I needed to take a little break from sermon writing this afternoon, so I found myself standing in front of my bookshelf and letting my eyes wander. I do that sometimes. It seems like the Spirit often draws me there because there is something I need to read. One particular book calls out to me, and I go with it.
I definitely needed to reread this little book given to me by Pastor Mark and written by Daniel Erlander. The title is Baptized We Live. It is a hand-drawn, hand-written explanation of what it means to be a Lutheran Christian. Erlander has a simple, bold cartooning style that is matched by his clear, bold, compelling, whimsical articulation of the Lutheran understanding of God at work in the world.
I was not raised in the Lutheran tradition, but have found that the Lutheranism that Erlander expresses in this book resonates deeply with my intuitions of God as I understand God revealed through Jesus in the scripture. When I find myself struggling with old tapes, and wrestling with my own sense of being and significance, a refresher course like this book is just what I need.
What is Lutheran Christianity? He asks. It is:
A way of SEEING.
A way of HEARING.
A way of TEACHING.
A way of FOLLOWING.
Every page is packed with important stuff. I will share this one page, to whet your appetite.
Page 22 from Baptized We Live by Daniel Erlander
If you have not read it, I strongly recommend that you do.
Now I will get back to following the cloud…and writing my sermon.