Who Are You?

Posted on by neilnorheim2015

Do you ever wonder who you are? I guess I have always known, from the details that I was told. When I was a kid, I was Monty’s son. After we moved from Montana back to Green Bay area, I was the one who talked “funny”. (And I thought that everyone else was a strange talker.) In High School I was simply “Norheim”, because that’s how my friends labeled me. When I was in college, I was known as the son of the Bookstore Manager. Beginning in located ministry, I was “Pastor”. Yet, I was the same person in each case, only defined and described by perceived position or relationships.  However, from the Lord’s perspective, I have always known and believed that God loved me enough to send His only Son to provide my freedom from  sin.

I must confess, however, that I have never considered asking God the question: Who are you? I guess that the answers were so obvious, that the question didn’t need to be asked. I looked around at the order and design of creation and concluded: God must be a designer. I saw the orderly  movement of the earth, moon and seasons and concluded: God is in control. I watched the amazing changes that took place in the hearts and minds of people and concluded: God does that which everyone else thinks is impossible. I saw the metamorphosis of a worm to become a butterfly and concluded: God is an Almighty power  that produces transformation. It happens not only in “bugs”, but in people too. The results of those observations still impact my life today.

God is still changing me. I’m not what I was and not yet what God intends for me to be, but I am thankful that He has not given up on me, nor has His patience run out as He waits for me to follow His leading and quit trying to control everything myself. When Moses was called to do God’s work, He used a burning bush and Moses asked God the question: “Who are you?” Exodus, Chapter 3 provided the answer:

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

What a blessing we have in never having to ask the question that Moses asked on that holy ground around the burning bush. The answer is clear: GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. He is so consistent, so faithful, so loving and so amazing, I don’t have to ask about who God is. 

So if you are wondering about who you are or wondering about who God is, take just a minute to thank Him for Who He is. That gratitude may just inspire you to thank God for who you are.

Remembering My Ordination

Posted on by neilnorheim2015

The process had been clear, specific and planned with every detail. There would be singing, praying and admonishing that would all come publicly after a very careful private interrogation days before. The elders in my home church were keenly interested not only in my chosen vocation but my character that was needed for ministry. Mentors who had guided me in school and student ministry were there. Friends surrounded me with their interest and support. I was being set aside for Christian Ministry as a life vocation. In the course of that time of being deliberately set apart for ministry, there was a charge given to me, publicly about the task and ministry that was ahead. (I have used this same charge to others when I have had the privilege in sharing in their being set apart for ministry.)

“You have been called by God to the most glorious work on earth – the declaring of the truth of God that men and women, boys and girls might be saved.  The proclamation of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world is both the most awesome and most joyous task a human being can assume.  Because of this privilege and responsibility, prepare like each sermon and each lesson will be your last one.   In a time when people have not esteemed ministry as high as they once did, your character and integrity will be scrutinized like never before.  The consistency of your example must be seen in and out of the pulpit, in and out of your home, on the mission field or reporting to the supporting churches, working or resting, laughing or crying.  Always seek to please the Lord in all you do, whether you address a crowd or a small group, your audience is an audience of One.  Resist with all of your might to please anyone else but God first.  When compliments come, accept them graciously – thanking God for the encouragement.  When the criticisms come, thank God for the strength He supplies to endure the critic and the criticism.  When the needs of people burden you down to despair, cast all your care on God.  When you stand at the grave of a friend, or a child,  do not be afraid to weep.   When the temptation to give up and quit plagues your soul, refresh your spirit with a song and a deep commitment to daily prayer.  In the midst of everyday toil, remember that you are called first and foremost to declare the Good News of Christ faithfully.  Expose the flock under your care to the Word of God with diligent and careful application.  Preach the Word.  It is the tool of the Holy Spirit that will enable careful teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  Expect the Spirit’s conviction and follow His direction.  Always seek God’s glory and honor and you will be found as a faithful servant of His.  May God abundantly bless you with faith and perseverance.  May His grace shine upon you and give you peace that surpasses all human understanding.  May the love of Christ dwell in you richly so that all who come to know you, will learn to love Him.”

And so I embarked on the journey of a lifetime and ministry that would take me across five states in Christian Ministry. And, you need to know as I remember my ordination, 48 years ago, I have never been sorry.  – Neil Norheim