A blessing for Lent
Theology & Beliefs

A blessing for Lent

I don’t remember the first time I received a blessing, nor when I first offered one myself. I only know that, looking back, the giving and receiving of blessings have…

God of resurrection
Lectionary Blog

God of resurrection

Lectionary for March 22, 2026 Fifth Sunday in Lent Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 A guest speaker recently talked to my class about the importance of “majoring…

God’s love sets us free
Voices of Faith

God’s love sets us free

Martin Luther’s assessment that we as God’s people are simultaneously sinners and saints has sometimes rankled. Nonetheless, the older I become, the more I acknowledge Luther’s honest insight—and my own…

Plans A, B and C
Lectionary Blog

Plans A, B and C

Lectionary for March 15, 2026 Fourth Sunday in Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Did you ever start out to do something great, but your first…

This Lent, do one thing at a time
Living Faithfully

This Lent, do one thing at a time

Focal verse Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you (Proverbs 4:25). Reflection Some days, doing one thing at a time might be the holiest…

A new look at the devil
Theology & Beliefs

A new look at the devil

A mighty fortress is our God. … On earth he has no equal (ELW, 503-505). I’m a Lutheran, baptized, confirmed and ordained in that faith. Yet I was already on…

Thirst and movement
Lectionary Blog

Thirst and movement

Lectionary for March 8, 2026 Third Sunday in Lent Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 After taking a few decades off, I’ve been running again for the past…

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us as Lutherans,…

Journeys of blessings
Lectionary Blog

Journeys of blessings

Lectionary for March 1, 2026 Second Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 I used to run a small boutique tourism company, guiding tours for…

The most honest church festival day
Voices of Faith

The most honest church festival day

One blustery Ash Wednesday, some pastor colleagues and I went downtown to distribute “ashes on the go.” We spread on sidewalks that ran along towering office buildings and bustling restaurants, dressed in clergy wear…

Facing temptation
Lectionary Blog

Facing temptation

Lectionary for Feb. 22, 2026 First Sunday in Lent Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 I grew up in a church culture that made frequent reference to…