Of Vines and Branches
It was a solemn moment. The entire group in the Upper Room with Jesus knew some very big events were about to happen. Fearing the unknown the disciples were frightened, and Thomas expressed for many their doubts and fears.Continue Reading
While Running from the Shepherd, I fell into his arms.
Friends of ours in Ohio had a farm. One of the things they did was to raise sheep. They were amazed at what they discovered about sheep. Sheep are very strong willed and often fight with each other. If there is a weak sheep in their midst, they will not let them get to the feed trough and the animal eventually dies of starvation.Continue Reading
Flesh and Bones
He is risen. He is risen indeed. This is the theme of the Easter Season. Jesus, who once suffered and died, has risen from the dead; sent the Holy Spirit to establish and empower the Church; and is living proof that life is stronger than death; good is stronger than evil; love is stronger that hate; and no sin is beyond God’s forgiveness and resurrection power.Continue Reading
The Shadow Side of Faith
It had been a terribly upsetting time. Jesus was arrested in the garden, all the disciples fled except Peter and when he was asked in the Garden of the High Priest if he was a disciple, he denied even knowing Jesus.Continue Reading
FRAID TO GO TO GALILEE?
Throughout the entire gospel of Mark, Jesus tells his disciples to keep secret his identity until after His resurrection. Of course, because of that admonition, his followers told everyone right away.Continue Reading
Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.Continue Reading
As we draw ever closer to the Cross of Holy Week, we need to reflect deeply on what Jesus means when he says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”Continue Reading
LOOK AT THE SERPENT ON THE POLE AND LIVE
What A horrible moment. The Israelites who were complaining bitterly about the provision of God and the leadership of Moses are attacked by fiery serpents. Many are dying from the venomous bites. The people realizing what is happening is God’s judgment on them, beg Moses to take the serpents away; but Moses is told by God to make a bronze replica of the serpents and put the symbol on a pole. He then tells the people bitten by a snake to look at the pole and live.Continue Reading
THE BIG TEN (Exodus 20:1-17)
How many of you were confirmed as a child in the Lutheran Church? How many of you remember studying Luther’s Small Catechism? It was designed for parents to teach their children the basics of Christian doctrine. Luther is credited with lifting up the importance of the ten commandments. The part that I remember the most was his assertion after each explanation was “this is most certainly true.”Continue Reading
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord, our Rock and our Salvation. Amen.
It’s been almost a year since our nation went into the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 shutdown. It has drastically altered our lives in one way or another. One of the things I miss are all the invitations. The phone calls telling me about my truck warranty expiring or my chance to join this group or that group notwithstanding. I miss being invited to something, almost any something, except of course those robocalls. Family birthday and anniversary parties, baby showers, church meals, and so on. Invitations are warm, welcoming, and would be greatly appreciated after a tough year. Invitations are important parts of our lives for sure.Continue Reading