The More Things Change... They Change!

"Which will you choose?"

The More Things Change... 
They Change!

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. [Malachi 3:6-7 NIV]

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [James 1:17 NIV]

I know. I know. Again, with the tired old cliches! "Wait just a minute. You have it mixed up." You want to tell me that it is supposed to be "The more things change, the more they stay the same." OR "The more things stay the same, the more they change." While I have been contemplating this blog post for several days, it is not likely to carry the same words it might have when I first conceived the idea. Just today, in perusing clip art (yes that is still a thing) and images I ran across proof that I am not the only one championing the idea that "the more things change... they change"!

The Scripture verses at the beginning of this post indicate that there is only one Being who does not change. Truthfully, we must acknowledge that even the universe which we believe God created constantly changes. This planet that we call home is constantly changing. Our failure to recognize or embrace change becomes one more attempt to put ourselves in the place of God.

Earlier today, I remembered a woman who lived well in to her 90s and experienced more change than any of us can probably fathom. Born at the height of the First World War - the "Great War" as it was considered by many, she lived through the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Korean Conflict (War), the assassination of a president, the Viet Nam Crisis (War), economic downturns and booms, the first Gulf War, the 9/11 attacks, ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and so much more. She lived through the introduction of rural electricity, television, the transition from farming with horses to tractors, rabbit ears and antennas on a pole to cable TV, cooking with electric instead of a wood-fired stove, and eventually enjoyed a transition to indoor plumbing. A lot of change because as they are bound to do, things change!

It should be no surprise to those who knew her best that when, in the early 1980s, it was decided that her small Lutheran church would introduce a new hymnal for use in worship services and other events, this woman - my mother - embraced the change. She loved the "new" music, the more lively settings for worship and the opportunity to move beyond the staid and stoic 1941 hymnal. Never once do I recall her mentioning that she wanted to go back to the "old" hymnal. In fact, she was proud of the fact that her small dying church embraced the 2005 hymnal published for use in the congregations, universities, colleges and seminaries of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Elfrieda Turnmire recognized that change was a part of life and an opportunity to grow and expand one's horizons and not become stagnant as one who turns inward and opposes change for the sake of opposing change.

Lest we forget, Jesus the Christ was an agent of change in the world of his day and remains so today. Think about it. Jesus came to save the lost and rejected of the world. He was chastised for socializing and eating with sinners. We might also say that Jesus was the first preacher who on multiple occasions preached to thousands at one time. Today, we may be inclined to say that those who attend "mega churches" are going for the entertainment value. Perhaps some do go to "get lost in the crowd", remain anonymous and make no commitment. The same could be said of some who came to hear Jesus preach. In fact, when the going got rough and Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem, there were many who abandoned him and went home. Jesus' message was becoming too real!

What exactly about Jesus' ministry makes me consider him an agent of change? Remember some of the specific events of His ministry. Beginning with his baptism in the river, it became more and more obvious to his followers and the throngs that he was not like anyone else. Among his followers were women with whom he had close friendships, he dared to speak to Gentiles, the diseased, the lame, and he embraced children and set them forth as an example of the kind of faith one needs to enter the Kingdom of heaven. His preaching was simple, in words the common people could understand and relate to, and his very presence made the religious leaders of the day uncomfortable and afraid. 

While we are reminded of the God does not change, even God changed the method and the means by which He sought to save humanity. With all of its failed attempts at keeping the law, the untold numbers of animals sacrificed in accordance with the law and in vain efforts to appease the wrath of the Creator, without the grace and favor of God, these measures amount to nothing. What does God do? He provides a Savior in the person of His One and Only Son. Jesus embraced his divine mission and he came to earth as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. He fulfilled the law and opened the way to salvation by grace through faith for Christ's sake. What should have been a change embraced by the world, instead the religious leaders and zealots were threatened. Eventually, the Romans would be threatened and did everything in their power to extinguish the fire of those who became followers of the Way.

One of the common themes put forth by those who resist change may just end up being the seven last words of many church groups here on earth, "We've never done it that way before!" The mantra may also go something like this: "If it was good enough for us, it should be good enough for the younger generation as well." So is that really true? I challenge those who may have those thoughts to consider the impact of their belief. Pick a date. 1941? 1958? 1978? 1983? If you really want to return to the "good old days", does that mean you are ready to heat your home with wood or coal? Are you ready to give up your iPhone, Android, iPad, tablet or laptop computer? Those things did not exist in those years. Car phones existed but were not common and if there were mobile phones they might have been as bulky as a lunchbox (another nearly obsolete but historical part of our past). Forget those high-definition televisions, DVD and blu-ray players, Roku, Apple TV and the like.

Change happens. Sometimes it is downright shocking! Imagine my recent surprise to learn that the pastor who counseled me, drank coffee with me and helped begin the healing process 19 years ago when I first began a journey that led me to where I am today, is no longer a Lutheran pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is now The Very Reverend [Unnamed], Dean of an Episcopal cathedral. The journey God sets out for us may lead in unexpected directions. 

The wife of the pastor who shepherded me when I joined another church after high school (more than 40 years ago) has been on a spiritual journey filled with change herself. As I am prone to do, I look for ways to reconnect with people from my past who have made an impact on my life. When a need arose to aid in the continued growth of a mission congregation, she took steps to become a certified Associate in Ministry. Later on, taking it a step further, she became an ordained pastor within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Imagine my further surprise and astonishment to learn that the church I attended when my life transition was in its infancy, an historical landmark in Fargo, North Dakota, has been transformed into a beautiful events center because the owner and developer wanted to preserve the heritage and not see the structure demolished. I had known that the congregation had moved out and sold the church building, which has become a common refrain of the 21st century, because the dwindling congregation could not afford the maintenance and upkeep of the facility. God does not change but the survival and relevance of the church on earth may depend on it.

As I have sojourned, some would say in the wilderness, over the past nearly 20 years, I could never, at the outset, have imagined the path I would be led to follow or the people that I would encounter throughout those years. Since I do not believe in coincidences, we all have opportunities to make a difference, to be change agents in the lives of others. When the churches are empty, the doors are closed and no one is left, will the last survivor say "We should have changed!"?

"Ponder anew what the Almighty can do!"

Jumping In The Deep End

JUMPING IN THE DEEP END

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Having contemplated the writing of this blog post for several days, it now seems strange to me that I chose the title "Jumping In the Deep End" which could also be titled "Jumping In With Both Feet". Bill was the swimmer. I, who never took swimming lessons as a child, was terrified when I had to take a swimming class to meet one of the physical education requirements to obtain my Bachelor's degree at the institution then known as Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bill competed for swim teams at swim meets. For me, to pass that swimming class in college, I had to swim across the pool and jump in the deep end. I survived by the grace of God and actually managed a "B" in swimming of all things!

Perhaps it is indeed appropriate that I write a blog borrowing from Bill's experience as an accomplished swimmer since he was, for the better part of the past two decades, my biggest advocate. He encouraged me to pursue my true calling and return to the ministry. Even though I have clung to my lifetime Scripture verse spoken at the rite of my Confirmation of faith, there always seemed to be a small obstacle that I viewed as a mountain in the way. You see, Bill knew that I would never be truly happy or content unless I returned to ministry.

What many do not know, especially in my family and among friends and acquaintances from high school and beyond, is that I viewed every minute of my time with Bill and in many other situations over the past nearly twenty years to be opportunities to answer the call to ministry. While from the outside it may seem if I have been wandering in the wilderness, I was engaged in spiritual warfare, healing ministry, emotional and spiritual counseling often to the neglect of my own physical, mental and emotional needs. The time of sojourning in the wilderness is coming to an end.

Early in June of this summer, I started a position as a contractor working with the IT Service Desk of the American Red Cross here in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Midway through the second week of training, I became seriously ill and would not return to work until after a visit to urgent care on a Sunday and the emergency room on Monday. Missing 4 days of work in the first two and a half weeks is not an ideal way to start a new job. The next week, I was taken to the emergency room from work with a blood pressure of 210/100 and spent that night and the next day as a patient. Blood tests, urinalysis, x-rays, a CT scan, a stress test and a colonoscopy later revealed no real causes for the symptoms and recurring issues. On my birthday, July 27, management decided that I could switch to the schedule I had asked for - working an overnight shift - which would allow me time off during the week to schedule and keep medical appointments if needed. After continuing to be sick every other day or not even skipping a day in between, I implored my primary care physician to allow me stop taking one of my medications since I did not feel it had ever worked for me as was expected. He gave in and I have not been sick since. In fact, I feel better now than I have in several years! Thanks be to God!

Improved health and a clarity of thought and mind have allowed me to focus on spiritual things. Some of you will think this is odd but I have planned my memorial service including readings, hymns, a theme and a service for the committal as well. I have also compiled two CDs of my favorite music which are titled "In Memoriam - When You Hear This Think of Me" and "Saved By Grace". Paying attention to God speaking to me through His Word and in the words of hymns and spiritual songs, the message is clear. I remember singing the words of a hymn I looked forward to singing in that Midwestern congregation of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, "Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling".

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling, "Who will go and work today?

Fields are white and harvests waiting, Who will bear the sheaves away?"

Loud and long the master calls you; Rich reward he offers free.

Who will answer, gladly saying, "Here am I. Send me, send me"?

Let none hear you idly saying, "There is nothing I can do,"

While the multitudes are dying And the master calls for you.

Take the task he gives you gladly; Let his work your pleasure be.

Answer quickly when he calls you, "Here am I. Send me, send me!"

"In the year that King Uzziah died [Isaiah] heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And [Isaiah] said, 'Here am I. Send me!'” [Isaiah 6:8 NIV]

The time is right! The time is now! No, not mere cliches which I am finding with every year hold a lot more meaning than many people accredit to such pithy sayings thrown around without thought or concern. January 31, 2019 will mark 20 years since I stepped down from the pulpit at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood, North Dakota. It seems like a good time to share that I have begun the process of making formal application to return to ministry within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I pray for God's blessing as I continue in the journey that He set out for me and before me. You might say "I am jumping in the deep end with both feet"!

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip [us] with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." [Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV]