So many times, Jesus, according to those who observed him, just didn’t understand how things worked. They saw him giving away all those miracles with no intention of using them for political gain. They saw his feed thousands of people, but never provided a home for himself. He touches the Leper, and the Leper becomes clean? Who is this guy?

Just as he begins his public ministry, he goes to see the wild man in the wilderness, John the Baptizer. Many people were flocking to him to repent of their sins and be baptised. Into this scene comes this new Rabbi, and he comes not to watch, not to help, but to participate. In fact, he came to the bug-eating, camel-hair-wearing desert preacher to be baptized. Even John saw this was backwards.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14

BACKWARDS! Even though John, who was born to prepare the way for Jesus, was preparing the way for Him, he didn’t fully understand who he was.

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:19-28

Jesus does not let John’s lack of understanding keep him from being baptized. Jesus knew he would spend a great deal of time in the next 3 years trying to explain to people that he DID understand how things worked. Or perhaps I could say Jesus would spend a lot of time telling people how backwards this world was and how he had come to turn the whole place back around. Jesus answers John’s concerns as he answers him.

But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. Matthew 3:15

I imagine that in the moments, days, and weeks that followed this moment with Jesus in the river, John remembered Jesus’s Baptism. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

Jesus even had his baptism backwards from our perspective. We believe and confess that through our baptism, our sins are washed away in a cleansing flood of God’s grace and mercy. But when Jesus' baptism was complete, he was no freer than he had been when he began; he was not clothed in righteousness. He was doing what he was sent to do; Jesus was taking on the sins of the world. All those confessed sins that were drowned in that water, and the sins confessed and expressed since the Garden, met Jesus in the water, and he stepped into the sins of our lives and came out celebrated by the Father and the Holy Spirit.

The first will be last; the strong become weak; the king becomes a servant; love your enemy. Yeah, I think I can say with confidence, from the perspective of this broken world, we still see Jesus getting it backwards. Remember that the next time life seems to be jumping off the tracks, when God seems to be ignoring our needs, remember the words of Isaiah.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

That, my friends, is prophet talk for Jesus has it backwards.

SOMETHING TO PONDER:

How is God calling you to live life backwards?

<><Pastor Craig

But the Church reminds us that “ordinary” does not mean “empty.” Epiphany is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of Christ's revelation to the world. The same Jesus who drew shepherds and magi now steps into public ministry, shining light into dark places, calling disciples, healing the broken, and proclaiming the Kingdom.

So what do we do now?
We follow the Light. We seek after Jesus, we learn from him, we watch him, we journey on toward becoming more like him, and we become his Disciples.

We look for Christ at work in the everyday moments—at the kitchen table, in the workplace, in the quiet acts of kindness that rarely make headlines. We remember that the One born in Bethlehem is still Emmanuel, God with us, in every season.

Christmas may be over, but Christ is not done. His light continues to shine, and He continues to reveal Himself through His Word, His people, and His grace. As we step into this new season, may we do so with eyes open to His presence and hearts ready to reflect His light into the world.

As for me, a Pastor, my eyes begin to look toward Lent and Easter. It is a strange transition, and one that has taken me more than 30 years to wrap my head around. In some ways, I feel like the church would be better served to put more time between Christmas and Easter - time to follow the life of Jesus. Then I remember that Easter leads to Pentecost and our commissioning to BE THE CHURCH and Go make disciples. Maybe that’s why the season of Pentecost is so long; we are slow to learn. Following the star is not a spectator sport - it is 100% participation!

So pack up Christmas, grab your Bible and get in the game! - See you in Church on Sunday!

<><Pastor Craig

Today, Januaray 6th is National Technology Day! Wrong, well I mean it is National Technology Day, but that is not the answer I am looking for. It’s not even the day we celebrate the “debut” of Pepé Le Pew, or even that it is national bean Day! Today marks the 12th day of Christmas - Epiphany Day!

Let’s face it, for many Christians, Epiphany slips quietly onto the calendar—tucked right after the bustle of Christmas and long before the purple of Lent. But for a good LCMS Lutheran, Epiphany isn’t a liturgical footnote. It’s a season that shines a spotlight on something we desperately need in our world today: the God who reveals Himself.

Epiphany is all about the unveiling of Jesus as the Savior, not just of Israel, but of the nations. The Magi kneel beside the taddler Jesus, and suddenly the promise to Abraham—“all nations will be blessed”—isn’t just a line in Genesis. It’s happening in real time. The Light of the world is shining for everyone.

This morning, as I write these words, it is cloudy and a bit foggy. I have heard it said more than a few times in the last few weeks, when the sun comes out, “Even when it’s cold, the day feels way better when the sun is shining.”

This is a true statement: “Even when the day is cold, confusing, lonely, or even filled with grief, the day is way better when the SON is shining.”

In a culture that often treats faith as a private hobby or a personal preference, Epiphany reminds us that Christianity is not built on human searching but on divine revealing. The magi did not go looking for a King on a whim, no, they saw the God of creation reveal himself in a bright and amazing astronomical event - The Star! God makes Himself known. He steps into our darkness. He calls the nations to Himself. And He still does it today through His Word and Sacraments.

For LCMS Lutherans—people shaped by a theology of grace alone, Scripture alone, Christ alone—Epiphany is a season that reinforces our deepest convictions. We don’t climb our way to God. He comes to us. He shows Himself. He shines His light into our sin, our confusion, our world, and our hearts.

And that means Epiphany isn’t just a story about wise men and a star. (although that is a cool event) It’s a reminder that the Church's mission continues. The Light still shines. The nations still need Christ. And God still delights to reveal His Son through the humble, ordinary means He’s given His Church.

So as the Christmas lights come down and the winter days stretch on, Epiphany invites us to keep our eyes open. The God who revealed Himself in Bethlehem is still revealing Himself today—through preaching, through Baptism, through the Supper, through the Gospel spoken into everyday lives.

The Light has come. And for us, that changes everything.

Happy Epiphany! <><Pastor Craig

PONDER THIS: How can you be Epiphany in your world - Revealing Christ to the nations?

(For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org
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In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist declares, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” This simple yet profound statement captures the essence of Bible memorization: storing God’s truth deep within us so it shapes our thoughts, guides our actions, and anchors our faith. In a world filled with noise and distraction, memorizing Scripture offers a quiet, powerful way to stay rooted in God’s promises. It equips us to face temptation, speak truth in love, and find comfort in times of trouble—not by reaching for a book, but by drawing from the wellspring within.

Scripture memorization is not a modern invention or a niche spiritual discipline—it’s a rich and enduring tradition woven throughout the history of the Christian Church. From the early desert fathers to medieval monks, from Sunday school children to persecuted believers who clung to verses in secret, the Church has long understood the transformative power of internalizing God’s Word. Martin Luther himself urged Christians to “let the Word dwell richly” in their hearts, knowing that memorized Scripture becomes a living dialogue between the soul and its Savior.

This guide invites you into that sacred tradition—not with pressure or perfectionism, but with joy and purpose. Whether you’re just beginning or returning to memorization after years away, I pray you will find this simple list as a great way to get started. Some of the verses may already be familiar to you, and some may be completely new.

I want to encourage you to keep a journal along with this adventure. Writing each verse in a journal is an excellent way to memorize it. Record also your thoughts, the teachings of the Spirit as you journey, and your prayers. As you journey through these pages, may the Holy Spirit bring verses to life, shape your character, and deepen your love for the One who speaks through every line. Let’s begin—not just to memorize, but to be transformed.

This collection of passages is drawn from the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Epistles. Our next volume is entirely from the Psalms and the Gospels.

Not another Spiritual Checklist

Each week we offer two Bible verses worthy of memorization. (not to say the other 31,000+ verses are not worthy) Pick one that seems to challenge you the most, or take them both on for the week. Not only are these verses to memorize, but they are verses to ponder for an entire week.

The last thing memorizing the Bible should become is another spiritual checklist. This is not meant to make you do one more thing or make you feel guilty if you don’t do it. It is meant to encourage and uplift, not to burden you, so never think of this as something you must do. Memorizing scripture is something you get to do; it is a joy and a privilege to take the word of God and store it inside. Don’t let Satan ever use it as a weapon against you. Below are the words of Saint Francis de Sales; he wrote them in a booklet titled “For Busy Aristocrats” from the early 17^th century. I pray you will find these words helpful on your journey. (Notice we didn’t even make a list for you to check off. So honor that spirit and no checkmarks, please!

Keeping a Spiritual Perspective on Daily Life

Strive to see God in all things without exception, and acquiesce in his will with absolute submission. Do everything for God, uniting yourself to him by a mere upward glance, or by the overflowing of your heart towards him. Never be in a hurry; Do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in his bosom. Whatever happens, abide steadfast in his determination to cling simply to God, trusting in his eternal love for you; and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter, recall your heart quietly and simply. Maintain a wholly simplicity of mind and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext.

St. Francis DeSales

Weeks 1–4: Foundations of God’s Character

In these first weeks, we anchor ourselves in the unchanging nature of God — His holiness, justice, love, and power. These verses remind us that faith begins not with our effort, but with knowing who God is. His eternal strength, His covenant mercy, and His perfect wisdom form the bedrock of every believer’s hope and worship.

Week 1

Prophet: Isaiah 40:28
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Epistle: Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Week 2

Prophet: Jeremiah 9:23–24
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Epistle: Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Week 3

Prophet: Habakkuk 3:17–18
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Epistle: Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Week 4

Prophet: Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:30–31
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Drop me a note with your email or address and I would be happy to send you a pdf, or a printed copy of this 52 week guide!

<><Craig

Listeners are encouraged to choose one verse to hide in their hearts this week, trusting that God will use His Word to shape their year with hope, clarity, and confidence in Christ.

Scripture: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

The final of the five great solas of the Reformation gathers them all together under one banner: Soli Deo Gloria—to the glory of God alone.

For the Reformers, this phrase captured the ultimate purpose of salvation and of life itself. Everything—creation, redemption, faith, grace, Scripture—all of it exists to magnify the glory of God. Salvation is not about human merit, not even about the greatness of our faith, but about the greatness of God’s mercy. From beginning to end, our redemption is God’s work, for His glory.

Luther wrote that all of life, even the most ordinary tasks, can be lived coram Deo—before the face of God. The farmer in his field, the mother with her children, the craftsman at his bench—all can serve God as acts of worship when done in faith and love. Our daily lives become offerings of praise to the One who made and redeemed us.

Soli Deo Gloria also keeps us humble. If salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, then there is no room for boasting. All glory belongs to God. As the hymn declares, ‘Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory.’

When we live with that perspective, our hearts are freed from the need to seek our own honor. We serve, love, forgive, and create—not for recognition, but to reflect the beauty and mercy of our God. Everything we are and everything we do becomes a testimony that He alone is worthy.

Martin Luther once wrote,

“The most dangerous trial of all is when there is no trial, when everything is all right and running smoothly. Then a man tends to forget God, to become too independent, and to put his trust in himself and in his own wisdom.’ In all things, we give glory to God alone.”

Prayer:

Almighty God, all glory belongs to You. Teach me to live every moment for Your honor and praise. Let my words, my work, and my worship point others to You, that Your name alone may be glorified. Amen.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)

During the time of the Reformation, the church had often placed many things between the sinner and the Savior — saints, priests, indulgences, rituals, and human traditions. Martin Luther and the Reformers boldly proclaimed that salvation is found in Christ alone. No human being, no ceremony, and no good work can reconcile us to God. Only Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Son of God, is the Mediator who bridges the gap between our sin and God’s holiness.

Solus Christus means that Christ’s work is completely sufficient. His death on the cross was enough to atone for every sin. His resurrection is enough to conquer death and open the way to eternal life. There is nothing we can add to His finished work — and nothing we must. As Luther said,

“I must listen to the gospel. It tells me not what I must do, but what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has done for me.”

This truth brings tremendous comfort. We do not have to wonder whether we’ve done enough, prayed enough, or believed enough. We rest entirely in Jesus, who has done everything necessary for our salvation. He is our perfect High Priest, our Redeemer, and our Advocate before the Father.

In every season of life — in guilt, fear, suffering, or joy — we turn our eyes to Christ alone. The church, at its best, always points to Him. Our preaching, our worship, our service — all exist to direct hearts to the One who said, “It is finished.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, You alone are my Savior and my hope. Thank You for doing everything necessary to bring me to the Father. Keep my heart fixed on You, and let my life reflect Your love to others. Amen.

For Martin Luther, this verse from Romans changed everything. As a young monk, he feared God’s judgment and doubted whether he could ever be righteous enough to stand before Him. But through studying Scripture, Luther realized that righteousness is not something we achieve—it is something we receive. Through faith alone, we are made right with God because of what Christ has done.

This is the heart of Sola Fide—faith alone. Faith is not a work that earns salvation; it is the empty hand that receives it. Faith looks away from itself and clings to Jesus. It trusts that His life, His death, and His resurrection are for me.

When we say we are justified by faith, we mean that through trust in Christ, God declares us righteous even though we remain sinners. Luther called this the ‘great exchange’:

Jesus takes our sin upon Himself and gives us His perfect righteousness in return. What a joyful trade!

Faith alone brings true freedom. It releases us from fear and uncertainty because our salvation no longer depends on our goodness but on God’s grace. And that faith naturally produces good works—not as a way to earn favor, but as the grateful fruit of a heart set free.

As Luther wrote, ‘Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it a thousand times.’ Faith clings to Christ when all else fails. Faith trusts His promises even in the dark. Faith lives not by sight, but by the sure word of God: ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that I am justified by faith in You alone. Strengthen my faith when I doubt, and let it bear fruit in love and service to others. Help me to rest each day in the promise that You have done it all. Amen.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

At the heart of the Reformation beats a single word: grace. Luther had spent much of his early life trying to earn God’s favor. He fasted, prayed, confessed endlessly, and even punished himself, hoping to be good enough for God. But the harder he tried, the more he realized how far short he fell.

Then, as he studied the Scriptures, Luther encountered a breathtaking truth: we are saved not by our own righteousness, but by the righteousness of Christ freely given to us. God’s favor cannot be earned—it can only be received. This is Sola Gratia—grace alone.

Grace means that Jesus Christ has already accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. It is unearned, undeserved, and freely given to sinners like us. We contribute nothing but our sin; God gives everything through His mercy. As Luther wrote, ‘We are beggars—this is true.’ But they are beggars who have been fed from the table of God’s infinite grace.

Grace changes everything. It frees us from the crushing burden of trying to prove ourselves before God. It invites us to rest—not in what we do, but in what Christ has already done. Grace transforms us from the inside out, moving us to love and serve others not to earn God’s approval, but because we already have it.

So when guilt whispers that you’re not enough, or when fear tells you that you’ve gone too far, remember: grace says otherwise. Grace says that Christ’s sacrifice is enough. Grace says that you are loved, forgiven, and restored—not because of who you are, but because of who He is.

Prayer

Gracious God, thank You for Your amazing grace that saves and sustains me. Teach me to rest in Your mercy, and let that same grace overflow to others through my words and actions. Amen.

When Martin Luther stood before the powerful rulers and church authorities at the Diet of Worms in 1521, he was faced with a simple yet terrifying demand: recant your writings—or else. His response has become one of the most courageous confessions in Christian history:

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason—for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves—I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God.”

In those words, Luther expressed one of the central truths of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone. He wasn’t rejecting tradition or learning, but he was declaring that only Scripture has the final say in matters of faith and life. It alone is God’s inspired Word—completely trustworthy, sufficient, and true.

This is good news for us today, because the same Word that freed Luther’s conscience still speaks to us. It’s not bound by culture, history, or opinion. God’s Word reveals who He is—a God of mercy and justice. It tells us who we are—sinners in need of grace. And most importantly, it shows us our Savior—Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again for our salvation.

In a world filled with countless voices and shifting truths, Scripture anchors us in something eternal. As Luther wrote in his great hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,’ ‘God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it.’ The Bible is not merely an ancient text; it is God’s living voice, still speaking, still active, still powerful to save.

Prayer

Lord God, Your Word is truth and life. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, especially when the world tempts us to follow its wisdom instead. Let Your Word be our guide, our comfort, and our hope. Amen.

The Reformation was a pivotal movement in the early 16th century that reshaped the religious, cultural, and political landscape of Europe. It began in 1517 when Martin Luther, a German monk and theology professor, publicly challenged the Roman Catholic Church by posting his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His primary concern was the sale of indulgences—payments made to the Church in exchange for the forgiveness of sins—which he saw as a distortion of true Christian teaching.

LIFE books, in their 1998 book The Life Millennium – The 100 most important events and people of the past 1,000 years, list Luther's Reformation as the third most significant event. His reformation, while it certainly affected the church, was more wide-reaching in its world events. LIFE wrote, “Political authority would never again be fully subject to the dictates of a distant clergy, and the map of Europe would be determined by the nationalism that still dominates world politics today.”

At the heart of Luther’s Reformation message was a call to return to the authority of Scripture and the foundational truths of the Christian faith. He argued that salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This stood in stark contrast to the Church’s emphasis on works, rituals, and ecclesiastical hierarchy. Luther also championed the idea that every believer has direct access to God, a concept known as the priesthood of all believers, which undermined the exclusive spiritual authority of the clergy.

Luther’s refusal to recant his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521 led to his excommunication, but his ideas continued to spread rapidly thanks to the printing press and growing public support. He translated the Bible into German, making it accessible to ordinary people, and his writings inspired widespread theological debate and reform.

In 1530, the Augsburg Confession, written by Luther’s colleague Philip Melanchthon, formally articulated the core doctrines of Lutheranism and helped unify the movement.

The Reformation had profound and lasting effects. It fractured the unity of Western Christianity, leading to the rise of Protestant denominations and altering the course of European history. It encouraged literacy, fostered individual conscience, and laid the groundwork for religious freedom. Though Luther never intended to start a new church, his insistence on reforming doctrine and practice led to the establishment of Lutheranism, which continues to uphold his vision of a Christ-centered, grace-filled faith rooted in Scripture.

Central to the theological framework of the Reformation are the Five Solas—Latin phrases that summarize its core convictions. Sola Scriptura affirms that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and life. Sola Fide declares that justification comes through faith alone, not by human effort. Sola Gratia emphasizes that salvation is a gift of God’s grace alone, unearned and undeserved. Solus Christus proclaims that Christ alone is the mediator between God and humanity, the source of salvation. And Soli Deo Gloria reminds believers that all glory belongs to God alone. Together, these Solas form a powerful declaration of gospel freedom and remain foundational to Lutheran theology today.

In the next few days, we will look at the great Solas of the Reformation in our Blog Posts.

Share this with a friend and invite them to follow along on our journey of pondering what God has done.

It’s one of those questions that seems to surface in the quiet moments, isn’t it? Maybe late at night, or on a long drive with just the hum of the road for company. What on earth am I here for?. It’s a profound, deeply human question. As a pastor and storyteller, I’ve found that the best place to start pondering such big questions is within the pages of God’s own story—the Bible. Our mission here at GodPonders is to connect those grand stories of Scripture with the stories of our everyday lives, and in doing so, proclaim what God has done.

One story that always resonates with me is the one God tells his people through the prophet Jeremiah. Imagine being in exile, feeling captured and banished, your life completely upended. It’s easy to feel that way in our own lives, isn’t it? Adrift, uncertain, maybe even harmed. But right into that sense of captivity, God speaks a promise that echoes through the centuries:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

What a powerful declaration! This isn’t just a hopeful thought; it’s a divine promise. Given by God, who knew that the years right before these people were not filled with unicorns and rainbows, there would be exile and slavery, heartache and great pain. But in the light of eternity, in the view from God’s throne, he has and does give us a future. Our purpose isn’t a random, self-generated quest. It begins with the understanding that God has a plan, a good plan, designed for our well-being and future. This is where our calling starts—not in what we can achieve, but in what God has already designed.

So, how do we live out this purpose? The concept of vocation offers a beautiful framework for this. It’s not just about a career in ministry, like being a pastor or a missionary. The Christian calling is woven into the very fabric of our daily existence.

• Your Family Vocation: God has called each of us into a family. Being a parent, a child, a sibling—these roles are a high and holy calling. Martin Luther even said God gave fatherhood and motherhood a “special position of honor”. Through these relationships, God is at work.

• Your Work Vocation: That 9-to-5 grind? It’s charged with the presence of God. Whether you’re a teacher, a doctor, a waitress, or an artist, God is working through your labor. You are not just doing a job; you are one of the “masks of God,” a means through which He serves and cares for others in the world.

• Your Civic Vocation: As Christians, we are called to be good citizens—to obey laws, honor officials, and contribute to our communities. This, too, is part of our purpose.

Seeing our lives this way—as a series of callings—transforms the ordinary. Suddenly, changing a diaper, filing a report, or casting a vote becomes an act of worship, a way of living out the purpose God has designed for us. It’s how we glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him right where He has placed us.

Ultimately, the Bible is clear that our overarching purpose is to fear God, keep His commandments, and know Him intimately. The Apostle Paul considered everything he had achieved as nothing compared to the “excellence of knowing Christ Jesus”. That relationship is the true center of our lives.

When we seek God with all our heart, He promises we will find Him. And in finding Him, we rediscover our purpose. We begin to see how all the pieces of our lives—our community, our contributions, our very communication—fit together into His big picture.

So today, I encourage you to ponder this: Where is God calling you? Look at your family, your work, your neighborhood. In those ordinary places, you will find your extraordinary purpose, a story being written by the Author of life itself. And that is a story worth telling.

<><Pastor Craig

p.s. One helpful way to find your place in the great story of Scripture is to read the Bible in chronological order. We have some for sale at church, and I can recommend a good one for you if you're outside the greater Arlington, MN Area.

And yet—I forgot.

But as I sat there, slightly embarrassed and oddly amused, a deeper truth brewed in my heart: God never forgets.

Scripture tells us that God remembers everything—every promise, every prayer, every tear. He remembers the covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 9:15), the cries of His people in Egypt (Exodus 2:24), and the sparrows that fall (Matthew 10:29). His memory is perfect, infinite, and intentional.

And yet, in one of the most beautiful paradoxes of grace, God chooses to forget one thing: our sins.

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” — Hebrews 8:12

Think about that. The God who remembers galaxies and grains of sand chooses to forget the very things that should separate us from Him. Not because He’s forgetful, but because He’s merciful.

I’ve had hundreds—maybe thousands—of cups of coffee while discussing the Bible. Some were shared with friends in deep theological debate. Others were solo, paired with quiet mornings and open Bibles. I’ve spilled coffee on devotionals, scribbled sermon notes in coffee shops, and prayed over steaming mugs during seasons of joy and sorrow. I have also taught more that a couple of bible studies with a mug in my hand, plus a podcast or two.

Each cup was a witness to a moment with God. And while I may forget which mug I used or what verse I read, God remembers. He remembers every time I turned to Him. Every whispered prayer. Every tear that fell into a latte foam.

So today, I forgot National Coffee Day. But God didn’t forget me. And He won’t forget you either.

He remembers your name. Your story. Your purpose. And if you’ve confessed your sins, He’s chosen to forget those too.

So raise your mug—whether it’s your first cup or your fifth—and toast to a God who remembers what matters and forgets what doesn’t.

Happy (belated) National Coffee Day.

And thank you, Lord, for grace... and caffeine.

Want to keep pondering? Brew another cup and read Psalm 103. It’s a perfect pairing.

<><Pastor Craig

p.s. Let us know what your perfect coffee pairing is for feasting on the Word.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Looking at how the Word teaches us.

When I was 15 years old, I got my first real job, no more paper routes for me. I was working at the S.S. Kresge Company Store in Fond du Lac, WI. I started by sweeping and mopping the floors, emptying the trash cans, cleaning the bathrooms, and other exciting stuff. I think I was making about $2.00 an hour and was thrilled to have a job.

On my first day there, a young man whose name I don’t recall, who was done at the store in 2 days, was showing me the ropes. Yes, there were some actual ropes involved in the job. (you can ponder what that might have been) I learned where all the trash cans were located, where the brooms were stored, the locations of the mop and bucket, and the locations of the bathrooms. On the second day I did all the work and he just followed me around to make sure i did everything. He was a terrible teacher. I was a terrific learner; I figured out how to do and use most of the tools of the trade and even invented a few of my own. (The famous tennis ball on a stick - should have pattened that one)

For about a year, I faithfully did my job, eventually training my replacement, my best friend Doug. I was now only cleaning 2 days a week and “working stock” the other days. As I look back, I, too, was a terrible teacher, but Doug figured it out. After all, while I was a terrible teacher, I was a list maker, and I had lists for every task and every day. I think that is why I got promoted.

It was during my closing days of mopping that I met a man in a 3-piece suit, who wore a hat indoors - he was styling. He watched me mop the floors and asked me how long I had worked there; my talent must have been obvious. He then informed me that I was not cleaning the floor; I was relocating the dirt. He volunteered to show me how to mop the floor. I watched closely as he mopped almost the entire lunch counter area. I was impressed and relieved; I felt a little like Tom Sawyer, who had just conned someone into doing my work.

I will never forget that day, and I have since taught many people, whether they asked me to or not, how to mop properly and not just relocate dirt. I will never forget it for the man who taught me how to mop had mopped those very floors when he was my age, and today he did not do much mopping. His name was Joseph Antonini, and the reason I will never forget him was not his nice suit or his “fancy name.” It was his current job that made it memorable. He was the President of the SS Kresge Corporation and later became CEO of the store that grew out of Kresge’s five-and-dime, The K-Mart Corporation.

It would be akin to learning to preach from Martin Luther. As we begin our journey in Scripture, we are reminded of who it is that is “teaching us” through the pages of Scripture. It is the author himself. This fact should make our study more memorable, the advice more powerful, and the lessons more memorable.

While I don’t teach mopping much anymore, I do love to teach the Word of God, mainly because it is “The Word of God!” I pray we are all learning as we use God’s Word as our teacher!

<><Pastor Craig

p.s. Private mopping lessons are available on a limited basis.

For more than 30 years I worked with youth, and families - for much of that time I began my sermons asking everyone to raise their Bibles over their head and repeat after me; “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God (that means ladies too) would be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) I would then ask them to switch hands (the bible might be getting heavy) and they would continue repeating, “Jesus said it - I believe it - ‘nuf said!”

It was after one of these opening that a student asked me why I did the “Jesus said it” part since Paul wrote 2nd Timothy where we were quoting from. I explained that God-Breathed all of the Bible, in the opening of John (1:1) we hear that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” we would soon their after learn that Jesus was who John was calling “The Word.” So it was infact the Trinity speaking through Paul - Father + Son + and Holy Spirit. So it’s correct to say Jesus said it!

Today if you are joining us on the “God Speaks” 30 day Bible Challenge you will be reading day 1 of the journey. (It’s not too late to get a book from Amazon) I am praying for your journey as we prepare to get into the Word and see what God has to say, and how He uses his Word in our lives.

So dust off that Bible and settle in for an adventure with the greatest “Truth” ever told!

<><Pastor Craig

p.s. We will be posting our Sunday Messages on here, and on the Pondering God Podcast each Monday morning.

Time for a cup of coffee, maybe two. I’m hanging out this morning at Ecke Coffee in Gaylord. I’ve been here several times before, but this is my first Monday Morning. Why do I tell you this? Because Monday mornings are different. First, there are more people than I usually run into this time of day, and most orders end with the line “Make it a large - I’m going to need it, it’s a Monday!"

When I was driving over this morning, I was pondering what to write today, and I was going to write about Monday, one of my favorite days of the week. But now I’m starting to feel bad about enjoying my Monday. Let me begin with my Monday point of view….

Most people treat Monday like the first day of the week. For me, it is most definitely the second day of the week, which follows my very favorite day of the week, Sunday. On Monday morning, I am refreshed from the joy of Worship, the gathering with God’s people, and a Sunday afternoon Nap. I have renewed zeal and energy, having been bathed in the presence of God just yesterday. To make this Monday even more special, I spent last night praying with some great friends of ours and their son, who is prepping for surgery tomorrow.

So here is my simple advice to the MONDAY MORNING PEOPLE.

First, look at a calendar. You know the paper kind that looks like a giant chart with columns and rows, and you will notice that Monday is in fact the second day of the week.

Second, use your Sunday the way it was intended. Take time to gather with God’s people and Worship, it’s not just a good idea, it’s the plan. And when I say it’s the plan, I mean it is THEE plan, God’s plan, the way he designed us from the start.

Third, when you wake up and your feet hit the floor, rejoice - You received yet another day of God’s Grace and Mercy. In this world where no one can take tomorrow for granted, we should be extra grateful.

I have to laugh every time I see a news story or an online article about the benefits of gratitude, as if this is a fantastic revelation. Oddly enough, this idea came a few years ago…

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV)

Take back your Mondays and reclaim them as a favorite day of the week.

Do you have an Idea to make your Monday’s great days?

If it’s not Monday, what is your favorite day? and Why?

<><Pastor Craig

especially : courtesy, politeness

bemoaned the decline of civility in our politics

b: a polite act or expression

lacked the little civilities and hypocrisies of political society—Roy Jenkins

The men briefly exchanged civilities before the meeting began.

2archaic : training in the humanities

Our culture has drifted a long way from the days of Civility, when it seems that we could have open and honest conversations, without resorting to name-calling and threats. I believe that this “level of civility” is cyclical. I believe that we have, as a culture and as a planet, moved in and out of periods of Civility.

I am a Lutheran Pastor, and I have read many of the writings of Martin Luther and the actors of his day, including Popes, Princes, and Emperors. These days were not days of civility. Even throughout our 250-year history as a nation, we have moved in and out of civility. So what has made this period of time worse than other cycles? Anonymity

We can blow our horn on Social media and hide behind a keyboard and a mouse. Sometimes, we can even post under a fake name or without one at all. With this newfound freedom and anonymity, we have learned to weaponize our words. This is what has led to such overt violence, even the assassination of Charlie Kirk just yesterday.

Not only do we have our uncivil words, but we couple them with others who are like-minded and toss them like a grenade in the camp of those who share separate ideas and opinions. We have been led by algorithms that we can’t see to those who mirror our thought patterns and our sense of outrage. Before long, we are deep in an echo chamber where we can not, and do not want to hear the voice of anyone else.

This, my friends, is what has led to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, to the recent school shootings, and to a scourge of violence that is only gaining momentum in our culture today. But this is not something that should catch us by surprise. These last weeks are not the first time this has happened. Our own leaders, including our president, have engaged in this very uncivil word-tossing.

Whether you agree with President Trump or Charlie Kirk is not the issue here. It is the out-of-control nature of our words. We live in an age where words travel faster than ever before. A single post, comment, or soundbite can circle the globe in seconds—bringing encouragement and truth, or unleashing division and destruction. In our cultural moment, words are often weaponized: sharpened to wound, aimed to humiliate, and fired without thought for the collateral damage.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, Solomon, and many other Biblical voices have been warning us about this.

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
James 3:5-6

James does not mince any words here about the powerful evil our tongue can ignite in our world. In our ever-expanding digital world, that “spark” might be a tweet, a comment thread, or a whispered rumor. Once released, it spreads—often faster than truth can catch up.

Solomon, in his great book on Wisdom, Proverbs, began the drumbeat that James carried into the young church.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
Proverbs 13:13

Jesus reminds us that our speech is not just bad behavior - it’s a problem of the heart.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36-37

So our words, Jesus says, are not just throwaway lines. They are evidence of what is inside us, and God takes the affairs of our hearts seriously.

We are also in Scripture given a better way:

• Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15

• Let your conversation be always full of grace (Colossians 4:6

• Encourage and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Let’s pray for the family of Charlie Kirk, for his wife Erika, and their two young children. Let us pray for the many who on this day, 24 short years ago, had their world ripped apart when ideology shaped by words of hatred and murder led to the 9/11 attack on our soil.

Let us pray for those who are today more committed to the left or the right and call them to a heart of civility and love. Let’s pray that we would not launch any word bombs into cyberspace, but let the peace of Christ rule our hearts and minds.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:13-15 (NIV)

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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

<><Pastor Craig

Several weeks ago, I posted a question on my Twitter feed, “What is the 'dullest’ 3 letter word in the English language? It’s used all the time….” It merited a few responses. and many questions. It is good to have the power to define, is the dullest 3 letter word. Some of you, even as you read this are wondering what the word is that merits this title. Let me help I have used the word 7 times to this point in my blog already.

It is a word that, if I were to try not to use it, my writing would suffer from poor form more than just typos and a total lack of proper grammar. It is a word that contains great power when used properly. Ok I know you can’t stand it anymore. The word is the. Now that is one odd little sentence.

This little word, a definite article with it’s roots in the old English word “the” (I love that line). Its definition from Webster online is longer than most of my blog posts. It is posted below. Check out the bold and underlined section; I added the emphasis myself.

1 a —used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is definite or has been previously specified by context or by circumstance <put the cat out> b —used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is a unique or a particular member of its class <the President> <the Lord> c —used as a function word before nouns that designate natural phenomena or points of the compass <the night is cold> d —used as a function word before a noun denoting time to indicate reference to what is present or immediate or is under consideration <in the future> e —used as a function word before names of some parts of the body or of the clothing as an equivalent of a possessive adjective <how’s the arm today> f —used as a function word before the name of a branch of human endeavor or proficiency <the law> g —used as a function word in prepositional phrases to indicate that the noun in the phrase serves as a basis for computation <sold by the dozen> h —used as a function word before a proper name (as of a ship or a well-known building) <the Mayflower> i —used as a function word before a proper name to indicate the distinctive characteristics of a person or thing <the John Doe that we know wouldn’t lie> j —used as a function word before the plural form of a surname to indicate all the members of a family <the Johnsons> k —used as a function word before the plural form of a numeral that is a multiple of ten to denote a particular decade of a century or of a person’s life <life in the twenties> l —used as a function word before the name of a commodity or any familiar appurtenance of daily life to indicate reference to the individual thing, part, or supply thought of as at hand <talked on the telephone> m —used as a function word to designate one of a class as the best, most typical, best known, or most worth singling out <this is the life> <the pill> ; sometimes used before a personal name to denote the most prominent bearer of that name

Jesus, while teaching one day used this little three-letter word with all the power and authority of the cosmos. He is answering the question of His disciple Thomas who is confused by Jesus' recent statements.

5 Thomas said to him, ",, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:5-6 (NIV)

Jesus uses our little “wonder word” three times and forever clearly defines who he is. He is THE way, THE Truth, and THE Life. In an age of “tolerance” and political correctness, we often hear Jesus referred to as “A way, A truth, and A life,” but Jesus is not just one among many. Jesus is one with no equals. In a world of confusion and darkness, we must clearly hold up this little three-letter word as one of the English language's most powerful and freeing words.

While at first glance at the definition above, I gravitated to the last definition, as underlined. The reality is that in our case, the first definition is the best: “used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is definite or has been previously specified by context or by circumstance.” Jesus certainly, in all of Scripture and his very life built the context and circumstance for his powerful declaration.

May we never look at this little three-letter word the same again!

<>< Craig