Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.—Psalm 32:1In the movie, Return of the Jedi, as part of their complicated relationship, Darth Vader says to his son, Luke Skywalker, “Your thoughts betray you.” How often the person who feels guilt over some dark deed has thought...
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” —Matthew 10:29-31 One of the first thing that the Saxon immigrants did...
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 When St. Paul encourages those with...
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” —2 Corinthians 4:1 Since the fall into sin, work has been marred by frustration and futility. At times, even those who serve in congregations and schools have been disappointed by the lack of apparent fruits from their labor....
Many of our congregations have seen an increased median age among members and fewer children and youth. Some congregations send youth to the LCMS National Youth Gathering, while others send groups on servant events or to a Higher Things Conference. Other congregations simply do not have enough young people involved...
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ...If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.—1 Corinthians 12:12, 26The church at Corinth was a church divided against...
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of...
“And [Jesus] said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” —Luke 10:2 There are many contributing factors that lead someone to consider church vocations. One sainted Lutheran school teacher once told me...
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” —Galatians 5:1, 13 The movie, “Saving Private Ryan” is an intense and...
“And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”—Mark 4:38-29In 1959, Frank Sinatra released what was generally regarded as his most...