Knee High by the 4th of July On the 4th of July, Lori and I took Kennedy for a walk “around the block.” It’s a long block. A little over a mile. And it takes us past the corn fields that are on Partridge Ave. I commented to Lori that the corn was definitely “knee … More Knee High by the 4th of July
“Resurrected” people are the ones who have found a better way by prayerfully bearing witness against injustice and evil—while also agreeing compassionately to hold their own complicity in that same evil. It is not over there—it is here. It is our problem, not theirs. The Risen Christ, not accidentally, still carries the wounds in his hands and side. The question becomes: … More A better way…
On Sunday, Lori and I drove down to Mason City, Iowa to worship at Trinity Lutheran Church. The senior pastor there, Rev. Dan Gerrietts, and his wife, Molly, are good friends of Lori’s and mine. So in addition to worshiping there, we got to spend a little time with them. Trinity Mason City is a … More Worshiping at Trinity: Mason City
June 6, 1965, 57 years ago today, my parents brought me to the baptismal font at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis. There, they held me over the font while Pastor Gordon Bergin poured water over my head 3 times: “In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in … More Water Always Wins
William Willimon, who is a retired bishop in the United Methodist Church, tells a great story about a friend of his who, in mid-life, decided that he wanted to learn how to fly a small plane. So William’s friend went out to their local airport and signed up for flying lessons. He was given this great … More Whisper in Their Ear
In the late 1800’s, the Union Pacific Railroad was being built. Rail tracks were being laid across the whole country to connect passengers and goods from coast to coast. It was a massive construction project. As a section of track in the western United States was being laid, the construction team came to a large canyon. It … More 40 Days
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, … More Peace
Several years ago, the youth group from the congregation I was serving was on a Habitat for Humanity work site in Louisville, Kentucky. We were working on a home for a single mom and her three children. It was hot, sweaty, dirty work, and as the week progressed, our work team’s pace slowed significantly. There was a … More Remember the Why
Christian churches around the world will gather this weekend to celebrate the Festival of Pentecost. Pentecost is the day that we celebrate the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to the people of God, who were drawn together to form Christ’s church. That first Pentecost was not a quiet event. Inside a house filled with people, the wind … More The Spirit Works Every Day
Today is the Festival of Pentecost. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, which comes to all of God’s people in the waters of our baptism. In the church it is also our practice to mark important life milestones. And so today we also recognize and bless our high … More A Letter to my Son at his Graduation
Test Driving Theology 