If you are anything like me, you like to have control of your environment. Whether it’s for security or efficiency or necessity, we typically like to keep things in line and have some idea about what’s going to happen in the future. We make strategic plans and organizational charts. We have insurance policies and contingency […]
“Where do I belong?” For a long time, this question was answered for people before it was asked. For so many, the hometown, the family business, the traditions of the culture made the question of belonging a non-issue. But things changed as mobility, education and communication advanced. The question of belonging became more of an […]
“…be ready in season and out of season.” – 2 Timothy 4:2 In that quote, Paul is encouraging the young Timothy to always be prepared to communicate the good news of Jesus no matter what the situation. It doesn’t take much to admit that a long, hard, cold Minnesota winter puts a damper on our […]
The heart is a tricky thing. In one sense, it’s that rhythmical muscle in our chest, pulsing with life. In another sense, it’s the deepest of emotions, both positive and negative. There is yet another sense that Jesus uses when he talks about “heart.” Check it out: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they […]
Has the comfort zone taken over our discipleship? Everyone has a comfort zone. It’s a natural part of life to be comfortable with certain things and uncomfortable with others. Here’s how Wikipedia defines comfort zone: “The comfort zone is a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set […]
It’s no wonder why we love to read Paul’s letters. We love to dive into the depth and the logic of Paul. We love his systematic approach to Law and Gospel. We love Paul’s passion and his steadfast adherence to the confession of Jesus Christ. Paul makes sense to us! In so many ways, Paul […]
There are few things that get me more excited than a baptism. Seriously, it’s thrilling. I find it especially exciting when I get to perform the baptism, but just witnessing someone’s new birth in the Triune name of God does it for me too. It’s such a deep reaction. It must be the Holy Spirit […]
In Jesus’ great commission, he tells his disciples to be “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:20). So, over the last year, our congregation has paid close attention to Jesus’ commands in Matthew so that we can be disciples who make disciples. It’s amazing how Jesus teaches us everything we need […]
At Bethel Lutheran Church we have been reading through the book of Matthew. As it turns out, the end of Matthew coincides with Advent and Christmas. The irony is not lost on me. The crucifixion occurs during Holy Week, not Advent. Resurrection is for Easter, not Christmas… or is it? For as long as I […]
As many of you may know, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease. It seems my body attacks my small intestine when it finds gluten in my system. Over time, the damage results in malabsorption and all sorts of other bad things can happen with that. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. So, […]
