Get out your pencils and turn in your readings insert to 2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is inspired by God... I believe that, and I hope you do, too. Unlike some Christians, I don’t believe that every word is literally true. The Bible was written and interpreted by imperfect human beings! The characters in its stories are human beings just like us. Human beings, as experience teaches us, are constantly tempted toward self-interest. But the power of God’s word is not in finding some advantage … [Read more...]

I’d like you to take your readings insert and grab a pencil or pen. At the top of the front page, right column, third line, circle the words “angry and went away.” Then go down to the end of v.12 and circle the words “went away in a rage.” Now draw a big circle around both of those. Go down to the bottom of the page and circle the first verse of the psalm: Hallelujah!... Now circle the whole gospel reading. Those of you who were here last Sunday will find this exercise familiar, since we did … [Read more...]

I’d like you to take your readings insert and grab a pencil or pen. At the top of the back page, circle the bold print (Psalm 37:8). Now go down to the second reading a few lines below that, to v.3 (2 Timothy 1:3) and circle the words “I am grateful to God.” Then go down five lines to the end of v.4 and circle the words “filled with joy.” You should have three circles. Draw an arrow from the top circle to the middle circle, and then another arrow from the middle circle to the lower circle. If … [Read more...]

If you go to Luther’s Table on a regular basis you’re bound to run into other regulars. Although I’d seen him many times before, I hadn’t met Michael until this past week. Michael is a member of Lord of Life Lutheran in Renton. He’s not somebody who blends into a crowd. That’s his picture you see on the cover of today’s bulletin. There’s something else you should know about Michael: Michael is an angel. Today is what we call a “feast day” in the Lutheran church. It’s called Michael and … [Read more...]

A few years ago I decided to start keeping track of my money. Well, you ask, doesn’t everyone do that? It’s not what you think. There’s a website called Wheresgeorge.com—that’s George, as in, George Washington, as in, the face on a one-dollar bill--where you can enter the information on a bill of any denomination. After you register it you go ahead and spend it as you normally would. If someone else gets the bill and records it online I can track where it’s been. Sometimes it’s months or even … [Read more...]

Today is the big game. Football fans have been waiting for months to see tonight’s showdown between the Seahawks and the 49ers. Russell Wilson is the young Seahawks quarterback whose success, he says, is due to disciplined habits of practice, practice, practice. Russell Wilson knows that for better or for worse, we all become more of what we practice. For Christians, Sunday worship is our practice field. The pattern of our liturgy, the symbols of our faith, the message and meal that we … [Read more...]

When I was child relatives would come into town as guests in our home, usually around holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Like many families mine is a mix of church-going and non-church-going people. If these folks were in town overnight and their stay included a Sunday, my parents would say, “We’re going to worship tomorrow at 8:30. We hope you’ll join us. If not, you know where to find breakfast.” I continue to be grateful for my parents’ example. It stands in stark contrast to the … [Read more...]

A few weeks ago I was in conversation with a man who had recently lost a spouse. He told me that, in his experience, grief can lead a person to think less clearly than they otherwise would. He gave an example: One day he was on his computer, he said, when all of a sudden a message popped up that said his computer was locked and he wouldn’t be able to use it. The message said that he needed to send in $300 in order to get it unlocked. If he didn’t, the message warned, he might be arrested and put … [Read more...]

Well, you’ve probably been up for a few hours already this morning. What do you remember from when you were asleep? What did you dream of last night? I don’t remember most of my dreams and maybe you don’t either. But all of us have dreams, and I’m not just talking about the ones we have when we’re asleep! What are your dreams? It may seem like a question for young people. Certainly, especially for those who have their whole life ahead of them, if you ask “What are your dreams?” they might … [Read more...]

Let’s start with a survey: How many of us here this morning would describe ourselves as greedy? I don’t mean once in a while, on an off-day. I mean, would you say that, generally speaking, you are a greedy person? When I hear the word “greed” I’m inclined to think of those who make the news: Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch. When I think of greed I think of corporate CEOs, like an article this past week about the McDonald’s Corporation. Did you hear this one? Like other fast-food chains … [Read more...]