There seems to be no relief. Our world has slipped into a persistent agitated state. Perhaps you see it in local and world events, or even your own life. People are agitated, angry and fed up. Our politics are agitated, our race relations are agitated, our international relations are agitated and all that agitation is … Read more
You can’t be human and completely avoid conflict. Sin has it’s way of turning us inward and lashing outward. When it comes to conflict we know how to dish it and we know what it feels like to take it. What doesn’t come so naturally is how to resolve it. So, here are a few … Read more
Bewildered. That’s how I would describe so many faithful Christians recently. They’ll express a deep confusion about how so many people could exist without faith of any kind. They’ll wonder how so many Christians could embrace teachings and lifestyles that are clearly against God’s created order and even spoken against by Jesus. They’ll speak with … Read more
Living on the edge? While we like to talk about how exciting it is to live on the edge, most of us don’t really like it there. We like things to be secure, comfortable and predictable. So long as we have a safety net of our own creation we can dabble in edgy things without … Read more
One of the highlights of my vocation as a pastor is spending time with our members who are unable to get around. Often the discussion will center on the health challenges these people face and coming to grips with their gradual (or sudden) loss of ability. These people spent decades busy helping others. Now the … Read more
Remember a birthday like this? It’s present opening time and under the ripped paper anticipation turns to dismay. Before you is a gift you will never ever use. Showtime! Smile big, gush with thank yous, throw in a bear hug and on to the next gift. They’ll never know their gift was a dud. The … Read more
Things have changed in America. Christianity and the teachings of Jesus aren’t as openly accepted any more. Have you ever felt like you didn’t know what to say or how to act around someone whose beliefs and life were very different than ours? It’s not just you! This is tough! We see Christians compromising on … Read more
Recently, our church had the opportunity to spend some time in Psalm 37. It seems like the perfect Psalm for American conservative Christianity as we explore how to be true to what we believe in a land that seems to have turned on many of the things we hold as foundational. Let me recommend, that … Read more
Christians have a unique way about them. When faith in Jesus comes into our hearts, when we know that our sins have been forgiven, when we have the freedom to live life according to God’s design, we stick out in a crowd. We have a different way of approaching life. We have confidence that we … Read more
For over a decade, Bethel Lutheran Church has held an enormous rummage sale with the expressed purpose of raising money to support our families who send their children to Christian schools and those going into professional church work. Simple. People give us their old stuff, we sell it to people who want to buy it. … Read more