Podcasts about as luther

The Christian life is one of conflict, a conflict between the way or walk of the Spirit and the way or walk of the flesh. There is a civil war within ourselves. As Luther says 'Christians are not stocks and stones.'As we walk in the Spirit, flesh becomes increasingly subdued, but the conflict remains and it is fierce and unremitting. Paul lists four broad realms of the life where the sinful nature impacts us - sex, religion, society and drunkenness.Galatians 5:16-21 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar.

March 7, 2021. Today's sermon is on how the story of Jesus turning over the tables in the temple, paired with the Ten Commandments as a guide for our lives, gives us a lot to think about. Readings: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, John 2:13-22 *** Transcript *** When I was kid I was really strange: I actually loved the rules! I knew them all and followed them, well, religiously. And not only did I follow them, but I made it my job to be sure you did too. I remember being in third grade and getting into an argument with a friend in the classroom, because she wanted to break a rule and I was trying to stop her. I can still tell you to this day what the rule was, why she thought it was okay to break, and why she was wrong. And I remember coming home from school on more than one occasion to report to my mom that my brother hadn’t worn his hat and mittens on recess. I had a really good whine to it, too. As my brothers can attest, I was lots of fun at parties! I'm guessing I'm not alone in this. Some of you, on the other hand, likely follow or followed my brothers’ perspective on the rules — that it only counts as breaking rules if you get caught. And someone from a text study this week shared that they have always been inclined not to break the rules exactly, but to push the edge just a bit, just to see how far they could go. Whatever your perspective, it certainly is a fact, like Mr. Jesse pointed out, that rules are a part of life. Traffic laws, classroom rules, rules against things that harm others, rules that help keep order. And these days, rules for public health: mask mandates, capacity limitations, and distancing — all for the purpose of lessening our risk of catching or passing on the virus that is still circulating. And our motives for following them can range from wanting to protect ourselves and others, to fear of the consequences if we are caught not following them. For those of us who do like the rules, the first reading today is a real treasure, the ultimate in rule books: the 10 Commandments. Some of us may still be able to recite them by heart: “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.” Here we have a set of rules that has been handed down to us for millennia, from God! We as Christians often, I think, overlook the 10 Commandments, perhaps relegating it to a thing we had to learn and study in Confirmation class — perhaps thinking, mistakenly, that since Jesus came the law just isn’t important anymore. We may even have heard it said that Jesus came to overturn the law. As we hear our gospel story about Jesus turning over the tables of the money changers and making a ruckus in the synagogue, which could be interpreted to be a story of Jesus tearing down Judaism, it's really important to remember that Jesus was Jewish. As a faithful Jewish teacher, Jesus probably felt about the law and the commandments the way the psalmist describes today — reviving, rejoicing, enduring, true, desirable, sweeter, clear, enlightening. Wow. All of that, for a list of rules, like honor your father and mother, you shall not murder, you shall not steal? Luther shared a great appreciation for the Commandments, and had actually a lot to say about them — not just as a list of do's and don’ts, but as a guide for our lives. Because ultimately Jesus tells us in Matthew, like Mr. Jesse pointed out today, the greatest commandment is love of God and love of neighbor. As we humans wrestle with how to live out the law, how to be in relationship with one another, the answer is simply to love. Simple but not easy. We humans often need specifics to help us get it — specifics like don’t covet our neighbor’s goods, and don’t bear false witness against one another. And still, we fall and get up, and fall and get up, and fall again... Luther makes it clear, as he describes the law, that we will never be able to live this out perfectly. Part of what we learn from understanding the law is that we on our own can’t do it. We humans will always and forever need God to help and guide us along the way. We need to be reminded, often, that the whole purpose of the law to begin with is to guide our life in community, and guide our relationship with God. As Fred Buechner writes, “The difficulty is increased when you realize that by loving God and your neighbors, Jesus doesn't mean loving as primarily a feeling. Instead, he seems to mean that whether or not any feeling is involved, loving God means honoring and obeying and staying in constant touch with God, and loving your neighbors means acting in their best interests no matter what, even if personally you can't stand them.” As Luther says in his explanation of the eighth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” not only are we not to tell lies or slander, but we are to “come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.” Even, to echo Buechner again, if you personally can’t stand them. Simple, but certainly not easy. We will never be able to do this on our own, and we are greatly mistaken if we think we can, or if we think that doing so is required to earn God’s approval — that we can simply check the boxes and know that we have made it, somehow. Jesus understands this, I think. And Jesus, in his zeal in the courtyard of the temple, is reminding all of us of two other very important things about the law. One is that faith is not just about what we do in the sanctuary. Our faith is meant to be lived out in every aspect of our lives, in all of our relationships. As Jesus turns the tables, he is telling the money changers in no uncertain terms that they don’t get to profit off of their neighbors in the courtyard, and then enter the sanctuary and feel good about themselves. The 10 Commandments offer us not a way to earn our righteousness badge or as a measure by which to judge others, but a guide for embodying the love of God and neighbor in everything we do — especially with those we don’t like. All of this leads us to realize once again that sacred space and our lives of faith are not limited to what happens in the sanctuary, that sacred space is not defined by walls, but by how we live. How do we live sacred space? The barriers are down, and our whole lives become sacred! The other thing Jesus is telling the money changers and us is that the path of faith, the way we live with God and our neighbors, is not transactional — it's relational. Jesus’ burning zeal and passion came from holy anger at the barriers of wealth and privilege that prevented some from having access to the temple. In turning over the tables in the courtyard, Jesus is removing artificial barriers that had been placed between the people and God, ensuring that everyone could enter the temple without going through the money changers. This is one of the more interesting stories of Jesus we have in our gospels. We don’t often see Jesus get angry, but we see today that he did. If you are like me, this can be a really uncomfortable truth. I like the rules, after all, and isn’t one of the rules to not show anger like that? And yet, sometimes faithful love calls us to holy anger. And I will admit too, as one who has experienced barriers to the sanctuary in my own life, that in spite of my discomfort with passionate anger, there is something very satisfying about seeing Jesus let loose today. This story of Jesus turning over the tables, paired with the 10 Commandments as a guide for our lives, gives us a lot to think about. So I will leave you with just a few questions to reflect on. What about our faith brings out our passion? What are we willing to turn tables to proclaim or to defend? What walls and barriers are we willing to tear down, to ensure that someone who is excluded can come in? And whose wrath are we willing to risk? As our gospel ends today, there is one other thing to note as we continue our journey with Jesus of Nazareth in these 40 days of Lent. Jesus foreshadows his death, telling them that the temple of his body will be destroyed, and then says that it will be raised again in three days. The disciples, we're told, don’t get it then, or in the few days following Jesus’s death. It is only after Jesus has risen from the dead that they understand what he was trying to tell them — that he would die, but that would not be the end of the story. Sometimes the old has to die before the new can emerge. Love and life would prevail, even after the horror of Good Friday. And this is the promise of God revealed in all our scriptures: life springs forth in the most unexpected places, and death will never be the final word. Thanks be to God. *** Keywords *** 2021, Christ Lutheran Church, Webster Groves, sermon, podcast, transcript, Pastor Meagan McLaughlin, YouTube, video, Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22, coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic, Martin Luther, Fred Buechner

Here is Dr. Seltz's article that was rejected by Facebook: A PRAYERFUL THOUGHT – VIGILANTE VIOLENCE ALWAYS BETRAYS THE CAUSE....PRAYER AND FAITHFULNESS FORTIFIES THE CAUSE FRIDAY, January 8, 2021 Rebellion is not simply vile murder but is like a great fire that kindles and devastates a country; it fills the land with murder and bloodshed, makes widows and orphans, and destroys everything, like the greatest calamity....there is nothing more poisonous, pernicious, and devilish than a rebellious man. (Martin Luther, “Reactions to Peasant Rebellions” (1525))1 Violence, particularly vigilante violence, always betrays the cause. The violence of yesterday at the Capitol, is reprehensible and to be punished to the full extent of the law. Law and order—the rule of law, as we have argued many times before, is the basic foundation to a civil society. The peaceful concerns of many people who gathered yesterday were betrayed by vile acts of those who breached the Capitol to wreak havoc on our country. As Luther said in 1525 concerning the actions of the peasants of his day, their concerns (to which he was sympathetic) did not justify their murderous, rebellious actions. We can say much the same of those who were lawless yesterday. There is a growing vitriol and violence associated with our political passions. People wish to blame this president for the situation, but the vile language and rhetoric has been growing for years. (I do not deny that our president has contributed in part to the problem, and even bears some responsibility for what happened yesterday). Language is one thing, violence is another. Many have already forgotten a similar breach on our government merely three years ago when James Hodgkinson attempted to assassinate GOP members of congress2 in 2017 purely for political reasons (He did wound Rep. Steve Scalise). And there’s the unjust and often unchecked violence on both sides of the issues of the last several months that have people of goodwill on both sides of these issues, dismayed. Today, we say again unequivocally concerning these things, “Vigilante violence always betrays the cause, especially the cause of righteousness.” For those who were gathered yesterday in Washington D.C. to protest the issue of the past election, violence betrayed the cause. Like Luther during the “Peasant Uprising,” their concerns and issues were betrayed by the violence. The breach of the Capitol yesterday was inexcusable, and the perpetrators should be punished to the full extent of the law. Vigilante lawlessness, as we witnessed yesterday and over the last several months, can never serve the cause of the rule of law, justice, and civic peace...and must be uniformly rejected. What is needed now more than ever? Prayer and faithfulness to God coupled with service to neighbor and to country. Christians have a civic and a missional opportunity and duty to fulfill on God’s terms for the sake of others. Today is the day to commit ourselves anew to His calling 1 https://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/files/primary-source-75-luthers-reactions-to-peasant-rebellions.pdf 2 https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/14/homepage2/james-hodgkinson-profile/index.html on our lives in the many vocations in which we live and serve. Civically, that calls us to be law- abiding citizens who denounce all vigilante violence even as we call for and demand a law- honoring government which protects all law-abiding citizens the same. It also means that we must bravely raise our moral and Gospel voice in the public square for the sake of the culture and the church. In all these things, we must also commit ourselves to prayer that God would heal our nation even as He draws us back to Himself in repentance and grace, civility, and virtue. I am not sure if I fully knew what I was getting into when I took the position of being the Executive Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty back in 2017. However, I had seen the growing abuses of government concerning the church and knew that the church would need to be defended and protected for its ongoing service. I see the growing intrusion still. I’ve also seen many of the DC political processes (protests included) from the inside or in person. Our view has always been that we need to be less dependent on government (both sides of the aisle included), more dependent on ourselves, our families, and our churches, and free to proclaim the whole counsel of God, especially His Gospel good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone—which is the only real solution to the many problems we currently face. Today we are reminded again that violence always betrays the cause....while prayer and faithfulness fortify the cause to bless the nation in which we are privileged to live. This program is underwritten by Alliance for Shared Health. Check out how you can cut your health insurance premiums by 40-60% by joining a health sharing alliance. ASH is that option!! Learn more... (http://www.ashcommunity.org/Stacy-on-the-right/) Download our latest PDF Guide at: GUIDE: Talking to your high schoolers about politics!! (https://familyvisionmedia.org/guide) Thank you for listening!! We are live Monday through Friday from 9p to midnight on SiriusXM the Patriot channel 125!!! Donate to support the show here: paypal.me/stacyontheright Or join our Patreon: patreon.com/stacyontheright Thanks and God Bless ya!! -- Spiritual Encouragement -- The name of the Lord is a high tower, the righteous run to it and are safe Proverbs 18:10 -- Stacy's Stash! -- For links to the articles and material referenced in this week's episode check out this week's page from our podcast dashboard! -- Get More Stacy -- Stacy's Blog (http://www.stacyontheright.com) Watch the show live, download previous episodes, and more Stacy! Contact Stacy stacy [at] stacyontheright.com -- Connect with Stacy -- Follow Stacy on Twitter (https://twitter.com/stacyontheright) Follow Stacy on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stacyontheright971/)

Here is Dr. Seltz's article that was rejected by Facebook: A PRAYERFUL THOUGHT – VIGILANTE VIOLENCE ALWAYS BETRAYS THE CAUSE....PRAYER AND FAITHFULNESS FORTIFIES THE CAUSE FRIDAY, January 8, 2021 Rebellion is not simply vile murder but is like a great fire that kindles and devastates a country; it fills the land with murder and bloodshed, makes widows and orphans, and destroys everything, like the greatest calamity....there is nothing more poisonous, pernicious, and devilish than a rebellious man. (Martin Luther, “Reactions to Peasant Rebellions” (1525))1 Violence, particularly vigilante violence, always betrays the cause. The violence of yesterday at the Capitol, is reprehensible and to be punished to the full extent of the law. Law and order—the rule of law, as we have argued many times before, is the basic foundation to a civil society. The peaceful concerns of many people who gathered yesterday were betrayed by vile acts of those who breached the Capitol to wreak havoc on our country. As Luther said in 1525 concerning the actions of the peasants of his day, their concerns (to which he was sympathetic) did not justify their murderous, rebellious actions. We can say much the same of those who were lawless yesterday. There is a growing vitriol and violence associated with our political passions. People wish to blame this president for the situation, but the vile language and rhetoric has been growing for years. (I do not deny that our president has contributed in part to the problem, and even bears some responsibility for what happened yesterday). Language is one thing, violence is another. Many have already forgotten a similar breach on our government merely three years ago when James Hodgkinson attempted to assassinate GOP members of congress2 in 2017 purely for political reasons (He did wound Rep. Steve Scalise). And there’s the unjust and often unchecked violence on both sides of the issues of the last several months that have people of goodwill on both sides of these issues, dismayed. Today, we say again unequivocally concerning these things, “Vigilante violence always betrays the cause, especially the cause of righteousness.” For those who were gathered yesterday in Washington D.C. to protest the issue of the past election, violence betrayed the cause. Like Luther during the “Peasant Uprising,” their concerns and issues were betrayed by the violence. The breach of the Capitol yesterday was inexcusable, and the perpetrators should be punished to the full extent of the law. Vigilante lawlessness, as we witnessed yesterday and over the last several months, can never serve the cause of the rule of law, justice, and civic peace...and must be uniformly rejected. What is needed now more than ever? Prayer and faithfulness to God coupled with service to neighbor and to country. Christians have a civic and a missional opportunity and duty to fulfill on God’s terms for the sake of others. Today is the day to commit ourselves anew to His calling 1 https://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/files/primary-source-75-luthers-reactions-to-peasant-rebellions.pdf 2 https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/14/homepage2/james-hodgkinson-profile/index.html on our lives in the many vocations in which we live and serve. Civically, that calls us to be law- abiding citizens who denounce all vigilante violence even as we call for and demand a law- honoring government which protects all law-abiding citizens the same. It also means that we must bravely raise our moral and Gospel voice in the public square for the sake of the culture and the church. In all these things, we must also commit ourselves to prayer that God would heal our nation even as He draws us back to Himself in repentance and grace, civility, and virtue. I am not sure if I fully knew what I was getting into when I took the position of being the Executive Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty back in 2017. However, I had seen the growing abuses of government concerning the church and knew that the church would need to be defended and protected for its ongoing service. I see the growing intrusion still. I’ve also seen many of the DC political processes (protests included) from the inside or in person. Our view has always been that we need to be less dependent on government (both sides of the aisle included), more dependent on ourselves, our families, and our churches, and free to proclaim the whole counsel of God, especially His Gospel good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone—which is the only real solution to the many problems we currently face. Today we are reminded again that violence always betrays the cause....while prayer and faithfulness fortify the cause to bless the nation in which we are privileged to live. This program is underwritten by Alliance for Shared Health. Check out how you can cut your health insurance premiums by 40-60% by joining a health sharing alliance. ASH is that option!! Learn more... (http://www.ashcommunity.org/Stacy-on-the-right/) Download our latest PDF Guide at: GUIDE: Talking to your high schoolers about politics!! (https://familyvisionmedia.org/guide) Thank you for listening!! We are live Monday through Friday from 9p to midnight on SiriusXM the Patriot channel 125!!! Donate to support the show here: paypal.me/stacyontheright Or join our Patreon: patreon.com/stacyontheright Thanks and God Bless ya!! -- Spiritual Encouragement -- The name of the Lord is a high tower, the righteous run to it and are safe Proverbs 18:10 -- Stacy's Stash! -- For links to the articles and material referenced in this week's episode check out this week's page from our podcast dashboard! -- Get More Stacy -- Stacy's Blog (http://www.stacyontheright.com) Watch the show live, download previous episodes, and more Stacy! Contact Stacy stacy [at] stacyontheright.com -- Connect with Stacy -- Follow Stacy on Twitter (https://twitter.com/stacyontheright) Follow Stacy on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stacyontheright971/)

Readings* Psalm 103* Psalm 19* Isaiah 40:1–17* Revelation 7:1–17* Large Catechism, Part I ¶¶ 158–166CommemorationToday we commemorate Adam and Eve. Father and mother to us all, Adam and Eve were the first two human beings created by God’s own hands. Adam, formed from the dust, was created first and Eve, formed from one of Adam’s ribs to be his companion, was created second. Failing to obey God and listening to the Serpent’s temptation, Eve ate of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which God had forbidden, and Adam, forsaking his role as head, joined her in rebellion. For their disobedience, they were driven from the Garden; by their disobedience, death entered the world. Nevertheless, in the midst of the tragedy of the Fall, God promised that the woman’s Seed — Christ, the Savior — would crush the Serpent’s head. In His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Christ defeated sin, death, and the devil — fulfilling the promise of Genesis 3:15. As Luther commented: ‘God arranged to remove through Christ whatever the devil brought in through Adam.’ReaderCorey J. MahlerCopyright NoticesUnless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Unless otherwise indicated, all quotations from the Lutheran Confessions are from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, copyright © 2005, 2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of Concordia, call 800-325-3040.Support the show (https://confident.faith/donate/)

The Christian’s Fight Text: Romans 7Pastor Curt Stapleton The struggle that a believer faces is different than that of the unbeliever. As Luther reminds us, the Christian is simultaneously a sinner and saint along the road of sanctification. The Law … August 16, 2020 Read More »

Readings* Psalm 103* Psalm 19* Isaiah 40:1–17* Revelation 7:1–17* Large Catechism, Part I ¶¶ 158–166CommemorationToday we commemorate Adam and Eve. Father and mother to us all, Adam and Eve were the first two human beings created by God’s own hands. Adam, formed from the dust, was created first and Eve, formed from one of Adam’s ribs to be his companion, was created second. Failing to obey God and listening to the Serpent’s temptation, Eve ate of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which God had forbidden, and Adam, forsaking his role as head, joined her in rebellion. For their disobedience, they were driven from the Garden; by their disobedience, death entered the world. Nevertheless, in the midst of the tragedy of the Fall, God promised that the woman’s Seed — Christ, the Savior — would crush the Serpent’s head. In His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Christ defeated sin, death, and the devil — fulfilling the promise of Genesis 3:15. As Luther commented: ‘God arranged to remove through Christ whatever the devil brought in through Adam.’ReaderCorey J. MahlerCopyright NoticesUnless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Unless otherwise indicated, all quotations from the Lutheran Confessions are from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, copyright © 2005, 2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of Concordia, call 800-325-3040.Support the show (https://confident.faith/donate/)

Rev. David Fleming, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Isaiah 30. Instead of trusting in God and the word of Isaiah His messenger, Judah put their faith in the military strength of Egypt. It seemed prudent in the face of Assyrian aggression, but it revealed Judah’s shameful idolatry of the heart. For all its ferocity, Egypt would prove to be a do-nothing dragon, a tamed beast in a timeout. The sinful human heart still prefers “illusions” and “smooth things” rather than the truth and hard facts. As Luther said, even though the works of God seem unattractive and even evil at times, they are for our salvation. God pours out tempest and flood, fire and hail, to give us our exodus from slavery. He empties His fury against His own Son to save us like a signal on a hill and a serpent raised in the wilderness.

As Luther returned from his trip to Rome, he comes back with questions and concerns. His mentor puts him on a path toward academics which lead to Martin becoming a Doctor of Sacred Scripture and eventually a professor at the University in Wittenberg. All of this leads to a major conflict in a few years when Luther confronts abuses regarding Penance and Indulgences. Pastor Isaiah gives us a brief glimpse into the doctrines and the response of Luther in his famous "95 Thesis."

PASTOR ELLEN:  In today’s gospel reading, Jesus teaches about prayer by giving us what we now call The Lord’s Prayer.  We often think of the Lord’s Prayer as an efficient way to pray. We know it by heart, and it is used as the perfect close for meetings and gatherings.  Yet, far too often, we recite this prayer by rote, not even thinking about what we are saying.   It is also important to acknowledge that, in this “can-do” culture in which we live, prayer too easily becomes an attempt to change God and aggrandize ourselves instead of what it is truly meant to be.  You see, prayer really is an interior practice that brings change to the one who is praying, change to our very selves.  This will always happen if we stand calmly in God’s safe presence, allowing God to invade our hearts and heal us.  So, it is interesting to note there is something about this beloved prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, that emphasizes the need to let go and trust God.  It is interesting that each petition in this prayer contains some sort of renunciation of self, letting go of self.  Today, we are going to take advantage of a teaching moment.  We will use Martin Luther’s small catechism as a basis for our time together.  Please turn in the back of your hymnal to page 1163.  I invite you to follow along as we contemplate The Lord’s Prayer, learning from each of the petitions. ZACHARY:  Our Father in heaven.  What is this? What does this mean?    PAUL:  With these words God wants to attract us, so that we come to believe he is truly our Father and we are truly his children, in order that we may ask him boldly and with complete confidence, just as loving children ask their loving father.   KIM:  Sometimes I get stuck on the wrong particulars of this invitation.  Particulars like relational issues between fathers and children or particulars of location like earth and heaven.  Focusing on these particulars causes me to miss a main point in this invitation.  My human nature tends to individualize my relationship with Jesus and with God to serve my need.  Here I’m reminded that God is not mine, God is not only my father, God is the creator of everything, of all people like and unlike me, God is collectively “ours”.  I’m particularly invited to consider the universality of God first with the word “Our”.  ZACHARY:  Hallowed be your name.  What is this?  What does this mean?  PAUL:  It is true that God’s name is holy in itself, but we ask in this prayer that it may also become holy in and among us.   ZACHARY: How does this come about?   PAUL:  Whenever the word of God is taught clearly and purely and we, as God’s children, also live holy lives according to it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven! However, whoever teaches and lives otherwise than the word of God teaches, dishonors the name of God among us. Preserve us from this, heavenly Father!   PASTOR ELLEN:  We live in a culture in which we are bombarded with, and consumed by, questions about our self-image.  All we need do is turn on the TV or read the newspaper to find a plethora of commercials and ads addressing our self-image.  We are constantly worried about how others view us, what others think about us and even what others may say about us. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us that it is only God and God’s name that matter.  Yes, our identity and our names are significant, but we can let go of our unhealthy ladder climbing and pursuit of gaining a name for ourselves.  We can let go of the unhealthy image-seeking pursuit.  We do not need to prove ourselves and our own significance. The truth is that we gain our own significance through being named and claimed by God, through being called by God and called in God’s name. ZACHARY:  Your kingdom come.  What is this?     PAUL:  In fact, God’s kingdom comes on its own without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it may also come to us.   ZACHARY:  How does this come about?   PAUL:  Whenever our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that through the Holy Spirit’s grace we believe God’s holy word and live godly lives here in time and hereafter in eternity.   KIM:  Your kingdom come.  God’s kingdom.  What a crazy, awesome idea to imagine God’s kingdom coming to us, to imagine that I have the opportunity to participate in God’s kingdom!  And God is such a generous, loving God, it is freely given without me even having to ask!  (pause) I wonder if I even recognize bits of God’s kingdom breaking into my life if, or really when, I witness it?  God sends the Holy Spirit to us as our guide.  Amidst our busy lives scheduling the construction of our own kingdoms where do we leave time and space for the Holy Spirit?  Do we allow ourselves to be interrupted?  How do we respond to those interruptions?  How does the Holy Spirit speak to us and guide us or turn us around toward God’s coming kingdom?    ZACHARY:  Your will be done on earth as in heaven.  What is this?     PAUL:  In fact, God’s good and gracious will comes about without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it may also come about in and among us.   ZACHARY:  How does this come about?   PAUL:  Whenever God breaks and hinders every evil scheme and will – as are present in the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh – that would not allow us to hallow God’s name and would prevent the coming of his kingdom, and instead whenever God strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his word and in faith until the end of our lives. This is God’s gracious and good will.   PASTOR ELLEN:  With this petition, I acknowledge that I need to let go of my stubborn will.  You see, I want it all, I want it now and I want it my way.  My desires, my hopes, my fears – all these things shape my will.  And, sometimes, people can be ruthless in seeking the desires of their own wills.  Yet, the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to renounce our own will and let go of our need to control.  It is not about our will but about God’s will for us and for the world.  And, when it is about God’s will, God’s kingdom will come and shape our hearts and lives into what God desires.  ZACHARY:  Give us today our daily bread.  What is this?     PAUL:  In fact, God gives daily bread without our prayer, even to all evil people, but we ask in this prayer that God cause us to recognize what our daily bread is and to receive it with thanksgiving.   ZACHARY:  What then does “daily bread” mean?   PAUL:  Everything included in the necessities and nourishment for our bodies, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, farm, fields, livestock, money, property, an upright spouse, upright children, upright members of the household, upright and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, decency, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.   KIM:  This is quite the expansive list beyond ordinary bread!  For years I mentally skipped over this petition because I’ve enjoyed plenty of bread.  I have bread to spare, I dispose of it in my compost bowl daily.  But the prayer is not for me, it is for us.  Here I find a challenging invitation to change, as Pastor Ellen reminded us in her introduction, prayer brings change to the one who is praying.  Awareness of my abundance has caused me to wonder about those lacking daily bread, health, home or other necessities.  Has God not provided enough bread for everyone throughout the world?  Does God elect some to receive bread and not others?  Or do some hang onto more than their share of bread, living into a message of scarcity, fear or greed?  Do the powerful collect more and more bread for themselves leaving not enough bread for others?  Do I?    I just prayed to participate in OUR God’s kingdom and will, for it to come here, to this place, through the witness of my life.  I enjoy the privilege of abundance of daily bread.  So how does this prayer affect the way I live, the way I manage my bread?  What does this prayer mean for us?   ZACHARY:  Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. What is this?     PAUL:  We ask in this prayer that our heavenly Father would not regard our sins nor deny these petitions on their account, for we are worthy of nothing for which we ask, nor have we earned it. Instead we ask that God would give us all things by grace, for we daily sin much and indeed deserve only punishment. So, on the other hand, we, too, truly want to forgive heartily and to do good gladly to those who sin against us.   PASTOR ELLEN:  Forgive us our sins or, as some traditions articulate this phrase, forgive us our debts!  This petition strikes at our self-sufficiency, our self-righteousness, and the many things we do that hurt our neighbor.  In our self-sufficient culture, there is a sense in which we pride ourselves of not being in debt to anyone, whether it is financial or otherwise.  We often take pride in refusing help because we don’t want to be seen as weak.  Yet, whether the word is sins or debts, the Lord’s Prayer teaches us that we are in debt.  I am indebted to the Lord God.  We are deeply indebted to God from whom we have received everything, because everything we have is all gift.  Quite frankly, we all are broken, and we all are in need of God’s forgiving love.  As Luther said, “We are all poor beggars at the foot of the cross.”  You see, we all gather as beggars in need of grace.          In our brokenness as people, we also live in a culture where we frequently want to get even if we have been wronged by others.  In fact, it seems as though some people love to show that they have been offended by others.  Yet, the Lord’s Prayer teaches us that it is not about who has wronged me or who has wronged us.  This prayer calls me to view my neighbor with compassion, even if my neighbor has wronged me.  My neighbor is broken just as I am, and my neighbor is a child of God, just as I am.  This prayer teaches us to forgive as God has already forgiven me and my neighbor.  It calls us to let go of our love of being offended.   ZACHARY:  Save us from the time of trial.  What is this?     PAUL:  It is true that God tempts no one, but we ask in this prayer that God would preserve and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins, and that, although we may be attacked by them, we may finally prevail and gain the victory.   KIM:  For much of my life I have rested in a place of security, believing that I’m strong, believing that I’m in control and through my skill and responsible action everything will turn out okay.  I’ve relaxed into a state of denial that I am tested because, look! I’ve got it together with my fabulous plan!  This past week I faced a time of trial.  Not by God, but by the world, by the worst-case scenarios of my own mind, and I sank into a place of despair.  I became angry and in my mind I lashed out toward the people who I imagined contributed to this trial -- fault always lies with “them” and not “me”.  This anger and despair changed me, it affected my thinking, it infected the air around me and spread anxiety and negativity.  I struggled to keep my mind on the promises of Christ, I didn’t believe that God has committed to preserve and keep me and all people.  I became fueled by the bad news media instead of being fueled by the love of God. Honestly, I experienced that it’s much easier to give into the sin of anger and despair.  The truth is that I need this prayer, I need God.  The truth is that God came to me in the reassuring voices of trusted friends, the company of loved ones, and yet I still struggled to trust.  I still sought to move forward under my own power, I still wrestled with my anger.  I still resisted letting go. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us that we have no power in ourselves to withstand anything. God alone has the power to come to our aid. This is why at the beginning of each day at morning prayer for the past two millennia the Church has opened her prayers with these words, “O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.” We do not have the power to withstand the time of trial or overcome sin (the Greek word means trials generically, which includes temptations to sin). The Lord is our Warrior. We cry out to Him for deliverance. Without His aid we are hopeless. We must renounce our own strength. ZACHARY:  And deliver us from evil.  What is this?     PAUL:  We ask in this prayer, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven may deliver us from all kinds of evil—affecting body or soul, property or reputation—and at last, when our final hour comes, may grant us a blessed end and take us by grace from this valley of tears to himself in heaven.   PASTOR ELLEN:  Like the previous petition, this petition teaches us that we are broken and powerless to deliver ourselves. It also teaches us that we need deliverance from our very own self and our bondage to self. There is real evil in the world, evil that we are powerless to combat without God’s aid, God’s presence to us, and God’s presence within our lives. We must renounce our own power to deliver.  God will and does deliver us. ZACHARY:  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.  What is this?   PAUL:  That I should be certain that such petitions are acceptable to and heard by our Father in heaven, for he himself commanded us to pray like this and has promised to hear us. “Amen, amen” means “Yes, yes, it is going to come about just like this.”   KIM:  This last part of the prayer, the doxology, is contained in some manuscripts but not others, yet the idea is biblical.  Here again we reaffirm that our personal “kingdom” is not what matters.  Again, we are powerless. God is the power – not us.  The glory is God’s – not ours.  I need to let go and learn that I will always gain my strength, power, glory, sustenance, and significance from God and God alone. World without end. Yes, yes, it is going to come about just like this!   PASTOR

Original Broadcast: November 2008 Monthly Theme: First Article The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16) God Provides This common introduction to the "common table prayer" used by many Christians truly brings a great message for each of us. God provides everything that we need. As Luther says in his explanation of the First Article of the Creed, "[God] richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life." Simply put, everything we have comes from God. Our food, life, jobs, family, hobbies, recreation. It all comes from God. He gives it to us "out of His fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him." We don't deserve all the gifts that God gives to us. The greatest gift we don't deserve is His Son. Jesus came into the world, not because we're such great people, but because we're completely unworthy of His attention. He died on the Cross to pay for your sins because He wants you to be with Him forever in Heaven. That's His provision for all who believe in Him. That's His greatest provision for you this morning. Amen.

The greatest feelings of dependence and humility often come through times of great suffering. Though we are brought low, God's ultimate goal is to make us whole. It is only by truly seeing the magnitude of our need and the depth of our own sin that we find true rest in God's forgiveness. As Luther wrote, "Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world" (LW 48:281-282). Thank you for listening to season 2! Gospel Mindfulness will return in the Fall with a new series on seven big questions people have about God, the Bible, and Christianity. *Modified image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

In the leylines of Pittsburgh, Lucia reunites with someone she feared lost.  As she shares words with them and learns of what she and her friends must do, those same friends are threatened by Mammon's forces, come to collect Louis Stone.  As Luther and Lesleigh devise a plan to stop the toothy beasts, Patricia leaves the Last Resort to provide aid, and Branch brings Lumina to meet her daughter.  As they all converge, they are about to see something believed impossible... Episode art by Bee. Sound editing by Holly. Theme music by Avery Stemmler. Background music by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under Creative Commons 3.0. Roll to Breathe is funded by Patreon. If you like the show, please consider backing us yourself!

As Luther and Serafine prepare to face down Cygnis and their eventual separation, they make the most of the time they have left.  Branch and Lucia, having reconciled, look for a friend in need of saving.  At Oakland's Cathedral of Learning, Patricia and Lesleigh prepare for the ritual to free Louis Stone, unaware of the jaws closing in on them... Episode art by Bee. Sound editing by Holly. Theme music by Avery Stemmler. Background music by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under Creative Commons 3.0. Roll to Breathe is funded by Patreon. If you like the show, please consider backing us yourself!

Someone once called patience “the beggar’s virtue.” A beggar waits. He waits and waits until some kind soul comes along. Sure, he can try to look pathetic and come up with creative lines to win compassion, but, ultimately, his fate lies with the philanthropist, the kind soul who takes note of his need. As Luther commented just before his death, “We’re all beggars.” We approach God as men, women, and children with nothing to offer Him. We come only to receive, pleading His kindness and not our worthiness.

Lesleigh gets a surprise visit in her bunker, and addresses the uninvited guest before meeting Lena for coffee and conversation.  Branch, having gotten dressed and gotten out, meets with Emil to regroup after the botched investigation of the vampire's hideout.  After a disheartening conversation, he heads to the Nightstalker, where he is greeted with more bad news.  As Luther, Lesleigh and Branch talk about werewolves, vampires and phoenixes, Lucia discusses how she should handle Lena's vision with her human partner, Agatha, and Lena gets a visit from a strange and colorful woman... Episode art by Bee.  Editing by Kyle.  Theme music by Avery Stemmler, with most other episode music coming from Incompetech. Roll to Breathe is funded by Patreon.  If you like the show, please consider backing us yourself!

As Luther came to Romans 1:17, he pondered the meaning of the quotation from Habakkuk 2:4. Reflecting on what this text meant, Luther offered this testimony: When by the Spirit of God, I understood these words—"The just shall live by faith"—then I felt born again like a new man. I entered through the open doors into the very paradise of God.

Jesus shows his power over sin and evil in his ministry, and on the cross through his death and resurrection. All who acknowledge their sinfulness before God may receive forgiveness and healing through the power of the Holy Spirit.   Next step: As Luther suggests in the Small Catechism, begin each day by acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness, and open yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive and heal you.   Lessons: Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 130, Mark 3:20-35

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–verse by verse–through the opening two chapters. This year, we pick up where we left off and keep moving forward. As Luther said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes”★ Support this podcast ★

What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. The salvation issue, with all its various facets, was at the center of the early Christian movement as it sought to defend itself over against both Judaism and paganism. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Rome had very different opinions on these matters. So Paul uses his rhetorical skill to tackle such fundamental theological issues with such a deft touch that it the letter to the Romans it has left an enduring and vital contribution to Christians' understanding of who they are and what they believe. As Luther therefore said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.★ Support this podcast ★

What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. The salvation issue, with all its various facets, was at the center of the early Christian movement as it sought to defend itself over against both Judaism and paganism. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Rome had very different opinions on these matters. So Paul uses his rhetorical skill to tackle such fundamental theological issues with such a deft touch that it the letter to the Romans it has left an enduring and vital contribution to Christians' understanding of who they are and what they believe. As Luther therefore said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.★ Support this podcast ★

What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. The salvation issue, with all its various facets, was at the center of the early Christian movement as it sought to defend itself over against both Judaism and paganism. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Rome had very different opinions on these matters. So Paul uses his rhetorical skill to tackle such fundamental theological issues with such a deft touch that it the letter to the Romans it has left an enduring and vital contribution to Christians' understanding of who they are and what they believe. As Luther therefore said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.★ Support this podcast ★

What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. The salvation issue, with all its various facets, was at the center of the early Christian movement as it sought to defend itself over against both Judaism and paganism. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Rome had very different opinions on these matters. So Paul uses his rhetorical skill to tackle such fundamental theological issues with such a deft touch that it the letter to the Romans it has left an enduring and vital contribution to Christians' understanding of who they are and what they believe. As Luther therefore said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.★ Support this podcast ★

What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. The salvation issue, with all its various facets, was at the center of the early Christian movement as it sought to defend itself over against both Judaism and paganism. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Rome had very different opinions on these matters. So Paul uses his rhetorical skill to tackle such fundamental theological issues with such a deft touch that it the letter to the Romans it has left an enduring and vital contribution to Christians' understanding of who they are and what they believe. As Luther therefore said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.★ Support this podcast ★

What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul's agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. The salvation issue, with all its various facets, was at the center of the early Christian movement as it sought to de ne itself over against both Judaism and paganism. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Rome had very di erent opinions on these matters. So Paul uses his rhetorical skill to tackle such fundamental theological issues with such a deft touch that it the letter to the Romans it has left an enduring and vital contribution to Christians' understanding of who they are and what they believe. As Luther therefore said: [Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.★ Support this podcast ★

We have been studying the book of Romans during Lent and Easter. The Scriptures above are Paul’s opening statement and his closing benediction in the book of Romans. There are several similar concepts mentioned in the opening and closing statements (The Gospel of Jesus Christ; Prophetic Scriptures; All Nations; Obedience to the Faith). Roman’s teaches us to live out the gospel in faith by the power of the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. The word gospel means – (something regarded as true and implicitly believed). Paul urges us to live out the gospel in our everyday lives and to think like a Christian should think. Do you think Christianly? The book of Romans teaches us we must strive to live in a way that honors Christ, by grace through faith. Christian liberty demands that we be daily liberated through the death and resurrection of Christ, by grace through faith. It demands that we know the truth as revealed in the scriptures so that we can see sin for what it is. As Luther put it: "I am bound by the text of the Bible, my conscience is captive to the word of God", Luther. Paul in Romans reminds us that Jesus demands that we make moral decisions in the midst of life's circumstances, knowing before whom we must one day stand.

Just as in Luther's day so today there are many problems with the Church that need to be addressed and confronted. As Luther said, the Scriptures must always stand in judgment upon the practices of men in the Church.