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Monday, 30 March 2009
Friends,
Sometimes the Bible gives me incredible highlights...inspirations...challenges...and directions.
And then every once in awhile I read my devotions in the morning and I get this:
"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise." Ephesians 5:15
Really? You think? Thanks Bible-writer-guy. Cause I couldn't figure that one out myself?
Maybe these verses come next:
"Don't eat yellow snow." 2nd Winterlivingers 12:34
"Do not let your dessert be larger than your dinner." 1st Dieticians 2:34
"Remember to buy low and sell high" Financialplanningers 2:8
"Never try to put your fist through a wall because several things might break" The book of Brainchild 11:24
There's a lot of things that we read...encounter...experience...that seem like common sense. They seem like no-brainers. Simple things that we should get right all the time. But amazingly, we don't get it all the time. I still make bad financial moves...eat too much dessert...put fists through walls (got better at that one fast...first time I did that back in the day was a good learning experience)...and eat yello....OK, three out of four I've messed up.
We need the reminders.
This thing called "faith" and this message called "the Bible" are great because sometimes even when we are caught up in the questions about God and the doubts about a Savior or the chaos of daily life, we can fall back on some very simple ways to live out life.
You don't need to be in church every Sunday to see the impact of a wise life. You don't have to read the Bible for an hour a day to understand that wise choices have good impacts. You don't have to fully understand communion or the eternal impact of Good Friday to see that our life needs wise choices.
It's a simple verse and a simple story. And it can actually have a great impact.
The simple story that surrounds this one simple verse is a story that describes how we can and why we should want to lead wise lives...because we are loved...whether we get that or not...we are loved...whether we want to accept it or not...we are loved.
You are loved.
And this community that is being written to here is trying to figure out what that means...how that love of a Savior who died for all can impact their daily lives. And the author simply says, be careful how you live out this love...be wise with it.
Maybe you are trying to figure that out too? Maybe you're struggling with financial stuff, looking at dessert, staring at a wall and contemplating that snow?
Or maybe it's something else. What are you going to do?
Let me reflect something to you that I read in a pretty good book one time: Make the wise choice because you are loved. It will have a much better result than that snow!
It's that simple.
Lord, help me make the choices...simply. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
9535 Clarence Center Rd
Clarence Center NY 14032
716.741.2656
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
So this morning, I'm shooting hoops with Drew while we're waiting for the bus and he says, "So Dad, why didn't you play in the NBA?".
A great question! Why don't I?
Maybe cause I stink? Or maybe because I'm short and my old vertical leap has evaporated? Maybe because it's hard work and I'm slow and don't really like to run anymore?
But none of that matters to him. Because I can hit jumpers from 10 feet and the occasional 3 point shot...to Drew, I could play in the NBA.
I wonder if Jesus thinks I could play in the NBA? He's never asked me to do that, but he has asked "Steve, why don't you be my disciple?".
On a daily basis, I have 100 answers and reasons why I can't. They range, they change and they differ. But unlike my NBA problems, I'm gifted enough to be his disciple. I don't need to dunk, out run someone, or even make every shot.
I just need to try and make it to practice and play.
I can do that...can't I? Can't you?
Lord, let's play some ball.
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
9535 Clarence Center Rd
Clarence Center NY 14032
716.741.2656
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Friends,
Last week, I asked you (and myself) what were you hearing? What are the noises in your background and how are you able to hear of God's love for you amidst the noise?
How are you doing at that?
I've found that I am a bad "hearer." And that I need to improve my "ponderation" skills. (Yes, that is my new made up Steve-ism for the week)
The Lord God has opened my ear; and I was not disobedient. Nor did I turn back. Isaiah 50:5 (NASB)
Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. Luke 10:39
I'm also a bad "sitter" which hurts my "ponderation." Although, there really is another option...movement. To be a good hearer, you don't necessarily have to be a sitter to improve your ponderation.
Isaiah is moving! Geographically, I'm not sure where. But he's moving through life's experiences. He's moving through hard times and persecution. He's walking through disappointments in the world as he tries to tell others of God's love. He's moving into darkness for the sake of God's light.
And while he's doing it, he's practicing his ponderation skills...always and every time connecting himself to God...seeing God's guidance...God's strengthening...God's provision and vision.
Mary sits. That's great. It works for her. Her sister Martha got a theological spanking from Jesus because she got caught up in the household preparation chores. She wasn't scolded for moving, but moving without purpose and connection.
If sitting works for you, great. But you can move as well....movement while pondering your connection to God...his call for you...tasks for you...ministry area for you...people for you to love...care for...watch over...teach...forgive. That's ponderation...allowing yourself to move through life by connection and reflection to the Lord.
So listen today...keep moving...keep sitting...and through your Isaiah-like ponderation, stay connected to the Lord.
Lord, help me improve my ponderation. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
9535 Clarence Center Rd
Clarence Center NY 14032
716.741.2656
Monday, 16 March 2009
Friends,
Top o' the morning to you! Everybody is a little Irish this week, right?
I wonder if Jesus had any Irish in him? Maybe he used green wine for Passover when it hit close to St. Patty's Day?
I wonder if Jesus had any German in him? Maybe he kicked back with a good IPA beer with the disciples as they planned how to minister to the next town they were to arrive in? (Luckily they walked from town to town)
I wonder if Jesus had any Mexican in him? Maybe for the Last Supper he actually used chips and salsa? (which would explain our intinction (dipping) style of drive-by Communion!)
I wonder if Jesus loved college basketball or college football? (Could his favorite play have been the Hail Mary?)
I wonder if Jesus was a Buffalo Bills fan? (I've seen many Buffalo Bills Good Fridays...still waiting for my Easter!)
I wonder....
There's a pretty good chance Jesus isn't any of these things. Here's what I do know about him today...he was...is...and will be my Savior.
I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:3 In this Old Testament Selection Sunday, Isaiah was announcing the standings and placement for all the world to hear. "There is a new number one seed coming...a Savior who is Christ the Lord." And by that placement, we are selected to live with God eternally.
There are many things we don't know about God...what type of nachos he likes...his favorite wine, but the things that he chose to reveal through Jesus are the important ones. You are loved. You are forgiven. And in God's eyes, you are number one!
Lord, thanks for making me number one. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
-------March Madness update-------
This is just a public service announcement for those who are playing in the Zion Lutheran March Madness Tourney.
Go to ESPN's site: http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage
The group name is "zioncrazies" and the password is "luther." However, before entering those pieces, you first need to register and create an account. Then add yourself to the private group...zioncrazies with the password luther.
Also, you don't pick the play-in game, only whether or not the winner of that will win or lose against a #1 team.
We'll see you all there. If you're looking for your bracket, you'll find it located somewhere below mine! Remember your brackets have to be filled out before the first game on Thursday. Only one bracket per person
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
9535 Clarence Center Rd
Clarence Center NY 14032
716.741.2656
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Friends,
What have you heard today already?
I heard my alarm go off and the useless sports banter began.
I heard one of my kids having a morning tantrum.
I heard that Guinness beer is 250 years old today. (Wow...that's old)
I heard the headlines on TV that...newsflash...the economy is bad and people with guns continue to do stupid and tragic things.
I heard my wife remind me of something I forget at the house.
And those five things happened in my first hour.
Now, I also heard some other things:
I heard Michelle tell me she loved me.
I heard my kids tell me they loved me and they were excited about our evening activities.
I heard God tell me through the Bible that Christ has accepted me (Rm 15:7) as I read a piece of the word today.
How do we keep it all straight?
Who/What have you heard today?
Are you hearing things that are building you up? Reminding you of God's love? Helping you walk forward into the day?
Or are you hearing stuff that concerns you? Scares you? Distracts you?
Bottom line: we're going to hear A LOT of stuff everyday...some good, some bad. You can't hide under a rock (because then the rock would squish you and you'd be dead....I never quite understood that phrase) and ignore the noise and distractions. So what should we do?
Do what Joshua passed on to his peeps from the Lord: "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord." Joshua 24:23
I like that God recognizes that our ears are connected to our hearts. What we hear affects everything we do and are and will become.
So let's keep things real: you're going to hear stuff today...stuff you like...stuff you don't. As you hear all of it, incline your ears...eyes...person...your heart to God to know that you are loved...cared for...forgiven...held in the palm of God's hand.
Lord, speak loudly...sometimes I'm hard of hearing. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
9535 Clarence Center Rd
Clarence Center NY 14032
716.741.2656
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Friends,
Have you started your spring cleaning yet? Because this it...today is the day...Biegner Winter is over and spring is here! Yahooooo!
Are you done your spring cleaning? In the middle of it?
If you're like me, part of you looks forward to spring cleaning, but part of you dreads it. I look forward to the purging, being able to see out the windows post-grime cleaning, letting fresh air in, getting the salt residue off the garage floor and bringing down from the rafters the kids' outdoor toys, etc.
The part I don't like is the time it takes, the dust it kicks up and the filth that you encounter in the process.
But when it's all over, I feel like I'm ready for anyone at anytime to stop on over and come on into a fresh clean place.
Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." Luke 19:5
Was Zach ready for Jesus to stop on over? Was his spring cleaning done? Started? In the middle?
My guess is that he was in the beginning, or at best the middle, when Jesus called out to him and said "Let's roll and have lunch!" But his cleaning was a spiritual house cleaning...getting his heart in order...his actions in order...his attitude in order. Not only so Jesus could reside with him, but so that his life would change....and he would be ready for ALL to enter into his life and heart.
What I love about this story is that Jesus didn't wait for him to be perfect and have it all together.
That's good news for me and I'm guessing for you too.
Our life isn't supposed to be about perfection...it's about spring cleaning. And not just at the end of Biegner Winter, but everyday. It's a year round Lenten thing...cleaning...cleansing...checking ourselves...and getting it back together.
God's already in our house. We don't clean so the Lord will arrive. We get it together because he chose to show up! Chose to love us. Chose to die for us. Chose to take away our dirt and grime.
So how's your spring cleaning going?
Lord, help me grab the Mr. Clean and get to work! Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
9535 Clarence Center Rd
Clarence Center NY 14032
716.741.2656
Thursday, 05 March 2009
Friends,
It's Thursday. The last thing I remember clearly was Monday. I was coming off a great weekend of celebrating God's presence in the healing that occurs in our lives. I was inspired to remember that a cure is not always the outcome we need to seek but to be better at searching out the healing God could be bringing during sickness, cancer, loss, grief and even death itself.
Then I got the flu.
And for the past 70 hours, which because my body self-destructed on me I was asleep for about 50 of them....I pleaded with God...not for healing...I wanted a CURE!!!!! Cure. Cure. Cure.
OK, so maybe this faith thing isn't so easy. Maybe there will be a few slip-ups along the way.
"Those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added." Acts 2:41
3000 people were baptized in that story from Acts. I wonder how many slip-ups happened the week after?
Life is about faith and faith is about life. Sometimes they can be the greatest partners and sometimes the most challenging adversaries.
This journey that we are on is not a straight line from point A to point B. If it were, Jesus never would have had to enter our stories because we would have gotten it right in the Garden of Eden. But we didn't, so He did.
Cut yourself a little slack today. You're going to have slip-ups. You're going to lose track and forget. Life will overwhelm.
But let those moments be temporary blips on the radar...a radar whose tracking devise is the cross. One that is about love and for love. One that is about God's action in the middle of our non-action. One that is for all time when we forget time.
So maybe today you have forgotten...or even had a slip-up.
Luckily, God has not.
Lord, thanks for gettin' my back. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Monday, 02 March 2009
Friends,
Healing. Healing is happening. And I wonder if we're noticing it?
This past weekend Dr. Bob Zielinski preached a sermon at Zion called "Does God Heal Today?" It was a wonderful sermon and the full text is on our website (www.zionontheweb.com) under the Sermon tab.
There was a great line in it that I want to share with you. It was toward the end of the sermon when Bob said: "The cure, which is all anyone seems to want to talk about, is overrated. The absence of cure doesn’t mean there wasn’t a healing. On the contrary, if we look hard enough, we will often find that the most extraordinary healings come to and from those who were not cured."
Bob was speaking at the time about medical cures and sharing how much healing comes from God in those situations, even when the cure we ask for doesn't come.
But I started thinking in my head: maybe this is bigger than medical? Maybe this is for ALL our hard times?
Ecclesiastes Ch. 3 tells us that there is a time for everything...a time to mourn, a time to dance, a time to be born and a time to die.
And if that is the case (which I believe it is), then there will be times of tragedy...there will be times of questions...there will be times of death. So this "cure" that we search for has to deal with everything from fires to plane crashes to cancer to aging to job loss to missing children. We plead for those things to never happen. And yet when they do...because there ends up being "a time" for them...God can heal in their midst as well.
The healing is not just medical.
The healing is financial...relational...emotional.
And if we can agree that there is indeed a time for all those bad things.....
then we must agree there is a time for healing.
So maybe that healing is happening...and maybe God wants it to be happening...
so maybe we should look around and take notice.
Lord, thanks for your healing even when it's not the cure we so desire. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
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