At dawn on that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body. There was just one problem: an enormous stone was blocking their way. There was no way they were going to be able to roll away that stone, and they…… Continue reading Between Confidence and Fear: the Risen Christ
Category: Bible
Treasure, and Faith
Members of the Wartburg Seminary community have been writing short daily devotions during the Lenten season, and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to start my morning with these meaningful reflections. Last week, two of my colleagues, Dr. Samantha Gilmore [our preaching professor], and the Rev. Dr. Troy Troftgruben [our New Testament professor] each wrote…… Continue reading Treasure, and Faith
You’re Not the Subject of the Verb
We interrupt our usual Tanzanian programming for a brief theological reflection. Turn the verbs. It’s Lutheran historian Tim Wingert‘s phrase, something I read in one of his books a long time ago, and I’ve never forgotten it. I love it, because it points so clearly and concisely to how we as Lutherans distinguish between law…… Continue reading You’re Not the Subject of the Verb
Reflecting on the Sheep & Goats
The Gospel text last Sunday was one of my absolute least-favorite parables of Jesus; sometimes it is called “The Judgement of the Nations,” sometimes it is called “The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.” It is from Matthew 25: 31 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,…… Continue reading Reflecting on the Sheep & Goats
Grasping & Letting Go
I want to share a brief reflection on a good sermon one of our students preached in chapel this week. [Disclaimer: this is my interpretation of one of the points she made in her sermon—and, as anyone who preaches knows, it may or may not have anything to do with what she actually said, or…… Continue reading Grasping & Letting Go
One Body, One Spirit, One Hope
On Tuesday, I am heading to the 13th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, taking place in Krakow, Poland. I have never been to an LWF Assembly before, and I am really excited to experience the global Lutheran Church in this way. Before I go, I wanted to share a little information about the Lutheran…… Continue reading One Body, One Spirit, One Hope
Rekindle the Gift Within You
I want to share the verses from Jeremiah that are guiding our work at Wartburg Seminary in our new strategic plan, “Rooted and Renewing.” Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall…… Continue reading Rekindle the Gift Within You
Commemorating Juneteenth
Juneteenth celebrated the proclamation issued to enslaved African Americans by Union general Gordon Granger, in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, that they were free, and the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued nearly two and a half years earlier. From the website http://www.juneteenth.com:…… Continue reading Commemorating Juneteenth
God is Resurrecting the Church
I want to share a modified version of my opening devotion from the Wartburg Seminary board meeting, and the metaphor I have been thinking about for some time: “God is resurrecting the church.” I start this post with some verses from 1 Corinthians 15: 35 But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what…… Continue reading God is Resurrecting the Church
Remembering the Saints
There are many reasons to get up on a Sunday morning and come to church: seeing our friends and sharing in community, hearing and singing beautiful hymns, and, of course, being fed by Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament. In addition to all of these, another reason that I love coming to church is the…… Continue reading Remembering the Saints
Happy Lutheran 