This morning I had another biweekly Persian lesson with my Teheran-born tutor—a normally bubbly elderly lady. Her native tongue is Persian—a language spoken in both Iran and Afghanistan. But as soon as her face popped up on Zoom, I could tell that something was amiss. There was a sadness to her eyes. I asked her, … Continue reading Pray for Afghanistan
This has been an average summer in Germany, with weather the way I recall it from my childhood in Bavaria—temps in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit, occasional sun and frequent showers. This is why I like to use every opportunity I can get to catch some Vitamin D. And so, I sometimes sit out there … Continue reading Good News
Have you ever narrowly escaped disaster—like when that car in the opposite lane was heading straight toward you, but then swerved to the shoulder at the last second? Or when you almost fell down the stairs, but were just barely able to grab onto the handrail? Our friend Pastor Martin Benhöfer (pictured) of the Independent … Continue reading HIS Hand of Protection
Every week I take Persian lessons over Zoom with my Iranian tutor in Berlin. Among the hundreds of thousands of Iranian migrants to Germany, 36 % are Christian or lean toward Christianity, while only 33% are Muslim. The balance holds no religious beliefs at all. My tutor knows almost nothing about Christianity and, so far, … Continue reading Sacrifice in Persian
Now Thank We All Our God! Did you start off your day annoyed…because you ran out of coffee filters, or because your Internet connection isn’t as fast as you’d like? Are you letting “gnats” like these overshadow your gratitude for the rich gifts of God—a comfortable place to live, the ability to come and go … Continue reading Now Thank We All Our God
In addition to doing mission work among Persian migrants (as of October), alongside my LCMS colleagues Rev. Dr. John Bombaro and Rev. Dr. Charles Cortright I also serve on the faculty of Luther Academy, an online Lutheran seminary located in Riga, Latvia. Last week I was invited to visit the seminary in that beautiful northern … Continue reading The Cathedral in Riga, Latvia
After preaching and presenting at three different churches in north Germany this past weekend, on Sunday afternoon I took the train back to Kaiserslautern. Looking up from my Persian books and flashcards on the table in front of me, I noticed that the young man sitting across was reading a German book, occasionally looking up … Continue reading Everyday Miracles: Ilya and the Gospel, Part I
Everyday Miracles (cont. from June 16): Ilya apparently knew that Christianity revolves around Jesus—fully God and fully man—who died on the cross for all humanity, that He forgives those who repent and guarantees us believers eternal life. Sadly, however, he had also flatly stated that he did not want to get “too close” to Christianity … Continue reading Ilya and the Gospel, Part 2
Pentecost was such a blessed day at Kaiserslautern Evangelical Lutheran Church – You can watch the service here: https://www.facebook.com/KELC1985/videos/489664522362157 Continue reading Come Holy Spirit! Bless the Confirmands!
The Tiews in Germany 