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ReflectionsSaturday of the Seventh Week After PentecostJuly 13, 2024 Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 8 - Psalm 143:1-2, 8a; antiphon: Psalm 143:11Daily Lectionary: Judges 13:1-25; Ruth 1:1-4:22; Galatians 2:1-21Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! (Psalm 143:1)In the Name + of Jesus, Amen. Someone once said, “We don’t pray so that God can hear us; we pray so that we may hear God more.” Have you ever felt like your prayers are going unanswered? Are you just talking into thin air? Kin...2024-07-1304 minReflectionsFriday of the Seventh Week After PentecostJuly 12, 2024 Today's Reading: Galatians 1:1-24Daily Lectionary: Judges 7:1-23; Judges 7:24-12:15; Galatians 1:1-24I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine sitting in a church, and your pastor starts the sermon by greeting you with "Grace and peace to...2024-07-1204 minReflectionsThursday of the Seventh Week After PentecostJuly 11, 2024 Today's Reading: Catechism – What is Confession?Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21What is Confession? Confession has two parts. First that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The sacred Scriptures tell us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). Does that really...2024-07-1104 minReflectionsWednesday of the Seventh Week After PentecostJuly 10, 2024Today’s Reading: Judges 6:1-24Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:1-24; Acts 14:19-15:5And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:15-16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever felt weak? It's not a feeling we like to admit, especially in a world th...2024-07-1004 minReflectionsTuesday of the Seventh Week After PentecostJuly 9, 2024Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10Daily Lectionary: Judges 4:1-24; Judges 5:1-31; Acts 14:1-18But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You must accept the truth that you live and breathe for yourself. You crave control, demand things to go your way, and expect everyone to bow...2024-07-0904 minReflectionsMonday of the Seventh Week After PentecostJuly 8, 2024 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 2:1-5Daily Lectionary: Judges 3:7-31; Acts 13:42-52And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. (Ezekiel 2:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We often consider Biblical figures like Ezekiel as “powerhouse” models of faith and devotion. However, when you stop and look at our reading today, I bet that Ezekiel...2024-07-0804 minReflectionsSeventh Sunday After PentecostJuly 7, 2024 Today's Reading: Mark 6:1-13Daily Lectionary: Judges 2:6-23; Acts 13:13-41Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. (Mark 6:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Being offended is a common occurrence these days. Talk about your favorite music, politician, sports team, or food; inevitably, someone will get offended. You and I are no better. Everyone finds off...2024-07-0705 minReflectionsSaturday of the Sixth Week After PentecostJuly 6, 2024 Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 7 - Psalm 132:13-16; antiphon: Psalm 34:8Daily Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-31; Judges 1:1-36; Acts 13:1-12For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. (Psalm 132:13-15) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Scriptures talk about several times where the people of God built a pl...2024-07-0604 minReflectionsFriday of the Sixth Week After PentecostJuly 5, 2024 Today's Reading: Joshua 23:1-16Daily Lectionary: Joshua 23:1-16; Acts 12:1-25but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day. For the LORD has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. (Joshua 23:8-9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. My father died 20 years ago, and I have a lot of memories of him and some things I h...2024-07-0505 minReflectionsThursday of the Sixth Week After PentecostJuly 4, 2024Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism – FourthDaily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25; Joshua 10:28-22:34; Acts 11:19-30What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We have often been reminded to remember our Ba...2024-07-0404 minReflectionsWednesday of the Sixth Week After PentecostJuly 3, 2024 Today's Reading: Joshua 8:1-28Daily Lectionary: Joshua 8:1-28; Acts 11:1-18And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land. (Joshua 8:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There are those Christians today who have no use for the Old Testament. In fact, some people have tho...2024-07-0305 minReflectionsTuesday of the Sixth Week After PentecostJuly 2, 2024Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Everyone today desires equality, whether it is among races, creeds, sexual identities, or economic opportunities. Equality isn't bad. However, despite our efforts to achieve it, we still witness inequality around us. Even...2024-07-0204 minReflectionsMonday of the Sixth Week After PentecostJuly 1, 2024 Today's Reading: Lamentations 3:22-33 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 6:6-27; Acts 10:18-33The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Every day, we go through the motions of our daily routine– wake up, jog, make coffee, have breakfast, wash, rinse, and repeat. But some days, memories of our past mistakes and sins creep up on us, making us feel hope...2024-07-0104 minReflectionsSixth Sunday After PentecostJune 30, 2024 Today's Reading: Mark 5:21-43Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6:5; Acts 10:1-17And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. (Mark 5:25-26)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you think of the Christian faith, blood is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, blood is a recurring element in t...2024-06-3004 minReflectionsSaturday the Twenty Fifth Week of PentecostNovember 25, 2023Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 26: Psalm 39:4-5, 7-8, 12a; antiphon 2 Peter 3:13Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 11:1-23, Matthew 24:1-28In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The end of the world is going to happen and Christian’s and non-Christians believe it. We love to stream shows depicting a zombie apocalypse. The world hears warnings of financial collapse or global warm...2023-11-2503 minReflectionsThursday the Twenty Fifth Week of PentecostNovember 23, 2023Today's Reading: Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 7:1-29, Matthew 23:1-12And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” (1 Kings 17:1-24)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Coloring books are all over the place these days. In Christianity those color books are about happy events in the Bible. I think we should have color pages for people like Elijah. We could...2023-11-2304 minReflectionsWednesday the Twenty Fifth Week of Pentecost November 22, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: The Sacrament Part 1Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 5:1-19, Matthew 22:23-46It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Hungry? Sure, you’ve all been there. If you don’t eat, you get “hangry”, weak and will eventually die. God takes care of you daily by giving physical food and drink. In the same...2023-11-2203 minReflectionsTuesday the Twenty Fifth Week of PentecostNovember 21, 2023Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 3:6-4:2, Matthew 22:1-22But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. (1 Thessalonians 5:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. During this time of year we are coming to the close of another church year. Between this time and the season of Advent, we hear an awful lot about the return of Jesus: the last day, the day of judgment. So many and Christianity want to...2023-11-2104 minReflectionsMonday the Twenty Fifth Week of PentecostNovember 20, 2023Today's Reading: Zephaniah 1:7-16Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 1:1-19, Matthew 21:23-46 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited. (Zephaniah. 1:7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine if your pastor started his sermon with “Be quiet!” It would get your attention. This is how Zephaniah speaks in today's reading. Zephaniah tells the people of God to be quiet, in other words, “Hush up, you’re in the p...2023-11-2003 minReflectionsSunday the Twenty Fifth Week of PentecostNovember 19, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 25:14-30Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 21:1-22His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We can easily get bogged down by these parables to see who we are in the reading. These parables are all about what Jesus is doing for you! Let them be all about...2023-11-1903 minReflectionsSaturday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 18, 2023Today's Reading: Introit to Pentecost 25: Psalm 143:2, 5-6, 10-11; antiphon Psalm 143:1Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Matthew 20:17-34Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! (Psalm 143:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. David was betrayed. There were those who ran after him to take his life. One of those who wanted him dead was his own son Absalom. David’s very life was in danger, he felt crushed into the groun...2023-11-1803 minReflectionsFriday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 17, 2023Today's Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-28Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27, Matthew 20:1-16And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 37:27)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sin loves to eat at us. Even if it's not bugging you all the time, you still find yourself bothered at times. You just can't get over it! If...2023-11-1704 minReflectionsThursday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 16, 2023Today's Reading: Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29, Matthew 19:16-30The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “The Lord be with you” is a statement you often hear your pastor say. This is not a simple greeting, it is a blessing and consolation, of the promised presence of the Lord Jesus with you. Mo...2023-11-1603 minReflectionsWednesday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 15, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: The Office of the KeysDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20, Matthew 19:1-15but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you go to a doctor, maybe you have a small issue that bothers you. Maybe it’s a larger issue that you can’t handle. You’ve tried to give yourself a remedy but nothing works. The doctor enters privately, examines you and gives yo...2023-11-1503 minReflectionsTuesday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 14, 2023Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29, Matthew 18:21-35In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Death is very confusing. It’s really confusing for those outside of the church. For a non Christian, a funeral is pure grieving, pure loss, pure hopelessness, because death is only seen as permanent separation. And this is the approach the Thessalonians were drifting into when it came to death as well. Even as Christians we are not immune from the sting and confusion of death. Those of us who hav...2023-11-1403 minReflectionsMonday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 13, 2023Today's Reading: Amos 5:18-24Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 28:1-22, Matthew 18:1-20But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Justice is a big buzzword in our society today. Our world says we must have justice for whatever we are passionate about. Many Christians today emphasize the Christian faith needs to be all about justice for everybody else. Justice is why the church exists today. But what does that justice and righteousness look like? 2023-11-1303 minReflectionsSunday the Twenty Fourth Week of PentecostNovember 12, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 25:1-13Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 27:1-26, Matthew 17:14-27The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” (Matthew 25:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Some read this parable and say “Do you have enough oil?” Or in other words, “Do you have enough faith?” That’s the question so many want to ask today in Christianity. No way, that is not how Christianity works. Faith is a gift, given wholly and freely to you by God the H...2023-11-1204 minReflectionsSt Simon and St JudeOctober 28, 2023Today's Reading: John 15:12-21Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 9:1-22, Matthew 11:1-19If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15: 18-19)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Happy St. Simon and St. Jude day! Simon is the patron saint of saw...2023-10-2805 minReflectionsFriday the Twenty First Week of PentecostOctober 27, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 10:24-42Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Matthew 10:24-42Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Life is full of so many unexpected twists and turns. There are always those things that we never anticipated happening, being dumped into your lap. We thought we knew what was going on and suddenly we had to re-evaluate our plans and future. As Christians it is v...2023-10-2704 minReflectionsThursday the Twenty First Week of PentecostOctober 26, 2023Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 7:1-19, Matthew 10:1-23They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. ( 1 Thess. 1: 9-10)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s hard to be hopeful today about many things. Finances, social statuses, our health, what kind of techy pads or phones we don’t have, a...2023-10-2604 minReflectionsWednesday the Twenty First Week of PentecostOctober 25, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: Baptism Part 3Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 6:10-25, Matthew 9:19-38“Clearly it is not the water that does it, but the word of God that is in and with the water, and the faith that trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Water is the greatest earthly gift that God has given to us in this life. You are rem...2023-10-2505 minReflectionsTuesday the Twenty First Week of PentecostOctober 24, 2023Today's Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9, Matthew 9:1-17“This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of…”. (Isaiah 45:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever seen God work in someone that you totally never expected? Maybe the person was a nominal Christian or maybe they were the furthest thing from a Christian. It can catch us off guard at times with how God can use evil people for His will...2023-10-2404 minReflectionsSt James of JerusalemOctober 23, 2023Today's Reading: Acts 15:12-22Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:1-21, Matthew 8:18-34After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. (Acts 15:13)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You all probably know someone who does not believe in Jesus. I'd be surprised if anyone reading this doesn't have a dear loved one, who does not trust in Christ. It's the saddest thing in the world. Today we observe the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of our Lord. James was Jesus' brot...2023-10-2304 minReflectionsSunday the Twenty First Week of PentecostOctober 22, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 22:15-22Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:21-40, Matthew 8:1-17And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” (Matthew 22:20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Pharisees today try to trap Jesus. They want to see if He would be for or against paying taxes to the Romans. Jesus famously uses the image of Caesar on the coin to show that He wasn’t a revolutionary who refused to pay taxes or overthrow the Romans. He submitted to the gove...2023-10-2204 minReflectionsSaturday the Twentieth Week of PentecostOctober 21, 2023Today's Reading: Introit to Pentecost 21: Psalm 121:1-4, 7-8; antiphon Psalm 121:5Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:1-20, Matthew 7:13-29The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Psalm 121 is a “song of ascent”. It was sung by the pilgrims who were making their journey to Jerusalem and the temple. Their journey was often met with intense heat, rocky terrain, dangerous roads and even people who would rob or kill them...2023-10-2103 minReflectionsFriday the Twentieth Week of PentecostOctober 20, 2023Today's Reading: Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 3:1-29, Matthew 7:1-12“Do not judge others..”. (Matthew 7:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you ever watch a courtroom trial on TV, you will always notice the trial takes time. Sometimes the trial is a few hours, sometimes it takes months. You will always notice that the judge doesn’t immediately make a judgment at the start of a trial. Judges listen carefully to the facts, they read the laws and take all things into account before bringing...2023-10-2004 minReflectionsThursday the Twentieth Week of PentecostOctober 19, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism, Baptism Part 2Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 2:16-37, Matthew 6:16-34It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Baptism today is practiced by so many Christians throughout the world today. It is a key to the teaching and practice of Christians since the great commission of Jesus to baptize all nations in Ma...2023-10-1904 minReflectionsSt LukeOctober 18, 2023Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:37-2:15, Matthew 6:1-15Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you. (Luke 10:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.Today’s verses have certainly been used by so many to give a pep rally for us to go out and proclaim the Kingdom of God in all that we do. The 72 were sent and they were told not to worry...2023-10-1804 minReflectionsTuesday the Twentieth Week of PentecostOctober 17, 2023Today's Reading: Philippians 4:4-13Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:19-36, Matthew 5:21-48“The Lord is at hand…”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord is at hand..Rejoice in the Lord always…do not be anxious about anything”. Yeah that seems like it's not gonna happen. When you look at everything around us today it seems like there is very little to rejoice over. If the struggles and fears of life weren’t bad enough, Paul’s words today have been severely misused with Chr...2023-10-1704 minReflectionsMonday the Twentieth Week of PentecostOctober 16, 2023Today's Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:1-18, Matthew 5:1-20And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever. (Isaiah 25:7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Many of us can probably remember a very special meal that we were a part of. It may have been a meal that we anticipated like a birthday party or a holiday meal. Eating wit...2023-10-1604 minReflectionsSunday the Twentieth Week of PentecostOctober 15, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 22:1-14Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6-4:6, Matthew 4:12-25The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. (Matthew 22:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you sit down to eat with your family either at home or at a restaurant, you generally eat with the people you know and love. It would be rather odd to have some stranger sit down and start eating your food. They haven’t been invited, they aren’...2023-10-1504 minReflectionsSt. Mary MagdaleneJuly 22, 2023Today's Reading: John 20:1-2, 10-18Daily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25, Acts 11:19-30“Mary” John 20:16In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the resurrection account there are a lot of people who are scared, perplexed, even doubting this all took place. Their faithful disciples had a hard enough time believing the message they first heard, let alone from a woman for whom Jesus had removed demons. In the middle of all the confusion, Mary from Magdalene, stood outside the tomb and wept. She looked...2023-07-2205 minReflectionsFriday the Seventh Week of PentecostJuly 21, 2023Today's Reading: Acts 11:1-18Daily Lectionary: Joshua 8:1-28 “Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat. Acts 11:6-7In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Bible is full of people having all sorts of interesting visions. Today we hear of Peter having a bizarre idea! The Jews were allowed only to eat foods declared clean by God. In Peter’s vision, a...2023-07-2105 minReflectionsThursday the Seventh Week of PentecostJuly 20, 2023Today's Reading: Joshua 7:1-26Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26, Acts 10:34-48“I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him” Joshua 7:19In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. You can’t escape your sins for the as the Psalmist says you were born in sin. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51.) Through the Law of God you know...2023-07-2005 minReflectionsWednesday the Seventh Week of PentecostJuly 19, 2023Today's Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism, Apostle’s Creed: Second Article Part 3Daily Lectionary: Joshua 6:6-27, Acts 10:18-33-in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When I hear the word “kingdom” I usually think of a king sitting on a throne w...2023-07-1905 minReflectionsTuesday the Seventh Week of PentecostJuly 18, 2023Today's Reading: Romans 8:12-17Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6, Acts 10:1-17For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Slavery isn’t something we really think of today in terms of ourselves. If slavery is ever mentioned it's usually associated with our country’s past or even things like the slavery of people or the Israe...2023-07-1805 minReflectionsMonday the Seventh Week of PentecostJuly 17, 2023Today's Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24, In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You’ve all seen rain and snow fall down from the sky. You’ve also probably studied the natural water cycle in science class as well. In our reading from Isaiah we can easily picture the Word of God like rain or snow, falling down to water things and produce good crops. Isaiah is not just simply speaking about the Bible's falling from heaven like rain and watering the earth and returning to God. ...2023-07-1704 minReflectionsSunday the Seventh Week of PentecostJuly 16, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23Daily Lectionary: Joshua 3:1-17, Acts 9:1-22“Behold, a sower went out to sow.” Matthew 13:3bIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In the Name of Jesus, Amen. Let's start off right away by saying these parables are not about you. They are not about you and your role in them or anything else that is about you and what you can do for Jesus. Don’t ever read the parables that way. Don’t ask the age-old quest...2023-07-1605 minReflectionsFriday the Sixth Week of PentecostJuly 14, 2023Today's Reading: Daily Lectionary: Joshua 1:1-18, Acts 8:1-25No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our English Bibles don't lead us down the path of understanding what's going on in the Old Testament and how it is connected to the New Testament. However, in today’s reading we ha...2023-07-1405 minReflectionsThursday the Sixth Week of PentecostJuly 13, 2023Today's Reading: Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31, John 21:1-25Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Gospels speak about two charcoal fires that have some pretty significant meaning. As Jesus is being put on trial Peter is warming himself by a charcoal fire in the courtyard. It is there where he is questioned about following Jesus and he denies it three tim...2023-07-1305 minReflectionsWednesday the Sixth Week of PentecostJuly 12, 2023Today's Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism, Apostle’s Creed: Second Article Part 2Daily Lectionary:Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33, John 20:19-31“purchased and won me from all sins, from death and the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Christian God speaks of the creator becoming the created. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1) No other world rel...2023-07-1205 minReflectionsTuesday the Sixth Week of PentecostJuly 11, 2023Today's Reading: Romans 7:14-25aDaily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24, John 20:1-18“For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15In the Name of Jesus, Amen. I’m sure you are like most people who hear the word “sin” you think of the things you have done. In our reading today, Paul does mention the sins he hates, but he also says the power of sin, which is, you guessed it, sin. What does this me...2023-07-1105 minReflectionsMonday the Sixth Week of PentecostJuly 10, 2023Today's Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22, John 19:23-42“Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What a weird statement from Zechariah today, “prisoners of hope”. What does it mean to be a prisoner of hope? Remember that the people of Israel had been in the habit of groaning about their captivity. They were used to whining about the fact they had been exiled from Jeru...2023-07-1004 minReflectionsSunday the Sixth Week of PentecostJuly 9, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 24:1-22, John 19:1-22“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by all that is thrown at you? Family, school, friends, social media trends, or other things. What about being overwhelmed with how God might view you and what you have done in your sins against Him and others. Jesus says today “Come to Me, all you who lab...2023-07-0905 minReflectionsSaturday The Second Week of EasterApril 22, 2023Today's Reading:Psalm 84:1-4; antiphon: Psalm 84:5Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:1-14, Luke 6:20-38Blessed are those who dwell in your house,ever singing your praise! Psalm 84:4In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were very familiar with where God was located. Psalm 84 celebrates the temple of God in Jerusalem. It begins, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (Ps. 84:1). This is a reference to the temple, as is made...2023-04-2206 minReflectionsFriday The Second Week of EasterApril 21, 2023Today's Reading: John 14:18-24Daily Lectionary: Exodus 31:1-18, Luke 6:1-19 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”Christ is Risen“John 14:18 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Amid a world of death and decay, it is straightforward to feel alone, lost and abandoned. The world doesn’t have an answer for death, so many want to celebrate the life lived in the valley of the shadow of death. The world’s inability to have an answer to the end, the...2023-04-2105 minReflectionsThursday The Second Week of EasterApril 20, 2023Today's Reading: Luke 5:17-39Daily Lectionary: Exodus 25:1-22, Luke 5:17-39Quotation for the Reflection (citation)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! The church, at all times, has longed to have new members joining the Body of Christ. Who doesn’t love to see the church grow? It used to be that the church would evangelize through works of mercy and care for anyone in need. Today it seems as if we look for church members who won’t cause problems, messy people...2023-04-2006 minReflectionsWednesday The Second Week of EasterApril 19, 2023Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism Table of Duties: The Fourth CommandmentDaily Lectionary: Exodus 24:1-18, Luke 5:1-16“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3.” Luther’s Table of Duties - the Fourth CommandmentIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! I was blessed to have Christian parents who raised me in...2023-04-1905 minReflectionsTuesday The Second Week of EasterApril 18, 2023Today's Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33, Luke 4:31-441Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! I love birthdays, especially when it's the birthday of one of my kids. I love the joy they get to see and celebrate and the memories and emotions I have of recal...2023-04-1806 minReflectionsMonday The Second Week of EasterApril 17, 2023Today's Reading: Acts 5:29-42Daily Lectionary: Exodus 22:20-23:13, Luke 4:16-30 “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” - Acts 5:29In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! We hear quite a bit during the season from the book of Acts. On the second Sunday of Easter, Acts 5 speaks to us about the cost of confessing Christ. Peter and the apostles were rejected and even suffered for the confession of Christ. We might not have been imprisoned or beaten for...2023-04-1706 minReflectionsThe Second Sunday of EasterApril 16, 2023Today's Reading: John 20:19-31Daily Lectionary: Exodus 20:1-24 Luke 4:1-15“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:21-23In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! I don’t like to call Thomas `...2023-04-1606 minReflectionsSaturday The First Week of EasterApril 15, 2023Today's Reading: Ps. 105:4-7; antiphon: Ps. 105:8Daily Lectionary: Ex 19:1-25, Heb 13:1-21Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, Psalm 105:5.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! An old saying says, “those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” This statement is typically used to remind us of our past failures and faults and that we hopefully learned from them and didn’t repeat them. But what about the joyous parts of our history? ...2023-04-1505 minReflectionsFriday The First Week of EasterApril 14, 2023Today's Reading: Acts 10:34-43Daily Lectionary: Ex 18:5-27, Heb 12:1-24 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality” Acts 10:34In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! Inclusion is a trendy word today and is constantly shoved in front of our faces. There is nothing wrong with inclusivity, but the world’s views often seem one-sided. If one group wants the freedom to live their own life, even if it's against God’s law, then we, as Christians...2023-04-1405 minReflectionsThursday The First Week of EasterApril 13, 2023Today's Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-6Daily Lectionary: Exodus 17:1-16, Hebrews 11:1-29At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:1In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! We live and die by time. Whether getting up in time for school or getting to work on time, we have a clock on our wrists, phones, or computers. Watching time consumes so much of our day. Today Jeremiah says, “At that t...2023-04-1305 minReflectionsThursday The First Week of EasterApril 13, 2023Today's Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-6Daily Lectionary: Ex 17:1-16, Heb 11:1-29At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:1In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! We live and die by time. Whether getting up in time for school or getting to work on time, we have a clock on our wrists, phones, or computers. Watching time consumes so much of our day. Today Jeremiah says, “At that t...2023-04-1305 minReflectionsWednesday The First Week of EasterApril 12, 2023Today's Reading: John 21:1-14Daily Lectionary: Ex 16:13-35, Heb 10:19-393 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is Risen! Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.How...2023-04-1206 minReflectionsTuesday The First Week of EasterApril 11, 2023Today's Reading: Luke 24:36-49Daily Lectionary: Ex 15:19-16:12, Heb 10:1-18“Have you anything here to eat?” Luke 24:40In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! If you ever attend a funeral at a church and the pastor doesn’t preach on the physical Resurrection of Jesus and the promise of the same resurrection of the deceased, you’ve been cheated. Jesus points to this important promise of the bodily resurrection. He points to it with a question with six simple words. “Have you anything here...2023-04-1106 minReflectionsMonday The First Week of EasterApril 10, 2023Today's Reading: Luke 24:13-35Daily Lectionary: Ex 15:1-18, Heb 9:1-28When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30-31In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! Saint Luke recounts that on the Sunday of the Resurrection, two disciples of Jesus were going from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were overwhelmed with all the news o...2023-04-1006 minReflectionsEaster SundayApril 9, 2023Today's Reading: Matthew 28:1-10Daily Lectionary: Ex. 14:10-31, Heb 9:1-28“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is Risen!! Heard any good jokes lately? Believe it or not there were some Church Fathers who said that at Easter God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. They called it the ‘Risus paschalis — the Easter laugh,'”. As Lutherans being serious and l...2023-04-0906 minReflectionsTuesday Holy WeekApril 4, 2023Today's Reading: Mark 14:1-15:47Daily Lectionary: Ex 9:29-10:20, Lam 2:1-22, Heb 3:1-19Mark 14:30–31: “And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I don’t know why, but we love the idea that God would test our faithfulness. Peter doesn’t hear this as a sad...2023-04-0405 minReflectionsMonday Holy WeekApril 3, 2023Today's Reading: Matt. 26:1-27:66Daily Lectionary: Ex 9:1-28, Lam. 2:1-22, Heb 3:1-19Matthew 26:11: “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s easy to question the LORD when He encourages expensive perfume being poured on his feet rather than sold to care for the poor. This is the thing that drove Judas to the chief priests for silver to betray Him. Jesus responds, “The poor you will always hav...2023-04-0305 min
Wirtschaftliche FreiheitZur Zukunft des GeldesIm Oktober 2021 hat die Europäische Zentralbank eine zweijährige Testphase zur Einführung eines „Digitalen Euro“ gestartet. Was sind die Ziele der EZB? Welche Folgen hätte die neue Digitalwährung für die Verbraucher? Welche Risiken sind zu bedenken?
Ein Gespräch zwischen Dr. Jürgen Schaaf (Europäische Zentralbank) und Dr. Jörn Quitzau (Berenberg).
Aus dem Inhalt:
Was verbirgt sich hinter dem Konzept des „Digitalen Euro“? (01:02) +++
Was sind die Beweggründe für die EZB, sich mit einer digitalen Zentralbankwährung auseinanderzusetzen? (10:03) +++
Hat die aktuelle Energiekrise Auswirku...2022-03-3023 min