I have days where I despair of the world because it rejoices in sin and is blind to the truth.  This week's Gospel reading reassures me that Christ is the Light for a dark world. Jesus declares, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5).  Jesus still remains in the world, and comes to us in strange means: words, water, bread, and wine.  These are the means by which He forgives our sin and gives light to a dark and blind world.  This is where our trust rests, not with rulers and princes, but with Jesus, the Light of the World.

Pastor Heine was born and raised in Nebraska. After teaching in Lutheran schools, he decided to change direction and entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Since then, he has served as pastor primarily in western North America. He likes golf, swimming, diving, science fiction, and theology.

Melinda, his wife, was born in Minneapolis, raised in Iowa, and later moved to Colorado. She was a teacher before becoming a mother. She enjoys travel, mountains, reading, studying, hiking, swimming, sewing, and NFL football.

She and Pastor met on the swim team at Concordia Seward. They have 4 grown children, all living elsewhere (New York, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii) - and 3 granddaughters.