PB’s Curated Resources for Lent

Wanting to add some faith enrichment to your life during Lent?  Here are some great resources that Pastor Bill has curated for us – they include books, daily devotionals, podcasts, and videos.  It is our prayer that these bring some Lenten renewal and enrichment to your faith journey.

BOOKS

Ditching the Check List by Dr. Mark C. Mattes

Ditching the Checklist was written to help Christians who, due to grounding the assurance of their salvation in evidences of their new birth instead of Christ alone, struggle over whether or not they are saved. Evangelical leader J. D. Greear describes anxiety over whether or not one is saved as a major problem among Evangelicals. With ample testimony from Scripture and appealing to the thinking of Luther, this booklet addresses this anxiety head on.

Broken Bonds  by Amy MantraVadi

This is a piece of historical fiction takes us back into the days of the Reformation. The Church is fracturing, revolution is brewing, and society is changing rapidly. Three authors who shaped this new world with their pens—Martin Luther, Desiderius Erasmus, and Philipp Melanchthon—will now be shaped by it in turn. Amy brings these characters to life in a powerful way.

Come Tumbling Down by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

Sarah is an ELCA pastor and writer of both fiction and non-fiction.  She and her Lutheran Theologian Father host a wonderful podcast called “Queen of the Sciences.” This book is about a pastor with familiar doubts and a spouse just starting to feel at home. When heartbreak strikes, will the church heal their wounds, or only salt them?

Free to Be by Dr. Jim Nestingen and Gerhardt Forde

This handbook on Luther’s Small Catechism was written back in the 70s for youth in Confirmation.  However, Pastor Bill believes it is absolutely the best down to earth book on Lutheran Theology available and he would be overjoyed if every member of SLC, young and old, would read it often and take it to heart!

Your God is Too Glorious, By Chad Bird.

Chad helps us find God in the Most Unexpected Places.

The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson

In The Lord of Psalm 23, Gibson walks us through each verse, calling us to focus on Christ as our Good Shepherd. And all along the way, Gibson helps us to trust and to praise the character of the Lord who leads us through this life’s valleys and fulfills every longing in the green pastures of the life to come.

 

DEVOTIONALS

The Sinner Saint Lent Devotional by Kyle G. Jones and Kathryn Morales.

A reflection for each day of Lent on the gift of repentance that turns us back to Christ and his finished work. There is no repentance apart from Christ. There is no Lent apart from Christ’s suffering on our behalf. There is no hope apart from his righteousness gifted to us. All of these daily devotions are written with these great truths in mind. Dear Sinner/Saint, prepare to be told in these pages to go home to your forgiving Father over and over.

Finding Christ in the Straw,  A Forty-Day Devotion on the Epistle of James By Robert Hiller.

James wrote to Christians whose faith was under attack. Persecution, false teachings, and loveless actions were troubling God’s baptized people. Things have not changed much for the church in these latter days. Though Luther referred to this letter as “an epistle of straw,” James gives much wisdom to Christ’s troubled bride.  In each day of Lent, this resource will truly help you find Christ.

ARTICLES

What does Lent Mean to You?  by Kathy Morales

This is a nice article to read as you begin our 40 days of Lent.

Martin Luther’s Three Lights by Dr. John Hoyum

John Hoyum, son of our own Rev. Ron Hoyum, writes about Luther’s famous treatise which contains great consolation for Christians struggling with grace, suffering, and hope.

PODCASTS & VIDEOS

“Queen of the Sciences” – this podcast is a wonderful conversation between a Lutheran pastor (Sarah Hinlicky Wilson) and her Father who is both a Lutheran pastor and a distinguish Lutheran Theologian (Dr. Paul Hinlicky).  Some sessions are very deep and scholarly, and others are more practical and pastoral.  You’ll find some great sessions. Here we are commending two lectures by Sarah on Law and Gospel – Session I & Session II /  because distinguishing between Law and Gospel is central to Lutheran Theology.

“The Outlaw God” podcast is a very scholarly walking through of Dr. Steven Paulson’s three volume work, The Outlaw God.   The book is on Luther’s debate with Erasmus on the “bound will” vs. “free will.”   Remember that Luther said his debate with Erasmus on this subject gets to the heart of the matter.  Here we are providing of few great episodes for you to check out:  Free to Be, What is Baptism, Water and the Word, The Lord’s Supper, and Receiving the Body and Blood.

“Outside Ourselves” is hosted by Kelsi Klembara and is part of the 1517 network of podcasts and videos.  In general, PB sees 1517 resources as theologically solid and helpful. These two episodes from Kelsi’s podcast are a great place to check out this podcast: The Limits and Expanse of Christian Belief with Sarah Hinckly Wilson and Poetry, Lent, and the Hope of Easter with Rachel Welcher.