Tag Archives: means of grace

Garden

Yesterday we planted our garden. Not all the plants, of course. 🙂 Or even most of the plants, but the sugar snaps are in! Sweet peas & snow peas!

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Filed under Writer's Life

The Church is One

Today I’ll review LCMS Rev. Richard Bolland‘s book, The Church is One: Recapturing the Lost Unity Christ Intended for His Church on EarthTo be honest, I’m able to do so many reviews this week because of long drives to and from a family funeral. So I’m sorry if this review is particularly affected by that.

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Random sacramental poem

Random poem of mine I found in my many scattered notes about the Sacraments/Means of Grace. 🙂 I won’t hold my breath that this will be helpful, but we can encourage each other to tinker, too, can’t we?

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Filed under As Theological Writers, Poetry

Means?

Lutherans ask, “What does this mean?” all the time. The question remains religiously and culturally relevant. But I’ve recently pinpointed something that bothers me. With the aid of the devil, we have actually found a way to talk about the means of grace apart from a) how to receive them, and b) the divine blessings and benefits they give.

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Filed under As Christian Writers, As Theological Writers

Spiritual Warfare in America

A few months ago, I wrote a post about exorcism and how our understanding of it can reveal itself in our writing, intentionally or otherwise. Happily, I’ve learned that my husband’s theological book club chose one of the books I mentioned for their next meeting. Therefore, below find my review of Afraid: Demon Possession and Spiritual Warfare in America, written by Rev. Robert Bennett (LCMS).

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By Any Other Name

I’m wrapping up a proposal/project that is a children’s book on the means of grace. But after reading it again, I thought to myself, “Hmm. Is it more a book on Word and Sacrament?” It’s made me think, are the means of grace as sweet by any other name? Is there a difference?

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Filed under Theological reflection

Means of Grace

I’ve worked up three possible entries for the hymn contest (six days left!). While part of me liked the idea of playing around with the famous Reformation phrases and expressions, you know, like by grace through faith and justification, what I turned out really emphasized the means of grace.

Since we are nearing the end of this writing exercise—It’s increasingly clear to me that that’s what this is for me, rather than a seriously competitive entry!—it’s been pretty good. It’s been a rather devotional experience with a nicely theological depth to it. How do we confess our faith, and how do we do it with others? What elements of Scriptural imagery and vocabulary leap quickest to our tongues (and typing)? Are there things we avoid, or things that prove extra tricky? For me, lately, I kept returning, again and again, to the means of grace. Continue reading

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Filed under As Christian Writers, As Theological Writers, Hymns, Writing Exercises