built on a rock

Of the many different types of verbal and nonverbal prayer, intercessory prayer is the type that is pure love. There isn’t anything wrong with praying for oneself or praying for a close family member or friend. Jesus prayed for himself in John 17:5. However, when we pray for someone we don’t know, or for a troubling situation far away that doesn’t impact our daily lives, then that intercessory…

At the heart of Christianity lies a symbol that transcends time and culture: the cross. Christians around the world hold the significance of the cross beyond its physical form; it embodies the very essence of their faith. Its importance is multifaceted, representing sacrifice, redemption and hope. At the core of the Christian message is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who willingly…

John Ch. 20 recounts Jesus’ resurrection and post-resurrection appearances, which reaches a crescendo when the previously doubting Thomas is finally able to see the resurrected Jesus with his own eyes — the very one who had been crucified and laid in a tomb. Now Thomas is able to proclaim his beautiful confession of faith, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). It is after this that the author John…

A few weeks ago, I received some good news.  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law had a baby boy.  He was their first child and this was wonderful news.  I shared with many people that I became an uncle again.  I was excited for them and I was happy to see our family grow.  I am sure that my excitement at this good news doesn’t come as a surprise to any of you.  Good news is good news and we love…

“Created to Be” is the theme for the summer program at Shetek Lutheran Ministries for summer 2024. Our theme verse is Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”  In our Bible studies each day we will be looking at passages that show God’s love for us and how He knows us intimately.  The verse before our theme verse, Psalm…

What is Christianity? Is it just a doctrine or your theology? Is there no need to get up out of your pew or seat? Is there no need to care for the least of these? What is Christianity? Is it a Sunday morning symphony? Where everyone can sing their hymns in harmony? Yet not grow in love and unity? What is Christianity? Is it loving your neighbor and the lost? Is it an energy-packed conference…

Have you ever wondered what would happen if everyone read the Bible every day? Probably not. Just imagine how much the community of Luverne could be changed simply by reading the Bible. However, there is a common trait so many people share. The trait is, most of us live the way we’ve always lived. See, we’ve created habits, we’ve created patterns, and we’ve created structure in our lives that…

Like many of you, our family was hunkered down inside during the brutal cold temps and dangerous windchills our community experienced over the weekend. Our church’s leadership wisely decided to cancel services and classes on Sunday morning so families could stay safe and warm at home. I shudder to think of having car trouble out in the extreme cold! A great blessing our family enjoyed (pastor…

Moses reveals in Genesis 4 that the fall of mankind into sin begins with Satan — the accuser — masked as a crafty serpent sowing seeds of doubt into Eve’s mind. “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” he asks. This clever question plants the idea that God’s word is unreasonable, even unjust. The serpent tempts Eve to doubt God’s word and elevate her own moral…

As a child, I wished I could be just like Superman. That means I would be super strong with steel abs and the ability to fly, and outside of kryptonite, not much for weaknesses. He was like the superhero of superheroes, with all the superhuman abilities wrapped into one man. There is not much he couldn’t do to defeat the bad guys. The way we typically imagine strength and success, it’s no wonder…

In just a few days a new year will start, 2024. Somehow changing one digit in the year makes us feel like there is a new beginning. Now it is 2024! 2023 is gone, it is history, and we can start fresh, to change patterns in our lives. Depending on who you read or listen to, they will either tell you to make New Year’s resolutions or that New Year’s resolutions are not important, don’t even think…

Once a year in Luverne we have the citywide cleanup or “junk days.” All the residents can go through their homes and almost anything they consider junk, broken, tarnished or simply unwanted gets thrown to the curb, literally. Right on schedule, city employees go around town with their trucks and trailers to haul it away.  Then after a week or so, all that junk is cleaned up and gone. It’s a…

As you might imagine, a national day of Thanksgiving wasn’t part of Martin Luther’s life. Thanksgiving Day is an American phenomenon. Although Americans were celebrating Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday in November since the first presidential proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t “official” until congressional legislation in 1941 made Thanksgiving Day a national holiday. Martin Luther did…

What does your church teach about the Bible? Do your pastors uphold all of Scripture as God’s true Word, or do they dismiss parts they find outdated or uncomfortable? Have you been told that certain passages no longer matter because the “times have changed?” Are your teachers more interested in aligning themselves with a particular political party and special interest groups than being faithful…

Since God knows everything (“God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything,” 1 John 3:20), why do we pray? Since God knows when a sparrow falls to the ground (Matthew 20:29-30), why do we need to tell God our needs?  We believe God is sovereign, which means he is in complete control, so why do we pray?   Daniel Brendsel in his book, “Answering Speech,” asks a question to answer the…

(Editor's Note: Due to space limitations in the Sept. 12, 2023, Rock County Star Herald, Pastor Hayden's column was shortened. This on-line version is the  column at the original length.) The Church is a hospital! How so? It is a saying that many people know and even proclaim: the Church is a hospital! It is a place for broken, hurt and lost people to come. It is not a museum for those who…