The best gift
Grandchildren are a special gift as is the joy of passing on God’s grace in Jesus to the next generation. One snowy January, our family was enjoying a weekend...
My Christian life: Sixty-one years as a church musician
A church keyboardist reflects on 61 years of glorifying God through her music. From pre-service to postlude, WELS congregations are grateful for the many faithful,...
Parent conversations: A children’s Christmas service to remember
I’ve sat through roughly one hundred children’s Christmas services so far in my life. Each one has been special—honestly. The familiar parts are like an old...
Parent conversations: When you feel inadequate as a parent, remember . . .
I know I’m not a perfect parent. God’s Word, my conscience, my children, and society remind me of that regularly. It’s easy to focus on that and lose sight...
Book nook: Waiting on God More
In Northwestern Publishing House’s intriguing new “My 180” series, authors are asked to “devote themselves to a full 180 days” of reading, praying, and...
Parent conversations: What is our goal as parents?
“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing,” wrote Stephen Covey in his best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Yet...
Parent conversations: How do we help our kids move on from mistakes?
We all know what it’s like to beat ourselves up after we make a mistake. We’ve also probably contributed to our kids doing the same thing. Rather than perpetuating...
Parent conversations: How do we discuss death with our children?
Contemplating some conversations creates butterflies in my stomach. Talking about death with my children falls into that category. What a comfort these two articles...
My Christian life: Pen pal shares faith with prisoners
God’s grace brings forgiveness, hope, and love across prison walls. “Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison” (Hebrews 13:3)....
Parent conversations: When parenting philosophies differ
Is it just me or does it seem like getting along with everyone has gotten harder over the past couple of years? We’re so divided on so many issues. It’s easy...
My Christian life: An incredible harp-playing journey
Using music to soothe spirits, praise God, and share the gospel. “Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp” (Psalm 147:7). The...
My Christian life: A teacher retires full of memories
A teacher retires full of memories—including monarch butterflies, baby chicks, and Jesus—after 43 years. Do you have a favorite teacher? One who really understood...
Encouraging and supporting future called workers
By definition, an auxiliary is a group that provides supplementary help or support. Since 1960 and 1973, the Martin Luther College (MLC) Ladies’ Auxiliary and...
An emotional roller-coaster ride
A family endures the ups and downs of life, always trusting the providence of God. Ann M. Ponath Tuesday, May 29, 2018. The day a truck arrived to move all the...
Heart to heart: Parent conversations: What’s a parent’s role as a child dates?
What’s a parent’s role as a child dates? It’s not often that I don’t chime in with my opinion on a topic, but this is going to be one of those rare moments....
Parent conversations: What do I need to consider before I give my child a cell phone?
My oldest is 12. She’s in sixth grade, and almost all her classmates have smartphones. So far, her dad and I haven’t seen a reason for her to have one too. But...