The Secret Wireless

Revelation 5:8-14 Judgment is good.   That is a difficult thing to wrap our minds around in our postmodern world.   But this is the truth that the Book of Revelation brings to us: judgment is a good thing.                 Well meaning Christians do not wish to judge others.   They don’t want to be seen or labeled as “judgmental”.   And I can understand that.   Jesus Himself self does say, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”                    But could you imagine living a life where you did not make judgments?   It would be virtually impossible.   You open the refrigerator, grab the gallon of milk, and pour it into a glass.   It is chunky and has an extra offensive odor.   Do you drink it or not?   That requires a judgment.        ...

REVELATION 1:4-18   “I want to see Jesus.”   This is one of those pious statements made by Christians.   Show me your face, let me see your glory.   People say these things with good intentions.   They mean well.   But I often wonder if they realize what they are asking for.                 We often think that if we could see the face of Jesus, if we could see Him resurrected from the dead, then we would have an easier time trusting Him.   Non-Christians think that if they could see Jesus, touch Him, if we could have a Saint Thomas experience, then they would believe in Him.                 But we must all be careful what we wish for.   The pious Christian desire to see the glorious face of Jesus and the non-Christian’s desire for hard evidence can both take the same risk: actually seeing Jesus...

I am getting tired of hearing country songs about country life.  It seems like lately there have been a smattering of country music artists singing about how wonderful it is to be "country".  And it is boring.  Of course it does not help that I don't really like Country music, but come on, do we really need to hear, again, about the superiority of wearing cowboy boots, or drinking sweet tea?  It is not preaching to the choir.  It is singing to the choir. The reason I bring this up (not because you care what I think about country music) is because I sense that this is where we have gone many times as LC--MS Lutherans.  We don't preach to the choir.  I think our preaching is pretty good.  But we sing to the choir. Lately the Lutheran Witness has run several articles about the importance or the significance of church architecture, symbolism, and other such things.  One article further back spoke about the supposed meaning behind the cleri...

As some of you know, my grandfather, Irvin Ladage, died this past January.  At 30 years old I have been incredibly blessed to have lived this long in close relationships with all four of my grandparents as well as two "adopted" grandparents.  I always wanted to write something about the days leading up to his death, but it was just too fresh of a wound until now.  So here goes. My mother's side of the family has always been very close.  Growing up we gathered every Sunday evening at Grandpa and Grandma's house on the farm in rural Sangamon County.  Sitting around the table we had Democrats and Republicans, farmers and city folk, public school kids and parochial school kids.  But Sunday nights tended to put those things aside and we were simply family.   Even though our family has grown and changed over the years, and several of us have moved away from Sangamon County, these Sunday night meals kept on going in one form or another.  We stayed fa...

(Recent events have me thinking about what kind of prayer might be acceptable in the presence of members of the clergy from other religions.  I offer this example for your thoughts and consideration.) Lord Jesus Christ, You have shown humanity the true meaning of compassion in Your sacrificial death.  You have given us true and certain hope in Your triumphant resurrection.  Silence all those present who would offer a false compassion or a false hope.  Put an end to the blasphemous schemes of the devil who would turn our attention to other gods, to false religions.  Forgive us for seeking comfort in a place where You have not promised to be.  Send forth Your Christian Church to speak the truth of Your Word, which alone can offer the peace that surpasses all understanding, that all who do not trust in You for their salvation would be drawn to You by the working of Your Spirit.  Strengthen us and keep us steadfast in the Your Gospel alone, for You live...

II Corinthians 5:20-6:10 “Narrow Way” 2 / 13 / 13                                   You walk a narrow and dangerous road every day of your life.   Lutherans especially walk what has been dubbed by some the lonely way, the middle way.   Fall off to one side and we are in trouble.   Fall off to the other side and we are in supernatural peril.                   Life is dangerous, and I do not simply mean all those things that wish to physically harm you.   There are spiritual, theological pitfalls.   And these things matter just as much, if not more than, bodily danger.                           ...