Later that day I left for the airport, thinking to myself, and now sharing with you, “Rooted is more than great; it’s special.”

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of Christmas at my grandparents’ house. We lived about two hours north of them, so visiting them was always a treat, but Christmas was the highlight of the year. My grandparents’ home was like a magnet, pulling together our extended family to reconnect with one another and to celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

The words of Jesus are a stark reminder of how impressionable children are. They watch, learn, and mimic all that they see. This is why Jesus warns us against causing them to stumble. It is also why he praises them for their faith. When Jesus called, the child came.

In May 2023, the Board of Lutheran Brethren Seminary (LBS) concluded its search for a new seminary president. As Chairman of the Board of LBS, I am very pleased to announce that Rev. Troy Tysdal will be the next LBS president, effective August 1, 2023.

On July 9, 2020, a six-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister were at a friend’s house. After growing bored inside, the three kids decided to play in the backyard. Upon entering the yard, the friend pointed to one dog and said, “That’s the nice dog.” He then pointed to a second dog, a German Shepherd, and said, “That’s the mean one.”