Honest Musings from a Regular Guy... Who Also Happens to Be a Lutheran Pastor

Christmas Is Most Definitely NOT Pagan

Posted on December 23, 2020 by RevErik

I think this bears re-posting, as every year the same old lies get repeated ad nauseum. Read this and ENJOY Christmas this year!

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 just an accusation leveled by angry atheists. The greatest perpetrators of this myth are well-meaning but badly misinformed Christians.

Now let me say again that I am not attacking you or the people who taught you, because all of us want to be faithful to God’s will for our lives. But let me also say again that it is the Truth that sets us free. And I refuse to give Satan, the occult, the neopagans or any other group or individual power that is not theirs, whether it be Halloween or Christmas, rock n’…

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In the Cross Hairs

Posted on November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 by RevErik

I have a cross in the back of my head. It's true - for better or worse - my "bald spot," where my hair is most thin on the back of my head, is in the shape of a cross. I don't know why my hair does that - frankly, I think it's weird. But … Continue reading In the Cross Hairs

On Race and Unity

Posted on September 28, 2020September 28, 2020 by RevErik

I’m not a pet person. I know this is hard for pet people to understand, because SO many people have pets, and pets are one of those things we just take for granted that everybody feels the same way about. But it is very uncomfortable for me when I visit the home of someone who … Continue reading On Race and Unity

Who Are You?

Posted on September 25, 2020September 25, 2020 by RevErik

Who are you? What defines you? What is your identity? "Identity" is a loaded term these days, being all wrapped up in things like sexuality, sexual preference, gender identity, racial identity, political affiliation – and it’s all become very divisive, very incendiary – and very confusing. Some of us might joke about the political correctness … Continue reading Who Are You?

Not Like In the Movies

Posted on July 29, 2020July 31, 2020 by RevErik

Life is messy. That's the reason I don't care for so many Christian movies. It's not that I have anything against Christians making movies or movies about Christianity or the attempt to share the Gospel with people who are far more willing to watch a movie than listen to a sermon. It's just that so … Continue reading Not Like In the Movies

Why Do We Do That: Confirmation

Posted on June 8, 2020June 3, 2020 by RevErik

See that beautifully manicured mullet up there? Yep, that's me, about a month after my 14th birthday and finishing the 8th grade. It's my confirmation photo. If you weren't raised Catholic or Lutheran, you may have no idea what confirmation is. So let me try and explain it - from the Lutheran perspective. For many … Continue reading Why Do We Do That: Confirmation

A Prayer for Our Country

Posted on June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 by RevErik

When all hell is breaking loose around us, silence is sin. And yet, what do you say - and how do you say it? I may not know the whole path, but I can at least take a first step. Here is my prayer from worship this past Sunday: Father, (we pray for) the situation … Continue reading A Prayer for Our Country

Paying the Price

Posted on May 26, 2020May 26, 2020 by RevErik

*NOTE: This is a re-post of an earlier entry, originally published on Memorial Day two years ago. And even though many of us can't "go" to church, we can worship online, and the same principles still apply. Today, we set aside a national holiday to remember all those who have died either while serving our … Continue reading Paying the Price

Dear Sports: We’re Not Falling For It

Posted on May 18, 2020May 16, 2020 by RevErik

Warning: rant coming. I don't like it very much when people take themselves too seriously. I like to keep things light and make people laugh, and sometimes you have to let yourself get choked up by a cheesy commercial on television, or cry outright at a Disney cartoon. When people complain about these types of … Continue reading Dear Sports: We’re Not Falling For It

Creation and Evolution

Posted on May 11, 2020May 13, 2020 by RevErik

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light … Continue reading Creation and Evolution