Human Beings
Dear friends, Today’s worship service, in its entirety, may be viewed here: If you’d prefer to listen to the gospel reading and sermon, you may do so here: Today’s sermon is based on James 1:17-27 and Mark 7:1-23. James 1:17-27……
Tag: forgiveness
The Mind of Christ
Today’s sermon is based on Mark 3:20-35. [Jesus went home;] 20and the crowd came together again, so that [Jesus and the disciples] could not even eat. 21When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were……
Tenderly: Advent Day 8
*I feel compelled to offer a trigger warning here, as I’ll be writing about suicide and the guilt experienced by survivors.* Isaiah 40:1-2 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that……
Weaving Good
Dear friends, I pray this finds you well. This week’s readings are once again challenging. I’m grateful for a lectionary that compels us to wrestle with troubling texts. The entire worship service can be viewed here. If you’d prefer to……
Until: Advent Day 21
UNTIL It always seems impossible until it’s done. –Nelson Mandela No one ever accused Grandpa Heldt of not having a sense of humor. Today, at a party celebrating his 90th birthday, one of his daughters invited him to look around……
Spirit: Advent Day 18
SPIRIT Two years ago on Christmas Eve, Logan (age 7 at the time) gave me the card pictured above. No wonder Jesus admonished his disciples to become like little children. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,……
Righteous: Advent Day 16
RIGHTEOUS Luke 5:30-35 30 The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who……
Least: Advent Day 14
LEAST Today marks the seventh anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting. Of the twenty children killed that day, none were older than seven. Most were six. Can we even begin to let that sink in? These beloved ones were some……
Worthy: Advent Day 5
WORTHY I can’t enter into this Advent season without carrying memories of singing The Messiah at Luther College under the spirited direction of Weston Noble. Valders 117 was transformed from a lecture hall into a choir rehearsal space. All were……
Confessing: Advent Day 4
CONFESSING Several years ago, on a winter walk, this tree called out to me: Our broken lives become a frame through which to view and appreciate God’s persistent grace. It’s curious to me that the same Greek word (ἐξομολογέω) can……