What Does a Pastor Daydream About in Church?

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Thursday, March 04, 2010

I used to daydream in church.

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Changeaphobia: Not Just a Church Thing

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Friday, February 05, 2010

Q: How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb?

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The Confessions of a Pastor

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Thursday, January 28, 2010

I listened with interest when ESPN analyst Tom Jackson defended Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre's season ending interception by saying, "That's the thing about Brett Favre: He's not afraid to throw interceptions. You have to admire him for that."

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Pat Robertson: Just Shut Up

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Sunday, January 17, 2010

I am not prone to warring with fellow foot soldiers in Jesus, but Pat Robertson really needs to shut up.

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My Top 10 CCM Albums of 2009

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Sunday, January 03, 2010

I am a big fan of Christian music. Aside from some old school crooners (Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Tony Bennett, etc.), I have a hard time being drawn to music that is devoid of meaning. I believe Louie Giglio’s quote on music: “All music is worship music. Worship is our response to what we value most. Whatever is worth most to you is what you worship. How do you know what you worship? It’s easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship.”

To that end, I offer you my Top Ten Favorite Contemporary Christian Albums released in 2009.

I am an avid CCM fan, but my tastes tend to fall on the side of classic rock (Boston, The Eagles) and singer/songwriter (James Taylor, Billy Joel). I haven’t listened to all CCM releases, but here are my favorites from 2009:

1. Kutless: It is Well.

Style: Worship Rock. Compare to Creed.

2. Seventh Day Slumber: Take Everything.

Style: Worship Rock. Compare to Bon Jovi

3. Unhindered: Be.

Style: American Rock. Compare to Dave Matthews Band.

4. Skillet: Awake.

Style: Hard Rock. Compare to Linkin Park

5. Steven Curtis Chapman: Beauty Will Rise.

Style: Adult Contemporary. Compare to John Mayer

6. Christy Nockels: Life Light Up.

Style: Adult Contemporary. Compare to Taylor Swift.

7. Decyfer Down: Crash.

Style: Hard Rock. Compare to Breaking Benjamin

8. Casting Crowns: Until the Whole World Hears.

Style: Pure American Rock. Compare to Nickelback

9. Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane.

Style: Alternative Rock. Compare to Kings of Leon.

10. Leeland: Love is on the Move.

Style: Singer/ Songwriter. Compare to Paul McCartney

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34GB a Day?! (The iPod in My Head!)

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Monday, December 21, 2009

The NY Times published a December 2009 report that suggests that the average American consumes 34GB of information daily.

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Tiger Woods, Sex, and the Alpha Male

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Blood is in the water, and the sharks are on the way. If you are Tiger Woods, the blood is yours, and it was only a matter of time…

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Comments

Stacey commented on 02-Dec-2009 02:28 PM

Right on Pastor A! The only other thing I see in all this is that these women not only accept a man's weakness as strength...but in the aftermath choose to use that weakness to gain something further for themselves (which perhaps they see as strength?) through thier 15 minutes of "fame" in the media. A trade off - what they don't get emotionally, they trade for money! Sad, so sad...meaningless indeed!!

John commented on 03-Dec-2009 04:26 PM

Yes, I second that sentiment . . . right on, Pastor A! I also "continue to grieve" for those who "soil God's beautiful gift of intimacy, set aside and blessed for [ONLY] HUSBANDS AND WIVES." I think it's still true that the Sixth Commandment . . . is not optional! The Sixth Commandment is important not only because God Himself wrote it, but because people will have happy and fulfilled lives if they don't break it. Sexual intercourse is a unique and forever-bonding act that God Himself has commanded us to reserve for only our marriage partner. That means being faithful to your spouse BEFORE you're married (that is, don't fornicate) as well as AFTER you're married (that is, don't commit adultery). As St. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 6:18: "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." And in I Thessalonians 4:2-3, he writes: "Ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, that ye should abstain from fornication." God's “one-flesh design” that you talk about, Pastor A, couldn't be clearer in the Bible itself. As most of us know very well, in Ephesians 5:31-32, St. Paul writes that, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery." And in I Corinthians 6:16, he writes that sexual intercourse--even with a prostitute--creates (squanders) this holy, mysterious, one-flesh spousal relationship. As you say, Pastor A, "the further we drift from His one-flesh design, the more twisted the end result." I’d love to hear some sermons, especially directed to people in their twenties, about God’s “one-flesh design” and about the consequences of breaking God’s commandment to be faithful to your spouse, both before and after the marriage ceremony. Because if those people in their twenties today choose to squander their "one flesh" union with anyone other than their spouse, someday, and for the rest of their lives, they will have to live with the burden and shame and regret and loss that will inevitably come to them because of it. Of course there is forgiveness for sins, but with this particular sin, fornication/adultery, the painful and destructive effects never really “disappear” and are inflicted on the very person you should love the most in this whole world, who is your own beloved spouse. In other words, the temporary physical pleasure you get from sexual immorality just isn’t worth it. I couldn't say it any better than you did, Pastor A: “Men of God . . . be faithful. Be strong. Women of God . . . recognize the difference. Accept nothing less.” It would help so many of us, I think, to hear this from the pulpit.

Anonymous commented on 05-Dec-2009 03:40 PM

What is really sad about this is that a matter that should really be only between Tiger, his wife and God is being used to feed the hungry sharks of the media and all of us. We need to be sure to emphasize to our children, and to remember for ourselves, that while we can make an athlete a hero for his athleticism, and politicians heroes for the great things they have done to promote peace or other causes, that they are not moral leaders. The ancient greeks and romans had people whose job was to beat great military heros with a switch reminding them "YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN". We need to remember that all heroes are only human!

Joe commented on 06-Dec-2009 05:46 PM

So true. I am seeing this with new eyes now and to me it's really pretty frightening just how weak a man can be when it comes to pleasure from a woman. I get nervous sometimes about how powerless I can become with my own wife. Within the kind of marriage that God intends for us, we can enjoy this as His gift. Outside of marriage, men should be afraid - VERY afraid - of how much damage can be done when they submit to their desires.

Twilight: The Sissyfication of the Vampire

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Friday, November 20, 2009

Walking through the mall today, it finally dawned on me.

I was disappointed in the first Twilight movie. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the reason I didn’t like it was simply because I am a guy. It wasn’t a traditional vampire thriller. It was- for lack of a better term- a chick flick.

I have always been a big fan of the vampire/werewolf/mummy genre. With a wee degree of shame, I must admit that Anne Rice’s “Interview with a Vampire” is one of my favorites. Although it delved more intriguingly into the moral struggles of a vampire than your traditional Bela Lugosi or Bram Stoker fare, it was ripe with fear, suspense, blood, and the macabre to satisfy my testosterone.

The Twilight series has turned the classic guy movie into a modern day chick flick. And today, while Christmas shopping in the mall, it finally hit me… I feel robbed.

I heart vampires t-shirts are everywhere!

Why?!

Because they are frightening creatures of the night that horrifically feed on the blood of unsuspecting saps? No! It’s because they are bare-chested and buff creatures of the night that are in touch with their feminine side and are more interested in romance than pillaging.

Ok, I’ll admit it: The Notebook made me cry (but then again, so did Forrest Gump). Chick flicks are supposed to do that. I rather enjoyed Father of the Bride, Pretty Woman, and Sleepless in Seattle, but I knew what I was in for… a movie that- as advertised- played on the heartstrings. But Twilight is a strange, unholy mixture of Titanic meets The Lost Boys.

We’re not supposed to leave a vampire movie lustily admiring the integrity and character of the undead! A good vampire film has us all fearfully going home stringing together garlic necklaces and whittling wooden stakes from broomsticks.

Twilight has successfully stolen the lore, turning our youthful monsters into dreamy heroes.

Once upon a time, a young man would lose himself for a few theatric hours engaged in an epic battle vicariously struggling for the life and love of the damsel in distress. Good was good. Evil was evil. Today, we love the vampires. They are the lovers and the protectors… and suddenly we vampire slayers? We’re the bad guys!

So, I’m left to wonder- as Paula Cole once sang- “Where is my John Wayne? Where is my prairie song? Where is my happy ending? Where have all the cowboys gone?”

Or vampires…

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For All the Saints: Famous Lutherans

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Monday, November 02, 2009

Below is a partial list of Famous Lutherans. Saints and sinners... just like the rest of us. But known by more people than we "average Lutherans":

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Doomed: The Agonizing Union Between a Beleaguered Ball Club and a Faithful Fanatic

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Thursday, October 01, 2009

In the waning days of September 2003, I sat down at my computer, contemplating the drizzle dripping past my window, I could not help but mourn the passing of my beloved Detroit Tigers.

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"You Are Going to Hell" (My conversation with a Jehovah's Witness)

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Monday, September 21, 2009

For the first time in many years, I decided to take the time to spiritually haggle with a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW), knocking on my door. I’ve done this enough over the years to recognize their game plan, know what’s coming, and respond appropriately. It’s just so time consuming! Especially if you happen to be polite. I can honestly say, nothing has changed in the past twenty years. The script is the same. The technique is the same. Here is a summary of my thoughts:

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Comments

kemper commented on 21-Sep-2009 05:16 PM

A very good account, I enjoyed reading. In this world, purity is highly regarded. If we purchase a bar of 24K gold, we expect it to be 100% pure. When we buy gasoline for our cars or medications, we expect the content to meet the specifications on the label. Anything else is fraud and deliberate deception. The same is true of any teaching that does not meet the exact specifications of the Gospel and the Bible. Satan, the Bible tells us, is a cunning deceiver (John 8:44) and masquerader (2 Corinthians 11:14). Were we to devise a plan to poison someone with arsenic, we could easily hide its ingestion. We might hide it in a slice of sweet apple pie covered with ice cream. Effective rat poison is designed the same way. It is deliberately manufactured to be tasty and nutritious. Even though only a very small percentage of its content is poison, it is enough to kill the rodent. The fact that the other 99% of its content was life-sustaining food—or even if the other 99% of teaching was sound—does not prevent bad consequences, in this case life sustaining or loseing as well. Hopefully you planted a seed that the Holy Spirit will work with in the young gal anyway.

Ruth Deemter commented on 22-Sep-2009 10:38 PM

Pastor A, I work with two gals that are JW and they are the kindest women! But I know what I believe and it hurts my heart to know that they do not believe the same. I agree with ALL that you have written and appreciate the simplicity that you state. I too "took on" a couple at my door a few years back. I even invited them back for a discussion when my pastor could be present. They never called..... oh well. But at our initial discussion I asked for them to clarify why their bible said such different statements than mine about the trinity and about Jesus being God vs their bible stating that Jesus was 'a good man'. And even to ask them how they could believe in a bible that was rewritten by a man who somehow had a revelation from God to change all those things. COME ON!!! and yet, JWs are growing and growing. We live in a world where people are searching. It makes me want all the more to introduce and make sure people know where true salvation comes from. I think on these things so often when I work with these girls. And I whisper a prayer for them to be able to somehow, in God's mercy, join me in heaven some day. one last comment/question. Is it also important to teach and remind my children (as well as myself) to always remember to compare anything i read or hear with what the Bible says, and just as importantly then, to know that the Bible is the God breathed word of God, the One true and Triune God? I think so. see ya, RD

Marissa and Brendan Ruston commented on 26-Sep-2009 06:53 PM

Pastor A,wow,my brother and his family are JWs and it hurts that in the after life I may never see him again.As I read your words about your "visit" by them is amazeing to me.I sat back after reading this and shed a few tears because our famiy has dealt with this nonsence for over 20yr. All I can say now is GO PASTOR A!!!

Joe Tiger commented on 27-Oct-2009 11:13 PM

My Niece and Nephew are JW's and they are the nicest and kindest people I know. They are former Catholics. How are they going to hell? If Jesus is all forgiving why will they be punished. I know Christians (Lutherans and Catholics) who don't follow the Lord or practice the teachings of Christ. Who goes to hell and who doesn't?

Hubble Demonstrates God's Handiwork

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Monday, September 21, 2009

Psalm 19:1- "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

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Our Jesus Fish

Posted by Pastor Andrzejewski on Tuesday, September 08, 2009

For eight years, we lived in West Michigan, Ottawa County, where almost all the roads are 55 MPH. I was driving home from church late one afternoon. The speed limit on that country road… 55. I pulled behind a elderly man driving at a steady clip of 37 miles per hour (nearly 20 MPH under the speed limit). That's fine. Happens all the time out there. When I got to the passing lane, I did just that. I passed him. Check that, I tried.
As I was passing to his left, I couldn't quite… actually… pass him. I hit 45, 50, 55, 60. Nothing. There he was at my immediate right. Without giving it much thought, I floored the accelerator. So did he. Now, I'm no longer in the legal passing lane for northbound traffic. It's double yellow, with a blind hill coming up. I glanced down to see that I was doing 70 MPH, and the man in the green Bonneville is still to my right.

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