Reclaimed!

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Todd Biermann

Last week I wrote about a conversation my wife, Heather, and I were having while enjoying a soft pretzel at “Ben’s Soft Pretzels” in Shipshewana, IN. I said I would share more about that this week.

While enjoying our pretzel, we also discussed the interesting story shared with us earlier in the day by the owner of “Cherry Pickers” in Shipshewana. This store features reclaimed items for sale: old barn wood, rusty hardware, hand-painted signs, unique appliances from past eras, old manual typewriters, etc. While in the store, we were awed by the beauty of a kitchen island and cabinets on display. Here’s a picture for you…

Reclaimed!

As we admired the craftsmanship, we were told about the story behind these pieces. The owner had made them from the wood he found in an old barn. The owner of the barn was told it wasn’t worth anything so he was ready to bulldoze it into a hole and set it on fire. However, the owner of “Cherry Pickers” saw it with different eyes. He saw the wood as something worthy of being reclaimed. So, he took several pieces of the wood and turned them into the beautiful kitchen furnishings we saw before us.

What a great illustration of our lives as Christians. We were born into the world as worthless sinners deserving of nothing but being cast into a pit and set on fire. Yet, our gracious Savior, Jesus, saw us as worthy of being reclaimed. He took us in His nail-scarred hands and re-made us into something beautiful. He made us His own forgiven children, now ready to function in service to Him. How awesome is that?

I only wish I could have that beautiful kitchen set in my home. Sadly, it had already been thrice-claimed. Plus, it wouldn’t have fit well on the top of my car. But, at least we could enjoy this bit of JOYFUL GLORY!

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Joyful Glory!

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Todd Biermann

Just after Christmas my family and I were able to get away together for a few days. We stayed in the charming little community of Shipshewana, IN. It has a large Amish population that still uses horse and buggy to get around town, even when the temperature is hovering around zero degrees…impressive.

I very much enjoyed seeing the GLORY OF GOD in so many ways on this trip. A simple way I like to define “glory” is to say that it is “God’s holiness revealed.” Whenever you see something that SHOWS you how awesome, wonderful, gracious, caring and loving God is, then you’re seeing a glimpse of His holiness. You’re discovering a bit of GLORY. Of course, Jesus is the GREATEST revelation of God’s holiness that gives ultimate GLORY to God!

While we were enjoying a delicious soft pretzel at “Ben’s Soft Pretzels” in Shipshewana (MORE ABOUT THAT NEXT WEEK), Heather and I were discussing her intent to post on Facebook every day in 2018 a picture that shows the GLORY of GOD. She shared how it brings her JOY when she catches these glimpses of GLORY. And, when she receives this gift of JOY, she wants to help others SEE it too and bring more GLORY to GOD! As we discussed the plan with my dad and other family members, we helped Heather settle on her theme for the year… “JOYFUL GLORY!” When we see the GLORY of GOD it fills us with JOY. When we’re JOYFUL, we’re motivated to share God’s holiness with others…revealing His GLORY! Then, others will also become JOYFUL and give GLORY to GOD. Life is, indeed, to be filled with JOYFUL GLORY!

"Joyful Glory" by Heather

“Joyful Glory” by Heather

I encourage you to FOLLOW HEATHER’S posts on her FACEBOOK PAGE (CLICK HERE TO GO TO IT). It’ll delight her to share JOYFUL GLORY with you all year long. And, it will give a big “Thumbs Up” to Jesus as our greatest source of GLORY and JOY!

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Love Incarnate

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Todd Biermann
Art4TheGlryofGod by Sharon's Photostream

Art4TheGlryofGod by Sharon’s Photostream – MORE HERE

Incarnate. Not a word you hear used very often in common conversation. However, it’s a word that’s tremendously comforting.

Incarnate literally means “in the flesh.” At Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus took on our human flesh. He was born with a body like yours and mine. He breathed, hungered, ate, thirsted, drank, grew weary, slept, shivered, suffered and died…in the flesh…for us. His love for us was not some far off mystical abstraction. It was real, visible, tangible, and historical. The incarnate Jesus was able to die for our real sin and rise in the flesh as the seal of our victory over death. Because of such incarnate love, we’ll live out eternity in the flesh with our Lord and Savior, Jesus. At Christmas we are right to pause and ponder the awesome incarnate love of Jesus.

This Christmas I’m blessed to have a visible picture of incarnate love right in my own home. Hannah’s been away at college for the past four months. To have her home again, in the flesh, is a tremendous gift. It’s nice to see her smile, share a meal and hold her close again. Hannah’s quick to point out that it’s just not the same when all we can do is talk on the phone or visually chat. Nothing can take the place of incarnate love.

The same is true when it comes to our faith in Jesus. Nothing can take the place of His incarnate love. Other religions may talk a lot about love, but no other offers a God who died and rose in the flesh to make the full payment for our sin.

This Christmas, I’m more keenly aware of and thankful for the incarnate love of Jesus. He IS God and love in the flesh for you and me. Hallelujah!

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Thumbs Up for Eternity

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Todd Biermann

Today I finished teaching on online masters level course on marriage and family relationships for Concordia University, Wisconsin/Ann Arbor. I had an excellent group of students who fully grasped, adopted and have begun sharing Jesus’ way for relationships. They especially appreciated the “Thumbs Up” model for relationship prioritization, putting Jesus first, spouse next, family next, fellow believers next and then all other relationships.

As I wrote a final email to my students this evening, it occurred to me that my blog readership would probably appreciate some of what I shared with them, so here you go…

Photo by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon

Photo by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon

The importance of having our relationships in line has clearly come home to me this week. Two dear members of my congregation came to the end of their life on earth. One, nearly 90 and the other only 57. Both died of long-term illnesses that allowed me the opportunity to spend quality time with them before they died. Both died in CONFIDENT FAITH WITH JESUS ON TOP! In our final visits, both confessed that Jesus was their highest priority and they were, therefore, ready to meet him. Both left behind a dearly loved spouse, children and grandchildren. But, they were comforted in knowing these were all under the ongoing care of “the Thumb,” Jesus. When life on earth is over, these are the things that matter most.
I pray each of you will hold your “Thumb Up” to Jesus ALWAYS, even as you approach your own end of days. As you do so, you WILL touch many with the love of Jesus and you will be ready to spend eternity in the love of Jesus with them. Although our paths may not cross again on this side of heaven, I rejoice that I WILL see each of you in heaven. Our Bridegroom guarantees it! So, in closing I say, “See you later ;)”
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Gun Control & Black Lives

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Todd Biermann

My daughter’s taking a college Sociology class in which they’re discussing several current social issues that cause a lot of conflict. She asked me for my quick input on a couple. After I sent her some of my thoughts, she commented that I should share them in a blog because “a lot of people would be interested.” So, since my daughter is becoming very wise on such things, I’ve heeded her advice and here you go…

Gun control is not a clearly “black and white” issue from the biblical perspective. We first must note that guns don’t kill, people do. And, no matter what laws you make, evil people will still find guns to do evil if they really want to do so. In that sense, it’s partly true that a lot of legislation is a bit pointless.
On the other side, more regulation may limit the spread of guns and usage by certain evil people. This may be especially true in the case of automatic and semi-automatic weapons that aren’t really for hunting, but killing.

Which gun laws are effective and which are not is really up to the government. The state is God’s chosen instrument to make the best decisions they can on such things. The bottom line is trying to protect innocent life according to the fifth commandment, so in that sense gun control is good. On the other side, allowing people the guns they need to hunt and to protect themselves from harm by man or beast is ALSO protecting innocent life and is good.

By Blink O'fanaye

By Blink O’fanaye

The best approach in talking to people about gun control is to LISTEN and hear their arguments and try to get them to not be so worked up but try to understand the matter from another point of view. The growing hostility on both sides is the WORST approach to the issue.
That also proves true for “Black Lives Matter” and most other social issues. Yes, God tells me to value EVERY life, even those with more pigment in their skin than what I have. We should do all we can to protect “black lives” in the same way we value EVERY life. Unfortunately, some people behind the “Black Lives Matter” movement are using it to complain about everything and attack everyone. They refuse to listen to the perspective of those who have been attacked and harmed by aggressive individuals, some of whom are black. The bottom line is that we can’t blame skin color OR use it as an excuse for sinful behavior.
LISTEN to people and understand what their issue is and you get to the real root of the problem…sin and selfishness. We often take sides on social matters to support our own sinful selfish point of view. Address this sinful root and you may see some healthy fruit start to grow. A good amount of confession and forgiveness as “fertilizer” is also essential. Of course, vibrant growth and fruitfulness is mostly dependent on a lot of SONlight 🙂
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JOY in Death

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Todd Biermann

This past Tuesday I had the challenge and privilege of preaching and leading the funeral service for a dear friend, the wife of the previous senior pastor at the congregation I now serve. Lorna was a wonderfully faithful woman who lived for the Lord Jesus in all that she did. She truly exhibited a “Thumbs Up” attitude in all of life.

Sadly, her faith and love could not stop the assault of sin on her body. A terrible blood disease and failed attempt at treatment finally won the battle. BUT, they could NOT win the war! Through her undying faith in Jesus, Lorna has received the gift of eternal life in heaven. She’s sharing in the victory over death and hell that Jesus won for her through His death and resurrection.

It was this confidence that led Lorna to demand that her funeral would be a JOYFUL occasion of praise to the Lord. She asked me to make that clear in the service and in my message. What a JOY it was for me to do that. It was awesome to be gathered with a sanctuary full of nearly 350 family and friends to sing in exuberant and joyous praise to the Lord. It was difficult, but comforting to speak a message of hope and victory in Jesus’ name.

Death will always be a terrible thing. But, when a true believer in Jesus passes that gloomy portal there is joy beyond compare on the other side. And, for us who must remain on this side for a time, our confident faith and sure hope in Jesus give us reason for joy even through the tears. That’s the blessing of living with a THUMBS UP attitude always…even in the face of death! REJOICE!joy

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Public School Connection

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Todd Biermann

This past week I had a great meeting with the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of the local public school system (which includes about 1000 teachers and staff). They wanted my input as they are reviewing the objectives and long range plans for the district for the next 3 to 5 years. I’d been invited to take part in a two-day planning retreat, but my schedule wouldn’t allow it. So, we settled for this shorter, personal meeting. We had a very constructive interchange. I highly respect these men for their desire to address concerns in the community in their planning.

Photo by Jeremy Gordon

Photo by Jeremy Gordon

Two themes stood out in our discussion. One was the need for a spirit of forgiveness rather than hostility. Our nation is being torn by bitter attacks between various factions. Young people are seeing adults model behavior that seeks to capitalize on the weak points of others and effectively destroy them. Forgiveness is a foreign notion in such a climate. Yet, without forgiveness, there can be no true reconciliation, no unity and no peace. Young and old alike could greatly benefit from learning how to show genuine forgiveness.

A second theme that arose was the need for commitment. Along with forgiveness, we must each make a commitment to move beyond past hurts. Where we have hurt others, we need to be committed to moving away from such failure in the future. Where others have hurt us, we are to forgive and then be committed to helping them move beyond their failure. Such commitment doesn’t just ignore hurts, but it addresses them in a constructive manner.

The school officials agreed that our community could, indeed, benefit from greater forgiveness and commitment. Of course, they can’t talk about forgiveness in the name of Jesus in the way that I can. But, they can still apply some valuable lessons that Jesus taught. That’s good for the community. And, so is having such constructive discussions between school and church leaders.

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Teaching God’s Way

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Todd Biermann

This week I started teaching another online class for the Masters of Family Life Education program of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor. So far I am highly impressed by the character and faith of my nine students. It’s great to hear their stories of real life and how God is using them to pass on His awesome love to others.

It’s reaffirming to hear that the instruction found in my book, Handing Out Life, is relevant to the lives of all who read it…both personally AND professionally. I give the glory to God since all I do in my book is point people to what He has to teach us about relationships. His way is always perfect and will always bless those who are willing to walk in it.Handing Out Life Cover

The thing that stands out to me most whenever I teach a class like this is our common need for free forgiveness and a fresh start in Jesus. Without His grace, we would all have to give up in hopeless despair. We ALL mess up our relationships regularly. But, since our first relationship is with Jesus, we are always able to be forgiven, renewed and re-energized to go back out and love some more.

Please do me a favor. Please pray that my students and I will grow closer to Jesus and His awesome love through this course. Then, pray that what we receive we will be able to give in overflowing abundance for the blessing of the world we serve. Thanks for the prayers!

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500th Anniversary of the Reformation Worship

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Todd Biermann

It was an awesome privilege to join with 13,000 other believers in Jesus Christ to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation this past Sunday in East Lansing, Michigan. Below is a summary article about the event.

I thank God that Martin Luther kept our focus “up” on Jesus. I thank God that this same focus has continued down to our day in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I thank God for the privilege to continue to keep the focus “up” on Jesus through the work of this “Life in God’s Way” relationship ministry. Like Luther before, so I say now, “Here I stand! So help me God. Amen.”

 

A Report from The Communications Team of the Michigan District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

A wonderful grace-filled day was experienced this past Sunday by approximately 13,000 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Please click on the the recap blog and watch the video in this email. You have our permission to share this email and resources with your congregation through whatever communication means you have in place.
500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Worship Service Recap
During the service, participants were encouraged and challenged to continue to find ways to share Jesus with a “world that so desperately needs Him.” Here are a few ways you can get involved today:
  • Receive encouragement and practical ways to reach out to your neighbors and community by attending “Take Heart, Take Action,” the 2018 Theological Conference on February 24 at Our Savior, Lansing. Engaging speakers will share ways to bring Christ’s hope into our world. Sign up hereto be notified when registration is open. Click here for a full list of District events for laity and church workers.
  • Get involved in the Here We Stand campaign, as a congregation and/or as an individual. Learn more about the four campaign initiatives, avenues to pass on the life-saving message of the Gospel to the next generation while growing the Kingdom today. Learn more at herewestand.michigandistrict.org.
  • Do you have an idea for a new ministry to reach new people, but would like to explore what it takes to start? Check out the Michigan District StartNew Process and contact your Congregation Mission and Ministry Facilitator for more details.
500TH ANNIVERSARY CHOIR CONCERT AND WORSHIP SERVICE VIDEOS
The videos of the choir concert and worship service will be available soon! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to be notified of its release.
OFFERING
During the worship service, a thanksgiving offering was taken in support of the Michigan District’s Here We Stand campaign. The $50,929.63 will go into each of the four campaign initiatives: Church Worker Scholarships, Innovative Missional Ministry, the Michigan District Endowment Fund, and International Ministry. To learn more about the campaign, visit herewestand.michigandistrict.org.
INGATHERING
Wow! You all really came through. Thank you to Wellspring Lutheran Services for coordinating this effort. Those in need in the greater Lansing-area were blessed.

Here is a video from Wellspring recapping the Ingathering. Please share!

HISTORICAL EXHIBIT AND REFORMATION DOOR
We have received several inquiries about the possibility of using the historical exhibit. Because of copyright laws and permissions, we can display them at certain locations only for two years. Currently, they are on display at the District Office and will be next summer at the District Convention. Our blog and the November 2017 issue of Michigan In Touch (a supplement to the Lutheran Witness) will feature all four of them in 2-page spreads. The November issue will be available to download at michiganintouch.com by the end of next week to easily share with others.  The Reformation Door that became the altar on stage is also on display in the District Office. If you are in Ann Arbor, fell free to drop by.
KEEP CONNECTED TO THE DISTRICT
Subscribe to our blog, YouTube Channel, and the weekly enews. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @miLCMS.
Again, we thank you for your participation! God’s blessings to you and your congregation as you continue to celebrate the grace of God to us through the Reformation and especially through His Son, Jesus Christ.
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Always Learning

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Todd Biermann

A word from Heather…

I feel like I am always learning, but it continues to amaze and quite
frankly humble me when I realize I’m still learning from my own
children. Our 18 year old daughter is a freshman at Concordia
University in Ann Arbor. Last week one of her assignments was to write
a short devotion distinguishing between Law and Gospel with high
school teens as her audience. Hannah wrote a beautiful devotion based
on Ephesians 2:1-10 using her own life experiences to teach about the
purpose of the Law and Gospel in our daily lives. I’m proud to be able
to share her devotion today as we too can learn from a “child” how to
live for Christ in all we say and do. Thanks, Hannah, for boldly sharing
your faith with everyone around you! Even this mom can keep learning
from her daughter.

 

Daughter & Mother

Daughter & Mother

Law and Gospel According to Ephesians 2:1-10

By Hannah L. Biermann

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:4-5a, 8-10 (ESV)

My high school experience was a stressful time full of life-changing decisions. The fear of making the wrong decision was constantly coursing through me. Only I could decide to study for the ACT, where to go to college, what my major would be, and who I would form relationships with. While this is somewhat true, it misses the point.

Our culture pushes us to take control of our lives and have confidence in our own strength. Even if we turn to the Bible, sometimes we view it as a self-improvement book which tells us how to apply the principles we read in it. Instead, the Bible is God’s Word to us. He speaks to us through the Law and Gospel in the Bible. He demands and delivers. He tells us what to do and what He has done.

I often feel overwhelmed when I read the Law. Its purpose is to point out our sin and bring us to repentance for our selfish desires.  The Law leads me to recognize my need to repent of my doubt and worry. In his book, The Christian Faith, Robert Kolb says, “The words of the Law in Scripture do not always tell us how to act. We are always compelled to make moral judgements.” The Law shows us our sin; turning us away from sin and towards repentance, allowing us to receive the free gift of Salvation.

There is no way I could have made it through high school without the Gospel message of comfort and forgiveness through Jesus. He takes the punishment we deserve. The Gospel reveals God’s forgiveness by grace through faith. While we may be tempted to live only for ourselves, God calls us to live for Him. We may look at our lives and see only the sin and hard decisions we must make; God sees His plan being lived out in us. We need to remember “this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8)

A friend of mine came bursting into the room. “My wallet was stolen from my car!” She frantically searched for the wallet all day but gave up when she couldn’t find it. That evening, after someone made the suggestion, she found the lost wallet in the bottom of the backpack she was carrying all day. We often make the same mistake with God’s message of salvation in the Gospel. We have salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life right here waiting for us and yet we frantically search for it ourselves. We try to earn salvation but God has given it to us as a free gift. When we stop trying to find or earn salvation, and graciously receive the gift, we are freely forgiven. Then God welcomes us into His family. As members of His family, God calls us to humbly serve Him. We do good works, not to earn salvation, but to help others and to praise God for what He has already done for us. Within His family we are free to make decisions and to serve Him. With prayer, and desire to live for God alone, whatever decision we make will work out for good.

Join me in striving to live every day for God. You are His workmanship. Repent when you live for yourself. Then, live in the freedom and forgiveness He has given you.

Prayer

Dear God, my Heavenly Father, I praise you for your unchanging wisdom and grace. Forgive me for my unbelief, worry, and doubt. Thank you for creating me as your workmanship. Thank you also for your unconditional forgiveness and grace. Please help me to focus on you instead of myself. Guide me as I make each decision, leading me to receive your free gift of grace and have faith in you. Help me find joy in you alone and serve you with my whole being. I love you. Amen.

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