The most religious place tonight...Miller Park

Tonight our guys from St. John attended the baseball game between the Brewers and San Fransisco Giants. What a riot. The Brewers came back from 2 down in the bottom of the ninth and won it. It is amazing to do a little people watching. You have young college aged people, young families with small kids, and older generations. Most of which have drank a lot of beer and having a good time (even if it invovled much glutony)!

What is once again amazing to me is how people at the end of a intense game turn from cussing, dirty jokes, criticism, to folded hands and prayer. When Prince fielder came up to bat, one gentleman who had cussed all night folded his hands, bowed his head and it appeared ask God for a win. What a religious person. I'm sure he is going to church in the morning (if he can get over his coming hangover).

Tomorrow morning, my prayer is that people are folding their hands, bowing their heads in the same way. Because at worship tomorrow morning will be God's gifts, His Holy Spirit, and the forgiveness of sins that will throw us into the world without a hangover, but with His grace.

May we celebrate God's grace tomorrow, while being excited over a great win for the Brew Crew (even though I am a Twins fan)

Fathers and the common myths

Here is an article from National Review online, "Five myths on Fathers and Family."

5 Myths on Fathers & Families (For the full analysis and data, read the original article).

1. Myth: There's a surge in stay-at-home dads.
Fact: Of the 22.5 million families with children under 15 years old, 24 percent have a stay-at-home mom, and less than 1 percent have a stay-at-home dad.

2. Myth: Women want everything 50-50.
Fact: While women want their husbands to do their fair share of housework, they don't want them to do the same tasks. "Only 20 percent of mothers with children under 18 wanted to work full-time, compared with 72 percent of fathers with children under 18."

3. Myth: Marriage is just a piece of paper.
Fact: "50 percent of children born to cohabiting parents saw their parents break up by age five; by comparison, only 15 percent of children born to married parents saw their parents divorce by age five. Dad is much more likely to stick around if he has a wedding ring on his finger."

4. Myth: Children can weather divorce just fine.
Fact: Divorce is not good for children. Ask any child who's gone through a divorce. For instance, "girls whose parents divorce are about twice as likely to drop out of high school, to become pregnant as teenagers, and to suffer from psychological problems such as depression and thoughts of suicide."

5. Myth: Dads are dispensible.
Fact: "Children typically do better in an intact, married families with their fathers than they do in families headed by single mothers." And "fathers bring distinctive talents to the parenting enterprise."


Simply put: We need fathers and our fathers need to step up and be men. Not abusive, not domineering, but doing their vocations to the highest of calling. If we do not, we will continue to have the family be lowered and many children not taking the Lord's Words seriously.

Why go to worship?

"I don't NEED to go to worship!" "You can still be Christian and not go to church, right?"

These are common statements from people when discussing being part a Christian church. Often people attempt to find loopholes of not being part of a fellowship of other believers and denying the message of Christ (John 15).

This Sunday we will be addressing this question of why go to worship? The sermon will be posted after Sunday service.

TV Ratings, money, or marriage?

Last night the big announcement came, "John and Kate Gosselin are getting a divorce." (From TLC's John and Kate plus 8). It tugs at my heart, even though I do not watch is all the time, but I grew an endearment toward this family because of going through similar struggles as a parent of young children. They also had a Christian faith and referred to their church and faith from time to time.

However, my heart aches even more due to this break up. Not simply because it is a divorce, but the logical conclusion is that money won out. The network, TLC, when hearing of their marital difficulties could have told them to take some time off and take care of their family. John and Kate could have pulled the plug on the show when their marriage was crazy. But ultimately, TLC wants ratings and I do not know the motivations for John and Kate, but money was more than likely not out of the picture.

My prayer and hope is that God continues to strengthen me and my beautiful wife to always fight for our marriage no matter the circumstances. If it means that I leave the ministry for my family, then I have to do it. If that means that we have to move, then so be it. Neither of which are an idea mind you, but I ask the Lord today for strength to make a bold decision for my family for whatever He has in store.

Is God pro-choice or pro-life? Sermon...

I) God is pro-choice(John 15:16)
Before anybody wants to start a political battle, I know you all agree. God is pro-choice because he is the one who chooses us. As Jesus tells his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I have chosen you.” God has chosen you on the cross, manifested that in your life through Baptism, and has chosen you for salvation through Him. God is pro-choice, because we have no choice in the matter, HE IS OURS AND WE ARE HIS!

II) God’s choice is life(Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139, Luke 1:41-45, and John 10:10)
*Throughout Scripture, God ALWAYS chooses life of His people. There is no indication of God choosing death above life, there is no indication that someone’s rights is above the choice of a defenseless human being, and there is no indication that a small child in the womb is not a human being.
*A person is a person, no matter how small.

III) Our life begins with the life Jesus brings (John 10:10)
*We can not begin with political agenda, we can not begin with what party we enjoy, what candidate we voted for, or what experiences we have had with some life issues. But it begins with seeing ourselves as redeemed by the blood of Christ, saved by Jesus, and realizing that without Christ, we have no hope for life, we are dead in sin, we have no solid foundation, identity, or anything that would lead us to looking to anyone else. But we begin by knowing that our Lord has given us the gift of salvation and we give the gifts He gives to others.

IV) Life begins at conception and ends with natural death.
*This is where we would argue that God’s Word stands from all the Scripture readings God has given. This is why we make a big deal about abortion, this is why we been against embroyonic stem cell research, euthanasia, and the usage of birth control that destroys embryos. A life is a life no matter how small, how disabled, or how old.

*A young man from England. Was an amazing rugby player. And on his 20th birthday got into a terrible car accident and was a quadrapalegic. After a few years of struggling in this life, his parents took him to the Alps of Switzerland, to a home that allows what they call mercy homes. Where they will take the life of someone who wants to end their life and the parents of this young man watched as his son passed away.
*That is a tough story and none of us can say that we know what that must be like. But I would say that the true tragedy of that story is not what happened to that young man, but what that means to all people who are quadrapalegics. Because when the parents took the life of their son, they not only said his life was not worth living, but all other people who are paralyzed are not worth living either. That is tough.

V) We struggle with the complexities and look to the cross.
We struggle when we find out that a young person is pregnant outside of marriage, we struggle when a loved one is on a feeding tube, we struggle when someone becomes paralyzed, and we struggle when a loved one is on a ventilator. And in our world, sometimes people death as the hope, but as Christians we see life as the hope, we see a future resurrection as the hope, and we see our Lord’s will not focusing on death, but on the new life that his Son has and the new life that we possess.

VI) We witness to life in word and deed.
We don’t only prove that life is precious, but we take that hope of Life in Christ to defend life in how we act. By supporting organizations like A Place of Refuge, making this place a haven for people struggling with life issues, and live as his people defending the defenseless and realizing all life is life, no matter how small.

Happy Father's day...by God's grace to be like our Heavely Father

Ted Bundy, Homer, Ray Romano and many other various TV dads. All of which are the village idiots. Sitting on their couches, complaining of their wives, and ignoring their children. Our current society has a shortage of father figures in the media.

This makes Father's day doubly important for our society. It reminds me of the introduction of the Lord's Prayer.

"God would thereby [with this little introduction] tenderly urge us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father."

What an image for us fathers. To be bold in our admonition, but also to let our children know that they can come to us confidently with request and needs as we can to our Heavenly Father.

By God's grace I am a father of three and boy do I need to repent each day. May we all come to the cross due to our fallen nature and ask for strength to lead our children as Godly fathers.

Is God pro-choice or pro-life?

What do you think? We will be discussing this question this Sunday in worship. The way I placed the question is loaded beyond belief. Does it refer to life issues or how God chooses people? Does it include ALL circumstances or are there exceptions? Politics? Will this lead to God being republican or Democrat?

It will be fun. I will post my sermon on Sunday after church.

We believe, teach, and confess at St. John Lutheran, North Prairie, WI

Here is our latest statement of faith at St. John. This will be a foundational piece for our ministry moving forward and also a document to be used for future leaders and the like. Some of the statements address current issues, and others address our core beliefs. Let me know your thoughts.


The fellowship of St. John Lutheran Church, North Prairie, WI believe, teach and confess that
+ All mankind is sinful from conception (Ps. 51:5) and unable to reconcile themselves to God by any human efforts (Eph. 2:1; Rom. 3:9-18).
+ All mankind is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ who has atoned for all sins on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9)
+ Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is the only Savior of the world, as it is written, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
+ The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the inspired, inerrant, infallible written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice.
+ The waters of Holy Baptism work forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation who receive this mark in the name of the Triune God (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
+ The body and blood is truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Altar. This Sacrament brings forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who faithfully partake. We also affirm that in order to partake in this Sacrament one must be baptized, able to examine themself, and share in a common confession (Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:42)
+ All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (the Lutheran Confessions) are a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God.
+ There is only one God – the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – “one God in three persons and three persons in one God.”
+ God created the world in six 24-hour days.
+ The stories of creation, the flood, Moses, Jonah, and all figures described in Holy Scripture were real historical events and people.
+ God created the institution of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:2-24; Matthew 19:5-6)
U Homosexual behavior, sexual acts outside of marriage, and living together outside of marriage is intrinsically sinful and counter the will of God (Romans 1:24–27; I Corinthians 6:9-20; I Timothy 1:10). We lovingly respond to such behavior with the same love and concern as all other sins, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when repentance occurs.
+ We uphold the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:4).
+ We believe that Jesus shall return one day visibly and bodily to judge all people. Those who believe in Jesus will live forever, while unbelievers will be condemned to an eternity in damnation (Mk. 13:26; Jn. 5:27-29).

Catechetical Symposium and the liturgy

I am attending the Concordia Catechetical Symposium in Waukesha, WI. Our topic is The Liturgy and Contemporary Music. The discussion is quite good because there are many questions that are not asked in the whole "tradition" vs. "contempoary" debate.

Are the gifts of God being emphasized? Is it God's work or ours? Is it is focused on Christ? Do people see Jesus?

These are foundational questions for us to ask when looking at worship and then begin some good conversations and maybe a little debate.

More to come.

Most Protestant Churchgoers open to other denominations

Results from the latest Ellison Research survey, released Monday, show that 16 percent of Protestants are exclusively loyal to their denomination and will only consider attending a church within their current denomination if they were placed in a situation where they had to leave their current church.

The rest are open to considering other denominations. Fifty-one percent said they prefer one denomination but are open to others and 33 percent said they do not have any preference for one specific denomination.

Ellison Research found similar levels of loyalty among churchgoers to other products and services. Twenty-two percent said they are exclusively loyal to one brand of toothpaste and 64 percent expressed a brand preference (while also considering other brands); 19 percent will only consider one brand of bathroom tissue and 59 percent said they prefer one brand but are open to others; and 16 percent said they are loyal to one brand of pain relievers with 57 percent expressing preference for one brand but also considering other kinds.

This is shows a common trend within our LCMS. Many of the younger generation, born and raised LCMS somehow end up in another denomination that have completely counter doctrines and practices. Have we made our denomination choice to be exactly like our toothpaste, bathroom tissue, and favorite cereal? Do we no longer think of doctrine and the importance of clinging to God's Word and the Gospel? Where are we going wrong?

St. John is committed to making known the truths of God's Word which is why we are working on a current document of what we believe, teach, and confess that shows our beliefs which may not be in accordance to society, but in the WORD.

Living together outside of marriage? What's the big deal?

Thus far in ministry, majority of couples that wanted to get married were living together outside of marriage. Surprising? Not really. Why wouldn't they? Almost all TV shows and movies tell them too, we value financial stability above God's Word, and why not get our freak on before marriage? All the signs point to the convenience of living together first and then marriage. But that begs the question, "Why get married at all?" It is the logical next step and is one that is being entertained by many people today. Why go through the money, the hassel, and financial messiness if we get a divorce?

We are in a marriage crisis. The interesting idea is that if we live together first it will help lower the amount of divorce? So why is divorce 50% now and growing? Why is it that people have less meaningful marriages when first living together? Why?

My argument is that when we go counter God's design (Genesis 2, Ephesians 5), things get messy and we pay the consequences. Although there are no guarantees for couples who do not live together to NEVER get a divorce, the chances are stacked against you when one does.

Baptismal life and sexual immorality

This Sunday we addressed the subject of sexual ethics and the Christian life. It is amazing how little we discuss the beauty of our sexuality, especially as ones claimed in Baptism and redeemed by the cross.

One thing that struck me again was Paul's words from I Corinthians 6, "Do you not know that your bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit?" He also makes a distinction of sexual sins above others. "All other sins are outside the body, but sexual immorality is within." This is important for us to remember as Christians. When we sin sexually we are uniting Christ with a prostitute. Our bodies are made for a perfect union of husband and wife. A union brought together at the Garden and to be lived out today.

May we live a sexually pure and decent life and husbands and wives love and honor each other.

Rabbits beware!

Today we placed a fence around our garden. My peas, tomatoes, and basil are being eaten like crazy! Now the rabbits and whatever is eating my garden will be forever shut out. Now my garden will grow without hindrance.

This is one of those moments where I remember back to some very good friends in high school and college that helped me stay away from outsiders could have hindered my faith. At the right time and the right place, God placed some good people in my presence kept me in line.

I do not advocate never talking to unbelievers or those who are lackluster, but we all must have people to encourage us in the Christian faith to remind us of Christ when tough things occur!

What's wrong with fooling around? Week 2

This week we will be addressing a question that not many people are necessarily asking in our world, but it sorely needs to be addressed. "What wrong with fooling around?"

Specifically we are discussing sexual ethics. Much of sexualitty is overtaken currently by the homosexuality debate. In the mean time, STDs are on the rise, out of wedlock babies are rising, and living together without marriage is the norm as opposed to the exception. Where do we even start to address these questions?

Please keep this in your prayers. We live in a live and let live society and the people whom are in our pews tend to be the ones promoting some of these behaviors. I must admit I went through a time where I didn't see it as a big deal! Yet, we address these things according to God's Word and that must be our guide. And our main goal is repentance and hearing the sweet words of forgiveness.

Lord have mercy

Back from convention...renewed, but need breaks!

I'm back from convention and I had a good time. There was information overload, little time to hang out with others, and I don't want to see a resolution for quite some time.

Yet, it was empowering to see over 300 people committed to the ministry of the Gospel. It was great to hear wonderful preachers and Bible Study leaders. And to see the consistency of sound doctrinal understanding was amazing.

Coming from an ELCA college, I was bombarded with inconsistent theology and confusion to abound. What a breathe of fresh air to be among others who share so many common theological beliefs. We all probably need to remind our congregations of those beliefs, which is why our church is working on a rough draft of current beliefs to use as a foundation for ministry, leadership, and mission. Here is the format:

The fellowship of St. John Lutheran Church, North Prairie, WI believe, teach and confess that
+All mankind is sinful from conception (Ps. 51:5) and unable to reconcile themselves to God by any human efforts (Eph. 2:1; Rom. 3:9-18).
+ All mankind is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ who has atoned for all sins on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9)

+Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is the only Savior of the world, as it is written, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
+The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the inspired, inerrant, infallible written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice.
+The waters of Holy Baptism work forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation who receive this mark in the name of the Triune God (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
+The body and blood is truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Altar. This Sacrament brings forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who faithfully partake. We also affirm that in order to partake in this Sacrament one must be baptized, able to examine themself, and share in a common confession (Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:42)

+All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (the Lutheran Confessions) are a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God.
+There is only one God – the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – “one God in three persons and three persons in one God.”

+ God created the world in six 24-hour days.
+ The stories of creation, the flood, Moses, Jonah, and all figures described in Holy Scripture were real historical events and people.
+ God created the institution of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:2-24; Matthew 19:5-6)
+ Homosexual behavior, sexual acts outside of marriage, and living together outside of marriage is intrinsically sinful and counter the will of God (Romans 1:24–27; I Corinthians 6:9-20; I Timothy 1:10). We lovingly respond to such behavior with the same love and concern as all other sins, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when repentance occurs.
+ We uphold the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:4).
+ We believe that Jesus shall return one day visibly and bodily to judge all people. Those who believe in Jesus will live forever, while unbelievers will be condemned to an eternity in damnation (Mk. 13:26; Jn. 5:27-29).

Firefighters, policeman, Walgreens, the food industry have no souls?

"Billy doesn't go to church. Can you believe it?" an older lady tells of her son. "What does Billy do?" He owns a cafe that is open on Sunday!

I remember these kind of statements being made concerning those who serve in unique jobs that are open on Sunday mornings. Many times we kind of scoff them not attending worship, but the minute we are out of church that cafe better have my food. If I am sick, that ambulance better be there. If my house is on fire on Sundy, they better be there. Interesting isn't. What is even harder is if they do come to church when they can, it is difficult to get them infiltrated into the life of the church. They are gone a lot, don't know many people, and have inconsistent schedules.

How do we minister to these individuals and bring them into the community? What are we to do when people are fulfilling their God given vocations, but miss out a chance for God's gifts?

Ideas are well appreciated!

Book Review of Quitting Church-Julia Duin

I just finished reading the book, Quitting Church by Julia Duin. Julia Duin is an editor Washington Post and has a masters of theology. She has charismatic roots and has experienced disenchanchment with the church in our modern world.

As with other evangelical books I have read, Ms. Duin diagnoses the problem very well. "The faithful are fleeing from churches in the name of saving their faith." This is one of the major struggles in our current cultural battle of the individual and the wattering down of doctrine within the emergent culture. She tells of how people are frustrated with the church being irrelevant, wishy washy on their beliefs, and judgmental. All of these are very true within the whole church.

Yet, even with a great diagnosis of the problem, her major flaw is implying that the fix to it all would be a charismatic revival. To this point of the book it appeared to be going in the right direction. The dependance on oneself, the pastor, and the community to get excited enough, upbeat enough, and to see the spirit in energy, left her and many others yearning for more, but not knowing how to get it.

We would support some of her diagnosis of the problem, but would wholeheartedly disagree with the need for a charismatic revival. What the world needs today is a realization that we need God to intervene and for Him to come physically and with forgiveness. While a charismatic is looking for the spirit to move and lift their arms hoping for energy, we believe that God points us to our knees, points us to the Sacramnets, and we feel the Spirit by His means.

Give this book a chance (on sale of course) and see the problem and realize a better solution than what she gives! Christ!

What is God's will for my life?

This Sunday our congregation begins a sermon series concerning the many questions that people are asking today. Our first question is, "How do I know God's will for my life?" Hundreds of books are produced each year, purpose driven life was huge, and the radio is infiltrated with this subject. Yet, there are many ideas of what God's will might and hopefully will be, but often it looks beyond ourselves to find it (e.g. a better job, more education, more money).

In Lutheran theology, we will would advocate one does not need to look very far to find God's will. It starts right where you are. Am I a parent? Am I married? Am I a community member? Am I an american citizen? Am I a member of God's kingdom? All of these things are placed in your life to love God and serve your neighbor. Take a look at your life and see where God's will is right in front of you.

Prayers for Dr. Tiller's family. A big tragedy. A statement from Lutherans for Life

Lutherans For Life (LFL) joins pro-life groups across the country in extending our sympathy to the family of George Tiller, the late-term abortionist who was gunned down Sunday morning in his church. We join other pro-life groups in denouncing this action as evil. No circumstances justify the violent murder of another human being.
God’s Word tells us not to fight evil with evil but to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Based on that same Word of God, LFL believes that abortion is a great evil, the violent murder of another human being that deeply grieves the Author and Redeemer of life. But we oppose the use of evil to overcome this evil. We have the greatest “good” there is to use against it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LFL strives to apply the Gospel to the life issues, to change hearts and minds so that people will turn to the Lord of Life and not the god of death as the solution to difficult circumstances. We want to make the killing of children in the sanctity of the womb as unthinkable and deplorable as the killing of George Tiller in the sanctity of his church.
While George Tiller was a member of a Lutheran denomination that does not officially oppose abortion, it should be noted that almost all other Lutheran denominations do take an official stance that opposes abortion and asserts the God-given value of human life from conception to natural death.
We commend the Tiller family and all affected by this tragic event into the loving arms of a crucified and risen Savior. May He be at work in all of this according to His good and gracious will.

The depth of sin once again on Hollywood

As the kids were in bed early last night, my wife and I watched the movie, "Taken." I wanted to watch it because whenever Liam Neeson is on, he usually kicks butt. Plus it was a shorter movie that had decent reviews.

What is striking about modern movies today is how they all paint a very faint picture of today and especially for the future. In this movie there is a father who has his daughter taken while on vacation in France. The movie includes sex rings of young girls, violence, and the commitment of a father to his daughter. At the end of the movie you feel like there is some hope, but you realize the depth of sin in our world.

Too often in America we consider sin to be simply bad thoughts, too much to drink, or a little freak on outside of marriage. However, sin is much more destructive. Since we are separated from our God it can get out of control without proper restraints (1st use of the law). People kill, people abuse, people lie, people cheat, people get hurt. This is why the law is so needed and when it is applied correctly the Gospel is even sweeter.

Check this movie out, but beware it will show you that we as a church have a lot more work to do and Satan is working ever so hard!

Ready for the week...

The last few weeks have been very busy with funerals and a wedding. This week looks to be relatively calm. More time for Bible study, Confession, prayer, talking with members, and discussions with the community. Awesome.