Prove it! (James 5)

I’ve always been a supporter of so-called underdogs, people who seem always to need to prove themselves.

For instance, on December 4, 2016, the Denver Broncos played the Jackson Jaguars. Toward the end of the second quarter, Chris Harris, a cornerback for Denver, intercepted a ball and ran with it. My grandson, Ben, was impressed by Harris and told me that since Harris was not a draft choice he just had to work harder and prove himself.

We just witnessed last week, January 20, 2021, an historical moment when Kamala Harris, a woman with a mixed racial heritage, was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States of America. Many people are excited about this. Others will be watching to see if she can measure up to their expectations, comparing her to her male predecessors.

I remember when I was first ordained in 1984 and awaiting my first call. Granted, only 2 ½ % of all clergy were female and most of those served “under” a male pastor, did institutional ministries, or were sent to the backwoods of the Dakotas or Nevada. One September day, Ray Danielson, called me. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Ault, Colorado and on their call committee—looking for a new pastor for their church. I knew him from the Swedish Heritage Club. When I answered the phone, his first comment after the pleasantries was, “I think that [Synod] President Frank Hegland is mad at us.”  I asked why he thought that, and his response was, “He gave us your name for a possible pastoral candidate and you’re a woman!” It was not the first nor the last time that I was in the position of “proving myself.”

This I know. In our human, power-needy world, it often seems necessary to “prove oneself” if we want recognition, or acceptance, or even just to do something we feel God needs or wants us to do. One time we do not need to “prove ourselves” however, is in connection with God’s love and acceptance of us. That is a gift free and clear. We don’t have to work for it, earn it, or go through any special hoops to attain it. It just is our gift.

As a result of that unfathomable gift of love and grace, we respond in service and love to others. To do that, we enter into a very competitive world where humans struggle, sometimes to just survive, sometimes to “prove themselves.” Here we do God’s work and follow God’s direction knowing that God is right beside us, encouraging us. It is not easy to be a Christian no matter who we are.

Recall the words of James 5:11: “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

Prayer:  Here I am, Lord. Thank you for not requiring me to earn your acceptance. Thank you for using me in your service. Bless our nation and its leadership. Show me how I might serve my country in the days and weeks to come. Amen

Song: “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” by Rusty Edwards          ELW 843

Teach Me How to Live

As I was unpacking some boxes of scrapbook items, I ran upon an old newspaper article from the 1970s with a rather yellowish background. It tells of the Pope announcing a Catechism for Roman Catholic Christians to help them understand the doctrines and beliefs of the church.

That is what Martin Luther did for the people of his congregation in Germany in 1529. He provided the Small Catechism as a tool to help families instruct their children in how to live in the world in which they found themselves. It was in that same box that I found my Mother’s marked-up copy of The Small Catechism.

On a hill near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus taught the people who gathered there about how God would have them conduct their lives. It included what we know as the Beatitudes (see Matthew 5:1-12) and additional teachings following that (Matthew 5:13-7:28). To those guidelines we often turn.

It was the results of an encounter with God that Moses had on the mountain where God gave the 10 Commandments long ago. They are recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and again in Deuteronomy 5:1-21.

A new preaching series will soon begin at Faith Lutheran Church in Shelton on Luther’s Catechism, beginning with the 10 Commandments. Many of us learned these commandments when we were in Sunday school and Confirmation classes. As a pastor for many years, I discovered that young people took these 10 Commandments as “the law” or only for what they said, never putting any further thought into their extended meaning. So, a kid might say, “Of course it is wrong to kill. Murder is always wrong!” Another student would say, “My mom would “kill” me if I stole anything!”

Perhaps it is time for us to revisit these Commandments and the rest of the Catechism to reaffirm what are the plans for God’s people. It is a very timely topic for us as we live in a very divided and tumultuous period of history. We are given the opportunity to stretch our thinking, to rectify the wrongs within us and around us, and teach our children and grandchildren how God wants us to live.

Tune into the podcasts or attend the services that begin in the middle of January as we delve into a valuable tool called Luther’s Catechism that is relevant, not only then, but for the here and now.

Prayer: O God of all time and in all places, give us the courage and the resolve to seek your will and to learn of your plan for me and us. Be with those who teach us. Amen.

A New Year at the Door

Revelation 3:20
Jesus said, “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”

A new year has just begun. What lies ahead? Where will we be? There are always questions about the upcoming year. For some, it is a relief to have the past year over. It may have been painful or fear-filled or extremely sad. Will the next year be better? I spoke to the young man at a bakery we love to frequent. He was not sure next year would be better or worse. His comment was, “I guess we’ll just have to see.”

Last year at this time, as I entered the Tucson church where we worshiped, the bulletin had an opening prayer of invitation and preparation that moved me.

A new year stands on our doorsteps. With fragile caution we move to open the door for its entrance. Our hearts leap with surprise and joy jumps in our eyes, for there beside this brand new year stands our God with outstretched hand! God smiles and gently asks of us: “can we walk together this year?” And we, so overwhelmed with goodness, can barely whisper our reply: “Welcome in!”

So for this coming New Year, allow God to be with you and be your constant companion. I hope you experience newness and see life in new and surprising ways. God may have some new projects or hopes or ideas for you that will make your life richer and fuller. Perhaps you will gain a new friend. Maybe you will discover a new road to drive or a different trail to hike. Where you find God will depend upon where you look for God! God is there in the world around us and dwells within us. How rich the days and weeks ahead will be if we only notice God’s presence.

Open your heart, mind, and soul to these gifts so that a year from now you can say, “Though many things happened that I did not expect, nevertheless, God was there and continued to walk with me wherever I went.”

God of Hope, you are present whether I choose to notice or not. Thank you. Open my eyes to the possibilities that lie before me in the New Year. Lead me in your ways. Amen

Song: “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” by Julie von Hausmann

TA-DAH!

Luke 2:8-15

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…”

Our granddaughter, Maren, was about two years old. We and her family went to the late Christmas Eve Service at their church. It was a traditional service and from the choir loft the choir was singing a powerful classical Christmas number. Maren was standing on the pew, twisting her head upward to see the origin of the music. The choir made the announcement of the birth of Jesus followed by a great pause in the music, the tones suspended in the air. And it was at that specific moment, in the pregnant silence of anticipation, that out of Maren’s mouth and in a loud voice came, “Ta-Dah!” Of course, the congregation responded with smiles, twisted necks, and amusement.

But isn’t that the way it is? At the very moment when we are caught up in the opening of Christmas presents, nibbling on cookies, and bemoaning the separation from our families due to the pandemic, God comes with his great “Ta-Dah” to remind us that in the midst of all the anxieties and activities surrounding the holy day of Christmas, God’s coming in the form of the baby named Jesus, is greater than all these.

No wonder angels sang, shepherds left their sheep, and wise men were inspired to take a great journey to see this thing that was happening. The voices rang out, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth.” How amazing God’s activity in our world is! In those days over 2000 years ago, like today, the world seemed fraught with evil and the powers of the mighty lording over those of lowly birth. Yet, that is exactly when and where God chose to touch our lives with hope through the baby Jesus. What wondrous news it is—especially in this bleak midwinter of chaos both then and now.

Ta-Dah!

“For unto you is born this day…a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

Song:  Joy to the World  (ELW 267)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing…

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy…

Prayer: Wow, God! You know how to make a statement—one so big it changes the world—it changes everything—shepherds, two-year-olds, and all of us! Thank you for coming to us in this awesome way.  Amen.

Tyger Penson

No Room in the Inn

Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7)

Several of my friends had gathered after a concert, catching up on the latest news. Joan and John were very animated about a recent trip. John said, “Last month our family was on our way to Disneyland. We had traveled all day and happily arrived at our first night’s hotel. We would reach our destination the next day. There was a young family ahead of us who were begging the hotel attendant for a room for they also had been traveling, were tired, and one child was sick. But they were turned away because they had no reservation. We were so glad we were not them for we had a reservation, and we enjoyed our stay there—half-way through our journey.”

Upon reflection, I thought of the Christmas story in Luke. Was that what Mary and Joseph experienced when they were rejected?  In our world of “me, me, me” it is so easy to dismiss the bad fortune of others and think only of our own comfort and needs. Too often when we read Luke 2:7 we say, “That would never have happened if we had been there! We would have found a place for the baby to be born—even given them our own bed…” Or would we?

When a community member, not part of our church, died, his family turned to the local church for a service and reception. The pastor put the word out that salads and cookies were needed to serve at the reception for these neighbors in mourning. A week later, a few days before the service, the email came. “We’ve only received an offer for one salad and one plate of cookies! Please help and bless a local family.”  Once more we hear the words, “There is no room in the inn.”

At a time when homelessness is such a huge issue and the immigrant is scorned, we need to consider our role in finding solutions. These homeless and foreign ones are God’s own children. How will we respond?

God, forgive us when we turn you away by turning others away. Open our eyes and hearts to find ways to help and to be giving, loving people. Amen.

Love Never Ceases (Lamentations 3)

Lamentations 3:22-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
                his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
               great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

These are the words of one of my favorite Christian songs, heard frequently on You Tube, and sung at my church. They are words of assurance and hope taken from Lamentations 3:22-24. For a background to the Old Testament book, Lamentations, it was probably written by Jeremiah, a major prophet who had been predicting the destruction of Jerusalem for forty years before it happened. Now it appears he sees the captivity and destruction of the destroyed city and he is moved with anguish. Thus, he writes this poem and these precious words. Note how the writer acknowledges that God, who is the author of good and allows evil, responds to the contrite heart.

There are times in our lives when we realize that life is not the way it should be. Systems and institutions have failed, and perhaps even family has failed. What to do? I find that picking up the Bible and reading it can bring a new perspective. For certainly the people and nations described in the Bible are full of failure and often in despair. We are like those people of old of which this poem is written, who hear the message of God’s prophets, yet do not head them. When disaster takes place, we sit in mourning and unbelief that such has happened. We cry out in anger, fear, or despair. Is there hope? Does God give a hoot?

Yes, says the Scripture. God cares a lot about you and about those who have hurt you and even those whom you hurt. God is steadfast and God’s love never ceases—then or now. As the poem continues:

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul that seeks him.
 It is good that one should wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for one to bear
    the yoke in youth,
 to sit alone in silence
    when the Lord has imposed it,
to put one’s mouth to the dust
    (there may yet be hope),
to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
    and be filled with insults.

For the Lord will not
                   reject forever.

Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not willingly afflict
    or grieve anyone.

What a wonderful God we have—author of hope and love and compassion. Joy, gentle friends!

Joy, Gentle Friends!

This is the picture and words that we have displayed above our fireplace in our new home. We imagine that Jesus well might have used that greeting when he met with his followers in that Upper Room to celebrate the holy event of Passover.

The story of “The Last Supper” is a favorite passage for many because here Jesus is with those twelve disciples and many others who have stuck with him over Jesus’ ministry. He eats and talks with them in a comfortable setting.

Thanksgiving or Christmas are often those special times for us to bring family or friends together over a meal when such is possible. We cherish this time for the sharing of conversation and exchanging of thoughts. Often there is time to tell each other how special they are or to share memories of past “togetherness” events.

What we do not find in any of the Biblical stories surrounding this special occasion with Jesus is the dialog that went on before the eating and instituting of the Lord’s Supper. That is where the words, “Joy, gentle friends!” fit in. It is the kind of phrase I would imagine Jesus using at the beginning of that gathering. Here are those who are nearest and dearest to him. I imagine the love that radiates from his voice as he knows that his coming ordeal with the those who oppose him is soon to be. He must have looked deeply into the eyes of those about him and they knew at that moment that Jesus was their friend, confidante, and mentor. It must have been agonizing and confusing but Jesus’ words and presence brought comfort.

Joy is not a word that denotes giddiness or laughter so much as a deep-seeded experience that brings hope and acceptance. It is the source of happiness even in the midst of trouble or hardship or fear. It is a word and thought we will revisit over time as we read and study God’s Word.

So, the new title of my blogs beginning now in mid-November of 2020 (during the COVID pandemic) is “JOY, GENTLE FRIENDS.” When you come to my home, it is the message with which you will greeted. I hope that as you read these reflections, pray, and meditate over them, you will find insight, peace, and a joy from God that passes all understanding. Joy, gentle friends!

Prayer: God of hope and deep-rooted joy, fill us today and tomorrow. Help us to share your joy with others. Amen.

Song: “Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come” by Isaac Watts

God Bless You All!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL. A-MEN.

Mark 12:13-17

by Rev. Tyger Penson

In November of 1988, I was teaching classes at the Gbarnga School of Theology in Liberia, Africa. On the day of the U.S. elections for President of the USA, the students were eager to hear about the process. In the comments that followed, I spoke of my own analysis of the candidates and expressed my preference and my reasons for that man. The students were shocked. They feared that my speaking so publicly could cause me to be arrested or harmed if the opponent were to win the election. I assured them that, unlike their country, Americans could disagree with a candidate’s position without fear of reprisal or harm. We believed that was what made us a strong nation.

This year (2020), on Wednesday, the day after our election, I received an email from one of my Liberian friends and one of those same seminary students I had addressed in 1988. He wrote, “Hi there Todd and Tyger. How are you? Hope you are doing fine. How is the election going? I read from the Facebook YouTube that you have a president and vice-president elect. I saw people celebrating on YouTube. I really didn't know that Americans could rejoice in the streets like that. I hope you will enjoy the administration of the new government. God bless you all. A-men!”

Do you remember the story of Jesus being asked questions about his loyalty to the government? There were those who wanted to entrap Jesus and so they first set Jesus up with compliments and then form a question they are sure will accomplish their intent. “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?  Should we pay them, or should we not?” Jesus is aware of their conniving and gives an answer that gives those Pharisees and Herodians no chance to accuse him. Read the story in Mark for yourself.

In so many countries in the world, there are systems in place where their citizens have no freedom to express an opinion or to disagree with a decision being made by the reigning government. Many people live in fear of disagreeing with the ruler or president or other governing bodies of their country. Living in Liberia, we were made aware of the difficulties of living under a dictatorship. There were always those who were out to get a fellow citizen in trouble. Much like what Jesus experienced.

Praise God for the gift of democracy under which we live. Praise God that we have the right to disagree with the policies of our governing entities. Praise God that we do not have to fear for our lives if others do not agree with us. Praise God that we can demonstrate our Christian love to those who may vote or think differently than we do. I give thanks daily that I live in the United States and pray regularly for our leadership and the decisions they will make. Do you?

Prayer: God bless America, land of the free. Amen.

And Walking Right By Her (Matthew 28)

by Rev. Tyger Penson

One of my favorite novelists, Louise Penny, wrote in her book A Trick of the Light of a painting of an old woman who lived in the village of Three Pines. At first it appeared the subject was full of censure and despair. Being displayed at an art show, an art critic gazed at the painting and whispered, “It’s Mary, isn’t it?” He had seen what others had not seen. The author writes, “Clara’s portrait wasn’t simply of an old woman. She’d in fact painted the Virgin Mary. Elderly. Abandoned by a world weary and wary of miracles. A world too busy to notice a stone rolled back. It had moved on to other wonders.”

As I read those words, I think of our weary and troubled world struggling to just make it through until things will be better. We focus upon all the negative effects of hurricanes, fire, and floods. We worry about who will win the election, Democrats or Republicans, since politics have become a tug-a-war for winning rather than a balancing element between different perspectives. There is COVID-19 mixed in with traditional forms of flu, colds, cancers, and other illnesses and disorders. Our focus is upon a broken, bewildering world. We are too busy to notice a stone rolled back.

We don’t look for miracles. We don’t wonder at the activity of God at work in our weary world. We forget that God is suffering along with us and loving us through it all. We fail to embrace the image of God who is empowering men and women to become instruments of hope and wonder by finding a vaccine, by filling sandbags to ward off the incoming storm, by risking their lives to fight a fire, and by serving faithfully beside the beds of those in pain and despair.

The author, Louise Penny, continues: “This was Mary in the final years. Forgotten. Alone. Glaring out at a room filled with bright people sipping good wine. And walking right by her.”

I suspect that God also feels abandoned and sad that the message of God’s love lies forgotten as we fill our thoughts and activities with other things—walking right by God even as God cares and loves us and empowers goodness in all of us. Sometimes it takes a novel to wake me up to the miracles of an open grave that signals God present and active.

An open grave reminds of what came afterward. That rolled-back stone began a movement of God active in the world. It created the church—not fancy buildings—but strong, determined people who believe that God’s Kingdom on earth is possible. And because of that possibility, God’s people make a difference in the world in which they live. They bring hope and joy and healing when all else seems to be failing. They gather at a church building or virtually and pray for our nation, the marginal, the foreigner. They sing through their actions and their heart, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love…”

Thank you God for a rolled-back stone that brings hope to the future for all people. Thank you, God, for allowing me to be your instrument of service in a bewildering, hurting world. Amen

Divine Mix-up (Luke 19)

Rev. Tyger Penson

I learned the story of Zacchaeus back in Sunday School. Remember the song? It went something like this:

Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he,
He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see,
For the Lord he wanted to see.
"Help me, help me, sir," he said, “or the hunter will shoot me dead"
"Come, Little rabbit, come with me, safely to abide."

Wait, you say, you’ve mixed up two children’s songs! That is not the way the song goes! No, it’s not. But what about the story from Luke 19. Is there some truth in the above rendition?

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus was in need of help. He was a chief tax collector and he was rich. That alone suggests that Zacchaeus had padded his pockets by overcharging and thus added to his regular income that which really did not belong to him. It well could be that inside his soul he was crying, “Help me, help me…or I’m going to be in big trouble.” So up a tree he was when Jesus came by.  When Jesus sees him, he says, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”

And there in his house, Zacchaeus not only recognized the source of his discontent but also heard Jesus say, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Sounds a lot like, “Little Zacchaeus, come inside, safely to abide with me.” I’ll probably never be able to sing those two songs without this thought in mind. But maybe, it is the best lesson we can take from them.

Prayer:  Thank you, God, for helping me when I’m in a jam. Let me hear your voice calling me to come, telling me that you want to be part of my life, that you will keep me safe and true.  Amen.

Song:  “Into My Heart”
Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today, come in to stay, come into my heart, Lord Jesus.