Posted by hlewis |
We always joke about how Lutherans (and anyone else, for that matter) dislike change. It’s uncomfortable to do something different, whether or not you like what you’re doing now. So instead of leaning into the fear of change, please allow me to put an optimistic spin on the concept: let’s consider change as an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Is there anything you’d like to do differently?…
Posted by svanbaale |
Last Monday was Presidents’ Day. A lot of people consider it just another day off of school during conferences or a weekend of big sales, but there is more to it than that.
What do you think of when you think of Presidents’ Day? I always thought it was celebrated somewhere between Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12, 1809) and George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22, 1732) to commemorate…
Posted by jmarple |
Much like Advent, Lent is also one of my favorite seasons within the church year. Advent and Lent both have similar themes: waiting (Advent, waiting for a baby and Lent, waiting for a trial, execution, and resurrection); journey (Advent, the journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth and then the journey to the manger, and Lent the journey to the cross); and power (Advent, the “fight” for power between…
Posted by hlewis |
This Sunday in Matthew, Jesus is telling us to be salt and light to the world. We have lots of great examples of being the light: Jesus is the Light of the world; the Light shines in the darkness; “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” But, let’s face it, salt is tricky. Salt can be exactly what you need, but it can completely overpower if there’s just a little too much.…
Posted by svanbaale |
The Gospel reading this Sunday is known as the Beatitudes. It contains the words of Jesus when he was speaking to the disciples at the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gives a list of those who are blessed in the eyes of God.
This could be seen as inspirational. The disciples had not done much public ministry before hearing the Beatitudes. They had made the huge decision to drop everything and…
Posted by jmarple |
Last Wednesday, Jan. 14, I joined almost 700 other people in Topeka for a day of protest, advocacy, and the sharing of a unified message of “human needs are human rights.” The day was sponsored by many different organizations, including Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA). I had never been to the Kansas state capital before, and I was proud to represent those of you who live in Kansas. It was a…
Posted by hlewis |
I had a conversation with my daughter last night about being positive versus negative. She was remembering when she was younger that I’d redirect her when she was upset to look at the positive side of situations instead of focusing on the negative. Then later when I was upset about something it would freak her out, since the message she heard from me was to not embrace feelings of anger or sadness.…
Posted by svanbaale |
When preparing materials for worship each week, I have a chance to read the Psalm, First Reading, and Gospel text multiple times. This week’s Gospel text is the Baptism of Our Lord, and it seems the Psalm and First Reading both tell of what is to come in the Gospel.
The Psalm this week speaks of hearing the voice of the Lord over waters. “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the…