FIC Features

Don’t turn away

Post author:Rachel Olson
Post published:2021/02/26
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

Journeying with Jesus to the cross is not a pretty sight. It’s uncomfortable. It’s necessary. It’s heartbreaking. It’s beautiful. As a school-aged girl, I attended a passion play with family…

Please explain: If the Sabbath law no longer applies, why do I have to go to church?

Post author:Jared Natsis
Post published:2021/02/26
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

“Really? You’re going to church again? Didn’t you just go last week? Don’t you know all that stuff already? Are you really going to learn anything new or different? Why…

Parent conversations: How do I approach vaccines as a Christian parent?

Post author:Linda Buxa and Wendy Heyn
Post published:2021/02/26
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ Parent Conversations

Many people enter conversations about vaccines with trepidation because opinions can vary widely. However, we at Forward in Christ think that it’s important to have conversations about places where your…

Devotion: Not my kind of king

Post author:Peter Prange
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00spotlight-topslider FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee’ ” (Matthew 21:10,11). There…

Honoring government through sacrifice

Post author:Daniel Leyrer
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00spotlight-topslider FIC Features Forward in Christ

Jesus’ actions during Holy Week provide an example of how we can honor him through the sacrifices we make to honor our government. “Not my president.” “Not my governor.” “Not…

Faith and the thinking Christian: The misperception of scientific certainty

Post author:James F. Borgwardt
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Why do nonscientists trust science more than scientists do? The media portrays scientific consensus as if it were irrefutable fact. And when searching for certainty, much of the public turns…

President’s message: The end of the story

Post author:Mark Schroeder
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

The apostle John was nearing the end of his life. He had been a pastor in Asia Minor—modern-day Turkey—but was now living in exile on the Greek island of Patmos.…

A thought: The Ides of March

Post author:John Braun
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Perhaps Shakespeare’s tragedy, Julius Caesar, brought the idea of the Ides of March to English speakers. Without his play, it seems that March 15 might not be remembered as the…

My Christian life: The sign maker

Post author:Dick Techtmann
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00spotlight-topslider FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Through homemade signs he created, a man reflects on God’s blessings in his life. Signs have become a part of our everyday life. The roadsides are filled with billboards on…

Forgiveness isn’t fair

Post author:Andrew Schroer
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00spotlight-topslider FIC Features Forward in Christ

“But he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven,” she cried, as tears rolled down her face. She was right. He didn’t. He had cheated on her. He had ruined their marriage.…

The Bible still matters: Part 2

Post author:John Braun
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Only the Bible reveals that God has made us brothers and sisters because of Jesus. Who is that looking back at you in the mirror? It’s you, of course. But…

Bible study: Different types of sin

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Every sin earns death. Every sin makes the sinner guilty before God (Romans 6:23). However, the Bible does describe different types of sin. Some theologians have divided these types of…

How I approach vaccines as a Christian physician

Post author:Jonathan Fricke
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

As a Christian physician and as a parent, I ask questions and seek out accurate information about any medical treatment. Vaccines are no exception to this. Are vaccines safe? The…

Q&A: Is it okay to live together if we are planning to get married?

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

My fiancée and I are living together and plan to get married in a year, but my parents say it’s still wrong. Doesn’t the fact that we are planning to…

Confessions of faith: Jon-Michael Blowe

Post author:Gabriella Blauert
Post published:2021/02/25
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

After years of questioning membership in the church, a father joins his daughter on confirmation day to confess his faith in Christ. Jon-Michael Blowe can jump into high-stress situations with…

Devotion: Joyful repentance

Post author:Peter Prange
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their…

Moments of decision

Post author:Stephen Geiger
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:00spotlight-topslider FIC Features Forward in Christ

Jesus decided to continue on his journey to the cross for us. A moment of decision. As Jesus’ disciples argued about who was the greatest, would the Savior of the…

President’s message: Blessings small and large

Post author:Mark Schroeder
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

It’s easy to be thankful for the big blessings that come our way. But when you stop and think about it, we’re also thankful for the little blessings, even though…

Bible study: God’s inspiration

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Verbal inspiration means that God inspired the authors of the books of the Bible to record not just the thoughts but also the very words God wanted recorded. First Corinthians…

My Christian life: Once a detective, now a pastor

Post author:David Rosenau
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

A former detective-turned-pastor shows the importance of reaching individuals with the gospel—one by one. In my former life, there were times if someone did not step up to lead, people…

Please explain: Why did God cruelly command Abraham to sacrifice his son?

Post author:Robert Raasch
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

For many people, it’s an Old Testament Bible story that is confusing, even alarming. For every Sunday school student who has colored the picture of Abraham lifting his knife over…

The Bible still matters: Part 1

Post author:John Braun
Post published:2021/01/30
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Only the Bible teaches us about God’s grace. Jesus taught two little parables. The first is about a man who found a treasure and was so filled with joy that…

Q&A: How is the Bible God’s Word?

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Why do we say that the Bible is God’s Word when people wrote it? The Bible is God’s breath The Bible teaches the doctrine of plenary verbal inspiration. Literally, the…

Faith and the thinking Christian: The limits of science

Post author:James F. Borgwardt
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

A friend recently joked that he was going to legally change his name to “The Science.” With so many people claiming they “follow the science” these days, my friend would…

In Christ

Post author:Glenn L. Schwanke
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

My handwriting is bad. So bad, in fact, that even doctors—infamous for the unintelligible scribbles—look at my handwriting and say, “What did you write?” With that mea culpa (or if…

Lent: Remembering his sacrifice

Post author:Aaron Goetzinger
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

Lenten traditions help us focus on Jesus. Lent is a time to concentrate on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In preparation we contemplate our own sins and why we need…

A thought: The path of the righteous

Post author:John Braun
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:00unavailable FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

A few weeks ago when I was taking a walk, I passed a car with the license plate “PVB 3V5.” It dawned on me that the plate was a Christian…

Parent conversations: How can I explain the Sixth Commandment to a young child?

Post author:Amanda Berg and Rob Guenther
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ Parent Conversations

Recently my six-year-old came home from his Lutheran elementary school, and I overheard him ask his older siblings, “What is ‘adultery’?” Apparently his class was memorizing the Sixth Commandment, and…

Confessions of faith: Kaitlin Lamb

Post author:Ann Jahns
Post published:2021/01/29
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

A college student learns the truths of God’s Word and discovers a church family for the first time. In her early years, Kaitlin Lamb felt the tug of the Holy…

Give to Caesar and to God

Post author:Samuel Degner
Post published:2021/01/19
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

As Christians, our first allegiance is to God, but we also owe the government obedience, honor, and respect. A few weeks before last fall’s election, a homemade sign on a…

Being Christ’s witnesses

Post author:Jonathan R. Hein
Post published:2021/01/10
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

As Americans become less interested in church, showing our neighbors sincere love and genuine friendship can offer opportunities to share the gospel. The American Christian church seems to be unraveling.…

President’s message: Standing on the truth

Post author:Mark Schroeder
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

Pontius Pilate asked the famous question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Pilate wasn’t looking for an answer; he was stating his view that there really is no such thing as…

The story of us

Post author:Mark Paustian
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

The Christian church year is the story of what God has done for us. It is our story to repeat and remember. At the Passover table when generations of Jewish…

Devotion: The world’s leading philanthropist is our friend

Post author:Daniel Habben
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions. . . . But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he…

Q&A: Were we “created to make a difference”?

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

I saw a sign that read, “You were created to make a difference.” What is your opinion of that message? What does making a difference mean? God did create us…

A keeper of random information

Post author:Ashley Evans
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

Memorizing brings an opportunity to witness and comfort. “Have you seen my keys?” “Mom, where did my Avenger guys go?” Most of the time I can easily answer the questions…

One person at a time

Post author:Snowden Gene Sims
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

When all the social and relationship issues of our nation came to a head in the summer of 2020, citizens in our nation and members of our synod had mixed…

Faith and the thinking Christian: Science as servant

Post author:James F. Borgwardt
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Early one morning, the team gathered on the open plain. Staring at the tower in the distance, they waited. All of their intense, combined efforts over the past many months…

Confessions of faith: Cheryle and Dana McArdle

Post author:Amanda Klemp
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Man’s best friend leads to a new friend, a new church, and a renewed faith in Christ. On a routine visit to the dog park with her German shepherd, Cheryle…

A thought: The Bible still matters

Post author:John Braun
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category: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…

Bible study: Giving God glory

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” God has given each of us “vocations” (literally, “callings”).…

Please explain: Does Christian freedom give me the right to do anything?

Post author:Eric D. Schroeder
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

For a prisoner walking out into the light after a long jail sentence, freedom can be overwhelming. He can go anywhere he wants, but he has nowhere to go: no…

Parent conversations: How can I help my child have an optimistic outlook?

Post author:Liz Schroeder and Sarah Reik
Post published:2020/12/28
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ Parent Conversations

I have seen many calls for 2020 to end so that we can start fresh in 2021. Yet let’s be honest. By the time January 1, 2021, ends, we’ll already…

Becoming a living sacrifice

Post author:Rebekah Thoma
Post published:2020/12/27
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

A teacher remembers an encouraging message that helped guide her decision to continue studying for the ministry. It’s a tedious job, but one I knew needed to be done. So…

My Christian life: A Ukrainian mother chooses life

Post author:Taras Kokovsky
Post published:2020/12/27
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

A Ukrainian mother chooses life during dire circumstances. Recently, with much joy, Elizabeth Huida, the daughter of Oleksandr and Khrystyna Huida, was baptized at St. John and James Lutheran Church…

Q&A: Am I being judgmental if I point out someone’s sin?

Post author:David Scharf
Post published:2020/11/30
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

I have a friend who is caught in a sin. I care about her, so I try to talk to her about it, but she just says, “The Bible says…

Follow me

Post author:Becky Schermerhorn
Post published:2020/11/30
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

Following God’s voice is better than following all the voices of the world. Whom are you following? Fifteen years ago, the answer to this question would be drastically different than what…

President’s message: Peace on earth—but what kind?

Post author:Mark Schroeder
Post published:2020/11/29
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

The year was 1914. World War I had thrown the continent of Europe into a conflict that would last for four years and kill or wound more than 25 million…

Devotion: Like Joseph

Post author:Daniel Habben
Post published:2020/11/29
Post category:FIC Features Forward in Christ

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1:24). Joseph has become one of my…

Confessions of faith: Brandee and Jim Cranfield

Post author:Jasper Sellnow
Post published:2020/11/29
Post category:FIC Features FIC Series Forward in Christ

Lives battling anger and addiction are met by God’s grace. “She’s always taking on another project,” Jim says with a smile. Brandee and Jim Cranfield had spent the morning moving…

Sign up for e-news