“So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

“Jesus tells a story about a wayward son. This son wastes his inheritance, finally comes to his senses, then stumbles home in utter defeat. We wouldn’t be surprised if his father launched into a big lecture at this point. But instead, the father runs to his son, hugs him, kisses him, and throws a huge party! This story offers encouragement to all of us who need “quality time” with God. God is in charge of the universe, but never too busy for us. Just as a parent hovers adoringly over a sleeping child, God stays in our midst. No matter how long we are absent or distracted or just plain rebellious, God greets us with nothing less than unbridled joy.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Quality Time With God

“God is in charge of the universe, but never too busy for us.”

We need to remember that sentence every day of our lives – G-d is not too busy to listen to our prayers. All too often we get to be so busy with our chores and tasks and “to-do” lists that G-d gets whatever time we have left – and often that time is not “quality” time. I know it is hard to set aside time for family and for home chores, etc – but just like we work hard to keep our homes nice and our kids close to us, we also need to work hard on our relationship with G-d. After all, if G-d is never too busy for us, then why do we allow our “over-scheduled” lives to allow us to be too busy for G-d?

Let’s start today with making more time for G-d. Let’s not just approach G-d when the wheels are falling off our lives. Why not start today with making time for G-d – perhaps that change may keep at least one of our wheels attached when all else is falling off.

Let us pray,

God of quality time, there never seems to be enough time – time is not always on my side. I know I need to spend more quality time with you. I pray for your love and understanding, especially when I am pressed for time. Perhaps next time I will have more time. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back.”  Ecclesiastes 11:1

“A dog that sees a bowl or a plate will probably sniff if, lick it, and even try to eat out of it. (Any dog lover can confirm this.) Luckily, we’re not ruled by instinct or impulse. But how do we respond when the [Offering] plate comes by? Maybe we think that once money leaves our hands, it’s lost. Nothing could be further from God’s truth. To begin with, our offering can bring results-whether it plants a garden in our community or aids children a world away. But there is more. Ask any people who give regularly and cheerfully and you’re bound to hear story after story about how giving has made a difference in their lives and in their faith.” Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Pass The Plate, Don’t Toss It

Some of us realized that we have come full circle in the pandemic once we returned to “passing the plate.”  During the pandemic taking the offering had become a very static activity – with people dropping money in a basket at the back of the Nave either before or after the service. We have forgotten how much “taking the offering” has to do with the act of worship.

As a pastor I was surprised how “out of practice” our congregations would become once we returned to the “practice” of worship. People seem to have forgotten when to stand and sit during worship (though this may be a purposeful “forgetting” for many Lutherans). What we have forgotten is that worship is supposed to be an active participating, not a passive watching and viewing. There are times when “the people” at worship are supposed to be doing, participating, singing, reading, and leading. And passing the plate for the offering is part of the doing – not just in taking the offering but then in using those funds for the ministry of the church.

Too many view the offering as the church asking “for dues to be paid.” Civic organizations ask for dues. The church seeks an offering to share out of our abundance with those who are the last, lost, least and little in the community. Instead of the offering serving as “dues” these funds will allow the church to pay it forward in ministry to the poor, the homeless, the immigrant, the lonely and the lost.

Next time they pass the plate to you, don’t just toss it aside. Consider the ways you can pay it forward to others in the community who do not have the same abundance.

Let us pray,

Providing God, it is easy to think of our possessions and money as “ours”. Remind me when I feel like I don’t have enough that you are a G-d of boundless abundance. Amen.

Pastor Dave