My life journey to this point has taken a circuitous route through the Christian Church. My wife and I, having come from very different denominational backgrounds, have attended just about every Christian denomination (and non-denomination) under the sun. So how did we end up in the Lutheran church, with me as a Lutheran pastor? Good … Continue reading What & Why: Lutherans, Part 1
In the first of a new series on this Blog, I want to take a look at words that have negative baggage associated with them, even though they are actually really good things. These are words people hear - and their noses immediately scrunch up as though a bad smell has suddenly entered the area. … Continue reading Dirty Words: Religion
One of the tricky parts of having a public presence on the web is figuring out how much personal information to share, especially regarding your children. But my kids are also a huge part of who I am, and their stories obviously intersect with mine. That said, I want to introduce you to my oldest … Continue reading Our Christmas Miracle
Yes, I am a Lutheran Pastor. Yes, I am an adult. And yes, I believe in Santa Claus. I know of a great many Lutheran Pastors who love to get their Grinch on by criticizing, making fun of or outright scorning the right jolly old elf, but I say this is due to their hearts … Continue reading Redeeming Santa Claus
At some point, while watching the History Channel, talking to friends or browsing social media, you are bound to come across a familiar refrain: "Christmas isn’t Christian! Jesus was born in the summer! December 25th was stolen from the Egyptians/Babylonians/Romans! Christmas trees are pagan! Santa is an anagram of Satan!" And once again, it's not … Continue reading Christmas Is Most Definitely NOT Pagan
Some years back, I spent some time working retail with Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse. You've probably heard this before, but I agree that it's a pretty good idea for nearly everyone to spend at least a little time working retail and/or food service, to see what it's like "on the other side of the counter." … Continue reading Retail Lessons for Life
The church year begins with the season of Advent, which we are in now. Advent is the season of Christmas carols, Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating and Christmas parties. But the most recognizable part of Advent, apart from the Advent wreath, is the Advent Calendar, which counts down to Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus. … Continue reading Advent… of What?
Thanksgiving is a little weird, right? It's the one day a year we are required to be thankful, as if we shouldn't be thankful every day... But it’s also a really great day. A day filled with family, fun, football… and food! Thanksgiving is, after all, one of the High Holy Days of the Food … Continue reading The Perfect Recipe
Wait, what's a liturgy? If you haven't already read this, it might help to start there and then come back. Liturgy might be an intimidatingly churchy word, but it just refers to the order of the service. It is from the Greek word leitourgia, which comes from the words leitos (public) and ergos (working). So … Continue reading A Walk Through The Liturgy
This is a re-post of an earlier writing, but I think it's an important one. And because of something I want to write about next, I think it would be good for you to read this first...A common misconception (because it is wrongly taught and spoken of in that way) is that worship refers only … Continue reading Worship Is…
