Entries by Jen Olson

Here He Is!

/in /by

The stage was entirely black.  All eyes in the theater were watching, waiting for what was coming next.  Suddenly, a spotlight from the balcony clicked on.  It was trained upon one, single solitary person who stood center stage.  Everyone knew immediately who it was.  It was the star of the show!

Jesus came into the world before spotlights.  So how was God going to introduce the world to the Savior whom he had sent?  How was God going to say, “Here he is”?  Jesus’ baptism does this in a certain sense.  The voice of the Father from heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit like a dove, these things are like a spotlight that shines on Jesus and says to the world, “Here he is!”

Eight-Day-Old Jesus Shed His Blood for Us

/in /by

Today marks the eighth day since we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Eight days after the actual birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph kept the Jewish custom of officially naming the baby. In the case of their child, there was no mystery whatsoever what name they would give. An angel had brought them a directive from heaven. They were told to name their boy-baby Jesus. It’s a name that means, “The LORD saves,” or “Savior.” They were to give him this name because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1)

The Great Christmas Exchange

/in /by

At this time each year, you very likely play a couple roles.  On the one hand, you play the role of giver.  You will be the giver of gifts.  And on the other, you will be the recipient of the gifts of others.  Each year there is this sort of “exchange” that happens.  We give…we get.  We give…we get.  Which is better?  Kids probably like the getting.  As we get older, perhaps we prefer the joy of giving.

He Came! He Came! Immanuel!

/in /by

Years ago when I was a pastor in Ohio, there was a man who used to come and visit me in my office from time to time.  He was not a member of our congregation.  In fact, he was not even Christian; he was Muslim.  He was a very short little man named Richard.  Always well-dressed.  He was a businessman from Chicago who would come to Columbus on business.

Lakeside A Cappella Choir Service

/in /by

Today we have the Lakeside Lutheran High School A Cappella Choir joining our worship services. Lakeside is located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin and provides a Bible based Christian education for high school students 9 – 12th grade. The choir is directed by Steven Springborn and preaching today is Pastor Dustin Yahnke from Lakeside. 

The End of “Same-Old, Same-Old”

/in /by

“How’s it going?”  “You know, same-old, same-old.”  How many times has that little dialogue been repeated?  Perhaps you have been the one to answer with the “same-old, same-old.”  Just what is meant by that… “same-old, same-old”?  Same-old, same-old means things are routine, normal, ordinary, unchanged and unchanging.  Some might say boring, tedious, unexciting.

Thanks . . . Giving

/in /by

Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.  It was already a walled city when the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land in about 1400 B.C.  We remember the story of how the walls of Jericho came tumbling down at the trumpet blast of Israel.  At the time of Jesus, it was busy and active.  King Herod even built his winter quarters at Jericho.  To this very day, you can still travel to Jericho.  If you do, you can go to the town center called Al-Jummezeh Square and there you will find a little monument built around the stump of an old sycamore tree. 

Which King do You See?

/in /by

There is no doubt whatsoever what Pontius Pilate wanted people to see when he had Jesus of Nazareth crucified.  Pinned onto the cross along with Jesus was a sign Pilate had prepared.  It said: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”  He had it printed on the sign in three languages.  It was written in Aramaic so the Jews could read it.  It was written in Latin.  Latin was the official language of the Roman empire.  And just in case there was anyone in town who didn’t know Aramaic or Latin, he also had it written in Greek, which was pretty much known throughout the Mediterranean world.