Easter over time...

I was blessed this past Easter season to worship in a variety of places.  Palm Sunday was at Luther Memorial in Chicago with a palm procession that began in the cold Spring air outside the church.  Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were at Our Savior Lutheran in Gladwin, MI and Easter Sunrise was at Christ the King Lutheran in Gladwin, MI.

It was wonderful to join Christians in various parts of the country - and to think of those Christians through time, even way back to the very early Christians who witnessed all those events first hand.

Christ makes us new through his death and resurrection.  Good news - today and two thousand years ago too.  These times here in the 21st Century are so different than I'm used to back in the 1st Century.  But one thing remains the same - the love of God in Christ for repentant sinners.  That love makes us bold in our service to the King.  And that service to the King ends up touching the people around us, any in need.

Another blessing is seeing all the various ways people serve.  Luther Memorial in Chicago is getting involved in their local neighborhood helping feed the hungry people there.  That sounds like the kind of new ministry Wheat Ridge Ministries supports with grants in a wide variety of places around the country.

Lively in Brooklyn

I was blessed to join the good people at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY. Church and School together serve the neighborhood. I shared a message in worship, along with Pastor Bob Gahagan. The morning was a very worshipful mix of singing, scripture, music from third grade children (who were engaged in the worship the whole time - it was a long worship but everyone was engaged and there were lots of families with young kids... very nice to see), Holy Communion, prayer and liturgy. I had a chance to teach about health and wellness and current brain research in the Bible Class before worship.

Spirit-filled people in the heart of the big city definitely touching lives in the name of Jesus. Turns out the Pastor's son, Pat Gahagan is Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Detroit, MI - a Wheat Ridge grant recipient.

St Peter's Lutheran, Warren, MI

From St Paul's to St Peter's - from Orange, CA to Warren, MI. I had a great morning with the good folks from St Peter's in Warren, MI. And wonderful hospitality from Pastor Gies and his wife Kathy - thanks! I shared a message in worship and there was lively discussion in a 'workshop' after worship in Martin Luther Hall.

I'm looking forward to a return trip for more discussion on how St Peter's can partner with Wheat Ridge Ministry around health and wellness.

St Paul's, Orange, CA

I had the privilege of delivering the message this past weekend at St Paul's Lutheran in Orange, CA. Great bunch of people growing in their response to care for those around them in the name of Jesus.

Thanks Pastor Martin for some great hospitality!

And also met some Spirit-filled educators at the National Children's Ministry Conference at St John Lutheran in Orange, CA. Wonderful host site, excellent speakers, warm fellowship.

The Heavens Declare...

I came across another stunning video of the wonder of creation. This video is a night view of the milky way over Hawaii. (I've noticed many people in this country go day to day without ever really looking up... so many lights in the cities that you don't see much even when you do; too bad.) Check out the Hubble site for some more amazing pictures.

The video reminded me of how vast is the universe - and how great is our God. And we just celebrated Easter - a story that shows the vast love of God for his creatures. Christ is Risen!

Faith Lutheran, Eustis, FL

I had a chance to share the message of Jesus this past Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church and School in Eustis, FL. Thanks for great hospitality from Pastor Kappel, and the members and for great hosting from Alice Marie and Paul Olsen.

Fun to be with God's people there. A friendly place where they are serious about serving with joy! And thanks for the generous support of Wheat Ridge Ministries.

And congratulations to Pastor Eric and Kara Lynn Eichinger on the birth of their second child!

Holy Trinity, Lutz FL

Had a chance to bring the message and worship with the good folks from Holy Trinity Lutheran in Lutz, FL. They are taking seriously God's call to share the good news of Jesus.

And thanks to Ronald for his help during the Children's message about "God Multiplies". He had some great riddles of his own.

God multiplies the generous gifts made to Wheat Ridge Ministries into creative health and wellness ministries all over the world. Check them out!

To Us A Child...

One of my favorite stories in the life of Christ is his birth - God became man. I must say I'm partial to "my version" of the story. The art work by He Qi is stunning.

The King has come. The King is coming soon.

iBand Christmas

I think Psalm 98 also includes this version of praising God. While this would have been amazing for my 1st Century friends to see, I'm pretty sure the angels were over the top incredible! Enjoy your celebration of Jesus' birth. Wait with expectation for his return! Live as his servant each day.

Digital Christmas Story

OK, so this is not how Mary and Joseph remember it, but it is a very 21st Century way of telling the story.

Times change. Feelings remain the same. And the need for the Savior and God's love for his creation trumps it all. Blessings to you as we remember Christ's first coming, and anticipate his coming again.

Christmas greetings from Dr Luke and from Wheat Ridge Ministries.

Sacramento, CA

I had a wonderful morning with the good people of Town and Country Lutheran Church and School in Sacramento, CA. I was privileged to deliver the message for the day and to lead the Bible Class hour.

Always a pleasure to join Christians while they worship and praise God together. That is where I feel the most 'at home' here in the 21st Century: hymns, Scripture, prayer, confession and words of forgiveness - just like we were doing back in the 1st Century.

Thanks to Pastor Russ Hess who was a great host. And blessings to the people there at T&C as they are led by God's Spirit to be "Jesus with skin on" there in Sacramento.