Woodlawn Wanderings

New Year's Resolution - Organize!

2011-01-04T12:28:00.000-08:00

Trying to get organized seems like an endless task. I envy those who have the ability to keep things in nice clean lines all the time, to stay on top of everything. (I don't know if those people are real or imagined.)

There are lots of different categories that people are put into, but I think one of the most valuable for me is time oriented vs. people orientated. You can probably think of people in each category and probably the time oriented people frustrate the people oriented people and vice versa.

God tells us to be wise both in our relationships and our time. It's a tension I will always struggle with.
Colossians 4:5,6 -- Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Looking Ahead

2010-03-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

Dare I say that there seems to be a little bit of spring in the air this week? I know it's early, but the days are definitely getting longer and the sun is definitely more intense. The smell of melting snow is refreshing. Looking forward to spring, although I have enjoyed the winter. There was a good amount of snow, but not too much. There was some cold, but not too cold.

Enjoyed watching some of the Winter Olympics. Suddenly it seems like everyone is interested in curling!! Who would have thought . . .

I suppose the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games will always be remembered for the tragic loss of the Georgian luge athlete and the sudden death of the Canadian figure skater's mother. Even in the games, when athletes probably feel the most "alive", there is always the unavoidable reminder that time is short for all of us and it is important to be ready for eternity every day. The people of Chile have to deal with that reality, too.

I admire the passion of the athletes. I can't imagine being so dedicated to something. I have always been interested in a little of everything, rather than a lot of one thing. It always seems like you will miss out on something if you are too committed to one thing. Of course, some commitments are very important: marriage, family, work, our Lord Jesus. These relationships all come with ups and downs, but sticking to these commitments brings incredible rewards. Hang in there! Don't give up! The Lord is (and will be) with you. Keep your eyes focused on what is ahead . . .

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - The Apostle Paul's Letter to the Christians in Philippi, Chapter 3, verses 12-14

Pastor Benjamin Wessel
http://www.woodlawnlutheran.org/

Clean Like Fresh Snow

2010-02-09T20:50:00.001-08:00

The snow and wind today seems both turbulent and peaceful at the same time. It stirs people up and yet, in a way, forces people to stay put and calm down.

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

What quiets your soul? Is it a peaceful stream and a pleasant sunset? Or is it the display of God's unbelievable power that forces you into a humble corner where you know that only the Almighty can keep you safe?

Be still, be at peace. God loves you. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18 KJV)

Blood red guilt can seem like a permanent stain on your shirt. Do you see the spot? That thing you said - you can't un say. That place where your imagination took you - the door has opened and you can't erase your memory of going to that place where no one should go. That curse you spoke - you can't convince God that he didn't hear you. He heard you. He knows you. And he knows what you need. A bleach bath. A cleansing. A renewal.

You have been washed. You are here, now. A new day. A new life. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7 KJV)

A fresh blanket of snow covers the dirty grey and the dead brown earth and grass. A covering of Christ's holiness covers your dirty guilt and dead spirit. Be at peace. Be still and know that God has taken away your sin and invites you to see him as he is through Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Pastor Wessel
http://www.woodlawnlutheran.org/

SAD

2010-01-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

Just got back from an inspiring and informational pastors getaway conference. It's a nice opportunity to bounce ideas back and forth, to encourage and pray for each other, and especially to be filled up with good faith fuel from God's Word.

Thanksgiving . . . Christmas . . . New Year's. Time goes by too fast.

Does 2010 hold promise for you? Is your life on a smooth path?

Sadness and horror is all over the news with the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Lord, help the people of Haiti. Move our hearts to lend aid, to relieve the burden of pain and to refresh the souls of all who are struggling with God. In Christ, help them to find peace. How many have you called home to eternal joy? How many have been lost forever? What possible good can come out of this disaster?

Now is the time for us to focus on our families and all our relationships. Help us, Lord, to take advantage of today, because who can guarantee that we will see tomorrow? No one can guarantee it, but God reassures us that he will not abandon us.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (Paul's Second Letter to the Christians in Corinth, chapter 1, vs. 3-5.)

Pastor Wessel
www.woodlawnlutheran.org

2012

2009-11-18T15:39:00.000-08:00

2012

Did you get a chance to see the new movie?

I'm not sure what it is that excites people about over the top disaster movies. Is it the special effects? Is it the study of how people might act under uncontrollable situations? Will people commit noble acts to help someone else? Will people only think about squeezing every last second out of life? Will people simply resign themselves and watch as their inevitable end arrives?

I didn't see the new movie.

Sometimes, with childish imagination, it is fun to see buildings and places destroyed, like you might build a Lego fort and then tear it apart, or building a sand castle and then kicking it apart like you're Godzilla. But beyond the surface of entertainment, we know there have been real places destroyed by real natural disaster or real human disaster and the tragedy of that happening is beyond words and beyond the nice book ends of a two hour movie.

The Bible talks about disasters in our world until the end of time, when there is a final destruction and renewal of all things. Could it be in 2012? Could it be tomorrow?

Whatever tomorrow brings, today is an important day for all of us:

"The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."

- 2 Peter 3:10-12 (New International Version)

Health and Healing

2009-10-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Healthcare debate. Many options. Many emotions. No perfect solution. Where is there agreement? People are sick. People should be healthy.

Money doesn't solve all health problems. Science doesn't solve all health problems. Are you self-medicating or are you going to the Healer? I have a referral for you:

' "While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." ' (The Gospel According to Mark, Chapter 2)

Some health care is always free . . .

Be kind and compassionate. There is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul. Total health is available from the God of mercy. See the incurable disease inside your soul. Believe in the blood red vaccine that Jesus has provided.

Be at peace. You are cured. Enjoy the new life God has given you!

Pastor Wessel

(Note: People saw Jewish tax collectors as traitors because they worked for the Roman Empire and got rich off their own people; "sinners" were people whose sin was obvious to everyone, like prostitutes, as opposed to those who tried to cover up their sin and make everyone think they were good)

RESET

2009-10-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

Ever wish you could just "RESET" your life and start fresh? Go back and prevent yourself from doing the things you shouldn't have done? Take the missed opportunities now that you know they may have been the easier path to follow and you wouldn't have had so much frustration to deal with on the way?

But we realize the decisions are ours, good & bad, mistakes and all. Past is past and here we are today. The strength for today? Only one place I find it:

"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." - The Apostle Paul, in his Letter to the Colossians

Thank you, Lord!

On a lighter note: Up here in the north the Clash of the Football Titans is tonight. Favre/Rodgers, MN/WI. History in the making for sports fans. I'm a loyal Wisconsin sports fan, but by no means obsessive about sports. Enjoy watching the competition, but get me into the nitty gritty, with stats and all and you lose me pretty fast. That was one of my dad's and my brother Matthew's talents. Sure do miss them!

I pray the blessing of God the Spirit can help you RESET each day through Jesus, your sacrifice and your Savior! God be with you!

Pastor Wessel