By Amanda Mason Attending an intensive week at Calvin Theological Seminary as a hybrid distance student can be of great value. Although balancing work and personal commitments can be challenging, the benefits of such programs are immense. The immersive learning experience provides an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills quickly. … ∞
Our culture is not a community that exudes the love of Christ, but rather a perilous web of control and deception where we can easily become ensnared and perish in the process. The alluring forces of our dark world have already had a profound impact on us, making us busy … ∞
By Amanda Mason As a mother of four, this film hit home in so many ways. Some I expected to feel after seeing the trailer, but others hit home in unexpected ways. In mid-August, my husband and I had the chance to go on a date night, and I decided … ∞
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Yola, is one of the Lutheran churches in northern Nigeria Adamawa State. I worship with Emmanuel Lutheran church and have the opportunity to converse with the church secretary on power and the potential abuse of power. His response is as follows: Power, in my opinion, is the … ∞
Anxiety, coercion, exclusivism, and multitasking are Brueggemann’s four examples of four specific situations in which Sabbath is an act of resistance. The church may experience less abuse of power if these four areas are put into practice. Against anxiety: Sabbath works to “counter anxious productivity with committed neighborliness.” While we … ∞
Sometimes having power seems to mean success and happiness, but when we haveit, it comes with greater temptations. Are we owning power, or owned by power? Sometimes, power comes alongside leadership. Power itself might be neutral.Nevertheless, not everyone is ready and capable to wrestle with what power can bringto us. … ∞
When studying the doctrine of creation, as with most theological topics, one must choose how and from which axiom they will begin their examination. Typically, at least within most theological topics, there are two general places one starts – one, from a systematic perspective, and the other from a biblical … ∞
According to the Oxford dictionary, creation is the action or process that brings something into existence. But what does this mean for Christians for the doctrine of creation? In this first part, I will share my thoughts on the doctrine of creation – what it is and what it is … ∞
I came upon this devotional published by Nathan Nass on a page (Upside Down Savior: https://upsidedownsavior.home.blog/2023/09/19/baptism-gods-work-in-us) when looking for devotionals. The devotional expresses the idea of baptism as a sacrament – (God working in us rather than we working our salvation by ourselves). I felt compelled to publish it on … ∞
Growing up I remember being asked the question: “Who is your hero”, and we would beasked to draw a picture. Two strange things came from that: my immaculate fridge artdid a disappearing act, and I don’t know where it went. I’m sure it’s somewhere special,and the second strange thing is … ∞
I can’t see. I feel my heart beat in my jaw. It’s hard to breathe. My mind races, trying to put clues together from what I had seen earlier. A deafening yell interrupts my thoughts, “Deal with the situation!” Suddenly, everything is bright; the bag has been pulled off … ∞
Hymns and the church have a rich history that goes back many centuries. Hymns are an important component of worship services in churches all around the world. The church uses hymns for a number of significant purposes. Here are some main explanations for why hymns are respected and used in … ∞
I remember having many conversations with my parents growing up. I would frequentlyhave desires and wants growing up: from wanting to get McDonalds, to wanting a toyfrom the local dollar store. I always framed these wants as something I “needed”.Clearly, there is a stark contrast between the meaning of one … ∞
A basic, forgetful object so many overlook. Filled with old trees, tar, old bones, and pitch, formed together to make words, to convey a message, sometimes worth reading, sometimes not. The covers, some beautiful, some repulsive, all purposeful. Pages filled with words and pictures, jokes and stories, songs of the … ∞
There is a difference between balancing school and work for some of us who have families or already work in ministerial or other positions; there can be a disconnect between these areas of our lives if we do not tend to each other equally. This is something I learned the … ∞
