The Daily Lectionary – August 14, 2016
Judges 11:1–11, 29–40; 2 Corinthians 11:21b–31; Mark 4:35–41 I once lettered a saying for my wife to hang at work that said, “There is a storm before the calm.” She found it a useful reminder when office problems were brewing, as they always do. Of course, some people are never calm even when winds are […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 13, 2016
Judges 9:22–25, 50–57; Acts 4:32–5:11; John 2:13–25 In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul tells the Corinthians: “You should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s.” That is a powerful statement of integrity! Ananias and Sapphira were recorded (Acts 5:1-11) because they lied to God, because they lacked integrity. Now, why do you think God would […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 12, 2016
Judges 9:1–16;19–21; Acts 4:13–31; John 2:1–12 It sometimes seems, whether in town or church, that we would rather have worthless fellows rule over us. Either one or 70, it makes no difference, whichever gives us the most and requires of us the least. Just make sure the ruler is handsome, well-spoken, and popular. The ways […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 11, 2016
Judges 8:22–35; Acts 4:1–12; John 1:43–51 In today’s Scripture reading we learn that the religious leaders were greatly annoyed because the disciples were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. It has been this way since Pentecost, and people today are still annoyed when we publicly talk about Jesus. As […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 10, 2016
Judges 7:19–8:12; Acts 3:12–26; John 1:29–42 Visiting the eye doctor is necessary if you want to see clearly. The doctor says, “Is this one clearer, or this one?” When you can see clearly, you can better understand what you are viewing. In two passages today, Peter and then John are asking us to see more […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 9, 2016
Judges 7:1–18; Acts 3:1–11; John 1:19–28 “I want to make it quite clear I am not a candidate!” How many times have we heard such a speech during election season, then just as suddenly we hear another sort of speech? It is often difficult to get a sense of a candidate’s identity or values just […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 8, 2016
Judges 6:25–40; Acts 2:37–47; John 1:1–18 Math and I never got along. Public education during the late 70’s had begun to diminish to the point of being of little help. Later, in college, I realized how little I was prepared for more advanced classes. I struggled through pre-algebra and dreaded taking algebra. I simply did […]
2016 Lutheran Week Online Registration Closed
Online registration for the 2016 Lutheran Week events in Anaheim-Garden Grove, California, is no longer available. If you still wish to register for any of the events, please call 651-633-6004 between 9:30AM and 4:30PM Central time.
The Daily Lectionary – August 7, 2016
Judges 6:1–24; 2 Corinthians 9:6–15; Mark 3:20–30 In the sixth chapter of Judges, the Lord appeared before Gideon and directed him to lead his clan against the Midianites in order to save Israel. Gideon had apprehensions about taking up the task. He acknowledged his clan to be weak and himself as least in his father’s […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 6, 2016
Judges 5:19–31; Acts 2:22–36; Matthew 28:11–20 Just as death came to Sisera, death comes to us all. May it not come to us so violently and unexpectedly. Nevertheless, one must be prepared to face death. There is only one way to be ready, whether death is a surprise or not. Death came to the Messiah […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 5, 2016
Judges 5:1–18; Acts 2:1–21; Matthew 28:1–10 Living in South Africa and going to a stadium to worship with people praying the Lord’s Prayer in all eleven official languages reminds me a little of what this first Pentecost Sunday must have been like. But I think we sometimes misunderstand this event. We often focus on the special […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 4, 2016
Judges 4:4–23; Acts 1:15–26; Matthew 27:55–66 “Has not the Lord…commanded you?” Deborah asked Barak. He had delayed action even though the Lord had promised to be with him in the battle. Because Deborah then agreed to go with him into combat, Barak did as ordered. Later, Peter also wavered, denying the Lord three times. Like […]
2016 Lutheran Week Documents
Documents relating to the 2016 Lutheran Week events are now available for early viewing. These documents will be provided at the events, so there is no need to print them yourself unless you wish to do so.
The Daily Lectionary – August 3, 2016
Judges 3:12–30; Acts 1:1–14; Matthew 27:45–54 In the beginning of Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, we read Jesus’ command to the disciples that they should stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father: the gift of his Holy Spirit. In the power of the Spirit they would be his […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 2, 2016
Judges 2:–5, 11–23; Romans 16:17–27; Matthew 27:32–44 The soldiers of the governor compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross of Jesus. Compel means to press into service. When one is pressed into service, one does not necessarily know the perimeters—assignment, duration, steps to completion—all circumstances may be invisible or indiscernible to the server. The […]
The Daily Lectionary – August 1, 2016
Joshua 24:16–33; Romans 16:1–16; Matthew 27:24–31 “It’s not my fault! I didn’t do it!” How often did that disclaimer echo through my childhood home, where there were seven children—so there was always a scapegoat on whom to pin the blame! We live in a society in which blame-shifting has become an art. It is my […]
The Daily Lectionary – July 31, 2016
Joshua 24:1–15; Acts 28:23–31; Mark 2:23–28 Did you know that a growing number of physicians are now actively inviting pastoral staff to join the patient care team? They are asked not just to say a prayer, but to be with a family in a critical care unit. Pastors and chaplains play a vital role, helping […]
