“As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” (Genesis 9:7) God said these words to Noah after the flood, repeating the imperative given to Adam in … Read More
Epiphany in the Gospels
Happy New Year, since I didn’t get a chance to say that to many of you! And Happy Dreikönigsfest (feast of the three kings)! Or, if you prefer, Happy Epiphany! (The Christmas season is officially … Read More
Consolation of the Carols
As I look at our Christmas tree leaning against the balcony wall, still in the netting and waiting to be put in the stand and decorated–Yes, I realize Christmas is four days away, and no, … Read More
Benediction Peace
The King James Bible often introduces events with the words, “It came to pass . . .” A former colleague in ministry used to apply this clause as a word of encouragement in difficult situations. … Read More
Advent’s King
The Gospel reading for the first Sunday in Advent is one we might rather have expected for Palm Sunday. It is St. Matthew’s account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey … Read More
Of stolen bikes and imprecatory prayers
Yesterday, I discovered a disgusting and infuriating injustice. My bicycle—my beautiful practically-brand-new-50th-birthday-present bicycle—was stolen from what I thought was a perfectly secure location: locked with an expensive bicycle lock to the steel railing directly in … Read More
A Harvest in the Wilderness
In Isaiah 55, we read: 10 “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it … Read More
Reformation in and through us
Reformation is the work of God’s Word both in and through the lives of His people. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, who served a prominent role in the Reformation in the Church of England, emphasized the importance … Read More
Recovering the means of abiding
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Luther’s Reformation in Germany, which makes this coming Reformation Day (October 31) a special one. But as many are celebrating the life of Luther and looking back on … Read More
Love of the Table, Love of the Cross
In our sermon series from 2 Peter 1, we are considering two kinds of love: philadelphia brotherly love and agape love. The first is the natural affection toward brothers and sisters with whom we hold … Read More