Matthew 10: 16 – 25 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged beforeRead More →
This life, therefore is not Godliness, but the process of becoming godly; not health, but getting well; not being, but becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively goingRead More →
BAPTISM OF OUR LORD Matthew 3:13-17, Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let me be so now; forRead More →
“I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” – First Article of the Apostles’ Creed The people who taught my generation of students believed in the effectiveness of learning by memorization, so my classmates and I diligently drilled one another on Luther’s Small Catechism, including hisRead More →
In January, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, now age 92, to a luncheon in his honor. He initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, ‘”We don’t expect a major address. Just come and letRead More →
“Enjoy the little things in life. One day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” When I read this statement some time ago, I was so taken with it that I wrote it on a small piece of paper and pinned it on my very messyRead More →
This past summer I attended the ELCA National Youth Gathering with the youth group. While we were there, we were to do a service project. At first we were assigned a physical labor project, like painting and mulching in the community. I was excited to do this project because IRead More →
Throughout the Book of Psalms, we find verses that inspire us, comfort us, and remind us of God’s everlasting love, his presence in our lives, and that every day is a gift from him. This is the time of year when so many milestones are reached, and celebrated, as youngRead More →
Luke 10:25-37 – Parable of the Good Samaritan When I think of my favorite Bible stories, the story of the Good Samaritan always comes to mind. In today’s world this story still holds very true. We still put up barriers like the Priest and the Levite did when they passedRead More →
And Jesus came and said to them . . . “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, . . . and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” MatthewRead More →