Badger Lutheran Church

06/16/2026

https://www.crawfordosthus.com/obituary/Phyllis-Norgaard?fbclid=IwdGRjcASetXdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR6D_WXqSvm_QFImmxkh6zeVzefixxwXOSMclIVd2fgVVwsSGIlrb8WwKtK-ww_aem_KUGGRTOeLg-G6htpNP72Lw

Celebrate the life of Phyllis Norgaard and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

06/15/2026

Here is the sermon from Sunday, June 14th, 2026. In this sermon pastor Brian encourages us as believers in the privilege of being a part God's great harvest of souls through the salvation of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

06/15/2026

Here is the sermon from Sunday, May 24th, 2026. Zachariah Ricke is preaching of the love of God. Have a blessed week!!!

06/05/2026

Here is the ninth post in my journey through 1 & 2 Timothy while on my spiritual sabbatical.

In 2 Timothy 3, Paul warns Timothy that difficult times will come as many people choose selfishness, pride, and empty religion instead of genuine and living faith in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

He continues to caution Timothy to avoid false teachers who oppose the truth and mislead others. Unfortunately, they may try to twist the Scriptures and lead people astray. Devotion to the true teachings of Scripture is vital for all pastors as well as all believers.

Yet this chapter is also deeply encouraging. Timothy is reminded to stay rooted in the faithful teaching he has received and to follow Paul’s example of perseverance, love, and endurance through suffering. Paul honestly says that those who live godly lives may face persecution, but God remains faithful!

The chapter ends with one of Scripture’s strongest promises: God’s Word is breathed out by Him and is useful for teaching, correcting, and training. God’s Word is indeed true and can be trusted! It is the primary source for truth, encouragement, and guidance for anyone who seeks a living and genuine relationship with the Triune God of creation because of what Christ has accomplished!

May we never depart from these wonderful truths!

Have a great day,
Pastor Brian Ricke

06/04/2026

Here is the eighth post in my journey through 1 & 2 Timothy while on my spiritual sabbatical.

In 2 Timothy chapter 2, Paul encourages Timothy to stay strong in the grace of Christ and to pass truth on to faithful people who will teach others.

He uses the pictures of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer to show that following Christ requires endurance, discipline, and patient labor. Paul reminds him to keep Jesus at the center of his life and ministry, trusting that God’s word cannot be chained. He warns against pointless arguments and false teaching, urging Timothy to handle God’s truth carefully and live a clean, honorable life.

The chapter closes with a call to kindness, patience, and gentle correction, so that others may repent and know the truth of Christ’s salvation that leads to eternal life. Overall, 2 Timothy 2 offers hope-filled strength for faithful living, wise teaching, and steadfast service in every season because believers have a hope that is eternal and rooted in the promises of a faithful and Triune God!!

Have a great day!
Pastor Brian Ricke

06/01/2026

Here is the seventh post in my journey through 1 & 2 Timothy while on my spiritual sabbatical.

Paul wrote this letter as he awaited ex*****on around 67 AD. Despite all that Paul was facing—death, the end of his ministry, abandonment by most of his friends for fear of persecution—he faithfully directed his spiritual son Timothy to the hope that is in Christ.

In 2 Timothy 1, Paul writes to Timothy with deep affection, urging him to remain strong and faithful to the preaching and teaching of God’s amazing and holy Word! He thanks God for Timothy’s sincere faith, first seen in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and encourages him to fan into flame the gift God has given him.

Paul reminds Timothy that God does not give a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Even in suffering, Timothy is told not to be ashamed of the gospel, because Christ has brought life and immortality through His victory over death. The apostle Paul encourages him to hold firmly to sound teaching and guard the truth by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

The chapter closes with examples of both disloyalty and faithful support, showing that courage and loyalty still matter greatly to the Lord!

Have a great day!
Pastor Brian Ricke

05/31/2026

Here is the sixth post in my journey through 1 Timothy while on my spiritual sabbatical.

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul urges believers to live with humility, integrity, and deep trust in God, resting and trusting in Christ’s salvation. A salvation that yields the promise of eternal life! The apostle Paul continues to warn against false teaching as he did earlier in this book. This time he focuses on empty arguments and using faith as a way to gain wealth. Instead, he teaches that true gain is found in godliness with contentment, remembering that earthly riches are temporary.

Paul encourages Timothy to flee greed and pursue righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. He calls him to fight the good fight of faith and hold firmly to eternal life that is found in Christ alone! Those who have wealth are told not to be proud or place their hope in money, but to be generous and rich in good works.

The chapter closes with a strong reminder to guard the truth contained in God’s holy Word and to remain focused on Christ, the promise of eternal life, and avoid distractions that pull hearts away from Christ!

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Brian Ricke

05/30/2026

Here is the fifth post in my journey through 1 Timothy while on my spiritual sabbatical.

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul teaches Timothy how God’s family should treat and care for one another with dignity, purity, and compassion. Older men and women are to be honored like parents, and younger believers treated like siblings. The church is called to care for widows who are truly in need, while families are strongly reminded to support their own relatives faithfully.

Paul also says pastors and elders serving the Church who lead well deserve honor, yet accusations must be handled carefully and fairly. Timothy is urged to act without favoritism, remain pure, and use wisdom in choosing leaders. Even Paul’s brief advice about Timothy’s health shows that practical care about our health matters to the Lord.

The chapter encourages believers that a Christ-like loving responsibility, integrity, and serving the congregation as well as each other strengthen the Church and reflect God’s heart in everyday life.

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Brian Ricke

05/29/2026

Here is the fourth post in my journey through 1 Timothy while on my spiritual sabbatical.

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul warns that some will abandon the faith and follow false teaching, including harsh rules about marriage and food. This is why spending time in God’s word is so vital to our faith. The Word is a lamp to our feet and light to our path as we use Biblical discernment and allow the Holy Spirit to continually transform us into the people God has called us to become.

He also reminds believers that God’s creation is good when received with gratitude and prayer. God has given us a very beautiful world to live in, and His glory is revealed in creation!

Paul urges Timothy to reject empty myths and train himself for godliness, which has value now and for eternity. Though young, Timothy is to lead by example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. He must devote himself to Scripture, teaching, and perseverance. As a pastor, I too need to follow the prescriptions that the apostle Paul states in this chapter!

The chapter encourages believers to stay grounded in truth, grow steadily, and live with hope in the living God. Christ has given us the greatest treasure that we can possess in this life, salvation that leads to eternal life. May we do all that we can to foster and cultivate a living and growing faith that trusts and follows Christ all the days of our life!

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Brian Ricke

05/28/2026

Here is the third post on 1 Timothy, today I studied chapter 3. Here is a brief summary of the chapter.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul teaches that leadership in the church is a noble calling shaped by character and true devotion to the Lord and not status or titles. Overseers, or pastors and deacons (spiritual leaders serving a congregation), are called to be faithful, self-controlled, gentle, trustworthy, and spiritually mature, showing godliness at home and in public. This is embraced as an act of worship in service to the great Savior who redeemed us! Their lives should reflect the God and the truth that they serve.

Paul reminds believers that the Church is God’s household, the pillar and foundation of the truth that seeks to lead people to salvation and spiritual growth. The chapter ends by lifting up Jesus Christ, revealed in the flesh and received in glory. This passage encourages us that God values integrity, humble service, and Christ-centered living in every believer today. This is our spiritual worship (Romans 12:1-2)!

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Brian Ricke