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Voices of Faith

The coming country

Editor’s note: On Nov. 1, the church recognizes All Saints’ Day. I love my country. Work for the common good. Vote in elections. Pray for public leaders. Admire our historical…
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Voices of Faith

Faith as practice, not works

“It feels like a mockery to me,” one woman said. I was leading a Bible study where the subject of the rosary had arisen. I was her pastor and knew…
I’m a Lutheran: Wayne L. Wold
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Wayne L. Wold

First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ellicott City, Md. Full-time professor at Hood College, Frederick, Md., and part-time church musician at First Having the hymn I wrote for the “God’s work. Our…
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Voices of Faith

Hidden treasure

When our kids were young, they spent hours enjoying an ancient swingset—one of those heavy, iron operations that served several previous occupants of our house. When its front right corner…
In <i>Ad Astra</i>, God’s work is on Earth
Voices of Faith

In Ad Astra, God’s work is on Earth

In the opening scene of Ad Astra, astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) scales an antennalike tower that reaches into Earth’s upper atmosphere. With the cosmos above him and our planet…
God will always rally for us
Voices of Faith

God will always rally for us

It goes by many names: Rally Sunday, Kickoff Sunday, Celebration Sunday, Beginning of Sunday School Sunday and a host of others. Whatever you call it, come September there’s a day…
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Voices of Faith

My take: Healthy masculinity and sharing emotions

While reading the article “God’s vision for a healthy masculinity,” I appreciated the writer’s intentionality with his son and his suggestions for raising boys with a healthier masculinity through awareness…
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Voices of Faith

Dear Mike: A letter to my brother

Editor’s note: In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, we’re running several posts related to suicide prevention and how nothing can separate us from the love of God. Stacey Nalean-Carlson…
Perspective: A God who loves beyond measure
Voices of Faith

Perspective: A God who loves beyond measure

Editor’s note: In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, we’re running several posts related to suicide prevention and how nothing can separate us from the love of God. When I…
First call excitement
Voices of Faith

First call excitement

This summer, I started my call as pastor redeveloper of St. Philip Lutheran Church in Trenton, Mich. Even though I was officially starting my first call, I had already built…
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Voices of Faith

My take: The great value of a pastor’s divided attention

There is an undercurrent at the pastor’s book launch (or community-garden opening or when she flies to present another workshop). A raised eyebrow, some crossed arms or whispered questions shake…