Transformational Life Coach Lesson 2: Beauty
This series really isn’t going in any direct order, but rather its direction is completely based upon what I find and have interest…
Author: Pastor Jacob Deal
Rev. Jacob T. Deal is the sole pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania, established in 1917. He attended the Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN (M.Div., 2012-2016). He enjoys traveling to Haiti to help with recovery efforts and ministering to the pastors and laity. He and his beautiful wife, Ana, have enjoyed being married since two weeks before seminary. The Lord has provided them with three wonderful children, Isaiah, Titus, and Loretta.
Transformational Life Coach Lesson 1: Knowing Your Self-Worth
Sometimes I go in search of “inspirational” quotations that I can use for a newsletter article. The December quotes were just super-did disappointing,…
It’s Time to Start Sacrificing
*Much time, prayer, and effort has gone into this piece of writing. It is much longer than my typical writings because it would,…
Did Her Baptism Take?
Almost two years have passed since I published “One in 1200 and One in the Lord,” which was more widely received than I…
Cancel Culture: Dear God, Cancel Our Culture
“Dear God, please cancel our culture.” A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought to say this; but, God should cancel our culture….
Cancel Culture: My First Impressions
God forgives sin and forgets. As it is written by Isaiah the Prophet, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for…
Our Great Resurrection Hope: Like the Golden Sun Ascending
When God made the universe and all things in it, He filled it with light. In Genesis 1, the Lord creates the lights…
The Pandemic and the Efficacy of God’s Word
“Efficacy”, perhaps isn’t a word we hear or use that often, but it means the ability to produce a desired or intended result….
Politically Correct or Biblically Faithful: Head of the Family
It is politically incorrect in our time for me to say with any certainty that the man is the head of the house….
The War on Christmas and Easter
The Holy Apostle Saint John writes, “The Holy Ghost will reprove the world of sin” (footnote: except on Christmas and Easter). When a…
A Bird in a Cage: Mental Disabilities and the Gospel
This is not a writing about a literal bird in a cage; that would be lame, unimportant, and most likely unworthy of being…
One in 1200 and One in the Lord
A 25-year-old woman has a one in 1200 chance to give birth to a child with Down syndrome. Is one ever expecting it?…
The Nature of God’s Grace as Evidenced by the Liturgy: Part 3 – The Sacrament of the Altar
In Part Three, we pick up on page 194 in the Lutheran Service Book where the liturgy for the Sacrament of the Altar…
The Nature of God’s Grace as Evidenced by the Liturgy: Part 2 – Service of the Word
In Part Two we begin on page 186 in the Lutheran Service Book which is where the Service of the Word begins. Again,…
The Nature of God’s Grace as Evidenced by the Liturgy: Part 1- Confession and Absolution
In a religious atmosphere of ever-changing liturgies and free-for-all worship, I considered the importance of our constant liturgy. In the wisdom of the…
Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
When parents meet me for the first time and show some interest in visiting our congregation they ask, “What sort of programs do…
The Rush to be Confirmed
Recently, I began another new member class for those desiring to learn what we believe, teach, and confess. In a small amount of…
Doctrine of Repentance and Good Works
Did you know that “the doctrine of repentance- because it not only commands new works, but also promises forgiveness of sins- necessarily requires…
Silencing the Voice of Religious Enthusiasm
“What is it that the Church can decide that has not already been decided by the Scriptures? (Dr. Martin Luther, Sämmtliche Schriften, St….
A Call to Confess Christ to the Government
Editor’s Note: This “Call to Confess Christ” was submitted and captures the concerns I share over the pattern of statements that the LCMS…