Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by David Nehrenz
DEVOTIONAL: The good portion
Dinner or supper time is a way for family members to enjoy food and engage in mutual conversation. We all love to eat and we all love to talk! One or more persons cook, prepare and serve the food. Everyone eats, drinks and receives nourishment from what is placed on the table. This is the common experience of people all around the world. In Luke 10:38-42, we read about dinner time in the first century. Jesus went on his way, and entered a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
DEVOTIONAL: Truth and joy!
Where is truth and joy to be found? In a world of lies and sorrow, this is a question many of us ask. As we continue in the 50 Days from Easter Sunday to Ascension Thursday to Pentecost Sunday, Jesus answers that question. kAmx? E96 v@DA6= @7 y@9? `ei`a\aa[ y6DFD D2JD] “x DE:== 92G6 >2?J E9:?8D E@ D2J E@ J@F[ 3FE J@F 42??@E 362C E96> ?@H] (96? E96 $A:C:E @7 ECFE9 4@>6D[ 96 H:== 8F:56 J@F :?E@ 2== E96 ECFE9[ 7@C 96 H:== ?@E DA62< @? 9:D @H?
DEVOTIONAL: Rejoicing!
The Christmas carols over the intercom in the shopping malls and the music playing in our homes are telling us to rejoice. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King,” says one of these carols. Another rings out, “Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall ransom captive Israel.” What is the nature of this joy? Advent is the four week period of preparation for the Christmas Festival.
DEVOTIONAL: The true Commandments of God
Now that school is starting, the daily routine changes for our families. Work, classes and responsibilities continue in our personal and vocational lives. Life goes on and we pray to God for health and happiness each day. How does the Lord assist us in our daily tasks? One way Jesus assists us is to consider the difference between the traditions of men and the commandments of God. Jesus explains the difference. It is vital for us to know the true expectations that the Lord has for us.
DEVOTIONAL: Rest and food from Jesus
Now that summer is here, we enjoy some rest and recreation. We also look forward to special foods cooked outside and fresh from our gardens. Picnics with family and friends are a great way to affirm the good things in this life, which are gifts from God! Jesus and the apostles also needed rest. In the Gospel lesson for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, we read this from Mark 6:30-33, “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.
DEVOTIONAL: Jesus in the boat
“He’s out on the boat!” the wife says to people who have phoned, asking for her husband. “They’re out on the boat!” the mom says to her kids’ friends who have called. The summertime is when boats are taken out of yards and placed onto the water. I love to be out on the boat. I sail a sailboat, and really enjoy taking family and friends out for a sail on Lake Thunderbird. Water, wind and wave! People through all ages have found refreshment in that combination.
DEVOTIONAL: The Festival of Pentecost
This weekend is Pentecost Sunday, the culmination of the “real time” of the church year. The Christian church celebrates that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all nations of people. The “real time” of the festival half of the church year means that we are following the exact chronology of the life of Jesus from Palm Sunday to Pentecost. In the New Testament, the Gospel writers record various prophetic words of Jesus prior to his crucifixion and resurrection.
DEVOTIONAL: Well done!
Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
DEVOTIONAL: Living in two kingdoms
We daily live in two kingdoms. We are living in the kingdom of this world and at the same time living in the kingdom of God. What does this mean? In the Gospel lesson this weekend, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, we read in Matthew 22:15-21: “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle Jesus in his talk.
DEVOTIONAL: Forgive from the heart
We all need forgiveness. We are also called to forgive others. Why is this so important in our lives? When do we find this difficult to do? For the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, the Gospel lesson in Matthew 18 speaks about forgiveness. In Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came up and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
DEVOTIONAL: True Heavenly Sunshine
In the summer, the sun shines brightly. What a beautiful time of year to sit in the shade and admire the sun beaming in the blue sky. We enjoy the flowers and the gardens which are blooming and thriving. Sun and water are essential to all living things. Even our skin needs to receive sunlight in order to be healthy.
DEVOTIONAL: The Lord of the harvest
What is the unique work of the Church? In the towns and villages of this world, Jesus still has compassion on a world of sheep without a shepherd. His world harvest is always in need of workers. The Church is called by Jesus to provide workers in these harvest fields, found in all the nations of the world. For the Third Sunday after Pentecost and Father’s Day, we read in Matthew 9:35–10:8, about people as sheep and the world as a harvest.
DEVOTIONAL: A great light has dawned
Darkness is a reality in both the physical and spiritual realms. In a cave, the complete darkness causes terrifying blindness. In the human soul, spiritual darkness causes exhausting blindness. Where is light to be found? How can our spirits be drawn into a captivating and wondrous light?
FAITH DEVOTIONAL: Jesus is God with us
If there ever was a doubt in your mind that God is with you, then Christmas ought to remove that doubt! Why is this true? The proof that God is with you is in the Christmas historical reality that Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, is “Immanuel — God with Us.” The Old Testament lesson and the Gospel lesson for this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Advent, proclaim this truth.
DEVOTIONAL: Giving glory and thanks
This weekend is the Last Sunday in the church year. The theme for the divine services will be “The Second Coming and Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” The epistle lesson includes these verses: “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
You will be free indeed
Freedom is a precious commodity. In the United States of America we have freedoms that we treasure. We value liberty, justice and freedom against all tyranny. Civil freedom however is different than spiritual freedom. A person may be free in society and daily life, yet lack spiritual freedom.
Joy and peace
Joy and peace. Where can these be found? We have just commemorated the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on our country. All these years later, people still do wonder, “Where are joy and peace to be found in the midst of senseless destruction and death?” As you look at those two words, peace and joy, would you say, “I have both of them!” Or would you say, “I wish it was possible to have just one of them.” Joy is a very glad, great happiness and delight.
Family table in God's kingdom
The family table is where we gather to eat dinner and discuss how things went during the day. While sharing food and enjoying conversation, we also affirm our relationships with our loved ones. The simple blessing of the family table is a joy and a comfort for each of us. Heaven is compared to God’s family gathering around the banquet table.
Celebrating Holy Week
It is now Holy Week for Christians worldwide. The greatest drama of all time happened during this week. This is Divine Drama, authored by God the Father Himself, in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. This drama began on Palm Sunday, which is also called the Sunday of the Passion.
Desiting mercy, forgivenes and love
Each of us needs to receive mercy. We also desire forgiveness. We want to be loved. Jesus Christ brings us true mercy, forgiveness and love. In the Gospel lesson this Sunday, in Luke 6, Jesus says, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. and as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Jesus, the light of the world
Christians all over the world are now in the season of epiphany. Four vital aspects of the life of Jesus Christ are celebrated: the star guiding the wise men to come worship the Christ Child, the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River, the first miracle of Jesus in turning water into wine at Cana and the transfiguration and shining glory of Jesus on the high mountain.
The joy of visitation
During the Advent and Christmas season, we eagerly anticipate visits from friends and relatives. We look forward to seeing people whom we dearly love. All kinds of preparations for their visits take place: preparing a room for them, baking favorite foods and decorating the house. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the church will celebrate the great “visitation” of Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary had just conceived Jesus the Christ in her womb.
Jesus, the servant of all
To serve or to be served. That is the question. When we go to our jobs, there is the work of service to be done by us. When we go out to eat at a restaurant, we are then served by others. Every day we serve others, and others serve us. It is what true life is all about. The real true life in Jesus Christ, that abides forever, is the same. Jesus served us. We serve others. For the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, we read in Mark 9:30-35: “They went on from there and passed through Galilee.
The Commandments of God
Now that school is starting, the daily routine changes for families. Work, classes and responsibilities continue in our personal and vocational lives. Life goes on and we pray to God for health and happiness each day. How does the Lord assist us in our daily tasks? One way Jesus assists us is to consider the difference between the traditions of men and the commandments of God. For this weekend, on the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus explains the difference.
Jesus in the boat
“He’s out on the boat,” the wife says to people who have phoned, asking for her husband. “They’re out on the boat,” the mom says to her kids’ friends who have called. The summertime is when boats are taken out of yards and placed onto the water. I love to be out on the boat. I sail a sailboat and really enjoy taking family and friends out for a sail on Lake Thunderbird. Water, wind and wave! People through all ages have found refreshment in that combination.
The Holy Spirit is poured out
This weekend is Pentecost Sunday, the culmination of the “real time” of the church year. The Christian church celebrates that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all nations of people. The “real time” of the festival half of the church year means that we are following the exact chronology of the life of Jesus from Palm Sunday to Pentecost. In the New Testament, the Gospel writers record various prophetic words of Jesus prior to his crucifixion and resurrection.
What is 'The Fifty Days'?
The Christian Church is now in the midst of a festival season from Easter Sunday through Ascension Thursday to Pentecost Sunday. This is called “The Fifty Days.” So what is this joyful season all about? The New Testament proclaims that Jesus was raised from the dead on the Sunday after he was crucified. However, even the 11 disciples themselves at first did not believe that Jesus had actually been raised.
Why is Lent 40 days long?
This weekend is the First Sunday in Lent. Why is the season of Lent 40 days long? Consider various events in the Bible associated with the number 40. The flood was 40 days and nights in length. Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days to receive the Ten Commandments. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert for 40 days. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days.
Devotional: Listen to Jesus alone
This Sunday is the celebration of “The Transfiguration of Our Lord.” The Gospel lesson is Matthew 17:1-9. “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with David
Contact David, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack