For some reason, I continue to think a great deal about All Saints Day, even though we are now weeks beyond it. It was probably because the list of names was long this year–was there any congregation for which that wasn’t true?–and that extended list of names, of faces, of loved ones really brought home…… Continue reading The Promise of Something New
Author: happylutheran
I am the president at Wartburg Theological Seminary, my beloved alma mater. I am an inveterate optimist, runner, vegetarian, and harp player. I love Mary Oliver and Gerard Manley Hopkins, and like them, I'm continually delighted by all the surprising and wonderful ways God shows up in the world.
Life Together in a New Day
Joy. If you know the hymn, “Listen, God is calling,” you know that “joy” is the final word of the refrain. This was the hymn we sang after my presidential address and the responses this Saturday, and two young members of our community, Musa and Imani Mhanga, made it very special. They are the children…… Continue reading Life Together in a New Day
Choosing Love over Contempt
I just finished a great book that I have been wanting to read every since I heard a podcast about it a few weeks ago. The title is Love Your Enemies, and it is by Arthur Brooks. The gist of the book is very simple: we live in a culture of contempt that is destructive…… Continue reading Choosing Love over Contempt
Yom Kippur and Forgiveness
I meant to share this great piece on forgiveness last week–Yom Kippur began on sundown, September 15th–but after reading it again today, I decided that “better late than never” definitely applies in this case. For those who don’t know, Yom Kippur is one of the holiest [some would say the holiest] days in the Jewish…… Continue reading Yom Kippur and Forgiveness
20 Years Later
Like most of you I am sure, I have been thinking a lot about 9/11 this weekend, which marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. In particular, I have been wondering about whether it brought us closer as a nation, or whether it actually fragmented us. I imagine it depends on who you ask.…… Continue reading 20 Years Later
Saying Sorry
If you read the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, you be will be familiar with the “four words” that are guideposts for Gamache as he navigates both his work and his personal life–Penny works them in to almost every one of her mysteries. The phrases are: “I need help,” “I don’t know,” “I was…… Continue reading Saying Sorry
Under Pressure
I am an athlete, and I love the Olympics. Every Olympic year, I mark my calendar and watch as many events as my schedule allows. This year, however, I have been looking forward to them with mixed emotions. First, I have really felt sorry for Japan–a country that I love–who was in the difficult position…… Continue reading Under Pressure
Creation as our Prayer Shawl
Like many churches and other Christian organizations, Wartburg Seminary has a little prayer shawl ministry. People in our community knit or crochet beautiful, soft shawls that are then given to others who request them. What is unique about them, of course, is revealed in the name. What differentiates a prayer shawl from any other wrap…… Continue reading Creation as our Prayer Shawl
The 21st Century Church: an Exciting Place to Be
The grave of Johannes Bugenhagen If you were fortunate enough to either be watching or attending [virtually] the NE Iowa Synod assembly, then you were treated to a wonderful opening presentation on Johannes Bugenhagen and church leadership by Wartburg Seminary professor Martin Lohrmann. The NE Iowa Synod is my new synod of roster, and this…… Continue reading The 21st Century Church: an Exciting Place to Be
“Receiving the Day”
Busy? Stressed? Distracted? I get it; I hear you. And I have the book for you. I want to share another book that I just finished, which I highly recommend. The title is Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time. It is by Dorothy Bass, and it really resonated with me,…… Continue reading “Receiving the Day”
Happy Lutheran 