Purify My Eternal Hope, Lord Jesus!
When it comes to our hope of eternal life, which is more dangerous: to say too little or to say too much? To say less than Scripture says or to say more? Or, to use ...
Lord, Make Me More Like the Unbelievers!
He comes around to stun and trouble us every three years whether we want him to or not (and a part of me certainly does not want him around). He is the strangest protagonist in ...
Yes, Pastor, You Too Walk in Danger All the Way!
Who hasn’t wondered about the curious question in Sunday’s gospel (Luke 13:22-30)? “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (22) We shake our heads at the unbelieving world and wonder: “Lord, are ...
My Dear Brother, My Dear Brother, Please Sit Down!
In Sunday’s gospel (Luke 10:38-42), did Martha walk away disappointed because Jesus didn’t sanction her well-meaning but distracted busyness by rebuking Mary? Or, perhaps, initially stunned when Jesus’ gentle, loving rebuke came her way and ...
Is That “Daily” Part Really Necessary?!?!
Wisconsin’s governor has our country’s most sweeping line item veto power. While its use has led to court challenges, Wisconsin governors have crossed out single words or altered a single digit in an appropriations bill, ...
Triple Comfort for You and Those You Serve!
The doctrine of the Trinity is not a set of abstract concepts revealed to delight our speculative brains. It is instead a revelation of the concrete realty of our awesome Creator’s saving love to comfort ...
Perfectly Protected Sheep
It just doesn’t seem fair at all to my enemies. (Not that I really want to play fair with them anyway!) What chance do my enemies have, really, when the morning begins by being wrapped ...
Thank God the Fleeting Privilege Is Still Yours!
It is a sad but very real ability of my sinful nature to turn any task - no matter how gracious a privilege it is - into a grievous burden. My life is littered with ...
Lord, Grant That I in Ev’ry Place May Glorify Your Lavish Grace!
(This is the chapel devotion for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary on Monday, March 18, 2019) What will deter you in carrying out ministry? Will it be the frustration of that summer-camp that sees many kids eagerly ...
Jesus Redefines Our Best Days!
I’ve only preached on next Sunday’s gospel (Luke 6:17-26) twice in 33 years. (No doubt shorter Epiphany seasons and 20 years of professor-ing have played into that reality.) As I looked back, both times I ...