When life feels too heavy, you are not alone in your struggle.❤️‍🩹

In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul may have been wrestling with wanting to die when he wrote: "To live is Christ, to die is gain." 

He was likely feeling the weight of beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment. (In fact, he was in prison when he wrote that.)

When everything hurts and we wonder why we should keep going, remember this truth: two things can be good at once . . .  

>>> It's good to look forward to being with Christ eternally, AND it's good to remain here now.

Your life matters. It matters so much that Jesus came to undo death by dying for you.

Some days are unbearably painful. Some days the darkness feels overwhelming. But here's what you need to know:

You can't outrun God's grace. Nothing — not even your darkest thoughts — is bigger than Jesus and what He's done for you.

When you're struggling:

➡️ Talk to someone. Your pastor, parents, friends, or a hotline. You don't have to carry this alone.

➡️ Get to church. Not because it instantly fixes everything, but because that's where Jesus meets you with His gifts of grace.

➡️ Let others help you. On days when you can barely get out of bed, let someone else drag you to where Jesus is — or bring Jesus to you.

➡️ Remember your baptism. You belong to Christ. Nothing — not even your darkest thoughts — can separate you from His love.

Christ defines what is good — not our feelings. And He says YOU are worthy, loved and necessary.

Remember: Jesus isn't distant when you're hurting, and his mercy is deeper than any darkness.

He's right there in the Word, the sacraments, and the people He's placed around you.

You are His baptized child, and nothing can change that.

The God who defeated death will never abandon you to fight alone. ✝️

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #mentalhealth

We know that Jesus had a body — he was born, lived, died, rose again, and ascended to heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father. 

There's another body of Christ, too — the Church. 

But what exactly is it and why does it matter?

Being part of Christ's body isn't just a nice metaphor. It's real and tangible. 

When you belong to the church, you receive specific gifts and gain brothers and sisters in Christ.

Church is where Jesus promises to be. It's where we eat His body and drink His blood. It's where forgiveness happens. 

Not going to church would be like spiritually starving yourself.

Our faith needs nourishment just like our bodies do. The body follows the head, and the head is Jesus.

It’s not going to look perfect. The church is full of sinners, but the good news is that Jesus is really good at saving people like us.

Your salvation isn't something that can be reversed. There are no take-backsies with Jesus. 

Even when you mess up (and you will), even when the people around you are just as broken (and they are), Jesus keeps forgiving. 

The body will follow where the head leads — and the head rose from the dead.

When you go to church and hear Jesus preached, receive absolution, and take communion, you're with Jesus. 

You're already connected to the resurrection because He conquered sin and death.

Your faith is about going to Jesus, who is in your church through the Holy Spirit. 

There, you become part of His body.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #bodyofchrist

❓Do Feelings Matter? 

What are my feelings in relation to God, other people and ourselves? 🤔

Your emotions matter! 💗

Jesus had them, too — he wept 😢, got angry 😠, and even celebrated at parties 🎉.

From the beginning, God created humans to feel things. Adam was so excited when he met Eve that he broke into song! 🎵

As Christians, we need to avoid two extremes: ↔️
1️⃣ The "just don't feel anything" approach (stereotypically "Lutheran") 🧊
2️⃣ The "if I feel good, God must be happy with me" approach (think televangelism) 🌈✨

The truth is somewhere in the middle. ⚖️

Your emotions are real and valid, but because of sin, they don't always point "true north." 🧭

You can be mad about things God isn't mad about, or love things God doesn't want you to love. ❤️‍🩹

The Psalms are full of emotions — from deep sadness to immense joy. 🥹

When you're feeling sad, you can pray a sad psalm. But notice how the Psalms usually end with hope in God's love and help. 🙏

Here's the good news: Christ not only had emotions, he redeemed them! ✝️

When you feel things . . . 
☑️It's okay to feel them — God made you this way 👍
☑️ Check them against Scripture — emotions aren't your God 📖
☑️ Seek help when needed — from friends, pastors, or counselors 🤝

Sometimes you'll have to sit with difficult emotions for a while. ⏳

God's timing often feels terrible to us, but he provides promises to focus on and people to support you through those seasons. 🌦️

Learning to navigate your emotions is lifelong spiritual and emotional growth - emotional sanctification! 🌱

It's not easy, but it's worth it, like physical therapy after breaking a leg. 🦵💪

In the resurrection, your emotions will always point true north again. Until then, Christ gives you his Word to guide you, and forgiveness when you fail. 🌟

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #emotions

Why do we have bodies and what are they for? 🤔

Our bodies are for our neighbors. 💝

When we think about loving our neighbors, it's easy to want to dodge the hard parts. 🏃‍♂️

We might prefer to care about issues happening far away rather than dealing with the messy relationships right in front of us (because it doesn’t take as much work). 🌍

But love has a specific shape – it looks like sacrifice, like Jesus on the cross. ✝️

Our first neighbors are the people God has specifically placed in our lives through vocations: our family, our classmates  🏫, the people you interact with daily.

These are often the most challenging relationships because we see their sins up close (and they see ours 🫣).

It's much easier to love people from a distance or through social media, where there's no real sacrifice required. 📱

But here's the thing: when we spend all our energy on distant causes while neglecting those close relationships, the people who should be receiving our time and attention end up paying the price. ⚖️

Our families miss out when we're busy being angry on the internet. 😠

The good news is that Jesus shows us what real love looks like. ❤️

He had compassion on everyone — both Jews and Gentiles — and backed it up with action. 🤝

Every miracle He performed was a down payment on undoing sin, pointing toward His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. 🙏

When we're wondering who our neighbor is, ask: "Is this someone for whom Christ died?" (Hint: The answer is always yes.) ✨

This means loving people who are different from us, and sometimes even harder, loving people who are just like us. 🌈

Your role isn't to pay the price for their forgiveness — Jesus already did that. 💫

Instead, you get to point them to hope and forgiveness, over and over again, because love isn't a one-time transaction. It's a gift. 🎁

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #whybodiesmatter

Why should we take care of our bodies? 💪

Our bodies are a gift from God 🎁, and while they're not perfect (thanks to sin) 😔, they’re still worth taking care of.

But here's the interesting part: we’re not caring for our bodies to prove our worth to God or anyone else. Instead, we’re maintaining them so we can better serve others. 🤝

Think about it: when we’re exhausted 😴, hungry 🍽️, or unwell 🤒, it’s much harder to be there for our neighbors.

Just as Jesus grew "in wisdom and stature," we too are called to maintain our physical selves — not for vanity's sake 💅, but for service. 🙌

We might struggle with this concept from two different angles:

💃Body image issues — trying to meet impossible standards.

🫠Neglecting our bodies entirely — thinking only spiritual matters count.

Both extremes miss the point: our bodies, minds, and souls are all connected. 🧠💖💪 When one suffers, they all do.

Consider something as simple as sleep. 😴 God created day and night for a reason. When you get enough rest, you’re better equipped to love and serve others.

The same goes for eating well 🥗 and staying active 🏃‍♂️.

It’s not about looking like Captain America 🦸‍♂️ or following the latest fitness trend — it’s about being healthy enough to fulfill our vocations.

This balance can be tricky. ⚖️

Society pushes us to prove our worth through constant busyness 🏃‍♀️ or perfect appearances 📸.

But remember: your worth isn’t in what you can do or how you look. It’s in what Christ has done for you. ✝️

Your body, broken as it may be 😔, is redeemed by Him 🙏 and will be restored in the resurrection. 🌅

So care for yourself — not too little, not too much.

✔️ Get enough sleep 😴

✔️ Eat well 🍎

✔️ Stay active 🚶‍♂️

When we take care of ourselves, we’re better able to love our neighbor ❤️ as Christ loves us. ✝️

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

❓What was Jesus doing the first 29 years of his life?

⏳ Jesus's time before he started his ministry was not wasted.

✨ If he fulfilled the whole of the law, even 15-year-old table-making Jesus matters.

🌟 While we often focus on His miracles and teaching, Jesus actually spent more years not doing ministry than doing it.

🪚 Think about it — Jesus was a carpenter's son. He learned the trade from Joseph, making tables and furniture for specific people in His community.

👥 He lived an ordinary life, fulfilled regular responsibilities, and worked with His hands. He was someone's carpenter before He was known as their Messiah.

🌱 You might feel like your life will "finally start" when you reach some future milestone — getting married, landing that dream job, or making a big difference in the world.

💫 But consider this: if Jesus' time as a teenager and young adult wasn't wasted, neither is yours.

👨‍👦 Jesus lived the vocations given to Him — worker, son, friend, citizen.

📚 He grew in wisdom, which means He had to learn and improve at His craft. He probably even made some wobbly tables while learning carpentry!

✨ This means those "boring" Tuesdays when you're just trying to get through your chores? They're redeemed.

🌟 The seasons when you feel overlooked or ordinary? They matter.

❤️ Loving and serving the specific people God has placed in your life today is meaningful work.

🌍 (And by the way, it's not your job to change or save the world . . . Jesus already did that!)

🎓 Whether you're a student struggling through trigonometry, a parent changing diapers in the middle of the night, or a worker making spreadsheets, your current role has value.

💝 Your worth isn't measured by how many people know your name or how big your impact seems — it's found in faithfully living out your current vocations, serving your specific neighbors in love.

✝️ Christ's death redeems our imperfect efforts in any calling and at any age.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

🤔 Ever wonder what Jesus was like as a teenager?

🏃‍♂️ There's actually only one story about teen Jesus in the Bible when He ditched his parents to hang at the temple, schooling all the religious leaders.

😅 When his worried parents finally found him, he hit them with the classic "didn't you know I'd be at my Father's house?" - the kind of response that would've gotten most of us grounded.

🙏 But here's what's interesting: despite being literally God, Jesus still submitted to his parents and grew up under their guidance.

👨‍👦 He even honored his stepdad Joseph, no "you're not my real dad, I don't have to listen to you" drama. This shows that family dynamics — even holy ones — are messy.

🤝 Think about your own relationship with your parents. You're probably dealing with the classic tension between honoring them and asserting independence.

✨ The good news? Even Jesus's family wasn't perfect (except for him). His parents didn't always get it right, and that's okay.

💭 Here's something you might not have considered: in Christian families, reconciliation isn't just about kids apologizing to parents. Both sides can admit when they've messed up.

💬 You can go to your parents and say, "Look, we're both God's children here. Can we work this out?"

(It's like a mini-version of what happens in church — forgiveness going both ways.)

❤️ Your parents aren't perfect, but God works through imperfect people.

🌱 When they're being annoying about homework, curfews, or making you eat vegetables, remember: they're trying to take care of you, even if they sometimes mess up.

🤗 The whole parent-child relationship isn't about being flawless — it's about learning to forgive and grow together.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

Ever thought about how weird it is that God became a baby? 🤔 Not just any baby, but a fetus? 👶

If God could choose any way to enter the world, why start as a tiny cluster of cells? 🧬 Why not just appear as a fully-grown adult, like a superhero dropping from the sky? ⚡️

God chose to experience everything humans do, starting from the very beginning. ✨

And it wasn't glamorous – Jesus wasn't born in a hospital with pain meds and doctors. 🏥

His mom Mary gave birth in what was probably a cave, and then they had to run away to Egypt because a king wanted to kill him. 🏃‍♀️ Pretty messy start for the Son of God, right? 😅

There's this old church teacher named Tertullian who said something profound: "That which Christ did not assume, he did not redeem." 📚

In other words, God became everything that we might think is too messy or shameful, because he wanted to save all of it – not just the nice, clean parts of being human. ❤️

Some people struggle with this idea. They'd rather imagine Jesus as some kind of spiritual being who never really had a physical body (that's called Gnosticism). 👻 It's easier to think of him floating above all the mess of being human. But that misses the whole point. 🤷‍♂️

Jesus didn't come as Superman in a cape. 🦸‍♂️ Instead, he chose to be vulnerable – first as a fetus, then as a baby, and ultimately as someone who died on a cross. ✝️

This tells us something about what real faith looks like: it's not perfect or Instagram-worthy. 📱 Real faith is messy, just like real churches are messy – because they're full of real people with real problems. 💫

The amazing thing is that God promises to be present in all this mess. 🙏 He doesn't say "Clean yourself up first."

Instead, he invites you to church where he can remind you over and over again who you are (his child! 👋) and what he's done for you. ✨

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

🎙️ Welcome to Season 2 of "Why Bodies Matter" with Pastor Harrison Goodman and Deaconess Emma Heinz!

🎬 In this season premiere, we're diving deep into Christianity's first and most persistent heresy: Gnosticism.

📚 But don't worry – we're not just rehashing ancient church history.

✝️ This season explores how Jesus himself addresses Gnosticism through his life, death, and resurrection.

⏳ We'll examine why those "silent" 30 years before Jesus' ministry matter, and what his fully human experience – from embryo to carpenter to crucified Savior – is all about.

Our hosts unpack how Gnosticism shows up in two main ways:👇

1️⃣Either rejecting the physical world as evil while seeking purely spiritual enlightenment

2️⃣ Embracing physical pleasures because "only the spiritual matters"

💫 Both miss the truth that Jesus became fully human while remaining fully God, redeeming both body and soul.

🌟 Throughout this season, we'll explore how Jesus became like us so that we could become like Him.

❤️ We'll discover why the simple truth of Jesus dying on the cross and saying your sins are forgiven isn't just "enough" religion — it's the right amount.

👉 Join us for what promises to be an engaging, occasionally amusing, and meaningful exploration of why our physical existence matters to God.

❓Have questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Drop them in the comments below! 

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #Jesus

Season 1, Episode 10: Bodies Matter in Resurrection
Special guest, Pastor Matt Popovits joins Erica Sorensen and Pastor Harrison Goodman to discuss 
why “The Resurrection” is such a big deal- Jesus’ and ours! Pastor Popovits and our hosts delve into how our bodies matter in the resurrection both before and after the resurrection, and the comfort of the only opinion on us that truly matters, Christ’s!

“Because the resurrection happened to Jesus, we can take Him at His word and know it’s going to happen to us.”
-Rev. Matt Popovits

Guest Bio: Pastor Matt Popovits is a speaker, writer and teacher. He is the host of a brand new podcast called, Make It Simple.  He also serves as Lead Pastor of St. Mark Houston, in Houston, Texas. Prior to serving in Houston, He has served as a church planter, and Lead Pastor of OSNY, a family of neighborhood parishes in New York City. as staff writer for Homiletics, a worldwide resource to pastors providing insights and ideas for preaching and teaching, and is a frequent speaker at churches and events around the country. To find out more about his ministry, visit his website:  https://www.mattpopovits.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Call-Little-Making-Decisions/dp/0692746447 by Matt Popovits

Bible Links: https://www.esv.org/verses/2+Corinthians+5:16%E2%80%9317/ , https://www.esv.org/Revelation+21/ , https://www.esv.org/1+Corinthians+6/

Higher Things is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Please consider supporting our podcast by donating today: https://higherthings.org/about/giving/