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Daily Life

A Fruitful Christian Life

In our family, there are few things we enjoy more than a freshly picked tomato out of our garden. As I write this article, the soil has been prepared and the tomato plants are in the garden and have been caged. We know that we will have to make sure the plants are watered and protected from little hands over the coming months. Our hope is that by the time this August edition of the Lutheran Spokesman arrives, we will be harvesting some of the first-fruits from our tomato plants.

However, those fresh tomatoes are not going to magically appear in our backyard. Nor are those plants going to survive if they are not regularly watered. We need the plant first, and then we need to take care of the plant in order to enjoy those delicious, vine-ripened tomatoes.Read More »A Fruitful Christian Life

Restarting of School— a Wonderful Opportunity!

“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” 2 Peter 1:12-15

One of the most difficult and challenging things with the restarting of school every fall is what has been called the “summer slide.” During the school year students receive regular reminders combined with the introduction of new material. This helps to keep the material fresh in their memories.

But then comes summertime when those daily reminders are inclined to turn into a three-month moratorium. And it is going to happen that many things have been forgotten.

So it is that during those first days back at school much time is spent reviewing what was taught at the end of the previous school year.Read More »Restarting of School— a Wonderful Opportunity!

The Double Patriot

Today the term patriot is used rather loosely. It has been applied to those who give their lives in defense of their country and also to those who protest against and seek to change the very foundation upon which this country was founded.

So what is patriotism?

Mr. Webster defined it as “love of one’s country; support of its authority, interests, and values.”Read More »The Double Patriot

Are We There Yet?

Being both a father and school teacher with the privilege of taking countless numbers of children on many trips, I have heard my share of “Are-we-there-yets?”!

Let’s not be too hard on our youth, however. We too can get very impatient in our lives. How are you about waiting in line at a store, at a red light, or for a train to pass? And are we always satisfied with the way things turn out in our lives? How do we behave when things don’t end up our way–not only in day-to-day issues but in the bigger picture of what we want out of life? Do we question and even complain about the way things turn out? Are we always patient with each other–forgiving one another just as Christ has forgiven us?Read More »Are We There Yet?

What is Truly Lutheran

Upon the death of the Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther, differences arose within the Lutheran Church—a name assigned to those who held the doctrines he had taught from Scripture.

Consequently in 1577, the Formula of Concord, the defining confession of the Lutheran faith and teaching, was written as an effort to settle disputes that had arisen. Thousands of Lutheran Read More »What is Truly Lutheran

A Christian Support System

A meditation presented by Chaplain Pastor Mark Gullerud to the West Central District Delegate Conference of the CLC, Grace Lutheran Church, Valentine, Nebraska (May 24, 2011)

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:1-4, ESVRead More »A Christian Support System

Human Life… A Precious Gift of God!

I believe that God has created me and all creatures.He has given me my body and life…

In these words from Luther’s Small Catechism we state our belief that God the Father used His almighty power to bring all things into existence. The crowning stage of His creative handiwork happened on day six when He fashioned the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground and the first woman, Eve, Read More »Human Life… A Precious Gift of God!

Are we ready yet?

Our family has never been good about leaving home–not to mention starting on time!

It is certainly not for lack of practice. Living some 1,500 miles from “family” in the Midwest meant an almost-annual cross-country pilgrimage.

But practice never did make perfect. When we had high hopes of leaving by 7:00 a.m., maybe 8:00 at the latest, we usually had the last things stowed and the last child buckled in closer to 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.Read More »Are we ready yet?

The last best hope of earth.

The Bible Text for our consideration is: “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.” (Titus 3:1-3)Read More »The last best hope of earth.