Light – Test Driving Theology

For All the Saints

November 2, 2025

Jerry Buegler. Elmer Buegler. Gertrude Buegler. Grace Moody. Elliott Moody. Lyle Tjosaas. Carol Tjosaas. Phillip Moody. Charles Moody. Jim Campbell. Kimberly Devine-Johnson. Tom Hunstad. Matthias Meester. Robert Roubik. These are my names. The names of people, precious to me, who over the years I have lost. These are my names. You have your names. Your own list of people that you have known and loved, and who have died in faith. When … More For All the Saints

To Be Trinity

September 7, 2025

I recently read a story about a family that left their church one Sunday, and as they got into the car, the critiques started rolling in like they were filling out a review on Yelp: The list of pros and cons just kept coming. Finally, their eight-year-old piped up from the back seat and said, “Well, what … More To Be Trinity

Holding on to Hope:

June 15, 2025

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:

In That Moment

January 12, 2025

One of my favorite movies is the Pixar film, “Toy Story.” I’m fairly certain, that if you’ve spent any time at all with a young person under age 10, you’ve probably seen it. But just in case you haven’t, a quick review: Toy Story is about a collection of toys belonging to a little boy named … More In That Moment

Fill the Lamps

November 12, 2023

In our Old Testament reading for today, Joshua, the son of Nun, the successor of Moses, the weary warrior, stands before the people of Shechem with a Word from the Lord. He clears his throat, cups his hands, and says in a voice loud enough for all to hear, “Thus says the Lord, the God of … More Fill the Lamps

A Light Brighter Than Any

December 26, 2022

Deer Island is a fishing village off the coast of New Brunswick, Canada. Small fishing boats head in and out of the harbor, into the North Atlantic every day. The island is so small, that it doesn’t have a lighthouse. And in the days before GPS systems fishing boats would regularly wander into dangerous waters, hitting the rocks, … More A Light Brighter Than Any

Hear, See and Go

December 13, 2022

For the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, the night of that first Christmas was just like any other night. All the sheep had been gathered in and there was nothing left to do except to keep watch, talk with one another, and stay stay close to the campfire, keeping warm. That night, however, their quiet routine was … More Hear, See and Go

Where Heaven Meets Earth

December 25, 2021

When I think of Christmas, I often think of car trips. I think of packing up suitcases and sleeping bags. I think of laundry baskets full of Christmas presents for the cousins, that go into the station wagon. I think of my brothers and I, loading into the back, rear-facing seat of the Ford Country Squire (complete with … More Where Heaven Meets Earth

Ponder These Things

December 26, 2020

The scriptures say: “But Mary treasured these words…and pondered them in her heart.” When I hear this familiar part of our Christmas story…an image comes to my mind. I picture Mary, holding the baby Jesus, rocking him. It is so peaceful…she’s smiling… reflecting on this new life in her arms…contemplating the words of the angels … More Ponder These Things

No Filter

December 13, 2020

Have you ever been a witness? I mean a real, live, actual legal witness? Like in a courtroom? I have. Years ago, I was on a church summer trip with a bunch of the young people from my congregation when they witnessed a crime. They did the right thing, and reported it, and the individual … More No Filter

Test Driving Theology

Sermons and Thoughts from Pastor Todd

Tag: Light