With Intrepid Hearts is an in-depth study and practical application of the Formula of Concord (the Epitome and Solid Declaration) and it will help Lutheran Christians … … the Truth of the Word of God (in the Scriptures and incarnate in Jesus) in an anti-Christian world. As the Lutheran Confessors declare: … we wish to testify to those […]
Blog
Missionary at Large Update – Summer 2023
The spirit of the age is alive and active. From within and without it attacks the Word (in Scripture and incarnate, in Jesus). Its language is theological deceit. The work of its hands is social disorder and cultural decay. And its end goal is the physical destruction and spiritual death of all of the Triune […]
The Receptive Life – Weekly Practice
A blessed Easter season to you and your family. During the Passion week, sin’s wage came due . On Good Friday, the debt was paid . And on that first day of the week, the empty tomb is the resurrection receipt – the Father’s notice to the unholy trinity (the devil, the corrupt world, and […]
Some Devotional Readings for Holy Week
A blessed and sacred Holy Week to you. The call of the 40 day season of Lent is to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “consider Him” so that we might repent of our sins and receive all the gifts that only the Triune God can give. (Hebrews 12:1-3)In order to help you “consider Him” […]
Lent 2023 – The Receptive Life
Does it seem like you and your family are being harassed by the “unholy trinity” of … the devil, the corrupt world, and the sinful flesh? Are these spiritual enemies winning the day? Do you feel ill equipped to fight back? During Lent 2023, I’d like to give you some daily and weekly spiritual practices […]
Missionary at Large Update – Winter 2023
In 1526, almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther visited a number of Saxon churches and was horrified and distraught over the spiritual condition of the people and the clergy. Here’s what he said in the Preface to his Small Catechism … The deplorable, miserable condition that I discovered recently when I, too, was a visitor, […]
Celebrating 105 Years of Combined Pastoral Ministry at East Bethlehem
Celebrations in the Kingdom of God are sacred occasions to pause, reflect upon and give thanks for the gracious activity of the Triune God. Seasons change, years pass, but the Lord of the Church remains the same! On Sunday, November 6th at the 10 am service, East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit will be celebrating […]
Missionary at Large Summer Update 2022
My mother sends me a text every February 14th reminding me of my baptismal birthday. While reminiscing, she likes to note that I screamed the entire time. I suppose Luther’s introductory words to his baptismal rite were appropriate for me … “flee you evil spirit and make room for the Holy Spirit!” A few weeks […]
The Book of Revelation and the Marvel Universe
For the last couple of months I’ve been struggling with how to teach the Book of Revelation. To be honest, my study of the Apocalypse has been like herding cats. Just when I thought I had everything organized, well thought out and heading in the right direction, a stray theme or vision or symbol came […]
The Book of Revelation (Vlog Series)
The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! We have been purchased and redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Lamb of God that was slain now sits on the throne. He rules and reigns, and we proclaim His Gospel until the Day He reappears to judge the world and make all things […]
Lent 2022 – Three Devotional Opportunities
For nearly two full years we’ve been living in an unpredictable, uncertain world. Many are wondering … what if 2022 is exactly the same? Or some might think … COULD 2022 BE A WHOLE LOT WORSE? The past two years have brought more than physical suffering and illness. They have infected our way of life, […]
Missionary at Large Update … January 2022
For nearly two full years we’ve been living in an unpredictable, uncertain world. The COVID years have brought suffering and illness, plagued our thoughts, crippled our plans, weakened relationships, decimated trust. They have infected our way of life and created a state of chronic chaos. Scroll through your social media feeds, watch the news, […]
The Daily Practice: A Sample of Day 1
Welcome to The Receptive Life video series. This week we will focus on Station 1 of the Daily Practice: The Sign of the Cross and the Daily Invocation. Here’s today’s video … Day 1: The Sign of the Cross and Trinitarian Invocation In the coming weeks (on Mondays – Fridays), I’ll walk you through each of […]
The Backstory Behind “The Receptive Life” OR … How a 30 day notice from my parents helped me learn how to flip spiritual ladders
Behind every story there’s a backstory – the story behind the story. In this video I trace the events and experiences that “flipped” my spiritual ladders from performance to reception. In the video I talk about … washing out of the pre-med program the spiritual ladder of “performance” my parents 30 day notice my first […]
The Receptive Life: Daily Practice
In this new year I’d like to offer up a spiritual framework that will teach you how … to defend yourselves against the “unholy trinity” (the devil, the corrupt world, and your own sinful flesh) to fight using the Scriptures and all of the promises of the person and work of Jesus to rest and […]