This is an excerpt from the introduction of Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Christopher Richmann (1517 Publishing, 2026).
We can bring our troubles, griefs, sorrows, and sins to Jesus, who meets us smack dab in the middle of our messy mob.
Confession isn’t a detour in the liturgy. It’s the doorway.

All Articles

Prior to the diet, the outlook for the new evangelical protestors was far from hopeful.
Beginning in 1519, Melanchthon began to develop his theology.
The work in question was entitled the Loci Communes Theologici, or Common Topics of Theology.
This coming Sunday churches around the world will celebrate the big, splashy day of Pentecost. As well they should.
The two men, early colleagues and reluctant friends, would become a nearly unstoppable theological and Reformation team.
Even in our principled disagreements, we continue to pray for the unity of all, and invite the world to taste and see that the Lord is good.
What on God’s green earth does dynamite, a chemical explosive, have to do with the Gospel of Christ?
What would be a fitting thing to give up, especially during the season of Lent?
Inside our heads is a courtroom where our whole lives are put on trial. And we are declared guilty of things. Big things, little things. God things, human things. True things, false things. We never can measure up.
Forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and eternal life aren't handed out by God because we deserve it.
In the twinkling of that eye the perishable will become imperishable, and our bodies will be changed and become more glorious than we ever could have imagined.
The dragon who failed to devour the child in the manger swallows the man atop the cross. In so doing, unbeknownst to this beast, he ate poison.