“Hallowed be Thy name” (First Petition). The First Petition. The word “petition” is itself a small devotion. Of all the many books written about Luther and the Reformation, my favorite is the one written by his dog. The Luthers had a dog and his name was Tolpel, the German word for “fool.” Dogs were used in […]
“And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord…” (Second Article). By far, the best explanation of the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed is contained in the Small Catechism. It is but one sentence long, but what a sentence! If I had to add something, it would be this. As the Creed is the […]
“God settles the solitary in a home” (Ps. 68:6). “He also gives me…home…and children” (Small Catechism). We leave behind the Ten Commandments now and come to the Creed. I love this moment in the Small Catechism! The Creed is the true center of the Catechism. The Commandments point to the need for it, and then […]
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” In my opinion, the best explanation of the Eighth Commandment is a children’s book called Flying Feathers. It’s a Slav folk tale, retold by Mary Kentra Ericsson, and once upon a time published by Concordia Publishing House. They should bring it back! Until they do, I am […]
“You shall not steal.” Without planning it (but God had it planned), we come to the Seventh Commandment just before Christmas. There is a definite connection between this commandment and Christmas. What do you think it is? What makes the Seventh Commandment the Christmas Commandment? The answer in a word: giving. Only on the surface […]
“You shall not commit adultery.” What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other. Setting aside the First Commandment, there is something unique about the Sixth Commandment’s What does this […]