Readings for Ash Wednesday Service 1 March 2017 "Faith Alone Works...To Bear Much Fruit" Selections from: The Augsburg Confession, Article XX "Of Good Works" [15] But, although this doctrine is despised by the inexperienced, nevertheless God-fearing and anxious consciences find by experience that it brings the greatest consolation, because consciences cannot be set at rest … Continue reading Readings for Ash Wednesday Service
Faith Alone Works…
God doesn't need our good works, but our neighbor does. Now the 2017 Lenten season arrives in this 500th Anniversary year of the Lutheran Reformation. Martin Luther restored the pure preaching of the Gospel to the people of God: that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone--apart from works of the Law. … Continue reading Faith Alone Works…
What a Blind Man Wants
Which is better, do you think: to be the only blind person in a crowd of those who all see? Or the only One who can see in the crowd of those blind all their lives, never able to look past this very moment to the next which must follow? Jesus stops and goes out … Continue reading What a Blind Man Wants
Where Scattered Seed Grows
This is a terrible parable for preachers. As Jesus sees the crowds coming out, he knows full well how it goes. So much of what he does by his preaching won't ever start to bear fruit. Some takes root and sinks in, but not deep enough to survive through the heat of the day. Others … Continue reading Where Scattered Seed Grows
Why Tithing Will Never Impress Jesus
This isn't a Sunday School lesson about money. This is about Jesus, and the generosity of faith. The quote above is often ascribed to Luther, though I was unable to trace down the exact source. Authentic or not, the principle holds that a genuine faith in Jesus changes more than our personal philosophy or sentimental … Continue reading Why Tithing Will Never Impress Jesus
“I Choose to Give”
Jesus is not like other kings. In the end, Jesus is always more generous towards others than you want or they deserve. He is more just in what He does for you than you probably noticed or expected from Him. If He gives you no less than He promised, you're disappointed. If He gives another … Continue reading “I Choose to Give”
A Word to Uplift Fearful Eyes
What does it take to make you to fall on your face? Many things cause us to fall now and then. Someone trips us up or knocks us down, and we fall. Sometimes we stumble on our own. During times of crisis, we may know we need help. But it takes a Word from Heaven … Continue reading A Word to Uplift Fearful Eyes
Eat The Rich?!?
(A review of 2/5/17 Sunday School Lesson text on Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10) Memes are meant to stick in our minds. Little snapshot slogans on social media tend to stay with us, sometimes longer than they should. Some are religious, others political, humorous or sweet. Juxtaposed images and text can leave an impression, for better … Continue reading Eat The Rich?!?
Even the Wind and Sea Obeys Him
All disciples of Jesus suffer recurring bouts of "little faith." It's one of the traits Jesus recognizes in them time and again. Doubtless, we're in the same boat! But Jesus abides with his disciples through all the symptoms: the anxiety of near empty hands, the terror of storms, the peril of death, the helplessness to … Continue reading Even the Wind and Sea Obeys Him
Forgiveness and Life in The Aftermath of Evil
Review of Sunday School lessons on 2 Samuel 12:1-23 for Sunday, 29 January 2017 The Bible simply allows no room for pretense that God's people are inherently better than others. Still, some promote a sort of Christian fantasy life. They teach a cartoon version of our faith, a fairy tale lie often boldly told in … Continue reading Forgiveness and Life in The Aftermath of Evil
Isaiah 50:4 Blues 