This time of year always draws me back to the heart of the Christmas story. It is a story full of angels and shepherds and songs of peace, but at its core it is about a young family on the move. Mary and Joseph were traveling because they had to. They were vulnerable. They were … More Christmas is a Time of Welcome (Not Fear)
A response to the political violence in Minnesota Dear friends, The grief that washed over Minnesota yesterday cuts deep into the soul of our community. Yesterday, our state lost a remarkable leader: former House Speaker and current DFL caucus leader Melissa Hortman, along with her husband Mark, who were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home. … More Holding on to Hope:
Every three years, the ELCA Youth Gathering takes place. It is a milestone event in the lives of tens of thousands of young people across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is more than an event; it is a pilgrimage that offers profound spiritual growth, community, and inspiration to both the youth and the … More As We Gather: Created to Be
When I glance past the obituary page in the newspaper, I am sometimes struck by how many names are listed for loved ones that have been lost. As I look at the names, I think with empathy about the loved ones these people left behind. I say a prayer for the family and friends of the deceased. And … More When a Community Grieves
There are some things we cannot understand or describe. God’s love is one of them. There are no words adequate to describe God’s infinite capacity to love. Humans often try to define, or even to limit who is worthy of God’s love based on our own criteria or understandings. But the scriptures tell us a … More A Love We Cannot Measure
Grace and peace to you, from God our creator, and from Jesus, our Savior, who calls us to prepare the way for love. Communication is instantaneous. Once upon a time, it wasn’t. People of a certain age: Do you remember a thing called “long distance?” Do you remember waiting until after 9pm to make a call, when the phone … More Those Who Dream…Prepare the Way
Dear friends, As we enter the sacred season of Advent, we are invited to embrace a theme that resonates deeply with the yearnings of our hearts and the promise of our faith: “Those Who Dream.” Inspired by the opening lines of Psalm 126, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those … More Advent Dreams: Journeying with the Dreamers of Faith
Gratitude is a simple yet profound concept. But it is one that is often overlooked in our fast-paced lives. The impact of gratitude on our spiritual and emotional well-being cannot be measured. I find immense wisdom and guidance in the Scriptures, particularly in his letter to the Philippians, where Apostle Paul, from a prison cell, writes … More The Gift of Gratitude
This past weekend, we celebrated the Reformation. Reformation Day, which is actually today, October 31st, gives us the chance to pause, and reflect not only on our heritage, but to think forward, and to wonder about how God continues to work in the world and in our lives today. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his … More All Things Made New
A couple of weeks ago, I preached a sermon where I quoted statistics about homelessness in our community: In the sermon, I talked about things that break our hearts. These statistics break my heart. After the sermon, one person came up to me and said “Pastor Todd, that sermon…those numbers…they make me really uncomfortable.” And … More The Uncomfortable Church
Test Driving Theology 