A life like Mr. Panza’s
Andrew C. Schroer Mr. Panza is 97 years old. He lives in the nursing home down the road from my house. Over the last year, he and I have become…
A Bible story just for me
Using Bible stories to examine characteristics of God that we never thought about, characteristics that apply to what we’re facing right now. Gregory C. Lyon Take a few moments to…
A thought: Partners
Partners 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…
The divine family
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are united in planning and carrying out our salvation. Joel J. Gawrisch Marriage requires commitment and unity. Once husband and wife begin…
Please explain: What makes God unique?
What makes our Christian God different from other gods? Daniel N. Balge Sometimes a question does not really need an answer. Sometimes a question is actually making a statement and nothing…
Parent conversations: Dealing with stress
From day-to-day stressors like homework and whom to sit next to at lunch to larger stressors like changing schools or facing a family medical issue, our children are not immune…
Bible study: God wants me in heaven
David Scharf There are many versions of the phrase “God wants me to be happy.” “God wants me to be rich.” “God wouldn’t want me to rush into marriage, so…
I just had an epiphany!
Coming between Christmas and Lent, Epiphany has an important message for us. Samuel C. Degner In everyday English, an epiphany is a revelation or an insight. For example, a woman…
Q&A: Doesn’t God want me to be happy?
If God wants what is best for me, wouldn’t he want me to be happy? Clarifying the question Many people think, “God just wants me to be happy.” In one…
President’s message: Safe in the power of God
Mark G. Schroeder It’s easy to forget that gospel ministry—and even living as a confessing disciple of Jesus Christ—can be risky. Recent political unrest in Ethiopia caused some frightening moments…
Devotion: Resolutions of faith
“For this very reason, after applying every effort, add moral excellence to your faith. To moral excellence, add knowledge. To knowledge, add self-control. To self-control, add patient endurance. To patient…
Confessions of faith: Hartman
A knock on the door starts a lifelong journey of faith. Julie K. Wietzke It was a night Mark Hartman says he will never forget. It was summer 1981 in…
My Christian life: Haiti adoptions
Adopting two children from Haiti brought blessings beyond what anyone expected. Paul S. Steinberg I've always wanted a large family. I joked with my friends that I hoped to have one…
Word became flesh
God reveals a stunning, glorious, and gracious truth for us all at Christmas. Paul E. Zell “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” How so? Open Holy…
God’s forgiveness
Guilt from an abortion consumed a woman until she began to believe and hold on to God’s promise of forgiveness. Pamela K. Manske A soft, gentle rain was falling that…
Put on the new self(ie)!
We can all live in peace knowing how God sees us. Andrew D. Schwartz Ahh, the selfie. I wonder how many of them were taken over the Christmas and New…
Recovered in Christ
A former addict finds peace and healing in the promises of God’s Word. Rachel M. Hartman After drinking with friends on the weekends in high school, Mark Keller* watched alcohol…
God loves the doubters
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be…
Teen Talk: Walking on a tightrope
Life’s challenges seem difficult, but God is there to help. Natalie Zirbel Growing up, I lived on a farm. My siblings and I loved living on the farm, and there…
Focus on what is ahead
Mark G. Schroeder People who are near-sighted can see clearly what is right in front of their eyes. But when objects are farther away, they get blurry and out of…
All I want for Christmas
Glenn L. Schwanke Age 7: “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth.” Age 9: “I want an official…
Don’t forget Advent
In the midst of Christmas chaos and crowds, Advent points us to what is important. Stephen M. Luchterhand The countdown for next Christmas began the day after Christmas last year—364…
Heirs of heaven
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…
Confessions of faith: Fleck
A long journey ends with faith in Jesus and a desire to serve him. Amanda M. Klemp At age 66, Daryl Fleck is retired and lives in New Ulm, Minnesota.…
Bible Study: The incarnation of our Lord
Paul E. Zell For many congregations, the Gospel of the Day is the keynote for each worship service. The Gospel for Christmas Day is John 1:1-4. Based on that reading,…
Christmas really happened
The gospels tell the truth of a birth that really matters. Jeffrey L. Samelson “Hey, Sally, you know this stuff. We got a kids’ Christmas book donated—all about baby Jesus…
Heart to heart: Parent conversations: Nurture a proper view of stuff?
How can we nurture a proper view of “stuff”? Every year as Christmas rolls around, I can’t help but take stock of all the “stuff” my family has. This year…
Light for our path: God hates us?
My friend believes that God hates us. He argues that God hates sin, and we are sinful; therefore, God hates us to the core of our being. I pointed out…
What I learned by answering questions
After six years, the author of the “Light for our path” column shares his insights. James F. Pope Six years ago, I knew my life was going to change. What…
For the Lord’s glory – Part 2
The new hymnal will be filled with hymns that will encourage a new generation to sing the gospel. Aaron L. Christie The end of the year is a prime time to survey the…
Putting the thanks back in Thanksgiving
How a classic kids movie helped me adjust my holiday attitude. Alicia A. Neumann “What have I got to be thankful for?” That’s the quote that stuck in my head…
Light for our path: What kind of comfort
What kind of comfort can you give someone when a loved one commits suicide, who was supposedly a believer? James F. Pope Your question addresses a very tragic situation. It…
Confessions of faith: Kalbach
A man shares how Jesus changed his life forever. Steven H. Prahl I first met Dave and Connie Kalbach when they walked in the doors for our Christmas Eve service.…
My heart rests on Jesus
A heart transplant did not stop a heart full of faith in Jesus. Jack G. Radandt I was born with a congenital heart disease called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This…
Looking forward
The Scripture readings for the last Sundays of our church year help us look to the end of time. Eric D. Schroeder It’s the one appointment we all share—same place,…
Looking for perfection
Mark G. Schroeder How would you describe the perfect congregation? Would the perfect congregation be one in which every sermon is clear, interesting, practical, and holds your attention for 20…
Grieving in hope
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have…
Destinies
Our lives are in the hands of our God, who will cause everything to work out for our good. Bill J. Tackmier 1945 was a pivotal year for our country…
Accept the challenge
Earle D. Treptow The title of the CNN online article caught my attention: “The God of love had a really bad week.” In the article, Diana Butler Bass expresses profound…
The Book of Revelation: Part 12
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 21 and 22 Timothy J. Westendorf It’s been 1,900 years since John recorded the words of Jesus in Revelation 22: “I am coming soon!” (vv. 7,12,20). Soon? Really?…
Hope
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…
Walk by the Spirit: Part 7
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…
God’s gifts, our giving: Part 3
Is my giving any of Jesus’ business? Aaron L. Christie When my great-aunt passed away several years ago, the family was surprised by the presence of a 70-year-old man at…
A gospel-filled life: Part 10
Putting it all together Jeffrey D. Enderle Getting there. That’s the tricky part. Sitting in your aunt’s cozy home with delicious smells wafting past the expanded table, that’s the good…
Going home
We long for the comfort and peace that a home provides. Samantha J. Huebner Doesn’t it feel like you just started college a week ago? You moved into a new…
Ambassadors: Help them see Jesus : Part 12
Providing a witnessing support system Mark J. Cares After a day of witnessing, we heard comments like these: “My favorite part of the week was the nightly debrief. Not only did we hear some…
God’s gifts, our giving: Part 2
With what shall I come before the Lord? Aaron L. Christie Regardless of one’s political persuasion—or lack thereof—it seems that the American economy is booming. Unemployment is at a lifetime low. The stock market has had…
A gospel-filled life: Part 9
Devotional development Jeffrey D. Enderle A slight sadness seeps into my psyche every autumn. For some reason, I can’t help looking ahead and grieving the loss of the magnificent scenery and pleasant…
Heart to heart: Parent conversations: How involved should parents be in a child’s homework?
I dread my daughter’s homework more than she does. From the time she was little, it’s always been a struggle. She seems to sail through school with a great attitude, but…
Light for our path: What does a submissive wife in a Christian marriage look like?
What does a submissive wife in a Christian marriage look like? James F. Pope While Scripture provides the definitive answer, I also will be passing along excerpts—in quotation marks—from wives who gave me real-world insights. These wives had ties to courses…