By Joel A. Hess - A couple of years ago, Pope Francis announced that it would be easier for people to have their marriages annulled. In 2016, Pope Francis released his Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus, "The Gentle Judge, our Lord Jesus, the Shepherd of Souls.” In this document, the leader of Rome makes it clearer and … Continue reading Jesus doesn’t give Annulments.
By Paul Koch – Do you believe that my forgiveness is God's forgiveness? Yes. Let it be done for you as you believe. In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy … Continue reading An Idiot Confesses
By Paul Koch - When you go to a church, not just this church but really any church, you enter a place that is intentionally designed and laid out for a specific purpose. There are places to sit, these days padded pews or even chairs that are designed to keep you engaged and comfortable but … Continue reading Out of Control
By Paul Koch - The moment when our Lord steps into the waters of the Jordan River to be baptized by John is of great significance for the understanding of our faith. Here the identity and purpose of our Lord’s arrival come into focus. John the Baptist is doing what his namesake calls for him … Continue reading Buried and Risen
By Tim Winterstein - I pretty much knew what I was going to get when I turned on Beautiful Boy. I didn't know if it would be good as a film or not (although I was looking forward to seeing Steve Carell in a serious role—though sometimes I had trouble not letting his The Office … Continue reading The Beautiful and the Broken
By Paul Koch - Once a month I gather with a group of my local colleagues. These fellow pastors in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod come together to worship and study and discuss any pressing issues that need our attention. It is a gathering that I rarely miss. Not that it is always inspiring, but it … Continue reading Reconciling Pastors
By Cindy Koch - “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Her eyes sparkled and grew a little bigger. Focusing into the future, somewhere beyond our present conversation, she released her hopeful dreams from within. I could see the inspiration of tomorrow lifting every little bit of her countenance. There in her … Continue reading Inspire our Children
