God’s providence and human responsibility

In light of last week’s sermon on God’s providence (from Ecclesiastes 3:1-15), I’ve written a couple of blog posts this week unpacking this massive and important topic. In the first, I argued that the claim that God is providentially working, ordaining, bringing about...

God’s providence: a source of unending comfort

This past Sunday, our text of Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 had us consider the topic of God’s providence. Verse 11 states, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” The word translated “beautiful” means “appropriate, fitting, lovely.” And in context, it refers back to...

Christmas House gift drive

We are always looking for opportunities to be involved with our community, live out our obedience to God’s Word and be mission minded. With that being said, the Christmas/Caring House, in partnership with Stanwood Food bank and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, would love...

The lost key to life

Yesterday, we began a sermon series on the book of Ecclesiastes, which notoriously begins: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” The book is a journey to find meaning in life. It leads us to ask: Is there any point to this life? Is there any way to live a life that is...

Saying yes and no

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. –James 5:12 This past Sunday, a man came up to me after the service and asked...

Distracted to our own demise

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” James 5:7 This past Sunday, we looked at James 5-7-11, which exhorts believers to live with patient endurance. I began by noting how almost everything in our culture is working against us being patient:...

Who are you embarrassed by?

“Show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1) I recently witnessed an online conversation about COVID-19 vaccines, regarding a doctor who was advocating for the vaccines. One individual, who claims to be a...

Disruptive church

I’m currently reading a book called Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age, by Alan Noble. It suggests that our “distracted age” of ever-present social media, news, sports, streaming shows, etc., keeps us from reflecting on the deeper realities and...