finding God where he promises to be found
lection reflection for 23 Sept 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
Today's Old Testament reading (2 Kings 5.1-19) is one of my absolute favorite accounts in the Old Testament. In it we are reminded of several essential truths that tend to run counter to our own thinking about how God should behave and work. For this reason...
First, we learn that we may find God precisely where he promises . . .
Posted in: reflectionssacraments
craving Christ in a junk food loving world
lection reflection for 18 Sept 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
Following the two-year daily lectionary, this week we started reading through 1 Corinthians. Today, as we read most of the second chapter, we read these words from St. Paul:
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know . . .
Posted in: reflections
Luther on waiting for God
"I wait for the Lord." Psalm 130.5
There are some people who want to show God the goal and to determine the time and the manner and at the same time suggest how they wish to be helped; and if things do not turn out as they wish, they become faint-hearted, or, if they can, they seek help elsewhere. They do not wait upon God, rather God should wait for them and be . . .
Luther on war as God's work
and whether or not Christian's may serve
What men write about war, saying that it is a great plague, is all true. But they should also consider how great the plague is that war prevents. If people were good and wanted to keep peace, war would be the greatest plague on earth. But what are you going to do about the fact that people will not keep the peace, but rob, . . .
Posted in: chaplaincymilitarytheology
Solomon: encouragement to a fellow sinner
lection reflection for 28 Aug 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
In today's Old Testament reading (1 Kings 3.1-15), do we get mixed messages about King Solomon? On one hand, we see acts that were clearly prohibited for Israel's kings. On the other hand, we see Solomon's clear devotion to God and selflessness. Solomon is a mixed bag, not without may flaws, faults, and sin, but also blessed . . .
Posted in: reflections
Christians are 'peculiar'...
Kate Tristram on the faithful odd
We are 'peculiar.' We have chosen not to go with the majority. We shall pray and reflect on the life of Christ: most people don't do this. We shall worship and receive God's gifts in His sacraments: most people don't do this. We shall be in a minority: we shall be odd.
Kate Tristam, quoted in Celtic . . .
