There’s a fairy tale notion of love that we just “fall in love” when we meet the right person. If we find Mr. or Mrs. Right, then the result of such falling in love is living happily ever after. Not so. True love is based on a decision to invest in another person. Yes, it’s great to start with someone that you find attractive for various areas of common interest or outer beauty. But, for that relationship to grow and...

This past Tuesday I led an opening devotion for a regional gathering of pastors. I shared thoughts that were well received and decided to repeat some of it here. The conference theme was that God’s way of justification by grace through faith in our crucified Savior, Jesus, is foolishness in our current culture. Along those lines, I noted how marriage is a perfect illustration of this. God’s way for marriage is a way of sacrifice and...

I just read an excellent article on a topic dear to my heart…the stewardship of marriage. It is the latest StewardCAST article from LCMS Stewardship Ministry. Link to it by clicking HERE. This article contains some excellent points. As I’ve also said before, “…stewardship is not so much about what is done, but rather the identity of the one doing it.” And, since our identity comes from the God who made us...

Created Male & Female is the title of an open letter released in the U.S. on Dec. 15, 2017 by twenty key religious leaders including two from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I encourage you to read it HERE. You can also read further information about the involvement of the LCMS in the production and release of this letter in the LCMS’ Reporter Online HERE.  I fully support the points made in this letter as they fit perfectly...

Heather and I just returned from a wonderful weekend “Marriage in God’s Way” seminar we led for couples from St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen, IN. It was great to retreat in the charming town of Shipshewana. We enjoyed time away from the normal routine with our most precious gift on earth…our spouse. Most of all, we delighted in learning to put our “Thumb Up” to Jesus as our most important relationship....

It was a joy for me to attend the wedding of my nephew last week. He and his new bride are clearly focused on putting Jesus first in their relationship. They have the right attitude of humble trust in the Lord. It’s such an attitude that has blessed them in their lives so far and WILL bless them with a lasting and joyful marriage. I can say this with complete confidence. The Lord is our STRENGTH! If you’re attending any weddings this...