Pastor’s Corner
Welcome to the pastor’s blog, writings about church and faith life.
Church Windows
May 1, 2012 : Pastor Jason Talsness
the oracle of one who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, but with his eyes uncovered: Numbers 24:15c-16
For most of the history of Christianity church windows have offered an enhancement –if not a diversion for people at worship. Be it stained glad images depicting important stories from the Bible or transparent panes windows tell us about our surroundings beyond that which is simply nearby.
Goodness Springing Up All Over
April 2, 2012 : Pastor Jason Talsness
For God so loved the World that he gave his only… John 3:16
Winter is over. No more cold and rain. New shoots of green grass have come up. Leaves appear on the trees. The birds are singing. Spring has sprung. The love of God is evident in the promise of spring. In Easter we see the love of God springing up, spilling and overflowing in the resurrection. God’s love has conquered death.
March 1, 2012 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Hunger Walk 2012
Why in the world would 13,000 people pack into their cars and drive to Turner Field on a Sunday afternoon for a stroll past the State capital, through the Georgia State campus and back again? The route amounts to a giant circle, 5 kilometers in circumference. There are marching bands, tents, tail-gaiting, camera crews from local news stations, and throngs and throngs and throngs of people. It feels like a circus.
Because it’s the annual Atlanta Hunger Walk. The walk started 27 years ago as a way to raise funds and awareness for the Atlanta Community Food bank. In 2011 it raised over half a million dollars to support hunger and poverty relief. This year it is Sunday, March 11th, and I’m inviting you to support this worthy effort.
February 6, 2012 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Lent and the Seven Deadly Sins
Nobody likes to hear bad news. Bad news is a downer. Most of us especially don’t enjoy hearing bad news about ourselves. Bad news is delivered with unfortunate regularity, from the doctor, a lawyer, an accountant or elected official. There is a tendency to react to bad news without thinking, directing our frustration at the most convenient target, the messenger.
Sermon Series in January – A Big Gift in a Small Package
January 2, 2012 : Pastor Jason Talsness
When I was a teen I once had to do a report on a book on the Bible. This was not easy for me to do. There were so many to choose from and there were some books I knew little about. Paging through the Bible, I found a book that was only four chapters long. It was perfect, I thought. It was short and easy, a comprehensible story. It was the Book of Ruth. …Continue Reading
Christmas. Bigger than you Think.
December 5, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
In November I entered a department store and saw a sign that read something to the effect that because they believe in celebrating one holiday at a time there would be no Christmas decorations up until after Thanksgiving. That was nice, I liked that. Christmas can grow so out of control, most of us would rather not see the decorations come out after Halloween. I commend this store for taking a unique stance when it comes to the holidays and commercial interests. …Continue Reading
Lament or Give Thanks?
November 7, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
This time of year, when our thoughts turn toward turkeys and pilgrims as well as a promising NFL matchup between the Lions and Packers, we do well to also look at the intention behind Thanksgiving, one that resonates so well with our identity as followers of Jesus. Thanksgiving compels us to take inventory in our lives. Often times we become obsessed with what’s wrong. Those things take over. Scripture again and again encourages us overcome this inclination and instead give thanks to God.
Who are Lutherans? An Overview of the Reformation
September 30, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Every year at the end of October we Lutherans celebrate our heritage on Reformation Sunday, which will be on Oct. 30th this year. Though the most important thing about our community is that it is Christian, we are Christian in a particular way as every church is. In this age where many churches pride themselves of being “non-denominational” we believe there is a value to identifying the tradition from which we came.
[Stuff] Happens – A Sermon Series
September 7, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Everyone has struggles and setbacks. Unfortunately there can even be prolonged periods of troubles, when the bad things add up to an entire season of hardship. There is little we can do to prevent these times. A popular bumper sticker from years ago sums this principle up. This being a church newsletter article and all, allow me to paraphrase the bumper sticker: [Stuff] Happens. Sometimes the stuff is so bad that the word “stuff” doesn’t accurately convey the level of suffering and frustration. Sometimes stuff hits the fan, scattering it to-and-fro. That’s where slang comes in, and that’s why I believe the bumper sticker was and is so prevalent. What can you do? Stuff happens. Putting the phrase out there gives a sense of community when we recognize that reality. Welcome to planet earth, where we ALL have to deal with…well… [stuff].
The L10 Neighborhood Project: The Future is Knocking
August 9, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
The stories of how our church got started are by now heralded as revered history. In the mid-1980’s Pastor Jim Panos, walked throughout the neighborhoods of Lawrenceville, knocking on doors and generating interest in starting a new Lutheran church. He knocked on literally thousands of doors. He wore out at least one pair of shoes doing so. Pastor Panos’s focus and commitment resulted in the church we have today.
Don’t Just Stand There, Renounce Something! (What Have You Renounced Lately?)
July 12, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
By and large the majority of Christians I spend time with are an open and accepting group. We are a product of a tradition of grace-centered Christianity and therefore we are easy going. Convinced that God’s unconditional love is for everyone, understanding that we all fall short of what God wants for us, grace is our common denominator. The result of this live-and-let-love disposition is that we tend to not get riled up about much. You might see other Christians passionately protesting at the state capital and pointing fingers in judgment decrying this or that, but such behavior is uncommon for those of us under the banner of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville. Lately I’ve been wondering if this altogether a good thing.
Signs from God
June 15, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. Habakkuk 2:2
Consider the amount of messages you receive on your average morning drive: billboards, radio advertisements, bumper-stickers, personalized license plates. Be they big or small, long or short, someone is seeking to communicate something to you. It’s a wonder our brains can sort them all out and prioritize which ones really matter. …Continue Reading
Hunger for God: Why Every Christian Should Consider Fasting
March 9, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Most everyone from the atheist UPS driver to the devoutly Christian college student knows when it’s Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday has become day sanctioned for indulgence, a warm-up for another well-known date on the Christian calendar, St. Patrick’s Day. Drawing far less notoriety is the time after Mardi Gras, the season of Lent. Feasting on the Tuesday before Lent came as a result of the tradition of beginning a fast on Ash Wednesday. This is an article examining what fasting is and why it every Christian should consider the practice. …Continue Reading
It’s an Anniversary
February 3, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Amazing Grace is having an anniversary, celebrating our founding which occurred 25 years ago. Twenty-five years! Twenty-five years of proclaiming Christ’s life-changing grace. Twenty-five years of Easter, Christmas, VBS, Sunday School, confirmation, Council meetings, youth activities, Bible Studies and other gatherings of two or more in Christ’s name where He was present also. That’s 1,300 Sunday sermons and celebrations of Holy Communion. Twenty-five years of helping others in Christ’s name. It all adds up to a whole lot of grace! Happy Birthday, Amazing Grace, this is a great thing to celebrate. …Continue Reading
The Neighborhood Project L10
January 5, 2011 : Pastor Jason Talsness
Most all of us know that a critical habit to cultivate when in relationship is listening. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to be in a relationship with someone who will not or cannot listen. There is a constant give-and-take, to-and-fro between two people that keeps a relationship functioning. If this is true for people, it is also true for organizations. Successful businesses listen to customers and potential customers, finding out their needs seeking better ways to serve them.
Listening is also crucial for congregations: much of worship is listening. Members and leadership listen …Continue Reading
Last updated August 17, 2011
