Todd Nelson

I love the tree…

jtoddnelson — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:36:24 +0000

I love the trees in our yard. They provide a canopy of shade in the summer that protects the house from the sun and provides a great cooler place for us to play in the yard. But with all that goodness comes the annual gutter clean-out!

Have you noticed that often good things come with responsibilities? It is that way with our gifts and talents as well. God has given you and me gifts, talents, and passions and we are charged with using them for our good and the good of others.

Washington DC “aha”

jtoddnelson — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:22:42 +0000

There is great importance in remembering. Washington DC this spring reminded me through the maze of buildings and monuments of this very biblical fact. Whether it be a pile of rocks, aka ebenezer, or a monument or a journal post, it is very important that we mark significant times in our lives in such a way that they can provide encouragement in the future. This is especially vital during future times of trial, stress, or decision making.

May this Thanksgiving week be a time of remembering, gratefulness and kindness. Remember and be fully awake to the possibilities they point toward.

Micah 6:8 rings true again

jtoddnelson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:41:36 +0000

Wow…talking about a sad situation for everyone involved. The children and their families have apparently been victimized by a person and an institution. Both charged with protecting and serving the very people harmed.

Rather thank finishing well, the coach will resign and move forward forever stained by the cover up he aided in making happen.

I pray that we would all have the courage to do the right and courageous thing when the time comes in our own lives. Rather than worry about potential fallout we would all follow the commands given to us in Micah 6:8:

8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.

I know as well as you it is easier to be a pundit than a player. Offering critique and pointing out obvious problems requires little effort or risk. What we really need is a group of people who are willing to be involved in the lives (both good and bad circumstances) of those around us.

My hope is that the Penn State situation will be a call to action as we re-examine what justice and mercy look like in today’s world. My prayer is that we will do all of this out of a heart full of love for God.

Thoughts on Speaking

jtoddnelson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:38:57 +0000

“To be taught to respect one’s self; to be habituated to the censorial inspection of the public eye; … to have leisure to read, to reflect, to converse; to be enabled to draw the court and attention of the wise and learned, wherever they are to be found; to be habituated in armies to command and to obey; … to be led to a guarded and regulated conduct, from a sense that you are considered as an instructor of your fellow citizens in their highest concerns, and that you act as a reconciler between God and man. …” Edmund Burke

This whole idea of introspection is key. Contemplating what is going on around you and sensing who is being impacted and why is a definition of emotional intelligence. Those with emotional intelligence have the potential to communicate in powerful ways for they have insights into how words affect others.

As someone who communicates for a living, my first job is to be a good listener followed closely by a good student of content as well as context. For the pastor, the listening is twofold: Holy Spirit and congregation. Only then can one in good conscience put together a few ideas for others.

And after all of this…we saw this week that the thing folks remember is the little ditty you sang! Oh yes, taking yourself not too seriously is important too.

Grace in the midst of a fall

jtoddnelson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:21:20 +0000

No matter what we may or may not know about the personal life of Rep. Weiner, here is one truth to cling to…God’s grace (forgiveness, mercy, new life) can make a difference and is truly the only thing can. I would not wish this scenario on anyone. But even in the face of this embarrassing set of events, God’s grace is sufficient.

The best thing we as followers of Christ can do is not throw stones and offer prayers for reconciliation and healing.

Quite the memory

jtoddnelson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:38:29 +0000

While waiting to process into the service yesterday morning at our downtown campus, someone asked me if I was the person who sang a song last time I was here…I answered, “no way!” But he was undeterred. Didn’t you sing the song “read your Bible pray everyday and you’ll grow, grow, grow”? And then it hit me that I had used that little ditty in my sermon. He went on to tell me that he has sung that song almost every day since he heard it and it reminded him to read his Bible and pray!

What a great reminder of the art of the sermon. Everyone experiences through a distinct set of lenses and comes away with a distinct message. Combine that with the action of the Holy Spirit and you have a recipe for personal transformation.

Let me just say that I am glad God chooses to reach out and speak to us even if it is in poorly sung children’s song that was not intended to leave a lasting impression but a moment of levity!

The more I learn, the less I know…

Expectations

jtoddnelson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:20:04 +0000

Hosea 6:6 (NLT) “I want you to show love,not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”

Reading this passage today made me realize once again that what I think God expects from me and what God actually expects may not be the same. Often we impose the world’s expectations on our relationship with God. And God says over and again…I want you to love me more than anything you can do for me…I want you to know me rather than spend time trying to appease me.

For all of those perfectionists out there who think we must EARN God’s love…God is NOT Smith Barney who says they do things the old fashioned way and earn it. God desires more than anything else to sit down and have a good old fashioned conversation with you. A conversation where you share what is on your heart and God shares as well. One where no hand is out (there is time for that for sure but not now) wanting something or a fist is raised in questioning (there is also time for that as well).

Simply a conversation. And we call that prayer…

Current Reading List

jtoddnelson — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:23:18 +0000

Thought I would share what I am currently reading and see if you have any good suggestions for me:

Missional Map Making by Roxburgh
Surprised by Hope by NT Wright
The Dash by Linda Ellis and Mac Anderson
Things Christians Like by Jon Acuff
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell

Getting ready to take off for a week in Washington DC for the kids’ spring break. Will hopefully post some updates along the way.

Coffee Prices On the Rise! So what…

jtoddnelson — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:48:30 +0000

For some of us, the price of high quality beans going up is signficant. For others, we couldn’t care less.

And herein lies a fundamental truth for those in leadership.

Do not expect people to be energized by an idea or a project unless it is personal to them. In fact, most folks won’t even get excited unless they were part of the idea generating meeting and some even won’t get excited unless it is THEIR idea.

I believe with all my heart that we must be as inclusive as possible and strive to build consensus at every turn. The real problem comes when there is a need to do something/try something that will not be on the top of anyone’s list. Consensus many times takes you to places of comfort and status quo instead of places of risk and growth. When consensus is not likely to be reached then don’t expect folks to buy-in unless you have taken time to build their confidence by your past actions (and quite frankly successes). It is in these situations we must continually ask for (and receive) feedback and give people a lot of space to wrestle with what is going on.

Lenten Thought

jtoddnelson — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:46:08 +0000

Growing up in a tradition that did not celebrate Lent, I find myself a relative newcomer to the season. And as such the new car smell has yet to wear off! Lent, coming from the derivative “lengthen” for the longer days, is a 40 day (not including mini-Easters also known as Sunday!) preparation period for the people of faith. Preparation? For what? Readying our hearts for the ultimate expression of love and power…Easter.

It has been customary to either give up something or take-up something for this period of time. One might take time each day to pray or read Scripture. One might take up random acts of kindness to strangers. Or you might decide to “fast” from something and in place of this something turn your attention to God.

However it is. Whatever you do. Focus upon God is the key. I love to take up the Book of Common Prayer during this season. For it’s liturgy (prayers, Scripture passages, and reflections) are full of perspective changing power for me.

How will you prepare?