Preachrblog

“Christ Jesus Lifted High” Tune: Vruechten (“This Joyful Eastertide” Hymn #140 from Lutheran Worship) for Ascension Day Christ Jesus lifted high, His heav’nly throne assuming, Now caught up in the sky, His rightful place resuming. Refrain: Christ Jesus, glorified, His work on Earth, thus ended, Now reigns for us on high, For Christ, our Lord ascended, ascended, ascended, Praise now the Christ ascended. Returned to God’s right hand, Christ Jesus for us reigning, True God, yet still true man, Our crown of life retaining. (Refrain) The Lamb who once was slain, Alive again, victorious, Redemption he obtained, His cross the symbol glorious. (Refrain) Until he comes again, With all his hosts attending, Our trust in him remains, Our faith is never-ending. (Refrain) &#169 Thomas E. Chryst, 2005.

“Lord Jesus In High Priestly Prayer” Tune: O Grosser Gott ”O God of God, O Light of Light” Hymn # 83 from Lutheran Worship Based on John 17:1-11 Lord Jesus in high priestly prayer, Who knew his death was drawing nigh His cross to face, our sins to bear Prayed to his Father, “Glorify! For you have given all to me, That I might give eternal life. My work for you is now complete. Hear, now, my prayer, O God on high.” “Concerning those you gave to me, They still are yours, your word they hear They in the Son the Father see, And Holy Father, you they fear. I pray for them, remaining here, Protect them in all that they do. I pray for them, O Father, dear, As I will soon return to you.” “Protect them by your holy Name Protect them with its pow’r of love, That Name I bear, which is the same, As soon I’ll reign with you above. O make them one, as one are we With truth and Spirit sanctify, O grant to them true unity, And by your Son be glorified!” &#169 Thomas E. Chryst, 2005.

Well, write down this date. You thought it would never happen. But for once, I find myself in agreement with the leader of the increasingly troubled ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). (surprised "Preachrblog" reader) Bishop Hanson has commented on Senator Frist's recent telecast to churches regarding the Bush judicial nominees and the Democratcic filibusters. You can read the full text of his letter here . But the highlights, IMHO, are italicized, and commented on: As Lutherans, we share a common faith in Jesus Christ, a love of the gospel and, in the tradition of Martin Luther, a healthy respect for the separation of church and state Ok, Rev. Hanson. Though we don't use that language to express the idea, preferring Luther's terminology of the "Right and Left Hand Kingdom", "separation of church and state" is the nearest reasonable facsimile in non-theological terms. And I too, have a problem with politicians pushing political i...

I just took the BELIEF-O-MATIC quiz. Here are my results (the religious groups I am most in agreement with - according to the quiz): 1. Eastern Orthodox (100%) 2. Roman Catholic (100%) 3. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (98%) 4. Seventh Day Adventist (86%) 5. Orthodox Quaker (78%) 6. Orthodox Judaism (71%) 7. Islam (65%) 8. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (60%) 9. Hinduism (59%) 10. Jehovah's Witness (56%) 11. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (54%) 12. Sikhism (44%) 13. Bahá'í Faith (40%) 14. Liberal Quakers (35%) 15. Jainism (33%) 16. Reform Judaism (31%) 17. Unitarian Universalism (27%) 18. Mahayana Buddhism (26%) 19. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (26%) 20. Theravada Buddhism (25%) 21. New Thought (21%) 22. Scientology (20%) 23. Neo-Pagan (19%) 24. Nontheist (18%) 25. New Age (11%) 26. Secular Humanism (8%) 27. Taoism (6%) Where the heck is Lutheran???? This...

“Christ Jesus Once, For All Has Died” Tune: Ich Singe Dir (Hymn # 151 from Lutheran Worship “O Christ, Our Hope”) Christ Jesus once, for all has died, His righteousness to give. His Spirit brings us back to God, His death so we may live. The Spirit who had raised the Christ, Then brought the Christ to Hell, To Satan and the spirits there, His victory to tell. Those who in Noah’s day had known, God’s judgment in the flood, Would hear a proclamation now, From Christ, the Son of God. As waters cleansed the ancient earth, And saved those faithful eight, So in the waters of His grace, God saves and recreates. Praise Christ, once risen from the dead, Ascended now on high, At God’s right hand, in power now, He makes us, too, alive! Based on 1 Peter 3:18-22 &#169 Thomas E. Chryst, 2005.

Easter 5 – April 24th, 2005 John 14:1-6 “Which Way?” 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. I. Introduction – There’s more than one way to skin a cat, so the saying goes. An old man lived alone in Idaho. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was backbreaking work, and his son, Bubba, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man mentioned it in a letter he sent to his son by saying, “I’m not sure exactly what to do. I’m just getting too old to be...

So yesterday I participated in a panel discussion at Parkside(our local UW campus). The appointed hour was 12:00 P.M. The topic, I was told, would be Gay Marriage (pro/con). The topic, it turned out to be, was "Homosexuality: Is it a Sin?". OK. Close enough. I was under the impression there would be 3 pro and three con panelists - local clergy of different flavors. It turned out to be: Pro-gay A Buddhist (a student) A Wiccan (a student) A Unitarian Clergy-woman A Native American Shaman (a student, I think, though older) An ELCA Pastor No-gay Me (of course) A C.O.G.I.C. Deaconess A Muslim woman A "Non-denominational" Student A Student rep. from Campus Crusade for Christ (or was it Inter-varsity?) So with so many voices, it was hard to get a word in edgewise, especially in the short time allotted. I was surprised there was no Roman Catholic representative, but I suppose they are a little busy this week with the new pope and all. Seriously, though, it seems that ...

Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled Tune: Angel’s Story “O Savior, Precious Savior” Lutheran Worship Hymn # 282 “Let not your hearts be troubled Believe in God and me. I’ll soon go to my Father, But this I guarantee: When I go to his mansions, And place for you prepare Then will I be returning So you may join me there” “We know not where you’re going, How can we know the way?” Tell us, Lord, how to get there, Direct us, Lord, we pray. “If you would know the Father, If God you want to see, You already have seen him, For he is here in me.” “I am the Way to Heaven, I am the only Truth, The Life of all the Living, My resurrection proof. Let not your hearts be troubled And rest your souls at ease None come unto the Father Except who come through me.” &#169 Thomas E. Chryst, 2005.

Every pastor has his favorite story which he uses again and again to illustrate a point. Mine has to do with the second use of the law - the law as a mirror. When I was a vicar in Warren, Michigan, one of my duties was to give a brief devotion at the local nursing home each month. The staff would wheel in all the residents to the large common area, and park them there to hear me. Most days, I was sure no one heard much of anything, as some suffered from dementia, and many slept the whole time I spoke (which was good practice for being a preacher - just kidding). Anyway I tried to keep the talks simple. I was talking one day about the law of God, and how it shows our sins - like a mirror. In fact, I had with me a hand-held mirror as an object lesson. As I looked in the mirror, I talked about all that I noticed about myself that was wrong - everything I didn't like. "Maybe I see my eyes, and I don't like their color. Maybe I see a blemish or a scar. Maybe I don't ...

Pastor Todd Wilken, of "Issues, Etc..." posed some interesting questions on a recent edition of the program. What hymns and passages would you choose to be sung and read at your own funeral? Here are my current favorites: Hymns: 1. This Joyful Eastertide (my favorite Easter hymn) 2. A Mighty Fortress (of course) 3. Abide With Me (for the sappy sentiment factor) Passages: 1. Psalm 51 (I have always identified with David) 2. Matthew 28 , the Great Commission (and my Confirmation passage) 3. Romans 1:16-17 (I am not ashamed of the Gospel... the righteous live by faith) What would you choose?

The Churchwide Council of the ELCA took steps this week to move forward with the recommendations of their recent "study". Namely, to continue disapproving of practicing gay clergy, but not to enforce such disapproval. This summer's convention will consider the pertinent resolutions, and we will be watching very closely what happens. It seems the ELCA is marching headlong into acceptance of the gay agenda, and drifting further from Scripture all the time. Pray for those faithful Christians fighting to keep the ELCA from going down this road. Rev. McCain has posted the most recent news release and a commentary on these events from a leading Southern Baptist theologian. Well worth the read.

An interesting article about a new book "Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow. Read the article here My favorite blurb: ...churches need to "recover the masculinity of Jesus." The author says Jesus as described in scripture was and is "a very bold, aggressive character, but we [in the modern Church] have turned him into a wimp -- and men don't follow wimps. They follow leaders."

“Lord, Faithful Shepherds Grant Your Sheep” Tune: Just As I Am “O God of Mercy, God of Light” Hymn # 397 from Lutheran Worship Lord, faithful shepherds grant your sheep, That all you call, you also keep. May they your word and voice so speak, That all is done in you. Since you have called your sheep by name, Guard and defend us all the same, For in the waters you did claim, Our lives belong to you. Keep and defend us from the thief, From his temptations, grant relief, So that in all our joy or grief, We rest secure in you. Bless us, your flock, and be our gate, Through you we find a heavenly fate. Until you call us home, we wait, Then we shall live with you. &#169 Thomas E. Chryst, 2005.

How many times can this be done, really? A Hollywood scheme to tap into our fascination with the occult, mingled with a misunderstanding of Holy Scripture. Let's see... Schwarzenegger did it... Demi Moore.... How many other apocalyptic knock-off movies have there been? Puh-leez. Too many. Having said all that, yes I will probably see this one too. I get asked about these kinds of movies, and I think it helps me answer the questions if I have seen it too. Here's the link if you wanna see what I am complaining about: http://www.revelation-movie.com/ At least they got it right and didn't call it "RevelationS!" That's an even bigger pet peeve.

“The Road to Emmaus” Tune: Walther (Hymn # 138, "He's Risen, He's Risen" from Lutheran Worship) The road to Emmaus Christ Jesus now walks, Along with those disciples the Risen Lord talks. “Where have you been, stranger, oh have you not heard? For Jesus they killed, He who brought us God’s word.” “A powerful prophet, in word and in deed, We hoped he was the one who would Israel redeem, But chief priests and elders, they handed him o’er, Oh stranger, this happened, just three days before.” “But early this morning, the women, they say, That Jesus’ tomb was empty, and we are amazed, For angels they saw, and to our great surprise, The angels proclaimed that the Lord was alive!” “How foolish,” said Jesus, “How slow to believe, For all you have spoken the prophets did see” He opens the scriptures, he opens their eyes, To see how the Christ had to suffer and rise. The journey continues ‘til evening is nigh. “Oh stranger, now stay with us, say not goodbye” At table, the Lord, ...

Easter 2 – April 3rd, 2005 John 20:19-31 “Eyewitness News” I. Introduction – Here we stand, one week away from the empty tomb of Easter. For the rest of the world, it’s time to move on. But for the Chrsitian church, Easter goes on. Not only is Easter celebrated every Sunday, we have a whole season – 6 weeks after Easter, in which to reflect on its meaning and significance. Today we read the traditional text for the week following Easter – it is the story of Jesus’ 2 appearances to the Apostles – one, actually on Easter Sunday. The second, a week later. Usually the preacher offers a sermon on doubting and faith, and recalls old “doubting Thomas”. But there’s more to this Sunday than the Sunday School story. The theme running through each of our readings, besides that Christ is risen, is that there were witnesses to his resurrection. People who saw him alive again. And it is these witnesses who shared the news with others, and others, and throughout the ages – so that we have fi...