As of March 1, 2012, I will be moving this blog to the following location with the following name: Pastor's Reflections.
I invite you to follow me at that location.
Thanks!
Pastor John Kassen
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Enemy Territory
I would like to share with you the link to the sermon I preached this past weekend at Living Word Lutheran Church: Enemy Territory
I don't receive too many comments about these sermons which are posted every week on Living Word's website (www.livword.net). But here is one person's reaction to the sermon:
40 was antiquity speak for OVER 9,000! you wore the wrong football merchandise, that's completely analogous to what your suicidal savior went through, amirite? can't take a game app ad banner? go amish, ya lily livered whiner. you don't believe in your mythology any more sincerely than we do. jesus wasn't no michigan vikings fan. ave satanas!
I wonder who may have been the inspiration behind this comment?
I don't receive too many comments about these sermons which are posted every week on Living Word's website (www.livword.net). But here is one person's reaction to the sermon:
40 was antiquity speak for OVER 9,000! you wore the wrong football merchandise, that's completely analogous to what your suicidal savior went through, amirite? can't take a game app ad banner? go amish, ya lily livered whiner. you don't believe in your mythology any more sincerely than we do. jesus wasn't no michigan vikings fan. ave satanas!
I wonder who may have been the inspiration behind this comment?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Reflections on the President's Health Initiative As It Affects Christian Churches
The following is a letter shared with the pastors of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod from LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison. The letter articulates the theological position of the LCMS regarding one segment of the President's health care initiative as it relates to the use of certain contraceptives.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In response to President Obama’s announcement Friday concerning an “accommodation” to a previous mandate that health plans must cover all forms of birth control (even those that can kill the unborn), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) remains deeply concerned. We strongly object to the use of drugs and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception. Drugs such as “Plan B” and “Ella,” which are still included in the mandate, can work post-conception to cause the death of the developing child, so don’t be fooled by statements to the contrary.
We see President Obama’s action Friday as significant, in that it appears to have been prompted by the many voices united in concern over an infringement of our religious liberties. But the “accommodation” did not expand the exemption for religious employers, nor did it restrict the mandate in any way. It simply described a temporary enforcement delay and a possible future change—a change that, unfortunately, would not adequately protect religious freedom or unborn lives.
We remain opposed to this mandate because it runs counter to the biblical truth of the sanctity of human life. We are committed to working to ensure that we remain free to practice the teachings of our faith, that our religious rights are not violated, and that our rights of conscience are retained. Freedom of religion extends beyond the practice of our faith in houses of worship. We must be free to put our faith into action in the public square, and, in response to Christ’s call, demonstrate His mercy through our love and compassion for all people according to the clear mandate of Holy Scripture.
The government has overstepped its bounds. This controversy is not merely about “birth control” and the Catholic Church’s views about it. It’s about mandating that we provide medications which kill life in the womb. And moreover, and perhaps even more ominous, it is about an overzealous government forcing coercive provisions that violate the consciences and rights of its citizens. We can no longer expect a favored position for Christianity in this country. But we can, as citizens of this great nation, fight for constitutional sanity against secularizing forces. As we have vividly experienced in discriminatory state legislation with respect to homosexual adoption, we, and our institutions (and those of other religious citizens of good will), are being robbed of the right to the free exercise of religion absent government intrusion or threat. The next assault will come upon church-related retirement facilities. How much longer will it be legal in this country to believe and act according to the dictates of biblical and creedal Christianity?
Jesus bids us, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Mark 12:17). We will pray for and support our government where we can, but our consciences and lives belong to God.
In His Peace,
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
In response to President Obama’s announcement Friday concerning an “accommodation” to a previous mandate that health plans must cover all forms of birth control (even those that can kill the unborn), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) remains deeply concerned. We strongly object to the use of drugs and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception. Drugs such as “Plan B” and “Ella,” which are still included in the mandate, can work post-conception to cause the death of the developing child, so don’t be fooled by statements to the contrary.
We see President Obama’s action Friday as significant, in that it appears to have been prompted by the many voices united in concern over an infringement of our religious liberties. But the “accommodation” did not expand the exemption for religious employers, nor did it restrict the mandate in any way. It simply described a temporary enforcement delay and a possible future change—a change that, unfortunately, would not adequately protect religious freedom or unborn lives.
We remain opposed to this mandate because it runs counter to the biblical truth of the sanctity of human life. We are committed to working to ensure that we remain free to practice the teachings of our faith, that our religious rights are not violated, and that our rights of conscience are retained. Freedom of religion extends beyond the practice of our faith in houses of worship. We must be free to put our faith into action in the public square, and, in response to Christ’s call, demonstrate His mercy through our love and compassion for all people according to the clear mandate of Holy Scripture.
The government has overstepped its bounds. This controversy is not merely about “birth control” and the Catholic Church’s views about it. It’s about mandating that we provide medications which kill life in the womb. And moreover, and perhaps even more ominous, it is about an overzealous government forcing coercive provisions that violate the consciences and rights of its citizens. We can no longer expect a favored position for Christianity in this country. But we can, as citizens of this great nation, fight for constitutional sanity against secularizing forces. As we have vividly experienced in discriminatory state legislation with respect to homosexual adoption, we, and our institutions (and those of other religious citizens of good will), are being robbed of the right to the free exercise of religion absent government intrusion or threat. The next assault will come upon church-related retirement facilities. How much longer will it be legal in this country to believe and act according to the dictates of biblical and creedal Christianity?
Jesus bids us, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Mark 12:17). We will pray for and support our government where we can, but our consciences and lives belong to God.
In His Peace,
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sermon: How Do We Know?
To view this sermon, click here: How Do We Know?
Preached January 28, 2012 at Living Word Lutheran Church
Rochester, Michigan.
My Baptism Birthday - What’s That?
Today (January 25) I celebrated my Baptism Birthday. I was born on January 5; and as you might have guessed, I was baptized on January 25 (59 years ago).
Baptism Birthdays tend to go unnoticed. We make the effort to intentionally celebrate (or, sometimes intentionally ignore) birthdays. But, our Baptism Birthday is probably as important, and in some ways more important, than our actual birthday, because on the day of our baptism we were born for the second time. We were born again spiritually (John 3).
I found this post in Gene Veith’s blog about “David Ellefson, bassist for the heavy metal group Megadeth, who is studying to become a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod:
“Ellefson grew up in the church. Each Sunday, his family drove from their farm in southwest Minnesota to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where David attended Sunday school and was confirmed at age 16. His mother sang in the choir. His father was active on the building committee.
“Just a few years after his confirmation at Our Savior’s, in the summer of 1983, Ellefson moved to Los Angeles. Within a week of arriving, he had formed a band and named it Megadeth for the unit of measurement equal to the death of 1 million people by nuclear explosion. Soon, he was playing bass on stage in front of thousands of heavy metal fans in New York with other bands like Metallica and Slayer. In 1985, Megadeth released its first album, ‘Killing Is My Business … And Business Is Good!’
“In the 1980s and 1990s, Megadeth gained a reputation for an intelligent take on heavy metal, earning several Grammy Award nominations, and was known for its album covers, many of which depicted a character named Vic Rattlehead, a skeleton whose eyes, ears and mouth were fused closed with metal.
“But by the time Ellefson was 25, the rock star lifestyle had caught up to him. In a 12-step recovery program, he was reintroduced to his faith and embraced it. He moved to Arizona, married and had children. He also began church shopping, eventually landing at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation in Scottsdale.
“‘I came from a good family, not a broken home,’ said Ellefson, 47. ‘That became a model for me, and I saw church at center of it.’
“The Rev. Jon Bjorgaard , pastor of Shepherd of the Desert, asked Ellefson to start a contemporary worship service. Ellefson began to use lyrics from the Old Testament as a springboard for songwriting, penning praise music — worship songs with a soft-rock hook.
“‘For a Christmas service, I remixed some classics, not quite in a Megadeth fashion, but in a pretty heavy rock fashion,’ Ellefson said.
“Combining his musical abilities and his faith led Ellefson to a deeper exploration of Christianity, he said. And it led him to start a new music ministry within the walls of Shepherd of the Desert.
“He called it MEGA Life, partially a play on Megadeth. But it’s also a reference to a verse from the Gospel of John: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’
“MEGA Life became so popular in Scottsdale that Shepherd of the Desert bought a new space for the ministry.
“And last year, Bjorgaard asked Ellefson and MEGA Life director Jeremy DaPena to enroll in Concordia’s Specific Ministry Program.
“‘Most people want to become a rock star,’ Bjorgaard said. ‘David’s a rock star who wants to become a pastor.’”
When I read about a life changing experience like David Ellefson’s, I am reminded of the power of a person’s baptism experience. The Holy Spirit, who comes to us in baptism, is reluctant to ever leave. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 Reminds us: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
Thus, as I reflect today on my baptism experience 59 years ago, I realize that beginning that day, and continuing every day since then, the Holy Spirit has been in my life, guiding and shaping it.
Please join me in prayer: “Holy Spirit hear us, on this sacred day, come to us with blessing, come to us to stay. Amen.” (The Lutheran Hymnal #229)
Baptism Birthdays tend to go unnoticed. We make the effort to intentionally celebrate (or, sometimes intentionally ignore) birthdays. But, our Baptism Birthday is probably as important, and in some ways more important, than our actual birthday, because on the day of our baptism we were born for the second time. We were born again spiritually (John 3).
I found this post in Gene Veith’s blog about “David Ellefson, bassist for the heavy metal group Megadeth, who is studying to become a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod:
“Ellefson grew up in the church. Each Sunday, his family drove from their farm in southwest Minnesota to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where David attended Sunday school and was confirmed at age 16. His mother sang in the choir. His father was active on the building committee.
“Just a few years after his confirmation at Our Savior’s, in the summer of 1983, Ellefson moved to Los Angeles. Within a week of arriving, he had formed a band and named it Megadeth for the unit of measurement equal to the death of 1 million people by nuclear explosion. Soon, he was playing bass on stage in front of thousands of heavy metal fans in New York with other bands like Metallica and Slayer. In 1985, Megadeth released its first album, ‘Killing Is My Business … And Business Is Good!’
“In the 1980s and 1990s, Megadeth gained a reputation for an intelligent take on heavy metal, earning several Grammy Award nominations, and was known for its album covers, many of which depicted a character named Vic Rattlehead, a skeleton whose eyes, ears and mouth were fused closed with metal.
“But by the time Ellefson was 25, the rock star lifestyle had caught up to him. In a 12-step recovery program, he was reintroduced to his faith and embraced it. He moved to Arizona, married and had children. He also began church shopping, eventually landing at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation in Scottsdale.
“‘I came from a good family, not a broken home,’ said Ellefson, 47. ‘That became a model for me, and I saw church at center of it.’
“The Rev. Jon Bjorgaard , pastor of Shepherd of the Desert, asked Ellefson to start a contemporary worship service. Ellefson began to use lyrics from the Old Testament as a springboard for songwriting, penning praise music — worship songs with a soft-rock hook.
“‘For a Christmas service, I remixed some classics, not quite in a Megadeth fashion, but in a pretty heavy rock fashion,’ Ellefson said.
“Combining his musical abilities and his faith led Ellefson to a deeper exploration of Christianity, he said. And it led him to start a new music ministry within the walls of Shepherd of the Desert.
“He called it MEGA Life, partially a play on Megadeth. But it’s also a reference to a verse from the Gospel of John: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’
“MEGA Life became so popular in Scottsdale that Shepherd of the Desert bought a new space for the ministry.
“And last year, Bjorgaard asked Ellefson and MEGA Life director Jeremy DaPena to enroll in Concordia’s Specific Ministry Program.
“‘Most people want to become a rock star,’ Bjorgaard said. ‘David’s a rock star who wants to become a pastor.’”
When I read about a life changing experience like David Ellefson’s, I am reminded of the power of a person’s baptism experience. The Holy Spirit, who comes to us in baptism, is reluctant to ever leave. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 Reminds us: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
Thus, as I reflect today on my baptism experience 59 years ago, I realize that beginning that day, and continuing every day since then, the Holy Spirit has been in my life, guiding and shaping it.
Please join me in prayer: “Holy Spirit hear us, on this sacred day, come to us with blessing, come to us to stay. Amen.” (The Lutheran Hymnal #229)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Reflections on My Many Moves
This week I am attending what is called “The Symposia” at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The Symposia offers lectures on biblical and theological topics that are current in Christian circles.
This year as I arrived at the seminary, I couldn’t help but think about the many moves LuJean and I have made since enrolling in the seminary 37 years ago.
Our journey began when the seminary was located in Springfield, Illinois. At the end of my first year, the seminary moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana (where the symposia is being held).
At the end of my second year at the seminary, LuJean and I went to our vicarage assignment in Greenwich, CT.
At the end of vicarage we returned to Ft. Wayne for my final year at the seminary.
Upon graduating from the seminary, we moved to Kenmore, NY for my first call as a pastor. There we rented an apartment for our first year, moving into the new home we had purchased in our second year there.
After living for one year in our new home, I received a call to Lockport, NY where we moved into the church’s parsonage. After about two years in the parsonage, we purchased our own home and moved again.
It wasn’t long after that when I received a call to start a church in Downingtown, PA. So, we moved again. We were in Downingtown for two years when I received the call to start a new church in Rochester, MI. So, we moved again.
We rented a home in Oxford (MI) for one year and then purchased our own home and moved again. When our children went off to college and careers, we moved again – this time to our current home in Oxford.
We have been in this home since 2001. This is the longest we have ever stayed in one place – and there is something nice about it!
Having lived in many houses in many places, I have come to learn that there is something more important than location and structure than make for a comfortable home. A house becomes a home because of the family atmosphere and the blessing of our God.
As I reflect upon the many places we have lived, there has been one constant in all of them. God has been with our family in each and every place where we have lived. I am drawn to the words of 2 Samuel 7:29 which reads: “Now therefore may it please You (God) to bless the house of Your servant.” In the context of this passage the word “house” refers to more than the home, but also to the family who lives there! It is so important to have God in our homes to bring His blessing upon our families.
As the words of an old hymn remind us: “Oh, bless this house whate’er befall, where Jesus Christ is all in all…”
May God bless you and your family in whatever house you choose to make your home.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Reflections on Personal Repentance
This is a reminder that oftentimes the Christian life involves living life in a direction that goes against popular opinion, popular ideology, popular thinking, or popular behavior.
For example, the Christian is asked to believe in a God who created the world in a mere six days, whereas popular university thinking would have us accept the idea of a world evolved by chance.
For example, the Christian is instructed in the Bible to avoid a whole variety of immoral life-style choices, whereas modern mores have shifted to accept a wide variety of behavioral patterns that a few years ago were considered taboo.
As I was reading Psalm 7:12 this morning I was struck by the fact that it pulls no punches: “If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow.” The Lutheran Study Bible comments on this verse: “God’s Word turns our thoughts back to Him. The first step in repentance is acknowledging the truth of what God has told us about ourselves: we are conceived and born sinful creatures in dire need of God’s mercy.”
It would seem that God takes sin seriously and we are strongly encouraged to live a life of repentance.
Remember, the whole idea behind repentance is to “turn around” and go in a different direction; God’s direction, where forgiveness and mercy can be found.
As a person repents of his or her sin, there is movement in a different direction - like the one fish in a larger school. And the interesting thing about watching a school of fish is that when one fish turns, sometimes they all turn!
In Christ Jesus.
Pastor John Kassen
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