The Advent of On-Demand Media Like many college students, I hopped around between a few majors before landing firmly in the education world. One of those majors was telecommunications. At the time, I was convinced that I would, one day, be a producer for ESPN. This was the summer of 2004, and I remember it like it was yesterday. My …
The Joy and Challenge of Summer Vacation
The other night, I sat down with a local Lutheran school principal after work to catch up on some things and discuss some projects that were happening at his school. I had some ideas that might help his projects move a little bit quicker, and then I quickly realized something: summer is right around the corner. “How many weeks do …
Protecting Your Family Online
As a parent, God has entrusted you with the care and upbringing of your children. This task has not changed throughout all time. We are called to bring them to the life-giving water of Holy Baptism, to teach them the faith, and to protect them from all harm and evil. No pressure, Mom and Dad. Every age has had things …
The Joy at the End of the Fast
This year was the first time that I had ever been to an Easter Vigil service, and I took my preschool daughter with me. I was worried about how late it was; the service started about fifteen minutes before her normal bedtime, and it would go on for an hour and a half past her bedtime. I had thoughts of …
A Thank-You to My Daughter’s Teacher
Dear Mrs. (insert name here), It’s National Lutheran Schools Week, and I know you are busy preparing special events for all of your students, putting in extra hours to make sure chapel goes well this week, and that somehow in the middle of it all, you will still find the time to get a math lesson in. What a blessing you …
Not Fake News
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, …
Christ in the Midst of Chaos
No sooner had I taken the last bite of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving evening than the chaos began—the pre-Christmas chaos, that is. Slick Black Friday ads, looking like small magazines, were dropped on our doorstep. The kids swept them up and began devouring them, circling this and underlining that. In the days that followed, Christmas decorations were dragged out, a …
Advent at Home
Getting into the practice of daily prayer and the reading of Scripture with your family can be a challenge if you have never done it before. Advent presents you with the perfect opportunity to start building this habit. In the Advent wreath alone, you have the makings of wonder for your child. Why are there four candles (five if you …
Raising a Child with a Growth Mindset
As an educator, I have always struggled with the concept of the letter grade. It has always been a double-edged sword for me. There are the practical skills of getting good grades: turn in all of your homework, do what your teacher says, and most of the time you will pass the class. But is a letter grade a reflection …
The Right Question
Combine 500 years, a nail, a hammer, and 95 thoughts, and you have the springboard to the recapturing of the Gospel (John 3:16). This promise is for the whole world (John 1:29), that is, that Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:8); this is not your doing (Ephesians 2:8-9), and the faith that is gifted to you declares you righteous (Romans …