It's a Matter of Perspective

For me personally March cannot come soon enough. It brings us one step closer to the end of the long winter. I mean, Spring Break will be here before you know it! And we'll probably still have 2 feet of snow on the ground. Will we ever see the grass again?

I picked up a friend at the airport today. She will be working with our staff and lifeGroup Coaches this weekend. She moved to Cincinnati from Atlanta last week. Before that she lived in Houston. She told me that it has been 30 years since she has seen snow! She saw some today.

On the way back from the airport she taught me something about perspective. She said, "Look at all of this snow. It is so beautiful!"

I guess it just depends on how you look at it.

That's what's so great about conversation with friends. When we can get outside of ourselves and see things through someone elses eyes, we can gain some perspective. Even more powerful is when those conversations are anchored in the One who makes all things new!

65 and Making It Count!

February 18th, 1943 was a pretty special day. In fact, I believe God danced on that day.

65 years ago today.....wow! .......hard to imagine all that has happened since then. It kind of blows your mind........65 years ago today, little Ronnie was brought into this world. By God's design, and according to His timing and plan, Ron Meyer was born. And God rejoiced. God rejoiced because He could forsee the work that would be done in His name through this life. God rejoiced because He could see all of the lives that would be touched....reached.....saved.....because this one would carry His saving name wherever he went. God rejoiced because He created another masterpiece, another one made in His image. God rejoiced because on that day (February 18th, 1943) He could see the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.............................that would be nurtured, equipped, disciplined, discipled, challenged, readied, sent, in part because of this one named Ronald Edward. God rejoiced because he could see the beautiful marriage and family that would be created and sustained through the years by His gracious presence. God is so good.

It brings to mind the last stanza from the hymn I shared with my family yesterday in our living room worship experience:

O Christ, th'apostles' Lord,

The martyrs' strength and song,

The crucified and risen King

To whom the saints belong:

Though generations pass,

Our tribute still we bring,

Our hymns a sacrifice of praise,

Our lives an offering.

"O Christ, Who Called the Twelve" The Lutheran Service Book #856 stz. 5

You might know this Ron Meyer as husband, as friend, as ministry partner, as missionary, as leader, as steward, as trusted and respected pastor, as fire-starter, as grandpa, as brother, as faithful pastor of pastors (president), but I know him as dad.

Happy Birthday, dad! I pray that today will be a special day for you, remembering and reflecting on all of the blessings, all of the faithfulness of your God who has loved and loves you still.....perfectly!

Thank you, Lord for the lives of your saints past and present who lead us to YOU!

Perhaps you would like to share in response, a story of how Ron Meyer's life has impacted yours. Have at it.

Church is Cancelled! Or is it?

So here we are in Wisconsin, almost a year to the day when we cancelled church. In 15 years of ministry I have never cancelled church. Last year was the first time. Now, a year later, Ash Wednesday (February 6th) and today, February 17th we cancelled church for the third time in one year's time. Freezing rain and now the snow...Reminds me of Isaiah 55.......as the rain and snow come down from heaven, so Your Word, Lord...





This whole experience has got me thinking .....how much emphasis we American Christians put on public worship. Almost, sometimes to the point of limiting our definition of the Church to "going to church." But the Church is called. commissioned, created to be so much more! We are not just called to go to church. We are called to BE the church.





As I received God's Word with my wife and three daughters this morning in my living room, there was this overwhelming sense of thanksgiving that God has placed me in a family of believers that are trying to BE the church and not just go to church. We have a way to go in our growth journey, but at least we are talking and thinking about it. One of my daughters thanked God that He placed her in a family where our relationship with God was so important that we would take time to worship Him even when church was cancelled! Wow! My other two girls mentioned in their prayers that it was pretty cool that we could serve the Lord wherever we are. And, in the middle of our prayers together, my daughter who is in college "just happened to call." What an awesome morning! "Thank you, Lord. Help us BE the Church....in our neighborhood, in our community, at school, at church, wherever we are!"





Here is a hymn that we shared together:





"O Christ, Who Called the Twelve"

O Christ, who called the Twelve
To rise and follow You,
Forsaking old, familiar ways
For ventures bold and new:
Grant us to hear Your call
To risk security
And, bound in heart and will to You,
Find perfect liberty.


O Christ, who taught the Twelve
The truth for ages sealed,
Whose words and works awakened faith,
The ways of God revealed:
Instruct us now, we pray,
By Your empow'ring Word.
True teacher, be for all who seek
Their light, their life, their Lord.


O Christ, who led the Twelve
Among the desolate
And broke as bread of life for all
Your love compassionate:
Lead us along the ways
Where hope has nearly died
And help us climb the lonely hills
Where love is crucified.


O Christ, who sent the Twelve
On roads they'd never trod
To serve, to suffer, teach, proclaim
The nearer reign of God:
Send us on ways where faith
Transcends timidity,
Where love informs and hope sustains
Both life and ministry.

"The Lutheran Service Book" #856
Tune: Terra Beata Some of you will know it as:
"This Is My Father's World"





I'd love to hear your stories! How were you the church today?

More Ready Than You Realize

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to interview a couple pretty neat ladies in our worship experiences at Christ Memorial here in Madison. Judy, the leader of the International Friendship Center (IFC) on UW's campus brought her friend, Kate to help us celebrate what God was up to at the IFC. Near the tail end of my message we were all inspired when we heard Kate, who has not yet come to a place in her life where she confesses Jesus as her Savior, talk about the discoveries she is making about Christianity. She also talked about the passion she has to keep growing and learning when she returns to China later this month. She is committed to telling others about what she is learning. Give a listen!



It got me wondering. How can someone who is "not yet a believer" display such a passion to connect others to Jesus when some of us who have been in the church for years often display a lack of passion, apathy, and fear?

Introduction

This picture of my wife Amy and I, (don't you just look healthier with a tan?) was taken a couple of years ago. It was the day we returned from our family vacation to Florida. The setting was a wedding rehearsal dinner for a wedding that I was officiating. It was also our anniversary. As I look at this particular picture I fondly remember the wonderful, enriching conversation with some pretty great people. Amy and I reflected that night that there was really no better way we could have shared our anniversary!

My hope for this blog is that, like that night, I could open up my mind and heart to you and that we could have a great conversation about some things that really matter, and in the process, grow a little deeper in our appreciation of how God shows up and blesses us day by day with His presence.

So, we'll see how it goes. My initial goal is to update it weekly. How cool! The gift of technology to help us live life together.