Anakin and Job Wordled

Pastor Cwirla just blogged about Wordle and compared one of his sermons with a "sermon" by Rick "Purpose Driven" Warren. (That's a hoot!)

So here is the homily I preached on Job 1 at Amen in Saint Louis. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

Daydreams of Newlyweds at the Grand Floridian

...And 11 years ago today, Kristi and I were united in Holy Matrimony. :-)

It was a huge wedding. Most people who go through such a large wedding advise others to elope. Not us! We had a blast! It was a beautiful day, with much joy, even in all the numerous details. We loved every minute of it!

After the great service at Trinity Lutheran in Centralia, with Pastor Martin Hufford officiating, we had a fabulous reception, down the road at St. Mary's! (Their gym was larger and had air conditioning!) Great food, great music, great friends & family having fun and dancing!

The next day we went to Divine Service with our family, and then opened gifts at Kristi's folks. Then Sweet Amy took us to Saint Louis, where I had booked a night at the Cheshire Inn. She came the next morning as our "limo service," and took us to the airport for our trip: Walt Disney World honeymoon, complete with the "Grand Plan."

OK, so we paid out the nose. But we were pampered beyond belief that week! Fine meals. Being whisked to the front of lines. We felt like royalty!

I have the number of the room we stayed in that week. It was WDW's 25th anniversary that year, so our 25th wedding anniversary will be WDW's 50th. We plan on going back and getting that room! :-)

Amen: Saint Louis Travelogue -- Day 4

“All good things must come to an end,” the expression goes. Yet it is not entirely true.

The best thing, that your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born, suffered, rose, and lives for you, can never end! “Tetelestai!” -- “It is finished!” -- “Amen!” Pastor Borghardt reminded us on Tuesday. The saving work of Jesus stands completed and cannot be undone!

The week in Saint Louis (and the week in Scranton) is complete. The catechesis of those particular youth and adults by those particular catechists, in that particular place, is finished. Yet our ongoing catechesis is not. We simply have walked down from that mountaintop and rejoined our families and friends in what they call “real life.”

Many in our Higher Things “community” will gather next week for Amen in Irvine, California. For them, it is nowhere near finished. But even for the Poconos and Saint Louis crowds, Christ would remind us that our catechesis is ongoing. Our learning never stops. Until we fall asleep in Jesus, the Holy Spirit’s daily work to convert us from our unbelief continues.

What a joy and privilege to gather around your own pastor for the next twelve months, receiving the gifts Christ freely gives, until you join hundreds of others at Sola! How amazingly cool to add your “Amen” to the Church’s song and prayers, responding to our Savior’s Holy Word and Blessed Sacrament! How comforting is the privilege to utter your “Amen” when you remember your Baptism, and when you confess to your pastor that Christ may bless you with Holy Absolution!

Not all good things must come to an end. The things that are truly good are these very Gifts of God that we call the Means of Grace. And these will endure. We have His promise! “The Word of our God [both proclaimed and enfleshed] stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV.) No ending here! Our dear Lord just gives those Good Things to you in different places, at the hands and mouths of different pastors!

“Woof. Woof.” For those who were not in attendance, look for Pastor Buetow’s sermon to be posted as a Higher Homily on HigherThings.org. His translation will be provided.

Amen.

Amen: Saint Louis Travelogue – Day 2

Highlights? Well, to begin with, yesterday had a highlight that I forgot to mention at 1:00 a.m. when I blogged. I ran into my third grade teacher. Thirty years ago she was probably one of the early influences that planted the seed for me to desire to pursue the ministry.

The highlight for today? Pastor Borghardt’s plenary catechetical sessions were fabulous! The “vote for the best T-shirt” contest has been fun. Presenting my “breakaway” catechetical session was great. The prayer offices (Matins, Vespers, and Evening Prayer) have been thrilling! And how chills-down-your-spine exciting when your prayers really do rise before Him as incense! The sweet aroma of prayer greeted worshipers as they entered the church.

But the highlight for today happened after Evening Prayer. Pastor Rick Stuckwisch asked me to remain and act as an usher for Individual Confession & Absolution. Three pastors vested and sat next to kneelers. Youth and adults were welcomed to stay following the liturgy if they desired this treasure. I would estimate that around twenty people received this Holy Gift tonight. A number of others did last night.

After the last penitent had been ushered to another station, I took my place at a kneeler. I cannot express the incredible release of burden and the blessed peace that comes from this “Third Sacrament,” as the Confessions call it! Gift received. Amen!

Sure I preach and teach this with some regularity. I urge others to ask for the opportunity for such confession. But what a great thing to avail myself of the Gift that I urge for others. The highlight for today? I confessed my sin. I received Holy Absolution. Gift received. Amen!

Amen: Saint Louis Travelogue -- Day 1

Over 800 youth, pastors, and adult chaperones blended their voices in singing Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress, in St. Francis Xavier College Church on the campus of Saint Louis University. The soaring gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass, statues of our Lord, and of course Higher Things’ processional crucifix were a feast for the eyes, while the organ, trumpet, and voices carried the Word into our ears. Thus began our four days of worship, work, and play at Amen, the 2008 HT conference.

As I was caught up in the moment, I looked throughout the church, taking it all in. My eyes fell on Pastor George Borghardt, who would be preaching; and it struck me. He was grinning! I could already hear his thoughts: “Gift Received! Amen!” Certainly the most important Gift is Christ – born, dead, and resurrected for you – “Gift Received! Amen!” The gift of singing the Gospel of the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation” in a Jesuit nave and chancel is joyous too. “Gift Received! Amen!” The gift of such skilled music from instruments, directors, choir, and attendees was thrilling! “Gift Received! Amen!” The gift of skilled preaching of the pure Gospel is precious. “Gift Received! Amen!”

Watching Pastor Borghardt was almost as enjoyable as hearing his fine sermon (which will be published soon – keep watching for that Higher Homily.) In that moment, there was a “visual” of our reason for gathering for Higher Things conferences. The Word is given. We respond with a joyful “Amen!” of prayer and praise. Tonight and tomorrow have times for individual confession and Holy Absolution, with a humble, “Gift Received! Amen!” On Thursday we shall receive the Lord’s holy and precious Body and Blood. And again, “Gift Received! Amen!”

Indeed! Grin with Pastor Borghardt! There is much joy in the Gospel that Jesus’ “Amen” has brought you forgiveness, peace, and mercy. And now He continues to gift you with faith and its response: “Amen!”

But I Don't Know Queen!

Here is a glimpse from Amen in the Poconos. A few too many Diet Cokes, and sleep deprivation leads to such displays! LOL

Thanks to Pastor Borghardt and Jon Kohlmeier for directing my attention to this! Black mail material for a few of my friends. haha

I will be at Amen in Saint Louis this week! Keep an eye on Higher Things for details.

Pastor iPod

I was one of the chaperones on the 7th/8th grade trip to Saint Louis this month. It was fun getting to spend some time with these kids outside of class. We all got to know each other better as individuals.

One of the funny moments was when the four girls riding with another parent and me were talking music. I mentioned my iPod. "You have an iPod, Pastor?!"

"Yes," I laughed.

They were amazed to hear popular music in my playlist, like David Cook, Plain White T's, Blake Lewis, and others. Suddenly, "Pastor" became a person to them.

Kristi, Ben and I are really enjoying our iPods -- even if sharing our music library means that Hannah Montana, and Pokemon's "Do You Like Waffles" show up on my lists. LOL