An Incomparable Faith A LESSON TO BE LEARNED How would you feel if Jesus walked up to you and said, “You have an absolutely incomparable faith, I’ve never seen anything like it?” You’d probably be feeling pretty positive about yourself, after having received such a compliment. Well, that is exactly what Jesus did with a […]
Observations
Comments on sights seen and events occurred along the journey
It’s a Matter of Perspective – Makes All the Difference!
A Matter of Perspective What can change despair into hope, or hate into love? Our perspective! Living life as obedient followers of Jesus is often a matter of perspective. The Holy Spirit moves within us, gifts us with a different perspective and transforms our lives. We can easily see the power of perspective in our […]
God and Suffering, What to Say and Do
God and Suffering God and Suffering. It dawned on me on New Year’s Eve that not everyone was celebrating. I think it happened sometime between the New Year’s fireworks displays in Sydney, Australia and Hong Kong and the ball drop in Times Square. Underneath the veneer of the night’s merriment lay a morass of […]
Jesus Mary and Joseph and The Christmas Story
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Christmas Story Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Christmas Story We hear the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Christmas Story, frequently during the Christmas Season. The Christ Child is at the center of our attention these days around Christmas—as well he should be. He is the epitome of God’s […]
Do We Forgive Better Than God?
If what is taught by the Church as gospel truth and the sole purpose of the cross, then I believe “Yes, we do forgive better than God!” Holy week approaches and for millions of Christians the focus will be on the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins—“Jesus died so that we might live.” We […]
Post Election Possililities
Thank God it’s over! This is what most of us are saying the morning after the elections. For the past several months, political signs have popped up along our streets with the maddening numbers and determination of dandelions. We have been subjected to political attack ads for weeks on end. So much so that I’m […]
Celebrating Work
There’s a big weekend coming up. Labor Day—the unofficial end of summer and much more! Labor Day has been celebrated in the United States for over one hundred and thirty years. New York City was the first to celebrate Labor Day. It did so on September 5, 1882. By 1894 the United States Congress had […]
Labels
Have you ever noticed how people like labels? We use them to identify ourselves and others. I’m Swedish, you’re Italian, he’s Costa Rican and she’s Japanese. I’m an Independent, they are Republican or Democrats. I’m Christian, they’re Muslim and she’s Buddhist. You’re Roman Catholic, I’m Lutheran, I think he’s Presbyterian and she’s non-denominational. I guess […]
A Touch of Awe
A Touch of Awe I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle, flew; and, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God..” (“High Flight” by John Gillespie McGee, 1941) I know the feeling. I’ve […]
Life Without a Cell Phone
This week I haven’t had much time to probe the mysteries of the Christian faith, or question the traditions of the Christian Church. I’ve been at Bible Camp this week. Five teenagers from the congregation that I serve joined 115 other teens from twelve other Lutheran Churches for a week that is called “Campfirmation.” Have […]