Now is not the time to retreat because of an uncertain future and a hard economy. It's the right time to practice your coping skills and find out just how resilient you are.Don't hide and run away. Deal with the stress of today by addressing it and being yourself. Not the person you once thought you...

[This was shared during worship with the people of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Logan, Ohio, earlier today.] Mark 9:2-9 During an episode of the old Murphy Brown sitcom, Murphy asks her coworkers for their thoughts about God. Jim, the anchorman, says that he’s a lifelong churchgoer and that wh...

“Epiphany 2009� That is what author Ian Morgan Cron wrote inside the flap of the book he authored, Chasing Francis as I handing it to him for an autograph. I am pretty sure I had an epiphany of sorts at the Eucharist he and Randy Elrod performed as part of one of our cre:ate think tank sessions....

Jesus, help me. The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day of celebration is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago with special emphasis on the following verses. (vv 1-2) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jer...

[This message was shared during worship with the people of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Logan, Ohio, this morning.] Mark 1:21-28 There are three main things to which I think today’s Gospel lesson point us. The first is the power of Jesus’ teaching. The telephone call came, as happens so ofte...

Sermon on St. Luke 2:41-52 The First Sunday after the Epiphany 11 January 2009   + In the Name of Jesus +   and in favor with God and men.  –   St. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, Today’s Gospel lesson is the only detailed account we have of Jesus’ life between the vi...

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.  They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you t...

Slightly revised from 2007. In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit You might think the leper has weak faith. If he knows Who Jesus is, he should march right up to Christ, get in His face, and be bold to ask for healing. After all, Jesus is the long-awaited Savior [...]...

Epiphany 3 (Jan. 25, 2009) Messiah Lutheran Church Kenosha, Wisconsin Rev. Todd A. Peperkorn Matthew 8:1-13 TITLE: “The Faith of the Centurion� Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for today is from the Gospel lesson in Matthew chapter 8, and the s...

[This was shared during worship with the people of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Logan, Ohio, this morning.] Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Pastor and writer John Maxwell tells about a junior high basketball coach who was smart. If he had a kid who was lackadaisical on defense, this coach would call that kid Mr...