Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Christian’s 40-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the proclamation of Easter. The 40 days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of this ministry, Moses’ stay on Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law, and Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ash.png15911592Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2024-02-01 08:00:002024-01-30 09:37:40Ashes on Ash Wednesday: The Why and the How
Once upon a time when I was growing up, there were those in my class who faithfully watched the WWF: the World Wrestling Federation. Do you remember any of that cast of crazy characters?
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2024-01-29 12:07:112024-01-29 12:07:18Jesus is Our Ultimate Prophet
On a plaque on the wall behind my desk that I received as a gift for 15 years in the ministry is a Bible passage. It’s a passage that one of my favorite professors from my seminary days would use to end all of his courses.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2024-01-14 08:00:002024-01-10 11:51:49All that Work for Nothing?
Brandon and Tristan Spoerly were having the time of their lives. They had entered an essay contest sponsored by the Houston Texans.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2024-01-07 08:00:002024-01-05 08:47:57Are You Overjoyed When You See the Star?
I know this isn’t so much the case any more with all of the streaming and binge watching that takes place now. However, it used to be that when you watched TV, especially shows that had a plot line in them, that as the season would end, it would often end with a cliffhanger.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2023-12-31 07:32:002023-12-28 07:35:16What Happened to the Tree?
Why Bethlehem? Of all the places in Israel, why that little town of Bethlehem? Bethlehem was so insignificant, that it wasn’t even large enough to list when Judah was assigned her as part of her territory.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2023-12-25 09:00:002023-12-18 13:32:40Look to Little Bethlehem
I watched the classic Charlie Brown Christmas Special again last week. If you haven’t seen it it in a while, perhaps you remember that Charlie Brown is frustrated with how commercialized Christmas has become.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2023-12-24 18:30:002023-12-18 13:33:22Not Because of You, Because of Him!
Isn’t it interesting how we often try to get people’s attention by being louder. We’ll shout someone’s name.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2023-12-10 08:00:002023-12-06 09:56:19Listen to the Forerunners!
I want you to picture this scene in your mind: You’re sitting at a table at a local establishment. You’re enjoying a nice dinner with your spouse or your friends.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2023-12-03 08:00:002023-11-30 12:41:16The Church Lacks Nothing in Christ
Being exiled is not something that anyone would choose to be. It never has a positive connotation.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2023-11-29 15:30:002023-11-27 12:21:43Exiles: The Garden of Eden