Author: Wade

Hebrews 2:14-15

“Look! A cross!” These three words came from the mouth of a seven-year-old girl.  A couple of years ago, my wife and I took a short trip to Custer State Park in South Dakota. We had some company. Our goddaughter and her family went with us. While there, we visited its famous burros. These burros are descendants from the group of donkeys that used to give rides from the Sylvan Lake Lodge to Harney Peak. As time and technology progressed, the need for donkey rides ceased. The owners then let them loose in the park.  Continue reading “From Donkey to Cross”

They were people on the move. The bags were packed, the kids were dressed, shoes were tied. This was the pilgrim’s meal as they set out for the Promised Land. No one travels on an empty stomach. And so, with their robes tied to keep them from tripping on the long road to God’s country, they ate. Continue reading “Maundy Thursday: We Are a People”

Luke 6:43-45

“No good tree bears bad fruit.” But you do. You bear bad fruit every day. The fact that you manage to also produce edible-looking fruit which the world around you ingests and lauds as ‘pleasing to the eye’ is beside the point. The world does not determine which trees are good or bad anymore than it decides who goes to heaven or hell. Here, as in all matters of the Divine, we must let the Word alone speak: “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3). Continue reading “Good Trees, Declared by God”

A Meditation on Acts 8:1-8

At least 120 people have died in Nigeria in the last month or so. Not because of famine or disease or government oppression. But because they professed faith in Christ Jesus or lived near people who did. This isn’t unique to Nigeria. In other regions of Africa and especially Asia, our brothers and sisters face severe danger every day. And I suppose this should not surprise us. Continue reading “Free because “It Is Finished””

Who is this King of Glory?  This is the King for you and me.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Be lifted up, you ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
Riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey?
Who is this King, whose praises the children sing,
whose great deeds his disciples acclaim?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle. Continue reading “Who Is This King of Glory?”

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. (Psalm 25)

The problem with our eyes, with our ears, with our senses is this: they will let you down. And to be perfectly honest, perceiving the mess, how often and how difficult it is to tell the difference between God and the Devil. And if you don’t think so… Continue reading “The Lord’s Crumbs”

Psalm 39; Ezekiel 17:1-10; Romans 2:12-16

But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you. (Psalm 39)

The weary traveler walks headed into the storm. It is relentless in its battering. Every step forward is a struggle. To stay upright is an achievement. He catches his breath for a moment, hiding his face in his tattered overcoat. Turning away from the scorching wind he looks behind. There, a trail of dust. The traveler collapses. The weary dust is him! He is swept away. Continue reading “Meaningless?”

Luke  14:15-24

The Lord’s banquet room will not be empty. The wine will flow. The food will be served. Music will play. Conversations will be had. The Lord’s table will be crowded. He will make sure of that. Continue reading “The Lord’s Banquet”

Luke 11:14-28

Man, it must have been crazy back then, with all these demons and devils afflicting people, huh? It was really a different day, don’t you think? Thank God it’s not like that anymore, right? But is it so different? No, we don’t have a bunch of exorcisms taking place, but is the devil any less active? Are people any less afflicted? Is hell any less real and its powers any less tyrannical? Read the news. Look around you. Examine yourselves. The devil is still a busy boy. And today’s gospel reminds us that Christ’s work of casting out the devil is as important today as it was then, and he still does it in the same way, with His Word and by His authority as the Son of God, our Savior. Continue reading “To Beat the Devil”