Our title question would seem to be an easy one to answer. And yet…? There is a “bureaucratese” which is spoken by government workers. There is a “legalese” which is spoken by lawyers. Not long ago I received a document with a lot of legal jargon in it. I began to read it, but then… Read More »What Language Do You Speak? Read More

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8) Whisking across the ocean at 45,000 feet in a controlled and comfortable atmosphere with plenty of food and drink in a matter of hours to the final destination is not too hard to take. Luggage unloaded by… Read More »GOD’S CO-WORKERS Read More

(Third of a Series) Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you… Read More »The Willing Inquirer Attracted by Something Read More

(Second of a Series) Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask… Read More »Respect for Religion but with Doubts Read More

Introduction  In the following examples from Scripture we try to learn ways and attitudes which will better enable us to witness of our Lord to others. These examples are drawn from the four Gospels and from the book of the Acts of the Apostles. These examples are by no means exhaustive. As with the basketball… Read More »ENCOUNTERS OF A SPIRITUAL KIND Read More

(First of a Series)  Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and… Read More »Hungering and Thirsting after Righteousness Read More

Original Lutheran mission work began in Nigeria with Danish missionaries in 1913. This then was later supported by American Lutherans. For those of our background in the Lutheran Synodical Conference, the work in Nigeria is dated from 1936, so that this year (2011) is the 75th anniversary of that beginning. Read More

A first-person Lenten parable on contrition and repentance It appeared to be such a splendid day. Light filtered through the overhanging boughs showing well the path I trod. The sounds of the forest held no warning. The cheerful song of birds, the droning of some busy insects, the rustling of branches as a gentle wind… Read More »The Huntsman Read More

In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors. Growth Three times in Acts there are indications as to the growth of the church as the Word went forth. There is the title of this article from Acts 6:7. It is the Word in hearts that grew and… Read More »“The Number of the Disciples Multiplied Greatly!” Read More

We are indebted to the twin among the apastolic band for a crystal clear confession of faith as to just who our Jesus is. As we continue the resurrection celebration, let’s be reminded that such a bold confession is not one of words only. It is a confession that in the apostle’s case also betokened… Read More »“My Lord And My God” Read More

On the compound where our missionary lives in Nigeria there is a tall and stately tree called the “Queen of the Night.” It’s a name well-deserved. Once the sun has set and the countryside is enshrouded in night, the large flowers on the tree release their fragrance. The lovely aroma is refreshing in the midst… Read More »A FRAGRANCE FROM LIFE TO LIFE Read More

One on whom (or near whom) judgment has fallen  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such… Read More »The Shocked Read More

Etubom and Mma Under the Gracious Care of Abasi* *Etubom and Mma are Efik terms of honor and love. Abasi is Efik for God. I cannot tell how delighted I was, while visiting in one of my member’s homes, to find out that Celeste Reim had written a book about the first three years of… Read More »Book Review — Read More

This month of July witnesses the incorporation of Hong Kong into the People’s Republic of China. In 1999 Macao will be brought back in. The mainland continues to cast its eyes at the so-called “break away province” of Taiwan. What does the future hold for the Chinese? The alternatives appear to be: the old guard… Read More »The Transition of Power Read More

Part Two: To Celebrate Communion Involves a Clear Separation From Idolatry and a Special Intimacy With Him and His Fellowship means activity. So far we have seen how the activity of pouring over His Word is directly related to our fellowship with Him. ‘Playing Both Ends’ Impossible! Here we see that our fellowship involves the… Read More »STUDIES ON “FELLOWSHIP” — Read More

Part Three: Koinonia Means Sharing Of the church in Jerusalem we are told that they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers (cf. Acts 2:42). This showed that they had a splendid unity in Christ. The common denominator among them was Jesus, their unifying, sharing factor.… Read More »STUDIES ON ‘FELLOWSHIP’ — Read More

Part Four: Partnership — Our Fellowship Should Be A Very Personal Relationship Remember the sharing, the communion, the oneness in Christ? Who is in the hospital, and we do not remember to pray for him? Who does not have joy in his heart over a brother who undergoes successful surgery? Who does not sin and… Read More »STUDIES ON THE BIBLICAL WORD “FELLOWSHIP” — Read More

As I repose ready to drift off, the chorus of chirping and croaking ceases. The bush is pitch black and deadly still. The stillness then is broken by a screeching sound. Is it some cat in a tussle with a black mumba or some other snake? Is it some cicada-like insect that, as it darts… Read More »The Sound In The Night Read More

In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors. (Photos are from the early days of the author’s time in Nigeria) “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.” This is a proverb from Nigeria. Palm oil, drawn from palm fruit, is used for cooking food.… Read More »Proverbial Ponderings Read More

In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors. “And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27 ESV) Such is Luke’s report at the… Read More »THE OPEN DOOR Read More