Date: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost ~ August 1, 2021 Texts: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 145:10-21; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:22-35 Context: In 2012 I noted how switching the Gospel readings to John 6 for the next three weeks provided a more in-depth reflection on the feeding of the 5000 we read a few weeks ago in Mark. While I… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – August 1, 2021
New Berlin, WI
Today we were blessed to worship with the people at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Pastor Sander had invited me to preach for both services, which I think was a blessing not only for me but also for him, as he was struggling with a health issue that made standing very painful… Continue reading New Berlin, WI
Shifting Gears
This morning we bid our hosts, the Taggatzes farewell. To thank them for their hospitality we took their family to their favorite coffee shop where we enjoyed caffeine until their girls let us know it was time to go. Already we’ve met so many great people, it’s hard to even begin to imagine all the… Continue reading Shifting Gears
Oak Creek, WI
We were blessed to arrive in time to worship with the good folks at Grace Lutheran of Oak Creek, Wisconsin at their 6:30 pm Thursday worship. Afterwards, we were amazed – nearly everyone who attended worship stayed after the service to hear us talk about our upcoming deployment to Southeast Asia. We had a great… Continue reading Oak Creek, WI
On the Road Again
Or more accurately in the air again! Tomorrow Gena and I fly from Phoenix to Milwaukee to visit two congregations in the area. This means getting up at 3:30am to catch a 4:30am Uber to the airport for our 7am flight, then a brief stop in Chicago to change planes and then on to Milwaukee.… Continue reading On the Road Again
Reading Ramblings – July 25, 2021
Date: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost ~ July 25, 2021 Texts: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 136:1-9; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 6:45-66 Context: God is the Creator of all things. This means God is master of all things. There is nothing that happens without God’s either direct will (the Flood) or permission (Job). This is how we are to… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – July 25, 2021
Reading Ramblings – July 18, 2021
Date: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – July 18, 2021 Texts: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-44 Context: Just starting the reading at Jeremiah 23:1, we might be inclined to interpret the words as directed towards the priests as shepherds of God’s people. However if you start at Chapter 21 you see this is… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – July 18, 2021
St. Paul, Ogden UT
Today we were blessed to worship with the saints at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ogden, UT. My wife’s family has a long history here, with her grandparents on her father’s side being life-long members there, along with her aunts and uncles until most of them moved away. St. Paul Lutheran, Ogden UT I was… Continue reading St. Paul, Ogden UT
Practicing Patience
Yesterday we got to practice patience, something we’re told we’ll need plenty of in getting around in Indonesia. Friday we flew into Santa Barbara from Phoenix. Months ago I promised to do the memorial service for a parishioner of my former congregation. The memorial was this morning at 11am. We made it to the Santa… Continue reading Practicing Patience
Making Connections
As a newly Called global church worker, making connections with pastors to come and visit their congregations can be challenging. I know from experience as a parish pastor there are plenty of agencies and groups – all good organizations, to be sure – hoping to get word of their work and invitations to support it… Continue reading Making Connections
The Nelson Family Indonesia 