This is the second in a series of posts on the topic of death and dying, looking at some of the most frequently asked questions I encounter as a pastor. Last week, I answered the question of what happens when we die. This week, the follow-up: do the spirits of people who die ever "hang … Continue reading Ghosts, Saints and Angels
This is the first of a series of questions I am addressing on the topic of death, something all of us have to face but none of us want to. And the most logical place to start is with the most frequently asked question: what happens when we die? What is Death? We were created … Continue reading What Happens When We Die?
Death is one of those topics everybody is interested in, even if nobody wants to think about it much. As a Pastor, I come face to face with death often. I have done roughly 100 funerals, and assisted, spoken at or simply attended maybe a hundred more. I have been blessed to sit with families … Continue reading Presenting: A Series On Death?
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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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
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? 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?
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
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
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
Honest Musings from a Regular Guy... Who Also Happens to Be a Lutheran Pastor 