Community
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God’s Gospel Through the Small
I got to know my good friend, Sarah Cordray, through the doctor of ministry program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Through her, I saw a wonderful picture of small church ministry that I had, frankly, never considered. As I listened to her and read her work, I began to pay closer attention to what…
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More Mass Shootings: We’re better than this
I was sitting in my office at church this afternoon when our secretary asked if I’d seen the news. Today, it was the news of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, CA. What I find especially heinous about this attack is that Inland works with developmentally disabled people from infants to the elderly.…
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Building Bethel: Stepping Out in Faith
From November 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.…
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Building Bethel: Waking the Sleeping Giant
From August 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.” ~ Psalm 12:5 The Lutheran church has been referred to as the “sleeping giant.” Some people attribute this phrase to the Reverend Billy Graham, but I…
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Building Bethel: Noticing
From February 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of…
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A Day in the Life of a Pastor: A Change Brought About by Food
On Monday, some friends and I began a 10-day dietary cleanse … ugh! … a diet <yuck> I entered into this reluctantly, especially when I found out what was excluded … NO caffeine, NO artificial sweeteners, NO gluten, NO dairy, NO processed foods, NO alcohol, NO left-over Halloween candy. I know … what’s left? This past…
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#GivingTuesday
We are already getting in to the “giving season” – Christmas music is play, Christmas-themed commercials are on TV and the radio. In the Christian community, we give at Christmas out of gratitude for the gift of God’s son, Jesus. We give to show our love and appreciation for people who touch our lives: family,…
Epicurious Lutheran 