Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

The Rev. James Helms, Jr., pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt, MD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss Christian discipleship. The discussion turns to discipline in this last Free-Text First Friday of 2023. What does it mean to be disciplined as a follower of Christ? Far from the negative connotations of punishment or rigid control, biblical discipline is rooted in the overflow...

The Rev. Christopher Craig, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 7:1-23. Tensions erupt as Jesus faces criticism from the Pharisees about his disciples' failure to observe ritual handwashing before meals. When questioned, Jesus boldly accuses these religious leaders of rank hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. Jesus teaches that externa...

The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 6:30-56. Exhausted from ministry, Jesus and his disciples seek rest but are besieged by the demanding crowds. As evening falls with no provisions in sight, Jesus performs a miraculous mass feeding with mere scraps of food. He then retreats alone to the mountain before miracul...

The Rev. Dr. Mike Nielsen, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Barron, WI joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 6:7-29. Jesus sends out his disciples on a mission of preaching and healing, but the passage takes a dark turn with the chilling account of John the Baptist's beheading. This juxtaposition between the disciples' empowered mission and John's tragic end highlights the profound challeng...

The Rev. Christopher Maronde, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Hastings, IA, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland, IA joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 5:21-6:6. This passage opens with Jairus, a desperate synagogue leader, seeking Jesus' help to save his dying daughter. Interrupting this urgent mission is a miraculous encounter with a woman who has suffered from a chronic ailment...

The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 4:35-5:20. Jesus and his disciples embark on a journey by boat across the Sea of Galilee. Midway, they encounter a violent storm, illustrating the power of Jesus to command nature. Upon reaching the other side, they are met by a man possessed by a legion of demons, residing among...

The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 4:1-34. Jesus teaches in parables to crowds by the sea, relating the parable of the Sower, the lamp on a stand, the growing seed, and the mustard seed. He explains the purpose of parables to his disciples, and interprets the parable of the Sower, describing how the word takes...

The Rev. Ben Maton, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 3:7-35. As Jesus and his disciples withdraw near the Sea of Galilee, huge crowds follow from all over. Jesus heals the sick and casts out demons while reminding people not to make him known for his time had not yet come. He appoints the twelve disciples, granting them aut...

The Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kewanee, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 2:12-3:6. Jesus calls the tax collector Levi to follow him, and Levi hosts a dinner for Jesus with many other sinners. When questioned by Pharisees for associating with such people, Jesus declares he has come for the sick, not the righteous. He is then questioned for allowing...

The Rev. Luke Brown, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Kansas, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 1:21-2:12. This section begins with Jesus' teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, where his authoritative and powerful teaching amazes the people. During his sermon, he exorcises an unclean spirit from a man, further demonstrating his divine authority. Jesus then heals Simon Pete...

The Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in Pine Lawn, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 1:1-20. The gospel of Mark wastes no time launching into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This chapter introduces John the Baptist, a prophet sent to prepare the way for Christ's arrival. When Jesus comes to the Jordan to be baptized, a voice from heaven decla...

The Rev. Nabil Nour, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartford, SD and fourth vice president of the LCMS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Jonah 3 & 4. After his ordeal at sea, Jonah finally obeys God's command and preaches repentance in Nineveh. To his surprise, the wicked city heeds his words and turns from evil, sparking widespread repentance. Instead of rejoicing, Jonah becomes angry...

The Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Jonah 1 & 2. Jonah receives a divine command to preach in Nineveh, but he attempts to thwart God's will by boarding a ship in the opposite direction. His disobedience seems to incite a fierce storm that threatens to destroy the vessel. When the terrified sailors learn Jonah is runn...

The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 24. The curtain falls on Joshua's leadership as he has assembled the Israelites at Shechem. With the Promised Land secured and challenges met Joshua delivers his final address, underscoring the pivotal choice between serving the one true God or following false idols. “Choose thi...

The Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study the Joshua 23. The aging leader, Joshua, has gathered the Israelites at Shechem, the sacred ground of their forefathers' covenant with God. With Canaan conquered, Joshua imparts his final counsel, emphasizing the crucial balance of faith and obedience, urging the people to remain steadfas...

The Rev. Robert Paul, associate pastor and headmaster of Memorial Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 22. This chapter takes us to the eastern side of the Jordan River, where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have settled. As they prepare to return to their own lands, they erect an altar at the river's edge, sparking fears...

The Rev. Keith Lingsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Naples, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 20 and 21. In Joshua 20, we witness the establishment of six cities of refuge strategically located throughout the land, providing sanctuary for those who accidentally took another's life, ensuring fair judgment and protection against avengers of blood. Chapter 21 then unveils the me...

The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 19. From the unique inheritance for Simeon to the maritime tribe of Zebulun, nestled along the Mediterranean coast, to the territories awarded to Naphtali, Asher, and others, we witness the intricate design of God's promises being fulfilled. In chapter 19, as we navigate th...

The Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 18. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. Seven Israelite tribes still anxiously await their allotted portions of the promised land. In this chapter, Joshua summons their leaders and commands them to traverse the unconquered territories, measuring ev...

The Rev. Doug Griebenaw, pastor and Mission Advocate at KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 16 and 17. These chapters reveal how the territory in the Promised Land was divided among the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Chapter 16 outlines the specific boundaries and cities within Ephraim's territory, while chapter 17 delves into how land was assigned to the half-tribe of Manass...

The Rev. Brandt Hoffman, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church and School in Coos Bay, OR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the topic of church membership. This special episode features a provocative discussion about the changing landscape of church membership and what it means to belong to a congregation. The pastors outline the modern view that casts members as volunteers, attendees, and finan...

The Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 15. This chapter unfolds before us the allotment of the Promised Land for the tribe of Judah. As we traverse the diverse territories assigned to this, the most important of Israelite tribes, we see the historical context that would later play a pivotal role in the life and ministry...

The Rev. Ryan Kleimola, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 14. We now encounter the inspirational account of Caleb, a man of unwavering faith who, at the age of 85, fueled by his resolute determination and trust in God's promises, boldly requests the mountainous region of Hebron as his inheritance. Caleb was among the twelve spies who init...

The Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’ Shalom in St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 13. Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, is instructed by God to divide the remaining territories, particularly focusing on the regions that were not yet conquered. The chapter lists specific regions and their rulers, emphasizing the importance of completing the conquest and...

The Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joshua 12. This chapter serves as a captivating historical ledger, meticulously listing the kings and territories conquered by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. It's a compelling testament to the fulfillment of God's promise and the relentless determination of the Israelites as t...