It’s so wonderful when words, phrases, or stories from the Bible become well-known life lessons shared for countless generations. Words such as “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” from John 8:7 offer invaluable wisdom for all ages. While I was studying the text (John 8:7), I … ∞
We have different beliefs and values. One of the things we value the most is beingsuccessful and spectacular. I grew up in China and lived there for 18 years. It is acommon thing to pursue fame and fortune in Chinese culture. For example, we makejudgments to people according to apartments, … ∞
December 26, 2023, we drove to my parents to celebrate Christmas with them, and once we had arrived I pulled my stepfather aside to ask how my mother’s latest cancer scan went. You see almost two years earlier she called me one day with my stepdad sitting beside her and … ∞
I read the words of Martin Luther on Luke 18:13 – I feel I should share with you. Text: “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13 … ∞
Introduction It is evident that every individual has his/her daily routines, but most of our routines depend on what makes our life better – for example, we bath always, we brush our teeth sometimes twice a day, we eat all the time we are hungry, we go to work every … ∞
Luther explicating his understanding of worthiness in regard to receiving the sacrament came in March of 1521 when he wrote a “Sermon on the Worthy Reception of the Sacrament.”[ix] He began by stating that those who are living openly in sin shall not receive the sacrament.[x] He then proceeded to … ∞
(I’d like to begin with 2 small warnings: 1. this post will have content that 100% will create disagreement, and that’s ok. 2. This is a response to something i was told that i felt needed to be addresses in public form as a discussion. Remember if you reply to … ∞
This blog post started as a paper for my death, dying and Christian funerals class and it may not be how I intended it to be, and I think it turned into more of a testimony of God’s love, grace, guidance, and provision. I have learned through taking this course … ∞
As I write, in January 2023, I am in Al Amana Center in the Sultanate of Oman for a one-month internship. It has been overwhelming to be exploring a new culture not knowing whethermy behavior is proper twenty-four seven hours a day. I have attended many activities here andexplored the … ∞
Our Lord and Our God, We come before you today with hearts and minds that are open and willing to receive all that you have for us. As we begin this new semester of seminary, we ask that you would prepare our hearts and minds for the work ahead. We … ∞
Over the holidays, we got our 7-month-old puppy spayed. What we thought would be a routine, normal surgical procedure went horribly wrong. The night Sadie came home, she lay in her dog bed resting, and I started bathing our 3-year-old, and the fire alarm went off in our building. Panic … ∞
As the new year begins, many of us are thinking about making resolutions and setting goals for the coming year. For Christians, the new year can also be a time to reflect on the past and look to the future with hope and anticipation. The theme of new beginnings is … ∞
For the Christian, there is a deep truth in belonging that is found in the pages of scripture. We don’t only live in a world where God has ownership over us and so dictates our every action. That is called slavery. God did not create in order to fill the … ∞
It occurred to me as i was talking with some of the newer attendees of our church this weekend, that the concept of Advent is not something naturally familiar to believers. We were lighting the candles at the start of our service and as this couple and their kids walked … ∞
I know you are reading the title and looking at the picture, and a gasp comes out or a ping of anger at the topic, but as a Christian, we need to have an honest talk about good ole St. Nick, so please, if you are so inclined, continue to … ∞
