The theme at Higher Things this year was “Forgiven.” The conference was a focus on the Office of the Keys. What is the Office of the Keys? “The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold…
Posts by Tab Ottmers
What does the sacrament of the world have to offer? Death. In fact it is built on lies and death. Jesus said the devil is the father of lies and a murderer.
The Ascension of Christ teaches us that Jesus isn’t just an idea that stays with us or some hyper-spiritual experience he wants us to draw on. Jesus’ Ascension points us to His Word and sacraments for his presence.
On Easter Sunday, and throughout the Easter season, we begin to hear what’s called the “Paschal Greeting.” I not only use this greeting during the season of Easter but also at every funeral. It is, “Alleluia, Christ is risen,” and in reply, “He is risen indeed, Alleluia.” What are the origins of this greeting? We’re…
Return to the Lord in prayer, for he is not at war with us and by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus he has won for us the victory over the devil.
In the Book of Joel, the prophet paints a vivid picture of the coming judgment of God, the Day of the Lord. The imagery is bold and terrifying: hordes of locusts swarming over the land and decimating everything. Joel’s prophecy has teeth even today as wars rage, natural disasters threaten and destroy, and our culture…
Luke 2:21, Galatians 3:23-29 After hours of labor and pain the mother is asked, “What is the baby’s name? That is often the first question people ask new parents. The baby’s name has significance. Usually it is a family name or something that is meaningful to the parents. Our boys’ names had to be connected…
In the church we have our own vocabulary. If you think about it this is how our world works in different cultures and places, each culture has its own language. The church is no exception. We have our own words and even sometimes it seems we sound funny to the rest of the world. We…
“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” 2 John 12 ESV In the November Voter’s Meeting I read a section of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together as…
With all the bad news in the world this sentiment is understandable. Who wants to bring more bad news? While God does not command us to share a diagnosis nor our suffering with others, Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all…
Learning and diving into God’s word prepares us for when we will meet Father, Son and Holy Spirit in person. Arriving at the resurrection and seeing God face to face will be amazing. But as you strive to learn more about God and his love for us in Christ, this will make seeing Christ all the more rich.
The book of Judges is so surprising – even offensive in some places – because God is preparing his people for Jesus and the most offensive means of salvation; the cross.