Tigers Fever!!!

If you are a sports fan in Michigan it would be difficult to not catch "Tigers Fever." Our beloved Detroit Tigers are one win away from eliminating the New York Yankees (again) and advancing to the World Series. These are exciting times and I am definitely all in. I was able to go to game 3 in Detroit to witness Justin Verlander lead the Tigers to a 2-1 win and a 3 games to 0 lead in the series. It was awesome! Not only was I in the stadium, but I was there with three of my best friends. We loved the game, the comraderie, and the hours of male bonding. Nothing brings guys together better than watching our favorite teams. We were cheering, high fiving, and nervously anticipating the games' final out, which seemed to take forever to achieve. Whether I am in the stadium, or watching at home, I truly love being with a crowd of my friends and family enjoying the spirit of the game that unites us. Just last Sunday, we were in my living room hugging and dancing as the Lions completed their comeback with an overtime victory. It was great a great celebration shared by a house full! Unfortunately, of course, not all the games end in celebration. Yes, sometimes the agony of defeat elicits negative emotions and even inappopriate behavior. My only explanation for such histrionic behavior, in both victory and defeat, is passion. I am definitely a passionate person, especially when it comes to my sports teams. I am, however, convicted at times. I do ask myself if spending so much time, energy, and even money, is worth it in the big picture. My wife wonders if I am as passionate about her as I am my teams. And I know Jesus is asking me if I am as passionate about Him as I am my sports teams. As someone who is in full time ministry, my first response would be "of course I am." But I keep hearing Him ask the question. What would my life look like if my first and foremost passion was about knowing Jesus and helping others know Him as well. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Does the way I spend my time, money, and energy reflect my love for Jesus or something else? I think this is a question all Christians should ask themselves. People who know me know what teams I cheer for, but do they really know how much I love Jesus. I think they do. But those passions can't be on the same level. Jesus has to be first. I know this is a struggle of mine, to keep my passions in their proper order, but I will always be a fan. I can't help it! My prayer, however, is that someday when people remember me, they will talk about Jesus first. In the meantime, I will keep doing ministry and keep cheering my heart out. May God bless you all, and Go Tigers and Lions!

Us Change?

Revelation 22:13-  "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
James 1:17- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The message of the Gospel is good news for all people about a savior whose love never wavers. Jesus' grace is consistently abundant! This has not changed in over 2000 years! The only thing that changes with our faith is us. And that can be a blessing. Although God is always the same, I believe that He never leaves us the same. Christ is in the redemption business and business is always good. We are in constant need of redemption. Our salvation is assured when we claim Jesus as Lord, but our daily selves are always in need of His grace. When we walk with Jesus, we are being renewed every day. In other words, God is constant, but He is constantly changing us. God always takes the old, tired, worn aspects of our lives and makes them new. He will never leave us the same!
I think in our churches, we sometimes forget this. What I mean is this...although the message is the same, the way we deliver it must sometimes change to reach the people.  We must be open to new ways and methods of communicating the Gospel so that in this world of constant change, people can be changed by Jesus! Change is inevitable, but I pray that the change happens in the hands of Jesus. His change is truly life giving!
I am proud of my church, Mamrleund Lutheran, for being open to the many changes we have begun to implement this fall. Change can be hard in church, but it is in the name of Jesus, and following the lead of the Holy Spirit that we are making changes. And really, if change is in the name of Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit, what have we to fear? If it is of God, we know and trust that it will always turn out great!
So here's to change, not for change's sake, but for the sake of Christ always changing us! Amen.