Each year I publish a Top 10 Books of the Year list highlighting the ten best books I read that were published that year. And, each year, I mention the two books on that list that had the greatest impact on me personally. The list below brings together the top two books from each of the last five years to create a list of the best books of the 2020s (listed in alphabetical order by author's last name): If you'd like to learn more about some older books with similar impact, check Read More …
Epiphany: Chalk, Stars, and Journeying Anew (#2188)
This morning we celebrated Epiphany. at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). Sermon My message, “Starry Wisdom," is based on Matthew 2:1-12. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Happy New Year! Since we last gathered for worship, we have welcomed a new year. 2025 is here! I’m wondering how you celebrated this year’s arrival. Perhaps we could divide the sanctuary into those who stayed up until midnight and those who did not. Or Read More …
Start with God (#2187)
Passage for Reflection: Proverbs 1:1-7 Happy New Year! I imagine that you’ve heard that greeting numerous times over the last few days. I, on the other hand, have been hearing it for months. The fiscal new year for the faith-based non-profit organization I serve started in November. Happy New Year! The church new year started with Advent. Happy New Year! And, yesterday the calendar year started. Happy New Year! Starting a new year opens people to prayerfully pondering new possibilities. Read More …
Faith & My Record Setting 2024 (#2186)
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 …