Everyday Lutherans

When I have a question about something, one of the first things that I do is go to a search engine to find an answer.  My preferred one as of late has been Google.  Yet I know that there are other places to search for answers.  Within our modern time, Google or other search engines (Bing, Yahoo and really the list could go on) are the gurus that people go to for answers.  Whether it is finding a definition, explaining how to do something or even finding out the latest news.  One of the main reasons that we turn to this is because it is quick and the answers are generally the most sorted through by experts and others who have done what we are searching for.  Most of the time, thousands of results are found in less than one second. Yet when I want an answer about faith or even my relationship with God.  When I pray to God, I do not get an instant answer.  Something that satisifies my longing, calms my spirits or even gives me guidance to what I shou...

Lately I have read many understandings of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and even Easter. However, I am struck that so few are talking about the in between, what about Holy Saturday? (also known as (Latin: Sabbatum Sanctum), Easter Eve or Black Saturday, or among the Coptic Christians as "Joyous Saturday" or "the Saturday of Light" is the day after Good Friday . It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter.) Christianity has done a great job at celebrating Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and even having powerful Good Friday worship services. (Or the other popular rolling all three together into Passion Sunday, although I am not a fan of this but that is for another blog post.) The church has even done a great job of promoting the Easter story. It is after all why Christians are called Christian. If you need further proof, look at how the candy companies are attempting to commercialize such a large holiday in s...

The hymnal is something that you find in nearly every church.  As one enters into the worship area of the sanctuary, a person finds the hymnal that contains liturgy, hymns (songs) and even important teachings of what the congregation believes in their understanding of the church, God and the individuals.  Within these books, people are able to learn the songs that shape their faith, begin to wrestle with important questions of God and their relationship, but also having a connection between the church and their home. For hundreds of years, people would memorize the parts of the service that were repeated over and over again, it was these parts that shaped their faith and understanding of God.  For they were on their minds and they were able to reference them as they worked, talked with others, and reflected upon their life. For hundreds of years this was the foundation of faith formation.  Then came the arrival of the printing press and also the Reformation.  On...

This question was raised by a confirmation student. While I wrestle with this question, it is one that all people wrestle with. There are evil things that happen all around our life. A fire will destroy someone's home, a flood will destroy farm lands and the death of a loved one. These are all terrible things that happen within the world around us. Yet is God the one who causes these events? I would argue that God does not however, God has the power to stop them. This is quite the distinction. For the original cause did not come from God, such that we know. For God knew the difference between good and evil. This was something that God did not intend for us to know. Yes God created us, happy, healthy and enjoying the world around us. It was not until we disobeyed God and learned the difference between good and evil that suffering truly began. For the punishment for disobeying God is death. However, God had mercy on us. Instead of killing us out right, God allowed us to l...

How often do you pray?  And when you pray, what do you say?  Talking with people they will pray at meals and before they go to bed.  Often giving thanks for the food and the good day that they were able to enjoy.  This is a good habit to have.  However, talking to people they are also interested in praying for more.  They want to pray for others and for things that they do not know about. Sometimes it can be helpful to pray a prayer from someone else. A prayer that someone else has written to God.  By reading this prayer, by entering into this prayer, you are able to enter into some of their understanding and even get you to think about another person's perspective.  There are many devotional books that can be helpful.  I have been reading the prayers of Martin Luther.  It has given a lot of great insight into some of the teachings and understandings that this great theologian had during his life.  Surprisingly enough, they are some...

Ever wonder about those really big questions about life and the Bible.  Well I had another theologian ask the question: " without saying the person is going to hell, "why do I need to do what the Bible says?".  This question really intrigued me so I simply gave answer and a small conversation followed, and here it is.   My Answer: Well this answer may use different words depends on the situation that the person is in and their age: You do not need to do what the Bible says, however, by studying the Word of God, we are able to hear what God has done for us and understand how it is that we are called into this world.   The theologian replied with:  The question on my mind is that Christians ought to live a certain way, and the problem with society is that most believe in Jesus but do not feel compelled to do anything or change the way they live. Thus, the Bible tells us we ought to do these things. As you  put it "how we are called into this world." Being cal...