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…
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 Some of us are really good at making snap judgments about other people. In the blink of an…
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (to believe). Romans 1:20 Saint Paul is making a simple argument: look at the world around you and you should come the inevitable conclusion…
This past weekend I began a sermon series on Joseph. If you didn’t hear the message, you can listen to it here: Joseph Sermon . Joseph’s life was filled with lots of downs. More downs that ups. It was as if he lived in the proverbial “valley of the shadow of death” for most of…
