The Magazine

More Hopes and Dreams

Last month, I began to share with you the hopes, dreams, and objectives that I have for the Synod.

The Stem “Sell”

I found Dr. James Lamb’s January article “The Stem Sell’” well written, and I share his opinion. I do not do so lightly. I am affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). CMT is a progressive, genetic neuropathy that affects the peripheral nervous system (hands/arms and feet/legs). Probability states that there are approximately 1,500 other LCMS Lutherans

A Magnificent Question

Meeting students from around the world provides
opportunities to witness. This one began with a question.

He Suffered for Our Salvation

by Andrew Simcak What thoughts come to your mind during this Lenten season when you think of the suffering of Jesus? As with many Christians, the first thing is probably the words we have said so many times when confessing the Apostles’ Creed: “He suffered under Pontius Pilate. …” That definitely calls to mind the

A Valid Communion?

The Q&A reply to “Is self-communion appropriate?” (December) rightly emphasizes the corporate character of Holy Communion. On that basis, Article 24 of the Augsburg Confession rejected “private masses” at which only the celebrant is present. However, readers could conclude from the reply that if the friend of W.M. and his wife celebrate Holy Communion in

A Welcome Return

Thank you for reinstating the Bible study “Searching Scripture” in The Lutheran Witness. I have missed that feature. Also, the articles the past few months have been excellent. Thank you not only for keeping us informed Christians, but also for pushing us out of our comfort zone to be “doers” and not “hearers” only to

Christian Soldiers

by Rev. Andrew Simcak Jr. Whether you know it or not, you, dear Christian, are at war! We need to man our battle stations because we are in a life-and-death struggle against enemies determined to overcome us for time and eternity. The war began in Eden’s garden when our first parents, Adam and Eve, brought

Shedding Some Light

One for “Q and A”As a farmer with many tasks that need to be done quickly when weather permits, too often I miss Sunday services. My question is: Is it better for me to sit in church and think about my hay, or for me to sit on a load of hay and think about

Family Counselor: Pornography in the Marriage

by Dr. William B. Knippa I was startled recently when I discovered my husband looking at pornographic Web sites on the Internet. At first he denied it was a problem, but he has since confessed that he has been doing this for quite a while. We are in the process of counseling for this, but

The Task at Hand

In response to Rev. Oscar Gerken’s November 2006 comments regarding the supposed error in the Lutheran Service Book, there is no error. From childhood on I have loved singing “take the task He gives you gladly” and have had no trouble understanding that line. There is such a thing as poetic license. That line appears

Taking Christ to Cambodia

Gospel doors are opening in this Buddhist country, where the murderous Pol Pot regime and the dream of a Cambodian refugee sparked the start of the country’s first LCMS-affiliated congregation.

Scroll to Top