How many vasectomies can one guy get? Well, let me tell you. During this last round of chemo treatments, my wife made the decision for our family, and completely without my input, that it is now my turn to be responsible for our family planning. I begged, pleaded, cried, bargained, cajoled, and bribed her to keep going, but she played the being-a-stage-4-cancer-patient card, so I knew what I had to do. I guess it’s only Read More …
When I first became Lutheran I understood it to be a theological movement. I was brought into a church by a pastor who said, “If you can mix your Catholic upbringing with your recent Evangelical faith, you will do well in the Lutheran Church.” That pastor went on to mentor me in the Lutheran Confessions, teach me how to read scripture, show me how to think theologically, and bring me up in the Lutheran Christian Read More …
I have been a big fan of Late Nate with Jimmy Fallon for some time. I try to stay up as much as possible with my night owl wife, but often I fall asleep just before the opening monologue. However, I almost always end up catching highlights of Jimmy’s show on Hulu the next day. When Jimmy has guests who are willing to play water gun games, race tricycles, crack eggs on their heads, and Read More …
Many people outside of San Diego probably don’t know about Jeff & Jer’s “Breaking and Entering Christmas.” The concept of the event is this. People will send in letters on the behalf of needy families. The Jeff & Jer Radio Show chooses a family and the show’s producer, Little Tommy, takes some of his friends from Chula Vista break into their house and leave presents for the whole family. They get locksmiths, police, and Read More …
A new school year has started and I want to drop some words of wisdom on the next class. For those of you in Seminary here are some tips for succeeding at getting your master’s degree. 1. Realize this is a choice: It may not feel like you have a choice, but you do. You can quit anytime you want. There is no one making you do this. You have been called to a path that Read More …
This last weekend I had the opportunity to hunt Dove. I was invited by a member of my congregation and eagerly took up the chance. WHY? You may ask. I did this because I’ve had this desire to be intimately involved, at least once, with the life cycle of the meat I eat. I wanted to go from seeing the animal alive, to killing, preparing, cooking, and eating it. I can’t explain this desire, it Read More …
During my brief stint attending an Evangelical church and for 6 years at an Evangelical seminary, I was struck by the boldness of faith from most of the people especially their willingness to pray for others on the spot. I find that mainline Christians don’t really do this. Last month, I was at a Synod Assembly and received a text from my wife that our son had a very high temperature. At the time I Read More …
Friends, please watch this in preparation for Trinity Sunday. H/T Lutheran Satire on youtube -jpserrano
I came across an image (not shown) of a street preacher while on the inter-webs and on his sign was a url. Knowing better, but not acting on it, I went to the website. On a side note, I’m not opposed to street preaching, I just think it’s ineffective. But, I am opposed to people preaching a gospel that is not really the gospel. Well, here is the “Gospel” according to their page. What is the Read More …
So, I’m reading Theology for the Community of God by Stanley Grenz in preparation for a sermon I’m giving on Trinity Sunday. Before I get into the thick of it let me tell you, this is a fine book. His understanding of the Trinity is very well done. In fact, I’ll use a good portion of what he writes as a basis for my sermon. BUT, I came to the following section and I had some Read More …