“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

“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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

 “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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

The THIRD ARTICLE installments:  1) The Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel 2) The Holy Spirit enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps me 3) The Holy Spirit calls the whole Christian Church on Earth 4) The Holy Spirit daily forgives sins 5) The Holy Spirit gives me eternal life While we would have continued to…  Read More

If God truly gave us His Word in written form, as He has in the Bible, then what do we have with which to compare it?  In a certain sense, we have all been inspired at one time or another. A moving poem, the birth of a child, a once-in-a-lifetime beautiful sunset, or a heartfelt…  Read More