When He Shall Come
I have always loved the hymn When He Shall Come by Almeda J. Pearce. I love it in part because it has a great crescendo in the middle of each verse which resolves into a finale that sounds as if there is more coming. And there is! When He shall come resplendent in...
While We Wait for His Return…
Is it difficult for you to wait? We’ve been waiting with the whole world this year: waiting for the end of the virus; waiting and hoping we won’t get the virus; waiting to get back to work, to school, to see loved ones; waiting to be released from restrictions. Some...
The Depth and Breadth of Grace
God changed the course of our lives just three weeks after we began attending Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna, New Jersey. Nathanael and Carrie S. came to present the work God was doing in and through their lives in Chad, Africa. Since I had sensed...
A Spoiled People?
I was recently asked the same question by two people I love. One is a follower of Jesus and the other I would categorize as an agnostic. But the question on both of their minds was this: “Why are so many Christians spoiled?” It is important for us to hear this...
What is the Welcome Center?
The Welcome Center, located in N’Djamena Chad, is so much more than a guest house and conference facility. I could fill pages and pages with what goes on at this station, but here are three of the reasons that this place is such a blessing: First, the Welcome Center...
Knowing God
My first job was working at a grocery store. I carried out groceries, stocked shelves, unloaded trucks. It was the perfect job for a sixteen-year-old boy. But the thing I want you to know about my first job is that I didn’t apply for it. I didn’t turn in a resumé or...
Ancient Israel, the Law, and Us
Two Distinguishing Marks of Ancient Israel By many accounts, ancient Israel was just like all its near eastern neighbors. Their language had similar origins and their cultural practices looked, in many ways, identical. Yet by two distinguishing marks, ancient Israel...
Honor and Submit?
Aren’t you thankful for the government? …Awkward silence… Anyone?... Well then… before we get too uncomfortable, let me place that question in context. The sad thing is, it is a valid question, but one we probably have had trouble answering positively in recent years....
Your Truest Identity
Who are you? In our time (in the North America) there seems to be no shortage of answers one can give in response to this question. For example: “I am a cisgender African-American male married father of two who does financial analysis for Goldman Sachs; I root for the...
Living from the Other Side
A popular song over the last few years is titled, Hello. One repeated line of the song is, “Hello from the other side.” The singer is lamenting that she now sees things differently from “the other side” after walking away from someone who meant a lot to her at one...
God is at Work Despite Circumstances
God is encouraging us even during COVID-19 conditions. These are excerpts of testimonies Brooklyn, New York women gave during the 59th Street Lutheran Brethren Church online worship service on Pentecost Sunday. Hoi Wing and her husband Dennis both worked at New York...
The Same Blood
I have tested positive for the virus—not the one being monitored by the CDC, but a genetic virus. It is spread from person-to-person, but tracing is not necessary. I know where I got it. I received it from my parents; I gave it to my children. I have a sin nature. Dr....
CLB Forge: Podcast #7
The CLB Forge Podcast, hosted by Rev. Ryan Nilsen and Rev. Mike Natale, is designed to equip churches for mission, ministry, and multiplying disciples. In August 2020, they interviewed Gretchen Ronnevik, author of the book Ragged: Spiritual Discipline for the...
Caring During COVID-19
Covid-19 caused Victory Lutheran Brethren Church of Hsinchu, Taiwan to temporarily close the building. Victory Hakka Fellowship decided to find a way to continue to meet. It was simple, and it was certainly not traditional, but we offered people the opportunity to be...
Go for the Nations
We first met new LBIM Director Dan Venberg in person in 2017—at the emergency room. Nancy was being treated for pre-term labor. Dan encouraged us. He shared about his life as a missionary kid, and how God led his family to the mission field. We knew then in our...