Gardens of Endless Water

It's truly amazing what one hears when they only take the time to slow down and listen. Why does it seem the older we get, the harder it is to slow down? I promised myself at the beginning of this school year that I would take time to slow down and enjoy my faith more. A good intention promise, I must say, but not one I was able to keep to myself. Like any other college student, or any other young adult for that matter, my scheduled filled up quickly and the days began flying by. Before I knew it finals week had arrived and I found myself tying loose ends up and ending another semester. As any good Norwegian would say: ufta!
It was a busy Wednesday in October when I found myself running into First Lutheran Church. I was running late, and soon had to begin rehearsal for my middle school tone chimes choir. Once inside the music room I grabbed a music book, and flew into the church office to have Jo, the church secretary, make copies for me. While waiting I noticed a pile of books sitting on the pew inside the door. I asked about them and Jo invited me to take as many of them as I wanted. Anyone who knows me knows I never pass up free books, so I took the top 5 books without looking and later threw them in my car. Needless to say, the semester didn't slow down from there, and before I could turn around it was the beginning of December. If there is one thing I have learned over 20 years on this earth it is that God speaks no matter how busy you are. One night, early this month, as I pulled into my parking lot, parked my car, and went to retrieve my backpack from the back seat, a strong desire came over me to grab this green bible that I had dumped there almost 2 months ago. There was nothing special about this random New Revised Standard Version bible resembling one you would find in a hotel bedroom. Feeling too tired, however, to argue with God I grabbed it and shoved it in my backpack, not pulling it out again until several hours later while I was crawling into bed. Once snuggled under the covers, a book mark sticking out from the top caught my eye and my fingers drew me to the page where one verse was highlighted in red. It was Isaiah 58:11 - "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.” To say I sat there in awe for 10 minutes would be an understatement and suddenly it all hit me at once. I was parched. I was being pulled in this direction and the next; I was tired and running out of energy. I was exhausted and neglecting the word, prayer, and at times the Lord all together. My bones were hurting.
Do you ever feel like your garden, your life, is withering before your eyes? Do you ever feel like you put so much energy into the world that by the end of the day you have no energy to put towards your faith? We live, brothers and sisters, in a fast paced society where slowing down is rarely an option. We run at full speed from the moment our feet hit in floor in the morning until our heads hit the pillow at night without taking time to stop and nurture our garden, our life. I am guilty of denying my garden the good soil of the Holy Scriptures, the seeds of prayer, and the living water from heaven. As I paged through the contents of this bible I noticed that Isaiah 58:11 was the only verse highlighted. No other markings or bookmarks appeared within its pages. Who ever the previous owner of this bible may have been, they knew what it took to bring nutrients into their life, and their ministry in this world was encouraging others to care for their gardens. There was a challenge issued to me the night I opened this green, random, every day bible. The challenge to live my life as an endlessly abundant and watered garden; as a disciple for Jesus Christ. A challenge to slow down every day and enjoy the beauty around me - to give thanks and adoration to our Father in heaven. Will you heed this call with me? Will you pull out your garden plows, and till up the soil in your life? In this season of joy and expectation, join me as we provide our gardens, our lives, with the nutrients, the riches, that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

Who Am I?

Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for every season. Well, while we are still enjoying the beauty of summer, my life has changed seasons and I find myself sitting, once again, on the campus of South Dakota State University beginning my Junior Year. A few short weeks ago, however, you would have found me at home, in my bedroom, staring at my walls and shelves, accompanied by a blue storage container with the words "Aaron's Room" labeled neatly on the cover. It was time. It has been over 2 years since graduation when I ended one chapter of my life in order to begin another. As I slowly started laying my trophies, certificates, ribbons, and plaques in the container I was slowly fighting back the tears as well. It understandably seems strange to some, but packing the contents of a very important part of my life into a 30 gallon tub seemed impossible. As I sat in the stillness of that moment, and took time to meditate on everything that I have become, an all to familiar voice whispered, “Who are you?”
The Holy Spirit asked me who I was that day. What defines me? What defines you? Am I defined by the accomplishments of my past or, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, am I defined by my faith in Him? All to often, brothers and sisters, we get caught up in the riches of the world and we forget about the riches we have in our faith. Paul said in Galatians, “I have been crucified in CHRIST and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” As inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus Christ shares with us his unconditional love, eternal embrace, and ceaseless grace. The riches we find at the foot of the cross cannot be compared to the trophies of this world. Am I defined by the paycheck I get every month in the mail, or by those I help with the money I receive? Am I defined by the job title I hold, or by the experiences I am blessed with because of the work I do? Am I defined merely by the label of “Christian”, or do I actually live my life for the one who gave his life for me?
When my room was cleared that day I snapped down the lid on top of the tub, and placed it in the storage room in my basement. Did those experiences help shape the man I am today? Absolutely. Do they define my existence here on this earth? Absolutely not. I stand firmly today believing in the promises of 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 where it says I am marked with the seal of Christ. His spirit has been placed in my heart for safe keeping. I have been anointed. I have been defined in Him.

The Blessing of Time

I once heard someone say that time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. Two and a half weeks from now I will be standing on top of the halfway mark in my education here at South Dakota State University. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was moving all of my belongings into a dorm room? And tomorrow I will start packing them up again and start taking odds and ends home with me. I think many college students are asking "Where did this year go?" Do you ever ask yourself that question? Where has the past year of my life gone?
Several people fear the passage of time. I, and maybe some of you, however, realize how precious and beautiful time can be. I look back on this year not resenting how quickly it came and went. Why? Because I know that I spent it doing exactly what Christ wanted me to do. My Lord placed me on this campus, in the city, in the state, in this time, for a reason. Every day he introduced me to people who would change me in big and small ways. Every minute he exposed me to new ideas and experiences to nurture my faith. Every second he blessed me with opportunities to witness and glorify his name. There were many challenges, and roadblocks to overcome this past year. There were inevitable potholes in the road Christ laid before me. There were times when I wanted to stop in place and turn around. However, time and time again, while he stood by my side, we filled in the potholes, pushed away the roadblocks, and overcame the challenges. All of these things would not have been possible if seconds would not have turned to minutes, from minutes to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, and so on and so forth. Faith does not grow before your eyes in seconds. Faith is a journey - a destination.
Some say time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. However, I say time is something beautiful that deserves embracing. I embrace the gifts it has given me. The seconds I have spent embracing loved ones. The minutes I have spent in front of the piano. The hours I have spent in prayer with friends. The days I have spent surrounded by my family. Above all, however, the life I have been given to praise my Lord.
Time. A monster or a blessing? What have you accomplished with Christ this year? We stand here asking "Where has this past year gone?" When really we should be asking "Where have we gone in this past year?"

Where I'm From

I am from the piano bench of my grandmother
from diet coke and laffy taffy.
I am from the brown house with maroon doors on east 9th street
clean, tidy, and warm with love.
I am from the willow tree at grandma and grandpas
the forest of trees that tell
childhood games of hide and go seek.

I am from mashed potatoes with gravy and soft hearted eyes
from Delton and Jeannine, Ed and Rosie.
I’m from poker players and quilters,
from “try your best son”
and “I’m proud of you”.

I’m from Grace Lutheran Church
from Norwegian Lutheran heritage
and middle row sitters.

I’m from Sisseton, SD in Roberts County,
strawberries and pie.
From the hardworking grandfather,
the best friend grandmother,
and the supporting parents.

My pictures can be found in the same place as yours,
in an album.
However, my memories are found in an album only I can open-
my heart.

Peace - Be Still

There comes a point in time when we realize just how fast life can change. We watched in horror as the news rolled in after an 8.2 magnitude Earth Quake rocked Japan to its core, and 30 foot tsunami waves destroyed miles of its beautiful and fertile lands. As I sat in front of the television, from the comfort of my own home, surrounded by the warmth of a blanket and my family, I couldn't hold back the tears that started flowing down my face. In minutes the Japanese people watched their farm land, that had been handed down from generation to generation, drowned and swept away. Centuries of breath-takingly beautiful architecture came crashing to the ground. Families, the legacy of the Japanese people, were torn apart by death. When the video and photographs were too much to bear and I could feel the weight of the world bearing down on my shoulders I could feel a hand reach for mine, pull me up, lead me into the study, sit me down at my piano bench, pull out a dusty hymnal from the top shelf, and guide me to the page. I slowly lifted my hands to the keys and let my fingers make the music of my Lord as they sang "Eternal Father, Strong to Save."
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm has bound the restless wave.
Who bade the mighty oceans deep, Its own appointed limits keep:
Oh here us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.
To me, this disaster has served as a reminder of my faith. A reminder of those times when I have been walking the path Christ has set for me, following in his word and commandments, and living his will when suddenly, in a quick second, my life can be turned upside down and rocked to its core. A tsunami wave of emotions overcomes me and I crumble. Much like the disaster that has struck the hearts of the Japanese people, when my faith crumbles before me, do I awake the next morning to only give up and surrender in defeat? When the sun came over Japan the morning after disaster struck and the people were given their first look at the damage did they turn around to go back into their shelter to sit in the darkness? They brushed themselves off, picked up one another, and looked into the future. Today, as you sit and meditate on your faith and those times when it was drowned by a tsunami wave, what did you do? What are you doing today? We praise a God who speaks to our hearts, is speaking to the hearts of the Japanese people, and spoke to the tsunami "Peace - Be Still." Today we praise a God of the future who will shed light, and grace upon the people of Japan. A God who will console those who mourn the loss of over 10,000 people who perished. A God of comfort and healing. A God of the storm.

Heavenly Reminders

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
My uncle Laurel was a man of perfection. He was a man of integrity. He was, most of all, a beautiful man inside and out. Yesterday was a hard day for my family, as we said farewell to a person who took a hand in shaping many of us. As I have spent the past 2 days surrounded by loved ones I have been reminded of just how blessed I truly am. I was raised on the principal, from the time I was born, that family comes first. And that is exactly what was proved to me this week. We sat along side one another as we told and listened to stories of how special Laurel was to each and every one of us. Stories proving that each of us, in our own unique way, now carries a piece of Laurel in our heart. We meditated on the lessons he taught us. Yes, we shed tears of sorrow, but we did what our family does best: we lifted each other up in a time of need and promised each other that together we would move forward - not forgetting Laurel but holding him close in our hearts and leading by his example.
Today I'd like for you to take a moment to meditate on the importance of your family. What part do they play in your life? All to many times I think we forget that we are who we are because of our family. It is with a joyful heart that I can proudly admit that I would not be the person I am today without my family supporting me every step of the way. There isn't a day goes by that I don't go on bended knee before my God and praise him for giving me these people to share my life with. These past few days have been a reminder of that.
My uncle Laurel was a gardener. He put his time, sweat, blood, and dedication into making this earth a beautiful place for all to enjoy. I take hope and comport in the words of Ecclesiastes 3 when it says that there will come a season to plant and uproot. This was the season for my uncle Laurel to be uprooted from this earth and taken home to rest in the arms of his savior. I take comport in the thought that my God rejoiced when Laurel entered the gates of heaven, like he will for each and every one of us. This was also, my dear friends, the season for reminding. A heavenly reminder about the strength of a family. A heavenly reminder to help us all meet the days ahead.

If...

1f 99% is good enough, then...
12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.
114,500 mismatched pairs of shoes will be shipped per year.
18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled per hour.
2,000,000 documents will be lost by the IRS this year.
2.5 million books will be shipped with the wrong covers.
2 planes landed at Chicago's O'Har airport will be unsafe every day.
315 entries in Webster's dictionary will be misspelled.
20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be written this year.
103,260 income tax returns will be processed incorrectly during the year.
5.5 million cases of soft drinks will be flat.
291 pacemaker operations will be performed incorrectly.
3,056 copies of tomorrow's Wall Street Journal will be missing one of three sections.
Are you giving 100%?

New Sight

I was talking with a good friend of mine yesterday who said she had experienced a revelation in her life! Kari told of how she didn't realize how blind she was until she put on a friends glasses and she could suddenly see! This reminded me a lot of how I had been living my life in the past week. Its easy, friends, to let the world invade your life and pull you down. It's certainly been easy for the world to pull me down this past week. We are constantly on the run - the run from this meeting to that one, or this appointment to the next, or from school to this commitment. It's easy to begin feeling overwhelmed and run down. It's easy, brothers and sisters, to push away from life all together in hopes that it might go away. When Kari was telling me about how her sight had been renewed by putting on a pair of glasses, it reminded me of how with a change of my attitude, and help from God, I too could see the world anew.
Theres a woman who works in the SDSU Student Union - her name is Marilyn - and for the past year I have watched her as she scurries around the tables refilling the napkin dispensers, pushing in chairs, picking up trash, and not saying a word to anyone. Im ashamed to say that many days I said to myself "Would it hurt for her to say hello to anyone as she's doing her work?" Like Kari, I was blind and the only thing I needed was to regain my sight - and while Kari regained hers with a new pair of glasses, I regained mine with Christ. It's been a few months now that I've been praying for Marilyn - that someone, in some way, would open their heart to her. Today, that person was me. As I was eating with friends in the Union I walked up to Marilyn and said "Hello!" with a loud booming voice. I think I may have scared her at first but then came something I have not seen from this woman - a smile. A big smile from ear to ear. 5 minutes later, after listening to her talk non-stop, I walked away with a new smile on my face. My sight had been renewed, and for 5 minutes all of those cares in the world that had been pulling me down had vanished and were unimportant because I had made a new sister in Christ, and that my friends is what life is all about.
How is your sight today? Are you feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? Are you feeling overwhelmed about your life and its direction? These past weeks I have been forgetting one of the rules that I need to live my life around - that every morning when you wake up, you have control over the day you are going to have, because you have control over your attitude. When you wake up tomorrow morning, blinded by the worries of the world, I'd like for you to remember what Paul says in Philippians 2:5 - "Have the same mindset as Christ." Can we make it a goal that tomorrow morning, from the minute our feet touch the floor, that we would take WWJD to a new level? That we would let him invade our lives to push out all the worries of the world? I pray, that most of all, you would find new sight - new attitude - in Christ.

Why Not Me?

As I am sitting by my window, gazing at the snow falling softly, I am reminded of one of Bing Crosby's famous songs from "White Christmas". I think you'll remember it when you hear the words: "When I'm worried and I can't sleep. I count my blessings instead of sheep. And I fall asleep counting my blessing". We, sadly, live in a world that is surrounded and engulfed by the negatives that the media is constantly throwing at us. It's gotten to the point where most don't want to even snap on the TV, open up a newspaper, or turn on the radio in fear of what will be heard or read. I've lived my life around the principal that blessings can be taken from every situation - even the darkest and most traumatic. There are days when I come back to my dorm room from classes, throw my backpack down, and crawl into my bed and shout - "WHY ME?" My girlfriend reminded me this week that when Im asking the question "why me", God is asking "Why not you, Aaron?" Why not me to take on the problems of my life head on? Why not me to change the world through his name? Its easy to lose sight of the blessings in our life because all we see are the negatives. The crooked politics, the natural disasters, and a shaken economy just to name a few.
Have you considered these things: Did you know that if you are reading this from your home, or a few steps away from a refrigerator with food in it, or if you're wearing clothes you bought than you are more rich that 75% of the world? Did you know that if you have money in a bank account you are among the worlds wealthiest 8%? Did you know that if you woke up this morning healthy that you are more lucky than the 1 million people who will die from disease this week? Did you know that if you are able to read this message right now you are more fortunate than the 3 BILLION people in the world who don't know how to read?
I'd encourage you, right now, to stop what you are doing and open your bible to Ephesians 1:4-14. Take special notice of some of the words used! Do you realize that God has chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed us? What does this mean to you, as a Christian? Our father in heaven wants to rain down his blessings on your life (Matthew 7:11). In fact, 1 John 3:1 tells us that he wants to lavish us with his love. However - today he is asking you, whoever you are reading this, a very important question. You can read it in John 1:12 - will you be his child so he can give you his wealth, his blessings? Today are you asking "Why me" or are you asking "Why not me?"

Living Today For Tomorrow

It's amazing how fast time flies! Im sure my parents will tell you it felt just like yesterday when they were taking me to kindergarden or teaching me how to ride a bike. The funny things is that time keeps passing us by and we still take every day for granted. This summer, as I worked along side an amazing man at a funeral home in small town South Dakota, I learned that every day is truly a gift. Terry, my boss and faithful friend, told me - "Aaron, God's time is not our time. And our time is no where near God's time." Today - I am 19 years old, quickly coming upon the end of my second year of college, preparing for a future in ministry, and meditating on the times in my life I took for granted and wishing I hadn't. I wish the days leading up to my grandfathers death could be relived differently. I wish I could go back to the days of high school and live them to the fullest instead of wishing them away. I wish, more than anything, I could go back to those times in my life when I hurt those I love with my words or actions. However, as Im sitting here engulfing myself in all those times in my life I want to go back and do over, my father in heaven is engulfing me in his presence and saying - "Look to the future, Aaron. The past does not matter anymore." We are called in Philippians 3:13 to forget what lies behind us and strain for what is before us. For, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are new creations! Too many people in this world, myself included, are striving to live in the past instead of focusing our eyes on what is yet to come! We forget, all to easily, the promise that was made to each and every one of us in Jeremiah - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give your future hope." I am here to tell you today that as Christians, soldiers on the front line for Christ, there is no battle we can fight until we have won those within ourselves. One of the rules I live my life by is the old quote "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift - thats why they call it the present." It's hard for some to realize that the past cannot be undone, but its even harder for them to realize that they have the power to change their tomorrow. We stand here, together, looking into the future with all of our hopes and fears, but we do not stand alone.

Got Gifts?

It's the times in our life when we sit alone, in the quiet, listening for the voice of our savior to shine through when Christ reveals to us life changing opportunities. As I spent time this weekend to slow down, sit in the presence of my Lord, and listen to his voice I learned a few things about my heart that only Christ could uncover. It was a verse from holy scripture I least expected to hear. To be honest, I was completely taken by surprise when I was led me to it - 1 Timothy 4:14: "Do not neglect the gift that is in you." However, suddenly it all started to make sense. My heart had been heavy these past few weeks, especially about beginning a new semester, and leaving my family after a much needed and enjoyed Christmas Vacation. It would be a complete lie to say I was thrilled about returning. That was, until, my heart was ministered to by the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:4 tells us that Christ knew us before we were ever born, in fact, we learn in Ephesians 1:11 that we were thought of at creation. We arrived on this earth in the form of small miracles destined to achieve great things! What I was losing sight of was the gifts that I was put on this earth with: music, and ministry. What gifts were you sent to this earth with? Are you spending time nurturing these gifts or neglecting them much like I was? Dr. Seuss wrote, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.” Where are your God given talents going to take you today?
As I was sprinting across campus today I saw a group of children from the campus pre-school walking across the street. I couldn't help but stop and stare knowing that in that group of children could be the scientist who finds the cure for cancer, a nobel peace prize winner, or future president of the United States. We were all once there, walking in those tiny shoes, only (what seems like) years ago, and look where we are today! Is God getting the glory for the talents you posses and for the person you have become? I encourage you to take some time today, and in the days ahead, to do exactly as I did and slow down, and sit in the silence to give praise to the one who carries you close to his heart.

I Am

by Aaron Deutsch
January 8, 2011

I Am the change I want to see in the world
I See a beautiful world full of people from places different than I
I Hear the voices of those crying our for help
I Taste the sweetness of being a Christian
I Touch the hearts of those who reach out to touch mine

I Am a lover of all people
I Cry at the drop of a hat because I am an emotional blob of jello
I Laugh because I believe those who laugh more live longer
I Smile at those who don't normally receive smiles
I Feel every day is a gift from God

I Am thankful for all I have been blessed with
I Enjoy the company of friends old and new
I Dislike close minded people who don't live life to the fullest
I Believe we have been given the privilage to change everyone we meet
I Want to walk the path Christ has laid out for me

I Am a unique person created by and for the Lord
I Wish everything you want in life to come true
I Miss my grandfather and everything he has missed in the past 10 years
I Love who I am
I Remember with a greatful heart those who have gone before me to make me who I am today

I am running with endurance the race

Ye Shall Live

As we begin the New Year we think and meditate upon our New Years Resolutions and the impact they will make on our lives. As I have been talking with friends and family about the resolutions they made one I heard repeatedly was, "I want to be a better Christian." This took me back to a time in my life not so long ago when this was one commitment I could have made to myself and to my God. I think there comes a time in our lives when we believe we have become the best Christian we can be. We feel we have read all the books, listened to all the sermons, said all the prayers, and spent all the time with God we needed to spend with him. We reach a time when we stop living, breathing, and engulfing ourselves in Christ and start going on auto-pilot. I was sitting in church a few months ago when I was caught off guard by the voice of God booming in my head saying "Aaron - why have you become a one hour a week Christian?" I use to spend hours in prayer promising my Lord on bended knee that I would not become that very person I was turning into. I was suddenly overtaken with a flood of emotions: Regretful that I had slipped away from the feet of my Lord. Angry that I hadn't corrected it earlier. Embarrassed that I was preaching to others about not becoming that type of Christian when I had already. However - while I was being overtaken by all the negative emotions my Father in Heaven pushed through them and laid on my heart a feeling of peace. It was time to correct my mistakes - to go before the God of Forgiveness and lay my burdens at the foot of the cross.
Today - I want to know if you are working to avoid becoming a one hour a week Christian? Are you allowing God to work deeply in and through you or are you living your own life like I was? Are you spending time in Holy Scripture and Prayer daily or are you doing it when it fits into your schedule like I was? Are you listening in the silence to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, as it lays out the next steps for your life or are you endlessly searching in other places like I was? I am here to tell you right now that we are broken Christians seeking to be made whole by Christ. I am here to support you whether you are on the path laid out for you or need help finding it again. I am here, above all, to love you because chances are I have been in the seat you are sitting in now. Will you make the commitment with me, right now, to work away from being a one hour a week Christian? Will you come before your God fully acknowledging your failures? As we work together toward this goal we remember the words of Amos 5:4 - "Seek yes me, and ye shall live..."

Love, Precious Love

There comes a time, friends, when you realize just how precious your life and the life of your friends and family is. Christmas and New Years have come and gone and today we stand at the beginning of a new chapter in our lives and we look to the question everyone looks to at the beginning of a new year: Will this be the year we keep the resolutions we have made? Normally mine would be to lose weight, exercise more, and eat healthier. However - for some reason those seemed a bit frivolous this year. I made only 2 resolutions - to become a better friend to those I love and to draw closer to my Lord while drawing closer to them. As I sat around the Christmas Tree with my family this year I was overwhelmed with a feeling I don't normally experience when I gather with them. I found myself taking in and savoring every moment we spent with one another. I had a pile full of presents at my feet to open but this year they didn't matter - my family did. I started thinking about how often I take these people for granted - along with my friends and those I care about. How many more Christmases will we all have to spend together? How many years will pass before our Christmas traditions are ripped apart by storms, differing schedules, or even death? When people ask how my Christmas was I tell them - precious - because thats exactly what it was. How many of you reading today are like me in the respect that we are so fortunate to have a family to spend the holidays with? Now how many of you reading today are like me as we take those people for granted every single day of our lives? Christ has rained down his blessings on me throughout my life through family, friends, and memories and sometimes I have failed to see their importance in my life. As I held the newest member of our family, my 5 month old baby cousin, in my arms I could see the face of God - reminding me that the only gift I needed this year was right there staring back at me.
1 John 3 tells us that our Lord wants to lavish us with his love, and because he does this, friends, we can do the same to others. Our God knew us before we were even born (Jeremiah 1:4-5), and he has searched our hearts (Psalm 139:1), and he has given us the power to change the lives of those around us in his name through love. While Christmas has passed and we are almost a week into the New Year, I know that the best gift you can give someone today - right now - is your love.