Where do we give thanks and what do we give thanks for?

…it wasn’t until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation made it a yearly event. Lincoln decreed, “In every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father who
dwelleth in the heavens.”
Click on the Title above for more.

Hurry Up and Wait

Last Judgment with Separation of the Sheep and Goats by Gerard de Jode after Maarten de Vos

Every distinctive period in history has its own defining spirit for its time. It’s an invisible force that captures the intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of any era. The Germans embodied this idea with the term zeitgeist. What then, is the current zeitgeist of our time?

Click on the title above for more.

The Eternal Gospel Brings Eternal Life

Luther Seal Wallpaper, Background Built on the Rock, lutheranstockphotos.com

The Reformation was not anything new, it was a return to the way things were. It was guided by an unchanging, pure, and eternal Gospel given through Scripture and uncorrupted by man and traditions.

Click on the title above for more.

The Joy of My Trials and the Joy of My Salvation

Christ’s atoning death and resurrection is the story of our salvation that began in Genesis but continues even after He ascended into the clouds. God promised salvation for His chosen people and made a covenant with Abraham.

Click on the title above for more.

The Sabbath rest that gives you peace

Illustrator of Petrus Comestor's 'Bible Historiale', France, Healing of the Man with Dropsy, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, 1372

What is the Third Commandment? Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean? Does it mean that we have to go to church every Sunday? It means that we get to go to church. Does it mean that we keep the day holy because we show up to church instead of sleeping in, working, or watching football? It means we’re free to go to church and receive the gifts of Word and Sacrament. …For more, click on the title above.

Christ intercedes between life and death

Raising the Son of the Widow of Nain German Hitda Codex, c. 1020

Just last week you were reminded of God’s proclaimed Divine Law that moves you to sorrow over your sins. But you might not always be moved to such heart-wrenching sorrow when you sin. You might fail to recognize your sin or even know you are sinning. You are actually so steeped in sin, and it is so much a part of your everyday life, that it can easily be brushed off and not realized for what it truly is….For more, click on the title above.

Jesus is the Miracle Worker not a miracle worker

Jesus Christ Healing the Man Who Was Deaf and Dumb, Folio 86 of the Codex Palatinus Vindobonensis 485 (4th or 5th century), Austrian National Library, Vienna.

The reading today starts with a simple description of Jesus’ movements. It’s easy to pay little attention to these types of details. But the journey that Jesus is on needs more attention and is one of three interesting things happening in this short reading.
First, Jesus is making a long journey back to Israelite territory as He is continually moving away from the gathering crowds of people. Second, Jesus is instructing the people to not tell others about these miracles He’s performing. And the third point of interest that might draw the most attention, Jesus sighs or rather He groans, before He performs His healing act…. For more, click on the title above