Running the Race with Joy (Hebrews 12:1-2; Luke 19:1-10)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
As I write this blog to all of you, my heart is full. Today is All Saints’ Day. I cannot help but remember (as I am sure you cannot) the people in my life whom God has used to bless me on the journey and to point the Way to Jesus. This year’s remembrance of All Saints is made all the more meaningful as I prepare to gather next week in California with members of Juli’s family to celebrate the life of my father-in-law, Rev. Charles (Chuck) Brehmer: grandfather, dad, brother, pastor, missionary, and friend whom God used in a profound way to make this world a better place. Chuck was called home to ..read more
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Loving God with All Your ... Mind (John 8:31-36; Luke 10:27)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
This Sunday we once again celebrate the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the gift of God’s Word. God’s Word is where we learn that sinners are rescued by grace alone, through faith alone, in the Scriptures alone. It’s no secret that this is a day to sing “A Mighty Fortress,” to give thanks to God for God’s ongoing work of reforming the church, to once again point to the cross of Jesus as the place where the salvation of the world was accomplished once-and-for-all with no strings attached. You can give thanks that there is such a thing as “capital-T Truth” in the world…and that in ..read more
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"Lord, Have Mercy!" (Luke 17:11-19)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
Last Thursday evening Trinity’s Board of Elders and Stephen Ministers sponsored an evening with Mr. Greg Reuss, a local representative from the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. There was much for us to hear and learn about. Some of the notes I took down as I listened: “We need a culture where everyone needs to be smart about mental health” (only 2 in 5 people who need mental health services seek them out). I found it helpful (though not surprising) that the best way for us as a church to come alongside folks who are contemplating suicide may be to train their peers to engage with th ..read more
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Inadequate Faith (Luke 17:1-10; Psalm 103)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
If I had been one of those on hand hearing our Lord’s words in the Gospel reading for this Sunday about speaking the truth in love and offering forgiveness (“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” [you can read the entire passage here]), I think I know what I would have thought, even if I hadn’t said it out loud. I mean, granted, the person to be forgiven at least admits to being repentant. But seven times in one day? I think my first thought wou ..read more
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With Angels and Archangels (Lk 10:17-20; Rev 12:7-12)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
Angels, according to popular legend, are delicate beings pictured with harps and gossamer wings. You’ve probably seen the roly-poly cherub type on Valentines. Others in artwork, TV, video games, and the movies often appear in idealized human form. Judging from the images of angels on everything from Christmas decorations to cemetery statuary, it can often be hard to tell what angels actually do. Play musical instruments, perhaps? Represent some sort of “connection” between this world and the next? Bring good luck? Cause bells to tinkle and stars to twinkle? This Sunday coincides with the c ..read more
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First Fruits (Luke 16:1-15)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
It’s been said that the two touchiest topics for pastors to address with parishioners relate to sex and money. While the Scriptures speak a clear Word on both, the latter topic is more often addressed by Jesus in the gospels…especially the Gospel of Luke. In the appointed reading for this Sunday, Jesus draws a line in the sand that is really for our benefit: “You cannot serve God and money” (15). He tells a parable of a dishonest steward (you can read it here) who was generous with his master’s money. When you think about it, that’s what we are all, stewards of our generous Lord, called to be ..read more
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Lost BUT Found (Luke 15:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
Can you be lost, but found, at the same time? I don’t mean “once was lost, but now am found” (cf. the hymn “Amazing Grace”) as if that meant that we’ve crossed over to a perfect state where we’re no longer apt to go wandering. I’m not talking about ending up somewhere that our seeking Shepherd will no longer need to go looking for us. (That’s not what the hymn “Amazing Grace” is saying, but it could give that impression to some.) I’m referring to being “lost” when left to our own devices yet being “found” because of God’s mercy to us through God’s Son Jesus Christ, and so “lost but found, AT T ..read more
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The One Who Paid the Price (Luke 14:25-35)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
As I was reading the Gospel Lesson for this Sunday (you can find it by clicking here), I couldn’t help getting really, really uncomfortable. (That, i’m convinced, is often the reaction Jesus wants his listeners/readers to come away with!) On the one hand, the two images Jesus uses for considering a life of discipleship—preparing to build a tower or developing a strategy to engage the enemy in battle—seem reasonable enough. I am not a general contractor but I’ve seen enough of my DIY jobs go wrong to know that without careful consideration of materials, tools, and skills required to get the job ..read more
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A Place at the Table (Luke 14:1-14)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
This week as many of our county’s youngsters return to school their parents and grandparents will be sending prayers heavenward on their behalf. There will of course be prayers of thanksgiving for past friendships renewed as children gather again at school and see familiar faces of teachers and classmates. But I suspect that there will also be a few anxious prayers, too. “Let my son find a really good group of friends that he can feel at home with.” “Help my daughter know that she is loved for the person that she truly is.” Parents and relatives of school-age children may often envision their ..read more
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Narrow Door, Wide Mercy (Luke 13:22-30)
Trinity Lutheran Church » Pastor's Blog
by Trinity Lutheran
4y ago
Jesus had a way of always seeing the proverbial “question behind the question.” In today’s text (you can read it by clicking here), He is confronted with a worthy question: “Will those who are saved be few?” But Jesus has no qualms about zeroing in on the REAL (though unstated) question behind the question, a question which may be something like, “What does being received and welcomed into Your kingdom mean for ME?” In getting at that answer, Jesus uses two images: (1) that of a narrow door that leads into the kingdom banquet…a door that remains open (though not indefinitely so) and (2) all th ..read more
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