On Eagle's Wings

This was basically my sister's request to keep posting instrumental guitar playing... yes the same one that sang at our church a few times and the one that said a song (sung by Joe Hickerson) that I love was "Painful" to listen to.... ok so maybe I can tolerate my own voice because my expectations are low. HA...

Birth Pangs by A.C. Horvath

Have you been keeping up with Tony Horvath or former Director of Education? Tony has kindled his passion for writing into two novels within the Birth Pangs series, Fidelis and Spero. I think he orchestrated this trailer because I told him I'd wait for the movie. (truly I don't really read much... HA)

Here's part of a review on the first book: Fidelis follows the path of a man waking up in a broken world that is pockmarked from nuclear strikes and still coping with the lingering effects of a terrible disease. In discovering the new landscape of America, he discovers the equally new landscape of his own soul. Filled with adventure and warfare, as equally compelling is its attempt to explore concepts of truth, valor, manhood, and destiny. In Fidelis the crutches of society have collapsed. In this setting, the intangible characteristics that make the human race indomitable are permitted expression. Indeed, they are encouraged.
Jean Heimann at the Catholic Fire blog says, “In his clear, easy to read writing style, Horvath presents us with a story that grabs our attention from the first page and holds it until the very end. He introduces us to an interesting array of characters, which he describes in picturesque terms, [who] “speak” for themselves..” Read the balance and get the remaining links at www.birthpangs.com

Meet Tim Thompsen

Tim is a Lutheran pastor in the ELCA, currently serving as the Interim Associate Pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Maplewood, MN. His primary interest is in small expressions of Church, typically called house or cell churches. He's working to transition out of conventional parish ministry into... something that he thinks will be a kind of coaching or church-planting ministry for those who want to be Church and be missional in a house-church mode.

On his blog, FeralPastor.blogspot.com he had posted an interesting about house churches. Now I love House Concerts so I read on:

Most of the people I talk with about house churches are Lutherans. One of my favorite things to do is to find out whether they know that Luther himself proposed house churches as the natural, even preferred context for people who were serious about following Jesus. (He calls these people the ones who are "desirous of being Christians in earnest and are ready to profess the Gospel with hand and mouth.") It's great fun to see the look of surprise on their faces - especially the ones who went to seminary and, amazingly, somehow never encountered this fact!

I've got the relevant section from Luther's writings uploaded in my "document vault" but I've neglected to post it here so now's the time to fix that. Here is the key excerpt, with citations at the end. Friends, and Lutherans especially, you'll want to take note of the following:



Self-organized

Home-based

Lay led

Full sacramental life

Stewardship and social ministry

Simple catechetical instruction

Ideal context for loving accountability after Matthew 18

"Form and Order" are not imported but emerge spontaneously from community life.

He goes on to have Martin's words on the subject.... Click here to stop over and finish reading the blog.

Questions

Boy aren't we all a little restless. You could say worried, but I would claim that word carries more of a panic to it, so I would put out that we're restless for answers. If our faith is strong, we're restless for God to explain. If we're doubting, we're restless for proof. Then aren't we all restless to know how our life will turn out. That's where I found myself this morning reading a friend's blog who is moving from one city to another and thought they had a renter for their house while they move to another. That renter wasn't the answer, and it fell thru.... so now they are restless. But this couple is so in love they calmly discussed it and love bound them together to know it will work out. On the way to work, this wrote itself. Christ is that healing love in our lives, and he works thru each of us to touch one another. Peace.... Dave

Don’t we all grow restless?
Like waiting for Santa,
Love, jobs, hope; it’s ageless.

I am waiting also
For answers in my life
Then the questions will slow.

Ok, that’s a pipedream.
Life is a puzzlement
No hard answers to gleen.

Should I be frustrated?
Feel lost in a quagmire?
Or just be comforted.

The sun will rise and set.
Love will answer it all,
And questions? I forget.

Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Divorce Care

This last weekend Stacy interviewed Sue Haymen on her passion for serving others. Here are thoughts that Sue wrote on facilitating our community wide Divorce Care program being held at Holmen Lutheran.

When I was approached to begin DivorceCare, I felt I had healed from my own divorce and that by my experience I could help others. I had good friends that were also going divorce and separation, and hoped I would be able to help them through their loss.

As in any type of grief, trying to find God in the midst of your pain is the only way to truly heal. Divorce can be a very difficult situation because of its unique type of grief. A person can feel guilt, shame, a profound sense of loss, as well as a feeling of failure. Although I felt I had moved on, there were times that I would have overwhelming feelings of anger and bitterness. Just when I felt I was over it, something would trigger those feeling and once again and I was back in that dark place all over again.

By facilitating Divorce Care, I once again had the realization that when you give of yourself, you receive so much more. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive yourself and your spouse for all of the sorrow that results in a divorce. Even though I did turn to God, I was not truly healed. In DivoreCare I realized that forgiveness is the only way to be in true communion with God and to be whole once again. I also realized that it is not in our power to forgive without the help of God.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to serve others with my experience, and in turn live the life God created me for.


And Sue we are thankful for you too.

Kevin Baird's art in the Sunday School area

Thank you again Kevin for all the help you are at church, and when you contribute your art passion, we are blessed for so long.

Dying to live

This song has always touched me since my youth. Edgar Winter was with his band called White Trash at the time, now this wasn't likely written to be Christian, but it ends on such on such good note.... we do believe in the hope of resurrection, but God didn't intend us to twiddle our thumbs while we wait. I do love the poster of the video shows the cross that I believe at Cornerstone in Illinois. If someone know better, please post a comment.

Here are the lyrics.

You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion.
By some people who've withdrawn to find their heads
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead

Why am I fighting to live if I 'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?

Hey, you know some people say that values are subjective,
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said.
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective.
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead.

Why am I fighting to live if I 'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?

Yeah, you know I used to weave my words into confusion.
And so I hope you'll understand me when I 'm through
You know I used to live my life as an illusion,
But reality will make my dreams come true.

So I'll keep fighting to live till there's no reason to fight
And I'll keep trying to see until the end is in sight
You know I'm trying to give so c'mon give me a try
You know I'm dying to live until I'm ready
'til I'm ready to die

Dave's testimonial sermon

Workmanship? Are we truly God’s workmanship, masterpiece as our 2nd lesson said?

How can we tell? Are we born with these talents, these passions?

Are we really predestined to be one thing or another, or do we have choices?

And choices, boy don’t we choose the wrong ones way too often.

Yes as Lutherans we believe are simultaneously Saint & Sinner.

I am not a theologian, so let’s today Stacey and I offer you some real examples of God’s workmanship and how we answer our call.

First up, let me give a little testimonial on my life so briefly I’ll take you through 50 years.

When I was born in 1958, I was already blessed with two sisters 1 and 6 years old, and three brothers 8. 9, and 10. Suffice to say, my parents were Saints as well as Sinners. As they put all of us thru Roman Catholic school for eight years, with mass at least once a week in school. It was in one of those services when I was in second grade that the third grade teacher, Mrs Clement came up to me afterward and told me that she tells her students to watch how I sing during church, they all should. Where did that come from, the singing that is… My mom, sure she sang; and Dad mumbled the songs, and I had an Aunt who at clear loud voice would recite “Lamp of God” instead of Lamb and we kids would all giggle.

Fast forward to Eight grade when I graduated I was the second shortest in a huge class. Being that height, you either learn to be tough, or to get along with everyone. I choose to get along.

Next up Middle School, I made friends with Kent Aubry. The star halfback of the football team, and I was no jock. So while he beat me routinely on the tennis court, he taught me my first chords on a cheap guitar I landed somehow. Even those tough up the neck chords, and boy they sounded bad.

High school was a blur, but my English teacher Steve Gibson has stuck with me forever. I later found out he was an ELCA Lutheran but when I knew him he was a chunky round face jovial person who lit a fire in me to write… oh did I write… journal upon journal of intensely personal searching that was sometimes very dark. I love the story he told of his old house that had full size windows in his bedroom that he accidentally had the blind zip up and have him expose himself naked. Maybe that’s why his image is burned into my memory. HA.

Teen years brought more questioning of my faith. My dad always inspired me “if you’re going to do a job, Do it right” He also never missed a weekend mass, and he made sure he routinely visited his mother in the nursing home… but he was one incredible racist. This plus other adults made me think church was full of hypocrites, but I never lost my relationship to God. I prayed continually for a girl friend.

Donna & I started dating late my Junior year, and it was an interesting three year run that even included her trying to commit suicide over her low self esteem created by her mother. Well about that time, Lori showed up in my life, and She was the one God had intended.

I could go on and on about the old phrase behind every good man is an excellent woman, and it would be true. And from a faith view point her and I were on the same page for different reasons with organized church. We even were married by a lawyer in a house; radical eh? We had a great life as a couple of dinks… (dual income no children)… but one day we decided to try and Poof over night we had a wonderful healthy talkative boy named Dustin.

It was the birth of Dustin that brought us back to church, and we easily made a home at HLC. Barry Bertleson than noticed us as regular attenders and asked that I join the counsel. It took three years of asking and I said yes. Well the rest of the history most of you know, so what’s up with workmanship or call?

Well I could go on, but how did God bring me here… Predisposition to a call?… I think not, I think he used teachers like Mrs Clement and Steve Gibson, friends like Kent and Donna, members of the faith like Barry, and my family Dad, Lori, and Dustin to form my person and my desire to share my gifts. So is your call to enable, or maybe someone has been talking to you?

Something is happening here...

Something is happening here, so the song said, so both Pastor’s recently quoted the very unbiblical Stephen Stills in his song titled, “For what it’s worth” ... .Just for the record, Christ knows what you’re worth, and what gifts that you have been blessed with, but do you? What really is your call?

So there is something happening here at Holmen Lutheran Church, so please join our Natural Church Development group at worship the weekend of March 21 & 22 as we carry on our minor tradition started by Pastor Borreson , sermon interviews. It is such a joy to listen to our members share how Christ is working through their life, and we have plans to schedule these sermons through the year.

Photo credits

Forgiving isn't easy.

A dear internet friend of mine in MySpace, Ninure da Hippie is a Pastor in Chicago. She has a wonderful MySpace blog, and the following is from today's post.

I tell people whenever I say the Lord's Prayer I cannot say it the way others do.

Im particular, I cannot say "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors". If God were to answer that prayer for me I would be "damned to hell".

Try as might, I am not very good at forgiving. But i do TRY.


SHOULD I FORGIVE THAT PERSON?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader ("Kids of the Kingdom;" September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

"This really hurt me," I explained. "I'm having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?" I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. "Yes, you should," she said without hesitation. "But why? The person hurt my feelings," I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, "Because you're married to her."

We live in a society that doesn't care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody's willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn't give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15). That's strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

When Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant's huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God's forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina




People often say with pride, “I’m not interested in politics.” They might as well say, “I’m not interested in my standard of living, my health, my job, my rights, my freedoms, my future, or any future.”
— Martha Gellhorn, writer/journalist (1908-1998)

Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

'God does not share his love between all of his creatures; He gives *all* of his love to *each* of His creatures!' (Hugh of St. Victor).

A Prayer of St. Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.


I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.



The following is the Wikipedia account of St Patrick, Click here for all the active links.

Saint Patrick (c. 390 - 460)[2] (Latin: Patricius,[3] Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Roman Britain-born Christian missionary and is the patron saint of Ireland, along with Brigid of Kildare and Columba. He was educated at a monastery and school of divinity founded by Illtud (now Llantwit Major).
When he was about 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken from his native Wales as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the Church, he later returned to Ireland as a missionary in the north and west of the island, but little is known about the places where he worked and no link can be made between Patrick and any church.
By the eighth century he had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish monastery system evolved after the time of Patrick and the Irish church did not develop the diocesan model that Patrick and the other early missionaries had tried to establish.
The available body of evidence does not allow the dates of Patrick's life to be fixed with certainty, but it appears that he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century. Two letters from him survive, along with later hagiographies from the seventh century onwards. Many of these works cannot be taken as authentic traditions. Uncritical acceptance of the Annals of Ulster would imply that he lived from 340 to 460, and ministered in what is modern day northern Ireland from 428 onwards.
Saint Patrick's Day (17 March) is celebrated both in and outside of Ireland, as both a liturgical and non-liturgical holiday. Outside of Ireland, it can be a celebration of Ireland itself. In the universal Roman Catholic Church it is an optional memorial, though in the dioceses of Ireland it is a both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation.

I was there to hear your borning cry

Tonight after the service Joan Benson asked for the music for this song. Here Joan... now you have a way to know how I add the extra melody parts for the song. This is one I can play at any given time to stretch and I love the melody that John Ylvisaker wrote.



Here sing along.

John Ylvisaker


"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.

I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell."

"When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.

If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun."
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,

I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise."

"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold."

Gracious... Still alive and now with Jesus

Tonight I ended up bouncing thru a few you tubes of my old Rock and Roll fav's Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, and Edgar Winter and was totally surprised to see Rick singing a new versus about Jesus in his Still Alive and Well

Thought I'd share it.... Rock on Jesus... should ACTS cover it?

New (Old) Rules from God... 2009

Ok there is a time for levity, Gospel, and laws.... here's something Paul Leithold shared with me that I thought everyone would enjoy. Consider it a small Bible Study.

Rules from God for 2009
1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made ; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul."Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything;
Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

So what's your passion?

Boy mine is laid out for everyone to see though for the longest time I was fine playing guitar in the basement or on my deck all by myself. I'm pretty sure God was a little patient with me as I honed my skills, but boy these last 5 years he's put me to test. Ok.. I get humble watching real good players, but I've been pushed to be Mr. Dave at Sunday School, and now I'm recognized at Festival.... Here's me with a fan...

Then there is this little thing that I started with Lori's ok... Bluff View House concerts. This week Norah Rendell and Brian Miller put on a wonderful show. Pastor Dan & Lynn and John and Nancy made it, just ask them about it. But oh meeting people is so much fun. A great group of Catholic and Free church members were there and it's so much fun not to talk about barriers of faith but to enjoy each other. Then there was the conversation after the concert about visiting Ireland where the F-word is a normal adjective, even with friendly grey hair ladies who want to share a glass a milk with a child. Sure bet that won't be a norm at Holmen any time soon. HA...

Centennial Plaque

Dick Mannstedt put his retirement and his new laser to a wonderful contribution. What a beautiful piece and it incorporates a cross layout of the last supper. It is loosely based on a design by Tom Zieg that Pastor Glenn would do with his woodworking.

Storytelling Room

There is a group of mothers who decided that the kids needed to be taught the lessons of the Bible without feeling that they were in little concrete prison cells strapped to tiny chairs. The transformation is ongoing, but here is one room that is where they have story telling. The setting is a desert tent.... sure feels that way. Job well done ladies.

The tent had served it's outside life, and the veils were a great touch. The desert scene was many hours of painting, and conversation. Plus it even comes with a donated palm tree oasis. Yes... put those things you want to get rid of to good use. HA!

Our Calling

Please listen to the melody of hymn 843 which this song is based. This song will be the song after our sermon March 21/22 weekend.









For by grace we have been saved
Not by works, no one will boast.
We are God’s fine workmanship
Baptized in the Holy Ghost
All the gifts we have been blessed with
Are to share with one and all.
Now we all should heed his will
Look inside us and see our call

As we walk our daily journey
We bring with us all our gifts
Every trait we were endowed with
From our laughter to our wit
All the things that bring us pleasure
Were put right there from the start.
Now we all must heed our calling
Learn to share right from our heart

Daily tools which make our living
Are the ones the Lord approves
From every hammer , every keyboard
Bring a passion with Christ’s love
All the things that serve the Lord
At your fingertips each day
Now we all must heed our calling
Praise the Lord, whom we adore.

David Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs