Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 The familiar words of Psalm 136 have become a frequent refrain at kitchen tables for generations. Thanksgiving is more than just a day of the year. It is also more than just a...
Thanksgiving kicks off a great migration. This one holiday will generate a movement of over 54 million travelers for holiday gatherings. As Christmas nears, more and more will be added to their numbers. While we lament over the vanity overtaking the season, more people are led to take a step...
Our cell phones chime and buzz with many daily alerts. We have reminders from our friends and family, our calendar, current events, traffic, weather and news. In Luke 10:02, Jesus makes a big announcement. It’s a mission alert and a call to prayer: “The harvest is plentiful, but the...
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. Acts 8:1-2 The focus of...
This past year, in the months leading up to the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, one could access numerous magazine and internet articles on the training that Meghan Markle was receiving in order to become one of the royal family. Among her many lessons she had to...
This piece was written by Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, Chairman, Ministerial Health Committee Explain this for me, if you can. According to research from the Barna Group (Pastors: 2018) and others who dig deep into what’s going on with clergy, pastors have one of the highest rates of satisfaction among...
We’ve all seen dilapidated buildings, with their broken windows and crumbling facades. For some, these structures are simply part of a backdrop. They’re often referred to as “vacant properties,” or “blight.” However, many struggling people in cities across our country have another word for it. Home. While there are some...
For the past 40 years, the organization Lutherans for Life has been equipping Lutherans to speak for Life. Rev. Jason Wagner, Missouri’s District Life Coordinator, attended the 2018 National Lutherans for Life Conference in St. Louis, Mo. Oct. 12 to 13. Though he’d always been interested in the conference, this...
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Ephesians 1:7-8 The Great Depression began nearly ninety years ago with Black Tuesday, the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929. Though we are far removed...
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. —Jude 3 There is a difference between a Christian’s faith and the Christian faith. A...