Tag: Ruth Hetland
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The Bell tolled 91 Times
The church bell tolled ninety-one times this afternoon as we brought her out to the cemetery. The wind swept like a brush through the grass and picked up bits of dust, carrying it far off over the cedars and live oaks. “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” I said and sprinkled the…
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Bread of Life
There was a couple at the first church I served back in New York State – very nice folks – and the wife, Diane, was an excellent cook. In fact, she was such a good cook that every year at our church’s annual talent auction – she would donate two German dinners to be auctioned…
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5 Words of Wisdom to a New Pastor
On the way home tonight, I was listening to a podcast in which the author, Tara Mohr, was being interviewed. She was talking about her most popular blog post which was entitled, 10 Rules for Brilliant Women. It includes some great advice for women to be brave about bringing their own particular brilliance to the…
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Eksjo Lutheran Church – Lake Park, MN
A lovely gem resting along highway 10 in Northwestern Minnesota is Eksjo Lutheran Church. Established in 1871, this church is proud of its’ Swedish heritage with beautiful Swedish accents decorating its kitchen, fellowship hall, and sanctuary. Last summer I took some pictures of the outside of the church and last night I finally saw the inside…
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Laughter
It was following the resurrection and disciples were still scattered about Jerusalem and the surrounding villages. John finds Peter and runs up to him. Excitedly he says, “Peter, Peter! I’ve got some good news and some bad news.” Peter takes hold of John and calms him down. “Take it easy, John. What is it? What’s…
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The Power of Place and Story in Preaching
The places we spend time affect us. A home, a piece of land, a church, a camp, a certain time or season of life – every place we encounter helps to shape us and our experience of faith. What might the preacher learn from paying close attention to his or her own past and current…
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Only the Best Ingredients (a sermon on Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor…
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Love
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up…
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Transfiguration
It was thirty years ago or so when I experienced something I could call a transfiguration story. It was thirty years or so ago when I could relate deeply and truly for the first time to what Peter is going through and saying in the gospel for today. Peter’s experience was on a mountaintop face…
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Lenten Discipline
During the church season of Lent, it isn’t uncommon to hear church-y folks talk about a “Lenten discipline”. Well, at least I know some pastors talk about it and in the liturgy for Ash Wednesday, the congregation will often pledge to commit to the discipline of Lent: repentance, prayer, fasting, and works of love as…