1. I just passed a church site that, over the past year, has periodically featured small white yard signs, each with a single word on them. Some of the signs are still there and say "Love," "Peace," and "Kindness."

Honestly, every time I see them, I cringe. It's not...

2. ...that, as a Christian, I don't recognize these things as laudable virtues. Of course, I do.

But these little signs seem to say that pursuing such virtues is what the Christian faith is about. It's not.

3. Christian faith is about a loving, righteous God taking on human flesh in Jesus Christ, Who died for our sins precisely because our lack of virtue--in thought, word, and deed--merited the punishment Jesus took for us.

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Mark Daniels

@MARKJDANIELS

11 Jun

Truth #1: I'm a sinner born into a dying human race oriented to getting its own way, no matter what the will of God.

Truth #2: My sinful nature and the sins I commit because of it mean that I'm incapable of doing anything to save myself from death, the result of my sin.

Truth #3: God the Son, Jesus, has done everything needed to save me from myself. He offered His sinless life on a cross, in His death, taking the punishment for sin and I deserve.

Truth #4: Jesus rose from the dead, opening up eternity to all who have faith in Him.

Truth #5: Because having faith in Jesus is so foreign to my sinful nature, God the Holy Spirit works faith in me--gives me the gift of faith in Jesus--through means: the Word of God shared, taught, preached and the Word of God given in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.

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Mark Daniels

@MARKJDANIELS

18 May

1. “Good evening, Father. How are you?” It was the Kroger clerk manning the self-check lines. I’d forgotten to buy eggs on my visit the previous day. So, I was back again. The clerk, someone I’d never seen before, was a big guy. He spoke with what sounded like a Cajun accent.

2. “I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?”

“Good. Where is your parish?”

I explained that I’m pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church and told him where our buildings are situated.

3. “I’ve seen it. I’m Episcopal myself. There seem to be a lot more Lutheran congregations here than where I’m from.”

I asked where he was from and he explained that he was from Louisiana.

We chatted a bit longer. Then he asked, “What time are your services?”

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Mark Daniels

@MARKJDANIELS

18 Feb

1. #Prayer update: Members of the congregation our son serves as pastor in #Texas have taken in him, our daughter-in-law, and DiL's mom, who is with them. Their place has had no power, heat, or water since yesterday afternoon. Our daughter-in-law's due date is today.

2. The couple who has taken them all in are also without power or water, but have another source of heat, can cook, and stored drinking water. Our son says that the short drive to the couple's house was treacherous, but they're very grateful.

3. Please #pray for the people of #Texas, who are being subjected to a dangerous circumstance not really caused by the weather but by some questionable public and corporate decision-making. The past year has been hard for the whole country. But this is additional hardship 4 ppl.

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Mark Daniels

@MARKJDANIELS

17 Feb

1. May God bless you this Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent. The word “Lent” originally meant “spring.” It’s a time to reflect on our Baptism and a time of spiritual rebirth and renewal.

2. The season of Lent lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays. In Church history, candidates for Baptism would fast during these 40 days leading to their Baptism at Easter.

3. As to Ash Wednesday itself, ashes, in a Jewish and Christian context, suggest three things: judgment and God’s condemnation of sin; our total dependence upon God for life; and repentance, joyful turning back to God.

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