Category: Christian Living

Mad Is Easier than Sad

As we enter the Lenten season, and I ponder the sins I struggle with, a thought occurred to me that encapsulates my struggle: mad is easier than sad. In other words, when someone hurts me and I feel sad, it is easier to decide to...

To Repent in Ashes and Sackcloth

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent. If you are interested in the history of Ash Wednesday, check out the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church website. The focus of Lent is often on giving up something, of sacrificing something to draw...

Expunging the Record

If a person is convicted of a crime, it goes on his or her record, sometimes referred to a rap sheet. Under certain circumstances, a person’s record might be expunged. If a record is expunged it is as if it never existed. It is completely...

Focus on the Known

Some things in life are unknown. Right now I’m facing the unknown of health concerns. After multiple tests, doctors still don’t know what is causing recent symptoms. I do have a list of what it is not. Whenever a test reveals that it is not...

My Redeemer Lives and Gives Me Rest

The year 2012 has not started out that great for me the health arena. I’ve been feeling terrible and still don’t know for sure what the problem is, though hopefully will find out later this week. Yesterday in particular I was feeling exhausted and weary,...

On the Road to Emmaus

A number of years ago – I can’t really remember how long ago – I was reading through Luke. It wasn’t the first time I had read Luke, or at least parts of it, but as often happens when I’m reading scripture I saw something...

In Need of a Mediator

I’ve just gotten to Job on my Bible reading schedule. The schedule I’m using places Job between Genesis 22 and 23, which is apparently where it is believed it occurred chronologically. I still remember the first time I tried to read Job. I was 23,...

Receiving and Giving

In the past two weeks I have received two blogging awards from fellow bloggers. I hope the givers of these two awards won’t mind if I combine my acceptance of the awards into a single post. Between the busy-ness of life and not feeling well...

Sending a Clear Message

Our pastor started a new sermon series this morning titled “Mixed Messages.” It’s a five-week series on how, as Christians, we sometimes send mixed messages to the world about our Christian faith. We some send mixed messages about Jesus. The specific topic this morning was...