It’s All in the Name My 3-year-old daughter, Analiesa, discovered last night that God has the same name we do. I was once again teaching her the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven,” I began. We got to “hallowed be Thy name,” and Analiesa stopped me. “That’s our name,” she stated. I looked

Not a Spot in Sight On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, the Gospel Lesson included Mark 1:40–42: A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If you are willing, You can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man.

Math Challenged Said the two snakes to Noah: “We’ll give it a try, but we’re adders, you know, we don’t multiply.” Don’t Confuse Me! Some of my best arguments are spoiled by people who know what they’re talking about. Courtesy of George Kottwitz Trinity Lutheran Church Edwardsville, Ill.   An English Lesson A pastor used

Thoughts for the New Year The most important thing in communication is to listen for the things not being said. Happiness comes through doors you didn’t know you left open. When someone says, “That’s a good question,” you can be sure it’s a lot better than the answer you’re going to get. Don’t expect God

Christmas bloopers your spellchecker won’t catch The Festival Choir will present experts from Handel’s Messiah today at 2 p.m. We ask your help if you play an instrument, sin, or do liturgical dance. The Christmas decorating party begins Sunday at 2 p.m. Bring your saws to cut trees and willing hands. The purpose of this

Natural disasters such as the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes cause terrible damage and create much stress on communities and families affected by them. Yet even in such difficult circumstances, God’s people sometimes find rays of humor—such as the following anonymous (and popular) Internet/e-mail collection—in their day-to-day efforts to cope. Our sense of humor: It’s another

Text Me? During Lenten family devotions, we shared with our grandchildren the story of Jesus’ appearance before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Our son led the devotion, and he included the story of Pilate washing his hands before the crowd and saying he wanted nothing more to do with Jesus. During discussion time, Cory, age

Back to School: Test Preparation One night, after they had helped their son, Mike, with his homework and then tucked him safely in bed, Mike’s parents overheard this prayer just after they closed his bedroom door: “Now I lay me down to rest. I hope to pass tomorrow’s test. If I should die before I

Heavenly Yoga? Josiah, my 6-year-old grandson—a “preacher’s kid”—prays each night for those who are sick. He has his own system: If they are mildly sick, he asks God to “put Your hand on him.” If they are very sick, he asks God “to put two hands on him.” When a family friend lay gravely ill

Why Go to Church? A reader wrote a letter to the editor of his local newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I’ve heard perhaps 1,500 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember

Putting Together the Pieces Two-year-old Katelyn was watching the children’s TV show “Blue’s Clues.” The episode featured a pizza, which Katelyn repeatedly referred to as “Pastor’s Pizza.” Pastor’s Pizza? What could that be? Befuddled, her family finally figured it out—the pizza was cut in the shape of a cross. Two-year-olds do see Jesus! —Rev. John

Running the Race Angela, dressed in her springtime Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Sunday school. As she ran, she prayed, “Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late! Please don’t let me be late!” Dashing across the church parking lot, she tripped on the parking-lot