Easter firsts
So how can you be first if you put others first? We look to Jesus for the answer to that riddle. Putting others first was at the heart of Jesus’…
Christ in me
Christ died for me, and now he lives and rules in me. Little words make all the difference. I’m talking about prepositions like on or around or through. Four hours…
Q&A: When did Jesus descend into hell and why?
When did Jesus descend into hell and why? Every time we speak the words of the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that Jesus descended into hell. Has that part of Jesus’…
It’s worth it!
Jesus’ exaltation proves that his humiliation was worth it, because we’re worth it to him. She poured herself out in love for God’s people. She labored to lead Jesus’ little…
A planned victory procession
The Lord was in complete control of the events on Palm Sunday and all his redemptive work. He remains in control of all things. Imagine that your favorite team wins…
Reality as God reveals it
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).…
Q&A: Does God have my entire life planned out?
Does God have my entire life planned out? Freedom can be attractive. A child can long for the day when he chooses his own bedtime—parents making rules can seem like…
Hold on to what you have
Like nearly all Christian denominations in the United States, our Wisconsin Synod has experienced a consistent annual decline in membership over the past three decades. The synod’s largest membership was…
Confessions of faith: Jill Gilchrist
A woman’s faith is fanned back into flame after walking away from church as a teen. What causes teens who have been raised in the Christian church to walk away?…