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“Stewards of God’s Mysteries”
This is the third in a series of reflections offered as part of my service with the Stewardship Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., where Anne and I are members. When you hear the word “mystery,” what faces pop up in your mind’s eye? Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, the cast of…
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On Allah and the Trinity
Miroslav Volf wrote an article, “Allah and the Trinity,” that appeared in The Christian Century, March 8, 2011, pp. 20–24. I thought it was well written and did a solid job of presenting the fundamentals of orthodox Trinitarian theology. What I found intriguing was the thought about what part of a dialogue this article represents…
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Redefining Sin?
In his book, Making Sense of the Christian Faith, David J. Lose writes, That’s how theologians have talked about sin for centuries. It’s a sin of self-assertion. Recently though, a number of theologians, and especially female theologians who didn’ historically have the same power that men did, have asked whether it is also a sin…
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Majesty and Grace
Introduction St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church, Lincoln, Neb., celebrates the Holy Eucharist on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. The parish’s practice is to observe commemorations at this service. The parish’s rector, Father Jerry Thompson, asked me to lead worship on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. This date is also the day on which Jonathan Edwards,…
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Like Rain
This is the second of a series of reflections I hope to offer as part of my service with the Stewardship Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., where Anne and I are members. The grace of God pours down upon us like rain falling from the clouds. We cannot, with our…
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Don’t Forget the Bride
Pastor Lee Griess, Assistant to the Bishop,Nebraska Synod, ELCA, posted a column entry, “We Do Mission!” on one of the synod’s Web sites on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. In his column, he wrote: We have to begin doing church differently. We have to recapture the mission of the church, the mission of God found in…
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“We Offer with Joy and Thanksgiving…!”
This is the first of a series of reflections I hope to offer as part of my service with the Stewardship Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., where Anne and I are members. One of the fond memories I have of the times I spent with my grandfather was “helping” him…
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“God, of Thy Goodness…”
God, of Thy goodness, give me Thyself; for Thou art enough for me, and I can ask nothing that is less that can be full honor to Thee. And if I ask anything that is less, ever shall I be in want, for only in Thee have I all. Amen. —Julian of Norwich, The Complete…
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Talking with a Rabbi Talking with Jesus
I just finished Jacob Neusner’s A Rabbi Talks with Jesus this morning. It is thought-provoking. It helped me to see the Matthean Jesus in a fresh way. The book is valuable for that achievement alone—helping a Christian to hear Jesus and his teachings anew. It’s given me a great deal to think about. Rabbi Neusner…
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Listen to the Angel of the Lord
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., celebrated the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19, 2010. This is my last Sunday serving as the congregation’s interim pastor. + + + Readings Isaiah 7:10–16 Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 Romans 1:1–7 Matthew 1:18–25 + + + Prayer Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell with us. Ask your Father to stir…