Includes how to be a faithful citizen in a democratic republic as a Christian
The Lord weighs the righteous and the wicked and his soul hates the lover of violence. (NRSV Pslm 11: 5) The Lord trieth the righteous, but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (KJV Ps 11:5) He tests the good and bad alike; if anyone cheats, God’s outraged. (THE MESSAGE PS 11:5) …
“And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting to his death.” (NRSV Acts 7:59) The 7th Chapter of Acts …
Dec 26, 2022 Acts 7: 59 Christmas and St. Stephen Read More »
“Thou shall not kill.” (KJV Exodus 20:13)“You shall not murder.” (NRSV Exodus 20:13)“No murder.” (The Message Exodus 20:13) I was coloring a picture of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square when Russian forces invaded Urkaine. This scene was the next page in my adult coloring book and I call that “God’s timing.” I bought …
“Thou shall not kill.” (KJV Exodus 20:13)“You shall not murder.” (NRSV Exodus 20:13)“No murder.” (The Message Exodus 20:13) While the context for policy about the death penalty is logically in community and by extension in the policies and laws set forth by the people who are the government, the context about abortion rights is in …
“Thou shall not kill.” (KJV Exodus 20:13)“You shall not murder.” (NRSV Exodus 20:13)“No murder.” (The Message Exodus 20:13) In interim pastoral ministry I had the privilege and challenge of teaching confirmation to middle school youth. In confirmation most Lutherans begin to intellectually wrestle with how our faith impacts life issues. Luther honored this commandment as …
“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.” (NRSV Lam 3:40 – 41) I am not fond of the season of Lent. Since I first began singing in the Junior Choir, I became aware of all …
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (NRSV Matthew 5:9) “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” (The Message Matthew 5:9) There is a slight pause in the …
“Jesus wept.” (RSV and KJV John 11:35)“Now Jesus wept.” (THE MESSAGE John 11:35)“Jesus began to weep.” (NRSV John 11:35) This verse is often remembered as the shortest verse in the Bible. Short, but not necessarily sweet, a depth of meaning begs us to listen whole heartedly. The emotions of compassion and grief are not …
“I hear and I tremble within; my lips quiver at the sound. Rottenness enters into my bones and my steps tremble beneath me. I wait quietly for the day of calamity to come upon the people who attack us”. (NRSV Habakkuk 3:16) To those who say the Bible doesn’t really have any significance today, I …
“But He (God) gives all the more grace; therefore it says, “God opposed the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He (God) will draw near to you.” (NRSV James 4:6-8) My 23 and Me DNA …