When I was in confirmation class our pastor lectured us on the anti-Christian action of joining fraternal organizations such as Eagles, Elks, Moose, and Shriners, and especially the Masons. An elder in our church is a Mason, and every Sunday when he serves Communion, I notice the huge Masonic ring on his finger. Have the
Each Growing in Christ poster provides the text of the Bible story, which is printed in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian on the poster’s reverse side. “So often in these faraway lands the people cannot read their own language, thus a picture is truly worth a thousand words,” says Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, senior
Through a chance meeting, a pastor discovers firsthand the spiritual benefits of a ‘little’ project on which he had worked.
What Teachers MakeThe dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One guest, the CEO of a local company, decided to explain the problem with education. “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” he argued, reminding the others of the old
by Dr. John W. Oberdeck Luther planned the Ninety-Five Theses for academic debate. The popular document moved rapidly beyond Luther’s intention and became the rallying point of the Reformation. Soon Luther and the other reformers found themselves making public confession of what they believed and taught. Public confession of faith helps distinguish Scripture’s teachings from
Lord, reform the church. Begin with me. As we prepare to celebrate the festival of the Reformation, our thoughts naturally turn back to the circumstances that led to the event nearly 500 years ago.
by Dr. William B. Knippa My teenage daughter is difficult to get ready for school in the morning. I find myself becoming really stressed and irritable. What can I do? Your voice joins the not-so-pleasant chorus of many parents of teens who know firsthand that mornings can be stressful. It helps to look at the
Thank you for your article on the ministry work of chaplains (“In the Shadow of Death . . . Chaplains Speak of Life Eternal,” August). As one who lives and works for and with the military, I know that the work of chaplains can be distant or close to home. One chaplain, Ch Richard Townes,
After reading the June/July 2007 Lutheran Witness, I am moved to write regarding the “Family Counselor” letter. A pastor was concerned for a family of adoption who struggles with behavior challenges and hence has limited church attendance. We could be that family. We are one of those families. We have lovely children who, when not
Opportunities for telling the Good News abound—even when we’re busy with our hobbies.
The 63rd Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod held in Houston approved one resolution of particular interest to me. “Resolution 1-06 recognizes more than 230 chaplains endorsed by the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces, who “serve in arduous and dangerous arenas on land, sea, and air through lengthy and repeated deployments, separated from home
It’s the Thought that CountsAfter misbehaving and generally making a nuisance of himself all afternoon, young Jason was finally sent to his room for a time-out session. After the session ended, he emerged from his room and informed his mom that he had thought the situation over. “Then I prayed,” he added. “Fine,” said Mom,