My two previous blogposts express the importance of integrity and truth. I want to add another character trait that Jesus lifts up as important for every child of God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 Meek? Really? We don’t use this word very often and it only…
Did you see the story about the “recently” discovered painting by Pablo Picasso? Here is a part of the story… A painting discovered by a junk dealer in the basement of an Italian villa six decades ago is actually the work of Pablo Picasso and could sell for millions, according to experts. Luigi Lo Rosso used to…
There was a major shift in thinking that has contributed to the polarized times we live in right now. Sometime in the 1990s, truth became relative. What do I mean by that? For a very long time, we could agree on what is true for everyone and there was very little discussion about these truths….
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 Words to live by from Saint Paul. It is good to authentically and deeply love others. It is commendable to cling to what is good and who is good in this life. Even hating the evil in this life can…
This past weekend, I shared a on message about Ruth, specifically chapter two of the book named after her in the Old Testament. A part of my sermon addressed our own personal reputations. I asked this question, What is your reputation? What are you known for? How would someone describe you? Whether we like it…
Last weekend we finished our KCLC Radio Sermon series. We ended with the hit, “We Are the World.” Although the song was written in 1985, it conveys a spiritual truth contained within scriptures. This truth reflects the heart and wisdom with God. Here is that truth: Our personal well-being, our personal futures are tied to…
Jesus said this to Nicodemus the Pharisee, I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I…
Near the beginning of the greatest sermon ever preached (The Sermon on the Mount), Jesus said this.. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest…
To state the obvious, it is another election year. Recently, election years have escalated a tribal instinct within all of us. What do I mean by tribal? We draw lines in the sand and make judgments like, “you are either with me or against me.” We “circle the wagons” and insulate ourselves from those who…
Last week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) I was in Mesa, AZ for our annual synod assembly. Community Lutheran Church is connected to a larger church body known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Within the ELCA, we are located within a synod (think area or district) in which we are connected to other…
