For those of you who were in worship on Sunday, you were treated during the children's sermon to Isaac politely raising his hand and waiting to be called on, and upon being called on, floored me with the question, "Dad, why are you the pastor?"
Now, this isn't the first time I've heard this question, and, obviously, my previous answers have not satisfied him, most likely because they've been generic answers to simply satisfy him for the moment. Shame on me for insulting his intelligence.
It just so happened that when I came home for lunch yesterday, Amy was listening to a radio program in which the great author Max Lucado was being interviewed. I'm now one to shy away from anything that ol' Max says, so I tuned in to hear what he had to tell me.
Max responded to a question by bringing up a question that I've often asked myself as well, but, like Isaac, have probably given myself generic answers so I could simply move on. The question was, "Why did God put me here, in this exact place and time in history?" I'm sure that my previous answers have had some aspect of randomness in them, but for some reason, hearing the question yesterday really made me stop and think. Having had Isaac's question posed to me the day before certainly seemed too much like coincidence.
Undoubtedly, we're here in this place at this time in history simply because it's God's will that we should be here. Because God's got work for us to do, right here, right now. God ordained me with pastoral gifts and Calvary Lutheran Church in New Windsor felt called to bring a person in with those specific gifts for the furthering of the ministry here. It's certainly a Spirit-led connection.
But it's no different for those who have lived here for ten years, for twenty years, for fifty years or longer. It's not just by some random act of God waving His diving hand and placing you here right now. It was an intentional move by God because God needs all of us here right now. What we fail to do to carry out the ministry of the church is simply because we choose not to carry it out. 99.99% of all of the people who have ever lived at any time and at any point other than the time we live right now would love to have the conveniences and resources that we have to carry out the work of the church today. At this moment, I'm writing a blog, and when I'm done, I'll only have to hit the send button, and BAM....there it is, for many to see. One hundred years ago, this would have taken time to write this very same message, make copies, and find a way to physically deliver it to the masses.
I guess what I learned from Max was this....don't hold yourself back from living your life as a Christian. There's so many out there who long to hear this message and it's never been easier to share it. The only thing holding us back is our desire.
This brings me full circle (bet you thought I'd never get there!!). When Isaac asks me again (and he will ask me again), "why are you the pastor?" there will be no more generic answers. I am the pastor because the Holy Spirit has equipped me with certain gifts to carry out these responsibilities in this time and place. And the reason that the Spirit has endowed me with them is because so many others are seeking to be equipped and to have their gifts nurtured as well.
So, heads up, everybody. If you've got gifts to share, I'm coming after you. Because that's why I'm the pastor here.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Thank You
Father, son, brother, husband, friend, neighbor, soldier...the more names you attach to a person, the wider the web becomes of who is connected to this person.
Today the family of Cpl. BJ Luxmore laid him to rest, and judging from the number of people who turned out to remember BJ and support his family at this time of incredible mourning, it's quite obvious that his web encompassed many. I never had a chance to meet BJ, but I do have the privilege of knowing his grandparents and several other members of his extended family, and from knowing them, it's easy to see how this young man grew up to become the man he did.
One of the things I often stress in my confirmation class is how we are so privileged to worship freely and without threat in our country, a freedom that's been made possible by so many brave people like BJ who have given their lives so we can enjoy those freedoms. I don't think think the appreciation always comes across to the kids like I intend it to, but, now, with this incredible tragedy so close to home, I think I've come to the realization that I probably don't appreciate my freedom to worship, among so many other freedoms, nearly as much as I should either.
BJ, thank you for reminding me of these freedoms I do have. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for me so I can sleep tonight without the threat of somebody coming into my home and imprisoning me or sentencing me to death, simply because I worship freely. I may not have been a person who was connected to you in this lifetime, but I pray that I do have that privilege when I am called to the heavenly home in which you now rest.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Pastor Mark
Today the family of Cpl. BJ Luxmore laid him to rest, and judging from the number of people who turned out to remember BJ and support his family at this time of incredible mourning, it's quite obvious that his web encompassed many. I never had a chance to meet BJ, but I do have the privilege of knowing his grandparents and several other members of his extended family, and from knowing them, it's easy to see how this young man grew up to become the man he did.
One of the things I often stress in my confirmation class is how we are so privileged to worship freely and without threat in our country, a freedom that's been made possible by so many brave people like BJ who have given their lives so we can enjoy those freedoms. I don't think think the appreciation always comes across to the kids like I intend it to, but, now, with this incredible tragedy so close to home, I think I've come to the realization that I probably don't appreciate my freedom to worship, among so many other freedoms, nearly as much as I should either.
BJ, thank you for reminding me of these freedoms I do have. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for me so I can sleep tonight without the threat of somebody coming into my home and imprisoning me or sentencing me to death, simply because I worship freely. I may not have been a person who was connected to you in this lifetime, but I pray that I do have that privilege when I am called to the heavenly home in which you now rest.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Poor Me
Back in 1978, the famed Eagles lead guitarist and solo artist, Joe Walsh, released what is most likely his best known song, titled, "Life's Been Good," which is actually a sarcastic response to the excesses of rock stardom. There's a catchy line in this song, where Mr. Walsh crows, "I can't complain....but sometimes I still do....life's been good to me so far."
These words ring so true with me as well, though I haven't achieved rock star status (not yet, at least.). Now, last week was one of "those" weeks in which I've found a lot to complain about, though I really shouldn't. On Monday evening, a kindly Mercer County officer pulled me over and informed me of a violation that I had committed, though, in my defense, I wasn't aware of it until I was pulled over. On Friday, both our washer and dryer went to laundry heaven. You may find it hard to believe that they would both die on the same day, but that's pretty much a norm in my world. On Saturday, a half and hour before we were supposed to gather our youth together for bowling at Alpha Lanes, the bowling alley called us to inform us that the computerized scoring was down and that if we wanted to keep our reservation that we would have to either score by hand or simply play for fun. And finally, on Sunday, the service engine light came on in our van.
Yep, it had been one of those weeks. On top of everything, this week happens to be Holy Week, not the most accommodating week for flexibility in the church. So I've spent a lot of time on the pitty potty this week. But now, as I sit down to write this, I ask, "why?" I got pulled over; I didn't have an accident. The washer and dryer are replaceable and will be replaced tomorrow evening. The bowling event was a blast; who needs to keep bowling scores when you've got highlighters and a black light? The van is still running; it's a bit sluggish, but it's getting us from point A to point B until we can get it in to get serviced.
And so as I've stewed and felt sorry for myself over the past several days because of all of the inconvenient accommodations that I've had to make this past week and thinking that the world's against me, I can't help but remember that 2000 years ago that a Father made a rather inconvenient accommodation to reconcile a sinful, suffering world back to himself by giving his only beloved son unto death so that all of us can have eternal life. My stuff's pretty small potatoes.
I can't complain....but sometimes I still do....life's been good to me so far.
Pastor Mark
These words ring so true with me as well, though I haven't achieved rock star status (not yet, at least.). Now, last week was one of "those" weeks in which I've found a lot to complain about, though I really shouldn't. On Monday evening, a kindly Mercer County officer pulled me over and informed me of a violation that I had committed, though, in my defense, I wasn't aware of it until I was pulled over. On Friday, both our washer and dryer went to laundry heaven. You may find it hard to believe that they would both die on the same day, but that's pretty much a norm in my world. On Saturday, a half and hour before we were supposed to gather our youth together for bowling at Alpha Lanes, the bowling alley called us to inform us that the computerized scoring was down and that if we wanted to keep our reservation that we would have to either score by hand or simply play for fun. And finally, on Sunday, the service engine light came on in our van.
Yep, it had been one of those weeks. On top of everything, this week happens to be Holy Week, not the most accommodating week for flexibility in the church. So I've spent a lot of time on the pitty potty this week. But now, as I sit down to write this, I ask, "why?" I got pulled over; I didn't have an accident. The washer and dryer are replaceable and will be replaced tomorrow evening. The bowling event was a blast; who needs to keep bowling scores when you've got highlighters and a black light? The van is still running; it's a bit sluggish, but it's getting us from point A to point B until we can get it in to get serviced.
And so as I've stewed and felt sorry for myself over the past several days because of all of the inconvenient accommodations that I've had to make this past week and thinking that the world's against me, I can't help but remember that 2000 years ago that a Father made a rather inconvenient accommodation to reconcile a sinful, suffering world back to himself by giving his only beloved son unto death so that all of us can have eternal life. My stuff's pretty small potatoes.
I can't complain....but sometimes I still do....life's been good to me so far.
Pastor Mark
Monday, March 26, 2012
A Knock Upside the Head
Over the past several days with Amy and the kids out of town, I did some things that I don't normally do -- I did bachelor things. I cooked for one. I let the dishes and laundry stack up longer than I'm accustomed to. I ate in front of the television. Rebellion ran rampant in the parsonage for four days.
On Saturday I made up my lunch and plopped down in front of the the TV and tuned into a baseball game for the first time this spring (with the Badgers out of the NCAA tourney at that point, college basketball had become meaningless to me). The Cubs were hosting the Padres, and while I only watched the first two innings, I happened to catch the best part of the entire broadcast, and none of it happened on the field.
During the game, the announcers were interviewing Cub pitcher Ryan Dempster in the dugout. Ryan has been tabbed as the opening day starting pitcher for the Cubs this year, but he wasn't playing in this particular game. It also happened to be that Ryan's son was present with him that day, I would guess that the boy's probably about four years old, and in the middle of the interview, he starts pawing at his dad and trying to get his attention to ask him a question. The coolest thing was, was that Ryan asked the announcers to hold on for a moment so that dad could respond to his son.
In this age of prima donna ballplayers, that was one of the neatest things I have ever seen a ballplayer do. As a fan, I've been frustrated in the past when one of my kids tried to get my attention while I was watching a ballgame, yet, here the irony was that the ballplayer at the game put everything else on hold so that he could respond to his kid.
Events like these really put me in my place and remind me of who and what are the important things in life.
I sure am lucky that God gives me these reminders on a regular basis, because I couldn't make it as a bachelor anyway.
Pastor Mark
On Saturday I made up my lunch and plopped down in front of the the TV and tuned into a baseball game for the first time this spring (with the Badgers out of the NCAA tourney at that point, college basketball had become meaningless to me). The Cubs were hosting the Padres, and while I only watched the first two innings, I happened to catch the best part of the entire broadcast, and none of it happened on the field.
During the game, the announcers were interviewing Cub pitcher Ryan Dempster in the dugout. Ryan has been tabbed as the opening day starting pitcher for the Cubs this year, but he wasn't playing in this particular game. It also happened to be that Ryan's son was present with him that day, I would guess that the boy's probably about four years old, and in the middle of the interview, he starts pawing at his dad and trying to get his attention to ask him a question. The coolest thing was, was that Ryan asked the announcers to hold on for a moment so that dad could respond to his son.
In this age of prima donna ballplayers, that was one of the neatest things I have ever seen a ballplayer do. As a fan, I've been frustrated in the past when one of my kids tried to get my attention while I was watching a ballgame, yet, here the irony was that the ballplayer at the game put everything else on hold so that he could respond to his kid.
Events like these really put me in my place and remind me of who and what are the important things in life.
I sure am lucky that God gives me these reminders on a regular basis, because I couldn't make it as a bachelor anyway.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Big Thanks for Little Moments
I think one of the greatest things that I have learned as a parent of a child with autism is how to truly celebrate the moment. So often I get caught up in trying to make sure the entire "production" runs smoothly and is enjoyed by all, whether it be worship, family vacation, birthday party, making dinner; whatever it may be that I am planning, I am just as guilty of the next guy of not enjoying the moment for fear of disrupting the wider spectrum.
But with Isaac, no matter how smooth everything is going, the slightest incident (slightest, in our eyes at least) can be absolutely catastrophic for him. As a parent, you're torn: part of you says it's only spilled milk, while the other side of you says that those giant teardrops are legitimate and that he is really suffering. A "perfect" party is then spoiled by one little incident.
So as a parent, I've simply learned to enjoy the moment with him as he's enjoying it. In fact, I've found it to be quite liberating to simply let go of the reigns and celebrate being in the moment with him. I can't make him understand me, but I surely can go out of my way to at least try to understand him, and in doing so, experience all the joys (and there truly are many of them) of being blessed to be the parent of a child with special needs.
As we read the Philippians "Christ Hymn" text last Thursday evening in Adult Confirmation class, it dawned on me that maybe this is how God "enjoys" us as well. We know that God emptied himself of His divine nature and came to us as one of us in Jesus Christ, and despite the fact that we couldn't understand him and despite the fact that we've turned this perfect creation into something less desirable than what it was created for, God still wants to be there in those moments with us as any loving parent would. I have no doubt that God celebrates when we celebrate and that God reaches out to us when we're making a mountain out of a molehill.
There will be a time when Isaac and I will have a complete understanding of one another, but, for now, I'll just keep doing the best that I can. Maybe he'll cry during the birthday party, but you know what, he really had fun on the monkey bars. Maybe he didn't eat a very good supper, but he offered up grace and thanks for that meal beforehand. I truly do thank God for those moments and I thank God for making me aware of them. So, I guess my departing words are simple: live in the moment, and know that God is living in that moment with you.
Pastor Mark
But with Isaac, no matter how smooth everything is going, the slightest incident (slightest, in our eyes at least) can be absolutely catastrophic for him. As a parent, you're torn: part of you says it's only spilled milk, while the other side of you says that those giant teardrops are legitimate and that he is really suffering. A "perfect" party is then spoiled by one little incident.
So as a parent, I've simply learned to enjoy the moment with him as he's enjoying it. In fact, I've found it to be quite liberating to simply let go of the reigns and celebrate being in the moment with him. I can't make him understand me, but I surely can go out of my way to at least try to understand him, and in doing so, experience all the joys (and there truly are many of them) of being blessed to be the parent of a child with special needs.
As we read the Philippians "Christ Hymn" text last Thursday evening in Adult Confirmation class, it dawned on me that maybe this is how God "enjoys" us as well. We know that God emptied himself of His divine nature and came to us as one of us in Jesus Christ, and despite the fact that we couldn't understand him and despite the fact that we've turned this perfect creation into something less desirable than what it was created for, God still wants to be there in those moments with us as any loving parent would. I have no doubt that God celebrates when we celebrate and that God reaches out to us when we're making a mountain out of a molehill.
There will be a time when Isaac and I will have a complete understanding of one another, but, for now, I'll just keep doing the best that I can. Maybe he'll cry during the birthday party, but you know what, he really had fun on the monkey bars. Maybe he didn't eat a very good supper, but he offered up grace and thanks for that meal beforehand. I truly do thank God for those moments and I thank God for making me aware of them. So, I guess my departing words are simple: live in the moment, and know that God is living in that moment with you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Witness!!
During the 2012 Rural Ministry Conference from which I just returned, the statement was made by our main presenter that "We are all witnesses, whether we want to be or not. The question is, then, are we good witnesses or bad witnesses?"
What a wonderful nugget to chew on during my drive home into a stiff southern wind (not good for fuel efficiency as gas prices climb toward $4 gallon), and it really brought to light to me how we are all witnesses in every endeavor in life that we take. In how we answer the phone, speak to our children, offer assistance at the grocery store -- I could go on for a really long time, but the point is that throughout the day, on any given day, we have the opportunity to either reflect the power of Christ working through us or to use the opportunity to simply serve ourselves. It's one or the other; there's no middle ground.
You've been a witness today and you've been witnessed to today -- what has that meant for you?
Pastor Mark
What a wonderful nugget to chew on during my drive home into a stiff southern wind (not good for fuel efficiency as gas prices climb toward $4 gallon), and it really brought to light to me how we are all witnesses in every endeavor in life that we take. In how we answer the phone, speak to our children, offer assistance at the grocery store -- I could go on for a really long time, but the point is that throughout the day, on any given day, we have the opportunity to either reflect the power of Christ working through us or to use the opportunity to simply serve ourselves. It's one or the other; there's no middle ground.
You've been a witness today and you've been witnessed to today -- what has that meant for you?
Pastor Mark
Saturday, March 3, 2012
There's Hope for Me!?
March 3rd, 1887 -- American Tutor Anne Sullivan begins teaching six-year-old Helen Keller, who had lost her sight and hearing after a severe illness at the age of 19 months. Most of us know how this incredible story turns out, that Helen Keller became an author, political activist and lecturer. She undoubtedly influenced and inspired millions during her walk in this world.
March 3rd, 2012 -- Mark Laatsch begins blogging and creates a Facebook account! German stubbornness could make this even more of a challenge than Ms. Sullivan took on 125 years ago. As I cautiously approach this uncharted territory, I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant me a few grains of her wisdom, a generous portion of her patience, and will instill in me the words to further the mission of Jesus Christ into our world.
Because isn't this what ministry is really about? Jesus constantly challenges us to step into unknown places, to speak, to listen, to teach, to learn. I'll undoubtedly look back on this moment a few weeks from now and chuckle at myself for waiting so long, but at the same time, I'll be presented with more doors to open. And yes, even for Mr. Technology 'Fraidy Cat, that is exciting!
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
March 3rd, 2012 -- Mark Laatsch begins blogging and creates a Facebook account! German stubbornness could make this even more of a challenge than Ms. Sullivan took on 125 years ago. As I cautiously approach this uncharted territory, I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant me a few grains of her wisdom, a generous portion of her patience, and will instill in me the words to further the mission of Jesus Christ into our world.
Because isn't this what ministry is really about? Jesus constantly challenges us to step into unknown places, to speak, to listen, to teach, to learn. I'll undoubtedly look back on this moment a few weeks from now and chuckle at myself for waiting so long, but at the same time, I'll be presented with more doors to open. And yes, even for Mr. Technology 'Fraidy Cat, that is exciting!
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
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