Christian Hymns: For Church, School and Home was published by the Norwegian Synod in 1898. The title is a good reminder that the hymnbook is not simply for use on Sunday mornings in church, but is a welcome companion also at school and at home. In the opening prayer of our liturgy (Rite One), we ask God to open our hearts by His Holy Spirit … [Read more...] about Growing Day by Day at Church, School, and Home
Cross Focus: God is Still Speaking
Walking through a small town recently, I saw a large banner on a local church that read, “God is Still Speaking.” The banner, which was advocating a change in teaching on a particular topic, implied that God has not finished telling us what He wants us to know. God is still speaking, but He is not changing what He has always said. God still speaks … [Read more...] about Cross Focus: God is Still Speaking
Tell of Jesus and His Love
At the 104th annual convention of our Evangelical Lutheran Synod, we adopted a five-year strategic plan under the theme Tell of Jesus and His Love. It is drawn from this passage in the Gospel of Mark: [Jesus said to the man formerly demon possessed and whose demons entered a herd of 2,000 pigs that stampeded over a cliff into the sea:] “Go home to … [Read more...] about Tell of Jesus and His Love
The Better Question
Luke 10:23-37 (Parable of the Good Samaritan) (Jesus), how many times must I forgive my neighbor when he sins against me? (Matthew 18:21) (Jesus), who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1) The Gospel accounts are full of Jesus responding to such “bad questions,” questions that are operating from a presumed truth … [Read more...] about The Better Question
Pastor, I Have a Question September-October, 2021
I have a Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible (a well-known Reformed publisher). The footnote to Matthew 26:16 says: “’This is My body’ means ‘This symbolizes My body.’” The footnote on Mark 14:24 states, “’This is My blood’ means that the contents of this cup represented Jesus’ blood that would be shed for our sins.” I am somewhat confused. Though the … [Read more...] about Pastor, I Have a Question September-October, 2021
Dr. Martin Luther in 1521: At the Wartburg, Part 1
The story of Martin Luther’s “kidnapping” has given rise to impressions of intrigue and daring adventure and his ten months at the Wartburg castle near Eisenach evoke pictures of restful solitude—perhaps from Luther’s descriptive names “My Patmos” and “Land of the birds.” The reality is different. The “kidnapping” was prearranged and carried out by … [Read more...] about Dr. Martin Luther in 1521: At the Wartburg, Part 1