Following Self or Following Jesus

Audio Version Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16 Psalm 22:23–31 Romans 4:13–25 Mark 8:31–38 Control is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? When we are in control, we get to decide how things will be. We are no longer subject to the will of others. We decide when we want to get up, go to work or maybe not … [Read more…]

Into the Wilderness

Audio Version Sunday, February 22, 2015 First Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm 25:1–10 1 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15 I read the gospel this week and it struck me very starkly about Jesus being driven into the wilderness. When I read this, I had a sense of relief. That may seem a little strange; so … [Read more…]

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Audio Version 1 Corinthians 9:16–23 Mark 1:29–39 Sickness, not being whole, comes in all forms. Our sins, keep us from being whole, as God intended. We cannot make ourselves whole. We are a broken people in need of healing. The greatest story every told, the gospel of Jesus Christ, tells us of how to be … [Read more…]

Sloth or Caterpillar?

 Audio Version Jonah 3:1–5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 Mark 1:14–20 How do we respond to the calling for change? Many people do not like change and often, put up a fight or flight response to change. When God is calling us to change, do we look for the change to be a change in the … [Read more…]

Death in Law – Life in Jesus

Sermon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Cassville WI Audio Version Micah 3:4-12 Psalm 43:1-5 1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 Matthew 23:1–12 The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 23rd Chapter Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat (for us today this would be parallel to … [Read more…]

What If?

Audio Version Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 What if we follow Jesus, leave our families as He told others, and follow Him. What if we let the dead bury the dead?  There are so many “what ifs” that Jesus presents us.  Today’s reading in Matthew is no different.  What if we recognize the flute being … [Read more…]

Are we satisfied?

I have started a new practice of reading a Psalm every morning.  I choose from different versions of Bibles.  Sometimes the NRSV,  The Message and I choose others as well.  I am very fortunate to have Logos Bible Software and have so many Bibles available to me. Today I was looking at Psalm 4 from … [Read more…]

He is risen!

                He has risen! What a great season to be in, the church year of Easter and the season of spring. Both offer life in their coming. Spring, we begin to see the awaking of life that has been dormant over winter. Yes, this long long long long … [Read more…]

Gone!

He was taken from us, why did this happen!? God, Jesus said He was Your Son.  If that were so, then why did You let Him die?  Why God, why have you forsaken Your Son?  If Him, then what about us? Jesus, King of the Jews, Son of man, Son of the living God, has … [Read more…]

Vision, Being the Light to the Nations

Video Link Audio Link Isaiah 60:1–6 Ephesians 3:1–12 Matthew 2:1–12 Today is the Epiphany of the Lord. The easy route to take today would be to tell you about the Wise Men who visited Jesus, Joseph and Mary and show how the Isaiah and Matthew text can be tied together. I am not going there, … [Read more…]