I was pleased to see the Family Counselor column, “Confronting Suicide,” in the August 2008 Lutheran Witness. Thank you for covering so sensitive an issue. As one who suffers from severe major clinical depression with suicide ideation, I applaud the answer that Theresa Shaltanis gives. Families suffer along with their loved ones who have a …
“Shedding Some Light” in the August issue reminds us of the importance of a nativity set in our home at Christmas. Does your church give gifts to the poor at Christmas—toys, food, or clothing? Why not purchase an inexpensive nativity set at a craft store or dollar store and add it to the family’s gifts? …
Your article in the August issue on inspiring children to make music in the church was well done for the most part. I saw the DVD that was produced by the Commission on Worship and have only positive things to say about it. However, I take issue with you bringing into the article the “decline” …
“What about the Children” in the August issue reminded me that a few years ago one of our congregation members, Baker Kittelson, in cooperation with Director of Christian Education Bob Brantsch, was instrumental in forming a Prevention of Abuse of Children (PAC) Committee, which resulted in a policy manual for our congregation. I would invite …
Christopher Mitchell’s article, “God’s Design for Marriage” (August), was very good and a much-needed perspective of God’s will for our married lives. However, Dr. Mitchell misquoted when he wrote that “one holy catholic and apostolic church” comes from the Apostles’ Creed. It is, as Dr. Mitchell would agree, from the Nicene Creed. Thank you, Dr. …
As with last month, we are overflowing with feature stories, beginning with our Reformation cover story by Dr. Robert A. Kolb and Dr. Charles P. Arand.
by Diane Strzelecki Nate Predoehl, a lifelong Lutheran, first heard about Mission Central from his mother, who had seen Gary Thies speak at an LWML event. He later met Thies at his church, Good Shepherd Lutheran, in Gretna, Neb., after Thies’ presentation there. “After he learned that I was a corporate pilot, Gary asked right …
by James Heine While a raging Cedar River may have forced Harlan and Marge Ketelsen to abandon the home they have lived in for 50 years, it has not dampened Ketelsen’s determination to continue producing the little walnut crosses he has been distributing for 25 years. “Harlan’s crosses have traveled around the world,” says Rev. …
Accused of murder and exiled five times, Athanasius did not lead a dull life. Later, he even had a creed named after him. by Rev. Gordon A. Beck Although I have an unusual name for the final years of the 20th century, it was a common-enough name in the decades leading up to the fall …
Serving God and others with our gifts of knowledge, wisdom, time, and financial resources is a very important part of our Christian calling.
Back to School: Test Preparation One night, after they had helped their son, Mike, with his homework and then tucked him safely in bed, Mike’s parents overheard this prayer just after they closed his bedroom door: “Now I lay me down to rest. I hope to pass tomorrow’s test. If I should die before I …
by Dr. Randy Schroeder I found out recently that over a six-month period my husband had an affair with one of his co-workers. I was so devastated and heartbroken that I told my best friend. She said I should divorce him because I have biblical reasons. I don’t know what to do. I thought we …