A LITTLE SALT GOES A LONG WAY
When Christians get to feel the world’s hostility—the “hatred” that Jesus said should not amaze us—they are often tempted to withdraw. The urge is to colonize; to seek out your own with whom to work…
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT: THE DISTRIBUTION
Ever wonder why we Lutherans use the form of worship we do? In this series we examine the depth and meaning of the various elements of our Lutheran worship service. “And as they were eating,…
THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’…
HOW TO SLEEP IN PEACE
(Please read Psalm 4) Amid an armed rebellion, and with his life in danger, David was still able to sleep. Why? David Prayed David was able to sleep because he gave his problems to the…
THE DRAGNET
Every hoarder’s worst nightmare is to find someone sorting through his belongings, and throwing into the trash items that he considers to be personal treasures. The Parable of the Dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50) is imbued with…
SOME POST-GOOD FRIDAY THOUGHTS
Our heading is the result of some reflective thought concerning two “happenings,” both on Good Friday, and both in the area of public communications. The one was on television, the other in a leading midwestern…
THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46) It…
MOMENT OF TERROR IN THE BELLS
In this series we are reprinting Spokesman articles by early leaders in the CLC. Pastor James Albrecht is the curator of the series. Rev. Ralph E. Schaller (1919-1989) was a leader in the formation of…
IT’S OKAY! HE IS RISEN!
A mother checks her phone for the tenth time. Previously she had received news that her soldier son had been wounded in battle, but she knows nothing more than that. After many long, agonizing hours, she…
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT: THE AGNUS DEI
Ever wonder why we Lutherans use the form of worship we do? In this series we examine the depth and meaning of the various elements of our Lutheran worship service. O Christ, Thou Lamb of…