What does this mean?

Carthage, Missouri is named after the famous, ancient, north African city of Carthage, or Carthago, St. Augustine's early home. Carthage posed a very real threat to the city of Rome and its desire for world dominance. These two cities were therefore arch enemies. The Roman elder statesman Cato the Elder is said to have ended all his speeches in the senate with the phrase "Carthago delenda est" which means "Carthage must be destroyed."
Thus the title of this blog means "Carthage must NOT be destroyed!" Of course, nobody would want his own city destroyed, but my fuller meaning, being a Lutheran Pastor, is a prayer that God would continue to bless the spiritual life in this city through the preaching of the pure Gospel and the correct administration of the sacraments. It is a prayer that God would let Faith Lutheran Church of Carthage continue to be the salt-of-the-earth preservative in our community!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sermon for Lent 4

In Swedish this 4th Sunday in Lent is called midfastosöndagen, or Mid-Fast-Sunday. Today we heard the parable of the Prodigal Son and his Prodigal Brother. The Father was filled with mercy toward both of them. Since the older brother never left home, he had a harder time appreciating the grace and love of his father. He thought he "deserved" better. In God's economy, the only place the word "deserved" comes in is in discussing death and hell, which we've all earned and deserved. Whatever has to do with forgiveness and eternal life fits under the designation "UNdeserved gift" or "GRACE."

Today's sermon, on Luke 15:1-3,11-32 is titled "The Prodigal SonS"
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