Serving the Servants of the Lord: We kicked off a new year with new laborers sent from the Lord of the Harvest, in answer to the prayers of His blood-bought people. Here is a fit Word from the occasion of our Wayne Circuit LCMS Pastors' Conference held yesterday, September 4, 2018. Hear the full audio … Continue reading A Pastors’ Conference Homily for My Brothers of the Wayne Circuit LCMS (9.4.2018)
A Deeper Dive into Luke 17:11-19 (Bible Study for 9.2.2018)
A Bible Study Guide on Luke 17:11-19 Part One: STOP Speeding; SLOW Down; YIELD Him the Right of Way!A.Basic Training: Part of our purpose during Bible Class time is to develop the discipline of a closer reading of Holy Scripture. Our first questions should almost always be the most basic sorts of questions. Too often, … Continue reading A Deeper Dive into Luke 17:11-19 (Bible Study for 9.2.2018)
Giving Thanks to Him Alone
Often we confess "we are by nature sinful and unclean." The Word may be familiar enough, but perhaps we underestimate the contagion of sin and the things that contaminate both body and soul. "Lord have mercy," these lepers teach us to pray! Thanks be to God that "the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us … Continue reading Giving Thanks to Him Alone
A Deeper Dive into 2 Chronicles 28:8-15 (Bible Study for 8.26.18)
Enjoy this "As-is." I didn't have quite the time for fleshing all this out, due to some difficult life events for aging and ailing family members. Still, here's the discussion and study guide we used in class last Sunday. I'll try to update verse links or add comments if time allows this week. No promises...except … Continue reading A Deeper Dive into 2 Chronicles 28:8-15 (Bible Study for 8.26.18)
Send Back Your Captive Family
"Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise." (Luke 10:36-37) Hear the full audio of "Send Back Your Captive Family" A sermon on 2 Chronicles … Continue reading Send Back Your Captive Family
These Pleasant Places
"...we may be despising and rebelling against a divine ordering of things..." Below is an essay I wrote back in 2014, with one very slight edit of word order. Because a dear brother in Christ fondly recalled it and asked if he might use it in his Intro to Pastoral Theology course at Concordia Theological … Continue reading These Pleasant Places
Christ Bids Closed Ears ‘Be Opened’
Faith in Christ brings people to the places where Christ Jesus is at work to help... Hear the full audio of "Christ Bids Closed Ears 'Be Opened'" A sermon on Mark 7:31-37 (ESV) Twelfth Sunday after Trinity / 19 August 2018 Mark 7:31-37 English Standard Version (ESV) 31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre … Continue reading Christ Bids Closed Ears ‘Be Opened’
A Deeper Dive into Mark 7:31-37 (Bible Study for 8.19.18)
A Bible Study written and produced entirely ON LOCATION with God the Son... A Bible Study Guide on Mark 7:31-37 (ESV) Part One: Confessing The Incarnation, God on Location for You... 31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. A. … Continue reading A Deeper Dive into Mark 7:31-37 (Bible Study for 8.19.18)
God Seated US with Him in the Heavenly Places
The Lord made us ALIVE in Christ Jesus--certainly not so you should dwell mired in misery, but be raised up and seated with Him in the heavenly places! Take the seat prepared for you here in God's presence. Sit next to Him who wields all authority in heaven and on earth for your own deliverance … Continue reading God Seated US with Him in the Heavenly Places
For the Common Good
“For The Common good,” the apostle says, for your good and theirs God has given His gifts “to each,” a manifestation of the Spirit given to them for you. It was given to you, for them, too. They need you here. You need them. I need you in my life, too. God declares no less … Continue reading For the Common Good