Learning for Life, faith asks questions (Part 2) Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayLast week we shared Jenna’s witness to the importance of continual questioning and learning. Men and women of faith embraced what Jenna discovered long before she was shown this possibility. Anselm of Canterbury, an archbishop, monk, and theologian of the eleventh century offered a definition of theology that is still important today: Faith seeking understanding. […] Read More
Learning for Life, faith asks questions! (part 1) Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayWhen a former professor turns to write about life long learning in the Christian faith, he might could go on for several blog posts. That is what I’m about to do. (Much of this entry is a revision of a chapter I wrote called “Faith Asking Questions” in The TLU Reader.) Many people assume that […] Read More
Children and Youth Loved Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayChildren and Youth Loved Jesus welcomed children, declaring that God’s kingdom comes to such as these. We love the children and youth who come among us as family, even as we enjoy our extended biological family members. We support organizations that help in the development and growth of young people who hold a special place […] Read More
Arts Celebrated Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayWe continue exploring the Core Values we have identified at Grace. This week we look at the Arts celebrated. The original paragraph describing our commitment to the arts is: God the Creator made human beings in God’s own image and called us to creative work in the arts. We celebrate the profound beauty created by […] Read More
Restoring Creation Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayToday we look at the second of our Core Values at Grace, one upon which the future of the planet depends. The original summary of this value reads: Restoring Creation God who is Creator of all wishes us to care for the web of creation that sustains life. We trust the broad consensus of climate […] Read More
Opening up God’s Grace For ALL Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayThe next six weeks I will explore the Core Values of Grace Lutheran. The summary I wrote two years ago went like this: “God’s grace extends to all people without exception. As a community of faith claimed by Jesus, we ask how to live in this world that God so boundlessly loves. We welcome all […] Read More
Our G-R-A-C-E-S Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayDuring the next six blog entrees, I wish to unpack a bit further each of the Core Values that Grace identified as key to who we are. They are available elsewhere on our website, but I will remind you of them here. Then as the weeks unfold, I will explore each and the particular challenges […] Read More
Seven Things I Believe Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayAs one year becomes another, I find myself taking stock of the things that matter most to me. Here I share seven things I care about from my faith, hoping that it will invite you to do the same inventory of your beliefs. 1) What I know about God I have learned by paying attention […] Read More
When Getting It Wrong Means Getting It Right Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayPastor Phil’s Christmas sermon A common theme when authors or script writers take on the theme of Christmas is how in a season where the expectations for things going right are incredibly high, nonetheless things go incredibly wrong. This is especially true when the manger scene is reenacted in a worship setting. In the novel, […] Read More
Shoveling Through Injustice! Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayI shovel one night and the ground is once again covered with snow the next morning. What is the point? It feels like it doesn’t make a difference. Of course, we know that it does. Maybe you have that neighbor who doesn’t bother to shovel. And so snow and ice build, and build, and build […] Read More