The LCMS

Remembrance

by Dr. Greg Wismar For many people, the days of summertime have a slower pace and provide opportunities for discovery and reflection. Family vacations often entail visiting new sites and learning more about either family or national history. One place where that kind of learning happens in a special way is in cemeteries. Military cemeteries,

Why Am I Barren?

Children are a heritage from the Lord—a gift from Him—and that good gift is received, not manufactured or made. In His wisdom and time, God makes mothers of women.

Five Fatherhood Examples from the Father of Us All

by Rev. Kevin Vogts Malachi 2:10 asks, “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June is a civil holiday and not a traditional observance of the Church Year. However, it is from Scripture and especially the example of our heavenly Father Himself that

10 Minutes with . . .

by Kim Plummer Krull Amputees and prosthetics typically aren’t uppermost on the minds of most college students. But for Jonathan Naber and Adam Booher, the quest to develop an affordable prosthetic arm for people in developing countries has dominated much of their time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Naber, 21, is president of

Where Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect:

by Rev. Kevin Bergmann

“Practice makes perfect” is a common saying that is true if you are learning to play the piano or trying to perfect your golf swing. But how about in relationships like marriage? Is a couple better off if they practice being married by living together before the wedding? While some might expect the answer to that question to be yes, it actually is a resounding “No.”

Positive changes

We can’t say enough about the new LW format and content and especially appreciate the theme-based issues. It really helps deliver a complete perspective on the subject matter. Beth and David RitterBrainerd, Minn. Thank you for your outstanding work in reshaping The Lutheran Witness. The design is pleasing and modern, while the content has improved

Resting in the Arms of Jesus

by Heidi Sias We sat in the car in stunned silence during what seemed like the longest ride home we’d ever taken. The doctor’s words kept echoing in my head: “I’m very sorry to tell you that your baby’s heart has stopped beating.” Was this really happening? Did I do something that caused this? How

Myths about Death: Why Easter Matters

Several individuals, concerned with the statement, “The chief function of a funeral is to care properly for the body of a Christian after death,” suggested that the chief function is rather to preach the Gospel for the comfort of the grieving. I regret framing the question such that these two very important concerns are put

In Memoriam

I agree with Rev. Herb Schiefelbein 100 percent regarding The Lutheran Witness allowing only two lines “In Memoriam” for our deceased workers of our Synod. Please, let’s return to our previous way of informing readers about these deceased workers and their families. Doris LusskyGainesville, Fla. Abbreviating the obituary information of those pastors and teachers who

Obsolete or Just Misunderstood?

by Dr. Gene Edward Veith A recent Pew Research Center study indicates Americans think marriage is obsolete. So, where does that leave Lutherans? What with gay marriage, single parenthood, “just living together” and soaring divorce rates, it’s little wonder that 40 percent of Americans think that marriage is obsolete. Most Americans no longer think marriage

Q & A

by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz A member of my family (raised LCMS) will not allow his children to be a part of anything connected to a church. He wants them to “make their own decisions regarding religion when they are old enough to understand.” How can I approach him about this without causing resentment? Your

The Holy Trinity and Life Together

The Athanasian Creed confesses the Church’s belief in the Trinity. What is the relationship between the three Persons of the Trinity, and what does that mean…