"Breathe and Live."

"Breathe and Live."

By: Pastor Jack Schneider          

  “[Jesus] spoke to them again and said, `Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am  sending you.’ Then He breathed on them[in a powerful, obvious way] and said to them, `Receive the Holy Spirit.”   [John 20:21,22, PJV]

I've always loved this reference! Obviously, the disciples had the Holy Spirit before this time, for they believed Jesus to be the Messiah, and no one can have that faith without the Spirit. Sure, they’d had their struggles, but their confession was real [see John 6], and He readily claimed them as His own.

What’s cool here is that Jesus made a big deal of breathing forcefully onto them, like a person blowing out birthday candles, except this time it’s like someone blowing fire into the candles. “Receive the Spirit,” He said, “in a new and powerful way – to bring life and forgiveness into people’s lives.” Even better, He gave that power, that privilege not just to the disciples but to every believer, with the result that you and I can make a difference of peace and freedom in the lives of the people we touch every day. 

Don’t have your theological diploma from Concordia Seminary? You are still God’s instrument of forgiveness and joy.  Don’t have a PhD. in Clinical Psychology?  You are still able to proclaim peace and acceptance to the depressed and downtrodden.  No MBA?  No problem. By God’s gift of mercy and leadership you are able to share and manage the gifts of God’s people with those less fortunate, coordinating the distribution of blessings.  And it all happens because Jesus breathed on us and said, “You can do it!”

A couple weeks ago I underwent a sleep study to be eligible for a new CPAP machine.  My old one is worn out from guarding against sleep apnea, and it’s time to be replaced. Well, to get a new one, I had to spend a night without my old one…and it was a miserable night of non-sleep. In a controlled environment they make you sleep in one position [not good, with my back], and without the positive air pressure that keeps persons from snoring.  Afterward, it occurred to me that’s what my/our life is like without the Spirit of God – our breath, our being. Without Him, it’s miserable.

In late service we have a song with these words: “This is the air I breathe, Your holy presence Living in me; This is my daily bread, Your very Word Spoken to me. And I’m desperate for You, I’m lost without You. This is the air I breathe.”

Breathe, my brothers and sisters.  Breathe and live.  And while you’re at it, share the life.

- Jack

"Not the End of the Book."

"Not the End of the Book."

By:  Pastor Jack Schneider

“ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. ”   [Philemon, v.7, NIV]      

            

Sometimes “Thank You” seems woefully inadequate.

That’s how Carolyn and I feel after the incredible retirement celebration hosted by you, our marvelous St. Paul friends. During and after last weekend’s events, our families and friends from the past 40 years of ministry could not stop talking about your warmth and hospitality.  On top of that, Carolyn and I are blown away by your generosity and prayerful support – but then, it’s the kind of thing we’ve seen again and again in these thirteen years with you here in Plano. Thank you for your love, your friendship and, above all, your partnership in the Kingdom!

So what happens now? Well, we have a new Pastor to install and introduce to ministry in our community, so take a deep breath and prepare for the next chapter.  Pastor Stace Rollefson will be installed March 2 during a 4:00 p.m. service right here at St. Paul by our LC-MS Texas District Area B Vice-President, Rev. Eloy Gonzalez. As Circuit Counselor, I’ll be involved, too, along with as many of our area pastors as can make it.

Pastor R. is looking for a place to live here while his family finishes the school year in Redding [much the same as Carolyn did when I arrived 13 years ago]. Until he arrives, I’m helping out part-time 20-hrs/wk:  in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, making visits as needed; also preaching on Sundays.

This will continue through January and February. President Hennings has also requested I continue as Circuit Counselor, though that does not affect my time at St. Paul. After Pastor is installed I have already been asked to assist other area congregations with various part-time duties.

To that end, please note: for the first two months of my new pastor’s tenure, Carolyn and I will intentionally give him space so you get to know him. You likely won’t see us in church at St. Paul before Easter, so use that time to greet Pastor, take him to lunch, visit with him and make him as welcome as you have me. Then, when Carolyn and I do return for our once-a-month worship time [remember, I’m Circuit Counselor and also have a daughter/son-in-law who want us to visit with them, too!], we will most happily greet and worship with our wonderful brothers/sisters here.

I look forward to volunteering time in service to our King. Bryan Manges tells me a new Eagle Scout project has two keyhole gardens in the works, and I foresee helpers available for small home repair projects. Dream with me and let’s think of ways we can serve together. After all, this is not the end of the book, but the beginning of a new chapter in Christ!

- Jack