Reformation Day

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the church. He was upset at some of the things going on in the church and wanted to discuss and debate topics such as indulgences, good works, repentance, etc. I don't think Luther had any idea of what would be set off from posting the 95 Theses! But he got back to the basic truth of God's Word that people had strayed from--that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It's a truth many people sadly still do not believe. But I thank God everyday that it is all about His grace and nothing I do!

Enchiladas

If I could only have one food (perish the thought!) it would be enchiladas. Though I love so many kinds of food, I would pick this as my favorite food. I still think the best enchiladas are at the restaurant El Cortez located in the south suburbs of Chicago. They have various kinds of enchiladas--poblano, suiza, querantana, etc.--these are all good.

Pastor E. and Lois

Pastor E., who I sometimes affectionately refer to as "Chief," is senior pastor of the church I serve. I remember when I first got a letter from him before I started serving there, he said as senior pastor he was cheerleader to the rest of the staff. And it has been true. Since over 7 years ago when I came to my church, he has been encouraging and supportive. It's such a positive team thing we have going at church! I think a lot of pastors are threatened by women who serve in the church, even if it is in an auxiliary office. But there is none of that at my church. We all know our roles, and respect each other. I have fun memories of Pastor E. like when I was visiting down here before I actually started at the church. I really wanted to see the Arch, so Pastor took my mom and I there and to the floating McDonalds. And there are lots of memories of serving together, sometimes dealing with very difficult situations. I am always impressed with how well Pastor deals with these situations with calmness and compassion. Then he always makes sure I am taking care of myself after dealing with these challenging situations. He has a special gift of dealing with crisis situations. He faithfully proclaims God's Word and is a man of great vision. He has taught me a lot these past 7 years. One thing he said that always sticks with me is how he prays each day that God would guide him to do the most important things for that day. I remember this when I'm freaking out about not getting done everything I wanted to! It has been a joy to serve with Pastor E. I am very thankful to have such a great pastor to work with. His wife Lois is such a wonderful person too, very kind and humble.

"A Mighty Fortress is Our God"

A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev'ry need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpow'r us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little world can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our vict'ry has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.

OR

A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe.
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.

No strength of ours can match his might.
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
Whom God Himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is He,
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God's only Son adored.
He holds the field victorious.

Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat'ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpow'r us.
Let this world's tyrant rage;
In battle we'll engage.
His might is doomed to fail;
God's judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.

God's Word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God Himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
Goods honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom's ours forever!

Text and Tune: Martin Luther

Such an awesome, awesome hymn! Luther based this hymn on Psalm 46 and it is sometimes called the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation." It has been translated a lot, and I like both the versions I posted here. In the second version I think the wording v. 4 is powerful where it says that though life be wrenched away, our enemies cannot win because the Kingdom is ours forever. But I like the wording of v. 4 in the first version where it says, "He's by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit." There is so much comfort here, and the music too is powerful. I love singing this hymn with gusto!

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Such a great Psalm! I share this often with the people I visit. It is so reassuring to have that promise that God is our refuge and strength. Sometimes we can feel so weak and helpless. And we are! But God is with us always and is our fortress. I often think how hard it is for us to be still. We want to be doing, we want to rely on our own strength or works. And when we are reminded once again our works and strength are nothing, it is hard, but very good for us. For then we rely totally on God's strength.

The Butterfly Effect

Movies like this that play with time are fascinating to me. The main character realizes that when he's not happy with how certain things in life have turned out, and he can go back in time and redo a certain thing, making one change sets off a completely different chain of events, often with terrible results. Another movie poster for The Butterfly Effect had on it, "Change One Thing. Change Everything." It is interesting to ponder how in life one thing effects another effects another effects another. Very engaging and interesting movie.

Pastoral Care Under the Cross by Richard C. Eyer

This is such a fabulous book on pastoral care. Eyer lays out what it means to care for someone, to suffer alongside a person and help that person see God in the midst of suffering. He speaks so well of the theology of the cross here.

A passage that really conveys well what the book is about: "The goal of pastoral care under the cross is not to try to eliminate suffering but to point the parishioner to God in the midst of suffering. Others have as their task the elimination of suffering, up to a point...Pastoral care, on the other hand, is concerned with the presence of God in the midst of suffering. It concerns itself with helping the suffering parishioner to see God there. The posture of kneeling at the foot of the cross enables us to see God at work in suffering. Ironically, our helplessness makes it possible to see God...Jesus experienced apparent defeat and the feeling of helplessness, and we call it Good Friday. Suffering puts us at the foot of the cross, beside parishioners, where together both sufferers discover the meaning of the cross and the peace that does 'pass all human understanding.' Defeat is the way of the cross, but ironically, defeat acknowledged in faith becomes victory." (p. 33)

Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project --Chris Rice

Chris Rice's album Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project is awesome. He does great arrangements of some great hymns. It is very piano driven, which I love. My favs on here are "Rock of Ages" and "A Mighty Fortress."

To listen to some samples, go here: http://www.familychristian.com/shop/product.asp?ProdID=15992

Caryn

I met Caryn when we were students at Concordia University. What I have always liked about Caryn is the enthusiasm and positive energy she has. We have fun hanging out together, and share a lot of common interests such as love of music, movies, books, theology, etc. It is fun to talk with Caryn about various issues. She is an intelligent person, and I enjoy hearing her opinion on things. I am really glad that years after being at college together, we ended up living in the same town! Oh, and I really respect her for her ability to change flat tires!!

Darts

I love playing darts. I'm not a great dart thrower or anything, but I have a dartboard in my house, and when friends come over, I love playing. There are many games that can be played, but Cricket is my favorite. Throwing darts definitely brings out my competitive side!

Uncle Buck

This is a great movie to watch when you're in the mood for something light hearted and fun. John Candy was very talented, and this is a great role for him. Uncle Buck comes to take care of his nieces and nephew when his sister in law's father has a heart attack, and she and Buck's brother have to leave town. Buck tries to figure out how take care of the kids and manage household tasks often with humorous results. It is a cute film with some parts that really crack me up.

Isaiah 41:13

13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

I have shared this passage with many people, and it continues to be of great comfort to me personally as well. Such a powerful image is given of God's presence, "God with us." Sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed, beaten down, discouraged, hopeless, etc., but the LORD is always right there with us with His promise to help us. We may not always know how we are going to get through something, but we can know with certainty God is with us always; we are never alone.

Autumn Leaves

Seeing the beautiful colored leaves in autumn is another reminder of what an awesome Creator God is! The year I was up in MN was really awesome--it was so beautiful in the fall.

"Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me"

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure:
Cleanse me from its guilt and pow'r.

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy Law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Text: Augustus M. Toplady
Tune: Thomas Hastings

I've been listening to this hymn a lot lately. I love how it states so clearly that we cannot keep the Law and our works count for nothing. We are saved only by His grace.

Still Standing

I only in the last year got into this show as it has been shown in reruns on Lifetime every day. It really cracks me up. It's about a working class couple in Chicago raising their 3 kids. The parents may seem a little crass or not the warm fuzzy time parents, but they do love their kids.
I like the last episode "Still Graduating" a lot.

Another favorite episode is "Still Our Kids." The Millers are Cubs fans, and find out their son's boss is a White Sox fan.

Bill: The Cubs stand for everything good and wholesome in Chicago.
(Judy comes in and Bill proceeds to tell her about Brian's boss being a White Sox fan).
Judy: What kind of person would choose to live like that?
(They then talk about how the boss is corrupting their son).

This Cubs fan loves that whole bit!

Sally Struthers is awesome as Bill's manipulative mom Louise.