“After three days I will rise again” (Matthew 27:63) Unprecedented! Life changing! Strange and surreal! Normalcy upended! These words are being used to describe the times and circumstances we are presently experiencing. People are seized in the grip of fear and hiding from the enemy, COVID-19, in their homes. All...

Quite a few years ago, I attended a Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) conference and was impressed by their theme: “The Figure Behind the Figures.” It beautifully describes their ministry. They are not all about figures, balance sheets and financial statements. Their mission was (is) about “The Figure,” Jesus and...

How do you envision Christmas this year? A beautiful Christmas tree glowing with lights and ornaments? Colorfully wrapped Christmas presents stacked under the tree? The Advent wreathe, candles and Christmas tree glowing in the front of the church at Trinity? Singing the beloved Christmas carols by candlelight at the Christmas...

How sad it was on the Monday of Holy Week, April 15th, to see the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, engulfed in flames. Watching the television coverage of the fire unfold felt like Christ and the Christian church itself were being attacked! Many news commentators wondered if that...

O Come, O Come Immanuel “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 The ancient and prominent Advent hymn bids God to fulfill His promise and come to us in His incarnate...

A puzzle enthusiast became frustrated when she discovered one of the corner pieces was missing. To top it off, the puzzle was brand new, and was a Christmas gift. Now, one piece of a puzzle is not all that important. Besides, the missing piece was in a corner and was...