The Magazine

Gardening East of Eden

Doubts about our life or vocation do not negate the fact that God plants His people with purpose.

Concerning grief

Thank you, Dolores Hatfield, for bringing some much needed practical attention to the subject of grief in your February letter to the editor. Everything stated in “Grief Doesn’t Run on Schedule” should be understood and brought to the attention of well-meaning friends and pastors. Until a person experiences a loss that changes your life forever,

Breaking down stereotypes

As a missionary in Taiwan, I have always enjoyed reading The Lutheran Witness. After reading the articles, I feel connected with the Church around the world and refreshed in my personal faith. However, as I read the February issue, I noticed something. In all the pictures, whether articles or ads, there seems to be a

We stand corrected

In February’s “Family Counselor,” Dr. William B. Knippa stated that “We affirm in the Apostles’ Creed our belief in ‘God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.’” His reference is from the Nicene Creed, not the Apostles’ Creed. Since so many people are only too willing to

Rural Ministry

I was very impressed and encouraged by your article “It’s Not All Downhill!” in the February Lutheran Witness. Small churches need the encouragement to know that there is an alternative to declining attendance and membership. Most rural churches, especially in Middle America, are small, and many are declining. In some cases, they may be the

School Days

I’d like to comment about the February issue of The Lutheran Witness and about rural ministries. I went to a one-room school with eight grades, and I’m probably telling my age, so I’ll tell you it was a small farming community at Lutherville, Ark. I’m not advocating going back to this type of education, but

Putting the ‘best construction’ on Melanchthon

Reconstruction (spin) is not putting the “best construction” on historical figures such as Philip Melanchthon (the February Lutheran Witness). Let’s accept the fact that Melanch-thon excessively yielded to the political pressures in his later years. He did devalue the words that defined the precious Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. Let’s also acknowledge that

For the person in the pew

Congratulations on your February article, “Word of God, Speak!” It was written for us “pew-sitters.” Every trade and profession has its own unique expressions understood only by their own. Example: What does “The pump lost its prime,” mean? Is it proper grammar? Or, “The rose boxes in holds 2 and 4 were stopped up.” We

How Many Times Did Lazarus Die?

by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz In John 11, Jesus raised Lazarus from death. Did Lazarus die a second time? Do the Scriptures answer this question? Only the Gospel of John gives us any information about Lazarus, including brief mention of him after Jesus raised him from death. In chapter 12, John tells us that after his

Taking Responsibility

by Theresa M. Shaltanis My daughter will graduate from high school in June. She’s a good kid, but doesn’t help much around the house. It seems I am either nagging her or picking up after her. She’ll go away to college next year, and I know I’ll miss her terribly. How do I balance the

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