By Sam Leanza Ortiz

05/12/25

14mins

The Weathervane of the Eastern Church

On its journey from Byzantium to Constantinople to Istanbul, this special place helps us understand the broader arc of Christian history, which goes on until Christ's return.

Christian History

Church Attendance Increases in New Study—But Can We Trust It?

Bruce Hillman

05/09/25

Church Attendance Increases in New Study—But Can We Trust It?

We needn’t fear statistics and studies as palm readings into a certain future. God is God, and his Spirit is alive through his Word.

Donavon Riley

05/08/25

Because He Lives, He Goes With Us

Christ does not hide his wounds. He offers them.

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John Bombaro

01/06/22

They Brought Gifts and So Do We

Meeting the crown prince is one thing; meeting God in the flesh, as the Light of the Gentiles and the Savior of the world is another.

Steve Byrnes

01/05/22

Remembering Those We've Lost During Christmas

Christians do have a hope that those who sleep in death will be awakened and their joy will never end, and we yearn for that day.

Chad Bird

01/05/22

Why Not Diapers and Casseroles Instead of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?

Couldn't Mary and Joseph have used more practical gifts? Why did the magi bring such unusual presents to the Christ Child? And how do these Gentiles fit into this very Jewish part of Matthew's Gospel? Let's ask some Old Testament prophets and poets for the answer.

Pete Lange

01/04/22

Why We Sing at Christmas

The church’s song goes on and on, singing and ringing down to us today.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/02/22

Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 (Epiphany: Series C)

This Epiphany text brings the coming of the Light and the Light shining in the darkness drawing all men to it together.

Dan Weber

01/02/22

Gospel: Luke 3:15-22 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series C)

Not only does God reveal the identity of Jesus in this season through what we see and hear Jesus doing and saying, but God also reveals His gracious will through Jesus despite what we see and hear.

Travis Scholl

01/02/22

Epistle: Romans 6:1-11 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series C)

Paul is thinking of the cross and empty tomb, but the liturgical calendar places us at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, not the end: Jesus standing waist deep in the Jordan River.

Brad Soenksen

12/31/21

Heaven Came Down

This Christmas season we are thankful that even though we “fallers” are unable to climb up to God, he came down the ladder to us.

Chad Bird

12/31/21

The Key to the Ear of Jesus and the Meaning of His Hebrew Name

The angel was very specific when he told Mary and Joseph to name the boy, Jesus. Why? What is the Hebrew background and meaning of his name? And how does knowing his name give us the key to his ear?

Wade Johnston

12/30/21

The Name of Jesus

While the world and other religions might be fine with considering him everything but, the foremost thing our Jesus came to be and still remains is Jesus, Savior.

Chad Bird

12/30/21

A Two-Faced Look at the Coming New Year

Buried deep in our human psyche, there seems to be more than a need—almost a necessity—to celebrate the arrival of a new year. It’s like an unspoken, unlegislated cultural demand, as instinctual as moving to music or smiling at a newborn. Why? What deep human need is at work here?

John Bombaro

12/29/21

Christmas and the Theology of Gift

Love turns out to be not simply a thing or action, but a characteristic of God himself.

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