You are forgiven
A woman distraught over her sins finds Jesus’ love and forgiveness at the cross. She sits across from me. Hunched over. Shoulders slumped. Hands covering her face. Sobs convulsing her.…
Favorite Christmas hymns
Singing and listening to Christmas carols throughout the month of December is a highlight for many Lutherans. We asked you, our readers, to tell us your favorite carols as well…
Different, not done
A pastor’s retirement means his life of service will be different, but it won’t be done. I reached up to the top bookshelf and pulled down volume 11 of The…
No hidden fees
When it comes to God’s gracious gift of eternal life, there are no hidden fees. When you live two miles beyond the end of the earth in Houghton, Michigan, you…
Now thank we all our God!
In 1617 Martin Rinkart, a Lutheran pastor, returned to his hometown of Eilenburg, Saxony, to serve as archdeacon—just as the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) was about to begin. Since Eilenburg…
Step forward in faith!
Your heart is pounding and your stomach is attempting back flips in those tense moments before the ceremony begins. Gowns are donned, and caps are straightened. Then you march into…
Unprecedented
“COVID-19 pandemic, an ‘unprecedented wake-up call’ for all inhabitants of Mother Earth.” “Unprecedented damage by COVID-19 requires an unprecedented policy response.” “Unprecedented!” The word screams at me from the headlines…
COVID casualties
More than four million infected and 148,866 deaths. Those are the coronavirus statistics shared by the US Centers for Disease Control at the end of July. Meanwhile, the World Health…
Sunk without a trace
Spurlos Versenkt. The phrase was emblazoned across posters featuring an artist’s rendition of the sinking of the British hospital ship Llandovery Castle by German submarines on June 27, 1918. This…