By Joel A. Hess - You better watch out, you better not cry. Better not pout, I’m telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town! He sees you when you’re sleeping…. Wow, Santa sounds scary! Why would kids be excited about this guy? Of course, speaking as a parent, this song is brilliant. What … Continue reading Is John the Baptist in your Manger Scene?
By Joel A. Hess - The house was decorated for Christmas. Santa Claus figurines, branches of evergreen, and ceramic angels were sitting on every table, shelf, and mantel. The mighty Christmas tree stood in the corner with bright greens, yellows, reds, blues, and purples lighting up the warm house while the snow fell outside. Yet … Continue reading Christmas is for Funerals
By Joel A. Hess - Just as the Hallmark channel and Freeform marked the holiday season with bizarre Christmas theme soap operas your friends with PhDs from the Discovery Channel have begun to distribute their dissertations about the pagan origins of Christmas. Now try not to get your self-righteous Hanes in a bunch and lose … Continue reading How to Respond to your Pagan Christmas Critics
By Joel A. Hess - In his argument with Erasmus about free will, Luther makes a profound case for the clarity of Holy Scripture and knowing the mind of God. One of Erasmus’ methods of dismantling Luther’s assertions was to point to the mystery and unknownness of God. He called to his side verses such … Continue reading Did God Really Say?
By Joel A Hess - This week, an icon of entertainment, a storytelling, character-creating genius, died: Stan Lee. If there is anyone who is larger than life, it would be this man. He gave us so many superheroes and fantastical stories that it’s hard to imagine they all came from one man. He said in … Continue reading Stan Lee’s right. We need a hero
By Joel A Hess - Please don’t get me wrong. The outcome of elections does matter to the poor, the middle class, the unborn, and the young ladies often put under pressure to abort. It matters to the protection of the innocent and the punishment of wrongdoers. It matters to the establishment of good order … Continue reading The Joy of Knowing Politics aren’t Everything
By Joel A. Hess - You have seen the small white sign as you have pulled out of plenty of church driveways. “You are now entering the Mission Field.” Inspiring, right? Surely it was put there with good intentions. What better than to remind folks who are leaving the Church service that there are people … Continue reading You are (now entering) the mission field
