May 21, 2016

As Lutherans, we believe certain things, and here are some of the things we believe. We believe in a Triune G-d – G-d the Father, G-d the Son, and G-d the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge one G-d in these three persons. We believe that G-d the Father created all things, and G-d is loving, compassionate, just and kind.  And G-d’s deepest desire is to live in an intimate relationship with all people.

We believe that, because of G-d’s desire to live in a relationship with us, G-d the Son became fully human.  We believe that Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is fully G-d and fully man.  Through  death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for all people to live in a relationship with G-d now, have their sins forgiven, and rise from death to live eternally with G-d. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through Him we can enter into a relationship with G-d.  We believe that G-d the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Risen Christ among us. Through the Spirit, G-d loves us, empowers us and lives in us. The Spirit gives gifts to all believers, and as such we should use all the gifts of the Spirit each and every day.

Of course, I do not know everything – you can most likely discern that from reading a lot of my writings. But I am always reading and therefore I am always learning a lot. For example, I did not know there was a drink called a “Doppio”. Now, we have learned that the espresso is the foundation of all lattes, mochas, and macchiatos. A “Doppio” is simply two shots combined – but the two shots need to be pulled within a five-second window — and each must have three distinct layers: the crema, the body, and the heart. Did you know there are three parts or layers to a shot of espresso? The crema is the top thin layer and sweetest part of an espresso shot. The body makes up the middle and “umph” of the shot and should be a caramel-brown color. The heart is the very bottom of an espresso shot and is the bitter balance to the crema’s sweetness. It should be a deep, rich brown color!

As mysterious as the Doppio may sound to me, the same can be said about our G-d whom we know in the three persons of the Trinity. Tomorrow, on Trinity Sunday, many churches will read one of the three Creeds (I believe statements) accepted by the Church Universal – the Athanasian Creed (the other two being the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed). The Athanasian Creed is only read one time a year because of its length and its convoluted expression of the Trinity. It attempts to explain the Trinity, but in the process also tries to refute many different heresies of the time. Therefore, instead of being informative, I believe it just clouds the issue. But let me just say this, like the Doppio has three parts that make up one whole drink, we have One G-d that expresses G-d’s self in three ways: Father (the top or the Crema), the Son (the Body and the “umph”), and the Holy Spirit (the Heart). I will spend more time in tomorrow’s devotion explaining the Trinity. Today, I will simply drink my coffee – and drink in this G-d who is both fully mysterious and fully loving.

Pastor Dave