The Calming Christ Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41 Meditation It was Jesus’ idea. “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.” Halfway across the […]
The Solitary Christ Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-39 Meditation Jesus is a man who fits forty-eight hours worth of work into a twenty-four hour day. He teaches. He casts out demons. He heals the sick. He’s busy doing his Father’s business. But Jesus knows that, when you work with people, there’s always more to do. There’s […]
The Transfigured Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13–17:13 Meditation The ups and downs of Peter’s emotions follow the contour of the mountain that he’s now descending. Seven days ago, Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was. They deflected the question by referencing the opinions of the masses. “Some say John the Baptist; others say […]
The Teaching Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-58 Meditation The crowds have forced Jesus off the shore and into a boat. As he sits down in the boat, he begins to teach them many things about the kingdom of heaven. He speaks to the crowd in parables—gritty, illustrative, simple stories that take the mysteries of God […]
The Sending Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35–10:42 Meditation Before any great commission is given, there must be great compassion. First the heart has to be moved, and then the feet. The Sending Christ does both. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a […]
Sabbath of Rest “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew […]
The Blessing Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12 Meditation As Jesus heals every disease and sickness among the people, news spreads. Large crowds follow. Not far from Capernaum, at the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee, there’s a gently sloping hillside. Jesus climbs the hill, comes to a plateau, and sits down. His disciples come […]
The Healing Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:23-25 Meditation Regular, ordinary, everyday news doesn’t make it to the front page. That space is reserved for the tragedies and the triumphs of life. The only news that spreads fast is good news, or, bad news. As Jesus begins his ministry, he’s big news. “Jesus went throughout Galilee, […]
The Calling Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:12-22 Meditation After the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus leaves Nazareth. He goes to the region of Galilee, and makes his home in the city of Capernaum. “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what […]
The Tempted Christ Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13–4:11 Meditation Jesus begins his ministry by standing in a river. John baptizes him. Heaven opens. The Spirit descends like a dove and the Father speaks. But while he’s still wet with the baptismal water, the Spirit leads Jesus out into the barren wilderness. Immediately, he moves from the affirmation […]
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary […]
My connection with Lutherans in Africa didn’t start with a visit from Rev. James May (LIA’s executive director) or a mission presentation or even an email or phone conversation. It all started with a phrase posted bold and centered on the LIA website. It’s just a handful of words but underneath those words are a […]
We just finished up a week long youth seminar and Christmas Day celebration with the Kenyan Youth. Now back to Nairobi for a night’s rest and then back to the United States. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement. The Lord bless and keep us with all of the gifts that come through […]
We’re finishing up our time at the Lutheran School of Theology at the foot of the Ngong Hills just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. The students just finished taking their final exam for the seminar on “Finding Christ in the Psalms” and, after about 8 weeks, they are finally returning home. After the first of the […]
I am currently at Lutherans in Africa’s School of Theology at the foot of the Ngong Hills, west of Nairobi. This last week I began teaching “Finding Christ in the Psalms”. It’s a much needed study, first, for my own life and ministry, as well as for the African students and pastors. We hold on […]
