Two Announcements:
1. We’re going to have a Men’s Ministry Fellowship and Planning meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9th from 6:30-8:15. “Happy Hour” from 6:30-7:30 and business at 7:30. We’re going to enjoy the hospitality of the Baldner Home. Bring a beverage to share.
2. Another Chance to Serve- One of our members, Terry Nielsen, has to make a move to Seattle to live closer to her daughter after a series of health issues. She needs a couple of men to help Saturday at 9 am. Please contact us to let us know you can help!
One of the most glorious moments of my youth football career happened at practice.
That may sound strange but it’s true. Kids would remind me of that event the next couple of years. We were doing a standard blocking drill where the coach was holding a blocking dummy. Everyone was standing in a line in front of him and they would run up to him and give him a good block and then return to the back of the line. Our coach was a large guy. He must have close to 300 pounds and he had that impressive coach presence. My turn came and 7th grade Dan (not much over 100 lbs) came up to him and hit the dummy with everything I had. . . .
And the coach fell backwards onto the ground! There was an audible gasp. I ran towards the back of the line and turned when I heard, “Borkenhagen!!!”
I was nervous. Coach was standing up again and staring at me. Then he turned towards the rest of the players and said, “That boys is how you do it. That’s how you practice. Good job Borkenhagen.”
After the shock wore off, I felt a glow of pride. The point was that I’d practiced the way you also played the game. With everything you’ve got. Because if you practice the right way, not 50%, not 75%, but 100%, then that will impact what happens when the game is on.
We know that of football, but do we ever think of faith in that way . . . ?
Martin Luther talked about 3 parts to the faith life. Oratio, Meditatio, and Tentatio. Oratio basically means prayer/worship. Meditatio essentially means meditation/devotions. Tentatio means testing. The idea was simple. We form ourselves during our prayer/worship life and in our study of Scripture. And if we really soak up everything God has for us in these elements, then when the testing comes in life, we will have the strength for whatever we face.
It makes me think of Ephesians 6 where Paul says to put on the whole armor of God, including prayer and Scripture, so that you can take your stand against the Devil. If we “practice” hard and push ourselves in worship, prayer, and Scripture, then we’ll be ready for whatever hits the Devil and the world send our way and we’ll be able to “hit back”. Maybe we’ll even knock them back on their butts sometime! So let this devotion be one element of your practice today, but find more opportunities as well.
Blessings!
Dan Borkenhagen
Associate Pastor
Hope Lutheran Church & School
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