"God flexes his muscles"

by Pastor Ben Dolby 

I love the imagery Isaiah is divinely inspired to write in Isaiah 52:10, The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Do you see it? God is showing us how he will reveal true strength (flex his muscles), not to show off the way foolish mankind would, but rather show the world what he will do for the sake of all mankind.

There is a striking contrast between mankind’s futile attempt at displaying strength and true strength God puts on display. When we try to flex our strength in any comparison to God’s strength, it looks as foolish and hopeless as me flexing next to the men in the World’s Strongest Man competition.

Take a moment to consider what happens in our western culture every calendar year between December and January. Articles written, documentaries fill channels, and heart-felt remembrances are shared at Awards Shows on the topic, “Remembering who we lost this year.” These are followed by a list of well-known and not so well-known people who have died this year. What is the next word spoken after those remembrance videos? Nothing. Moments of silence. An awkward, silent transition to a commercial break before the show resumes and immediately focuses back on us who are still alive. 

These sincere, often beautiful, and always sobering remembrances of human beings are not foolish in themselves. It is foolish how we try to display our own strength when encountering grief.

I read one of those articles this week. Embedded in the first part of a story about the death of a child actor from the tv show “Leave it to Beaver” there was a slideshow of 110 images of notable people who have died in recent weeks, some as old as 98, others much younger than me. One notable musician who died at 51 had these comments given by his family, “We invite you all to join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he left for the world.”  It is healthy to reflect, remember, and be thankful for earthly contributions our loved ones accomplished. But is that it? There’s this awkward admission that we cannot do anything about death without saying so. This is the tragic truth about mankind’s strength; it is nowhere to be found when we are faced with mortality. It would be equally tragic if we who believe, we who do know the true meaning of Christmas joy, do not step into these awkward silences with the Gospel. There is Good News that scatters the darkness of sorrow and death, these things we have no strength to oppose or defeat. We have received this amazing gift of life, hope, the undoing of sorrow, the swallowing up of death which is being announced at Jesus’ birth! God gave us this gift to share it, so the world sees God flexing his muscles…and he’s doing it for their sake, for their eternal well-being!

The futility of our strength in the face of terrible loss, the ugly reality of our inevitable death…this is where true Christmas joy is offered, found, and received. God does not show off but rather shows us, reveals to all mankind this precious gift of salvation. Jesus took on our human nature to save us from our sins and give us life rather than the doom of death. Jesus was pleased to dwell among us, as Immanuel, to stretch out his arms upon the cross, give his life to save yours, and reveal God’s great love…God’s incredible desire to deliver us from sin, sorrow, and the grave. How marvelous to know this gift, God with us.

When all that mankind can muster is, “let’s make sure their memory never fades” I hope we can see how desperately we need to share the Christmas story of God’s true strength. He bares his holy arm from a lowly manger, from a wooden cross, and from an empty grave. I pray we are bold to share with others why it is so wonderful to celebrate Jesus’ birth: In Christ, the Father’s love is put on full display “…before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

What a gift from above: Born that man no more may die! Alleluia. Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Alleluia and Amen!

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby

"Dread versus Thankfulness"

by Pastor Ben Dolby

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. … Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

– Philippians 4:4-6; 11-12

At the time of writing I am less than forty-eight hours away from a dentist appointment I have been dreading for two weeks. It is quite the challenge, dare I say…impossible, for me to not be anxious about this particular appointment.

Saint Paul shares a discovery he made in his personal faith journey, or better stated, God’s Holy Spirit is helping Paul grow in his reliance upon God. It is not always the best tactic to play the comparison game between our trials and those of our brothers and sisters in faith. However, it is informative to the growth of my faith to remember Paul’s circumstances of being brought low and dealing with anxiety included murderous attempts on his life for simply proclaiming Jesus. What are the current circumstances I am dreading? An uncomfortable and unpleasant dentist appointment with medical professionals whose mission is to keep me safe and healthy, rather than harm me in body or soul.

It is quite alright for me to not look forward to this current, dreadful appointment BUT it would be foolish to attempt to dwell on it on my own rather than lift up prayers of concern. It is good to ask God to give me his strength to face this coming appointment with sincere thankfulness.

This passage from Saint Paul’s epistle (church letter) to the Christians at Philippi offered me a time to discover a secret I’ve discovered. Every day, every week, every year I find myself muttering, “If I could only get past this stressful thing, there will be peace on the other side.”

You know where this is going, right? I do not have to go back too far to recall what I was muttering in July: “If I could only get past this humidity in New Orleans at the Youth Gathering,” … “If I could only get past this illness during VBS week.”

Every day, every week, every year will have things that confront us and tempt us to live in a perpetual state of dread. God’s Holy Word offers hope and comfort, not by taking us out of our circumstances (though that will come with the Resurrection, alleluia!) but rather reminds us and directs us to the One who promises to be with us in each day’s dreadful circumstances. For what purpose? To give us peace, joy, hope, and many things to be thankful for even while we live through trials and tribulations.

In closing, I am thankful for God revealing the secret of contentment in my present circumstances when my brother shared his story of the same dental procedure done to him while he served in the United States Marine Corps. He said, “Oh Ben, you’re going to be fine! You’re getting your wisdom teeth out as a civilian. You have professional medical personnel. When I was given orders that mine were being removed, it was so the dental students could, and I quote: ‘Get some practice by working on your whole unit.’”

I am thankful for the LORD using my brother to help me keep things in perspective as well as prepare to laugh at myself when I have gotten over this mountain of dread, only to breath a momentary sigh of relief and quickly encounter the next (likely taller) mountain of dread in the weeks to come. I have learned the secret to facing these times with dread, because there is so much to give thanks to God for, most especially for his promise to never leave me nor forsake me. I pray you are comforted by that promise of God to you when you’re facing your next mountain of dread.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Alleluia and Amen!

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby

"Weary World, Weary Witnesses"

by Pastor Ben Dolby

Beloved people of God. How are you holding up? We all carry unique burdens, anxieties, and cares; yet, we are united, believers and unbelievers, by the weariness of this broken world.

One does not have to look too long or too far to sense a feeling of extreme tiredness in the heart, mind, and soul. Perhaps we’re also reluctant to disturb the world around us because we see the weariness on our neighbors’ sad faces or hear it in their words of anguish.

What could we possibly offer to a weary world when we ourselves, are weary witnesses – Christians battle our own sense of exhaustion, frailty, and vulnerability…in fact, we battle it so often by denying it or not broaching the topic when witnessing (evangelizing) to the world or even in prayers we lift to God!

Are you afraid you’re going to burden God with the same lamentations or anxieties you’ve laid at the foot of the cross, countless days and nights before today?

October is an excellent month to remember our Reformation Heritage. It is not about anything unique to 500 years ago, per se, but a re-claiming and remembering our spiritual birthright given as a gift: The Gospel is exactly what the weary world and we weary witnesses need!

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:8-9

Saint Paul first quotes Deuteronomy 30:14 here, then declares there is an inseparable link between faith as expressed outwardly and possessed inwardly.

What does this mean?!

It means the Holy Spirit is calling to you through the Holy Promises of the Father to remember what the Son has defeated upon the Cross: All of this weariness of soul and body is from the spiritual darkness assaulting us from within and from outside our own being. The Good News is that this present darkness, this inescapable weariness, is a temporal, temporary thing.

But in this present day, the Enemy (Satan and our sinful nature) lie and tell us how hopeless of a state we and the whole world is.

In this darkest of days, God calls us to outwardly share the Gospel, the Light of Jesus defeating Death and the Grave forever. The LORD Almighty calls us back to our baptism where he sealed us in his Name: Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit.

Outwardly, you are called to share the Gospel. There will be times where you point people to God’s great plan in Genesis 3:15 and John 3:16-17. Other times you’ll give an apologetics type of witness with the glorious Gospel in Ezekiel 18:23 and Job 19:23-27.

Do not underestimate the power of your evangelism witness by giving forgiveness to those who have trespassed against you, including yourself! I testify to seeing unbelievers recently blown away by grace and forgiveness offered to someone who was not even sorry yet! I repent of underestimating the power of God’s spoken and lived out Word of forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

There is no shame in being weary, but do not weary of outwardly bearing witness to the glorious Gospel. Share the promises of Jesus with the unbelieving, callous world with your words. Do not grow weary inwardly but rather remember his promises are eternally for you too.

It is a weary world and we all may be weary witnesses; but the LORD Almighty has defeated Death, he crushed Satan under his feet at the Cross, and he is certainly defeating all that afflicts us in body and spirit. Do not underestimate what the Reformation was all about: It’s all about Jesus’ victory for the sake of the world upon the cross and when he rose from the dead. It really is as simple and beautiful as uttering forgiveness, hope of life eternal without suffering, where pain, sorrow, and Death are no more.

Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Your neighbor desperately needs to hear it. You desperately need to remember it. Remember, it is all about Jesus for you and for the sake of all who may yet come to faith. Alleluia and Amen!

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby

"Walk with Jesus, don't walk alone"

by Pastor Ben Dolby

The memory work for September sets the tone for the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

Can I start you off with some comforting Gospel? When Christ begins the passage with, “If anyone would come after me…” it may sound like a challenge to put the pressure of success squarely on our shoulders. However, this is an invitation, a loving reminder to rely on his capabilities rather than our own. Jesus indeed challenges us, but he challenges us to not look to ourselves or our own strength. Jesus invites us to walk with him, to follow him…rather than trying to walk alone to earn anything by our own failing capabilities.

The comforting Gospel is that this is completely dependent on the One True God. The conviction of the Law may be that we may need to see how quickly we try to depend on our own capabilities before God’s. We need to turn away from trying things by our own strength! Hear the voice of the Good Shepherd calling to you: Walk with me, don’t walk alone.

Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow him. It is incredibly tempting to avoid, forget, or skip over what the Messiah said before that: You want to follow me? The first step is denying yourself.

Walking with Jesus means denying my tendency to walk on my own until I feel like I’ve got everything put together. When I am “good” in my heart, mind, and entire being by my own estimation, THEN I’ll catch up to Jesus and walk with him.

Jesus led and taught by example. He gently invites you to walk with him. Your Messiah challenges you to trust him over yourself, over your preferences, over your comfortable manner of accomplishing things. Quite the challenge, no? When we are honest with ourselves, Jesus’ challenge offends our sinful nature and the incessant desire to worship our favorite false gods: me, myself, and I.

Hear again the call of Jesus: Walk with me, don’t walk alone. Do not wait until you are in a better state according to your own eyes and your own judgment. Turn to me, repent! Receive what only I can give, declares the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sin of the world. You know who is included in the world, right? You, yes you! Jesus has taken your sins away!

Walk with Jesus, don’t walk alone.

As we begin this academic year for 2025-2026, reflect on the opening verse of one of my favorite hymns, #765 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure,

Through a world that would deceive us, And to sin our spirits lure.

Onward in His footsteps treading,

Pilgrims here, our home above, Full of faith and hope and love,

Let us do the Father’s bidding.

Faithful Lord with me abide; I shall follow where you guide.

This hymn expresses the newness of life in which the baptized child of God walks by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Justified by His saving work, the believer does not follow Jesus to earn salvation, for Christ has done all that is necessary for our redemption. Rather, in thankfulness and loving obedience, the Christian wants by faith to follow closely in the footsteps of the Savior. – Lutheran Service Book Devotional Edition

Walk with Jesus, don’t walk alone. Do not start your days by chasing after the busyness of all our earthly business. Rather, start your day in God’s Holy Word, in payer, and open the wonderful tool of Luther’s Small Catechism. Start your week with the body of Christ, the Church. Walk with Jesus and your fellow forgiven brothers and sisters. Do not walk alone.

When we walk with Jesus in his Word and his Church, we will have all we need to serve the world in his name. Alleluia and Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby

"For the moments we feel faint"

by Pastor Ben Dolby

I have a confession to make. The title of my devotional reflection for August is inspired by a simple yet significant song I discovered in a challenging time of my college years. An American rock band named Relient K had a song entitled, “For The Moments I Feel Faint” from their 2001 album, The Anatomy of Tongue and Cheek.

Please, let me assure you that I am not here to bore you with a personal nostalgic trip down memory lane. I know there is something here, rooted in God’s Word, to equip you for moments you feel faint.

Here’s the second part of my confession: I am feeling anything but strong as the summer is already more than half over. I am finding myself feeling mentally overwhelmed, spiritually drained, and physically faint…and I am not yet dealing with the humidity of New Orleans on our youth group’s trip to the Youth Gathering. As I struggle to accomplish some pertinent tasks in this beautiful and challenging job as a pastor, I am trying to muster up some “Samwise Gamgee” hopefulness by my own strength…and the ugly truth is I have nothing left in the proverbial tank.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit led me away from my office desk and into the Sanctuary for some time in prayer and quiet. Here at the start of a new week I was learning a common lesson again: I need God to carry me right now. I am unable to carry myself.

Then I distinctly remembered that Relient K song I mentioned above. Here are some of the lyrics and you are welcome to go give it a listen. I believe it is a simple and powerful psalm of some modern day Christian musicians.

“Am I at the point of no improvement? What of the death I still dwell in?

I try to excel, but I feel no movement. Can I be free of this unreleasable sin?”

A raw reflection and a repentant recognition of one’s cry for outside intervention. In many ways, it reminds me of the question put forth to Esther by her fellow Jew, Mordecai, And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:12-14

First, it is important to not take this passage out of context. It can be incredibly tempting to misapply this as some personal motivational motto, but the accurate interpretation and application is that this serves as a reminder of God putting us (calling us?) into scenarios and situations for his purpose, and at the heart of it all, God is at work for our benefit.

One of the fascinating facts about the book of Esther is the lack of any over reference to God’s presence and power in the entire book. These verses are the closest thing in all of Esther to such an overt reference! The context God provides us is Mordecai seeing how God is directing the affairs so that his people might be saved from destruction.

The tie-in to my present day scenario is this: I am fearful that I am feeling faint as I face the present challenges before me. I am feeling unprepared in my heart and mind to responsibly fulfill the important duties before me concerning the Youth Gathering, VBS, preparing for important Bible Studies in the fall, and time of rest with my family. This is why the opening verse of that Relient K song resonates with me 24 years after it resonated with me during my college year struggles.

Here is the chorus as it echoes the promises of God’s Word:

“Never underestimate my Jesus. You’re telling me that there’s no hope. I’m telling you you’re wrong.

Never underestimate my Jesus. When the world around you crumbles, He will be strong, He will be strong.”

Important note here, I do not own Jesus nor does he belong only to me. I rejoice over this artist’s expression that God draws near to us as his precious, priceless Creation and continuously breathes life into our relationship with him.

A few more lyrics from that same song as I pray you are encouraged by their being inspired by God’s Holy Word:

“I throw up my hands, ‘Oh, the impossibilities’ … Frustrated and tired, where do I go from here? Now I’m searching for the confidence I’ve lost so willingly, Overcoming these obstacles is overcoming my fear.”

Do not jump to an incorrect conclusion and futile action in that final sentence! We cannot overcome these obstacles on our own. Like Mordecai and Esther, we are called to see with the eyes of faith, receive through the gift of faith, that God is directing the affairs of this world to take care of us – not to destroy or crush us, but to direct us back to seeking him for the moments (decades?!) we feel faint. Relient K lyrics one more time…

“I think I can't, I think I can't; But I think you can, I think you can
I think I can't, I think I can't; But I think you can, I think you can
Gather my insufficiencies and place them in your hands, place them in your hands, place them in your hands.

Never underestimate my Jesus. You’re telling me that there’s no hope. I’m telling you you’re wrong.

Never underestimate my Jesus. When the world around you crumbles, He will be strong, He will be strong.”

May God bless you and be your strength, especially when you feel faint. Who knows whether you have not come to this time, to see God at work and how God is working for your sake, in such a time as this? Alleluia and Amen!

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby

"Habitually Overwhelmed"

by Pastor Ben Dolby

Greetings in Christ Jesus, beloved All Saints family. How is life treating you in these early weeks of summer? It’s hard to believe we are already in the first weeks of summer. 

I had grand plans for some personal growth this summer. There was an idea that crossed my mind during the busy Lenten season that I decided to pursue once summer arrived, and life finally slows down. The idea was to “brush up” on my Hebrew by making time for it during my daily devotions. My dream was to add that new wrinkle to my daily routine on June 1st, and now the calendar is turning over to July. I’m not quite sure where the previous month went but I know it has been a very busy June.

The truth is, I am habitually overwhelmed, and I’ve been discouraged at not being able to change that. If that sentiment resonates with you, I pray this devotional reflection brings you strength by the power of God’s Word through the working of his Holy Spirit.

“Old habits die hard” is a saying familiar to many of us. I recently learned its origins could be connected to one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). There is debate it may be from several centuries earlier, in the 1300’s. When I reflect on this phrase, I see how hard it has been to adjust my routine, even with something as good as daily devotions!

Instead of lamenting over expectations I haven’t met for myself, the Holy Spirit has helped draw my mind and heart to the words he gives Saint Paul in Romans chapter 6, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Chris Jesus were baptized into his death We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:3-4

Recognizing I am habitually overwhelmed provides the opportunity for God to reset my personal expectations and put down my favorite idol…myself. Old habits die hard and I need God’s help. I am learning yet again, that I need to be dependent on God’s strength rather than my own failing ways. I need to remember my baptism. Thanks be to God he helps me through his gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and grace; all are gifts I desperately need often…daily even.

Here’s a reflection I heard at the Spring Pastors Conference in Sequim, WA. “Luther said the Old Adam is a mighty swimmer, so you need to dunk his head back under the surface every day. Daily drowning the Old Adam.” When he’s addressing our sinful nature, I always find Luther’s blunt, straightforward manner hilarious and reassuring.

How are you going to pray for God’s guidance the rest of this summer? I pray your summer begins with a new or renewed time in daily devotions and dunking the Old Adam. Remember God is always ready to help you and give you his eternal gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. When, not if, when you are habitually overwhelmed – remember your baptism!

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby

"A Summer of Rest and Reverence"

by Pastor Ben Dolby

The LORD said, “Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place”. – 2 Chronicles 7:15

The month of June is an incredible opportunity to rest, recover, reset, and recalibrate. May this devotional reflection comfort and challenge you. I pray you are comforted with the rest God desires to give you. I pray you are challenged to recalibrate or even reset your expectations for the summer months before you.

June often travels at a breakneck pace as we transition from the academic calendar to end of year celebrations (e.g. graduation), and into summer vacation.

God invites you to rest in him during each of these times June typically provides. Biblical rest, often referred to as Sabbath rest, is something God designed for us to follow: And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. – Genesis 2:2-3

The idea of rest in June often feels like a desperate effort to escape all the usual work and non-recreational activities in life; that idea is a misunderstanding of God’s design. I am confident this misunderstanding is a universal struggle and not unique to me. Taking time to do different things during the summer months than we did in the academic months is not sinful. The idea of “getting away from it all” being ideal rest is irreverent, or more plainly, disrespecting the Lord our God. 

There is great comfort in being reminded that God is with us and he takes great joy in hearing from us in daily prayer regardless of the calendar being academic or vacation. There is also a great challenge in not taking this rest and reverence in prayer for granted.

The context of our monthly memory work, 2 Chronicles chapter 7, is all about God’s activity as Solomon is finishing construction of the Temple of the LORD. The people of Israel would misunderstand what it means to rest in the LORD. I believe this entire account makes it clear that Israel not only misunderstood God’s intended rest for them, but they were irreverent when they took the LORD for granted.

When we read, memorize, and recite this 2 Chronicles 7:15 passage, I pray it is a marvelous comfort that you can rest in the LORD in prayer as you experience the stress, excitement and jubilation in the many transitions that occur in June. I also pray this monthly memory work challenges us to recalibrate how we approach the LORD in daily prayer in his Holy Word. May we apply godly wisdom and not take for granted what Israel took for granted; may we not take God or his promises for granted. May we be comforted by God but may we not become comfortable!

If you’ve been in Divine Service the past two Sundays, you have experienced a slight adjustment I am making to the beginning of our worship services. We will continue to take a few moments to recalibrate, refocus, and rest in the LORD with some prepared prayers and intentional quietness I will lead us in. 

Yes, as your pastor, I am challenging you to reset your expectations for the opening moments of Sunday worship, better defined as Divine Service, for it is where the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, the Holy One gathers us into his Holy Presence. God will use this to prepare for all the moments of our week after Divine Service as well. 

What an opportunity we have to rest and prepare to be served by him in the Divine Service! His promise to Israel and Solomon is given to you as well: When he gathers us as his body around his Holy Word and Holy Sacraments, His eyes are open and his ears are attentive to our prayers made in this place.

I pray you are challenged to recalibrate or even reset your expectations for the summer months. May God bless you with more time of prayer. May we not take him for granted. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

In Christ,

Pastor Dolby