Should I stay or should I go now . . .

There has been a flurry of discussion in LC-MS circles about leaving the LC-MS or staying in fellowship and trying to remain faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions. I don’t think I have the energy to hash through all the complex issues of Union and Confession. The simple fact of the matter is the church has always struggled with the issues of truth. From the book of Acts when the Jerusalem Church struggled with the conversion of Gentiles, the Christological Controversies of the first four centuries, the well known Reformation of the 16th Century (happy Reformation Day btw), the issues of revivals in the 19th Centuries, to the issues of today . . . the Church strives to remain faithful to God’s Word and proclaim the fullness of God’s Word to all people.

The central article of the Church is still justification. That Jesus satisfied the wrath of God for our sins by dying on the cross is the heart of the matter. Theology is intertwined. If you really want to you can make most any issue finally be about justification. But that doesn’t give us license to insist on our own way on many things or impose our personal preferences upon others.

Things are so complicated (at least in the LC-MS) because I believe the many sides of the issues are honestly hoping to be faithful to God’s Word. Of course with theologically contradictory statements and practices it cannot be as simple as just letting all opinions co-exist.

“Ok Companion . . . what’s the punch line?” – You’re right dear reader . . . to the point.

I’m a Lutheran. I believe that means I am an LC-MS Lutheran. We can still proclaim the truth, we can talk about the issues, and there are still avenues to enact change. I’ll work within our Synod to keep doctrine and practice united to one another. In the end I am convinced that this is how the Gospel of Jesus . . . my Companion on the Way . . . is made known to everyone.

~Companion

A new outlook . . .

Ok, two months without a post can really kill a blog. If anyone is still stopping by, sorry for the silence. I'm hopping to be on more often.

I feel like I have a whole new outlook on things. Looking back over things in the past six months the last two have been great. So great that I haven't felt the need to ruminate on things here on the blog. But now, I see this blog as an opportunity to share with others my more positive outlook on things.

I've started a new job and new classes. We closed on our house. I'm singing in some choirs again. All together I've got a much more positive outlook on things.

It all has to do with perspective. Sure I still have a lot of stress and I'm challenged in all my new endeavors. The perspective difference? Things seem much less personal. Now, mistakes are just mistakes. Sins can be forgiven. Before? I was afraid that every little thing would impeach my character and integrity. I guess I just feel more like a child of God, sitting together with the family of God rather than being hunted and hounded.

It feels good to be a child of God. It feels good to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Its comforting to know we're not alone in the struggles we have . . . in fact, your neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ are struggling with the same things. If you're struggling and wrestling with the same things time and time again, then I'll let you in on what gives me comfort: You're not alone. Yes, there are others struggling with you but the greatest comfort is that you have a Companion on the Way. Jesus has already struggled with your struggles . . . and won! He took on your sicknesses, infirmities, temptations, and sins into Himself and already endured their consequences.

Isaiah 53:4-5 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Finally, from the book of Hebrews: Hebrews 4:15-16 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Draw near to your Companion on the Way. He's been there, done that, so that you might have the forgiveness of all your sins.