This month the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, will be held from July 29 to Aug. 3, in Milwaukee.  The convention theme is, “We Preach Christ Crucified,” According to the Synod website, “In a world of uncertainty, the church’s proclamation, mission, and identity remain the same. We preach Christ crucified.”    This is most certainly true.  It is easy to assume that t...

Jesus told His apostles, “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”  (Matthew 10:21-22)    As we celebrate Independence Day this year, pray for our nation and its leaders, the church, and for persecuted Ch...

In the great Lutheran Hymn, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come,” published in 1524, as one of the eight hymns in the first truly Evangelical hymnal, Paul Speratus wrote, “Since Christ has full atonement made and brought to us salvation, each Christian therefore may be glad and build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, for You have paid my ransom.” C...

During Holy Week this year, I found myself in the hospital for a serious infection that I am still recovering from.  As I am sure you are all aware, this is not an ideal time for a pastor to be sick. However, the Lord’s timing is always perfect and while hospitalized, the Lord gave me ample opportunity to ponder the words of the apostle Paul, who wrote, “But [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is suffic...

April begins with Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. Throughout the month we will be focusing on the resurrection of our Lord and His victory over sin, death and the power of the devil.   In his essay “On the Fruit and Power of the Resurrection of Christ” (Day by Day We Magnify Thee, Fortress Press, 1982, p.170.) Luther wrote,     “When I look at my sins, they slay me. Therefore, I must look...