Tag Archives: gratitude

Thanksgiving During a Plague: Martin Rinkart (1586–1649)

Thanksgiving During a Plague: Martin Rinkart (1586–1649)

When the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) engulfed northern Europe, Christians in Germany suffered under the terrors of war, famine, and plague. As a new pastor in the walled city of Eilenberg, Martin Rinkart knew the spiritual strain of ministry under these trying circumstances. Refugees congregated in Eilenberg, but the siege by the Swedish and Austrian… Continue Reading

Can We Be Thankful?

Can We Be Thankful?

Kevin T. Bauder At the end of 1990 I left the church that I had pastored for six years and moved my family to Dallas so I could pursue doctoral studies. I had no source of income, no friends in Texas, and no family nearby. After a few weeks I found a job in a… Continue Reading

Thanksgiving: The Primary Worship Response

Thanksgiving: The Primary Worship Response

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln established an annual national holiday of Thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday in November. Most of us look forward to this holiday, a day on which we eat good food, enjoy time with family and friends, and perhaps watch some football. And we will probably set aside at… Continue Reading

Why I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection

Why I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection

The affections of our hearts are central to true worship. Yet while praise, joy, contrition, and love are all important affections for worship, I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection. Here’s why: All true spiritual affections of worship have an object, and their object is always God. This is why true spiritual affections are… Continue Reading

Minnesota Winter

Minnesota Winter

Temperatures have plummeted to near-record lows in the Twin Cities during the past couple of weeks. Wind chills have reached the fifties below zero, with actual temps well into the negative twenties. No wonder students from further south are a bit apprehensive when looking at Central Seminary. That’s actually a shame. Not only are they… Continue Reading