A day in the life of a future pastor
Life is busy for your future pastors as they study for the ministry at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Micah Koelpin 5:30 A.M.—I reach over to turn off the alarm on my…
My Christian life: Camp BASIC
Going to Camp BASIC is a family affair for volunteers and campers. Laura Schaefer Picture, if you will: wheelchairs being pushed on grassy paths by hardy counselors so their campers…
A Bible story just for me: Grief
Grieve . . . but with hope Gregory C. Lyon From time to time, we face realities that we simply can’t do anything about. God chose Mary to be the…
Parent conversations: How can I stay calm when my child is out of control?
Warning: The two articles this month are a completely accurate portrayal of life with children. Tantrums happen. Parents lose it. If we’re being honest, most of us will admit that…
Q&A: Does God help those who help themselves?
I have been going through a string of bad luck lately. It seems like everything I do ends up in failure. I have a friend who shared the encouragement: “Just…
Bible study: God helps those who cannot help themselves
David Scharf Recently in a stadium packed with people, these words were preached: “If you continue to say something, eventually it will become a reality. Whether you realize it or…
Confessions of faith: Sherry Deaton
The seed of the Word fell on rocky ground but over time sprouted and grew. Amanda M. Klemp In 2005, an agricultural expert grew a date palm tree from seed…
A thought: Outing death
John A. Braun “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…
We look for the resurrection of the dead
Though we die—really die—we really will live again, all because of Jesus Christ . . . all because of Easter. Jonathan D. Quinn Do you want your Savior to fix…
Please explain: Why can’t my sister have communion with us?
Why can’t my sister have communion with us? Gary A. Pufahl How do I answer that question “Why can’t my sister have communion with us?” without knowing either the person…
Parent conversations: Should I give something up for Lent?
Should I or shouldn’t I? It’s a question I ask myself each Lenten season. Should I give something up? I know I don’t need to, but would it help me…
A Bible story just for me: Depression
Longing for the mountaintop, sitting under a shrub: Depression Gregory C. Lyon Loneliness. Hopelessness. A lack of motivation. A lack of purpose. It’s been described as a black cloud that…
My Christian life: Spencer Beach
A modern-day Job story reminds us of God's grace and love. Julie K. Wietzke For most people, it would have been the worst day of their life. Maybe it was…
Teen talk: You are not alone
When you feel at the bottom with nowhere to go, turn to the Lord. Emmilee S. Hillier Empty. Forgotten. Worthless. Defeated. Hopeless. Alone. I feel all these things when I’m…
Please explain: Whom do we blame for bad things?
Whom do we blame for bad things? Jeffrey L. Samelson It’s a question the disciples asked Jesus, and it’s not an unusual one: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his…
Q&A: How can we say that the Old Testament God is the same as the New Testament God?
The God of the Old Testament wiped out the world with a flood, sent plagues on the Egyptians, and commanded his people to kill the Canaanites. He revealed himself only…
Confessions of faith: Holly Vaden and the Thorsons
The Holy Spirit used individuals, life circumstances, and a yearning for clarity to draw three friends around God’s Word. Rachel Hartman More than 20 years ago, Holly Vaden and Anna…
Bible study: God has not grown soft on sin
David Scharf God certainly showed himself to be holy and willing to punish sin and disobedience in the Old Testament. At the same time, he also desired the salvation of…
A thought: The Christ
John A. Braun 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…
Lent means love
Lenten Bible readings and hymns remind us of God’s love and our opportunity to reflect that love. Mark W. Tiefel Each year, as winter yields to spring and as February…
Bible study: Only one path leads to God’s presence
David Scharf Imagine you are stepping out onto the streets, and you ask this question to a cross-section of people: “How would you describe God and who he is to…
Campus cornerstone: 4 ways to keep your faith strong
How to stay close to Jesus when college life threatens to pull you away. Hannah White Where is Jesus in your life? It’s a good question for every Christian and…
Much more than hymns
The new hymnal will help us plan worship, sing, and grow in our Christian faith. The phrase “just the tip of the iceberg” existed long before 1912, but the sinking…
Meet the editorial staff: Snowden Sims
Meet the editorial staff Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. This month, Forward in Christ welcomes…
Please explain: Are sins of thought as bad as committing the actual sin?
Are sins of thought as bad as committing the actual sin? Nicolas C. Schmoller We know how laws work in our world. Different crimes necessitate different punishments. Can you imagine…
A thought: Trusting what we cannot see
Trusting what we cannot see 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…
A Bible story just for me: Trauma
When Jesus feels, but he doesn’t change the situation. Gregory C. Lyon On April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m., the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City was bombed, claiming…
Confessions of faith: Delaney Leffel
Music becomes an invitation to learn of Jesus. Gabriella Blauert Our parents are often our first role models. They are the ones we look up to for guidance and moral…
Q&A: Is Jesus the only way to get to heaven?
My neighbor does not believe in God, but he is the nicest person I have ever met. I have heard that some denominations say that Jesus is not the only…
Parent conversations: How can I keep my child engaged in attending church?
Let’s be honest. Worshiping with children does not always feel . . . worshipful. I believe that most parents desperately want to engage their children in worship—but we just don’t…
Episode 33 – Teaching kids how money works
How do we help our kids develop a God-pleasing view of “stuff”? How can we help them learn to manage the financial resources that God gives them? Linda Buxa shares…
Question and answer: Equipping Christian Witnesses: Part 3
In celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2020, Martin Luther College (MLC), with the approval of the Conference of Presidents, has begun a two-year capital campaign called “Equipping Christian Witnesses.”…
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…
Meet the editorial staff: Greg Lyon
Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. “I am incredibly fascinated by people and how their experiences—positive…
Meet the editorial staff: David Scharf
Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. David Scharf, professor at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…