March

From the President — by Rev. John Moldstad, Jr. — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

 

Celebrate Holy Week — by Rev. Phillip Lepak — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

Have you ever been a tourist in a great city like New York? There is so much to see. First timers want to see the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge, but those who have come to know the city better find that great deli, the "Ground Zero Overlook" or the museums. With each visit there is more to see: more beauty, more ugliness, more exuberant life and more somber memory.

The Cross Shows our Sin and our Savior — by Rev. Shawn Stafford — last modified 2005-09-14 09:33 PM

When the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" premiered, TV news showed people leaving the theatre either crying or in stunned silence. Those of you who have seen the film may have experienced this first-hand. Does Jesus' cross make you sad or glad? If you consider the big picture, it will be both.

Elector John of Saxony — by Rev. Jerry Gernander — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

This month marks the 475th anniversary of a crucial turning point in the history of the Lutheran church. It wasn't as public as the reading of the Augsburg Confession. But it was equally important. On March 11, 1530, a messenger arrived in Wittenberg with a letter. It came from Emperor Charles V. It was addressed to Elector John of Saxony. (Elector John was the prince whose subjects included Martin Luther. The "electors" were princes who had the right and duty of electing the emperor at the time of succession.) Elector John read the letter. The emperor was "inviting" the Lutherans to an official assembly at Augsburg. The emperor's goal was that all the Christians he ruled be united in faith. This amounted to a trial. Later the emperor would resort to threats. But Elector John already knew what was at stake. His own Lutheran subjects could lose their churches, their homes, and their lives. He himself could lose his title. What should he do?

Lutheran Schools of America

A vision for the future of the ELS and its children.

Why Is Un-repentance Such a Serious Sin? — by rlawson — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

King David had had an illicit affair with Bathsheba, which resulted in pregnancy. David tried everything to hide his sin. He had Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, come home from the battlefield to sleep with his wife so that it would look like the child was his. When Uriah didn't go along with the plan, David had him placed in the hottest part of the battle where he was sure to be killed. Then David could marry Bathsheba and people would think the child was his, legitimately. It worked! David had fooled everyone! Or had he?

A City Set on a Hill of Trash — by Rev. Terry Schultz — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

About an hour north of Lima lies a barrio zoned "industrial." Picture a dismal landscape with bare sand dunes and a dirt road cutting through a shabby barrio (shantytown). Huge overloaded eighteen-wheel trucks with tall side-boards trundle by and disappear over a dune to drop off enormous loads of non-organic trash (paper, glass, cardboard, plastic) at a huge dump site just a kilometer beyond the town. At that dump men, women, and children pick through the trash looking for something to recycle and sell.

Cross Currents — by Rev. Paul Madson — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

 

Bethany Lutheran College Report

 

Pastor, I Have a Question — by Rev. Paul Zager — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM

Q: Are natural disasters like the recent tsunamis, with their widespread death and destruction, really a part of God's plan?

On the Synod Scene

 

The Children's Corner

 

The Holy Week Story: Truth or Fiction? — by Rev. Ted Gullixson — last modified 2005-08-12 01:07 AM