Pastor Matt's Corner

Keep It Simple Saints

 Sometimes I think we tend to make things too complicated and we become confused and tend to not have fun.  I was playing golf (I'm still not a very good golfer) but I was just getting started and I was focusing on my swing.  As I would approach the ball, I was always very nervous and would start thinking about all these variables that I had to contend with.  John, who was an experienced golfer, painfully watched me through the first couple of holes.  And then he said to me, "Why don't you try the 'KISS' method of golf?"  I asked, "What is that?" and he replied: "Keep it Simple Stupid."  In other words just look at the ball and swing then eventually you will find your swing and immediately you will begin to have fun.  What happened was amazing.  I began to have fun, hit better (still not great), and learn more about the game.  Wow!

As followers of Jesus, we have a tendency to make things complicated and often miss out on the joy that a life of faith can bring.  Most of my spiritual parents and leaders have been people who consistently practice some basic things of faith but they all center on one thing, following Jesus.  Jesus explains it this way to his friends:

     "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and pick up their cross daily and follow me."  Luke 9:23

In the weeks leading up to our 10th anniversary as a congregation, I am inviting each of you to KISS as disciples.  That is Keep It Simple Saints!  I don't think it is polite to call everyone stupid.  But I do think there is some value to letting some basic practices of faith begin to transform our lives every day.  You are being invited to simply pray, worship, read scripture, relate, serve and give by simply following Jesus.  We do this by looking toward, listening to and taking that first step.  Jesus is telling his friends and us that following him is a "daily" practice that is simple through the power of God's grace and love at work.  It means that we are to step out of the way and submit ourselves to the work of grace in our lives through some very basic things.  Over time as we practice them they become part of our nature.  Do you want to follow Christ, grow in your relationship with God, and have positive change in your life?  Then accept our invitation to KISS and join in as we learn and grow together.

Your fellow following Saint,

Pastor Matt

"Special thanks to our sister congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church, for providing the themes and scripture references for this series."