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When I go out of town I love to read the newspaper, particularly when I’m in a small, isolated, rural community. You get a feel for the local culture. For example, when I worked for the Desplaines Valley News in … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Lutheran
Saint Paul is a strange bird. I like him. A lot. I say this because while he was most likely aware that he was writing the inspired Word of God (consider such texts as Galatians 2:1-9 and 2 Peter 3:15-16), … Continue reading
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3: 15-16) A dear friend … Continue reading
Remember Thrivent? Planned Parenthood does. And I do, too. If you are struggling to recall the details of the events from the not-all-that-distant past, let me remind you…because the current smog hovering above Planned Parenthood and releasing of the undercover … Continue reading
A lion? You are kidding, right? You’re outraged over the killing and beheading of a lion – even feverishly so – and with heartfelt concern for international justice you are considering Zimbabwe’s demand for extradition of the American citizen who … Continue reading
This is the second part of my response to the blog article, “How Lutherans Implicitly Deny Faith Alone in Christ Alone.” Three Examples of How Lutherans Deny Justification by Faith Alone: A Response – Part Two of Two 3) Loss … Continue reading
Calling a new pastor is a great and glorious occasion. It can however be a hard time as well. Your congregation is going through a lot of things after losing its pastor. There is grief in many situations at his … Continue reading
There at the dinner table her song began as expected, being carried along by a mesmerizing joy afforded only to three-year-olds. But no sooner than the songstress had woven her whimsical serenade—ever briefly, ever swiftly—did the course change and life … Continue reading
The following may or may not be of any use to you, except perhaps to say, “Hey, look at what that pastor wrote. He said something that could get him on some government list.” Well, whatever. If I see it show … Continue reading
Thanks to Vanessa for this guest post. For more by Vanessa check out her regular blog: Bible, Beer, and Babies. No one likes to talk about money. I know of no church elder, pastor or lay member who enjoys standing in front … Continue reading
Reverend Christopher I. Thoma + Text and Theme: Lutheran Service Book, Hymn 656, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” (The Preaching of the Gospel for this feast takes a different form than what is our usual practice. The intention is to … Continue reading
Here in the commonwealth of Virginia, we moved Concordia Lutheran Mission from Lexington to Buena Vista because we were led to find a great rental property. We have now worshipped in our new location three Sundays, including today. One of … Continue reading
Every year in January my congregation holds a special assembly. We call this gathering our “Getting Organized” meeting. At the meeting this past year, I presented the results of an informal survey I conducted. Essentially, I called the local Methodist, … Continue reading
Wait a second… Did I read that right? The FiveTwo folks are asking on their website “What does worship mean?” But the definition given so succinctly reads: “Worship is everything we do in response to God.” So, holy worship is … Continue reading
IF YOU ARE A PIETIST, FOR THE SAKE OF THE LUTHERANS, PLEASE REMAIN ONE. PLEASE. As you can see from the photo, the bottle is nearly empty. That’s not entirely my fault. I purchased this whisky on my way to … Continue reading
I was asked by Right To Life of Livingston County Michigan to write a “brief” article, and these were the simple parameters given in the email: “We would like your article to address how to reach other pastors to attend … Continue reading
By Pr. Michael Schuermann Found at http://daringlutheran.net/2014/01/15/thrivent-has-directly-funded-planned-parenthood-and-naral/ Thrivent Financial promotes itself as “a faith-based, not-for-profit membership organization nearly 2.5 million members strong.” Thrivent confesses to do business in this way: “Being membership-owned, Thrivent Financial does what’s best for our members, supporting the … Continue reading
I was scared. I wasn’t sure what I would say. Could I really be honest? I wanted to do it but wasn’t sure if I was ready. You may have heard of it, but thought it wasn’t for you. You … Continue reading
Gun control seems to be a big topic politically in our nation. Among the fallout from the horrid shooting in Newtown, politicians have set their cross-hairs on guns again. This is certainly a topic by which people can very passionately … Continue reading
If you’re looking for the opposite of what Gene Veith describes as The Spirituality of the Cross, here it is! Since dross rhymes with cross and, in as much as dross is waste matter, I think “The Spirituality of the … Continue reading
Associate Editor’s note: This article is a guest article by Rev. William Foy, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN. He was my wife’s pastor and is also the godparent of my second child. As a former … Continue reading
B: “Well, we don’t really agree with you. You see, we don’t add to the Scriptures. We only use the original King James Version. And we don’t add the idea that Baptism can save.” Me: “That’s very interesting. I also … Continue reading
nota bene: This sermon was preached on October 28 for the High Plains circuit Reformation festival, at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. … Continue reading
Associate Editor’s Note: With this post we want to introduce a series of articles written by Pastor Joseph Abrahamson, a personal friend who grew up not far from me and also then served a parish not far from where I … Continue reading
Often I hear well-intentioned Christians talk about prayerfully considering major decisions going on in their lives in such a way that sounds like they are waiting for God to talk to them specifically. This waiting can finally end for them … Continue reading