In the Summer of 1989, I was on a mountain side outside of Denver with our Youth Group. We were a part of the LCMS National Youth Gathering “Blessed in the Journey.” As we were sitting in an outdoor amphitheater called “Red Rocks” waiting for a concert to start, a hailstorm broke out. There were only two exits to the amphitheater, and one road down the mountain. It was awful. People were screaming and running. As soon as I saw what was happening, I gathered our group, told them all to hold hands and stay connected. We huddled together to keep warm. Ambulances coming up for those seriously injured blocked the only road out, so we were standing in the cold night air, soaking wet. After several miserable hours, we were finally able to start loading people on buses. Our group got split up at that point. Two of them were taken to hospitals for hypothermia. I stayed until all the buses were loaded, sending Cheryl back with the rest of the kids. It didn’t really hit me how serious and life-threatening it had all been until I had rounded up the kids from the hospitals and everyone was safely back at our hotel.

We had a service at our Church a few months later that the Youth led, sharing with the congregation their experiences at the Youth Gathering. The young man who talked about that night said, “Pastor was one tough dude. He took control and kept us all safe.” That made me feel pretty good. I had acted bravely, with courage.

In the Summer of 1995, I was with my family in Colorado. My in-laws have a Cabin near Lake City. The picture at the bottom of my website is taken from the front porch of that place. We went down into Lake City one day to do some shopping. A lady in one of the shops, which was actually the front room of her house, was talking with my oldest daughter about churches and mentioned that she had been raised a Lutheran. Rachel told her I was a Lutheran pastor and she immediately told me that she was from the old Augustana Synod of the Lutheran Church, but was part of the Presbyterian Church in Lake City because that was all there was. “Besides,” she said, “if it weren’t for Luther, we’d all still be Catholic.” I wasn’t sure of the point she was trying to make, so I just smiled and said, “Well, maybe so.”

I’m not sure what that lady heard when I said that, but I had no sooner said those words than she lit into me like I’d just killed her cat. “Who do you think you are? You’re no better than us? Why do you think you’re any different? I’m right, you know I am.” and so on, her voice getting higher and sharper the longer she went. My first thought was, “I’m on vacation. I don’t need this!” and then I thought, “Does she really think this will get me to buy something here?” As soon as she would let me speak, I tried to find a common ground, assuring her that I believed that anyone who trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting would be saved. After all, that is what the Bible says. She looked at me kind of cross-ways, I wished her a nice day and hurried out of there.

As I thought about it later, I wondered where her rage came from, but I also wondered why I was so eager to get away from there. It was a far cry from the approach Luther took to the opposition he faced: HERE I STAND. It is so much easier to back down or make a quick exit or to never even assert yourself to begin with. In that situation, I didn’t display courage when I needed to.

…in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15

I was caught off guard. I gave an answer, but I wasn’t courageous about it.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13

I was glad I displayed courage at Red Rocks. I asked God to help me display the same kind of courage in being His witness.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

I try my best to be ready and prepared to tell others about my Savior. And I know He will be there to help me as the opportunities arise.