In the quiet anticipation of Christmas, a time of profound spiritual reflection and preparation unfolds within the Christian calendar. For many, it is a time marked by the lighting of candles, the joy of cherished traditions, and the vibrant chords of carols that herald the birth of a child in Bethlehem. This sacred season is
Read MoreSometimes the grey dates of Autumn and early Winter, the lack of sunshine, can cause us to become lethargic with our faith life. When you wonder why you may feel spiritually drained, it can cause you to question your faith and become discouraged. But it helps to push through and you begin to realize feelings
Read MoreThe eyes of the world are fixed on Ukraine and the Middle East. Our hearts feel for our fellow human beings under brutal attack. Terrible tragedies like this beg the question: Where is God? Though it is difficult to grasp, God is not absent. God is there. God is weeping. God is on the side of those
Read MoreWhen I was 12, I received for Christmas my first tape recorder. It was a beauty! That same Christmas, a friend of mine also found a tape recorder waiting under the tree for him. We had a blast tape recording our relatives and friends, breaking all copyright laws by recording music off of our favourite
Read MoreSome more thoughts on what Autumn can teach us…thank God for his many blessings. The land yields its harvest; God our God blesses us. Psalm 67:6 Autumn is also a season of thanksgiving. It’s a season of praise. It’s a season to gather with family and friends to thank God for the many blessings He
Read MoreEver since I was young, Autumn has been my favorite season. There’s something nostalgic about the scents of autumn, the foliage with rich changing colors, the foods and holidays, traditions like apple picking and leaf piles, and cooler weather after a hot summer. Joseph Rhea, director of ministries for Soma Church, has written an article
Read MoreSo… for our final post on fearing God… let’s view this from our historical approach as Lutheran Christians. As Lutherans we learn in confirmation class that fear and love go together, from Luther’s Small Catechism. In the first commandment, Luther explains we should “fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” In the commandments
Read MoreSome say that to “fear God” is simply to have a sense of awe, wonder, reverence, and respect for Him. But if that’s the case, why doesn’t the Bible simply tell us to “revere” or “respect” God, rather than “fear” Him? Evidently, the word “fear” is still most fitting to describe this biblical concept in
Read MoreLast week I mentioned that when we lean into this idea of fear as understood to be vulnerable to God… something magical happens. It is then that fear is quickly transformed by a gracious love that bubbles up as we share of ourselves with another person or with God. As the Bible says, perfect love
Read MoreChristians say that God is good. They say that God is our friend. That we can draw near to Him because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. So why, then, we are supposed to fear God? Let’s discuss! There are two prominent themes found in the Bible. One is that God is an unconditional
Read MoreWhen I was in Grade Two, my teacher noted on my report card: “Terry seems to daydream in class.” The report card came in a sealed envelope that we were asked to leave unopened until we gave it to our parents. Of course, none of us did. I remember reading my teacher’s comment on the
Read MoreWell, the end of August in Canada signals the time to go “back to school.” And while this blog is aimed at students returning to the classroom…it applies equally to everyone who desires to keep learning how to live the Christan Faith. Whether you’re a freshman or senior, you’re going to need more than notebooks,
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