The number one question most pastors get (after why do bad things happen to good people) is "What do you do all week?" I generally answer with some quip about golfing/fishing, but in reality a lot of time is spent in study. I read a lot of books, generally theology books about the nature of God. I read a lot of scripture as well so that I can adequately prepare for a conversation I have with you every Sunday. 

The concept of writing a Sermon is difficult because I know the facts of our memory here in 2012. Much of what is spoken is generally forgotten by Monday. Maybe you will remember a concept or two, but in a world where we are constantly being stimulated it is hard to remember theological concepts from a 25 minute message on Sunday morning. 

So what are we to do? Abandon the concept of sermon? I don't think so. I think there is value in slowing down for a moment and listening about the nature of God. I know that I personally try to make messages memorable. Maybe only a single big idea will last through the week. But if I can make that idea about God stick through the week, your faith will interact more with your daily life. 

And that is what we are about isnt it? All of us Christians want our faith to become our daily life. Not just a thing we do on Sunday mornings. I want to wrestle with the big ideas of God all throughout the week. The more I think about it, the more I think about God. The more I think about God, the more I love him. 

So, will you ever see a 10 point theological Manifesto from me on a Sunday. Probably not. Unless God whispers to me that I should. I generally speak on one point and support that idea with scripture. I want you to remember that one big idea through the week. I hope we accomplish this and make your faith a more real experience and that you revisit that idea and think of God often. 

This Sunday I have one idea. One point that I will try to get across. That is what I do. I hope you can join us. 

Blessings, 
Tom

Hi Everyone - Like many of you I watched President Obama's speech last night and it got me thinking about fighting, conflict and some real issues facing the America, The Church and Christianity in general. 

We preach about a loving God who cares for us, wants to reconcile many to his name and yet we as brothers and sisters in Christ gossip about each other and tear the other down. There is a large church in our community here that gets torn down from many area pastors/leaders. The area Christians generally lob insults at the church with the usual complaints.... too big, watered down gospel, seeker friendly, consumer driven....etc. It is all the same argument repeated throughout much of America - and it is wrong.

I have also experienced these criticisms personally  (not from being too big, but watere down, seeker friendly...) while I was within another denomination a few years ago. That process repeated numerous times and it got extremely tiring to hear that my brothers and sisters in Christ were very excited about tearing people down. I was able to move on from it  but during that season it affected me.  It seems as if the allies are so busy hurting one another that we never really approach the battle at full strength - we wound and eat our own. 

Even here at Eastridge has been hit with attack from area churches and leaders - I generally filter those from ever hitting those in the congregation, but I must admit that when I hear those things I take it personally and that is wrong. I stll drive by those churches who have criticized us and I hold that grudge and I don't like that either. So, I'm trying to let it go.

This past Sunday I preached out of Romans 12 and as I spoke about the part about us living in harmony with one another  it hit me that I am also guilty of not living in Harmony with other Christians as Paul professes. Later in the week as I went back over the message from the previous Sunday those conflicts came to mind and I asked God to take that seed of bitterness away - it's hard, but it's a step. 

So how does this correspond with Washington? Im sure many politicians do wonderful and amazing things for their communities - bridges are built, hospitals fixed...etc. But all we ever see is the infighting and the bickering and it is tiring and sad to watch.

As Christians what do you think many people see when they see churches in town tearing the other down, gossiping about doctrinal errors and generally not acting like places of reconciliation but of conflict. The message that gets out, is that we don't like each other and are competitors. I'm sorry, but I refuse to believe that the church down the street is my competitor - they are my ally in a much bigger battle. 

That is living in harmony and it must start with leadership. Me, You, Obama, Boehner. Let's fix this. 

Tom

As I was in my office this morning I put it on one of my favorite Itunes Radio Stations - Big R Radio: 90's Alternative. It pretty much sums up my high school soundtrack - Nirvana, Beck, Soul Asylum...etc. I love this channel. Some times when I hear songs I am transported back to a specific moment and remember where I was, who I was with and it is funny, that music can have that connection in my mind. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, but I can remember where I was when I heard a Soul Asylum song. 

That got me thinking.

What are some connections I have spiritually to God? Are there things in my mind that connect me to God and do I visit that often?

Here is what I mean. I generally can't go to a lake in Nothern Minnesota without seeing the beauty of God and thanking him for it. It is a song to my heart that draws me back to a moment in time when I was completely connected to Him. and I like being there.

I have had some congregants pass through my office this week and talk to me about how busy their summers have been and how they are having a hard time keeping up with God (prayers, Bible reading). My general response is that in the midst of our busyness we must find a way to connect with God. Sometimes that is easier said then done. 

So rather than swimming upstream. If you know you will be going into a busy season, listen to that song that connects you to God. This is not the time to start new devotions, but instead this is the time to strengthen what works. Run to those moments when you are busiest and they will keep your head above water until that season subsides. 

As for me, I think there is a Spin Doctors song playing. 

Tom

 I was excited to read about the recent discovery of lead ringed books in a Jordanian Cave. Some believe they may shed some new light on early Christianity. They believe this because of the images on the leaves and the relative age of the books (~2000 years old). Cool stuff indeed, or they could be fake. Either way it gets me dreaming a bit. 

Link to the book: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9434000/9434907.stm

As we approach Easter I hope that you are getting excited to celebrate the resurrection and the changing of our destiny. Jesus continues to impress me that as someone who loved more than 2000 years ago continues to get the press, controversy and passionate response to the life that He lived. Obviously some believe him to be the very Son of God while others dismiss him as a prophet or just merely a good person. There is also a movement in some circles that is much more sinister that I will not get into. 

Any way you look at it, the life of Christ needs to be examined. As a believer I obviously read the texts and especially Easter as that glorious moment when my life was rescued. Others see it as a story and nothing else. I suppose the point that I am trying to make is this: Anything that is still getting publicity 2000 years from when it happened at the very least should be examined and not dismissed immediately. So, take the time, read about Jesus and make the decision for yourself. If you have questions about specific things, ask. As spring hits and everything begins to grow again, lets start with our own spirit and our knowledge of God. You won't be sorry. 

Happy Easter. 

Tom

 Hello Everyone, 

        This past Sunday represented my one year anniversary at Eastridge Community Church. Generally when anniversaries hit, though an arbitrary date on a calendar, it gives us a moment to pause and reflect on the year. It has been a great year. Personally, Lindsey and I love Duluth and we are proud to call this beautiful city by the lake our home. On the Ministry front things are going well too. We have seen much growth both numerically and spiritually and now the Leadership at Eastridge is beginning to put plans in to place to not only deal with that growth, but to continue the momentum into the future. 

So as we turn a page on a year of ministry my mind is filled with all sorts of hope, as to what God is going to do here at Eastridge and in Duluth. The leadership board is meeting this weekend at our retreat to discuss what we feel the next few years will look like for Eastridge. How do we prepare for what God is going to do and in a way, what do we need to do to get out of the way and allow God to be God. 

       So the question I have is this: Can we plan at all or do we allow God to do what he is going to do? Is it appropriate for Church leaders to plan into the future when we work off of faith? or Is there a balance we can find by creating a framework but praying to God for his provision and guidance as we as a church move forward. It is delicate I know, but it is something we as leaders wrestle with all the time. 

     My intention is to not overplan and then place God within a box that we demand he stays in. However, it is my intention to provide a "endo skeleton" for Eastridge and in a way begin to build off of that frame. It may sound way too technical, but we need to prepare for what God is brinng us and I believe that it is big things. We serve a big God who has plans for us, we just need to prepare for what God is bringing our way, so we don't miss that wave. 

These are my thoughts today as I prepare for our Leadership retreat. I hope you will join us in praying for the leadership of Eastridge as we get ready to discuss the future and all that God has in store for us. 

Blessings, 
Tom