Theology. Everyone's doing it. Especially song-writers.

I notice this when I listen to the radio. Do you? Tell me which songs; I'd love to hear.

What do I mean, "doing theology?" Well, they're talking about faith, God, life, death and what matters. C'mon! This is theology.

I heard this song by Switchfoot today on 102.1 here in Anchorage.

Check out some of the lyrics:
Maybe redemption has stories to tell Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell Where can you run to escape from yourself? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Salvation is here

Also the chorus says: "I dare you to move."

Hmm. Salvation, redemption and forgiveness. Sounds churchy to me. I think he thinks those things are a good idea.

Here's another one of my favorites, it's from Gomez' CD "How we Operate." The line is: "The things that are given not won are the things that you want." Hey, how 'bout that for theology? Things like God's love, mercy, forgiveness and grace. Things like the love and kindness of other people. Heck yeah I'd rather have them given than try to win them.

It's theology.

What have YOU noticed?


Faith907

Hello world!

Welcome to Faith907.
Why faith? Because this is a place to share faith reflections, theological insights, creative ideas and meditations on being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Why 907? Because I live in Alaska...907 is the phone area code for the whole state. And our life of faith is always lived out in context. We are where we are.

I'm writing this blog as an extension of who I am and what I do. A few things to know:
* I'm a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor.
* I live in Anchorage, Alaska.
* I'm 29.
* My favorite cheese is Dubliner. And goat.

Here are a few things I believe:
* Humans are drawn to experiences of the divine. Pick any civilization. They worshipped something. Or lots of somethings.
* We didn't create this mystery. It just is. God (or whatever you call it) created our world and continues to breath life into us. God holds us in life and death.
* God makes promises and keeps them. God invites us into relationship.
* We can't do anything to make God love us more. We can't earn our way to anything holy. God reaches out first in love.
* Baptism is a way that we are claimed as God's child. We belong to God.
* God loves us. Really loves us. Just as we are.
* God wanted to show how to live. God broke into our world as a human. His name was Jesus.
* Jesus went to the fringes. He cared for the widow, orphan and stranger.
* Jesus offered us a new relationship. We celebrate this in a meal called Eucharist. It's a simple meal of bread and wine. We remember how much we are loved when we partake.
* God is with us each day. Everywhere. We'll notice this by keeping our eyes open.
* We can talk to God in prayer. Anytime.
* God communicates in all kinds of ways. Through the Bible, through prayer, through listening to our quiet intuition, through other people.

So stay tuned for more. I'll sent out semi-regular reflections on faith and life. Love to have you respond. We may just learn something together.

Also: if you live here too, you are welcome to join us for worship. Central Lutheran Church. 15th and Cordova. Thursday nights at 7:30 pm. Contemplative (Holden Evening Prayer). Eucharist. Quiet. Peace.