Archive for September, 2009

Vikings 27, Lions 13 – Reflections

Posted on September 20th, 2009

Kassie and I are vacationing in Michigan for the wedding of two parishioners. We were excited when we realized the Vikings would be in Detroit the same weekend we would be here, so naturally we bought tickets, which were pretty easy to come by – it is the Lions, after all. We’re staying just two blocks from Ford Field, at the Hilton Garden Inn – a very nice hotel, especially for free (thanks, Hilton Honors!). It’s really an ideal place to stay for a football or baseball game (the Tigers play right across the street from Ford Field). We walked to the game in a manner of minutes. I was happy to see many Lions fans wearing jerseys or other Lions clothing walking to…

Categories: Theology

Tagged: Adrian Peterson, Brad Childress, Calvin Johnson, Chester Taylor, Detroit, Favre, Ford Field, Jared Allen, Lions, Michigan, Pat Williams, Percy Harvin, Redskins, Sidney Rice, Tigers, Vikings

Trinity 13

Posted on September 14th, 2009

I’ve delayed publishing this sermon from a couple Sundays ago because I know there are typos that need to be corrected, and a couple of things I changed in the actual delivery. For now, here is the semi-final draft, warts and all. There are two religions: the religion of commandments, and the religion of the cross. The religion of morality, and the religion of the Messiah. Those two religions are entirely incompatible with each other, and they clash in today’s discussion between Jesus and the lawyer, and the ensuing parable.

Categories: Sermons

Tagged: Good Samaritan, Heidelberg Disputation, Johann Gerhard, Justification, Luther, Moralism, Trinity 13

Houston Oilers #1

Posted on September 14th, 2009

I don’t know why, but this song has always made me happy. I was never a fan of the Oilers, but it’s just plain catchy.

Categories: Theology

Tagged: Houston Oilers, Video

Benjamin Watson is incredible

Posted on September 14th, 2009

Watson scored two clutch TD’s tonight. Nothing he does will ever compare to this incredible takedown of Champ Bailey:

Categories: Theology

Tagged: Benjamin Watson, Champ Bailey, Video

Trinity 14

Posted on September 14th, 2009

Gospel: Luke 17.11-17 “He shall dwell alone; his habitation shall be outside the camp.” Thus it was written in the Law of Moses concerning the leper. He was cast out. Ostracized. Condemned to a life of solitude, as his flesh rotted away. “He shall dwell alone.” The leper is not alone in being alone. God created us for the purpose of loving us; and being made in the image of God, we were created to be like God, to live sharing in His love. God made our first father to be in communion with Him and in community with his wife.

Categories: Liturgy, Sermons

Tagged: Formula of Concord, Jerusalem Temple, Large Catechism, Leprosy, Trinity 14, Worship

On reading the Scriptures

Posted on September 12th, 2009

If any one, therefore, reads the Scriptures with attention, he will find in them an account of Christ, and a foreshadowing of the new calling. -Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book IV, Chapter XXVI

Categories: Theology

Tagged: Holy Scripture, Irenaeus

Psalm 31

Posted on September 10th, 2009

The actual sermon preached on Ps. 31 ended up being quite a bit different from this, but here was my manuscript for the sermon at last night’s Evening Prayer: The center of tonight’s Psalm is found in the words, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” In Luke’s Gospel, these are the final words of Jesus, and that helps us understand not only the Psalm but the meaning of our Lord’s death. Only the Lord JESUS could be confident in commending His spirit to God; for only He had nothing to be ashamed of. No sin could be counted against Him. No deeds done in secret to trouble His conscience; no words He needed to take back. Nothing left undone. Into the Father’s hand…

Categories: Sermons

Tagged: Anfechtung, Baptism, death, Passion of Christ, Prayer, Psalm 31, Psalms

Pour in oil and cleansing wine

Posted on September 2nd, 2009

This Sunday is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Trinity 13), and I was thinking about having Immanuel sing “Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing” (LSB 421). I was looking at it out of LSB and couldn’t find the lines that made it in the past a must-sing for this Sunday. Here’s the line from Lutheran Worship (#421): “Where the wound is and the hurting, Pour in oil and cleansing wine.” I’ve always loved how that interprets the Good Samaritan parable Christologically. So I was initially disappointed to learn that Lutheran Service Book alters the text: “Every wound that pains or grieves me By Your wounds, Lord, is made whole.” However, that is a better translation of Johann Heermann’s original: “Gib für alles, was…

Categories: Theology

Tagged: F. Samuel Janzow, Good Samaritan, Johann Heermann, Lutheran Service Book, Lutheran Worship, Translation, Trinity 13