What does God say about gossip?

From a “Buddy Christ” question that was addressed in a newsletter.       Dear buddy, what does God say about gossip? Another good question this month.  I love that you are willing to ask the tough questions.  I am going to get a little technical on you first, so that we can come to … [Read more…]

A Dog’s Purpose on Earth

While preparing for a sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, I came across this beautiful story about love.  Although I am not using it in the sermon, it touched me and I felt I just needed to share.  Love is such a precious thing, and we can learn so much from the story below.   A … [Read more…]

Jesus’ Baptism Is Important

  Old Testament   Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm                   Psalm 29:1-11 New Testament  Acts 8:14-17 Gospel                  Luke 3:15-22   The story of Jesus’ baptism must be important.  It is one of few stories that are contained in all four gospels.  … [Read more…]

John Testifies to the Word, Son Incarnate, for All

Sunday, January 3, 2016 Second Sunday After Christmas Old Testament  Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm  147:12-20 New Testament  Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel  John 1:1-18 JOHN 1:1–18 The bolded text is this author’s additional explanation to the reading as translated by N.T. Wright. 1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was close beside God, and the Word was … [Read more…]

Fear and Faith: Jesus Responds

  Sunday, June 21, 2015 | After Pentecost Proper 7 Year B Job 38:1–11 Psalm 107:1–3, 23–32 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 Mark 4:35–41[2] Prior to our Gospel from today, Jesus and His disciples spend the day at the seaside. When you hear that, did you think, wow, what a nice day at the beach? A mini … [Read more…]

Baptism Changes Our Reality

Audio Link Sunday, June 7, 2015 | After Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm 130: 1-8 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1 Mark 3:20–35 Isn’t it nice that we are in a different gospel today? Oh don’t get me wrong, John is great stuff, but it is nice to have another perspective of the gospel too. Last time I was … [Read more…]

Love is Experienced in Faith in God, in God’s Love

This sermon was delivered at Wartburg Theological Seminary, on Monday May 10th, 2015.  The final year students have been preaching this semester from the previous Sunday New Testament text, for their Monday Chapel preaching.  As part of the sermon, just prior to giving the sermon, the song, They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love … [Read more…]

I Am the Vine: You are the Branches Made New in Baptism

Unfortunately the Video and Audio is not available for this particular sermon. Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd, 2015 Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Jesus says that He is the Vine and we hear that we are the branches. In baptismal language, we have been grafted into Jesus’s family as branches … [Read more…]

What We Say and Do, Matters

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B Old Testament        Deuteronomy 18:15–20 Psalm                        Psalm 111:1-10 New Testament      1 Corinthians 8:1–13 Gospel                       Mark 1:21–28[1] 11 … so by your knowledge this weak person … [Read more…]

Who are They-We are Neighbor?

During a class about American Genocide, I was presented with an opportunity to reconsider what I knew to what I have heard about Native Americans.  What is it that we want to hold onto?  In response to a particular negative report about Native Americans on the Rose Bud Reservation, a group of Native American high … [Read more…]