Long-distance runners refer to a state of being called runner’s high. This condition is marked by a mild euphoria and temporary relief from the normal effects of running: heavy breathing and joint and muscle aches. It can be reached only through running a considerable distance. The exact amount depends on the runner, I suppose. More than likely, it is caused by the endorphins that are released through prolonged exercise. It is an escape from the normal strain of running, allowing the runner to continue his or her trek.

It is especially to be noted here that Christ, the Son of God, who is holier than Baptism itself, nevertheless has Himself baptized and further enjoins that this Baptism be continued in the Church from then on, and all who wish to be saved are also to be baptized [cf. Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16]. From this it follows that they must be accursed people down in the pit of hell whom God has put to shame and blinded so that they do not have ears and eyes enough to be able to [hear and] see what happens here, who either despise Baptism or scoff at it. For why would you not have yourself or your children baptized when the Son of God has Himself baptized? … Should you not ascribe all honor to Baptism, even if it were useful for nothing else, simply because of this man, since you know for certain that the Son of God Himself was baptized, so that in His honor you would also be baptized even if this Baptism were of no other benefit to you?

Funerals can be a challenging time, and it makes sense that there is grief. God didn’t build us to die; He created with the intention that Adam and Eve would live forever in perfect bliss. The death of a loved one is jolting. We must live the rest of our lives on earth without this beloved person with us, and this is completely out of our control. What is more, death is a reminder that we ourselves are mortal. Each of us will die unless the Lord returns within our lifetime. The only thing worse than physical death is eternal death.

Guidance is needed both on what Scripture says about divorce and remarriage, and on how this should be applied to cases that arise. That is, guidance is needed both on the principles and on the application of the principles, on theory and practice.

Because the land is Yours, we are likewise Your inheritance; therefore, You, God, will build a dwelling, temple, and habitation there, where You will be found.

Bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance. (Exodus 15:17)

This blog post is excerpted from Luther’s Works, vol. 62, Sermon on Exodus Chapters 1–20. 

Several passages in the New Testament refer to the narrow circle of relationships that made up the first followers of Jesus (Luke 1:39–45; John 1:29–51; 21:1–3). The small-town, largely Galilean roots of the movement stayed with the people even as they spread in all directions with the message that Jesus was the Christ. The Lord’s immediate family was near the heart of that circle; Mary, His mother, believed the unique testimony about her firstborn Son, which she would have shared with other family members. The little book of Jude assumes that familiarity (Jude 1), presenting readers today with tantalizing questions.

Many, many, many books and essays have been written on the differences between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. (In other words, I am not going to tell you anything new. For the most significant differences, you may want to reread the Augsburg Confession and its Apology.)

The book of Revelation is one of the most controversial books of the Bible. It is the source of speculation about current events, life’s challenges, predictions of the future, and the end times.

From the heights of the great theater, one may look down the Arcadian Way to the harbor that made Roman Ephesus the first city of Asia. Its temple to Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, drew innumerable visitors and fostered trade. The Church, too, prospered here, where the apostle John preached and taught.

We are always confessing something. Whatever we do, whatever we say, we confess. Perhaps that seems like an exaggeration, because when we hear the word confess, we usually limit that to our sins or, perhaps, to our faith.