The Lord Jesus is with us. He is for us. God and sinners have been reconciled, and so, come what may in 2026, we do belong to Jesus!
One theme for my 2026 is "moving rocks" and "using rocks".
While at the Lutheran School of Theology this Fall, one of my responsibilities was to move a pile of rocks from one part of the campus to another. It took me two months. It was physically challenging, demanded perseverance, required patience, and, it provided a great lesson about how the spiritual life of the Christian (and the work of a missionary) is about ...
moving the rocks in our lives to make room for something better for the Kingdom of God
and/or using the rocks that are right in front of us to make something needed for the proclamation of the Gospel
Here's a brief video of my time at the Lutheran School of Theology and the story of how the Triune God over the past ten years has used Rev. James May and Lutherans In Africa to literally move and use rocks for the sake of the Gospel.
To learn more about the work of Lutherans in Africa and the Lutheran School of Theology, you can ...
If we're honest, each of us have some rocks that need to be moved in 2026.
There are areas and spaces in our lives that need to be cleared away so that room might be made for something better. Rocks moved not only for our own physical and emotional good, but also for the faithful and demanding work of our vocations and the further proclamation of the Gospel.
Here are a few things I have been thinking about ...
Physically At Our Best ... I'm sure each of us could clear the refrigerator and pantry of all things sweet and soothing, but not helpful or healthy for our bodies.
In 2026 the work of the Gospel needs our fittest, strongest, and healthiest selves. The devil is relentless. In Christ Jesus, we need to grow, exercise our faith, and be strong and courageous in the Lord. (Joshua 1)
Space for God's Word ... how about we replace the time spent in the doom scroll of the internet with the hope filled words found in the Living Scroll of the Scriptures?
With the Lord's help, in 2026, let's be diligent to set aside time in our day to hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate on His living and active Word.
A Day Set Aside to Receive God's Gifts ... because the devil never rests, we all need to clear the calendar and set apart the Lord's Day for the reception of His gifts in the weekly Divine Service.
In 2026 let's encourage one another, not forsake coming together, and ever be reminded that the Lord Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15)
An Invitation to LiveThe Receptive Life
In between the travel to Africa in 2026, I'm going to clear some time and space so that I can continue to work on a lifelong project called The Receptive Life.
It's a uniquely Lutheran spiritual formation resource and devotional that helps weary believers return—daily and intentionally—to the places where God has promised to give His gifts. It is rooted in Scripture, anchored in the Divine Service, and framed by the chief parts of Luther’s Catechisms.
This resource has helped me learn how to make use of the person and work of Jesus Christ so that I can …
fight against the "unholy trinity" (the devil, the world, and the sinful flesh);
defend myself with all of the promises of Jesus;
and receive all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give
I've made some good progress with the The Receptive Life book in 2025, but there is more work to be done. You can explore the website and all of the video and print resources I have created so far at ... thereceptivelife.com.
We praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you for your prayers and gracious support. We commend all of the work into the Lord's hands.
Come what may, we do belong to Jesus.
Paul
To learn more about our work in Africa, sign up for email updates, access all of our teaching resources, and financially support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit, you can go to the all links and resources page (here).