St. Nicholas was a.......Pirate!?!?

So I hear my daughter Signe from around the corner of the livingroom saying to her sister Brynja "No! St. Nicholas was a PIRATE!" What in the world?

So I had to pause for a few minutes to figure out where Signe got "pirate" from. Several days before I had started talking to my girls about Santa vs. St. Nicholas. I decided to do that because of the adds on TV and the inevitable individual who is going to ask them what they want Santa to bring them for Christmas.

Now, we didn't grow up believing in Santa Claus. In fact, I got in trouble in first grade, at Church of all places, for telling my friend that Santa wasn't real. I wasn't trying to be a jerk or anything, I just wanted him to know that we have Christmas because of Jesus and not Santa. My brothers and I were also ridiculed by our cousins one Christmas because we said the same thing. "Oh yeah, well who brings us all those presents? Jesus?" I believe my brother Cedric responded "Your parents, DUH!"

So I had started to explain things to my daughters, that Santa isn't real, but St. Nicholas was real. I had explained that St. Nicholas was a pastor, like Pastor Matt. Then it hit me. Pastor Matt. Pirate. Signe had combined "Pastor Matt" to get "Pirate". Wow. So I intervene to stop the fighting and correct the information. So now when I ask the girls if Santa is real they say "No." I ask them who pretends to be Santa and they say "Grandpa." I ask who was real and they say "St. Nicholas." I ask them what was St. Nicholas and they say "A pastor, like Pastor Matt." He defended the faith against herecy, helped people and preach the Word. St. Nicholas was all these things, however, he was not a pirate. Today is December 6th. Happy St. Nicholas Day.

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

Kitty Litter Women's Bible Study

So there I was at my weekly Greek class. My wife, at the same time, was at her weekly women's Bible study along with our 2 1/2 year old twin daughters. I was having a great time. It was an exciting class session. We were reviewing the past 4 weeks of material and then delving into verses. That aspect I really enjoy, seeing the practical side and putting to use what it is that I've learned. I'm fascinated by all the passives that seem to be linked to Sactification. We passively recieve from God. Great stuff! But then I got the text from my wife.

Meanwhile, back at the rach, er, women's Bible study, the ladies were having an equally productive time delving into the Word. Now, this particular study was being hosted at the parsonage. My pastor's kids have a cat and my daughters love cats. (My daughter Brynja has a tendancy of "over-loving" cats. When visiting friends who have cats we'll find her toting a cat around, usually by the neck, that looks so pitiful that you can't help but intervene and save the poor animal.) Things were wrapping up for the ladies when my daughter Brynja materializes with some...interesting...looking material in her hands. To begin with they were unsure of the mystery substance was, that was until Signe appeared on the scene with kitty litter all over her socks.

So my phone vibrates and I check it to see that I have just recieved a message from my wife Kim which read "Hey dear, I need you to come home right after class. The girls got into the litter box and Ren's and I had to put them in th bath. I will need hlep getting them out. Sorry."  (Remember, my wife is supposed to be on limited activity and isn't allowed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.) So after checking in with my pastor on a few things at the conclusion of Greek class I head home. 

I finish getting the girls washed up, diapered and dressed while Kim makes sandwiches for the girls. While sitting down for a late lunch, Kim shares what they figure happened. The little box at the parsonage is the kind that has one of those plastic kennel style tops. They figure the girls, in an attempt to "love on" the cat, cornered it into the litter box. At that point the girls decided to enter the little box kennel to retrieve the cat.  Good grief.

There's a women's Christmas dinner tonight so my pastor has invited me and the girls over. Pastor Matt and I, along with our buddy Carl from another Lutheran church in town, will likely geek out while the kids play together. However, I'm going to have to keep an eye out to make sure there isn't a repeat of the Kitty Litter Women's Bible Study.

Thank you Father for my children and for the blessing they are. But please, Gracious Lord, don't let the kitty litter be a part of tonight's blessing.

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

Reflecting on God in the lives of my children

Today I was home for the first time in quite some time. I got to spend a lot of time with my 2 year old daughters. At night we end with saying The Lord's Prayer, and by "we" I mean all four of us. Once my girls start the prayer they usually pray it in its entirety.

At random times throughout the day they will ask me and my wife questions about God. From time to time they'll walk up to us and say "Jesus saved me."

When I watch my daughters I see glimpses of them growing, questions that seem deeper than before, expressions that seem older, sentence structure that is more sophisticated, more questions about the God that saved them. I watch in wonder.

I wonder what they will be, why God gave them to us, how God he reveals Himself to them. I marvel at the baptismal waters and am so thankful for them.

"Jesus saved me daddy."
"Yes he did sweety."
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

My daughter's words: This father's happiness.

Several weeks ago I drove three hours in my 97' F-150 with one of my 2 year old twin daughters to my brother's house to help him get materials and to build a reloading bench. As is my habit on a trip of that length I'll have music playing from an MP3 player. It was either the Newsboys or All Star United that was playing. Over the top of one of the songs I heard "Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Hey Daaady!" So I promply turn down the music to hear what she has to say to me from her car seat next to me in the truck.

When my wife and I brought our daughters to baptism, one of the things we agreed to before our pastor, family and close friends, was to see to the Christian instruction of our children. We took this very seriously. We are teachers by trade. Currently we are in children's ministries and in it I get to bring Law and Gospel to children (most of whom are from a non-Lutheran background) that they might have faith that comes by hearing of the word of God (Romans 10:17). At home we teach our children in a similiar fashion using Law and Gospel.

So I turned down the music that was playing to hear my daghter. She says "Daddy" one more time. I say "Yes sweety." She looks at me with her two year old smile and says "Daddy, Jesus saved me." I stared smiling at my daughter for minute, fighting back tears and emotion, and then quickly swerve the truck back into my lane on the highway. Eyes forward on my driving I reached over with my right hand, holding her hand in mine and said "Yes He did sweety. Yes He did."

Children, regarless of age, can have faith. That faith, after all, is given by Christ. Let us not forget John, while still in Elizabeth's womb, lept for joy upon hearing the greeting from Mary that she was carrying the Christ, our Savior. (Luke 1:39-45)

"Daddy, Jesus saved me." 
"Yes He did sweety. Yes He did."
Thank you Jesus.

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

LSC Wednesdays #7: Asking Blessings and Returning Thanks

This is a short series of Wednesday postings taking us through Luther's Small Catechism.

LSC WEDNESDAY #6:
HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH HIS HOUSEHOLD TO BLESS THEMSELVES IN THE MORNING AND IN THE EVENING

MORNING PRAYER
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say,

In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger. And I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and all evil, so that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:

In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day. And I pray, forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH HIS HOUSEHOLD TO ASK A BLESSING AND RETURN THANKS

‹ASKING A BLESSING›
The children and servants shall go to the table with folded hands, reverently, and say:

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. [Psalm 145:15–16]

Then say the Lord’s Prayer and the following prayer:

Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts, which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

RETURNING THANKS
Likewise after the meal they shall reverently and with folded hands say:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.
He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor His pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love. [Psalm 136:1; 147:9–11]

We thank You, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Your benefits, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Concordia : The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2005, S. 344

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

Hymn Monday - "Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds"

Today's Hymn, "Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds" (#629) is from "The Lutheran Hymnal", (c) 1941 by Concordia Publishing House.

"Let children hear the mighty deeds Which God performed of old,
Which in our younger years we saw, And which our fathers told.

Make unto them His glories known, His works of pow'r and grace;
And we'll convey His wonders down Thro' ev'ry rising race.

Our lips shall tell them to our sons And they again to theirs
That generations yet unborn May teach them to their heirs.

Oh, teach them with all diligence The truths of God's own Word,
To place in Hiim their confidence, to fear and trust their Lord

To learn that in our God alone Their hope securely stands,
That they may ne'er forget His works, But walk in His commands."

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

The Layperson And Theology: Where's A Good Place To Start?

It was a few days following the celebration of the birth of our risen Savior, during the second year of being married to my beautiful bride (mother of our twin daughters, child number three is now on the way) and as is always predictable during the Christmas season, my family's conversation swung the way of Theology. At that particular time I new it wasn't going to be too far off in the distant future that my wife and I  were going to start having children. This combination lead to the conviction that I needed to be sure of my understanding of theology so that I could properly instruct my family when the time came. Oh, sure, I had some grasp of it, but I wanted to be able to answer the questions of my wife and the future questions of my children. And if I didn't know the answers right then, I wanted to be sure that I'd be able to at least know where I could find the answers.

A few days later I was back at my parent's house, in my father's office, perusing the countless books on his shelves. So I asked my father, a Confessional Lutheran, "Dad, besides the Bible, 'cause that's a no-brainer, what are the next couple of books that every Christian should have?" (Now, years later, I would ask "books that every Lutheran should have?")

So here's a list of books and resources for the layperson that I have benefitted much from, as well as some other suggestions from others.

Basics:
1. The Bible (duh) (ESV) (The Lutheran Study Bible)
2. Book of Concord. (I suggest 'Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions' as it as a Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord)
3. Walther's "Law and Gospel" (This book turned my world upside down, which was needed. This is a MUST-HAVE. Many thanks go to my father for making sure that this was one of the first theology books that I ever bought.)
4. Forde's "On Being a Theologian of the Cross" (Think we're doing good stuff? We're not. What makes good works good? Forde does a great job of explaining this.)

Digging Deaper:
Pieper's "Christian Dogmatics"
Mueller's "Christian Dogmatics"

Other:
Horton's "Christless Christianity"
Watson's "Doctrine of Repentance" (Puritan)

Podcasts and Such:
Issues Etc.
Worldview Everlasting
The Great Exchange
White Horse Inn

Pastor Fisk's Suggestions (Worldview Everlasting)



Why Theology for the Layperson?
Guys, it is VERY important that we understand our theology, not just for ourselves, but for the sake of our families. As husbands and fathers God gave us a responsibility to instruct and lead our families.

As a child we did not attend a Lutheran church. We attended an evangelical one, even though my father was and still is a Confessional Lutheran.  Despite that, he saw to the baptism of me and my brothers, taught me about communion and my father personally took me through the blue 1943 edition of Luther's Small Catechism and taught me the significance of 2 Timothy 2:15 to "...rightly dividing the Word of truth..." (Law and Gospel) I have Walther, Pieper, Mueller and Lenski on my shelves because of him. He's a layperson and was my first theology teacher. He taught me not in a classroom, but in his office, at our kitchen table, in our beat up truck on the way to and from the farm and in the middle of fields while fixing farm machinery. I'm saved because of Christ. I'm Lutheran because of my father. Thanks Dad.

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

Teaching Kids: Isn't that the church's job? Part the Third

(Note: The intent of this short series is not to be exhaustive, but to give us somewhat of a "bird's eye view" as to whom is responsible to see to the Christian Education of your children. It is not meant to undermine parents or the Church. It is not meant to be condemning, but, for some, quite possibly could be. Remember, the Law, as much as it may be uncomfortable and hurt, must be preached in full sternness that we may receive the Gospel in its full sweetness.)

Focus Verses: Deuteronomy 31:9-13
Moses tells the nation of Israel to assemble everyone together; men, women, children (which is “taph” in this text, meaning “toddlers to adolescents”) even the sojourners (foreigners, guests, strangers) that are with them. They were to do this every seven years. (v. 10) Within this assembly they were to not only hear (the “shama”) but learn to fear the Lord that they would do all the things the Lord commanded. They were to do this so that their children (“ben”) who have not known it would also learn to fear the Lord. Here we see a mandate that they should instruct the nation of Israel (as this mass body of believers, as opposed to at the family level) every man, woman and child. In this way there would be no children who did not know of the instructions and mighty works that the Lord of Israel had given and done in the future generations of Israel.

Summary and Conclusion for "Part the Third":  Here we see the Lord establishing time, frequency, and location for instructing the nation of Israel with the "Law" (in this case meaning "the scriptures" as opposed to our use of the word in "Law and Gospel") The entire nation (regardless of age) and all who is with them were to be instructed as a mass body once every seven years. Here, in this case, it is the instructed responsibility of the church to see to the children's Christian Education.

ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL : Crossway Bibles, 2008 

e-Sword
Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
TLSB. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2009
Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary
Matt Richard

Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

Teaching Kids: Isn't that the church's job? Part the Second

(Note: The intent of this short series is not to be exhaustive, but to give us somewhat of a "bird's eye view" as to whom is responsible to see to the Christian Education of your children. It is not meant to undermine parents or the Church. It is not meant to be condemning, but, for some, quite possibly could be. Remember, the Law, as much as it may be uncomfortable and hurt, must be preached in full sternness that we may receive the Gospel in its full sweetness.)

Deuteronomy 11

First Focus Verses:  Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Again Moses reiterates that they people are to fix (set or establish) God’s words on their hearts and minds and to teach (“lamad” in Hebrew. “to diligently train…instruct”) them at all times and places (v. 19 “…talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.). They are to keep the word visible on their persons and their households. In other words, there lives were to be a living testimony of the Lord.  With compliance of this condition God would bless them and their children for eternity. “The sense is: ‘Keep the covenant faithfully, and so shall your own and your children’s days be multiplied as long as the heaven covers the earth.’ The promise of Canaan to Israel was thus a perpetual promise, but also a conditional one.” “The words, “as the days of the heaven above the earth,” i.e., as long as the heaven continues above the earth, - in other words, to all eternity”

Second Focus Verses: Deuteronomy 11:1-2 ff

The nation of Israel is instructed to love the Lord their God and to keep everything He had commanded them always. Then Moses says in verse 2 "And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it)..." In other words, pay attention, listen, this is important. Remember what that Lord has done and what you have seen Him do. This is important because their children had not witnessed these mighty works of the Lord. It's not just for their sake that they do this, it's for the sake of their children as well so that they might know just how mighty and awesome God is, as well as how terrible His wrath is ( vs. 16-17) that they would continue to follow Him.

Summary and Conclusion for "Part the Second": For the sake of themselves, as well as their children, the Israelites are told to remember all that the Lord has done and to keep His commandments. They are to know them well and to take teachable moments as they come to instruct their children the things that they witnessed and have been commanded. Here, in this case, it is the instructed responsibility of the parents to see to their children's Christian Education.

ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL : Crossway Bibles, 2008
e-Sword
Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
TLSB. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2009
Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary

Jesu Juva,

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teaching Kids: Isn't that the church's job?" Part the First

(Note: The intent of this short series is not to be exhaustive, but to give us somewhat of a "bird's eye view" as to whom is responsible to see to the Christian Education of your children. It is not meant to undermine parents or the Church. It is not meant to be condemning, but, for some, quite possibly could be. Remember, the Law, as much as it may be uncomfortable and hurt, must be preached in full sternness that we may receive the Gospel in its full sweetness.)


First Focus: Verses 4-9
(4)"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (5)You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (6)And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. (7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (8) You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. (9) You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Here the nation of Israel is given the "shema" (meaning "hear" or "listen") which is an early creed of Israel's faith in God. This was not to be some mere rote action of conformity, but to be done so believingly, fervently and above all else. These words were to be in the hearts of the parents, living them out, so that they could not only teach their children from the scriptures, but from their lives as well. They were to take every opportunity, every teachable moment, and instruct their children.

Second Focus: Verses 20-25
(20) "When your son asks you in time to come, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?' (21)then you shall say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. (22)And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. (23)And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. (24)And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. (25)And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.'"

Here we see a brief form of catechesis. Kiel and Delitzsch explain it like this:
"In Deu_6:20-25, the teaching to the children, which is only briefly hinted at in Deu_6:7, is more fully explained. The Israelites were to instruct their children and descendants as to the nature, meaning, and object of the commandments of the Lord; and in reply to the inquiries of their sons, to teach them what the Lord had done for the redemption of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, and how He had brought them into the promised land, and thus to awaken in the younger generation love to the Lord and to His commandments."

In verse 25 "righteousness" does is not meant as in a merited legal status, but in context is mean "righteousness as the right response or obedience to God's covenant."

Summary and Conclusion for "Part the First": Through Moses the Israelites are given the "shema". It is to be "on your heart." The Isralites are then instructed to in turn teach their children the shema that they might fear and love God. Here, in this case, it is the instructed responsibility of the parents to see to their children's Christian Education.

Biblegateway.com
ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL : Crossway Bibles, 2008Deuteronomy 6

e-Sword
Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
TLSB. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2009

Jesus Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria

Forget the ball, don't drop the food! (a prequel)

Recently I was making beef ravioli (in Montana we eat meat) for my almost two-year old daughters for supper. I carefully split the amount evenly between two plates and put them in the freezer for a minute to make sure they wouldn't be too hot for them. The first plate was retrieved safely and passed on to my wife and I then turned back to the freezer to get the second plate. I reached in an grabbed it, began to turn, and it slipped from my hand, bouncing off my chest, the wall and then onto the floor. "Ah Nellie!" I stared at the ground, tomato sauce splattered onto me from head to toe (as well as the wall and refrigerator), looking at the beef ravioli on the floor. I was really disappointed, not so much by the mess that I had just created, but because I had gotten the beef ravioli special for my girls and had dropped it all over the floor.

As a husband and a father I must see to the needs of my family. Physical needs are very important to young children. Without proper shelter, warmth, water and food a child can become malnourished and die. That's not going to happen in my house. But children have more than just physical needs. They have spiritual needs as well. They need Christ.

Whose responsibility is it to see to the spiritual needs of your children? Does it lie with you? Does it lie with the church? That does seem to be the attitude (and practice) of many. This is the start of a short series I'm calling "Teaching Kids: Isn't that the church's job?"

As I stood there in my wife's kitchen covered with tomato sauce, beef ravioli on the floor, I also stood there a forgiven sinner covered by the shed blood of Christ. I've been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Salvation is only in Christ. We don't deserve this, can't buy this or do enough good things to earn this. We know this, but do your children? Whose responsibility is it to teach them this?

Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria

The Same Thing But Different

Today was a day where we needed to do something different. Our daughters had been cooped up inside the house for quite some time now and really needed an outing. We really didn't want to just load everyone up in the car and drive around and it was kind of a drizzly cool day. So what did we do? My inner Eagle Scout kicked in and we set up a tent in the yard. Yep, it ended up raining, and there was a wind, but we had blast outside in our little "get-away." My wife Kim and I brought out blankets, pillows and stuffed animals.

While Kim and the girls played I took care of prep and office work on the laptop and cellphone. We ran an extension cord in through the tent door to provide power for the laptop. It worked out pretty well. For lunch we had salomi, cheese and crackers.

After lunch, it took some coaxing, but we finally were able to get the girls to go down for a nap in the tent. I went and ran some errands and Kim read while the girls slept. Before I came home I stopped by Baker Boy and picked up a few face cookies and maple sticks.

Sometimes with the monotony of life it helps to vary things up a bit. An escape doesn't have to mean going somewhere different. Sometimes it just means doing the same things differently. A tent in our yard, despite the weather, provided that variance for us today. I got work done, my wife read, my girls played and we got to enjoy the same things with each other differently, making for an enjoyable drizzly cool day in Eastern Montana.

From Music Education to CEF

ME RIGHT NOW v1.0 For the past three years I have been a K-12 music teacher for Bowbells Public Schools in Bowbells, ND. I have really enjoyed being a teacher here and have really enjoyed getting to know my students more. It has been a wonderful job and together the students and I have accomplished some fantastic things: We re-established a solid athletic band which added to our pep band games, we started a marching band which gave the school local and regional recognition, US sentator Byron Dorgan nominated our Eskimo Marching Band to represent the state of North Dakota in the 2009 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C., our choir program has progressed greatly where students are feeling more comfortable singing out which includes being able to hear all of the men sing!, and our band program has progressed to where we have been able to perform standard band works such as "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" as well as Gustav Holst's "First Suite in E-Flat".

SEEING THE SIGNS
Over the past year and a half some things really began to gnaw on my mind. I heard elementary students talk about their favorite parts of movies that I knew were R-rated films that were loaded with sexual inuendo, telling jokes to each other that are inappropriate regardless of age, I've had conversations with students from the Methodist and Lutheran (ELCA) churches who were confirmed making statements such as "I hope I'm good enough to get to heaven" and "I'm not sure, but I think I'll have done enough good stuff that God will let me.", and this really saddens my heart, I know of instances at our school where younger elementary students were playing house and said "You be the mom, I'll be the step-dad and you be the step-dad's girlfriend."

Parents take their kids to church on Sunday and Wednesday night for youth group a and confirmation and think their job is done. After all, they've been baptised already and once their confirmed they're going to heaven right? Broken homes are commonplace, divorce has no shame, father's don't lead their families and church attendance has become a thing of tradition where someplace the message got lost between the older generation and the younger generations. Work hard, be a good person and all will be well. Please understand that I am not judging, it's mearly an observation.

A FATHER'S DUTY
On June 10th of 2009 I was informed by my wife's mother on my cell-phone while I was on my way to Belfield, ND to spray oil sites that my wife Kim was on her way to Minot, ND to give birth to our twin daughters Signe and Brynja. (Yes, with a name like Leif and daughters named Signe and Brynja you could easily guess that I'm of Norwegian decent) Prior our twins' arrivals my wife and I had been preparing to be parents. She was raised Baptist and I was raised in the Alliance (Christian and Missionary Alliance) but many of my doctrinal views are Lutheran. We spent a lot of time in conversation and prayer about Baby Dedication and Infant Baptism. Baby dedication was an easy decision. Infant Baptism was another story. We prayed, searched the Bible, listened to online sermons and read several books including Ole Hallesby's "Infant Baptism and Adult Conversion".

Our daughters were both dedicated and baptised. In both instances we were asked questions before a congregation of friends and family in regards to our biblical duties to our children. Kim and I had to verbally answer questions like "will you see to your daughters Christian education?" and the like. Now, Kim and I meant what we said each time when we answered "yes", and as we continued answering the questions a realization struck me with such conviction. It's my duty as a father to make sure that my daughters understand that we are sinful people who deserve hell, so we need Christ because salvation comes from Him alone. If they reject Him, I must do everything I can, take every opportunity that God gives me to witness to them until I know that they know that they are saved, even if it's to my dying breath. That really hit me hard. I don't say this to make anyone think that I think I'm some kind of super-Christian, because I'm not.

BACK TO REALITY
So I worked with my students day after day, teaching them how to excel in music and found myself attempting to "infiltrate" the learning environment with Christ. I know that He alone saves and I know that supposedly many of my students know that, but I was really having doubts as to whether or not they knew for sure if they knew Christ. "I hope I'm good enough to go to heaven." As I was loving my infant daughters I began to realize how much I cared for my students. As I was prepping and researching Christ-centered materials that would be age appropriate for my daughters as they grew I found myself looking for opportunities to witness to my students.

I was able to teach how to be better musicians, how to used music to get the crowd fired up to root for our teams. I was able to teach about "size and numbers don't dictate our success.....we do" and "just because you can do something doesn't mean you always should" and "just because what you can do won't make a difference, it doesn't mean you still shouldn't try". Our marching program had gotten our little community excited. We'd done the unthinkable when our small band of 24 raised 30 some odd thousand dollars in 6 months to represent our state at the National Memorial Day Parade. However, the day came when I realized that none of what we had accomplished meant anything if any of my students were going to hell.

MINISTRY AWARENESS
I had heard of Child Evangelism Fellowship before. From what I gathered it was similar to Campus Crusade for Christ, but was on more of an elementary level as opposed to a college level.
When I was in college at Dickinson State University I was actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. I was worship leader for a year and half until I had to step down due to "husbandly" duties. I participated in the decipleship classes where we learned how to witness to people and would from time to time go out in groups across the campus to witness to students.

The parents of one of my students are the directors of the Northwest Chapter of CEF of North Dakota, the chapter that Bowbells is in. One day at school I was introduced to Todd, the father of my student. We probably talked for 45 minutes during my prep period. Turns out we knew a lot of the same people and had many of the same concerns for the students. Todd would later invite me to the church that his family attends when Kim and I realized that we would no longer be able to make the weekly hour and fifteen minute trek to Minot to attend the church we had been going to now that our daughters had been born. After church one day I was invited out to lunch with Todd's family. (I saw "I" because Kim was at home recouping with the girls) That day I started probing about CEF. Todd gladly answered my questions and said "You should really talk to my dad. I know they need a director in Eastern Montana." I didn't think I was in that place yet. People like my wife and I who have kids don't leave the safety of a steady teaching job to go into a full time ministry....

BACK TO REALITY AGAIN
I continued to teach. Continued to pray. CEF. "Naw, that's not for us." More teaching, more prayer for my students. CEF. "Nope. that's definately not for us." More teaching, heart aching for the salvation of my students. CEF. "Ok God, I'm listening."

God kept on bringing CEF back to mind. Kim and I kept dismissing it. He'd bring it back again. Thinking back to that Sunday afternoon when I'd talked with Todd, Kim and I though that it was time I called his father Morris.

It was an interesting spot for sure. Kim and I both loved our jobs and loved working with our students, but we felt that God was leading us away from that. I'm a guy who is willing to take some chances if it's just going to affect me. I'm willing to be a bit daring from time to time. (I've been climbing up the ladders of grain bins at the farm since I was 5) But this decision wouldn't be just affecting me, it would also be affecting my wife and kids. Bach said it best. "Jesu Juva" Jesus help me.

PIECES FALLING INTO PLACE
After much time spent in the Word, in prayer, and close friends and family praying for us, I filled out my application for CEF. Time passes. "Leif," Morris says,"we just got your last reference in. Things are looking good." A tough decision came up. The only day that Kim and I would be able to meet with the Montana State Board for CEF coincided with Williston Band Day. I'm the guy who revolutionized the idea of marching at our school, and this is just one of those parades that the students and I should really do. "Jesu Juva." Instead of driving to Williston that day with a bus full of marching band kids Kim and I drove to Miles City, MT to meet with the CEF state board. The meeting goes well. "I'll give you a call on Monday or Tuesday" Doug, the state director tells me. He's very optimistic.

Monday comes. I'm prepping for a concert that I've got on Thursday, potentially my last concert, and Thursday is also the day that I either have to turn in a signed contract or have a letter of resignation turned in. Monday night I don't recieve a call. Tuesday comes. Kim checks the answering during lunch. "Leif, one of the board members left a message saying he'll call us tonight." I continue prepping for Thursday's concert. We get home. He calls. "Leif, I'm calling to say that we're happy to let you know that by unanimous concent we want to offer the director position of the Eastern Montana District." Wednesday morning I would turn in my and Kim's letters of resignation. I'd given my school board president, my high school principal and my superintendant a heads up that we might not be teaching the next year. They were bummed but understood. When I handed my letter to my superintendant, he looked saddened, but then he smiled and shook my hand.

ME RIGHT NOW v2.0
I've had to do some very difficult things in my life. Telling my students that I was not going to be their teacher anymore is the single most difficult thing I've ever had to do. I love those kids. They were the first kids I ever had before my daughters were born. It was through them that God showed me how badly kids need Christ. I know that He wouldn't lead Kim and me away from them unless he had a better plan for both them and my family. So once I again I remember Bach, the great church musician and composer, and what we inscribed at the beginning and what he inscribed at the end of his compositions. "Jesu Juva" and "Soli Deo Gloria".

Jesus Help Me.
To God Alone be the Glory.