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Written by Daniel Thompson-Aue
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Monday, 14 September 2009 11:47 |
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I mentioned in my sermon a couple of weeks ago the idea that God is very talkative. I think the reason I don't always hear what God is saying is because I don't listen as well as I can. When it comes to hearing God's message, the best way to catch on is to read the Book in which God speaks to us clearly: the Bible.
It's interesting, on the subject of listening, that the Bible also makes it clear that God is a terrific listener. For example:
"God heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (Exodus 2:24)
"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites." (Exodus 16:12a)
"God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." (Psalm 66:19)
"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24)
Jesus taught that I can make it my life goal to become more like God. The apostle James believed this, too, I think, when he said "You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak." (James 1:19a)
If nothing else, every time I look in the mirror I am reminded that I'm built to listen twice as much as to talk -- since I have two ears and only one mouth.
Today, let us ask God for help to be better listeners . . . to Jesus in the Word, to one another in whom Christ dwells, to the still small voice of the Spirit, and to the world around us, where God is broadcasting his glory 24/7.
With you in worship
Pastor Dan
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Written by Daniel Thompson-Aue
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Thursday, 18 June 2009 10:51 |
Well, here we are in our long awaited summer. As I write this the rains are still coming. As you read this I hope there is some sunshine on your shoulder, your tomatoes are flourishing and comfort involves staying cool instead of staying warm.
I do want to thank you for reading this article, and this newsletter. For many reading a whole issue is an easy, normal task. For many others these days, reading more than a sentence or two satisfies.
Of course I’m talking about the new practice of “tweeting”. You’ll find this function at the top of “Facebook”, and you may or may not know what it is depending on your age. I would suggest “Googling” tweeting to learn more, but I know I might need to explain that, too. So, maybe just ask a teenager in your life.
If you are still with me, please notice the fact that I am writing in short paragraphs is a nod to changing attention spans.
If I were to “tweet” my Pastor’s Pen article, it would be a “twitter” because I’ve sent it to many people at once. Your cellphone would beep or buzz to alert you that you have a text message. You would be able to tell it is from me and it might tell you, with almost no lag time between my sending and you getting the message:
“I’m at my keyboard writing to my congregation. It’s a Tweet Hour of Prayer :) except shorter. Please come in from the rain and be in church as often as you can.”
In lieu of this, please do know that I continue to have regular office hours in the summer, Monday-Thursday starting at 9:00 in the morning. I would welcome an actual face to face visit any time. I will appear to be busy, which I will be, but if you come in you are more important so give me a sec to put down the phone or the writing. If you call ahead of time I’ll even plan my day around chatting, about any thing on your mind. I’ve also been know to walk away from my desk to Starbucks or such, especially if I have company.
That was a long paragraph, sorry about that.
I also think phones still work for having conversations. I don’t text or tweet on mine but I do use it for talking. So if you call 569-0282 the phone in my pocket will ring and I’ll answer or get a message and call you back.
By the way, good news for me: I’m reappointed by the Bishop to serve you as your pastor for another year. Thanks be to God! That also means “I’m here.”
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Written by Pastor Dan
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 01:44 |
I'll have a blue Christmas without you;
I'll be so blue thinking about you.
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if you're not here with me. I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain;
And when that blue heartache starts hurting,
You'll be doing all right with your Christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.
-- B. Hayes, J. Johnson (c) 1948
Christmas season's colors are beautiful. I'm already spotting rich ever-greens, santa-suit
reds, crystal-star silvers, and magi-treasure golds. As Advent begins I'll wrap my King-Jesus purple
stole over my shoulders for worship, and hang the rainbow Christmas lights on the eaves of the
parsonage. On a sparkling night, preferably after a good, holy-white snowfall, Thompson-Aues will
pile in the van and make the rounds of Christmas lights around Idaho Falls. The theme will be
happiness and joy, hope for peace, and celebration of God's love come to us through Jesus, our
Savior.
But there is another Christmas color that is just as important as all the happy ones. That
color is bummed-out blue.
Christmas is when the whole heavenly host of my deep feelings want a chance to sing; all
the colors of blue in my heart. With so much emphasis on family togetherness, it can ache if family
is far away, or loved ones are gone from Christmas forever. Christmas can be a time when feelings
of sadness are more acute, maybe because of the contrasting clamor of all the colors of joy we are
supposed to feel.
Christmas can feel deep-dark blue depressing.
Consider, then, coming to a special worship event at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21st,
called "A Blue Christmas". We won't wallow, but we will be honest before God. We can, without
guilt, express our sadness and loss, which we may feel most strongly in this season of joy. We'll
come into the gentle presence of God and our loving Christ who knows ALL our feelings -- who
feels our sadness, as well as our joy.
Maybe you, like me, would appreciate a chance to paint those holiday blues on a safe
canvas. That done, maybe there will be more room in the mangers of our hearts for the joy part.
And, certainly, if you'd like to just talk about how you are feeling this Christmas, my stable door is
open to you. God bless you,
Pastor Dan
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 February 2009 16:44 )
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