Monday, Monday
It was the first Monday after Christmas, our office was closed for the week, and I stopped by church to clean up some of my messes left after the holiday services and make a few notes for next year. I also planned to give Chris a ride to STL to refill…
Immanuel
Immanuel is a name that has always been special to me. Monica and I grew up at Immanuel Lutheran of Frankentrost – a congregation our ancestors helped establish back in 1847. “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive…
Bad Thoughts
I know that at the beginning it was a dream, but at some point – I know not when or where – I became awake. It started at a small, two-pump Marathon station way down south. I pulled in with my Trax to get some gas because I was driving on fumes. Other…
Thinking Ahead
A decade or two ago we developed the habit of decorating our home for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. The thought was simple – the season gets very busy, comes with its own particular pressures, and we sincerely enjoy the decorations. By doing…
Kick-Starting Christmas
This year our Advent midweek gatherings at STL we are calling “Advent CHRISTMAS CAR-oling” events. Noon is indoors, but our evening version is at 7:00 in our front parking lot. And – WOW – talk about fun! Week One gave me a huge kick-start into the…
Hopeless in Detroit
“Hopeless in Detroit” is a story similar to “Sleepless in Seattle”. Both are love stories that start with tragedy and despair but end with burgeoning joy. And, I believe, the Detroit story’s ending is the better of the two.
Hacked and Haggard
No, I do not want you to send me an Amazon gift card. To be totally truthful, I would never ask you to get something like that for me. And if, though I pray not, you did purchase one for me, it is most likely on its way to Ethiopia or Nigeria – the…
Prayer-Time
A couple days ago I reached out to 11 members of the STL “extended family” and 7 of them got back to me. Two of the follow-ups actually included face-to-face communications. What is one to do with a .636 batting average in a time like this?
Upsurge
Over this past week I heard of over a half dozen individuals who tested positive with COVID. Some of them were hospitalized – a couple in ICU. I feel blessed to say that Monica and I both tested negative last week. Friends working in hospitals say…
Heart Issues
This Sunday we will complete the seven-week sermon series “Heart Issues are Hard Issues.” For me it has been a time of personally experiencing “the greater the challenge the greater the growth potential”. I found the challenge pressing on me from three…