LIVING OUR FAITH IN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE One of the great faith-challenges facing us as Christians is to live and practice our faith. Within Christian marriage this means translating the God-desired, ideal “love” of Ephesians chapter five into a language of feelings, attitudes, and behavior which prove pleasing to God and a blessing to our spouse.… Read More »Sixth and last in a series– Read More

“Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD.” Rev 14:13 Some years ago a TV movie was shown, entitled “Death Takes A Holiday.” In this film Death, which was personified, felt that people simply did not understand the wonderful purpose it served, but instead clung to “life” at all costs. Seeing no other recourse,… Read More »Death Takes An Eternal Holiday Read More

Many of our eyes in recent weeks have been fastened on Atlanta — and the 1996 Summer Olympics. The sight of some of the world’s greatest athletes from 150 countries displaying their finely-honed skills has left us filled with awe and amazement. Any involved in sports well knows that these performances are products not just… Read More »RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! Read More

District delegate conference in preparation for the convention.) A MODEL CONFERENCE Although most CLC members will likely never attend a CLC Convention, we hope that interest in what happens there reaches deep into all of our CLC congregations. We all recognize the importance of these gatherings–to fellowship with and encourage one another, to discuss scriptural… Read More »(The following is an adaptation of the opening devotion at a Minnesota Read More

Chancel Triptych As part of its new church, Berea Lutheran of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. asked one of its members, Jim Doring, to develop a chancel wall design to cover several organ and audio speakers. With the help of his family, Jim designed and built what is pictured and described below. The three panels behind… Read More »Special Effects at Berea, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota– Read More

God’s Wonderful Marriage Math Equation There are more than a few Bible numbers that for many just don’t add up. The numbers 6 (days of Creation) and 6,000 (approximate age of the earth) present insurmountable obstacles for the evolutionary mind and society; 5 (barley loaves) and 2 (fish) cannot be multiplied to feed 5,000+ people.… Read More »First In A Series . . . Read More

Second In A Series In our November Spokesman we spoke of God’s Wonderful Marriage Math Equation: 1 + 1 = 1. Even though our amoral society and our own sin-nature would emphasize other “new math” marriage equations: 1 + 1 = 2 (independence) or 1 + 2 = 3 (extra-marital relationships) we do well to… Read More »Christian Marriage: A Heaven-sent Blessing Read More

Christian Marriage: A Sacred Spiritual Commitment It is significant that Holy Scripture speaks of Christian marriage as much in terms of commitment as it does in terms of love. And even the term “love” (which the world sees primarily as romantic love), when used in Scripture (agape) includes something greater. The “love” in Christ’s relationship… Read More »Third in A Series– Read More

Christian Marriage Faces Sin-Pitfalls It is no surprise that Satan’s strategy for winning souls would focus on those institutions God has established for the propogation and preservation of the Christian faith–the church, the family, and Christian marriage. In recent generations all of those sacred institutions have come under relentless siege and, to no one’s surprise,… Read More »Fourth in a Series– Read More

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IN AND WITH CHRIST Much can be learned about Christian marriage by observing one in action–especially from within the perspective of the Christian family. How blessed are those children who are reared in the wonderful atmosphere of a truly Christian marriage and family! There, in spite of the sin-weaknesses and struggles of all… Read More »Fifth in a Series– Read More

There is one very powerful, influential figure whose name is rarely mentioned in many circles this time of year — and that is the devil or Satan. Eminently successful throughout the year in his efforts to turn the hearts of people away from God, one may wonder where he spends Christmas. At first glance it… Read More »Where Will Satan Spend Christmas? Read More

Luke 14:25-35 Cost-Counting The scenario is all too familiar. A young person with no significant or permanent income source is bombarded with almost irresistible offers from the credit card companies. “Buy now, pay later” is simply too tempting to resist, and the spending spree begins. The joyride is wonderful, until the harsh reality of burdensome… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by… Read More »Eulogized Be Our God Read More

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood… Read More »God’s Amazing Redemption Center Read More

“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the Word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a… Read More »CHOSEN TO BELONG IN CHRIST Read More

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him… Read More »REAL ENEMY LOVING IN ACTION Read More

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days,… Read More »PRESERVING “THE GOOD LIFE” IN OUR CHURCHES Read More

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter… Read More »THE CHRISTIAN’S CALL TO ARMS Read More

Throughout much of my ministry, I had a number of WWII veterans in my congregations. Though often humble and reluctant to talk about themselves or their service and sacrifice, one always sensed a great pride in and loyalty to our nation—its values and freedoms and what the Allied victory meant for the future of their… Read More »IN SUFFERING FOR CHRIST, GLORIFY GOD Read More

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ… Read More »A FINAL REASSURANCE AND BLESSING Read More