How Valuable Is Human Life?

This morning I read Psalm 139, one of the most affirming and uplifting psalm of all.  The writer describes how our Lord “knit us together in our mother’s womb….we are fearfully and wonderfully made” by the Lord our God.

Does this apply to all people in the world?  The psalm sings out with a resounding “yes!”  Every human being on this earth is uniquely created by God. Through the miracle of conception between a man and women, human life comes into being. 

In our world where the media and so many people are quick to label people and place people into categories., living this psalm can be a challenge.

Does God favor one political party, agenda, and candidate over another?  No, God is active in the Holy Spirit through all political movements in some way.

Did God create a person who is a terrorist or criminal?  Yes, though we may despise their actions and their evil intents.  

Did God intend for people to be identified and treated differently because of skin color? Absolutely not.  This psalm affirms the beauty of God’s entire creation and calls us to work for racial justice.

My friends, you are unique, created by God, gifted, called and sent out with a purpose.

God bless you,

-Pastor Durk Peterson

What Moves You?

It is so hard for me to watch the coverage of the horrific flooding in Houston.  My heart goes out to everyone there who is hurting, fearful, and in need of all kinds of help.

In the opening of Mark’s gospel, we meet up with a man in need, a man who has leprosy. Jesus approaches the man who expresses his confidence in Jesus’ healing power.  When Jesus heals the man, he reaches out his hand touches him and says, “Be made clean!” and the man is healed.

“Moved with pity,” Jesus heals the man with leprosy. Jesus had compassion for the man.

If you break down the word compassion, we hear how deeply Jesus was moved. Com, meaning “with” and passion, meaning “suffering.” To have compassion is to “suffer with” someone.

Today I pray our Lord will move you to have compassion on someone in need-some who needs a listening ear, support, relief, or physical assistance in some way. 

I am making a $100 donation to Lutheran Disaster Relief today to aid in the hurting in Houston. I am moved by the love of Christ and the suffering of our friends there.

Blessings!

Can I Get A Witness?

Ever witnessed an accident and been interviewed by a police officer as to what happened?  Ever found yourself on a witness stand at a trial offering your testimony?

To describe something that happened means you are witnessing to the event(s).

In the Book of Acts the apostle Paul recounts how he was converted to Christianity while on the road to Damascus. As he retells the story while in Jerusalem, he mentions how a man named Ananias said this to him, “…for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:15)

When do you find yourself witnessing to all that you’ve seen and heard?   When and where do you take the time to tell someone your faith story or how God is active in your life?

I’ve always wondered how easy it is for us to tell others with great enthusiasm what we experience on vacation, or riding out a storm, or hearing the good news of some accomplishments a son and/or daughter have made.  Why is it so much harder to speak enthusiastically about of faith and the story of all that God has done for us? 

Let’s step forward and share our love of Christ with others.

-Pastor Durk

 

 

Pr. Durk Peterson

 

"What are you passing on?”

In my ministry I’ve said hello and farewell to several congregations.  Honestly, the hellos were quite easy, but farewells always emotional and challenging.  If there was one theme I always lifted in any transition, it is this, “You are in God’s hands. This is Christ’s church and the Holy Spirit will continue to work through you! I thank God for the privilege of serving here.” 

Well, in Acts 20 we hear Paul saying farewell to church leaders and other disciples in Ephesus. Paul recounts all the challenges and hardships of his ministry and, at the same time, expresses his humility in serving Christ. He then prepares the leaders for what is ahead. Beware aware of the troublemakers who will stir things up and cause problems. Keep the grace of Christ at the center of the church and trust that the Holy Spirit will be at work.

Paul passes on wise advice. What advice or insights are you passing on to others.  Whether you are saying hello, farewell, or right I the middle of things.  What’s your word?

I hope that grace will be at the very center of your life and faith. I pray you will always be graceful and a great giver of God’s grace to others.  After all, we “saved by faith through grace.”   Grace puts us in the great relationship with God in Christ. Now that’s something we can all pass on, isn’t it? \

 

 

God's Amazing Creation!

Yesterday as I watched the solar eclipse I was reminded again of God’s amazing creation.  Psalm 136 is a wonderful creation psalm that lifts up all that Lord has created.  The writer gives thanks to the Lord “who by understanding made the heavens, who spread out the earth on the waters, who made the great lights, the sun to rule over the day and the moon and stars to rule over the night.”

How often do you slow down and take a look at God’s creation and to be filled with amazement and awe?  When do you take the time to praise God for the beauty and mystery of God’s creation?

Reading a psalm or two each day gives us an incredible nudge to slow down and have our eyes wide open to the wonder and mystery and beauty of the heavens and the earth.  Take a look!  Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Does God Get Angry?

In Jeremiah chapter 3 the prophet expresses his disgust and anger with the Israelites. By worshipping idols the people turned away from the Lord.  Fortunately, right after God’s frustration is announced, the prophet says that the Lord is merciful and will not stay angry forever.  The people are confronted and called back to God.

Do you ever think that God gets angry with you?  Frustrated with you? Disappointed in you?  My guess is that you and I do have those times when we know we’ve turned away from God, fallen flat on our face in sin, and felt lost. 

Thankfully, in Jesus God has mercy on us, forgives us, and gives us grace.  As another psalm says, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Take this message with you today and know you are loved in Christ. And, share this with others.

 

What’s in a Name?

My full legal name is Durward Kent Peterson, though I go by “Durk” as a nickname. Oftentimes I am asked where I got my name. My parents named me after my maternal grandfather Louis Durward Crabb. What a name, eh?  Durward comes from Old English meaning “keeper of the door.” 

Where did you get your name? What does your name mean or whose memory is kept alive with your name? 

The name of God carries tremendous power and meaning.  Throughout the Old Testament Book of Psalms we hear the call to “praise the name of the Lord!”  Psalm 135 proclaims that the name of the Lord endures forever and throughout all the ages.

The name of Jesus literally means “God Saves!”    When we call out to Jesus or God we honor and respect God’s name and can experience the power and grace in God’s name.

Of course, God’s name gets thrown around in profanity and other disrespectful ways.  The second commandment warns us to not “take the name of the Lord in vain.” Martin Luther in the Small Catechism says that we are to call on God in “prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.”

Today we can turn to the Lord whose name can and will fill us with the joy of his love and grace for us.

Turning the World Upside Down!

Turning the World Upside Down…

Ever had those days when everything is upended and falls apart?  These are the times you scramble just to make it through.

One day Jason and other believers had their lives upended when they were dragged before the city authorities in Thessalonica and accused of “turning the world upside down.”  (Acts 17)

 In the Book of Acts as the good news is shared opposition rises again Paul, Peter, and other missionaries.  The gospel starts to “turn the world upside down.”

Have you experienced your world changed because of following Christ?  If not, get ready, because the Holy Spirit is always on the move and God is always preparing us for the unexpected!

 

Removing all our Mistakes!
 

This morning I read Psalm 130 for my devotional time.  A phrase that grabbed me is this- “For if you, Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord ,who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.”

Do you find yourself racked with guilt at times or overwhelmed with your mistakes?  It is so easy for the guilt to pile up and to burden our souls.  The Psalm writer points out that no one would be able to hold up if the Lord held all our mistakes over our head.

The great news is that our Lord forgives us in Jesus. Out of his infinite love God says we are forgiven! This act from God is like being released from all our sin and mistakes. 

In Christ, you are freed! In Christ you are loved and forgiven- always!

Peace,
-Pastor Durk