Losing A Pet....And What God Says About It

 Hello Church,

Amid the disturbance of the past 12 months, I have noticed numerous household that have had to put a pet down.  There have been 4 in just the past month or so.  I thought I'd share some thoughts on this as questions do arise for the Pastor over how the Church views life and death issues of animals and, specifically, pets that we come to dearly love.

To be sure, the Gospels and the Letters focus on the state of the human soul.  Jesus concerns Himself almost entirely on the issue of loving people.  Paul writes almost explicitly on his Christology.... that Jesus died that we might be saved and how we should allow Christ to live through us.  So there isn't much to be said for or against the issue of animals.  Do they have souls?  What happens after they die?

This is a highly controversial issue as people who think with the head debate with people who feel with the heart.  However, the following Scripture points to hope and comfort for those who feel the pain of losing a pet.  Mainly, the idea that salvation is not just for the human soul, but for all of creation.  I thought of this as I preached yesterday about God's covenant--not to Noah-- but to the whole earth about never flooding it again.

Acts 3:21:  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

Romans 8:18-22 - 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Isaiah 11:6-9 and Revelation 21:1 also point to this idea that all of creation will be made new, not just us human souls.

So if you have lost a pet recently, take heart.  Don't take the word of some theologian who claims that God only values the salvation of the human soul.  God loves all of His creation and there is enough evidence to suggest that we won't be floating in our new bodies out there in some ambiguous 'heaven', but that creation as God desires it will play a part.

...that said... if I ever see my German Shepherd, Heidi, again, I am going to bop her on the nose for all the times she jumped up and knocked down that 3 year-old boy.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

I Play The Bongos

 Hello Church,

For those who missed the 10:30 worship service, you missed a lot.  It isn't on the 9:00 service because I didn't think about it.  But for the 2nd service I pulled out the bongos for our interlude song.  It was sort of goofy... and maybe not so good.  Don't worry.  There were reasons behind it.  Let me give a couple...

For one, I'm tired of being afraid and, more to the point, I'm tired of others being afraid.  I feel like the last year has been about being afraid or being anxious about others being afraid.  It isn't just Covid or social unrest.  I am coming to believe those two things just bring our our fears more readily.... maybe rightfully so or not.  Regardless, I'm tired.

I'm tired of how we are afraid about what other people think of us or how they'll react how we think about them or how they'll react to how we react about how they think about us.  I'm tired of being so afraid of snow that we act crazy in grocery stores.  I'm tired of the fear that drives over-priced medical bills, high insurance premiums and shortages on toilet paper.  I'm tired of the fear that locks us in our room or keeps us from talking to strangers or the biggest fear of all -- failing at whatever.

So I played the bongos..... while preaching about love.  Give me long hair and then manage to put me in a cross-legged sitting position on the corner of some northwestern city and there you have it.  But I didn't care.... well.... I did, but I stopped being afraid.

Jesus said 'fear not' more than any other phrase.  There were reasons behind that too.  He wasn't in a goofy mood.  He was serious... dead serious.. and then alive serious again.  

We won't stop being afraid anytime soon.  Some say it's a Darwin thing that keep our species alive.  Maybe.  I also thinks it keeps our species from loving like Jesus wants us to love.  Yes, it may have killed Jesus and it may kill us too.  But dying for such a reason is exactly how we should want to live.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Washing Your Hands At Church

 Hello Church,

I wanted to title this blog 'Let's Get Dirty', but my wife gave me a... uh... look... so I relented.  She does a good job keeping me out of trouble.  So I'm just telling you what I WANTED to title this blog... because it would have been perfect click bait.  C'mon!  Admit it!  If you see your pastor title his blog THAT, then you are so clicking on it!  I know I could have beaten my record of hits.

Sunday, February 21st is the first Sunday of Lent.  Traditionally, we are supposed to treat the Wednesday before as Ash Wednesday (because that's what it is).  Over the years a few churches I know have foregone the Wednesday tradition and applied ashes on Sunday.  It's what we've done at Emmanuel for several years now.

Problem:  I can't touch your forehead with my finger.  It is now against the rules... unless I thoroughly wash my hands between each forehead (a possible useful application of the baptismal font?.... ok.. not).  Therefore, another tradition needs to be tweaked... soo......

....introducing you to your own personal Q-tip.  It is an idea I saw to still cling to our tradition of ashes even in the era of Covid.  Those of you who would like, can come up front during worship and get ashes applied to the back of your hand with a clean Q-tip.... well... it won't be clean... it will have ashes on it.

The church needs to continue to be adaptable.  We don't always like it.  We don't usually like it.  However, we CAN adapt and must adapt if we are to keep the expression of our Faith relevant in an ever-changing world.

So I hope to see you on Feb. 21st.  Lent is on its way whether we are ready or not.  Let's be ready.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Looking At Me Sideways

 Hello Church,

Yes, I am late in posting this blog.  Having a day of the week included in the blog's title sort of puts me on a stricter schedule.  However, I have a good excuse:  24 years of marriage.

In 24 years we have raised 5 kids.  The last is leaving the nest this Fall.  Hope has been accepted to OSU.  This means we will be empty nesters.  I'm excited.  Kim?  Not so much.  However, it all makes sense.  I married Kim with a built-in family.  Leah was 7, Andy 4 and Clay 2 when we got together.  As a 23 year-old who was a full-time student and a part-time pastor, more than a few looked at me sideways when they saw what I was getting into.  Even now I get comments.  Joey, who recently turned 22, was hit with an epiphany when he realized that he is nearly as old as I was when I committed to a wife and 3 kids.

But God works in mysterious ways.  I wouldn't have it any different.  I was too young and dumb to know any different anyhow.  It all seemed natural and normal to me.  It worked.  We lived through the millions of soccer, basketball and baseball games, mixed in with karate, scouts and social drama.  

The thing is, I never ever regretted any of it.  I questioned my sanity at times and questioned the sanity of my family a lot.  But I can honestly say it was pretty much all good.  Any difficulties along the way was par for the course for any family of 7.

So I am thankful for my 24 years.  I invite you to think about what you are thankful for when it comes to the family you find yourself a part of.  I know it isn't all rosy, but you didn't expect it to be, right?  

So give thanks.  In another 24 years I might rewrite this blog, but I doubt my attitude about it will be much different.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe