Transitions

At Discover Church in Brooklyn Park where I am now serving a new job transitions group has been started by Pastor Darrin Vick. While attending this group for pastoral care support and prayer I have been amazed at the outpouring of love, support, and expertise offered by members to each other. Discover member, Joe Axe, is facilitating this group, doing an excellent job of organizing topics of of interest and help to the group each week.

During this tough economic time people are really scrambling and pressured to get a new job for the sake of income and supporting families. At the same time those big questions come along such as "What gives my life meaning?" and "What is God calling me to do with the rest of my life?"

As strange as it may sound these tough economic times may be a great time for the church and its mission as well. What is my role in the church and its mission really all about? What really counts? What does it mean to be loving and generous in hard times?

I do not have answers to all these questions, but know and trust that our Lord is at work through us in the power of the Holy Spirit and the community of faith, the church.

If you are in a transition may God open your heart to be ministered to by others. If others around you are in transition, please reach out to listen and help as you are able.

By the way, this transitions group a t Discover Church meets every Tuesday morning from 8-9:00 a.m. Check out this church at www.discoverchurchnetwork.org.

Peace,
Pastor Durk

Invitation to Sermon Chat

Hello everyone! I have set up a sermon discussion group on Facebook. It is titled "Sermon Chat with Pastor Durk." This is an experiment in which you are invited to share a comment, question, story, or illustration on any of the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. This is based on the RCL or Revised Common Lectionary. Please check this group out is you have a chance. Peace,
Pr. Durk

Ah, Fresh Forgiveness!

Yesterday I drove our daughter and her friends down to Afton for a day of snowboarding. As I drove I was overwhelmed with the beautiful snow-blanketed fields and the evergreen trees decorated in snow. The landscape simply glistened in the bright sunlight of a cold winter day.

The words of the psalmist came to mind, fresh in my heart from Ash Wednesday. "...wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Out of the waters of baptism we receive the gift of forgiveness. This gift cleanses us and covers us in the fresh coating of God's grace.

How is your life in need of a fresh covering? What are the sins and failings you see in your life that cry out for healing and forgiveness?

May our Lord cover you with a fresh blanket of forgiveness in Christ now and always.
Peace,
Pastor Durk