“Spot Your Own Plank First”
I’ll never forget the day I was working underneath my rusty, little pickup truck. I was foolishly banging around on the muffler without wearing any eye protection. When a shower of rust and dust fell into…
“Spot Your Own Plank First”
“Spiritual Nones”—Some Thoughts
Recently this writer, a pastor, caught some self-described “non-denominational Christians” off guard. In connection with a pre-marriage counseling class, we remarked to the couple: “More and more religious people are becoming Nones.” “Really?!” “Yes, but…
Storms, Thunder, and Joyous “Hail!”
That’s not a weather report, but the theme of the ILC Spring Concert presented on Friday evening, May 17, 2013, at Messiah Lutheran Church of Eau Claire under the direction of Prof. John C. Reim.…
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for… Father
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of the heavenly lights.” (James 1:17, NIV)
This passage from the New Testament epistle of James describes our heavenly Father as the source of all the good things we enjoy during the time of grace He grants us on Earth.
If we were to draw up an itemized list of God’s good and perfect gifts, it would overflow onto many pages. For a starter, just think of the “daily bread” items which Dr. Martin Luther enumerates in
“Strong Marriages [are] Key To Social Ills”
To the statement in our title we might say, “Duh!” Is this news?
To some it apparently is. The quote was the headline of an article in a local newspaper a few years ago. The director of a local social organization said, “There is a lot of research and studies that show healthy marriages are an indicator of children doing better.” She also said, “We are not saying marriage. We are saying healthy marriages.” The group’s concern was the increase in teenage motherhood, the divorce rate, and families living in poverty.
The Importance of Good Spiritual Eyesight
Good eyesight is highly valued. It enables a person to gaze upon the world and see things clearly. And oh, what a delight to behold the vast beauties of God’s creation and to cast our eyes on those who are near and dear to us!
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
Lovers of Pleasure… or Lovers of God?
A seductive goddess is ruling in America today. She made large advances in America about a hundred years ago, and since then she has amassed millions of followers from all walks of life.
“This is most certainly true!”
PART THREE OF A SERIES 3) God is my Preserver and Provider Have you ever had a “near death” experience? If so, perhaps it involved a motor vehicle, a medication, an allergic reaction, an illness,…
Clinging To and Confessing the Truth
What is more important, the salvation of men or the glory of God? Some people set aside the glory of God, claiming that they are very concerned about the salvation of men. However, if you…
ENCOUNTERS OF A SPIRITUAL KIND
Introduction In the following examples from Scripture we try to learn ways and attitudes which will better enable us to witness of our Lord to others. These examples are drawn from the four Gospels and…