Notes from Pastor Renstrom |
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On this page, you can read selected Grace Notes articles from Pastor Tim Renstrom from past months and study them in closer detail. Enjoy!
January 2021
In the Fullness of Time
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 NIV)
We human beings are not very good at waiting until the ‘fullness of time’. We are, to put it in late 20th century jargon, a ‘microwave society’. We don’t usually put things in the crock-pot unless we can multi-task by doing so. We want convenience, we want efficiency, and we want it easy.
That same statement goes for our world’s condition during this time of the corona virus pandemic. We are simply amazed that it can infect us in this 21st century. We are bamboozled that science took so long to come up with a response. We blame everyone and everything that we can for our troubles. And now we wonder why it takes so long to vaccinate some nearly 8 billion people world wide.
We want done with this.
God knows. But he also knows the right timing, the best timing. He is working in all things to the good of those who love him, just as he did for the 4,000-some years before sending Jesus into the world to be our savior. As it says in the verses immediately before the ones quoted above, there is always a time of learning: we were children, subject to guardians and trustees; “when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.” Children have some learning to do. “Sons”, as it is used in this context, means all who are eligible to inherit (male or female)...which also implies, since we are now declared heirs, that we learned to behave responsibly.
Paul, under God’s inspiration, has declared that we are “sons”. How good have you been at behaving responsibly during this difficult time? I confess that I have not always acted thus. More times than I care to admit I have acted like a two-year old throwing a tantrum!
In that tantrum we have sinned. We have rebelled against the timing of God. We have rebelled against the discipline of God. We have shown little faith in the promise of God.
It is right and proper to complain to God in prayer and supplication. It is right and proper to ask him for relief. But how encouraging have we been to our neighbor when they are struggling? Or do we just join in with the complaining session?
We all need to be lifted up with encouragement and hope. And encouragement and hope come only from the one who came in the fullness of time: Jesus. He knows what we are going through. He knows our sinful nature. He provides his Holy Spirit to show us our sin, bring us to repentance and shore up our faith, so that we can live in the forgiveness that is ours as heirs of the promise. We are forgiven! And he will see us through this different time.
When the fullness of time comes, this virus, too, will be rendered less lethal. Then we will thank the medical community and the scientific community for their hard and quick work. When that time comes, let us not forget to give thanks to God for his cure and, also, his time of discipline so that we could learn to be more mature heirs of the Father.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Tim J. Renstrom
In the Fullness of Time
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 NIV)
We human beings are not very good at waiting until the ‘fullness of time’. We are, to put it in late 20th century jargon, a ‘microwave society’. We don’t usually put things in the crock-pot unless we can multi-task by doing so. We want convenience, we want efficiency, and we want it easy.
That same statement goes for our world’s condition during this time of the corona virus pandemic. We are simply amazed that it can infect us in this 21st century. We are bamboozled that science took so long to come up with a response. We blame everyone and everything that we can for our troubles. And now we wonder why it takes so long to vaccinate some nearly 8 billion people world wide.
We want done with this.
God knows. But he also knows the right timing, the best timing. He is working in all things to the good of those who love him, just as he did for the 4,000-some years before sending Jesus into the world to be our savior. As it says in the verses immediately before the ones quoted above, there is always a time of learning: we were children, subject to guardians and trustees; “when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.” Children have some learning to do. “Sons”, as it is used in this context, means all who are eligible to inherit (male or female)...which also implies, since we are now declared heirs, that we learned to behave responsibly.
Paul, under God’s inspiration, has declared that we are “sons”. How good have you been at behaving responsibly during this difficult time? I confess that I have not always acted thus. More times than I care to admit I have acted like a two-year old throwing a tantrum!
In that tantrum we have sinned. We have rebelled against the timing of God. We have rebelled against the discipline of God. We have shown little faith in the promise of God.
It is right and proper to complain to God in prayer and supplication. It is right and proper to ask him for relief. But how encouraging have we been to our neighbor when they are struggling? Or do we just join in with the complaining session?
We all need to be lifted up with encouragement and hope. And encouragement and hope come only from the one who came in the fullness of time: Jesus. He knows what we are going through. He knows our sinful nature. He provides his Holy Spirit to show us our sin, bring us to repentance and shore up our faith, so that we can live in the forgiveness that is ours as heirs of the promise. We are forgiven! And he will see us through this different time.
When the fullness of time comes, this virus, too, will be rendered less lethal. Then we will thank the medical community and the scientific community for their hard and quick work. When that time comes, let us not forget to give thanks to God for his cure and, also, his time of discipline so that we could learn to be more mature heirs of the Father.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Tim J. Renstrom
December 2020
Hope In the Midst of Things We Cannot Understand
Christmas. It’s coming in a few short weeks. And, it appears that much of the way in which we celebrate it will be different this year. And I get it; for a lot of people this is a very sad change.
But Christmas will not be different. It is still about hope. The Hope. The Hope that is Jesus, the Light of the world who comes into the world to make it different for you and for me. You and me? When left on our own, we’re wrapped in temptation and sin and death and damnation. With Jesus, we’re unwrapped—unwrapped from temptation and sin, unwrapped from darkness and death and damnation, and unwrapped from despair and hopelessness! Christmas never changes!
By grace, through faith, because of the work of Jesus—his life, death, resurrection; his taking upon himself our sinfulness and, in turn, purifying us from all unrighteousness—we are made Christians. As Christians, especially during these dark days, we are pointing to the Light of the world. We are in the world, but not of the world, and we are pointing an increasingly despairing world of hope-losing people to the Hope of the ages!
We listen to the government, we listen to the science, we listen to medicine (I know, medicine’s about science, too!) and we acknowledge that this devastating virus is dangerous and wreaking havoc on a confused and distressed people—and that we are a part of the confused and distressed people! We do what is right and reasonable in response to the ‘listening’ (that we do) in our place and time.
But our hope is not in a vaccine. Nor is it in ‘social-distancing’ or any of the other attempts to ‘flatten the curve,’ good as those may be. Our hope, ‘in the midst of things we cannot understand’, is the ‘assurance of a holy and certain hope’ in the one who is Hope, Jesus Christ our Lord! And we, Christians, get to proclaim that! Wow! What a time to be able to offer, what a time to be able to proclaim Advent and Christmas!!
As some of you already have heard, now, more than ever, I turn to the Revelation of John. I turn to it not because it’s about end-times (it does accurately foretell end-time events), but because of the primary message of the book: Hope; Hope at all times, and especially Hope in desperate times. John writes, right before the final battle when all seems so desperate for the believers, “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war with justice…and his name is called the Word of God” (Revelation 19:11ff CSB). This Word of God captures and destroys the enemies of humankind!
The Word of God has defeated our enemies, including viruses and fear. Nothing can stand against Him. Therefore, in the midst of these times which we cannot understand, I encourage you to read the Word of God. It will not tell you how to cure the virus—but it will tell you who does. The Word will not tell you why some people die from the virus and others don’t—but it will point you to the one who gives life; eternal life; abundant life. The Word will not tell you when the current pandemic will come to an end and we can return to “normal”—but it will tell you, “Don’t be afraid,” and then work in you to take away your fears in the midst of scary things.
In the midst of things we cannot understand, the Hope of the world has come and is coming! “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-11 CSB)
Merry Christmas!
Hope In the Midst of Things We Cannot Understand
Christmas. It’s coming in a few short weeks. And, it appears that much of the way in which we celebrate it will be different this year. And I get it; for a lot of people this is a very sad change.
But Christmas will not be different. It is still about hope. The Hope. The Hope that is Jesus, the Light of the world who comes into the world to make it different for you and for me. You and me? When left on our own, we’re wrapped in temptation and sin and death and damnation. With Jesus, we’re unwrapped—unwrapped from temptation and sin, unwrapped from darkness and death and damnation, and unwrapped from despair and hopelessness! Christmas never changes!
By grace, through faith, because of the work of Jesus—his life, death, resurrection; his taking upon himself our sinfulness and, in turn, purifying us from all unrighteousness—we are made Christians. As Christians, especially during these dark days, we are pointing to the Light of the world. We are in the world, but not of the world, and we are pointing an increasingly despairing world of hope-losing people to the Hope of the ages!
We listen to the government, we listen to the science, we listen to medicine (I know, medicine’s about science, too!) and we acknowledge that this devastating virus is dangerous and wreaking havoc on a confused and distressed people—and that we are a part of the confused and distressed people! We do what is right and reasonable in response to the ‘listening’ (that we do) in our place and time.
But our hope is not in a vaccine. Nor is it in ‘social-distancing’ or any of the other attempts to ‘flatten the curve,’ good as those may be. Our hope, ‘in the midst of things we cannot understand’, is the ‘assurance of a holy and certain hope’ in the one who is Hope, Jesus Christ our Lord! And we, Christians, get to proclaim that! Wow! What a time to be able to offer, what a time to be able to proclaim Advent and Christmas!!
As some of you already have heard, now, more than ever, I turn to the Revelation of John. I turn to it not because it’s about end-times (it does accurately foretell end-time events), but because of the primary message of the book: Hope; Hope at all times, and especially Hope in desperate times. John writes, right before the final battle when all seems so desperate for the believers, “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war with justice…and his name is called the Word of God” (Revelation 19:11ff CSB). This Word of God captures and destroys the enemies of humankind!
The Word of God has defeated our enemies, including viruses and fear. Nothing can stand against Him. Therefore, in the midst of these times which we cannot understand, I encourage you to read the Word of God. It will not tell you how to cure the virus—but it will tell you who does. The Word will not tell you why some people die from the virus and others don’t—but it will point you to the one who gives life; eternal life; abundant life. The Word will not tell you when the current pandemic will come to an end and we can return to “normal”—but it will tell you, “Don’t be afraid,” and then work in you to take away your fears in the midst of scary things.
In the midst of things we cannot understand, the Hope of the world has come and is coming! “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-11 CSB)
Merry Christmas!
November 2020
Everyone’s Been Complaining…
I’m not sitting inside the ‘glass house’ as I’m writing this article. I’m on the outside, along with so many others, throwing stones! To some extent, most of us can identify this: Everyone’s been complaining about 2020! Between the viral pandemic, the social/cultural unrest, the fallout and upheaval resulting from shutdowns and ‘social distancing’, and, now, for Minnesota sports fans, the pathetic start of the season for the Vikings—nothing seems to be going the right direction! Argh!
Guess what?! 2020 is nearly over. This article is for November. The end of the month is the beginning of a new Church Year (November 29 is the first Sunday in Advent)! Thanksgiving is right around the corner, with Christmas following soon after! Maybe 2021 will give us a new start?
I’ve got something better to offer than a mere calendar page turn—or, rather, God has something way better to offer. Consider Philippians 4:4ff:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
I’m not suggesting that we ‘rejoice’ because 2020 is almost over. I’m proclaiming God’s Word that we ‘rejoice always’! Paul continues a few verses later (v. 11b ff.):
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
Always, whatever the circumstances...what gives us this strength? What gives us this attitude? At the beginning of his letter, Paul is inspired by God to tell us that our attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus, who, ‘for the joy set before him’, endured the cross. St. Paul takes on that attitude—by grace, through faith, because of the work of Jesus; his birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection. We are to take on that same attitude as well. How?
October 31 is Reformation Day, a day set aside by the protestant church to celebrate God’s work in continuing to send men and women to ‘reform’ his Church and keep it teaching His pure Word and Sacraments. It is also a reminder to us that we either have been or can be reformed. We have been or can be reformed from our old sinful human nature by the waters of Baptism and by the working of God’s Word. Out with the old complainer! In with the new person, recreated in the image of God, who, because of the salvation we have from Jesus Christ, can and does find joy in all situations! This new person (you and me), because of the new life we have from our Savior, finds contentment in life, no matter whether we are fighting a virus, fighting arthritus, struggling with school assignments, trying to learn how to be productive in our work in the new work environment called ‘home’, or yearning to renew old family and friend relationships rent asunder because of our virus repsonse.
We are rescued from eternal death and damnation with the devil in hell by grace, through faith, because of Jesus’ work. We are also given strength, by grace, through faith, because of Jesus’ work! Strength to live each day in faith, trusting the triune God to provide all we need and want, and strength to rejoice in all situations! (Even Vikings fans can rejoice—and maybe Packer fans will be kind and not rub it in too hard?) Thanks be to God!
Everyone’s Been Complaining…
I’m not sitting inside the ‘glass house’ as I’m writing this article. I’m on the outside, along with so many others, throwing stones! To some extent, most of us can identify this: Everyone’s been complaining about 2020! Between the viral pandemic, the social/cultural unrest, the fallout and upheaval resulting from shutdowns and ‘social distancing’, and, now, for Minnesota sports fans, the pathetic start of the season for the Vikings—nothing seems to be going the right direction! Argh!
Guess what?! 2020 is nearly over. This article is for November. The end of the month is the beginning of a new Church Year (November 29 is the first Sunday in Advent)! Thanksgiving is right around the corner, with Christmas following soon after! Maybe 2021 will give us a new start?
I’ve got something better to offer than a mere calendar page turn—or, rather, God has something way better to offer. Consider Philippians 4:4ff:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
I’m not suggesting that we ‘rejoice’ because 2020 is almost over. I’m proclaiming God’s Word that we ‘rejoice always’! Paul continues a few verses later (v. 11b ff.):
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
Always, whatever the circumstances...what gives us this strength? What gives us this attitude? At the beginning of his letter, Paul is inspired by God to tell us that our attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus, who, ‘for the joy set before him’, endured the cross. St. Paul takes on that attitude—by grace, through faith, because of the work of Jesus; his birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection. We are to take on that same attitude as well. How?
October 31 is Reformation Day, a day set aside by the protestant church to celebrate God’s work in continuing to send men and women to ‘reform’ his Church and keep it teaching His pure Word and Sacraments. It is also a reminder to us that we either have been or can be reformed. We have been or can be reformed from our old sinful human nature by the waters of Baptism and by the working of God’s Word. Out with the old complainer! In with the new person, recreated in the image of God, who, because of the salvation we have from Jesus Christ, can and does find joy in all situations! This new person (you and me), because of the new life we have from our Savior, finds contentment in life, no matter whether we are fighting a virus, fighting arthritus, struggling with school assignments, trying to learn how to be productive in our work in the new work environment called ‘home’, or yearning to renew old family and friend relationships rent asunder because of our virus repsonse.
We are rescued from eternal death and damnation with the devil in hell by grace, through faith, because of Jesus’ work. We are also given strength, by grace, through faith, because of Jesus’ work! Strength to live each day in faith, trusting the triune God to provide all we need and want, and strength to rejoice in all situations! (Even Vikings fans can rejoice—and maybe Packer fans will be kind and not rub it in too hard?) Thanks be to God!
October 2020
Question: How Do You Treat the Landowner’s Representative?
Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 21:33-46. Please take a moment and read it now. I’ll wait for you to look it up...really...thanks!
I was going to use this as a sermon text in one of our upcoming services, but decided that this could also be useful as a newsletter article. So the question above is asked of you...how do you treat the landowners representative?
Jesus is clearly talking directly to the chief priests and Pharisees. Our text indicates this. But he is also talking to us. A parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning”—a story to give us understanding for living our lives on the basis of God’s expectations. In this parable we could be the tenant farmers—who leased the vineyard. In other words, as we live in this world, we simply rent our space from our creator God for the short time that we are here. We are expected to maintain it, to farm it, to gain a living from it, to help others from it, and to return to the landowner—God—his portion: his ‘rent’.
All of which brings up another question: How good are you at recognizing that you are only a lessee of the property which you manage in this life? Or are you like most of us and consider everything ‘mine’ (like the seagulls in “Finding Nemo”)?
It is important that we are not owners...it is actually a gospel (good news) thing. If we were owners, all of our screw-ups, all of our mistakes, all of our bad decisions would be permanent and we would destroy the place where we live. But, because God is the landowner, He continues to repair our devastation for all the ‘future generations’, until the return of Christ and Judgment Day.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, how do we treat God’s representatives who come to collect His fruit? You may be asking me, “What do I owe him? I want to pay, but I don’t know how?” The Old Testament has an entire list to help us to understand the answer to that question, but I like the simplicity of the New Testament answer: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) and, as Paul spoke about the Macedonian churches, “During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. I can testify that, according to their ability…” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). So we pay our ‘rent’ cheerfully according to our ability.
Old Lutheran stewardship talks about that we owe God’s representatives “time, talent, and treasure.” So, as they come to collect, we look at ourselves and we ask how we can cheerfully and according to our ability answer these questions:
· What portion of my time do I pay back to God—or do I beat the servants who come asking? (Time in serving people and institutions, but also time in Bible study and devotions.)
· What portion of my talent that God has given me do I pay back to God—or is it just mine to serve me in my interests for my prosperity? (Talents used in the Church, but also time used in just being a Christian friend to listen or be present.)
· What portion of my treasure do I pay to God’s representatives? Do I give all that I ‘owe’ Him?
While we pay our ‘rent’ in the variety of ways indicated above, we also pay our ‘rent’ as we give forgiveness to those around us, both when they have sinned against us and when they simply need to hear the forgiveness of God that is theirs through Jesus.
There are so many options! But none of this matters without faith. Arguably, the greatest debt we owe our landowner God is faith—to believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. And this faith comes from hearing the Word of the promise. And this faith comes from the work of the Holy Spirit given us through Word and Baptism.
We believe. We sin. We are forgiven. We believe. We examine ourselves and, by the grace of God, are constantly re-answering the question: How do I treat the landowner’s representative—or, better said—how do I treat the landowner’s Son? We change our answer from, “Death to the Son!” to “I believe! Help me believe better!” And in the grace of God, he does. Amen.
Question: How Do You Treat the Landowner’s Representative?
Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 21:33-46. Please take a moment and read it now. I’ll wait for you to look it up...really...thanks!
I was going to use this as a sermon text in one of our upcoming services, but decided that this could also be useful as a newsletter article. So the question above is asked of you...how do you treat the landowners representative?
Jesus is clearly talking directly to the chief priests and Pharisees. Our text indicates this. But he is also talking to us. A parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning”—a story to give us understanding for living our lives on the basis of God’s expectations. In this parable we could be the tenant farmers—who leased the vineyard. In other words, as we live in this world, we simply rent our space from our creator God for the short time that we are here. We are expected to maintain it, to farm it, to gain a living from it, to help others from it, and to return to the landowner—God—his portion: his ‘rent’.
All of which brings up another question: How good are you at recognizing that you are only a lessee of the property which you manage in this life? Or are you like most of us and consider everything ‘mine’ (like the seagulls in “Finding Nemo”)?
It is important that we are not owners...it is actually a gospel (good news) thing. If we were owners, all of our screw-ups, all of our mistakes, all of our bad decisions would be permanent and we would destroy the place where we live. But, because God is the landowner, He continues to repair our devastation for all the ‘future generations’, until the return of Christ and Judgment Day.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, how do we treat God’s representatives who come to collect His fruit? You may be asking me, “What do I owe him? I want to pay, but I don’t know how?” The Old Testament has an entire list to help us to understand the answer to that question, but I like the simplicity of the New Testament answer: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) and, as Paul spoke about the Macedonian churches, “During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. I can testify that, according to their ability…” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). So we pay our ‘rent’ cheerfully according to our ability.
Old Lutheran stewardship talks about that we owe God’s representatives “time, talent, and treasure.” So, as they come to collect, we look at ourselves and we ask how we can cheerfully and according to our ability answer these questions:
· What portion of my time do I pay back to God—or do I beat the servants who come asking? (Time in serving people and institutions, but also time in Bible study and devotions.)
· What portion of my talent that God has given me do I pay back to God—or is it just mine to serve me in my interests for my prosperity? (Talents used in the Church, but also time used in just being a Christian friend to listen or be present.)
· What portion of my treasure do I pay to God’s representatives? Do I give all that I ‘owe’ Him?
While we pay our ‘rent’ in the variety of ways indicated above, we also pay our ‘rent’ as we give forgiveness to those around us, both when they have sinned against us and when they simply need to hear the forgiveness of God that is theirs through Jesus.
There are so many options! But none of this matters without faith. Arguably, the greatest debt we owe our landowner God is faith—to believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. And this faith comes from hearing the Word of the promise. And this faith comes from the work of the Holy Spirit given us through Word and Baptism.
We believe. We sin. We are forgiven. We believe. We examine ourselves and, by the grace of God, are constantly re-answering the question: How do I treat the landowner’s representative—or, better said—how do I treat the landowner’s Son? We change our answer from, “Death to the Son!” to “I believe! Help me believe better!” And in the grace of God, he does. Amen.
September 2020
On Random Topics During an Election Year
As the title of this article suggests, this will cover a variety of thoughts…
1st: We have been holding in-building, in-person worship services for the past couple of months. One of the things that pastors try to notice is who is taking communion and who is not. I know that the health situation of our world still makes many of you cautious about attending ‘large’ group gatherings—so—it is important for you to know that, like always, private or family communion is available. Just make an appointment with me. Or stop in and see if I have time when you go by. Our Lord’s Supper is too important and too valuable to be consistently missing receiving it.
2nd: On a related note, starting September 6 we will be offering a single in-building Sunday worship service at St Stephen’s—10:30 a.m. The in-building Sunday worship at St John’s will start at 8:45 a.m.
3rd: Thank you for your continued response in stewardship to our Lord’s Word! Because of God’s work in you for your continued response, much time and many talents and treasure continue to be offered to continue God’s mission among us and through us.
4th: As we move forward toward our national and local elections I’m not going to suggest who you should vote for—because, frankly, it’s none of my business how God works through you for that decision and I don’t have a clue how I’m going to vote, yet! But let me encourage you to look at the whole person(s) and all the issues through the lens of God’s Word and prayerfully consider his guidance.
Finally: In the grand scheme of things, we in the Lutheran Church don’t pay much attention to saint days. And, while I think we could take note of the examples of the faithful God has sent before us a little bit more, for the most part I think we do just fine. Having said that, I do note that my birthday is on the day set aside by the ancient Church for St. Bartholomew.
St. Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael in John’s Gospel) was one of the twelve apostles. He is the one who commented, “Can anything good come out of North Dakota?” Or was that—Nazareth?!! All joking aside, he recognized Jesus as the Son of God, the King of Israel, and was with Jesus throughout his Judean ministry. According to some early church fathers, he was an evangelist to Armenia (over by Turkey and Iran) and was martyred by being flayed alive. My Treasury of Daily Prayer (CPH, © 2008, p 653) quotes a writing from Gregory of Nazianzus for meditation for St. Bartholomew’s Day:
[C]onsider by [St. Paul’s] example how important a matter is the care of souls...The manifold character of his ministry? Consider his loving-kindness and, on the other hand, his strictness and the combination and blending of the two in such way that his gentleness should not weaken nor his severity exasperate...On behalf of some he gives thanks; others he upbraids. Some he names his joy and crown; others he charges with folly. Some who hold a straight course he accompanies, sharing in their zeal; others who are going wrong he checks. At one time he excommunicates; at another he confirms his love. At one time he grieves; at another rejoices. At one time he feeds with milk; at another he handles mysteries. At one time he condescends; at another he raises to his own level. At one time he threatens a rod; at another he offers the spirit of meekness. At one time he is haughty toward the lofty; at another lowly toward the lowly. Now he is least of the apostles, now he offers a proof of Christ speaking in him; now he longs for departure and is being poured forth as a libation, now he thinks it more necessary for their sakes to abide in the flesh. For he seeks not his own interests, but those of his children who he has begotten in Christ by the Gospel. This is the aim of all his spiritual authority, in everything to neglect his own in comparison with the advantage of others.
This is the on-going goal of your pastor.
Your servant in Christ, Pastor Tim J. Renstrom
On Random Topics During an Election Year
As the title of this article suggests, this will cover a variety of thoughts…
1st: We have been holding in-building, in-person worship services for the past couple of months. One of the things that pastors try to notice is who is taking communion and who is not. I know that the health situation of our world still makes many of you cautious about attending ‘large’ group gatherings—so—it is important for you to know that, like always, private or family communion is available. Just make an appointment with me. Or stop in and see if I have time when you go by. Our Lord’s Supper is too important and too valuable to be consistently missing receiving it.
2nd: On a related note, starting September 6 we will be offering a single in-building Sunday worship service at St Stephen’s—10:30 a.m. The in-building Sunday worship at St John’s will start at 8:45 a.m.
3rd: Thank you for your continued response in stewardship to our Lord’s Word! Because of God’s work in you for your continued response, much time and many talents and treasure continue to be offered to continue God’s mission among us and through us.
4th: As we move forward toward our national and local elections I’m not going to suggest who you should vote for—because, frankly, it’s none of my business how God works through you for that decision and I don’t have a clue how I’m going to vote, yet! But let me encourage you to look at the whole person(s) and all the issues through the lens of God’s Word and prayerfully consider his guidance.
Finally: In the grand scheme of things, we in the Lutheran Church don’t pay much attention to saint days. And, while I think we could take note of the examples of the faithful God has sent before us a little bit more, for the most part I think we do just fine. Having said that, I do note that my birthday is on the day set aside by the ancient Church for St. Bartholomew.
St. Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael in John’s Gospel) was one of the twelve apostles. He is the one who commented, “Can anything good come out of North Dakota?” Or was that—Nazareth?!! All joking aside, he recognized Jesus as the Son of God, the King of Israel, and was with Jesus throughout his Judean ministry. According to some early church fathers, he was an evangelist to Armenia (over by Turkey and Iran) and was martyred by being flayed alive. My Treasury of Daily Prayer (CPH, © 2008, p 653) quotes a writing from Gregory of Nazianzus for meditation for St. Bartholomew’s Day:
[C]onsider by [St. Paul’s] example how important a matter is the care of souls...The manifold character of his ministry? Consider his loving-kindness and, on the other hand, his strictness and the combination and blending of the two in such way that his gentleness should not weaken nor his severity exasperate...On behalf of some he gives thanks; others he upbraids. Some he names his joy and crown; others he charges with folly. Some who hold a straight course he accompanies, sharing in their zeal; others who are going wrong he checks. At one time he excommunicates; at another he confirms his love. At one time he grieves; at another rejoices. At one time he feeds with milk; at another he handles mysteries. At one time he condescends; at another he raises to his own level. At one time he threatens a rod; at another he offers the spirit of meekness. At one time he is haughty toward the lofty; at another lowly toward the lowly. Now he is least of the apostles, now he offers a proof of Christ speaking in him; now he longs for departure and is being poured forth as a libation, now he thinks it more necessary for their sakes to abide in the flesh. For he seeks not his own interests, but those of his children who he has begotten in Christ by the Gospel. This is the aim of all his spiritual authority, in everything to neglect his own in comparison with the advantage of others.
This is the on-going goal of your pastor.
Your servant in Christ, Pastor Tim J. Renstrom
August 2020
Aren’t These Fun Times!?
For a lot of people right now life is...interesting, frustrating, exasperating, unpredictable and, perhaps, several other descriptive words! And, for a lot of people, our response is fear, obstinacy, stubbornness, pigheadedness, inflexibility and, perhaps, several other even more descriptive words! We don’t like change, especially forced change. We don’t like not knowing when the ‘next shoe is going to drop’ nor do we like not knowing what that ‘next shoe’ is going to be! And so we react like...well...it has to be said...13-14 year olds going on 2.
What if we should be thankful for these times of trial? What if each morning we should be waking up and saying, “Thank you, God, for another day of trials! What are you going to give me today that you are going to overcome for me?”
In Scripture, St. Paul writes that we should rejoice in our sufferings…(Romans 5:3) and that he rejoiced in his sufferings for the Colossians (Colossians 1:24) and that we should imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:16).
I have a book of devotions that I have been using for openings for our Elders and Council meetings. (Actually it’s a series of 3 books.) It is titled Comfort From Meditations: For Such a Time As This. The book based on the Old Testament starts with a meditation titled “God Provides Strength for Each Day” and uses Isaiah 40:28-31 as its text. Even more interestingly, the book based on the Epistle starts with a meditation titled “Thank God You’re Tested” and uses 1 Peter 1:6,7 as its text. Both concepts are helpful for us today.
In “Thank God You’re Tested”, the author writes, “…[W]e see why the Apostle Peter speaks so highly of trials in the Christian’s life. They are all important tests of our faith, and they have wonderful results, because God’s own purpose is behind them…Difficult, yes! Distressing, yes! But thank God when you’re tested! For it is your gracious God himself who tests your faith. He himself is in the test. He applies pressure to reveal and to correct any weakness. And if he brings you through the fire of afflictions, it is not to harm you, but only to refine, to purify, to temper and to strengthen your faith.”
We don’t know all the ‘whys’ behind the current social unrest in our world and the ‘whys’ behind the Covid-19 virus and the death and destruction and hype caused by these and other disasters in our world. But we know that Christ has lived, died, rose and ascended—alive—to redeem this world and all its problems; to redeem us and all our problems. We are saved. We are given faith to believe God’s promises. And he promises to bring only good to his people (we are his people) and to work in all things for the good of those who love him.
Therefore, in the midst of our current human unrest, we pause to thank God for trials and tests. We thank him for using the trials and tests to show us where our faith is small and weak. We thank him for strengthening us through these same trials and tests.
Which brings us to the new wrinkle in our current trials...face masks. Some people like them, some people disdain them and some people go, “Whatever.” But, according to our Governor’s Executive Order 20-81, those who are able to should wear face masks in any indoor public gathering, including houses of worship. Therefore, as we have posted on the entries to our churches, those who are able to wear face masks during worship should.
There are many reasons people are unable to wear masks—and they are covered in the executive order. But, if you are one of the people who refuses to come to church because you ‘don’t like the Governor telling you what to do,’ I invite you to examine your motives—are they of God? Are you protesting a government order? If so what message are you sending and to whom? What do you gain from exempting yourself from public worship, God’s Word and the sacrament, if it is just ‘for the principle of the thing’? Examine yourself in light of God’s Word, and if you are sinning, please repent, confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
Remember, we do have ‘in-person’ worship in both our buildings now. If you are unable to attend ‘in-person’, we do have other alternatives as listed elsewhere in this newsletter.
Aren’t these fun times! Thank God you’re tested!
Aren’t These Fun Times!?
For a lot of people right now life is...interesting, frustrating, exasperating, unpredictable and, perhaps, several other descriptive words! And, for a lot of people, our response is fear, obstinacy, stubbornness, pigheadedness, inflexibility and, perhaps, several other even more descriptive words! We don’t like change, especially forced change. We don’t like not knowing when the ‘next shoe is going to drop’ nor do we like not knowing what that ‘next shoe’ is going to be! And so we react like...well...it has to be said...13-14 year olds going on 2.
What if we should be thankful for these times of trial? What if each morning we should be waking up and saying, “Thank you, God, for another day of trials! What are you going to give me today that you are going to overcome for me?”
In Scripture, St. Paul writes that we should rejoice in our sufferings…(Romans 5:3) and that he rejoiced in his sufferings for the Colossians (Colossians 1:24) and that we should imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:16).
I have a book of devotions that I have been using for openings for our Elders and Council meetings. (Actually it’s a series of 3 books.) It is titled Comfort From Meditations: For Such a Time As This. The book based on the Old Testament starts with a meditation titled “God Provides Strength for Each Day” and uses Isaiah 40:28-31 as its text. Even more interestingly, the book based on the Epistle starts with a meditation titled “Thank God You’re Tested” and uses 1 Peter 1:6,7 as its text. Both concepts are helpful for us today.
In “Thank God You’re Tested”, the author writes, “…[W]e see why the Apostle Peter speaks so highly of trials in the Christian’s life. They are all important tests of our faith, and they have wonderful results, because God’s own purpose is behind them…Difficult, yes! Distressing, yes! But thank God when you’re tested! For it is your gracious God himself who tests your faith. He himself is in the test. He applies pressure to reveal and to correct any weakness. And if he brings you through the fire of afflictions, it is not to harm you, but only to refine, to purify, to temper and to strengthen your faith.”
We don’t know all the ‘whys’ behind the current social unrest in our world and the ‘whys’ behind the Covid-19 virus and the death and destruction and hype caused by these and other disasters in our world. But we know that Christ has lived, died, rose and ascended—alive—to redeem this world and all its problems; to redeem us and all our problems. We are saved. We are given faith to believe God’s promises. And he promises to bring only good to his people (we are his people) and to work in all things for the good of those who love him.
Therefore, in the midst of our current human unrest, we pause to thank God for trials and tests. We thank him for using the trials and tests to show us where our faith is small and weak. We thank him for strengthening us through these same trials and tests.
Which brings us to the new wrinkle in our current trials...face masks. Some people like them, some people disdain them and some people go, “Whatever.” But, according to our Governor’s Executive Order 20-81, those who are able to should wear face masks in any indoor public gathering, including houses of worship. Therefore, as we have posted on the entries to our churches, those who are able to wear face masks during worship should.
There are many reasons people are unable to wear masks—and they are covered in the executive order. But, if you are one of the people who refuses to come to church because you ‘don’t like the Governor telling you what to do,’ I invite you to examine your motives—are they of God? Are you protesting a government order? If so what message are you sending and to whom? What do you gain from exempting yourself from public worship, God’s Word and the sacrament, if it is just ‘for the principle of the thing’? Examine yourself in light of God’s Word, and if you are sinning, please repent, confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
Remember, we do have ‘in-person’ worship in both our buildings now. If you are unable to attend ‘in-person’, we do have other alternatives as listed elsewhere in this newsletter.
Aren’t these fun times! Thank God you’re tested!