How Well Do You Receive?

Last Christmas I asked  a neighbor of mine to share the greatest Christmas present she had ever received. "A new kidney!"  She responded with deep joy and satisfaction  Linda had received a kidney from a relative that gave her the gift of life.

How well do you do in receiving?  How do you respond when someone gives you a gift, or give you a favor, or who offers to help you do something?

My hunch is that most of us to some degree are uncomfortable receiving- receiving a gift or assistance of any kind.  When we receive we are not in the position of power and grace to give a gift of anything, but we receive.

Take a moment to open your hands. Spread them wide open and extend your hands in front of you. How does it feel?  Are you ready to receive?

In getting ready for Christmas I encourage us to hold our hands and hearts wide open to God's gift of the Christ child- God's gift of love to us!

Get ready to receive!

Peace to you,
-Pastor Durk

If God is so good....

When sickness, suffering and death come our way, we might find ourselves asking the tough question, "If God is so good, then why does God allow such suffering?"  We struggle to make sense of evil and suffering as we hear the Bible proclaim God's love and grace for the world.

As I watched my mother struggle with cancer and lung and heart issues for over five years leading to her death last July I wondered and prayed...

When I heard that my brother-in-law took his life last November I wondered and prayed...

As I've conducted several funerals for members of my congregation this last year I  wondered and prayed...

When I hear and see Christians being killed for their faith in Christ in Pakistan, India, and Iran, I wonder and pray...

When I hear of another mass shooting in which innocent people are shot, I wonder and pray...

What are your moments and experiences when you've confronted God with your pain and tough questions on how God can be so good and loving and allow such evil and suffering to exist?

What can we hold on to in tough times? We can trust that God stepped into the suffering and pain of this world when Jesus died on the cross.  Not only to forgive our sins, but to give us and the world the promise of healing.

Peace,
-Pr. Durk Peterson

Are You Awed?

Recall the last time your jaw dropped? The last time you were surprised at what you experienced?  Or, the last time your breath was taken away.  The last time you were filled with awe.

I recently came across an article about cryonics.  Cryonics is the science of freezing a person’s body after death with the hope that one day the body will be thawed and cured of its disease or health issue. Once this happens the person will once again live.   The lengths scientists are going in their attempt to extend life beyond the grave is impressive and awe-inspiring.

On Easter the impossible took place. The deceased Jesus was raised from the dead.  As I read the resurrection story from Luke’s gospel, I found myself inspired by the women when they arrived at the empty tomb.  As the angel told them that Jesus wasn’t there, but had been raised from the dead, they were filled with shock and wonder. 

Did God really raise Jesus from the dead? Did it really happen?  Is it true? 

From faith and trust in God we as disciples of Christ believe it happened.  We trust in God’s promise of raising Jesus from the dead.  And, we hold on to God’s promise that one day in Christ we, too, will be raised.

My hope is that you will be filled with awe and wonder at the depth of God’s love for you.  After all, if God raised Jesus from the dead in the resurrection, then God certainly has the power to raise you and to give you eternal life in Christ.

Here's to life in Christ!
-Durk