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A thought: The Bible still matters

A thought: The Bible still matters

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/12/28
  • Post category:00unavailable/FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

The Bible is God’s revelation. It’s not speculation. God’s revelation focuses on one person—Jesus Christ. Many have asked why an itinerant preacher two thousand years ago is important to us…

Continue Reading A thought: The Bible still matters
A thought: Happy birthday, Brother!

A thought: Happy birthday, Brother!

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/11/29
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Birthday parties for family members are most often special events—the candles, the cake, the presents, and then the pictures. Years later we trot out the pictures to remember the young…

Continue Reading A thought: Happy birthday, Brother!
A thought: Change

A thought: Change

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/10/28
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

We spent a couple of days in the northern part of Wisconsin. The leaves were green at home when we left. When we arrived, the trees were mostly green except…

Continue Reading A thought: Change
A thought: Our Father

A thought: Our Father

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/09/28
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

“Our Father in heaven.” So Jesus taught us his prayer. It’s actually our prayer. It begins, “Our Father.” Yet we say it so often it might have become only words…

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A thought: The difference

A thought: The difference

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/08/31
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

I’m looking out my study window this morning. The grass is green. The birds are flying from branch to branch. The robins are hopping on the grass to find lunch.…

Continue Reading A thought: The difference
One ordinary life

One ordinary life

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/07/28
  • Post category:FIC Features/Forward in Christ

Christians often live quiet, humble lives, but their lives matter. How do we measure the value and importance of a Christian life? We gravitate to those who have done great…

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A thought: Imperfect world, imperfect life

A thought: Imperfect world, imperfect life

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/07/28
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

This is my third or fourth try at this thought. The past months have brought all kinds of things to mind: first, COVID-19, then the protests, the violence, and the…

Continue Reading A thought: Imperfect world, imperfect life
A thought: Joy and peace today and everyday

A thought: Joy and peace today and everyday

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/06/29
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

It’s been a test for us all. It included self-quarantine and social distancing. All the while businesses were closed, and contacts with friends and family became digital. Churches stood empty…

Continue Reading A thought: Joy and peace today and everyday
A thought: Good job!

A thought: Good job!

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/05/31
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Good job and thank you! I thought this but couldn’t say it to everyone I thought should hear it. As I write this, we have been asked—mandated—to avoid unnecessary contact…

Continue Reading A thought: Good job!
A thought: In God’s hands

A thought: In God’s hands

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/04/30
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

As I write this thought, we are all concerned about the spread of a virus that has already killed thousands. Events and responses change day to day and sometimes even…

Continue Reading A thought: In God’s hands
A thought: Outing death

A thought: Outing death

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/03/31
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

“Don’t forget, you’re going to die,” the message on the screen read. It was from an app that sends five e-mails each day with the sober reminder that death is…

Continue Reading A thought: Outing death
A thought: The Christ

A thought: The Christ

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/02/25
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Christianity is not just a label, a category, or a space to be filled in for some pollster. We are named after Christ. The shepherds heard the angels identify the…

Continue Reading A thought: The Christ
A thought: Trusting what we cannot see

A thought: Trusting what we cannot see

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2020/01/30
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Seeing the little baby in the manger at Christmas fills us all with joy and wonder. It is a universal experience because we have all looked with joy and wonder…

Continue Reading A thought: Trusting what we cannot see
A thought: Partners

A thought: Partners

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/12/07
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

I admit that sometimes when I read the epistles of the New Testament, I easily skip over the first couple of verses. In those verses, Paul, who wrote most of…

Continue Reading A thought: Partners
Heirs of heaven

Heirs of heaven

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/12/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun What does God see and know about us humans? We often think that he has forgotten us, but God sees all that we have done, all that…

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Walk by the Spirit: Part 7

Walk by the Spirit: Part 7

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/11/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Christians have dual citizenship. We are children of God and part of his kingdom, yet we still call this world home. John A. Braun We got off the plane and…

Continue Reading Walk by the Spirit: Part 7
Hope

Hope

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/11/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun The presence of Thanksgiving at the end of every November helps us to pause and count our blessings. That exercise will be repeated this year as we…

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Walk by the Spirit: Part 6

Walk by the Spirit: Part 6

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/10/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

God warns us about being drunk and encourages us to practice self-control. John A. Braun Some say the Bible is ancient, out of touch, and old-fashioned, but they have not read Paul’s two lists in Galatians. Read the section again (Galatians…

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The Avengers and two lions

The Avengers and two lions

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/10/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun Captain America; Thor; Iron Man; and of course, Thanos. Along with a host of other comic book heroes, they have helped Marvel create one of the most successful and lucrative series of films. This…

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Confessions of faith: Bush

Confessions of faith: Bush

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/10/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

The message of Jesus finally starts to grow after years of neglect. John A. Braun “My family was not religious. We rarely, if ever, attended church,” Richard Bush remembers. Sundays meant something other than going to church. Yet Richard’s…

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Faith in Jesus

Faith in Jesus

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/09/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun I believe. I say those words regularly with others as we confess what we believe. I believe in a specific God who has stepped into history for all humanity. When…

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Walk by the Spirit: Part 5

Walk by the Spirit: Part 5

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/09/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Dissentions and factions create roadblocks along the Christian Way. John A. Braun Paul’s acts of the flesh include some hazards we must avoid on our journey. He lists them as dissensions, factions, and envy. But he does…

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God’s policy of love

God’s policy of love

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/08/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun The song “Jesus Loves Me” has come from the voices of little children for as long as I can remember. Their voices move us to smile and to appreciate the lesson they are…

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Pray for workers

Pray for workers

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/08/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/Forward in Christ

Jesus reminds us to pray for more workers in his harvest of souls. John A. Braun Northwestern Publishing House hosts a luncheon every spring honoring graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary,…

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Walk by the Spirit: Part 4

Walk by the Spirit: Part 4

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/08/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Solomon wrote, “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). Yet sadly those on the Christian Way easily turn down the road to jealousy and anger. John A. Braun Road rage is a relatively…

Continue Reading Walk by the Spirit: Part 4
Walk by the Spirit: Part 3

Walk by the Spirit: Part 3

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/07/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Quarrels and hatred come so naturally from our sinful nature. Yet our patience comes from Jesus. John A. Braun On our Christian journey to heaven, signs often point us to paths that lead away from our destination. Paul…

Continue Reading Walk by the Spirit: Part 3
Lord, have mercy!

Lord, have mercy!

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/07/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun On most Sundays, after we are reminded that we begin worship in the name of the almighty holy and majestic Triune God, we confess our sins. Together we begin, “Holy…

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Light in the darkness

Light in the darkness

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/06/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun The longest day of this year will be June 21—the day of the summer solstice. In the United States, we will have about 15 hours of light. The sad realization is that…

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Christian roots

Christian roots

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/06/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/Forward in Christ

Old photos lead to a special golden wedding anniversary moment. John A. Braun The journey all started early in their marriage with a box of old family photos in the attic—a big box,…

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Walk by the Spirit: Part 2

Walk by the Spirit: Part 2

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/06/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

In spite of the First Commandment, idolatry still persists in our world. John A. Braun Idolatry? Today? Yes! And in familiar and unfamiliar forms. Paul walked the streets of Athens and noted the statues of idols…

Continue Reading Walk by the Spirit: Part 2
Why?

Why?

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/05/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun From the beginning of his life, Jesus was the focus of opposition. Herod wanted to rid his little part of the world of this child whose birth had been…

Continue Reading Why?
Walk by the Spirit: Part 1

Walk by the Spirit: Part 1

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/05/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

We are surrounded by immorality, but we are different. In the love of Jesus, we find strength to love. John A. Braun When the Holy Spirit brings us to faith, he sets us…

Continue Reading Walk by the Spirit: Part 1
The shroud

The shroud

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/04/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun On more than one occasion we have been delayed by a serious accident on the freeway. At some of those scenes, emergency personnel erected canvas tarps to…

Continue Reading The shroud
A Lutheran Lent

A Lutheran Lent

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/03/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun On Ash Wednesday in some churches—some Lutheran churches too—ashes are placed on foreheads as a sign of repentance. For many, Lent is giving up some indulgence—like candy, greasy food, or even red meat—for 40…

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Where is God?

Where is God?

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/02/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

John A. Braun We were at a restaurant for breakfast with family after church. As we talked and waited for our food, I noticed two women in a booth nearby.…

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Turning pages

Turning pages

  • Post author:John Braun
  • Post published:2019/01/01
  • Post category:FIC Features/FIC Series/Forward in Christ

Our lives are a succession of pages filled with many events and people. At the beginning of each year we turn to a blank page and stare at it, wondering…

Continue Reading Turning pages

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