Fraternal insurance is not provided by an insurance company, but rather by a fraternal benefit society. Fraternals were developed in the 1800’s as a way for people to join with others who shared a common… What’s Wrong with Fraternal Insurance?
Surprises. They make up a big part of Christmas anticipation, don’t they? Packages of all shapes and sizes begin to appear under the tree, and with them the growing expectation of wonderful, exciting surprises. Who… Surprise!… Again!
If William Walsham How, the author of this hymn, saw it in The Lutheran Hymnal, I think he might not entirely approve. The words in our hymnal are his, but the order is not; and three of the original stanzas have been left out.
In this long hymn, How develops the theme of the Church Militant1 looking to the Church Triumphant2 as an example and encouragement to us in our daily battles, finally culminating in the glorious return of Christ on Judgment Day. That’s a multi-part theme, which How developed in a logical and chronologically progressive manner. Unfortunately, that careful development has been somewhat weakened in our version due to the omission of three verses and a change in the placement of one verse.Hymn 463 “For All the Saints, Who from Their Labors Rest”
“Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy… The Real Thing
(Numbers 13:25-14:10; Joshua 1:1-11) Should it be surprising to us that as Christians we are in the minority in this world (see Matthew 20:16b)? Is it startling that many are vehemently opposed to us when… Joshua A Minority Voice Who Served as a Leader for a Major Power
Pastors Answer Frequently-Asked Questions No. Yes. “Conservative” means different things to different people. For some, a conservative church is one that uses a traditional liturgy or sings from the old hymnal. For others, conservative equals… “Are We So Different from Other ‘Conservative’ Lutheran Churches?”
Thousands would die that day in Lűtzen, Saxony. Everyone on both sides knew it. November 6, 1632. The Thirty Years’ War between the Roman Catholic Imperial forces and the Protestants had been raging for fourteen years. Camped in the fields of Lűtzen, the Protestant army of Sweden was awakened and assembled. They would attack the formidable Roman Catholic Imperial forces of Duke Albrecht von Wallenstein. Wallenstein was prepared for them with well-sited and well-defended positions.Hymn 263 “O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe”
“Politics is the art of compromise.” Thus politicians and pundits advise that the way things get done is through compromise. No one gets everything they want, but both sides get something. Compromise is necessary and… The Great Uncompromiser
“For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while… A Necessary Death
The chief concern for Christians in all things is to glorify God. Scripture says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV).… “What are the Concerns for Christians Regarding ‘Legalized’ Marijuana?”
