The article about Christian funerals by Pastor Jonathan Watt (Setember 2007) was excellent. I liked his emphasis on “focusing on the cross.” The cross gives peace, certainty of heaven, and comfort at funerals. It can help people answer the question, “Did the deceased go to heaven, and will I go to heaven?” At a funeral,

Thank you for the article on Groups Ablaze! I want to comment in regards to the article Groups Ablaze!  From the Beginning by Rev Lonnie Jacobsen. I am thankful and praise God that Christ Lutheran Church in Arlington, Tenn. is growing and bringing Christ to many people, that they use small groups to do this, and that

I have been “composing” this letter ever since I read the article on chaplains in the August 2007 “Lutheran Witness.” They served not only members of the armed forces but civilians as well. Chaplain William J. Reiss was stationed at Camp Crawford, Sapporo, Japan immediately after WWII. He was instrumental in helping the first LCMS

Thanks for the brief yet delightful article on the National Youth Gathering, “Chosen!” I was pleased to see the colorful images of our youth and adults side by side and to read about the many different ways the Gathering impacts the Church and the community. My deep appreciation to our Synod for hosting and supporting

Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto makes an excellent point about the deformation of the language. Almost 60 years ago, George Orwell wrote a book, 1984, where language was controlled by the government.  “Free” could mean “Free from fleas”, but could not mean “political choice.”  In that society, people could not voice, or even comprehend, certain issues because words

I read, with great interest “HAVE THE RULES CHANGED.” In fact, I read it over several times and I always was left having the same opinion. While the question was answered quite accurately and succinctly, I couldn’t help but wonder if the writer meant to ask that particular question.  By asking “Have the Rules Changed”

Beginning with Advent, our church calendar provides a sacred sequence of observances and celebrations that help us experience the fullness of our faith.

I was very encouraged to read the article “Is God green?” by Pastor Nelson a couple of months ago. My own graduate studies on the topic of “Christianity and Environmental Ethics” lead me to the realization that conservative Christian denominations such as the LCMS have fallen behind in the way of supporting care for creation

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a deluge of misery resulted in a deluge of mercy.

I was perplexed when I read the article about the all white Sunday school class in St. Louis sending literature featuring a white Jesus and other white biblical characters to an all Black Sunday school in Kenya. This on the heels of an article on racism in a previous issue, and even a letter to

Military chaplains, coffee drinkers, African youth. They seem to share little in common, but all are involved in reaching out to people in need with Christ’s mercy.