Two Good Books

Posted on December 19, 2009 by David Nuottila

With the prospect of bad weather looming during the winter months, some may be looking for a good book or two that they may dig into.  It wasn’t long ago that we had a stretch of rain and really nasty weather, during which I found a very nice tandem.  I highly recommend Mitch Albom’s new book Have a Little Faith.  In true Albom fashion, Have a Little Faith provides insight to how God works through the lives of unlikely people, and transforms those who take on the task of ministry.

I quickly followed up reading Have a Little Faith with Max Lucado’s book It’s Not About Me.  Max Lucado has a way of stating the obvious in a wonderfully simplistic way that engages millions of readers.  In this particular book, Lucado puts life in the proper perspective, reinforces his point with scripture and guides the reader on a journey of faith.

Reading these two books one after the other proved to be a good exercise.  One can see the faith practices and ideals of It’s Not About Me lived out and experienced through the pages of Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith.  It is nothing short of amazing what God accomplishes through the lives of ordinary people.

The best part is that no one theology is placed over and above another.  Sure, you can easily apply the Lutheran hermeneutic of “…saved by faith through grace apart from good works.”  But Lutherans don’t own this one exclusively.  The lessons of these two books come through loud and clear regardless of religious background.

Have a little time on your hands?  Is this a good time to get lost in a book or two?  Well, warm up some soup, brew a pot of coffee or tea and enjoy these two simple to read yet astounding books.  Soon you will see the power of God in your life and the lives of others in a new and interesting light.  I know you will.  Have a little faith!  After all, it’s not really about me anyway now is it?

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Season of Tradition

Posted on December 11, 2009 by David Nuottila

This time of year the smell of evergreen often fills homes and church sanctuaries.  ‘Tis the season after all, and the sights and sounds leading up to the Christmas celebration are simply incomplete without the smell of evergreens.

Most congregations have time honored traditions that have been observed for longer than anyone can remember.  Most were begun by the saints that have gone before us, while the origin of others seems unknown.  In either case, such traditions are formed in order that glory be given to God through our faithful actions in worship.

Alas, as time goes by, often is the case that traditions become a means unto themselves.  Sweet refrains are replaced by emphatic comments such as; “We can’t change that, it is how we have always done it!”  While I am sure such traditions are time honored and beautifully done, the truth remains, the way we do things now, the way we have done them for years, is not actually the way we have ALWAYS done it.

As generations pass, traditions pass as well.  New people enter the community, either by way of another church, or by initiation into the church (baptism, conversion, etc.).  It is important to note that, when new persons are welcomed into our midst, the “way we do things” should reflect the personality and diversity of the worshipping community.  Therefore, traditions do sometimes outlive their usefulness and there is need for change.

Recognizing such change within our worshipping community, and listening to the comments and ideas of both newer folks and long time members, we made such a change this year.  Gone is the annual service in which the church is decorated on the first Sunday of December.  It has been replaced (for this year at least) by a more deliberate “season of preparation.”  Where once we sang hymns of Christmas for an entire month, we now sing hymns of Advent.  Lessons and Carols have been replaced with prophetic words from Isaiah, Malachi, and the voice of John crying out in the wilderness.

As with any change there is a bit of anxiety; perhaps even a little angst.  Some, several, perhaps many miss the annual service.  They enjoyed the festive atmosphere.  Yet I wonder, has anyone noticed that we are decorating the church in exactly the same sequence?  Has anyone noticed that families still take turns lighting the Advent wreath?  And what about the greens; have they noticed the elements of the old service have been preserved as the wreaths, garland, bows and poinsettias make their way into our worship space?  I hope so.  As much as we need to change and reflect our present community, we also must honor and remember our past.

Through change, have we begun a new tradition?  Perhaps, but probably not.  I don’t know if we need to be worried about that.  What I am certain of, is that through our worship and praise, God is glorified.  Through the witness of the prophets, we hear the message of Christ coming to us.  And through our collective voices, the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to a world in need of a savior, and the promise of God’s saving grace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus becomes a reality for all people.  For this is the unchanging tradition of the church in all times and places.

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The Deserving Ones

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David Nuottila

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.  Luke 17:15  NRSV

Each year, just as many congregations do, our little church manages to supply plenty of needful families with a full Thanksgiving feast.  Complete with turkey and all the trimmings, the members of our parish do not scrimp on anything.  God calls Christians to feed the hungry, to give of our selves and our earthly treasures.  In doing so we store up treasure in heaven.

Frankly, we hand out plenty of groceries bags each and every week, including one large distribution on the third Saturday of each month.  Hundreds of people have entered our doors, most every one of them thanking us for the good that we do.  Of course, no one in the congregation sees this as the good the “we” do, rather, it is the good that “God does through us.”  Still, it is nice to realize that our efforts are appreciated.

Just a couple of days ago, I had a conversation with a friend and he was telling me how the food bank he volunteers for hands out food as well.  They have a process where they screen the people who come in the door.  Questions are asked concerning income, number of people living in the house, do they receive food stamps or WIC coupons?  All of their answers are recorded on a form and stored in a file.  When I asked why this was done, the answer I received was that they didn’t have enough to hand out to those who don’t deserve it.

I struggle with the notion of giving primarily to “those who deserve it.”  What must one do to deserve a meal when one cannot afford to put food on the table?  What must one do to deserve receiving a gift given through anonymous generosity, but is distributed according to the worthiness of the recipient?  Truth be told, if I only received what I deserved, I would be among the neediest.

I’ve thought long and hard about this encounter.  I really didn’t figure I would post it as one of the earliest entries to my new blog.  But then, as I was working in my office this morning the phone rang.  Theresa called to say thank you for the wonderful dinner our church provided.  Her children loved the turkey, pulled apart the wish bone, and gave thanks for such a wonderful meal.  Ahhh…treasure in heaven!

Were not all ten healed?  Yet only one returned to thank his healer, praising God with a loud voice.  Oh, I’m certain all the others rejoiced as well, just as all those whom we fed last week gave thanks to God for the blessing of a wonderful meal.  But oh how I give thanks for the one; for the one who returned thanking and praising God.  What else could I say except, “You’re welcome…and God bless you.”

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A New Beginning

Posted on November 23, 2009 by David Nuottila

While I have been blogging for some time, this blog is a fresh start in several ways.  My former blog served me well in that I was able to put many thoughts into words, and make a few friends along the way.  Sadly, and due to the subject of so many conversations in Lutheran circles, my once personal and semi-inspirational blog had become just another vehicle for debate.   Instead of posting stories and lessons learned through ministry, church politics and calls for reform became the headlines of my posts.  While I agree with so many of those who are speaking out, such was not what I intended for my posts four years ago when I first began blogging.

What I hope to accomplish through these new pages on the web, is to reclaim that which was lost; chiefly, sharing insights and experiences as I live them, and see them through my Lutheran lenses.  I have been a member of the Lutheran Church all my life.  My wife kids me that I must have worn red diapers as an infant.  Lutheranism is how I have experienced life in Christ’s church on earth, and Lutheranism is what makes sense to me. 

I hope those who read my previous musings will find this blog to be a faithful reflection of one who is saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus.  As my thoughts begin to make their way onto these pages, perhaps you will find something interesting.  You might even find it within yourself to make a comment or two.   In either case, I am glad to be back on amongst friends the blogosphere.

Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ!

Now would someone please pour me a cup of coffee, pass the green jello and hum a few bars ………Amighty fortress is our God……

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