God’s File Cabinet
Where do unanswered prayers go? Do they pass by the ears of God? Could it be that God hears them and files them away in an ethereal file cabinet?
Playing Second Fiddle
by Dr. Randy Schroeder My mother-in-law is overly involved with my wife. They talk on the phone several times a day, and my wife calls every night to tell her when our 1-year-old son falls asleep. The two of them even take frequent two- to three-day vacations together. At times, I feel like I’m playing …
Shedding Some Light
A ‘Reading’ Lesson Every once in a while, at bedtime, Zachary, my 7-year-old, needs to talk. Sometimes he simply melts down. Everything seems so bad. But if you lie with him long enough and listen, things get better. Last night was one of those occasions. At one point he began to cry. He had lost …
Member vs. Nonmember Privileges
Does the LCMS have a position on the public burial or marriage of a nonmember of a congregation? I always believed that one of the privileges of being a communicant member was to be allowed public baptism of your children, public marriage of yourself or your children, and a public burial, or “Christian burial,” from …
Restoring Broken Relationships: Moving from the ‘Holy Howdy’ to the ‘Kiss of Peace’
“Passing the peace” is more than just saying hello on Sunday morning.
Lutheran Witness: February 2008
Because of Christ Jesus and what He did for us, God forgives our sins, which makes it not only our duty, but our privilege, to forgive and reconcile with those who sin against us. Read more in this issue of The Lutheran Witness
“On Words and Vocations”
<P>I was disappointed in Dr. Siemon-Netto’s article (“On Words and Vocations” – November 2007) and even more disappointed in your decision to print it. Sounding much like a Lutheran version of Andy Rooney, Dr. Siemon-Netto has served to support the unfortunate stereotypical characterization of Lutherans as a bunch of stodgy old curmudgeons desperately trying to …
A Wake-up Call
<P>The December Letter to the Editor <EM>(below)</EM> titled “Wake Up Call” was so sad to see. The confilct between the beliefs of the Masons and LCMS are clear. What is also clear is Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:15-17. Has this man been privately apporached to discuss the conflict between the Masons and LCMS? Do we …
From Dark to Light
I would like to commend Susan Senechal for her brief but compelling article, “A Light in a World Gone Dark” (December, 2007). Unlike many of your contributors, Susan began where real life is – often dark and filled with tragedy – then soothingly applied the healing balm of the Gospel. So often your articles strike …
‘Matrimony-back’ Guarantee?
A jeweler was getting married. When it came time to slip the ring on his bride’s finger, he hesitated. “With this ring …,” prompted the pastor, noting the jeweler appeared more than a little nervous. “With this ring …,” the jeweler began haltingly. “With this ring …” “Well?” said the pastor. “With this ring … …
The Nations are Coming! The Nations are Coming!
by Terence Groth Some readers will remember the 1966 film The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! In this comedy of the Cold War, a Russian submarine accidentally runs aground near a small New England town. Crewmembers come ashore to get help. The reaction of the townsfolk is surprise and fear. They are afraid …
Outreach Resources
Outreach tools, resources and idea starters . . . to help you share the hope of our faith LCMS districts, ministries, congregations, partners, and individuals offer an array of tools to help us share the Good News of Jesus Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, and nation. Here are a few resources selected by Rev. Scott …