Crawl to the Rock
There are moments in our lives, when we are tempted to believe that we have arrived—that we’ve reached the top. Coming to faith can feel like one such moment. It is freeing, liberating, empowering, when you realize that Jesus Christ has taken your sin to the cross and...
The God Who Sees Me
The story is told of an elderly grandfather who was very wealthy. He was in fairly good health for his age, except that his hearing was failing him. So he decided to purchase hearing aids. Two weeks later he returned to the audiologist so that she could make final...
The God Who Knows Me
"I know you... but from where, and who are you?" Those were my thoughts as I sat waiting for some friends to join us for coffee and fellowship in December. I listened and responded to the questions and interacted as best I could. I came to realize that he knew us...
The God Who Knows Tomorrow
When I was in high school, I helped chaperone a trip for some of the kids of the church to go out at night to Hoffman Hills, a hiking trail and recreational area near Menomonie, Wisconsin. Much of the trail went through wooded areas that mostly covered up the night...
Anxiety Antidotes: an Acrostic
Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Do...
LBS 2020 Commencement Address
What comes after Tabor? Tabor is the traditional name of the Mount of Transfiguration. There Peter, James and John encountered Moses—the voice of the Law, Elijah—representing the Prophets, and Jesus—the final Word of God. It was glorious! Seminary is like Tabor. Like...
LBS 2020 Graduates
ISAIAH BAI - MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREEIsaiah was born and raised in Shanghai, China. At the age of 18, he attended the University of Oregon. Sensing the call to Christian ministry, he transferred to New Hope Christian College and earned the Bachelor of Science in...
Transforming the Church
Community is important. The community you find yourself in has a great impact on who you are. When I first gave my life to Christ, I had almost no Christian friends. I took a look around at my community, at who I spent my time with, and realized that if I was going to...
Pandemic and Disease are Realities in this World
We see the reality of sickness in the world around us. It is in our present and our past. Our history is full of it. The Scriptures tell the story of how God’s people faced the reality of sickness and death in the world again and again. All because we live in a world...
Rogness Retires as Director
ROBERT OVERGAARD, SR: When I read of Matthew’s retirement as Director of Lutheran Brethren International Mission, I thought, “He was chosen of God!” When God sent Samuel to search for a candidate for the highest office in the land (1 Samuel 16), Samuel was directed to...
Texting While Driving
I was texting while driving the other day—something I abhor when others do it. But I told myself it was harmless, in my situation. I was just leaving church to drive home. In fact, I had already put the transmission in DRIVE when it occurred to me that my wife might...
New Director of LBIM
On May 18, 2020, President Paul Larson recommended and the COD unanimously approved the appointment of Daniel Venberg to be our next director of Lutheran Brethren International Mission. Daniel will begin his ministry as Director on July 1, 2020.
Update: Minneapolis
Brothers and Sisters, George Floyd died a week ago. With all that has transpired since then in Minneapolis, I have been asked to share with you how Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church is faring. I want to do that, along with one thought. As of June 2, the people of...
This Sickness Will Not End in Death
If the previous couple months have affirmed one thing to me about the nature of the Church, it is our togetherness. The spring of 2020 will undoubtedly go down in history as a vulnerable and difficult season of concern, grief, isolation, and loss. And, in our great...
One Little Word Shall Fell Him
I am becoming ever more convinced that the Western world doesn’t know quite what to do with the character of Satan. And by all accounts it seems that my hypothesis may be correct. A 2009 study by George Barna found that 59% of those who claimed to be Christian agreed...