Reconciliation is so much better than wings and a harp In popular culture, heaven is a place where the deceased are equipped with wings and harps and have nothing to do but sit on the clouds. However, what Scripture says about heaven is about having a relationship with God. It is about being reconciled to …
Many believe we live in a good era compared to the past, but it’s easy to question that sentiment. Scandals, natural disasters, and pandemics abound. But we know these are good times because we are in the Last Days. Living in the Last Days means we enjoy a life of repentance. A life of repentance …
Only one gift is needed Every year at this time, we are bombarded with the idea of gifts. Buying gifts, returning gifts, picking out the perfect gift. Thankfully, as Christians, there is only ONE gift that truly matters. Only ONE gift that is truly perfect. The gift of Christ. That gift of Christ goes beyond …
Are you a sinner? For many people, it’s hard to admit that we sin, much less that we sin a lot, every day. But if you’re Lutheran, you’re probably familiar with this line from our Liturgy, “I, a poor miserable sinner, confess unto you all my sins and iniquities”. We own it. We know that …
Authority Can Be a Blessing We, as humans, naturally buck authority and love to push the limits. We test our parents, teachers, and even our own self-preservation to see just how far we can go. We are taught by our culture to be individuals; we stand alone and decide for ourselves what is right or …
Lent is known as the season of repentance. While that may sound depressing to confront and confess our sins, it is a blessing of the greatest means. We get to acknowledge our inclination to sin, seek forgiveness and absolutely receive it. But it doesn’t start and end with Lent. The life of repentance is a …
To allow Pastor Jenson time for grieving, Deacon Poe delivers today’s sermon. Original sin afflicts us all. There is no way to escape it, outrun it, or “level up” to being perfect humans. We were born sinful, commit sins daily, and can never redeem ourselves. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There is good …
The Message That Changes the World What does the angel mean when it says, “Fear God and give Him glory”, and how can this message be eternal “Good News”? That is what “gospel” means, after all: Good news. “Fear God” – a message of repentance. None of us really fear God without turning away from …
Me, me, me. Humans are so selfish, right?! The funny part? We often don’t realize we are doing it. Before we go further, please read the sermon text in the quote below. Notice a theme? The rich man centers his questions and answers on himself. “What can I do”? and “I have kept this perfectly”. …
His name is Jesus, for He saves His people from their sins. Merry Christmas!What a blessed time of year. While we honor family and cultural traditions at home, we most importantly get to celebrate the gift of Jesus. The gift of Jesus is truly His forgiveness. As we’ve learned before, our English translation is a …