My Pastoral Ponderings

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Month: June 2020

Posted on June 29, 2020January 7, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 3 Comments

The Highest Wisdom

As Christians, what do we consider the highest wisdom? Here is an answer to that question from one of the most widely-read devotional books ever written, "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis.

Posted on June 27, 2020August 24, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 1 Comment

The Whole, Healed, Put-Together Life: My Sermon on Romans 6:12-23

Jesus has freed us from sin so that we can live the life we were always meant to live, the "whole, healed, put-together life." Here is my sermon on Romans 6:12-23.

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 3 Comments

Pondering What It Means to Be Lutheran

What does it mean to be Lutheran? In this post, I offer an answer to that question, using one of our most important confessional writings, the "Augsburg Confession," which was officially presented 490 years ago today.

Posted on June 24, 2020December 15, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

The Eternity that Awaits You

A poem, prayer, psalm, and promise featuring Psalm 1 alongside a poem by R.S. Thomas.

Posted on June 22, 2020May 4, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 8 Comments

Sonnet for Psalm 42

Here is a sonnet that I wrote for Psalm 42, as part of my ongoing series of "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

Posted on June 21, 2020June 23, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

The Only Thing to Fear

Jesus tells us not to be afraid, because the only thing to fear is the One who loves us completely. Here is my sermon on Matthew 10:24-39.

Posted on June 20, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 1 Comment

Talk about Things Good for Our Souls

The desert fathers and mothers from the 3rd and 4th centuries remind us that when we spend our time criticizing everything, "we drag one another down into the abyss." So let's talk about things that are good for our souls.

Posted on June 18, 2020July 7, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

Book Review: Run with the Horses by Eugene Peterson

How can we learn to live the good life? I reflect on that question as I review Eugene Peterson's book, "Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best."

Posted on June 16, 2020July 9, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 3 Comments

Remembering the Emanuel Nine

On the eve of the anniversary of the Charleston church shooting, I share a few of my personal memories of that day and the events that followed.

Posted on June 15, 2020May 4, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 16 Comments

Sonnet for Psalm 61

Here is a sonnet I wrote for Psalm 61, as part of my ongoing series of "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

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Top Posts & Pages

  • Salt & Light: My Sermon on Matthew 5:13-20
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