Items of interest from various sources of religious news and opinion, in print and on the web. Wisconsin Ban on Clergy Visits to Prisoners Ruled Unconstitutional. A Wisconsin circuit court judge in Madison found against a Wisconsin Department of Corrections policy that forbade clergy to visit prisons because of risks associated with COVID. For over… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Year/Month: 2022/12
Couples expecting their first child can count on hearing one comment in particular from experienced parents: “Life will never be the same again! You might imagine things won’t change that much, but they will!” The observation is not meant to frighten or discourage–just the opposite. This is a good thing. Even before birth, a baby… Read More »Month Archive Read More
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006 Date Hymns Readings Comments December 1 TLH 73 Psalm 24 The King is coming. But not just any King. He is the King of glory. Dear Holy Spirit, during this Advent time, open the gates of our… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and… Read More »Month Archive Read More
The Board of Missions reported to this past summer’s convention that “the need for additional workers in foreign fields continues to grow.” After a pause due to COVID-related travel restrictions in countries across the globe, the Board has resumed calling for a third foreign missionary. With the many contacts we’ve received and the opportunities we… Read More »Month Archive Read More
[Ed.: The following is an article by Pastor Jyothi Benjamin, in his own words, about the prevalence of superstition in India. Pastor Benjamin is president of the Church of the Lutheran Confession in India (CLCI). The report is lightly edited for clarity.] Two thousand twenty-two years after the birth of Christ, Christianity still remains as… Read More »Month Archive Read More
As we begin a new church year with Advent, it’s good to hear a Reformation echo in those comforting words that God has justified us; that is, He has declared us righteous by grace alone through faith alone. Our status as His dear children to whom He gives eternal life depends on the fact that… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“Thesis XXIV–In the twentieth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost is described in a manner as if it could not be forgiven because of its magnitude.” I do not remember the first time I heard about the “sin against the Holy Ghost.” I am… Read More »Month Archive Read More
The Great Preparer
Written by David Fuerstenau | December, 2022
Post Categories: Gems from the Old Testament,
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Post Categories: Gems from the Old Testament,
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“To Prepare: To make ready beforehand for some purpose, use or activity; to plan in advance, to implement a strategy.” (Merriam-Webster) We might think of an attorney who prepares a will or legal document, a chef who prepares a gourmet meal, or even a general who prepares for battle. All of us have prepared something… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, And all… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Gloria in Excelsis (Latin for “Glory in the highest”) is a magnificent hymn of praise and prayer that dates back to at least the fourth century. Luther said of this part of the liturgy that it “did not grow, nor was it made on earth, but it came down from heaven.” This is not saying… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory… Read More »Month Archive Read More