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
Category: Bible
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
Abundant Life as an Integrated Life
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” I wanted to share some reflections from a homily I gave at our most recent faculty retreat, and share a book recommendation in the process. I’m starting with this declaration from Jesus in John 10: “I came that they may have life, and have…… Continue reading Abundant Life as an Integrated Life
God’s Holy Darkness
All my friends know that winter is my favorite season. I love the snow, I love the cold, I love the crisp air, I love the stark landscape—and I love my winter wardrobe of sweaters, boots and tights. It doesn’t bother me that I am the exception in my affection; I know full well that…… Continue reading God’s Holy Darkness
New Life—Christ’s & Ours, Really
Make no mistake: if he rose at allIt was as His body;If the cell’s dissolution did not reverse, the molecule reknit,The amino acids rekindle,The Church will fall. It was not as the flowers,Each soft spring recurrent;It was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of theEleven apostles;It was as His flesh; ours.…… Continue reading New Life—Christ’s & Ours, Really
Happy Lutheran 