This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Jasper Sellnow who serves the multi-site congregation of St. Paul’s in Mauston and Adams Friendship. We discuss the unique blessings and challenges of multi-site ministry. We also discuss the reality of aliens … really.
We examine Jesus’ words in Luke 6:20-23 of being blessed during poverty, hunger, weeping, and persecution. We also examine everything made new in Revelation 21:1-6. In the Gospel we see the contrast between the way Christians deal with adversity here on earth versus the way non-Christians deal with that same adversity. In the epistle we see the contrast between what Christians will receive as grace in glory versus what non-Christians will receive as the just punishment for their unbelief.
Please like, comment, and especially share. Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 41 (Biebert / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Nathaniel Biebert who serves the saints at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. We discuss Pastor Biebert’s translation of Pastor Strieter stories that he has turned into a book. And also his passion for composer Michael Praetorius, which he has also turned into a book.
We examine Jesus’ words to those who believed in him in John 8:31-36. We look at what it means when he says “the truth will set you free.” We also examine this freedom in St. Paul’s words in Galatians 5:1-6. Paul is reminding the us of the freedom we have in Christ and urges us not to lose our freedom.
Please like, comment, and especially share. Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 40 (Strey / Zarling)
This week Pastor Zarling interviews Pastor Johnold Strey who serves at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Hubertus, WI. We discuss his ministry of 15 years in California and how that differs from his ministry at Crown of Life. Pastor Strey is a self-described liturgy geek. We also discuss the book he authored entitled “Christian Worship: God Gives His Gospel Gifts.”
We examine the rich young ruler who wished to eternal life in Luke 18:18-30. The young man thought he had kept God’s commandments. Jesus shows him he didn’t even keep the first commandment. We also examine aged St. John’s words of not loving the world or the things of the world in 1 John 2:15-17.
Please like, comment, and especially share. Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 39 (Zarling / Laitinen / Ulhorn)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Wayne Uhlhorn who serves as a WELS Mission Counselor. We discuss his role as a mission counselor for congregations, pastors, and district mission boards. We also talk about his previous ministry as a pastor in North Dakota, Maryland, Colorado Springs, and Carlsbad. We review the WELS initiative of starting 100 new missions in 10 years.
We examine Jesus’ parable of the unjust judge as Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer in Luke 18:1-8. We also examine the knowledge and confidence that are connected with prayer in 1 John 5:13-15.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 38 (Zarling, Laitinen, Mueller)
Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Branden Mueller who teaches 7th grade at Wisconsin Lutheran School in Racine, WI. We discussed Branden’s ministry and what is unique and interesting about teaching in an urban setting.
We examined leprosy, Jesus’ miraculous healing of the ten lepers, and the need for gratefulness as we discussed Luke 17:11-19. We also examined not being stingy with our financial gifts or material blessings as we serve the Lord in his Kingdom work with St. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:10-15).
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 37 (Roekle, Laitinen, Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran School and Shoreland Lutheran High School, and current Seminary student Ben Roekle. We talk about classes at the Seminary and jobs students have outside of the classroom. We also discuss Ben’s heart transplant as a young child.
We examine millstones and mustard seeds in Luke 17:1-10 and the reaction to persecution in 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 36 (Zarling / Laitinen)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling go old school with no guests. They talk about the WELS Youth Night they are working on with other congregations and the value of these youth activities across our church body. They also discuss Jesus’ story of the rich man and poor Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. They also apply the instructions and encouragement to persecuted Christians in Hebrews 13:1-6.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 35 (Zarling / Roekle / Laitinen)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor John Roekle who serves at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Racine, WI. We discuss the shared ministry of First Evan and Water of Life churches as they have been jointly operating Wisconsin Lutheran School in Racine for almost 50 years. We also discuss the two versions of the beginning of Epiphany (now Water of Life/Pastor Zarling’s church) from First Evan over 90 years ago and the blessings that have come from that beginning.
We study what it means to be lost and found in Jesus’ two parables in Luke 15:1-10. We also examine the rejoicing that happens in heaven when sinners repent and receive Christ’s blood-bough forgiveness. We also study how pointing out sin, calling to repentance, and announcing forgiveness is the highest calling of Christians in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 34 (Horn / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Paul Horn who serves as a home missionary in West Lafayette, IN. Pastor Horn followed Pastor Zarling at the mission church in Radcliff, KY. We discuss Pastor Horn’s ministry of serving a mission church in a store front and building a new church building, his campus ministry at Purdue University, and his work as a military contact pastor.
We study Jesus’ difficult teaching in Luke 14:25-35 of Jesus calling for his followers to hate their family members, carry their crosses, count the cost of discipleship and remain salty in their faith. We also discuss St. Paul’s unique letter to Philemon to accept back his converted slave Onesimus and how appealing to Christian love is always more effective than an arbitrary demand.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life
THIRSTY 33 (Christie / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Aaron Christie who serves as a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. We spent a lot of time discussing his role as teaching homiletics to Seminary students. Homiletics is the craft of preaching. We examine what goes into the writing and preaching a Lutheran sermon.
We study Jesus’ teaching on humility in Luke 14:1,7-14. Jesus used the parable of sitting at a wedding feast to teach a lesson on humility. We discussed how we might teach humility in the classroom to students in grade school, high school, or Seminary. We also study James’ teaching on the danger of favoritism in James 2:1-13.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 32 (Paustian / Zarling / Laitinen)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Mark Paustian who serves as a professor at Martin Luther College. We discuss the importance of apologetics and his books entitled “Prepared to Answer.” We also discuss the topic of his devotional book on hymns, art, and Lutheran worship entitled “Our Worth to Him.” Professor Paustian is very interested in communication and he examines the complexities of communication in his own podcast entitled, “Where Two or Three.”
We study Jesus’ teaching about worry and anxiety in Luke 12:22-34. We spend the majority of the episode talking about the reasons Jesus gives on why Christians have no need to worry.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life
THIRSTY 31 (Finkbeiner / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Ryan Finkbeiner who serves as the Principal at Mount Lebanon Lutheran School in Milwaukee, WI. We discussed what Ryan and his pastors and teachers do to connect their Mount Lebanon students and their families to the Means of Grace ministries in their church. It’s all about building relationships.
We examine Luke 12:13-21 and Jesus’ warning to “Watch out and be on guard against all greed.” We apply how greed can be dangerous to students in grade school, high school, and adults. We also examine Colossians 3:1-11. We ask the question, “Our current culture is all about race, gender, economic status, victimhood, etc. How do you talk to someone who is caught up in this life about where true life is found?”
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 30 (Werre / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Luke Werre who serves at Peace Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, WI. We discuss Pastor Werre’s previous pastoral experience in Dix Hills, NY. We also talk about Pastor Laitinen’s time as Pastor Were’s vicar in Sun Prairie.
We do a deep dive into the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer and prayer in general as we study and apply Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Luke 11:1-13.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 29 – Southeast Wisconsin District Mission Board Spectacular!
This week Pastor Zarling was at the annual Southeastern Wisconsin District Mission Board planning meeting in Door County, WI. He took the time to interview Pastor Dan Leyer about his ministries in the home mission field, as a Seminary professor and in his current call at St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School in Milwaukee, WI. Pastor Leyrer was recently elected to be the new SEW District President. Pastor Zarling and Pastor Leyer discuss and apply the account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.
Then Pastor Zarling talks about mission work with the laymen on the SEW DMB – Mike Nichols, Steve Mueller, and Steve Wolf. You can hear their passion for encouraging and shepherding home missionaries.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 28 (Zarling Rockhoff Laitinen)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor David Rockhoff who is serving at St. Peter in Dorr, MI. We discuss some of our favorite and funniest shut-in stories.
We examine Luke 10:25-37 and the parable of the Good Samaritan. We discuss how Christians and congregations can become better neighbors to those around our churches? We also examine Galatians 5:1,13-25 and the difference between allowing our sinful nature to abuse our Christian freedom with walking by the spirit and allowing our sanctified new self to use our Christian freedom. We also discuss Paul’s picture of crucifying the sinful nature with Christ.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life
THIRSTY 27 (Bushkopf / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Rachel Bushkopf who teaches 3rd grade at Wisconsin Lutheran School in Racine. Rachel has also served in various places around the world sharing the gospel. The fields are ripe for the harvest and God has been using Rachel for over 20 years to share his gospel to people in different languages. Rachel is a high-energy person. You’ll notice that energy and excitement for gospel ministry in the interview.
We share evangelism stories as we discuss Jesus sending out his 72 disciples into the harvest fields in Luke 10:1-12,16-20. We also discuss the work of pastors as shepherds and overseers as we delve into 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 26 (Bergene / Laitinen / Zarling)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Dustin Bergene. Pastor Bergene serves at Zion Lutheran Church in Bristol, WI. We discuss the Bristol Renaissance Fair and other activities in Bristol. We examined Luke 9:51-62 and how Jesus desired continued devotion, not intermittent activity from would-be disciples. Jesus’ disciples, James and John asked him, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” We asked the question, when is it a good time to call down judgment on a wicked and adulterous nation and when is it a good time to keep preaching the gospel despite their opposition?
We also examined 2 Corinthians 11:21b-30 and why Paul wanted to display his weaknesses and not his strengths.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 25 – Youth Rally Edition! (Zarling, Laitinen, and more!)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling were with over 2200 teens at the WELS International Youth Rally at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. The theme of the rally was Here and Now. We interviewed 14 of the youth and 2 of the chaperones from the Water of Life youth group who attended the rally. We discussed the worship services, workshops, concerts, the Hub, the food, fun, fellowship, inflatables, tortilla slapping, highs and lows, and more. The teens were insightful and introspective with their commentary.
These teens – like so many at the rally – are not the future of the WELS. They are the Here and Now.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 24 (Zarling Latinen Patterson)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Paul Patterson who serves as the Associate Director of WELS Lutheran Schools and Executive Director of WELS School Accreditation. We discuss the shortage of teachers in the WELS and the task force that was created to find solutions to this teacher shortage. We talk about disciplining the children in our Lutheran schools with Law and Gospel. We also talk about the recent Supreme Court decision on school choice and what that might mean for our Lutheran schools.
We examine the forgiveness Jesus offers to the prostitute in Luke 7:36-50 and how we may take this forgiveness for granted because we don’t consider ourselves of having been forgiven much. We also examine the sexual sins in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. Even in his rebuke of the Corinthians, Paul was able to weave the gospel into his words. We also spend time discussing what to say to someone who believes that it is unloving to point out someone’s sins to call them to repentance.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.
THIRSTY 23 (Zarling Laitinen Foxen)
This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interview Pastor Ben Foxen who served in Novosibirsk right out of the Seminary and is being installed and commissioned at the Taste of Missions June 11 to be a missionary to Lusaka, Africa. We discuss the unity of the Trinity in John 16:12-15, the suffering that produces perseverance in Romans 5:1-5, and the blessings we may take for granted in the Aaron benediction in Numbers 6:22-27.
Since these are the Scripture readings for Trinity Sunday, we also discuss bad Trinity analogies.
Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.