The Lutheran Review

St. Andrew, Apostle

 Since Andrew’s day falls on November 30 right at the beginning of Advent, he often receives short shrift. Originally, he was a disciple of John the Baptist. John’s preaching brought him to recognize Jesus as the Christ. According to John 1:40 he was the first of the disciples. Then he immediately went out and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus.

When Jesus was confronted with five thousand hungry people, it was Andrew who knew of a boy who had five loaves and two fish, though he wondered how far they would go in feeding so many. Later when some Greeks wanted to see Jesus, Andrew along with Philip told Jesus.

Early church historian Eusebius quotes Origin (c.200) that Andrew preached in Asia Minor (turkey) along the Black Sea as far as Volga and Kiev. He was martyred by crucifixion in western Greece. In the Middle Ages a tradition arose that he was crucified on an X shaped cross. He is held in special honor in Scotland, Greece, and Russia.

Prayer for Andrews Day

Almighty God, by Your grace the apostle Andrew obeyed the call of Your Son to be a disciple. Grant us also to follow the same Lord Jesus Christ in heart and life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Poems, Toys, and Cold Ducks

This morning before my usual 4-mile walk, I stopped briefly at one of my favorite toy stores.  The store carries Plan Toys and I wanted to buy my daughter a doll house for Christmas.  She is too young to read this, so no harm in telling you.  Plan Toys make very eco-friendly toys.

While walking, I made sure to take in the scenery: the red berries on a tree, the crispy rustling of dried leaves, and the sight of a few lone ducks on the pond (um, how do they not get cold!).

Before Christmas is one of my favorite church seasons, Advent.  I used to read a lot of poetry (almost majored in poetry).  Please enjoy this little poem from Patrick Kavanagh, Advent. 

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.  Or, Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you say it with an air of excitment or as a simple recognition.   This morn I took a two hour nap next to a vaporizer in hopes that I could function the rest of the day.  My kids got sick and kicked the cold in a couple days, but not me.  I think it is the bane of motherhood, in caring for sick ones - I get equally and maybe sicker, but still need to care for them.  I was very appreciate of my family entertaining the little ones yesterday and today while watched from the couch. 

We ended the day visiting the local Catholic shrine and their famous light display.  The past two years, I have found going on Thanksgiving night a great time to visit due to lack of traffic.  The first time I went to see the lights, it was a couple days before Christmas and the line was 30 minutes long.   I was very pregnant, it was my due date, and I swore never to wait again.  Good times. 

Wendy's Fajita Appetizers

            Mix:   2 - 8 oz. pkg. garden cream cheese
                garlic salt
                2 sticks green onion (chopped)
                shredded carrots
                ham (chopped)

            Spread generously on fahitas.  Roll tightly.  Discard ends.

            *These appetizers are so tasty and attractive.

Clement of Rome

November 23^rd is the day set aside for Clement of Rome. He was third bishop of Rome and served at the end of the first century. He is best remembered for a letter he wrote in 96 to the congregation in Corinth. They were still a fractious group still having difficulties with divisions in spite of Paul’s letters to them which we find in the New Testament. Remember, they had problems with seeking status on the basis of who baptized whom. They had difficulties with the resurrection, with marriage and morality, and they had made a shambles of the Lord’s supper. The gifts of the Spirit caused some to promote themselves over others.

Now thirty years after Paul, some of the younger Christians revolted against the older leader in the congregation. Clement’s letter is a model of pastoral concern. He writes, “Love…has no limits to its endurance, bears everything patiently. Love is neither servile nor arrogant. It does not promote schisms or form cliques, but always acts in harmony with others.”

Clement’s letter reminds us that divisions within the church are a sad part of our history and that pastoral love for people must be present amid our differing views. His letter was well received and read often. It was also widely distributed and regarded in some area as part of sacred scripture.

The Holidays Begin

As I write this on Friday evening I know my younger brother, his son and son-in-law are getting ready for the holiday season to begin on Saturday morning. It’s deer hunting season in Wisconsin. Since it kicks off the holiday season, I call it “St. Venison” season.

Rifles, not used since last year, are readied and sighted. Orange clothing and vests are hung out. Saturday morning an army of hundreds of thousands, looking like human Allis Chalmers, will take to the woods. All my family need do is walk out the door

I know the term now used is “harvest.” But I think that’s a silly term. Grain, grapes, soybeans and corn are harvested. However, deer are generally not just sitting out in the field waiting. Therefore, my hopes are that my family has a successful hunt. Over the last several years they have been kind enough to share some venison with me. I also depend on the kindness of members of congregations where I am serving that year. I parcel out these precious packages over the year so that they last from one season to the next. Just this evening I made some venison chili with the last package of ground meat.

It was a woeful day on July 19, 2006 when a storm came through and we lost electricity for six days. I lost nearly all my venison and rhubarb.

As Thanksgiving approaches I not only thank my family and others for remembering me during deer hunting season, but I thank God that He opens his hand and satisfies the desires of His living things, me included.

How Great Thou Art

I am not sure how I feel about Elvis singing How Great Thou Art. 

Country favorite and American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, sings a good simple version at the Grand Ole Opry.

The Jazz Version on piano.

Ten Most Quoted No. 3

Ps. 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Richard Crashaw (born 1612) begins his poem on Psalm 23, “Happy me! O happy sheep!

Whom my God vouchsafes to keep.” However, Crashaw goes on for another 70 lines.

I can’t stop with verse one either. I am immediately carried to verse 2; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. Green pastures and quiet waters are two of the locations my Lord shepherds me and fills my want.

What comes to mind is the pasture which lies below the buildings on the farm where I grew up in Wisconsin. Apple River meandered through its midst. Elm trees lined the banks. The last remains of an old logging camp could be found among the cooling shade of the elms. Save for the spring floods, which covered the pasture with snow thawed water and provided a place for ducks to float, the area was always peaceful and quiet.

Where are your green pasture and quiet waters where the Lord your shepherd fills your wants? We need such a place, even if we are only able to go there in memory.

The Lord who shepherds us in the green pastures and quiet waters is the same Lord who shepherds us through the valley of death. Even though we may be surrounded by enemies, the Lord provides a table for us, the table of bread and wine and body and blood.

The Lord who is my shepherd will send goodness and mercy to shepherd me about until I come to his house where I shall dwell forever.

We end where we began, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Painting with Watercolors

My almost 3-year-old showed a strong interest this morning in wanting to paint.    A few months ago, I was browsing the clearance aisle at Wal-Mart and found this huge Barbie activity book.   Today, I broke the tape on the plastic paint cover and showed her how to use a paintbrush etc. 

What is most impressive?  She is purposely just painting the cupcakes.  And, pink is great color for cupcakes, don't you think?

Elizabeth

When I was a pastor in Collinsville, IL, there were two hospitals in the area named St. Elizabeth. They were named after the Elizabeth we are remembering today.

Elizabeth, the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary, was born in 1207. At the age of 14 she was married to the Landgrave of Thuringia in central Germany. The family lived in Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. (Wartburg Castle is where, in 1521, Martin Luther was taken for his protection after the Diet of Worms) Elizabeth gave away large sums of money, including her dowry, for relief of the poor and sick. She founded hospitals, cared for orphans and used the royal food supplies to feed the hungry. Nevertheless, she was not popular within the royal court. When her husband died of the plague in 1227, she was driven out. After she saw to it that her children were provided for, she join the order of St. Francis on Good Friday 1228.

She was treated ruthlessly by her confessor, living in extreme austerity. She died on November 27, 1231 at the age of 24. Because of her life of generosity many hospitals are named after her.

Elizabeth is a pattern for us as we hear the gospel for next Sunday, Matthew 25: 31-46. Jesus comes in all his glory to judge the world. To those who have been blessed by the Father through Jesus death and resurrection, Christ the King says, “I was hungry and you gave me food…I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”