226 years ago, in the year 1799, a twelve-year-old boy named Conrad Reed, skipped Sunday School to go fishing. He found a place to fish along Little Meadow Creek on his family’s farm in North Carolina. While standing by the creek, young Conrad saw what he thought was a “yellow rock shining in the water.” … More The Generous Life
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
Americans head to the polls tomorrow for an election that many believe will be one of the most significant elections held during a non-presidential campaign year. Our nation has become increasingly polarized, and this election will be critical in determining the future course of our national policy. Stepping into this election, there are two important … More Why We Vote…Not How We Vote
The Luther500 group is having a great experience so far. Yesterday was spent exploring Wittenberg, our adopted home for the week. There was morning prayer, a city tour, a workshop on modern Germany and reunification, dinner and evening prayer. Today was the first of our two “travel days.” Seven members of our group visited the … More Luther500 Germany Trip: Maps & Directions
As I write this, it’s 11:25pm local time in Wittenberg, Germany. Our group arrived in Wittenberg about 4.5 hours ago. Since then, we moved in to our housing, shred in a meal with others who are here for the event, gone to the first group meeting and participated in evening prayer at the Church of … More Luther500 Germany Trip Days 1 & 2
In Trinity’s “Messenger” newsletter for August, I wrote about the experience of re-discovering the Book of Romans this summer as a part of our “Love Letters” summer sermon series. Here is a 29 day plan for reading the whole book. You can get it done before the school year begins and still have a few … More Romans in 29 Days
When I think of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, my mind immediately spins back to 8th grade confirmation, and the hours spent trying to memorize Luther’s meanings to the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed and the 10 Commandments. The Small Catechism is still the centerpiece of our Lutheran understanding of these important elements of our Christian … More The Mobile Reformation
I’ve noticed an almost universal reaction when the topic of the elections, especially the presidential election comes up. There is a sigh…sometimes the rolling of the eyes, and the statement: “I can’t WAIT for this election to be over.” Election exhaustion. We’re all there. It’s a long enough process as it is, but this year … More Who To Vote For?
This is Martin Luther’s prayer “for a charitable disposition.” It seems that it is especially appropriate during this election season. Please join me in this prayer: “God, give us true obedience and perfect resignation in all things temporal and eternal. Preserve us from the cruel vice of slandering, defaming, judging and condemning others. Oh that … More Luther’s Prayer for a Charitable Disposition
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” – Psalm 90:14 What does it mean to be satisfied? And why does this line from the 90th Psalm ask God to make us satisfied in the morning? I wonder how many … More Satisfied
Test Driving Theology 