God be praised for ev’rything
I imagine more than a few pastors fancy themselves to be would-be hymn writers. Count me in. Years ago, as a parish pastor, I worked up a hymn for a Thanksgiving...
Walking together for 175 years
“Walking together on a path.” That is one definition of synod. You can recognize that word in Luke 2:44: “Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on...
By faith
Imagine seeing a wooden ship 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet tall. And in a field in Kentucky. Yes, it’s the Ark Encounter. Perhaps you have seen it....
Forgiving is healthy
A growing body of research reveals that forgiving is healthy. Researchers have discovered that people who forgive others tend to enjoy more health benefits, such...
Water and the Word of God
News outlets called it the largest gathering of humanity in the history of the world. No, it was not the 600,000 people who attended the NFL draft in Green Bay,...
My Christian life: From cockpit to classroom
The journey of a Christian man who became a teacher in his 40s. “Ever since I was a kid, my head’s been in the clouds in a sense.” It’s no wonder that Matthew...
A real church wedding
It was an unlikely marriage. He was 41 years old; she was 26. He had been excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church, and she had run away from a convent. The marriage...
I was today years old
Since when did Amazon’s logo advertise that it sells everything from A to Z? Actually, since the year 2000. The arrow underneath the name, connecting the a and...
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...