Sermon based on Luke 15:11-32 A Shameful Request. An Unexpected Response A respected man was blessed with two sons. One day, his younger son says to him, “Father, give me the share of the family property coming to me.” Saying this was as good as telling your father he’s worth more to you dead thanContinueContinue reading “It’s Complicated: A Parable about Shame & Grace”
Category Archives: Random Thoughts
A Sermon for when Evil Things Happen as did in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2025–“Senseless Suffering, Unstoppable Salvation”
“Senseless suffering. Unstoppable Salvation.” Sermon Text: Matthew 2:13-23 Over the past many weeks, we have rejoiced in the miraculous birth of our Lord, Immanuel, God with us. We’ve reflected on the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, who submitted to the will of God and raised this child and named Him Jesus. We’ve reflected on theContinueContinue reading “A Sermon for when Evil Things Happen as did in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2025–“Senseless Suffering, Unstoppable Salvation””
Reformation Reflections: The Power of a Single voice
2024 Sermon | By Pastor Aaron Kalbas What was the Protestant Reformation, and who was Martin Luther? Obviously, the answers to these fundamental questions reveal much about our history and faith. I encourage you to read more about the Reformation and Luther this week, but today, let’s reflect on one pivotal thing about the Reformation:ContinueContinue reading “Reformation Reflections: The Power of a Single voice”
Voting with Faith: Christian Responsibilities Explained
No church or pastor should ever endorse outright a particular candidate for office. The Church’s only endorsement is Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus has never flip-flopped on key issues, used race-based identity politics, or had a questionable haircut. No. Indeed, the Church preaches Christ crucified and Christ risen for the sake of sinners. This, andContinueContinue reading “Voting with Faith: Christian Responsibilities Explained”
The Suffering Servant and the Serum Relay: A Call to Endure
Text: Isaiah 50:4-10 The Winter of 1925 was terrifying for the residents of Nome, Alaska. After treating four cases of what appeared to be tonsillitis, the only doctor in town, Dr. Curtis Welch, came to a horrifying conclusion. It wasn’t tonsillitis, it was the extremely contagious and deadly diphtheria. And without an antitoxin, the wholeContinueContinue reading “The Suffering Servant and the Serum Relay: A Call to Endure”
Ashes & Valentines: The Connection between Ash Wednesday & Valentine’s Day
What connection is there between Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day? Well, “today” for starters. This hasn’t happened since 2018. It has happened three times in the last century – 1923, 1934 and 1945 – and will happen again in 2029 for the final time this century! At my church, we’ll be reflecting on some powerful connectionsContinueContinue reading “Ashes & Valentines: The Connection between Ash Wednesday & Valentine’s Day”
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky prays for Damar Hamlin… prays to God!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Vs59RDITc Maybe 2023 is going to be a brilliant year. We are only a few days in and an amazing thing has happened: Dan Orlovsky, an announcer on ESPN, prayed to God on a live TV Broadcast. Yes, you read that correctly. He prayed, “God, we come to you in these moments that we don’tContinueContinue reading “ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky prays for Damar Hamlin… prays to God!!!”
When men strive together to hit a pregnant woman…
Additionally, sound reason demands that we resist the fallacious nature of all pro-choice arguments that try to pit the worth of the mother’s life over and against the life of the baby in her womb. These arguments are false dichotomies. You can’t argue one against the other. Pastor Aaron Kalbas Recently, I posted on my church’sContinueContinue reading “When men strive together to hit a pregnant woman…”
WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY?
Today is Ash Wednesday. But not everyone understands what Ash Wednesday is all about. Much like the entire season of Lent, it’s a time to reflect on what it means to be people of the cross. Lent is a 40-day journey that gives Christians time to deliberately pause and ponder what Good Friday means forContinueContinue reading “WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY?”
The Real Reason to Remember January 6
“LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE” — Jesus You’ve probably heard the date of January 6 talked about ad nauseum for a while now… it’s all over the news. According to the talking heads in the media, the only thing worth remembering today is the protest that turned violent on this day one year ago, when concernedContinueContinue reading “The Real Reason to Remember January 6”
O Lord, open my lips... 