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In Episode 128 of HT-Radio, Pr. Borghardt and Kantor Chris Loemker talk about Church Music. During the first half of the episode, Loemker talks about “Organist Boot Camp” a sectional he has done the last several years at HT Conferences. During the second half, Pr. Borghardt asks about the use of different instruments and how to pick hymns. They conclude by talking about the Lenten hymn, “Glory Be to Jesus.”
Mount Forest, Ontario was the appropriately named location for the first Higher Things Day Retreat in Canada. With the theme “The Law, the Gospel…and the Rest of Your Life!” the March 18th event at St. John’s Lutheran Church, presented by the Hanover Circuit, attracted more than 90 youth, adults and pastors from across the East District, including Nova Scotia.
The day started with Matins, led by Pastor David Saar of St. John’s, with the sermon by Pastor Jody Rinas of St. John’s, Clifford. The main highlight of the day was the plenary sessions led by Pastor George Borghardt of McHenry, Illinois and conference executive of Higher Things.
In the morning session, Pastor Borghardt focused on the difference between the law and Gospel, using the first three chapters of Romans as examples of the law and how it shows Christians their sinful nature and the consequences of sin.
In the afternoon session, Pastor Borghardt focused on God’s grace and the new life we receive in Him through baptism and Christ’s death and resurrection. “There’s no dodging the law, but the righteousness of God manifests itself apart from the law,” he said, adding that the righteousness of God comes to us by grace….
Read the entire article at: Canadian Lutheran: Youth Explore Higher Things.
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Pr. Borghardt is joined by Pr. Mark Buetow in episode 127 of HT-Radio. In the first half, Pr. Borghardt and Pr. Buetow talk about the Tsunami in Japan, why bad things happen, and what we put our trust in as Baptized Children of God. During the second half of the episode, they look at the Gospel reading for Reminiscere Sunday-The faith of the Canaanite woman. While going through the reading Pr. Buetow talks about prayer.
We are pleased to announce the Christ on Campus Volunteers (CCV’s) for this summer’s CORAM DEO Conferences. They are listed below.
Thanks to all who are willing to serve this year as CCV’s and to our CCV Coordinator, Rev. Jonathon Bakker, for his work throughout the selection process. CCV Managers will be announced in the near future.
Please know that we are especially grateful that we were able to accommodate all who applied this year. Thanks again for your service and we’ll like forward to seeing all of you at CORAM DEO!
Rev. Marcus Zill
zill@higherthings.org
Christ on Campus Executive
“Confessing Christ on Campus Since 1517”
LAS VEGAS CCV’S:
BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL CCV’S:
ATLANTA CCV’S:
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. (Psalm 130:1-4)
When Jesus’ disciples cried out because of a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, He stood up and with a word, calmed the wind and the waves. So where was the Lord when an earthquake rocked Japan and sent a rushing tsunami that leveled cities and washed away so many lives? That’s the question many will ask. “If God is good, why did He let this happen? If God is a loving God, why did He allow all those people to die? If God is all powerful, why couldn’t He stop this tsunami from happening?” They will ask those questions and they won’t wait for answers. The world will shake its head yet again at the God who seems to be nowhere around when death, destruction and misery come rushing in.
It’s hard as Christians not to wonder those same things until we remember that this world is under a curse. Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, and every other kind of disaster is the result of our fall into sin, a curse the Lord has put upon this world so that we don’t trust in ourselves and this life. Don’t misunderstand; the tsunami didn’t come because people in Japan are more sinful (anymore than in New Zealand, or Africa or elsewhere). But the tsunami came because there is sin in the world and this creation is fallen and groans. (Romans 8:22.) Furthermore, our Lord Himself reminds us that these things are signs that we are living in the time of the end, awaiting our Lord’s return (Matthew 24:7). But there’s no hope in the Law’s explanation!
Watching the video of a wall of water washing away an entire town reminds us of how helpless we are in the face of such a catastrophe. That’s what we are: helpless. And just as little as we can stop a tsunami can we overcome the sin that brings God’s judgment. But Jesus can. And does. But not the way we’d expect. Jesus overcomes our sin by being exactly what we are: weak. Helpless. Nailed to a cross. But His weakness is for our sakes. As true God and true man, Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and on earth. When He hides that power and doesn’t use it, sinners are saved. That’s because when Jesus appears to be the most weak, on the cross, He is the strongest. He throws down the Devil’s power and by His death overcomes sin and death. By His resurrection, our Lord robs death of its power and gives hope beyond this life. He gives the promise that on the Last Day He will wake us from the sleep of death and give us everlasting life.
The Bible never teaches us that salvation means “bad things won’t happen.” Being a Christian isn’t about disasters never striking. Surely both Christians and unbelievers perished in this tragedy. What the Gospel says, however, is that for those who are baptized into Christ, not even a tsunami can hurt them. Through Jesus’ blood, the curse that is upon this world, while it may affect the Lord’s people, cannot ultimately harm them. That is not an answer that is satisfying to the world. The world has a conception that “God is all powerful and yet not, because He couldn’t prevent this.” But the true Lord is not just some collection of adjectives that people don’t see fulfilled. He is the God who comes among us in the flesh to share in our sufferings and by His suffering to taste death and rescue us from our sins.
When such disasters strike, we turn to Christ, who is the only answer to such suffering and destruction. Such disasters are for many a source of despair. Jesus, however, gives us the proper perspective when He tells us, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will not pass away.” Where Christ and His Word are, death and the curse are taken care of. It doesn’t mean we won’t suffer in this life. But in Christ, all enemies have been conquered and eternal life is ours. The same Lord who stood up in the boat and calmed a storm has calmed the storm of sin and judgment that was against us. That means that even if a tsunami were to destroy everything, the victory remains ours in Jesus.
Even if you’re far away, such a disaster reminds us of the opportunity the Lord gives us to love our neighbors. Keep the people of Japan in your prayers. Pray the Lord will comfort those who have lost their loved ones to death. Pray that our heavenly Father will provide everything needed for the bodies and lives of those who have survived but lost everything. The world won’t understand that sort of help either, but what greater gift do we have now than to call upon our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ and ask His blessings and care upon all those who have suffered in this disaster? To Christ alone be the glory, who rescues us from every evil!
For more information and ways to help and donate, check out the resources on the LCMS World Relief site here.
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Ninth Annual Christ on Campus Conference to be held in the Rocky Mountains this coming May 24-26, 2011 at University Lutheran Chapel in Boulder, CO (home of the University of Colorado).
Once again, this year we are encouraging any and all interested college students and seminarians to join us too!
Please check out the detailed conference and registration information for Christ on Campus IX and we’ll see you this summer in Colorado!
Rev. Marcus Zill
zill@higherthings.org
Christ on Campus Executive
“Confessing Christ on Campus Since 1517”
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This week, Pr. George Borghardt is joined by Jon Kohlmeier, the Assistant Webmaster of HT. Jon plays sidekick as they talk about prayer, fasting, and daring to be Lutheran. Listen in as they walk through the Great Litany and other prayers of the Church. In the second half of the episode they discuss fasting by going through Matthew 6 and talk about how daring to be Lutheran is all about Jesus.
by The Rev. Mark Buetow
The season of Lent is usually associated with “giving something up”, or not eating meat on Fridays. One year I gave up television for Lent. I figured I spent too much time just sitting around and channel surfing. So I figured I would deny myself that pleasure (and waste of time) and use that time for better things…like surfing the web! Then I went to school with my daughters one day. One of their fellow kindergartners asked me, “Pastor why did you ground yourself from TV?” Good question! Why did I give up something for Lent? (With the writers’ strike, giving up TV this year wouldn’t really be giving up much, would it?) Should you give something up for Lent? If so, why? What should you give up? What about fasting? Let’s answer these questions in a way that points us to Jesus and the the forgiveness of sins!
People have the idea that the reason you give up something for Lent is to make yourself feel bad. Or to deprive yourself of something you like or that makes you happy. Since Lent has to do with Jesus suffering for our sins, people figure it’s a good time to try and make themselves suffer like Jesus. That is the WRONG reason to give up anything for lent! The only suffering that does us any good for is the suffering of Jesus for our salvation. HIS suffering accomplishes our salvation. HIS pain and anguish take place in order to win for us the forgiveness of sins. Our salvation and sanctification and holiness don’t come because we somehow make ourselves suffer “with” Jesus. The forgiveness of sins is ours because Jesus suffers FOR US. In our place. As our Substitute.
Lent is all about meditating upon and learning more and more about what Jesus underwent FOR YOU. Giving something up for Lent isn’t about feeling guilty or trying to take away something you like so that you can feel bad about what Jesus did for you. Observing the holy season of Lent is all about receiving more and more of those very gifts that deliver salvation to you: living in your baptism, confessing your sins and being absolved, hearing the Word taught and preached, eating and drinking Jesus’ body and blood which was given into death for the forgiveness of all of your sins! That’s why most churches offer additional times during Lent to hear the Word preached and to receive the Sacrament.
So if Lent is all about Jesus, why give something up? There are two main disciplines in Lent: Fasting and Abstaining. Fasting means not eating for a certain time (or eating less than usual – a kind of diet). Abstaining means giving something up or going without something you normally have. Why would you do these things if they don’t matter to God? Does fasting or abstaining from something mean you’re somehow more holy? That you get more sins forgiven? Of course not! Fasting and abstaining don’t make the Lord love you any more or any less! The Lord’s love FOR YOU is a done deal in Jesus Christ.
So why fast? Why abstain from something? Simple: for the benefit of your neighbor. The truth is, our lives are filled with things which satisfy US, they make US happy, and provide enjoyment–for US! But to give up things that we normally do or use in order to use the extra time or money for prayer, for hearing and studying God’s Word or for doing good to those around us–now THAT is something useful.
Just think of what a joy it would be to others if instead of spending your time watching TV, you spent time doing something with them, like talking to your parents, or spending time with a little brother or sister who looks up to you. Or maybe giving up your video game night for awhile in order to take advantage of the extra opportunities at church for worship and Bible Study that are available during Lent. Or maybe giving up fast food a few times a week and putting the money toward an offering at church. Or maybe not eating meat on Fridays to remember that it was His flesh that Jesus gave for the life of the world. Giving things up during Lent isn’t about doing something for YOU, it’s about learning from Christ to put all of our hope and trust in His word and to love and serve our neighbor in whatever ways they need us.
This is what Lent is really all about: learning what it is to be a Christian, that is to be baptized.. To have a cheerful hope and live in confidence that Jesus takes away our sins by His suffering and death. That’s why the Catechism tell us, when we get up in the morning, to remember our baptism and “go to work at once and in good cheer.” Because there is simply no need to ever worry about how it is with us and the Lord. It’s all a done deal in Christ. And becausewe are the Lord’s, we serve our neighbors, pointing them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and helping and serving them in whatever ways we can.
However you celebrate the season of Lent, whether you give something up or whether you fast or even if you don’t do any of these things–don’t do them for God, as if that makes Him more satisfied with you. He’s already pleased as punch that you are His child in Jesus! Your baptism says so! Don’t even do these things for yourself, as if by your being miserable somehow makes you a better Christian. During Lent, if you give something up, do it for your neighbor who needs you and your good works more than ever. All eyes off of yourself and all ears on the Gospel, which gives us Jesus going to the cross to rescue us from sin and death. A blessed holy season of Lent to each of you, in Jesus!
This article was originally published on the Higher Things Website for Lent 2008.
All college students and young adults are invited to a stimulating Christ on Campus Retreat, “Pro Deo et Patria: The Christian’s Vocation as Citizen”, at Camp Lone Star (between Austin and Houston, TX), the weekend of May 20-22, 2011.
Some church bodies and individual Christians delve too deeply or inappropriately into politics and the civil realm; others shy away from it like a plague. What is the proper balance? How does a Christian rightly serve God and neighbor as voter, activist, legislator, attorney, judge, jurist, government official, law enforcement officer, or in the military?
Come listen and discuss these topics and more “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” For more information or to register, please visit: http://cocretreat-tx.org
Rev. Marcus Zill
Christ on Campus Executive
zill@higherthings.org
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This week on HT-Radio, we rejoice in the season of Lent. Pr. Borghardt calls up Rev. William Cwirla of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hacienda Heights, CA to talk about all things Lent. Pr. Cwirla covers the topics of Ash Wednesday, the use of ashes, fasting, and repentance. Most importantly they remind us that Lent is about nothing other than Jesus and His death and resurrection for you.
