Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

This week, I reflect on the surprising and powerful gift Jesus promised before His ascension—being “clothed with power from on high.” At Pentecost, that power came not with fireworks, but with words—Spirit-filled, life-giving words that transformed lives then and still do today. The power of God isn’t about spectacle; it’s about salvation. It’s the Word that gathers, forgives, heals, and gives ete...

In today’s message, I reflected on how Jesus prayed before doing anything else—before the cross, the resurrection, or the ascension. In His “high priestly prayer” from John’s Gospel, He intercedes for us, asking that we be one—not just united in name, but perfectly one through His death and resurrection. He prays that we be united with Him and the Father, a oneness made possible through His Word,...

In this episode, I reflect on transitions—those moments when one chapter ends and another begins. Whether it’s graduating, getting married, or even facing death, these times can bring both fear and anticipation. The Ascension of Jesus is one of those moments: His earthly ministry ends, but something greater begins. He doesn’t leave us; He ascends to continue His work through His Church, through us...

I recently read a book called President Hamilton, a fascinating “what if” imagining Alexander Hamilton surviving his duel with Aaron Burr and becoming president. It was an optimistic take on how history might have changed—but it got me thinking about the “what if” game we all play in our own lives. What if I had made different choices? Would things be better? But dwelling on those questions rarely...

This week, I reflected on Jesus’ words: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” The disciples were overwhelmed, and Jesus knew they weren’t ready to understand everything. But He promised the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth—not new teachings, but the same truth He had already spoken. That’s important today, too. The Spirit doesn’t give us “new revelation...

In Chapel this week, I told the kids that if I were Thomas, I probably wouldn’t have believed either. Seeing your friend die and then hearing He’s alive again? That’s hard to accept. But Jesus did say He’d rise. He even raised others from the dead. Still, when it’s you who dies—that feels final. But here’s the thing: death wasn’t part of God’s original plan. Jesus came to fix that, to take away si...

If only you could see the world like we angels do—how different your worries would seem. Yes, there’s sin, pain, and my former brother, the devil, still prowls. But our Father is greater, and He is always working for your good, even when you can’t see it. I saw it that first Easter morning. I rolled the stone away, not to let Jesus out—He was already risen!—but so the women could see that death ha...

Tonight, I reflected on how stories shape who we are—our families, our country, and especially our faith. Just like people turn to ancestry sites to learn their roots, we as Christians turn to Scripture. The stories of Adam, Abraham, Israel, and more—they’re not just old tales; they’re our story. And through baptism, Jesus’ story becomes our own. His death, resurrection, and life are now part of o...

Since last Good Friday, death has touched so many lives—friends, family, strangers near and far. It’s a reminder that the wages of sin is death, and we all feel its sting. But tonight, we gather not in despair, but in hope. Because Jesus, the Unbroken Life, stepped into death to break it from the inside. He wasn’t a victim—He chose the cross to pay the full price of sin, once and for all. And when...

Tonight, I reflected on the true meaning of the Passover—how Jesus, knowing His death was near, became the final Passover Lamb for us all. Just like the first Passover in Egypt, there was blood and there was eating—but this time, it was His own body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus gave us this meal not just to remember, but to live. Every time I come to the Lord’s Supper, I’m n...

Today, I reflected on this truth: Jesus made us a kingdom. Not a place, but a people—freed by His blood, loved beyond measure. His wounds mark the cost of that love, and this week, I remember that sacrifice with thanks and praise. Holy Week isn’t just about mourning—it’s about celebrating our King who gave everything to make us His own.

This week, I was reminded that faith is a fight—a real battle, not a walk through a peaceful garden. Paul told Timothy to “fight the good fight of the faith,” and I feel that in my bones. We’re up against three fierce enemies: the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature. The devil wants to devour me, not just mess with me. The world pushes lies that sound comforting but pull me away from Chris...

This Palm Sunday, I reflected on Jesus’ so-called ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem—a parade of praise that seemed like a celebration before the victory was actually won. It looked like triumph, but the real triumph was still to come. While the crowd praised Him, others were stirred to stop Him, setting the stage for His suffering and death. But that cross, that apparent defeat, would become His tr...

This week, I picked up where we left off with the Parable of the Prodigal Son, fusing it with another of Jesus’ parables to explore what might have happened next. What if the older brother never repented, but instead followed the same path of greed and rejection as the tenants in the vineyard? What if the younger brother returned—resurrected—and forgave him anyway? This story points us straight to...

In this episode, I take you deep into the Garden of Gethsemane—not the calm, peaceful scene often depicted in art, but the agonizing, heartbreaking reality of Jesus’ final hours before His arrest. As Judas sets His betrayal in motion, Jesus pours out His soul in prayer, facing the unbearable weight of the cross—not just the physical torment but the spiritual burden of bearing the sins of the world...

Today, we pause to hear the grumbling of the Pharisees—outraged that Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. In response, Jesus tells a parable, not just about a wayward son who squandered everything but about a father who welcomes him home with open arms, taking on his shame and restoring him completely. But then comes the older son—resentful, bitter, convinced that grace should be earned. Yet...

Over the past couple of weeks, you’ve heard me talk about the one I call the traitor—Satan, the devil. He turned against our Father, led others astray, and now he’s after you, too. He wants to sift you, pull you down, and make you just like him. Tonight, we saw how he went after Peter and Judas. He played on their fears, their pride, their doubts. Peter denied Jesus three times—just as the traitor...

Today, I’m reflecting on something we rarely think about—our eyes. Ever notice how they’re designed to look outward, not inward? It’s almost like we were made to focus on others—their needs, their goodness, and the beauty of God’s creation. But too often, we get caught up in something else: seeing others’ faults instead of our own. In today’s episode, we wrestle with this tough reality and dive in...

Time moves differently for us than for our Father. While generations passed before His promise of a Savior was fulfilled, it happened at just the right moment. As an angel, I watched it unfold—from the rescue of Lot to the birth of Jesus, His baptism, and His battle against the traitor in the wilderness. Jesus came as one of you, taking on your struggles, your temptations—yet He stood victorious w...

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul makes a profound statement: Our citizenship is in heaven. In a world where earthly status and identity hold great significance, Paul redirects our focus to our true and eternal identity in Christ. Roman citizenship was highly valued, offering protection, privilege, and status. Yet, Paul, who possessed both Roman and Jewish prestige, considered it all worthles...

This week, I take you inside a battle that shook heaven and earth—one that started with a rebellion and led to an expulsion. Actually, two expulsions. I share my firsthand account of the great war in heaven, where we, the angels, fought against our own fallen brothers. We cast them down, but they didn’t stay idle for long. Their leader—whom you call Satan—went straight after humanity, deceiving th...

In this episode, I reflect on the Bible’s portrayal of life as a constant battle—not just between good and evil, but a personal struggle where the devil attacks us directly, turning us against one another and even against God. From the moment of baptism, this battle begins, and the fight is relentless. Yet, Christ entered the fight on our behalf. In the wilderness, He faced relentless temptation b...

Today’s episode reflects on a lesson from childhood—taking responsibility for our wrongs rather than hiding them. Though difficult, this practice taught that sin has real consequences. Likewise, the Church calls us to repentance, not for punishment, but for healing. We cannot make ourselves holy or reconcile with God by our own efforts. Only Christ, who bore our sin and shame, can do that. This Le...

This past week was extraordinary—filled with both sorrow and hope. We gathered for a memorial service for our oldest member, and the very next day, a funeral for the youngest. In the midst of grief, we found confidence, because the Transfiguration of our Lord reminds us of a greater reality. On that mountain, Jesus revealed His glory, standing with Moses and Elijah, speaking of His own exodus—His...

Today, we weep as Rachel wept for her children, mourning the reality of death in a fallen world. But even in our sorrow, we hold fast to the promises of God. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of restoration—of children returning from the land of the enemy. That promise found its fulfillment in Christ, who through His death and resurrection has conquered our greatest enemy: death itself. Because Jesus cam...