by Dr. Leslie (Jack) Fyans I have lived in the upper Midwest all my life but have always dreaded the winters. The gloomy weather depresses me. Do other people have this problem, or is it just me? All of us are affected by our natural environment, and our bodies seem to be especially sensitive to […]
Sadness and the Seasons Read More »
For me, the beginning of the new year is always exciting. What will the ensuing months bring? Where will I fail? Where will I succeed? How will I grow? Coupled with looking ahead, I always make it a practice to look behind. To reflect on the closing year, to remember, and to ask, “What has God been up to in my life?”
One of Those Years Read More »
It’s the beginning of a new year. It’s an opportunity also to review how we employ—and treat—our volunteer staff.
Volunteers Are Not Free! Read More »
Unbelievers…will not, on their own, choose to come and hear the Gospel. We (the Church) must go to them.
What Is Your Areopagus? Read More »
From the differently formed to the unborn without an opportunity to ever form, Luther links our mission with how we live.
Which is more important? Doctrine or mission?
Our Confessions Make Us Missional Read More »
In an increasingly secular and pluralistic society, what is the status of the Church, and how do we engage the unchurched around us?
Missionary Churches: Navigating in a Post-Church World Read More »
At the heart of it all, as so vividly expressed by Luther’s famous Christmas hymn, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”—the focus of two of our stories this month—is the birth of God’s Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lutheran Witness: December 2009 Read More »
I was disappointed with Dr. Randy Schroeder’s response to the worried wife in the October Family Counselor section of The Lutheran Witness. It suggests a sin-and fear-based stance leading to control and limitations. The husband is encouraged to modify and limit his interactions with the opposite sex due to his wife’s anxiety. Nowhere is the
Responsibility: a two-way street Read More »
The Lutheran Witness’ October stories on “Mission Multiplication” and the Reformation surfaced online on a Norwegian cruise ship during a recent holiday. The ship carried about 2,000 people from 60 countries. After visiting about a dozen countries and historic places such as Ephesus, my wife and I were struck with the possibilities of doing Christ’s
Mission multiplication at sea Read More »
I received my copy of the October Lutheran Witness today and was skimming through the articles. Seth Long’s “Foolish Things of the World” caught my eye, and I began to read the story. I got to the line that all understanding is trivial as long as we come to understand those six simple words: “Jesus
A song to treasure Read More »
We were blessed by President Kieschnick’s clear explanation of a biblical stance on homosexuality in his “Our Synod and Recent ELCA Actions” article in the October Lutheran Witness. We have shared this article with church friends confused by headlines about “Lutherans and homosexuals” in the media. It is both a source of “truth telling” and
Affirming God’s law Read More »