Category: Sermons
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Strip Bars & Good Samaritans
There is a little stretch of highway in North Dakota between Medina and Oriska that I have often referred to as my own personal Bermuda Triangle because mysterious and unusual things have frequently happened to me there. It began simply enough – in college, two friends and I were on our way from Concordia out…
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Sermon June 21, 2020
There is a African folk story of Sankofa – the story begins with a bird named Sankofa. She grows up in her community being confident in herself and loving life. One day, she decides to sneak away from her village. When she does, she meets a bird who insults her and causes her to doubt…
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Pentecost
John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 The Message (MSG) 26-27 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.” “I’ve told you…
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Scars
I have a scar on my index finger from a car accident back in 1996. One minute, I was cruising down a road near Parkers Prairie and the next my car was skating across glare ice until I landed upside down in the ditch. In the sub-zero November temperatures I assessed my situation. My glasses…
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What Does God say about Love
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love. (I John 4:7-8) 12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of…
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What Does God Say About Fear, Anxiety, and Worry?
It was January of 1993 – the lonesome stretch of winter when the novelty of the season has worn off and everyone knows there’s still a long way to go until spring. I was between college and seminary and traveling around with a Lutheran Youth Encounter team. I’ve shared with you stories of those years…
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Immediately
Sermon – December 29, 2019 Beginning today and going through Easter, the Sunday morning readings are centered on the gospel of Mark. Mark is considered to be the oldest, the first of the four gospels written. It is very similar in nature to Matthew and Luke. Each of the four gospels begin very differently. The…
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Joy Matters – sermon from 5/13/18
Rob Bell, a well-known pastor, author, and speaker tells a story about a time he was sitting in a meeting at the church where he was a pastor. It was a huge church and this was the meeting where the various leaders of the different departments of the church came together to discuss the running…
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Rituals (an Easter Message)
I’ve been thinking a lot about rituals these last days especially. Probably because Holy Week is always full of them. Palm Sunday we process in with the palms and say “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Maundy Thursday we have holy communion and the stripping of the altar. Good…
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A Time to Grieve – sermon for 2/18/18
It’s too hard to keep up. The stories of horrific, unchecked violence just keep coming. It was in the middle of the afternoon this time. It was a high school this time. It was a 19 year-old former student doing the shooting this time. It was an AR-15 rifle again this time. This time there…