hands, though He works through fallible individuals like myself.  He is good and faithful through it all, in spite of ourselves.

The theme for the convention is "One People - Forgiven."  We've been led each morning with great devo's regarding forgiveness and renewal through Christ's atoning sacrifice for us.  I think we take this for granted so easily, don't we?  It's truly a life-changing thing, to know that we are made brand new through the Cross of Jesus, which allows us to live in Him now and with the promise of living with Him forever in heaven.

Peace out, ya'll.  I mean all ya'll.

Got too cool in Michigan - had to come to Houston

Hey all!


First off, mucho apologies for no posts for many, many moons.  Busy is the default excuse, but it is what is is.  


Next, the news of the day is that I'm in Houston, TX for the triennial Synod Convention of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.  Lots and lots of collars and black shirts (I don't really seem to fit in too well).  There's a lot of "business" that comes with the operation of an organization as big as our synod, so this is how we take care of it.  


One of the things that this reinforces for me is that as different as we all are as Lutherans, we still are in agreement on theology and doctrine, drawn directly from the Word of God.  That's what I believe sets us apart as Lutherans!  If we aren't in agreement on these "basics" of theology and doctrine, then we really aren't walking together in faith as Lutherans.  


I will blog each day with my thoughts as the days unfold.  Peace in Jesus our Savior.


Pastor D

Tragedy in Haiti - the team is ok

Hello all - Let me tell everyone who may be reading this that the team is safe and sound. Praise God! But our hearts are heavy as some of you may have already heard, that our dear friend and tireless shepherd of souls, Pastor Louis, was shot and killed yesterday in his home by desperate robbers. It appears that it was an isolated incident, that they were simply targeting any home that was standing and therefore had something of value to steal.

I've spoken with one of the team leaders several times today, Josh Mehlberg, who is also one of our elders here at Immanuel. Their original plan, after hearing of the news of Pastor Louis' death, was to sort of "lay low" at the hotel today and simply decompress. But Elucie, Pastor Louis' wonderful and amazing wife and partner in ministry, insisted that they continue to press on and do as they had planned to do, and that was to be the voice, face, and hands of Christ to the people of Port au Prince through a medical clinic. So that is what they did for a half day today, seeing about 95 patients.

The details of the murder are still somewhat sketchy. All we know right now is the statement I made above, and that there's therefore no connection and danger to our team. That's not to say that danger lurks around every corner potentially in this fallen world in which we live, of course. Continue to pray for their safety!

Pray also for Pastor Louis' family, that they would continue to be comforted by the sure and certain knowledge they have that he has reached the goal of his faith, that which he so faithfully and tirelessly and passionately shared with countless souls in his lifetime, and that is eternal life with his heavenly Father because of his faith in Jesus Christ his Savior.

Pray also for the future of the ministry down there, that God will, in His time and plan, raise up another strong leader to fill the oversized shoes of his faithful servant. Lastly, pray for the person or persons who took Pastor Louis' life, that somehow, someway, they may know the forgiveness of Jesus in all of this. I know that Pastor Louis would most certainly feel this way. Wouldn't it be amazing one day, to see the reunion between Pastor Louis and this person or persons in heaven, should they come to faith in Jesus? I know that he would welcome them with arms open wide.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I apologize for not getting this info to you sooner. God's peace to all of you. In Christ, Pastor D

Haiti Team is Off!

Well, in spite of all of the sunshine and dry roads, our MIA team made it down to the airport and on their way to Haiti safe and sound late this morning. (That's a bit of an inside joke, since it seems that our last three or four trips have begun in the wee hours of the morning, usually in blinding snowstorms...)

It absolutely amazes me, knowing that God has preordained this trip since before time began. And that He has had in mind precisely everyone the team will meet and treat and be Jesus to. Wow!

All of you are invited to be with us each night that they are gone (they return 3/20) for a short prayer vigil. It's basically going to be a time for our ILC family and team member families to gather together to hear the latest team news, maybe see some pictures or video that's been sent back from the clinic, and just support one another and the team through conversation, hugs, and prayers to our almighty God. We'll be meeting at 7:00 each night. See you there!

Prayer That Makes a Difference

Wow! Has it really been two weeks since my last post? You can tell it's Lent! Time is soooo flying by! Whoosh!

We're starting a new sermon series this Sunday that I'm really excited about. It's on prayer. We're going to take a look at some really famous prayers that are documented in the Bible. It's the prayers, of course, but it's also the situation from which the prayers were spoken; it's the amazing trust that is offered in the prayers to our all-powerful God; it's frustrations and joys and thanksgivings too!

It's all there as God invites to come to Him in this very intimate way. Just you and Him in a quiet little conversation. His promise is that He's going to a) Hear every word you say, and b) That He will answer your every request. Isn't that so cool? The problem comes so often, that He doesn't answer our prayer we feel it should be answered or in the way we want it to be answered. But when it is answered in God's timing and in His way, it's going to be the very best for us, because He can do nothing other than be good, right, perfect, and holy. Thank You, my Lord and God for loving me, and for hearing my prayer!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Season of Lent

With all of the busyness of Ash Wednesday yesterday, it didn't leave me much time to focus my thoughts long enough (except in worship last night) to put them down in words. Lent is the time of the church year in which we allow God to focus our thoughts on Easter and Good Friday. We like to celebrate Easter; do we remember and acknowledge as easily Good Friday? The season of Lent (with the Holy Spirit's help) allows us to.

Take a look at these words from John 6 - "No one can come to Me (Jesus said) unless the Father who sent Me draws him. (v. 44)" Note the word "draws." The word indicates God doing all of the work. It's not us! We haven't "come to Christ." We can't even "accept Jesus." Why? Sin. Our sinfulness has created a huge chasm between our holiest of Gods and ourselves. We try to make ourselves our own god by telling ourselves that "I know what's best for me. I don't need to acknowledge or trust or even refer to God's Word for those decisions in my life. It's a clear lack of submission we fail to make to Him. And this comes from so many who claim to be "Christians!" It is sin!

Here's a prayer from my Lutheran Book of Prayer for the Ash Wednesday remembrance. It's a little long. That's ok. Take a deep breath and enjoy this time with your Lord and God:

"Gracious Savior, prostrate I fall at Your feet this day as Your Church once more enters the Lenten season to meditate upon Your Passion, by which we have been eternally redeemed. In Spirit I appear before You in sackcloth and ashes in true repentance; let me receive Your full pardon. Do not let the pleasures of life, the worries of the day, and the activities of my daily routine crowd You out of my heart and out of my thoughts. Draw me to Your wounded side, and cleanse me with Your most precious blood. Bring healing to my soul and peace to my mind. By Your grace, let me crucify my sinful affections, lusts, and desires. Make me more than conqueror over ever temptation. I confess to You all my sins. Let none of them cling to me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Teach me to love You more and more. Give me grace to confess You as my Savior, who has redeemed me on Calvary, lifting me out of the darkness of sin to be Your own. Gracious Savior, let Your constraining love keep me and all God's children steadfast to the end. Amen.

Super Bowl - Part 2

OK, so my beloved Colts didn't win. But it was a great game, wasn't it? And the better team certainly won! My hat is off to the Saints and their coach Payton and their QB, Drew Brees (formerly of Purdue University).

Now, for all of the "controversy" related to the Tim Tebow Right-to-Life ad, here's a link to an opinion about it all: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=888548

I must have missed it last night. When I saw the "rerun" this morning online, I did wonder what all of the fuss was about. It was done well, and I hope it opens dialog between the two sides. It will do no good to use this commercial as the forum to prove the Pro-Life conviction. Let's just pray that it softened hearts, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Time will tell. God is in charge of it all, right?

"Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you." Proverbs 9:7, 8a

Super Bowl

Well, sports fans, it's almost that time... the "big game" is about to start. One thing that I'm especially looking forward to this year (other than my beloved Colts playing) is the Tim Tebow commercial. He is starring in a pro-life themed commercial sponsored by Focus on the Family. As the build-up to the game and the hype has increased in general, so has all of the discussion on this commercial. Many, many people are against this message getting out in such a large forum. I think it's great! CBS should be applauded for not folding to the pressure from the liberal "pro-choice" side. Can't wait to see it!

New Church Logo

What should a church logo look like? Should it look like a church? Should it look like its surrounding area? Should it be modern and edgy? Should it be conservative and traditional? These are some of the things that I'm struggling with as I endeavor to come up with a new logo for Immanuel. I'm working with a graphic artist, who is taking my thoughts and then "translates" them into what they look like in a graphic form. It's certainly not easy. We tried to do this as a staff for over a year now. No success.

What's in a logo? A lot! It has to tell the rest of the world who you are, what you believe in, and what you are doing, all without saying a word! Think that's not daunting? Try to make a logo for yourself sometime! I don't believe this logo is for those already at ILC, although as I said, it should somewhat represent what we believe and what we do in faith in Christ. It really is for those outside of our church, to help them better identify with us, and be a part of the family of believers and guests that God has assembled here. I hope to have the final logo next week. I hope you all like it!

We find our identities (our "logo's") in Jesus, remember: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Haiti Trip Update

God has an amazing way of humbling us. Keeping us on our toes, so to speak. We've been trying to figure out when we'll be going to Haiti to help out in their time of dire need. We thought we had it all planned out, but then schedules got in the way. Perhaps we didn't seek God's guidance first. I don't know. I do know that He wants us down there. We are to care for the poor and the needy (Matt. 25). But it's to be done according to His timetable and His will. That's what all of us struggle with from time to time, I guess. Doing what we know is "for God," but it still has to be with His guidance and to His glory. Keep praying for the team that we are able to discern His plan for us.

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' " James 4:13-15

The Only Thing Certain is Change

Did you ever watch those cartoons where the character does a real quick change of direction, and you hear a screech of tires (even though he's a rabbit or a squirrel or a turtle etc. and they're on dirt?!?!) and see a puff of dust? Well, that's what God did for me this week. My earlier thoughts on the "No More Going Through the Motions" sermon series regarding relationships took an abrupt turn.

The topic is now on simply "No More Going Through the Motions... in my life." It's going to draw on Psalm 1 and the fact that we are slowly drawn away from God and led into "bigger" sins via these incremental steps we take away from Him. It's a "slow fade" the Christian band Casting Crowns calls it.

We never find ourselves committing adultery or embezzling millions of dollars from our work all on the first opportunity we've ever had to commit a like sin. It happens when we commit many other similar ones before it, then justifying the next one, saying to ourselves that "since the last one was OK (I didn't repent of it and my conscience just got comfortable with it), what's wrong with this next one?"

It's because we didn't surround ourselves with Godly people to hold us accountable "way back then" when the first "easy" sins were being committed. We weren't finding our strength in the Bible to show us that we were heading down the wrong path.

But the Good News is that we have forgiveness of those sins. Each and every one of them! Through Jesus our Savior. We're brought back from that fade into Living Color!

For This Sunday

No More Going Through the Motions... in my relationships! It's the final week as we continue to allow God to speak to us about raising the bar in all that we do, and this week we're going to talk about our relationships. So often, our relationships break down because we can't keep proper boundaries. Boundaries define what we will say and do, and pretty much how we will operate within those relationships. We have tons of relationships going on at any one time, because of the different vocations that God has called us each into -- husband, father, son, daughter, wife, ballerina, bricklayer, brother, sister, student... But in each of those relationships, we have godly boundaries in which we are to behave. Forgiveness, submission, and encouragement are just a few of the qualities we're to have as we interact with each other, in Christian love.

The following passage, from 1 Cor. 13 has been read at millions of weddings, including mine. But the context of it is that Paul the apostle is writing to remind the Corinthians of their need to continually work together in Christian love as we all take our parts in the Christian "body of Christ."

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Cor. 13: 4 - 7

Newest Haiti Team Info

Your Immanuel MIA (Mission In Action) team met earlier in the week to discuss our upcoming trip, which was scheduled for 2/10 - 2/19. It was agreed by all that it was too soon for the team to go down, due to the logistics of getting down there, and finding a place to stay (the airport is still closed in Port au Prince and our mini-hotel was destroyed), and the desire to let the folks who specialize in large-scale relief to do their work and not get in their way.

So, we're sending several of our team members down soon to meet with our people that we work with specifically when we go down to Haiti (Pastor Louis and his team) to investigate who they need and when and in what numbers. I anticipate a smaller medical team then going down in March or April, with the larger, full team going down in June or July. No guarantees with this, it's just my hunches.

So, we're continuing to collect funds both for Haiti relief, which will be hand-carried down when the two team members go down and meet with Pastor Louis, and also the ongoing beans and rice fund, which will continue to grow until we go at our later date. Thank you so very much for all of your love and generosity to the people of Haiti! We have raised approximately $2500 for Haiti relief so far. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " Matthew 25:40

Haiti Update

I've gotten a lot of emails over the weekend from my friends who are a part of the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society, which is the organization through which we work when we put our medical mission teams together for trips to Haiti. As you may imagine, the damage to the churches we've been a part of is worse the closer you are to Port au Prince. We've helped build churches in Delmas 89 (the main church and the headquarters of HLMS in Haiti, Pastor Louis as the director), Caradeaux, and Pellerin, and an orphanage at Lilavoise. The church at Caradeaux appears to have not been damaged too much, as well as the orphanage at Lilavoise (top two pics). The church at Delmas 89 has been damaged (bottom two pics), but the damage was mainly to the parking area; not the church or classrooms or library, thank God! Continue to pray that we will more clearly see God's glory in all of this, and more importantly that the rest of the world will.

"In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness;
turn Your ear to me and save me.
Be my Rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for You are my Rock and my Fortress."
Psalm 71:1 - 3

Sunday with thoughts of Haiti, etc.

It's Sunday morning, my favorite day of the week. Not just because I'm "supposed" to say that, but because it's truly the most amazing day of all. I get to see all of my Immanuel family that day, I have the honor and privilege of either speaking the liturgy or preaching the Word of God that has the power to save lives! And God has chosen me to do that! It still amazes me.

And as I gather my thoughts in the early hours of this Sunday, preparing for worship, I'm wondering what Sunday is like in Haiti today. On any other Sunday, it's truly a high holy day for many folks. Dressing in their very best to spend a couple of hours or more (yes, you read that right!) in church, being fed by and praising God. A Lutheran Haitian church service is really awesome!

I know that those who have survived to this point, and who believe in Christ as their Savior, are still holding this day holy and still are looking to Him in thanksgiving for all that He has done for them and continues to do, even in the midst of their pain and misery. But this is what the Christian life is all about. We go through this life dealing with all that it will throw at us, because we live in a sinful world, and we ourselves are sinful people. But we have a God who loves us and cares for us, and promises us that there's more than this life here on earth. He promised us that these troubles would come, but He also promised us that He would always be there for us, both now and into eternity.

"My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation.
He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken."
Psalm 62:1 - 2

Kickboxing - Day 1

Greetings, sports fans! The first day of my kickboxing class is in the books! Wow! What a workout! Michelle is an awesome leader. I'm feeling ok now (Friday afternoon), but I may need a stretcher on Sunday morning! Gotta start somewhere. But I showed that punching bag who was boss, I did...

Haiti Update

God is so good! Our dear friend Leonard is OK! His home is intact and he is still driving other team members around, even taking them to the Dominican Republic for their safety. We are still praying for God to give us a decision on our trip. We would love to bring Pastor Louis and his family and Leonard and his family up here to stay until rebuilding can begin. We'll update you on the opportunities to help in this area. Keep on praying for the amazing and resilient beautiful people of Haiti, that our sovereign God would continue to shine His Light upon them!

"I waited patiently for the Lord;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand."
Psalm 40:1-2

Earthquake in Haiti

You've probably read the news by now about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti late yesterday afternoon. I was in a meeting, and I started getting texts from concerned members who were just getting the news. (Thank you!) The quake hit in the very area that we do our medical missionary work. We have dear freinds there from earlier mission trips that we are tracking, and praying for. To get the latest info on the people from Haiti Lutheran Mission Society, and the folks that we work with down there, like Pastor Louis and his family and Leonard and his family, go to this Facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=haiti+lutheran+mission+society&init=quick#/pages/Haiti-Lutheran-Mission-Society-USA/247360578173?ref=search&sid=1276102076.701146364..1

My initial response to this is that our team (which was scheduled to go down to Haiti 2/10/2010) will not be able/allowed to go. I've heard conflicting reports that the airport is functional, with the control tower severely damaged (or not). Be reminded, that we at Immanuel will never knowingly allow our MIA team to go into dangerous areas. Right now, it appears that the work that needs to be done is best done by the "big guys" in the disaster relief areas, like the American Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, etc. We go in when things have been somewhat normalized.

Keep watching the posts here to see if we do partner with Samaritan's Purse to send volunteers who may be interested in joining with them to go down to help. Very similar to what we did with Hurricane Katrina response. Go to their web page to find out more or to donate to the fund to help. The money that our family was going to give to the beans and rice fund here at Immanuel will be given to Samaritan's Purse, with the beans and rice being covered later, when we more than likely go at a later date.

Remember these words of our loving and all-powerful God:

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefor we will not fear,
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
God is with her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
'Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.'"
Psalm 46:1-3, 6, 10

Volleyball Match

Immanuel's Volleyball team had their first match of the new season, and we won 3 games to 0! We have most of our championship team returning from last year, with Lynn Dedenbach and Dave & Mary Beth Slis joining us, making our team even better! It's going to be a fun and exciting year! Good exercise too! Come on out and watch us play on Sunday afternoons. I'll post the schedule soon.

Who Stole My Church?

Just finished last night a book by Gordon MacDonald titled "Who Stole My Church." It's a great and quick read, told through the eyes of a pastor who is struggling to lead his church so that it remains relevant to the (younger) culture we're finding ourselves in, while maintaining the church and its "veteran" members. The key? Prayer. Lots of it. And also, as MacDonald shows, is to get the two generations more and more intermixed, instead of the two "sides" remaining at arm's length from each other. It can and must be done!

No Shortcuts

I'm about 1/4 of the way through the Dave Ramsey book "Total Money Makeover." One of the points that he makes is that there's no shortcuts to being a good steward with what God has given us in terms of finances. If something seems too good to be true, as far as investing, jobs, you name it, it is. The same goes for getting in shape. It simply takes eating less (and better), and exercising more. As Dave says, "it might be difficult, but it's not complicated!"

Still Sore

Believe it or not, I'm still sore from our first volleyball scrimmage on Sunday. But today is going to be my walking/running day! At least one mile; hopefully two. I'm still reading "Total Money Makeover." Great book! I'm hoping we do this as a class at ILC.

What I'm Reading

Thank you, especially my Immanuel friends for helping me stay on track with my New Year's resolutions. I'm not going through the motions any more! Today, I'm reading Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover."