Monthly Archives: July 2016

You’re ready to pray. You’ve decided just to pray aloud whatever words come to you. First, however, you have to think about your posture. Should you stand, kneel, sit, lie down, do handstands? It’s not a silly question. I was … Continue reading →

The turmoil of the past few weeks has shown us the need for God in our lives and in the lives of our fellow citizens. The coming weeks will be integral in who will lead us in the future. In … Continue reading →

My church, Joy Lutheran, is in the midst of calling a new pastor so we have been talking and thinking a good bit about what God is calling our church to be. In some ways this is interesting since, ideally, … Continue reading →

Our recent cruise experience was filled with opportunities for worship, devotions, laughter, fellowship, singing, and inspirational talks and stories.  We had the opportunity to hear Laura Story, Mark Lowry and Michael W Smith speak, as well as sing.  In one … Continue reading →

There are seven Biblical covenants; four are with the nation of Israel and three are with mankind in general.  The first of these three general covenants is the Adamic Covenant, and we have been living with the consequences of breaking … Continue reading →

Yesterday morning I went for a walk on the beach, marveling at how awe-inspiring and beautiful God’s creation is. The sun was still rising so the clouds were a little pink, there was a cool breeze, fresh salt air and … Continue reading →

Last week I saw a poem written on my daughter, Caroline’s, notebook.  This poem both saddens me and gives me hope.  It saddens me that there is hatred, prejudice and violence in the world, and that our children and grandchildren … Continue reading →

An interruption in my series on prayer to talk about something that happened at the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly last month. Four years ago I helped draft a change in the governing documents of the Synod that allowed each congregation to … Continue reading →

It seems that every time I think about faith and my commitment to God, a song pops into my head. From “Jesus Loves Me” to “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” the songs always have a calming effect on my … Continue reading →

Sometimes it seems we are condemned by our bodies. Scripture is full of references to the body wanting things that God would not want for us. Our will and our body’s will tug at each other in direct opposition or … Continue reading →