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…
EMBRACING “STRANGE”
“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it…
THE DAY GOD LAUGHED
Does God have a sense of humor? As one who has told a joke or two, I’d like to know. Does He frown on conversation that goes beyond “yea and nay”? Or does He agree…
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT: PAX DOMINI
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. “Where two or three are…
THE CHRISTIAN’S CALL TO ARMS
“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…