Category: Life

Posted in Grace, Life

Gloom, despair, agony, repentance and mercy

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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I guess you have to pick your poison. Tornadoes in Oklahoma, hurricanes in Florida, superstorms in New England, earthquakes in California, shootings, bombs, abduction, epidemic, drought, infestation, pestilence, plague, processed meat — no matter where you go, there is a very real, imminent threat to your life, your family, your church, your friends and your community. What are we going to do? Where are we going to go?

Are there really more threats on our lives? Or is there just more breaking news about threats to our lives? Has anyone done the research? Are there really more people dying from those things, or is there just more gloom, despair and agony thrust upon me each day?

A long time ago, the apostle Paul wrote that “the present form of this world is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31). He wrote that in the context of urging some Christians not to get too attached to the things of the world. They won’t last. And each tragedy, disaster and act of violence that claims life and makes us afraid is a powerful reminder that it’s all going to be gone someday (2 Peter 3:10-13), to replaced by something new and much, much better.

So how do we react to the events? How do we respond to the news? If someone close to us is affected, we show mercy help them through it in every way we can. If they are far away, we pray and contribute to support those who are in that place providing help.

But we also keep Jesus’ words in mind: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Headline news provides a vivid reminder of our sin and its consequences in this world, and the only cure is the forgiveness and life we have through our faith in Jesus Christ. Let the headlines send you running to Him, and then back out into the world with His mercy.

Posted in Life, Ministry

Time to Go

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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Dr. Andrew Bartelt was the preacher at the morning worship service for the conferring of theological diplomas at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on Friday, May 17. Working from Isaiah 2:2-5, he recalled the typical welcome offered to an incoming class, “We’re so glad you’re here” and added these words for the graduates: “But we  can’t wait for you to go.” Just as Isaiah gained insight into God’s holiness and grace and was sent out (Isaiah 6), so the students have immersed themselves in His Word, and are now on their way.

While we are so thankful for those men and women who commit to academic preparation for full time church work as pastors and deaconesses, it’s a special time of celebration when they are ready to go and begin that work. As good as seminary life and education is, it means so much more when you’re out there. The Greek and Hebrew words, the history of Old and New Testament people, and the basic teachings of the faith come to life in the day to day routines, struggles and celebrations of the church. New lives cry out as others are commended to graves. Couples come together and others go their separate ways. Our lives are blessed one day and severely challenged the next. Each one who goes out will discover that the black and white lessons learned in the classroom are lived out in full color in the church’s life and ministry.

My son Adam and his wife Sarah, pastor and deaconess, have finished their education and will now begin their work. But there is a cycle they will repeat often. Their experiences will send them back to what they’ve learned, and what they learn will send them back out again in ministry. As natural as breathing in and out, we are drawn to our Lord’s promises, and then go back out into the world.

Thank you Dr. Bartelt, for your insights, images and message to this year’s graduates and families. Thank you Concordia Seminary for being both a place to prepare, and a place from which to go on the adventure of a lifetime that is full time ministry.

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Posted in Life

Graduations

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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Over the next three weeks I will attend three graduations.

The first will be my son Adam’s and his wife Sarah’s graduation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on May 17. He’ll receive his Master of Divinity, ready for the pastoral ministry and she’ll receive her Master of Arts in Religion for work as a deaconess. Though not quite as exciting as the call service, they both worked very hard to achieve this honor, and I am very proud of them.

A week later, it’s time for preschool graduation at our church. This annual spring event showcases songs they’ve learned over the year, includes much pomp and circumstance and each shares what they want to do when they grow up. Along with the usual assortment of doctors and firefighters will be a few aspiring princesses and superheroes! I wouldn’t miss this for the world,

And then, a week after that, it’s my youngest daughter Olivia’s graduation from high school. Our last high school graduation until the grandkids come along. As senior class president, she’ll get to give a welcome speech, and is receiving her diploma with Cum Laude honors. I’m very proud of her, too!

Of course, each ceremony will be followed by festivities. What a month of May! (Watch this space for my response to each occasion.)

Posted in Grace, Life

Break an arm!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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“Break the arms of those who are wicked and evil!” (Psalm 10:15).

Do your prayers sound like that? I’m guessing not. Mine don’t. I rarely pray for bad things to happen to bad people. If I didn’t know better, I would attribute these words to someone in organized crime rather than one of God’s faithful. Although, I guess we’d be talking about kneecaps, not arms, right?)

That’s not very loving, is it? Not at all compassionate. Hardly merciful. Yet, it’s the prayer of the faithful, the inspired word of God and honestly, the sentiment of many of us. Wouldn’t you like God to give people like Dr. Kermit Gosnell what they deserve for killing those newborns? Wouldn’t you like to see some members of our government with an arm in a sling after God had a little talk with them? Isn’t there at least one bully you’d like to have an appointment with the Almighty?

Maybe that’s why Jesus is controversial. He doesn’t teach our enemies a lesson. Instead, He talks with them and is comfortable spending time with them. That’s just not right! And then His body is broken for us (and His blood poured out), for the forgiveness of (my) sins.

That’s life changing. He was broken for me. Any prayer that reminds me of that is a good one.l

Posted in Life

A Tribute to Mom

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Mom (Nancy Douthwaite) in a 1993 photo from our home in West Des Moines, IA
Mom (Nancy Douthwaite) in a 1993 photo from our home in West Des Moines, IA

How many blog posts will be written about moms this weekend? Lots and lots, I’m sure. Well, I’m not going to be left out! Here’s my tribute to mom, someone I don’t think I’ve ever written about before.

My mom died a little over eight years ago, finally succumbing to a ten-year battle with cancer. Married to my dad for fourty-nine years, her faith, love and talents live on in the families of her children.

Mom was a nurse, graduating from Philadelphia General Hospital. She wore white, wore a cap (a unique double frill), and worked weekends. That’s when my dad learned how to cook. Thank goodness for Hamburger Helper. She talked me into volunteering at the hospital, getting ice water, giving up meal trays, feeding those who needed help, and occasionally moving a corpse to the morgue. I’ve always believed that those experiences helped me feel comfortable making hospital visits.

Mom was a musician. She was a talented pianist. In my mind I can still hear her playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and accompanying some family singalongs. That gene was passed along to all of us kids and grandchildren.

Mom was a writer. She took a creative writing class, and I am sure files of her manuscripts are still in the basement of our home in Ridley Park. She always had millions of notebooks and pens around the house, filled with lists, ideas, doodles and bible passages. She just loved the feel of the ages of a brand new notebook.

Mom was an artist. She did some oils but I especially remember some of her charcoal sketches. A few swipes across a piece of paper and suddenly she had drawn a picture of you. Amazing.

Mom loved chocolate.

Mom was a Christian. She and my dad were absolutely faithful in worship, she taught Sunday School and Bible classes, loved to read books about spiritual topics and was amazingly active in sharing her faith, especially with the family. I vividly remember our family devotions after supper each night. We three kids rotated through the duties of lighting the candle, reading the scripture and then the My Devotions article. Our family life was intricately interwoven with the life of the church all throughout my growing up years. Do you think God was able to use her to raise up a few pastors (my brother and I) and an organist and teacher (my sister) for His church? Yep.

Mom probably had no idea how many lives she touched simply by being who she was, following Christ and loving her husband and children. Not perfect, just redeemed. Not famous, but definitely remembered.

(Stay tuned: I’m writing about dad on June 16.)

Posted in Grace, Life

Where is He?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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“O Lord, why do you stand so far away?” (Psalm 10:1).

There’s a great question. Why would God keep His distance? Why does He seem so far away? Why does God seem like He’s not around? More importantly, why does God seem like He’s not around when we need Him?

Jesus said He would always be with us (Matthew 28:20). He promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God dwelt in the midst of His people in a tabernacle (Exodus 25:8), a temple (1 King 16:13) and His own Son (John 1:14). We hang onto these promises for dear life, yet we have this nagging sensation that God has abandoned us because of something we’ve done or haven’t done.

Maybe it’s because we expected it to be easy. We figured that if God were around we could coast. That He would open up a hole for us to run through, provide the momentum, and run interference for us. So each challenge, problem or dilemma makes us wonder, “Hey, God, what’s up? Why are you so far away?”

Perhaps we need to hear again what Jesus said in the gospel this morning: “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33.) It’s going to be hard, difficult, infuriating, impossible. But that doesn’t mean for a minute that God isn’t around. In some ways, it’s proof that He is. Jesus said He would bring conflict into families, persecution to the church, hatred toward His disciples and a cross for those who follow. Since the new life He gives us runs counter to the wide path that leads to destruction, we can expect to feel friction, experience conflict and get to know rejection when we follow Him. So He must be close by.

Actually, if you keep reading Psalm 10, you’ll notice that it’s the wicked who claims that God’s not around. We know better.

Posted in Life

From the top and the bottom

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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Here I am looking out the window of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. As I looked at some of the people below, I wondered if they could see me?

So when I came down, I laid on the ground and took this picture. If you look closely, you can see some people!

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Posted in Grace, Life, Ministry

Call Day (part 4:back home)

Posted on by William Douthwaite


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After an eleven-hour travel day, we are back home. We were blessed with a much less eventful day for our return. Now, a little time to reflect upon Adam and Sarah’s Call Service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. 

The worship program was available online earlier this week, and I was amazed to see two of my favorite hymns being sung, “Awake My Heart with Gladness” and “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds.” Set those hymns in a chapel full of Lutherans with a great organ, choir and brass ensemble, and you feel like the worship of heaven has touched that spot on earth for just a moment, reminding you of the eternal praises being sung around the throne of God.

It’s nice being near the beginning of the alphabet, for Adam’s name was soon announced, followed by “Associate pastor, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dallas, TX.” Just where they thought and hoped they would be assigned.

Pastor. A title never associated with my son Adam’s name before, but one which would always speak to God’s grace, direction and blessing in his life. With humility, amazing communication skills, musical talent, a great sense of humor and a willingness to serve, he will be a blessing to many as he serves the church. He and Sarah embody great hope for the church as they begin their ministry together. I am so very proud and blessed.

You know, we didn’t used to be a family of pastors. But the faithfulness of my mom and dad and my wife’s parents became an avenue for God to lead me, my son, my brother Jim, and my brother-in-law Jeff into the pastoral ministry. On Sarah’s side, her dad and two brothers are pastors, and she is now a deaconess. Our family is now replete with full-time church workers.

Pretty cool.

Posted in Life, Ministry

Call Day (part 3: the call)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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Olivia is at the base of the arch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, Call Day has arrived. But the call service isn’t until 7:00 pm. How do we spend a day in St. Louis?

First, we did the Gateway Arch. Beautiful spring day, very light crowds, and we went right up to the top. Great view, of course, including some flooded roads right by the river.

Next, we drove over to the Anheiser-Busch brewery. We had lunch at Frazer’s, a nearby eatery, then took the tour, saw the Clydesdales, and of course, sampled some product.

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We ate supper at Seamus McDaniel’s, and then headed over to the Chapel of Saints Timothy and Titus for the call service. Adam received his call to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX where he will serve as associate pastor. He and Sarah had met and talked with the senior pastor there, and are very excited about their assignment and upcoming move.

Lots of excitement, great time with family and friends. Heading home tomorrow.