Earth-shattering days
It was an unnerving experience for the inhabitants of Jerusalem on that late Friday afternoon in spring. “The earth shook, the rocks split” (Matthew 27:51)....
Trading places
It is a section of the Bible that has long amazed me. “I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own...
Who is to blame?
“How can God condemn people if they’ve never heard the gospel?” That is the question Steve Lange addressed in this month’s “Please explain.” As Lange...
You can own a red car
It was definitely the most unusual church parking lot I had ever seen. While driving past it at highway speed, it looked like all the drivers of the 50-plus cars...
Another manger
One of the destinations in “From heaven to your heart” is a manger. Over the years, hymn writers and artists have portrayed Jesus’ manger in Bethlehem as being...
From heaven to your heart
When Jesus carried out his work as the promised Savior, he took a journey that ended in your heart through faith in him. “Next stop, Junction City!” the conductor...
God didn’t have to do that
A few years ago, on a beautiful afternoon in northern Wisconsin, I spotted some spectacular fall foliage and remarked to my wife, “God didn’t have to do that.”...
Growing in grace and knowledge
True or false? On Oct. 30, 1517, Martin Luther went to sleep with the overall faith of a Roman Catholic and woke up on Oct. 31, 1517, with the overall faith of what...
God’s people grow
Continuing education offers opportunities for called workers—and the people they serve—to grow. “Faithful gospel ministers always seek to hone their skills...
Dark days in life
People of my generation will tell you they can pinpoint where they were on Nov. 22, 1963, when they heard the shocking news that President John F. Kennedy had been...
Billboard theology
Along with my wife, Cathy, I was embarking on a 1,500-mile road trip. What to do for hours and hours? How about looking at billboards along the interstate and examining...
Workers working together
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Helen Keller’s observation of life in general certainly rings true when it comes to congregational...
Will pray for food
A man stands at the end of an interstate off-ramp holding a cardboard sign. “Will work for food,” it pleads. It is a simple offer, but many people ignore it....
Examined and confirmed
If you were confirmed as a youth, what stands out about that day? Excitement? Nervousness? Relief? What about Examination Sunday? More nervousness? Suspense? What...
The heavenly gardener
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colo. Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg, Fla. Queen Mary’s Gardens, London, England. Villa d’Este Gardens, Tivoli, Italy....
Jesus wept
It is known as the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Actually, in many Bible translations, two other verses are just as short, containing...
Confessions of faith: Quinton Jones
A Mormon’s faith journey leads him to South America and back home to Utah, where he finds the biblical truth he had been seeking. On some Sunday mornings, you...
He loves me, he loves me not
Was I imagining things, or did I read the message accurately? The bumper sticker on the car ahead of me had only a few words on it, but driving at highway speed...
Practicing Christian freedom
In the first installment of “Free in Christ,” you learn how two congregations offer adult Bible classes to their members. The approaches are different,...
Opening doors in Advent and beyond
I grew up with Advent calendars. You know, the kind that are printed on thick stock paper and have little doors that, when opened, reveal a lamb or a shepherd or...
Thankful saints
November can be a cruel month. For people who live in the northern climes of our country, November is the bridge from the colorful landscape of fall to the cold...
Pastor and wife appreciation month
Praise Martin Luther? No, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for what he accomplished through reformers like Martin Luther. In our praise to the Lord, it is common...
Remembering a rite
Imagine a Lutheran pastor beginning a baptism service by blowing three times under the child’s eyes and then commanding the unclean spirit in the child to depart...
Sympathy +
“I’m so sorry.” “I’m sorry for your loss.” “You have my sympathy.” I’m sure you recognize those statements, and you can probably picture a very...