Author: Higher Things

As we draw near to Good Friday and our Lord’s Crucifixion, everyone has something to say about Jesus.  In the news lately are those who say that Jesus didn’t really die or that His disciples stole His body.

None of this is new.  The Pharisees bribed the guards to lie and say that the disciples stole the body of Jesus (St. Matthew 28). The idea that Jesus didn’t really die isn’t new either!  St. John says that blood and water flowed from His pierced-side on Good Friday (St. John 19).  The blood and the water is the proof that Jesus was truly dead.  There is no doubt that Jesus did indeed die on the Cross for you.

And if that wasn’t enough, everything was abuzz yesterday concerning a “new” gospel from Judas.  All sorts of new “secrets” are said to be revealed – so they say.  For an excellent analysis of this not-so-new “gospel,” check out Pastor Cwirla’s Blogosphere. 

The Gradual for the season of Lent says it best:  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).  Lent takes our eyes off the news and what “they” say about Jesus, and fixes them on the Jesus alone. 

What is He doing?  What does the Word say?  He’s headed to the Cross to die for our sins and the sins of the whole world.  He truly did die for you – no doubt about it.  You died with Him in Baptism.   Don’t listen to anyone tell you otherwise.  Fix your eyes on Him.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Internet Services Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

“The tomb is empty.  The grave cannot hold crucified Jesus.  The devil’s lie is undone, the ancient serpent’s head crushed under Jesus’ cross-bruised heel.  A new day has dawned.  The first day of a new creation.  Christ has risen, and in Him all rise. 

‘As in Adam all die, so in Christ will all be made alive.’  The grip of death is broken.” (Easter Sunday)

Higher Things is very proud to present the daily Gospel Reflections for the 2006 Easter Season.  This season’s reflections are written by our very own Vice President, the Reverend William M. Cwirla.  Pastor Cwirla is pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, CA.

Download the full season of Easter 2006 Reflections here.  You can also read the Reflections every day on this website or sign up to receive daily Reflections in your e-mail Inbox by sending any message to here.  An RSS feed and podcast for the Higher Things daily Reflections is at http://higherthings.org/reflections/rss.xml.  Our Podcast is updated daily with an audio version of the Reflections.

A blessed Lenten Season to y’all!

The Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Internet Services Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

Ever read a great article in Higher Things magazine and thought you’d like the opportunity to give writing for youth a try? Do you think your blog post would be a blessing to youth? Higher Things Internet Services is looking for writers to volunteer their talents for an upcoming online project.

We’re looking for articles of 500-1000 words, dealing with everyday contemporary issues facing teens and college students, and, of course, focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Articles are subject to editorial and doctrinal review. No limitations on the number of articles submitted.)

We also need volunteers to serve as additional theological editors and copy editors for this task. Now is the time to get involved with the wacky projects of Higher Things Internet Services!

Here is a list of possible topics you might consider. (This is not exhaustive.)

• What’s Going On at Church – Festivals, Seasons, Rites, Liturgy, Fasting, Alms, Hymns, etc..
• Everyday Life – Dating, Drinking, Parties, Peer Pressure, Piercing /Tattoos, and Pornography
• What Other Religions/Denominations Believe – Holidays (Sacred, Secular and Other religions), “Choosing Jesus”, Scientology, Cults, Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Wiccans, Witchcraft, and Magic.
• Joining Organizations – Campus Crusade, Campus Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gideons, InterVarsity Fellowship, Oaths, Fraternities and Sororities, Accountability Groups, Fraternities and Sororities
• Questions about the Bible – The “Great Commission”, Mary Magdalene, Mark’s Gospel & Snakes, A “Road to Damascus” Experience, Jesus’ Genealogy, the Date of Easter, Paul at the Areopagus, Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, The Rapture, Seven Deadly Sins, Speaking in Tongues, and Baptism by Fire.
• Books and Movies – Theses from Law & Gospel, Religious Movies, Purpose Driven Life, Prayer of Jabez, Self-Help Books, Reality Shows, and Movie Reviews.
• Games and Computers – Xbox vs. Playstation, Windows vs. Mac, Why Linux?, Reviews of your favorite games, Violence in Gaming, MMROPG, Too Much/Just Enough, Roleplay, D&D, etc.
• Vocations – Laity, Deacons, Elders, Deaconesses, Serving the Military, Gender Roles, Church worker, What do you Wanna Do When You Grow Up?, Why I am a Lutheran.
• Tough Calls – Insurance & the 1st Commandment, Cremation, Gambling, Stem-Cell Research, Science & Ethical Issues, Organ Transplants, Euthanasia, and Political Parties
• Catechesis – Ministry, Conversion, Gifts of the Spirit, Christology, Sacramentology, Natural Law, Law and Gospel, Justification, Sanctification, Holy Baptism, Forgiveness, Holy Absolution, Preaching, The Word, the Lord’s Supper, Closed Communion, Infant Baptism, etc.
• Things Invisible – Demonology, Angels, Ghosts, Things that Go Bump in the Night, Principalities and Powers
• Suffering – Suicide, Eating Disorders, Racism, Abortion, Divorce, Abuse, Self Mutilation, alcoholism, drugs, sickness, cancer, AIDS, mental illness. 
• Fun Stuff – Short Stories, Fiction, Top 10 Lists, Silly Songs and Stories, and comics, Why I Love HT, etc.

Interested? Have questions? Email us at write4ht@higherthings.org.

Happy Writing! While your noses are to the keyboard, check out the writers’ guidelines and suggested topics for Higher Things Magazine at http://higherthings.org/magazine/writers.html.

In Christ,

Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Internet Services Executive
Higher Things, Inc.
Assistant/Youth Pastor
St. Mark Lutheran Church
Conroe, TX

Higher Things (Spring 2006 Vol. 6, No. 1)

Keep your eyes peeled for the new, hot-off-the-press edition of Higher Things. The spring issue is chock-full of articles discussing all things Lutheran. Within the pages of the newest magazine, you’ll find compelling writing on topics that affect Lutheran teenagers everywhere.

Article topics range from intelligent design to post-graduation plans to the well-loved Lutheran green bean casserole. One pastor explores the idea of prayer in public schools and the delicate balance between church and state. In another piece, a Lutheran psychologist gives helpful insight on the topic of suicide. You’ll also want to read this issue to learn the truth regarding myths about Satan.

Be sure to check out Kathy Luder’s latest article, in which she writes about what she learned from attending a recent funeral. And if you have a bad habit of dropping the G-bomb, be sure to read our commentary on why it’s harmful.

But there’s still more! A former fan of contemporary Christian music explains why he’s come to love and value the historic liturgy. You’ll also get in on the results of a recent music survey taken among Higher Things readers. And don’t forget to delve into the regular catechism column, which explains the gift of Baptism.

Look for the newest issue to be in your mailboxes soon!

Ms. Sandra Ostapowich, the Secretary of Higher Things, recently presented a paper at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX at a LiGW workshop on “Women in the Scriptures.”  

She not only presented a paper in Texas, but had time to shoot a wild boar while reading a Higher Things magazine! 

Ms. Ostapowich, who is known by most in Higher Things as “Madre,” is the new Christian Education and Youth Director at Mt. Olive Lutheran in Loveland, Colorado. You can keep up with “Madre” and all her adventures on her blog, Madre’s Missives.

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Fourth Annual Christ on Campus Staff Conference to be held this coming June 6-8, 2006 in the “city of champions”, Pittsburgh, PA.

Registration is $69. Those who register before May 1, 2006 will receive an early registration rate of $59.

Detailed information as well as downloadable registration forms and flyers are now available at:

http://higherthings.org/campus/events/staffconference.html

This is the fourth annual Higher Things conference for those engaged in campus ministry. Whether you are already doing campus ministry or are just getting started; whether you are a full- or part-time campus pastor, a town & gown pastor, a DCE, a DCO, or an interested layperson, this conference is for you.

We are pleased to have not two, but three outstanding speakers who will address different topics important to campus ministry:

Dr. John Stephenson
Full Professor of Historical Theology Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario
“Pastoral Care and the Sacraments on Campus”

Dr. Robert Gagnon
Associate Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, PA
“The Homosexualist Agenda on Campus and in the Classroom”

Rev. Larry Nichols
Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Smithfield, RI & Campus Chaplain at Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
“The Challenge of Cults and the Occult in the College Context”

In addition to a pre-conference workshop on campus ministry basics, there will be lots of opportunities to share ideas and resources with others at the forefront of campus ministry. And, of course, there will be plenty of chances to socialize and simply get to know others with whom you will be able to network long after you have returned home. Plus, Pittsburgh is a great town! You won’t want to miss Christ on Campus IV!

Engaged in campus ministry? Want to be?

We look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh!

Rev. Marcus T. Zill
Christ on Campus Executive

Higher Things would like to announce that due to great demand and unprecedented growth, we will be having not one, but TWO conferences for you in the summer of 2007!  We will more than double our maximum conference capacity from this year’s 1250 to over 2500 total participants next year!  While we’re still figuring out all the details, conference registration (which includes housing and most meals) will be no more than $275 per person. 

Next summer you will have your choice between:

Minneapolis , MN
( University of Minnesota )
July 24-27, 2007

or

Asheville , NC
( Ridgecrest Conference Center )
July 31-August 3, 2007

Watch www.higherthings.org for more information about themes, speakers, and fun stuff we have planned for you next summer!

We have received several inquiries for a link to the PDF for the 2006 Lenten Reflections, written by Rev. Daniel J. Feusse.  You may find them at:

https://cdn.higherthings.org/imgs/uploads/Lent2006.pdf

“Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, See Him dying on the tree! ‘Tis the Christ by man rejected; Yes, my soul, ’tis He! ’tis He! ‘Tis the long-expected Prophet, David’s Son,yet David’s Lord; Proofs I see sufficient of it: ‘Tis the true and faithful Word.” (TLH 153, v. 1)

In the name of Jesus. Amen. Jesus deserves better. The Son of God doesn’t deserve to be stricken, smitten, and afflicted. He doesn’t deserve to die on a tree. He’s the Son of the Living God! How could this have happened?

For you. He does what He does for you. He saves you and me from the shame, suffering, and death we deserve. He takes our place. He takes our punishment. He takes our hell and He dies. And while He moves steadily toward the Cross during the season of Lent, we fix our eyes on Him.

Higher Things is pleased to once again provide daily mediations for the penitential season of Lent. This season’s reflections are written by the Rev. Daniel J. Feusse, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater, NE.

You can download the booklet here or receive the Daily Reflections by emailing us at  Reflections-subscribe@lists.higherthings.org. Podcasting of the daily reflections is also available.

“Ye who think of sin but lightly Nor suppose the evil great Here may view its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate. Mark the Sacrifice appointed, See who bears the awful load; ‘Tis the WORD, the LORD’S ANOINTED, Son of Man and Son of God.” (TLH 153, v. 3)

A blessed Lenten Season to you! In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Internet Services Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

Dear everyone,

As previously announced, there are going to be five Christ on Campus College Retreats this spring and even more to come this fall.

For contact information and materials for each retreat: http://higherthings.org/html/campus/events/retreats.html

A couple of them are coming up in a week or so but there is still time to attend them.

Please check out the Christ on Campus College Retreats page to find a college retreat near you!

Rev. Marcus T. Zill
Christ on Campus Executive