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Thursday, 22 July 2010
Friends,
Isn't it great when we have a problem and we take that problem (car, computer, health, anything) to someone...and they fix it! Nothing is more frustrating to me than when I can't fix something.
I'm jumping on a plane again in a couple days, so how about a little "plane humor" that someone sent me this morning that cracked me up!
Ø After every flight, pilots fill out a form called a gripe sheet, which conveys to the mechanics problems encountered with the aircraft during the flight that need repair or correction. The mechanics read and correct the problem, and then respond in writing on the lower half of the form what remedial action was taken and the pilot reviews the gripe sheets before the next flight.
> >
> > Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of
> > humor. Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints and problems
> > as submitted by Qantas pilots and the solution recorded by maintenance
> > engineers. By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never
> > had an accident.
> >
> > (P = The problem logged by the pilot) (S = The solution and action
> > taken by the engineers)
> >
> > P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
> > S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
> >
> > P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
> > S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
> >
> > P: Something loose in cockpit.
> > S: Something tightened in cockpit
> >
> > P: Dead bugs on windshield.
> > S: Live bugs on back-order.
> >
> > P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute
> > descent
> > S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
> >
> > P: DME volume unbelievably loud
> > S: DME volume set to more believable level.
> >
> > P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
> > S: That's what they're there for.
> >
> > P: Suspected crack in windshield
> > S: Suspect you're right
> >
> > P: Number 3 engine missing
> > S: Engine found on right wing after brief search
> >
> > P: Aircraft handles funny.
> > S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
> >
> > P: Target radar hums.
> > S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics
These engineers and maintenance crews are great fixers, aren't they?
But in real life, there is a big difference between healing and fixing. Fixing corrects the problem. Healing might correct it, but even bigger than that even if it doesn't, healing brings peace despite the problem!
I spent a lot of time this week with Clarence Center Fire Company and Twin Cities ambulance crews at people's homes that had problems...seriously health conditions and emergency situations. They used their gifts and talents to, in one case, literally breathe life back in people! But did they "fix" everything? No, we know that's not how all stories end. But did they heal...yes, absolutely, as best they could in difficult circumstances.
Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28
Notice he didn't say "I'll give you rest and fix it." That's not the business he was in. He was in the business of letting us know we are loved...that the Kingdom of God had broken in...and that he brought a peace the world could not overwhelm.
I'm heading to Haiti with our mission team. I have no misconceptions that we'll "fix" a damn thing down there. I just hope and pray that while we're all together, we might see a tad more healing because we have a place to go and bring our burdens...because we have a Savior who is bigger than the world...because the Holy Spirit still offers direction and peace in the midst of the problem.
That offer goes to you as well today...from a loving Savior...a spiritual paramedic. Bring him your problem...have him come to your house...and he promises to fi....wait....he promises to bring you peace through healing!
Lord, thanks for rolling onto my scene. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
Monday, 19 July 2010
Friends,
This week I'm spending almost all of my time on final preparations for our Advance Mission Team to head down to Haiti and begin a partnership with a Lutheran Christian orphanage in Les Cayes and a newly formed school we are working with other churches/partners to build on the island of Ile la Vache.
As I prayed about it this morning, I could sense all sorts of emotions roll over me: nervousness, excitement, energy, questioning and more.
I'm a planner when it comes to things like this. I like to maximize time. I like to accomplish the goals we have set before us. I like to look back when we're done and say "We did that! together for God's children." For this trip, we have our agenda. We have supplies for a medical mission at the orphanage and the school. We have paint supplies to spend some time painting in the school. We have sports stuff to play with the kids. We have toothbrushes to do some instruction on "how not to brush your teeth like Steve usually does."
But I keep reading articles and online segments...keep talking to people in Haiti...keep hearing from others who have been down there and are now back. And the theme is this: it's a mess down there. It was before the earthquake...and it still is now.
So maybe God's plan is bigger than paint and meds for us on this trip. Maybe part of our purpose in going will be just to show up...to be.
"The snares of death encompassed me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, I pray, save my life!' Psalm 116:3-4
Have you ever called out that same thing to the Lord? I have. And I'm guessing our brothers and sisters in Haiti have as well. I know that in the times of my life when I was in the depths, I would yell and God would respond...not in the wind...or some magic...but in the presence...of someone. Maybe this mission trip is about that presence?
Who do you hear yelling today? Are you listening for it? Where can you allow God to send you today? To simply be?
They might be closer than you think!
If you want to join us on this trip, we are still looking for financial sponsorships to deliver 100% of that money down to the Children of Israel orphanage to purchase the prescription drugs we are not allowed to carry with us over the borders. Please contact me soon if you'd like to be a part of that!
Lord, help me today to hear the voices of those calling out in pain. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Monday, 19 July 2010
 Friends,
I just returned from a week in Diamond Point NY...preaching at Diamond Point Community Church, a summer mission outpost for worship in the Lake George area of NY.
It's a fabulous week for rest and recharge, celebrating God's creation, reading a couple of the books that get stacked up on my desk as recommended reading and a lot of playing with the family. It's also the only week of the year that I wake up early just to watch the sun rise over Buck Mountain. This year I only managed to make it down to the dock once...but what a morning it was!
Each morning that I make the pilgrimage, I wake up just before 5am, fill the coffee mug, grab the camera and my chair and walk across the street to the dock. Once there, I just sit and write in the kid's "Drop Dead Books" (these are the books I write to each of my kids with things I want them to remember in case I get hit by a bus tomorrow morning).
Monday morning was one of the clearest mornings over Lake George that I can remember...a cool morning, no clouds and low humidity. But it wasn't the full sun jumping onto the scene that struck me that morning, it was the mountains...waiting...sitting there...getting ready for another beautiful sunrise. I thought for awhile about how many sunrises those mountains had seen...thousands? millions? But more than that, I thought about all the storms they had faced in between those sunrises...the driving rains, the whipping winds, the harsh cold ice storms.
But not this morning! Monday morning, they were just enjoying it all, allowing the warmth of the sun to rise up over their peaks again and light up the world.
Ever since the creation of the world God's eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. Romans 1:20
We can see the mountains. We can see the sunrise. But do we see the peace and rest and reminder that come with them. In the midst of all the storms that you and I have faced and will face...do remember to rest and enjoy the peace that comes in between them? Because in those quieter moments, also made by God, there is a place to recharge, to reflect and to resurrect.
Where is your dock to sit on this morning? Tomorrow? The day after? Where is the place that God wants you to recharge? When is that time that you look at the mountains around you, knowing all you have faced together and set it aside...to just allow the sun to rise again.
Lord, thanks for that time. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Zion Lutheran Church
Tuesday, 06 July 2010
Friends,
Last week, Tuesday was a day like any other summer day in the world of "Parenting at the Biegner's." Drew and Lauren were having their typical highs and lows like any other brother and sister would do. Summer off from school has amped up the experience a little bit though and the extremes of both playing together and arguing with one another are just that...more extreme.
On Tuesday afternoon as Lauren melted down from a small disagreement to full blown tantrum, I sent her off to her room to diffuse the situation, as we usually would. Recently, she has been struggling to "stop the slide" when her behavior and attitude go south and it often ends up with some room time. She has been working on it, but she's clearly only at Step #1: identifying the problem.
Her window looks out over the back patio, which is where I was cleaning outside for a meeting at my house later in the evening. As I prepped below, I looked up to see her pathetic face pressed up against the glass with the window opened just a crack, as if she was gasping for what little fresh air she could glean. Then the conversation went something like this:
Lu: I'm sorry Daddy. (sad pathetic voice)
Steve: I know ya are sweetie, but there are still consequences to your actions so you have to stay in your room for awhile.
Lu: But Daddy, I've been praying for help with this. (voice now a little more desperate)
Steve: I know Lu, that's good. Now just quiet down and reflect up there please.
Lu: (now full blown angry at the world, screaming voice) Well this just shows God doesn't answer prayers!!! Because I've been praying for help with this for hours and days and weeks!!!!! Agrrr! (Hurling herself away from the window, crying on the bed)
Drew: (walking onto the patio after hearing the outburst) Wow, quite a drama queen, don't you think Dad?
Steve; No comment son.
It was an interesting dialog which reminded me a couple things: (1) Michelle's daughter is a drama queen and Steve's son is very perceptive and (2) sometimes prayers are answered in a different timing then we'd like.
O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge on the day of trouble. Jeremiah 16:19
Jeremiah knew that God was present with him. He celebrated it, wrote about it, proclaimed it. But that doesn't mean that life was perfect or easy or everything matched up with the way he had it planned out.
After a few more minutes, I went up and talked to a now calmed Sybil....I mean Lauren....and explained to her that God's timing is tricky, but that those answers to prayer often come through our changes in behaviors and actions. And that we rarely see God just snap the ol' fingers and everything gets fixed. She smiled. We came up with a plan. We hugged and laughed at her spazticness. We grew.
God does answer prayers. But it is in God's time...not ours. And when life gets rough, it's not that God hasn't answered or that the stronghold and strength are gone. It usually means we've been distracted by other things and lost our eyes of faith to see it.
I hope that you had a wonderful long, family and friend full, party, pool and relaxation centered holiday weekend. I hope and pray that every minute was a blessing for you. But if you didn't...if it wasn't...if an hour..a day...or a week was not all you hoped for and it was maybe even filled with pain and hurt...please know that God's strength and stronghold is still there. God is STILL answering your prayers. Give it time. Look with eyes of faith. Step away for a bit to stop the slide. And allow your family of faith to nurture you through it.
Lord, thanks for your patience with our expectations. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Thursday, 01 July 2010
Friends,
I am only writing this morning to the very few people out there who have never skipped a class in all their years of school, never ignored words of wisdom from their parents or elders and never thrown away an instruction manual from some purchase that had "some assembly required" marked on the box.
Because if you, like me, have never done any of those things (that ridiculous "Steve is lying" light keep blinking and beeping again behind me...I've got to get that fixed) than you have capitalized on every piece of wisdom, instruction and knowledge that you could have possibly gained in your ___ (insert your age here) years.
OK, every once in awhile...very rarely...not often...I have missed a piece or two of fairly useful instruction. I'm the guy who gets the box at home, tears open the plastic holding the nuts, bolts, wrench and instructions and proceeds to toss the manual into the garbage and figure it all out on my own. Oddly, I'm always amazed that the production company of this random thing I'm putting together always included four extra bolts, three plastic spacers, two lock washers and a giant wing nut that have no purpose...or so I didn't find one.
We, or maybe just "I", have a tendency to ignore the help and teaching that is right around us.
"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17
We have an active God of abundant teaching in our life. And it's relevant! That's the best part of it all. God's teaching applies to every project, production and process of our lives. God's guidance works in every relationship, decision and situation we find ourselves in.
I know there have been times in life where I've said, "They can't teach me anything new!" "I don't need them." "What do they know that I haven't figured out already?"
Jesus said, "Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own." John 7:17
So trust that teaching today and give it another shot. Read God's word. Share your concerns in prayer. Listen to what Jesus was teaching his disciples. And then apply it to your life.
My guess is that you'll quickly find that your life will be blessed by it, and in time, your relationships will heal, your direction will be clearer, your grief will be comforted, your trauma will be soothed, your hope will be brighter and your situation will improve.
Allow the wisdom of your loving God to impact your life...and you might just find a few less nuts and bolts out of place.
Lord, teach me and open my heart to learn. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
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