re-form vt. 1. to make better by removing faults and defects; correct  2. to make better by putting a stop to abuses or malpractices or by introducing better procedures, etc. re-for-ma-tion n. 2. [R] the 16th century religious movement that aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in establishing the Protestant churches* There… Read More »Marking the Lutheran Reformation – Reformers (Always) Needed Read More

(Please read Acts chapter 2) Pentecost – This word is derived from the Greek word Pentecoste, fiftieth, because the feast of Pentecost was celebrated the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of Nisan, which was the second day of the feast of the passover. The Hebrews call it the Feast of Weeks, Exodus 34:22, because it… Read More »Happy Pentecost Harvest! Read More

PART THREE OF A SERIES ON THE SECOND ARTICLE “This is most certainly true!” THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived  by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was… Read More »Redeemable, But With No Cash Value Read More

PART ONE OF A SERIES ON THE SECOND ARTICLE “This is most certainly true!” THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived  by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was… Read More »Jesus is True God Read More

PART Five OF A SERIES The Five Installments:  1) God is my Father Almighty; 2) God is Maker of Heaven and Earth; 3) God is my Preserver and Provider; 4) God is my Protector; 5) God does all this for me by His grace. The Father of Grace   This is the final article of… Read More »“This is most certainly true!” Read More

PART FOUR OF THE SERIES “This is most certainly true!” The Five Installments:  1) God is my Father Almighty; 2) God is Maker of Heaven and Earth; 3) God is my Preserver and Provider; 4) God is my Protector; 5) God does all this for me by His grace. Absolutes–weren’t we taught to never use… Read More »God is my Protector Read More

“Respect Your Mother” is a very nice sentiment—until it appears on a bumper sticker next to a graphic of planet Earth! (I don’t mean to suggest we shouldn’t appreciate the wonderful gift planet Earth is, but to respect it as my Mother? No way!) Mothers are God’s instruments to produce life. While males of our species… Read More »Thank You, Father, for Mother Read More

CATECHISM SERIES: Studies in The Apostles’ Creed Part Two of a Series 2) God is Maker of Heaven and Earth Several years ago I watched an interesting program entitled If Walls Could Talk. The premise of the program was that buildings reveal much about their previous occupants and the activities that were carried on within… Read More »“This is most certainly true!” Read More

 “Tradition…tradition!”   Some of you may be humming or singing the catchy tune from Fiddler on the Roof by now. As good Lutherans, we know it isn’t only the Jewish faith that is rife with tradition. Our Lutheran heritage too has handed down many customs and traditions over the centuries. But if someone were to… Read More »Smudged Face = Clean Heart? Read More

Is the pen mightier than the sword? Throughout world history the written word has proved to be powerful. In Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments, Yul Brynner as Pharaoh had an oft-repeated line—“So let it be written; so let it be done.” When Pharaoh’s words were written down, they became law. The spoken words of… Read More »Let there be… Read More

Being both a father and school teacher with the privilege of taking countless numbers of children on many trips, I have heard my share of “Are-we-there-yets?”! Let’s not be too hard on our youth, however. We too can get very impatient in our lives. How are you about waiting in line at a store, at… Read More »Are We There Yet? Read More

It’s not only around Valentine’s Day that we hear about love. Throughout the year we hear and/or use the word ‘love’ in any number of contexts. “Love is a many splendored thing.” — “I love your new haircut!” — “I’d love to see them get into the playoffs.” — “I love Moose Tracks ice cream.”… Read More »In This Is Love… Read More

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 When a young child’s mother leaves the room, and he cannot see, hear, or smell her – she’s gone! Then the crying begins. We console the child,“Mama will be back!” But the child wants proof! “Where’s my mother?… Read More »How Do We “See” the New Year? Read More

LAST OF FIVE PARTS OF A SERIES ON THE SECOND ARTICLE “This is most certainly true!” THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived  by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius… Read More »Serving the Servants’ Servant Read More

It has happened to most of us. The anticipation is rising. The line you are standing in is dwindling. Who will be next? Will I get picked at all? Ah, those moments on the playground before a recess game begins—a possible knock to the self-esteem if ever there was one! I believe the way students… Read More »Hand-Picked Read More

Juan Ponce de Leon (whether he actually searched for the Fountain of Youth or not) will be forever remembered as the man who went on a futile mission. The search for eternal youth, whether in water or in an elixir of life, can seem pretty silly to us. Even the ancient Egyptians practiced the art… Read More »Fountain of Eternity Read More

“Seeing is believing” we’ve heard people say. We know that believing is a matter of the heart. Faith is a gift of God that goes far beyond what our eyes are able to discern. That having been said, we have many incidents in Scripture which show us that the Lord does demonstrate that our faith… Read More »Proof Positive Read More

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” (Matthew 16:24) Over the centuries, people have recognized that a cross is a symbol of suffering. Many from all walks of life have used the expression “to bear a cross”… Read More »A Cross for Christ Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Judges Chapters Thirteen Through Sixteen Samson: Sun-like, but not Son-like There are only a few individuals in the Scriptures who had their births foretold by heavenly messengers. John the Baptizer is usually thought of by most of us. Our own Lord Jesus’ birth was announced to Mary by… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

Every week, like-minded Christians gather together to hear God’s Word, receive His blessing, and build each other up in the faith. Depending on the size and location of your congregation, at times one can feel quite small in the scheme of the world. That’s why it is such a blessing that we share an even… Read More »Working Together for the Lord Read More