The Holiness of God

It’s fall where we live in the pines and wherever we walk, we walk on cones and needles, a take on the expression, walking on pins a needles—a metaphor for waiting for something bad to happen like having to rake up these pine cones and needles, put them in barrels and haul them to the…

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The Christian Church on earth

In a time when nations and people are in the throes of destroying each other a quick review of the solidarity of the Christian Church on earth and in heaven forever is in order. The Holy Christian Church on earth is the communion of saints, who believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of…

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Triumphant Faith

Sunset over calm ocean waters with a clear sky.

Jesus told His disciples that they would be rejected, persecuted and even put to death for what they believed. In spite of that grim news, the church grew because of those who were convinced that the Triune God who lived in them could not be destroyed. This is the faith that forms the foundation on…

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Helpless Obedience

Blue sky with fluffy clouds and the top of green foliage

Psychologist will tell you helplessness is a learned behavior. The Word of God will tell you it is mankind’s original condition before salvation came to him. The early church held that all men are sinners and can only be saved through faith given to them through Jesus Christ. Nevertheless,  we preach a gospel  where God…

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The Christ of God.

Opened Bible floating over troubled water crashing against rocky cliffs

The Reverend John Bombaro, a missionary of the Missouri Synod is the Assistant Director   of Theological Education at the Luther Academy, Riga, Latvia, has written an article entitled Christ-centered’ Isn’t Good Enough. To openly challenge  the employment of such terms as “Christ-centered:”  as in Christ-centered preaching”, “Christ-centered worship”, “Christ-centered teaching”, “Christ-centered ministry”, as well as…

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Staying the Course

Sunset over calm ocean waters with a clear sky.

Recently, an old Christian friend sent me a message, an “Are you staying the course?” type of message.  We attended Luther theological seminary together back in the 1950’s. By “staying the course” he meant are you still believing in the same One Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible? We’ve been reading many of the same…

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Why Does the Church Exist?

man reading the bible

Why does the Christian church exist? For far too many it’s a place where religious activities are conducted. Amy Mantravadi called my attention to a book written by Brad East entitled The Church: A Guide to the People of God. The church is very dear to my wife and me, something far more than a…

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The Last Great Victory

A father and son walk hand in hand through a green field under a cloudy sky.

On the 4th of July folks celebrate by remembering victories won. The 19th chapter of Revelation celebrates the last great victory humans will ever celebrate called the Lamb’s Wedding Feast. It is celebrated with shouts of “Hallelujah,” alleluia is the Greek spelling, used often in Lutheran hymns. Quite the opposite of self-glorification and the lauding…

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Why I Am Still A Lutheran

An open Bible displaying text on both pages.

This coming Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday. In her book, Mind of the Maker, Dorothy L. Sayers, known for her mysteries, brings the mystery of the Trinity into focus. As the Athanasian Creed states, “We worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.” Creeds are confessionals…

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No Better Time

A sunrise over a field with an inspirational Bible verse about new creation.

The life of the Christian church here on earth draws her life from the Spirit.  In a time when hate grabs for the mind of the church, never has there been a greater opportunity to celebrate the Day of Pentecost and the ascension of Jesus. He now reigns with steadfast power as the world convulses.…

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