2024 has been a record setting year for me in multiple ways, including publishing ministry materials and growing ministry results. Faith I remember starting the year by selecting (or perhaps by having the word select me) "faith" as my star word to guide me throughout the year (see Faith: My Star Word for 2024). In 2024, faith Faith also led me to continue the ministries of blogging, preaching and feeding. Blogging I blogged every day for 1,000 consecutive days here at Read More …
Missing Jesus (#2185)
On this the final Sunday in 2024, I preached about the one biblical account of Jesus as a boy. Sermon This morning's message, "Missing Jesus" is based on Luke 2:-41-52. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Over the last 25 years I have led more than my fair share of youth group retreats, mission trips, and outings of all sorts that involve travel with tweens and young teens. And before I offer a confession, I want you to know that the Read More …
Merry Christmas! Merry Wordmas! (#2184)
Merry Christmas from Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas. Sermon My Christmas message, “Merry Wordmas” is based on John 1:1-14. Given the more informal nature of the Christmas Day service, the sermon was not recorded. You can, however, read the manuscript. Excerpt If you are like most people when you think of the Christmas story you remember it a lot like the children presented it in this morning’s video.[1] This version of the story is set in Read More …
Newsflash! A Savior is Born (#2183)
Merry Christmas Eve from Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas. Sermon My message, “Newsflash! A Savior is Born” is based on Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt In Luke’s birth narrative he shifts quickly, telling us in one verse about Jesus being born before shifting in the next to deliver a birth announcement. And this is where the angels and shepherds appear.[1] Let’s travel there now. Read More …
Is This On Your Christmas Playlist? (#2182)
This morning we continued the: Advent at Advent – Waiting and Wondering series. at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). Sermon My message, “An Unexpected Song" is based on Luke 1:39-55. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt The last two Sundays, we’ve talked a lot about God choosing John. John the less than qualified. John the Prophet. John the eccentric wilderness preacher. And, now we find God has chosen Mary. Mary the young woman, likely a Read More …
15th Annual Top 10 Books of the Year (#2181)
Welcome to the 15th annual So What Faith’s Top 10 Books of the Year. This year I read 84 books published in 2024. The top ten are listed below in alphabetical order by author’s last name: Top Two The two books on this year’s top ten that had the greatest impact on me are Prior Lists There are so many great books published in recent years. Past editions of So What Faith’s Top 10 Books of the Year are available below. Notably just one author on this Read More …
Joy! Do What?!?!? (#2180)
This morning we continued the: Advent at Advent – Waiting and Wondering series. at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) Sermon My message, “Do What?!?!? is based on Philippians 4:4-7 and Luke 3:7-18. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript Excerpt John’s message begins with a fiery introduction but is carried along by questions. Those in the audience interrupt him again and again with the ancient equivalent of the modern day “do what?!?” This questioning Read More …
5 Star Books Published in 2024 (#2179)
Welcome to the sixth annual edition of So What Faith’s 5 Star Books of the Year! This list is comprised of books rated 5 or 5+ on a scale of 1 to 5. To be eligible the book must have been published in 2024 and I must have read and rated it this year. This year, just 15.4% of all books rated received a rating of 5 or 5+ to earn this honor (in prior years the percentage has ranged from 15% to 17%). Bruce Reyes Chow. Everything Good About God is True: Choosing Faith. Mark Elsdon, Read More …
Prepare the Way! (#2178)
This morning we continued the: Advent at Advent – Waiting and Wondering series. at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) Sermon My message, “Pay Attention is based on Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt The word of God came to John. And the word of God comes to us. So, in the final days of the Presidency of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. when Gregory W. Abbot was governor of Texas, when Jim Ross was the mayor of Arlington Read More …
Great New Books for December 2024 (#2177)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Welcome Back One author on this month's list has appeared previously on So What Faith. David Gushee appeared in 2020 when his then new book After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity by David P. Gushee (Westminster John Knox Press, 2020) was rated 5.0. He was also featured in 2014 when I shared his definition of vital Christianity. Read More …