Adapted from Dr. Walter Sundberg’s chapel sermon, March 12, 2008, at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota    The United States has been and still is a nation of immigrants, and millions of these new arrivals want to learn the language of their new country.  Thus, there is a great need for ESL (English as […]
2816) Learning the Language of Heaven Read More »
By Rev. William Willimon, Pulpit Resource, First Quarter, 2009, page. 12 Â Â Â I have met a number of parents who have gotten the notion that, while parents should train their children in academic and vocational skills, they should not “impose” ethical or religious values upon their children. Â “We simply tell our children what we
2814) “Imposing” Church on Children? Read More »
   (…continued)  “Be on guard, be alert,” says Jesus, “for you do not know when that time will come… what I say to you I say to everyone– Watch!”  Jesus is referring here to that time when he will come again.  In the Bible we read of Jesus’ first coming.  In Jesus, God was
   For years Mick has smoked three packs of cigarettes a day.  Now, when he comes up the basement stairs he has to stop and catch his breath even though he is not yet fifty years old.  He wants to quit smoking and he is angry with himself that he cannot.  He’s mad at
   (…continued; by Dorothy Fortenberry) I do not find religion to be comforting in the way that I think nonreligious people mean it.  I do not believe that everything in my life will necessarily be all right and I do not believe that everything happens for a reason.  I believe that whatever kind of
2767) Why This Hollywood Screenwriter Goes to Church (b) Read More »
Mark Galli, editor in chief of Christianity Today, gave this recommendation for the following essay:  “I  can wax eloquent on why commitment to a local church, especially weekly worship, is vital for life.  But such an essay sounds more convincing coming from someone who, rightly or wrongly, we don’t expect to see in church—like this Hollywood
2766) Why This Hollywood Screenwriter Goes to Church (a) Read More »
This meditation (part two) is from a sermon I gave July 10, 2005 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Henderson, Minnesota (pictured above). Â It is the congregation my ancestors attended when they immigrated to Minnesota from Germany in 1875. Â The congregation was already 20 years old in 1875, and in 2005 they celebrated their 150th anniversary.
2686) My Great-Great-Great-Grandfather (b) Read More »
   (…continued)  What pastors wear when they lead worship is also symbolic.  This is true even if they wear flip-flops, faded blue jeans, and a torn T-shirt; symbolizing they are just like the rest of the folks.  Other pastors wear other garments, symbolizing other things.    I have usually worn the traditional alb
2640) Symbols (c): The Pastor Read More »
 (…continued)  Four things about blood as a symbol:    1)  Blood is symbolic of death.  We’ve all seen photos of car accidents or from battles or crimes, with bodies on the ground, surrounded by blood.  The life-blood has drained out.  All that blood spilled often means death.  Jesus wants us to remember that he died for
2635) Washed in Blood? (b) Read More »
   There are many strange verses in the Bible.  Some of them, after a little thought and study, and perhaps a little more maturity in the faith, become not strange, but wonderful and meaningful and true.  It is like some of the things that your parents told you when you were young.  At
2634) Washed in Blood? (a) Read More »
