"To read John Braaten"s sermons is to discover a preacher whose life breathes biblical truths in the language the laity yearn to hear. They connect with life -- the way people today live life -- they pronounce the Word of life to those who are hungry for it." Gracia Grindahl Assistant professor of practical theology and ministry Luther-Northwestern Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota John Braaten takes biblical passages from the Lent and Easter season and weaves them into messages for today"s Christians. This book of sermons follows Common, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic Lectionaries. The 17 messages include texts from Matthew, Luke, and John. Sermon titles include: The Pitfalls Of Practicing Piety -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Our Christian I.D. -- Luke 4:1-13 The King Who Came To Die -- John 19:16b-22 A Strange Kind Of Glory -- John 13:31-35 John M. Braaten is administrative pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church (ELCA), Rochester, Minnesota. He has served pastorates in North Dakota and Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and Luther Theological Seminary (now Luther-Northwestern), St. Paul, Minnesota.