He is considered the Rock Star of meteorologists, a face and name synonymous with extreme weather. He became famous for reporting on the scene of major weather events - and he may even be credited with making bald look cool. But while Jim Cantore has developed a reputation for reporting for The Weather Channel no … Continue reading The Storm King
As my incredible wife Heidi and I celebrate 21 years of marriage (!), I thought I would pass on some advice - the thoughts that I share in my wedding sermons, actually. If you have been or will one day be called into marriage, I hope you find some truth in it. And if it … Continue reading How to Stay Married
It's a fascinating question, and a question that has fascinated people for as long as people have been around. We barely like to admit we are aging, let alone deal with our own mortality, so the idea of immortality - living forever, living again, or living in paradise - is one that at least give … Continue reading What Happens When We Die?
Perhaps this post will seem a little late. Good Friday was months ago, so perhaps it's not very timely. But I wanted to write about it, because I've seen and heard it said jokingly for years now: "What do you mean 'Good' Friday? It wasn't very good for Jesus!" So, why do we call it … Continue reading “Good” Friday?
Independence Day. It’s an awesome thing, to celebrate freedom. But the truth is, freedom is an awesome responsibility. Because true freedom is not limitless; true freedom is only freedom within limits. Have you ever gone swimming by yourself in a lake – the water feels good, you feel really peaceful, until suddenly you look up … Continue reading Freedom
One of the many uninformed criticisms of the Christian faith is that: Christians claim to base their faith on the Bible. Christians profess the Trinity. The Trinity is not in the Bible. Obviously, points one and two are not in dispute. Point three is the misinformation - a part-truth that is intentionally misleading. So perhaps … Continue reading Yes, the Trinity is in the Bible
If you were to die tonight and find yourself standing before the great judgment throne of God Himself, only to have Him ask you why He should let you into heaven, how would you answer? It’s an old question, meant to terrify a little and prompt you to clarify whether and what you actually believe. So, what … Continue reading The Answer
I decided to go all out, and all in, for Halloween this year. 500 years ago, on October 31st, 1517, a German priest, monk and professor of theology named Martin Luther posted on the door of the town church a document protesting the Roman Catholic Church’s sale of God’s grace. Luther based his argument on … Continue reading 500 Years and a Weird Haircut
Yesterday afternoon, I was able to take part in one of my favorite worship services: the installation of a new pastor. I'm not the first to use this analogy, but the relationship between a pastor and the church he is called to much more closely resembles a marriage than a job/hiring, and the Installation service … Continue reading Thoughts on Installing a Pastor
Today, our church celebrates confirmation. Confirmation in the Lutheran church is just that: confirmation by these young people of the faith that was given to them in baptism, taught to them by their parents, grandparents, godparents, pastors and teachers, and grown and nurtured in them by the Holy Spirit. Today, they stand before their church … Continue reading Thoughts On a Confirmation Service
Honest Musings from a Regular Guy... Who Also Happens to Be a Lutheran Pastor 