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News

New Features at www.HigherThings.org

Regular visitors to the Higher Things website (www.higherthings.org) may have noticed a few changes happening there in recent weeks.

There ARE quite a few exciting developments going on at HigherThings.org!

Most important is the change that you probably can’t even see.  We had the entire site reprogrammed.  This allows us to add all sorts of cool features (which I will fill you in on momentarily), and to do so really easily.

Now about those cool NEW features…

ONLINE FORUMS (http://higherthings.org/forum/)
The e-mail lists that you have come to know and love for years are now even more easily accessible as online forums.  You’ll be able to have even more conversations with even more people – AND your inbox won’t get clogged with stuff you don’t want to read.  Participate in the discussions of your choosing.  We’ve got lots of discussion ideas started already, register a username and start talking!  Middle and High School students, we’ve got a MouthHouse (including Didache) forum just for you.  Lutheran Student Union college (and beyond) students have already begun using their forum.  Thank you to the LSU members for testing things out and getting it all started!

MAGAZINE
Starting with last issue (Winter 2004), when you click on the magazine cover, you’ll be taken to a page that gives an overview of the articles in it.  Same as before.  BUT, now you can post comments tell us right away how great (or not) you think every article is!

CAMPUS MINISTRY
(http://www.higherthings.org/html/campus.html)
Going to www.htcampus.org will take you to these revised pages, really cool stuff.  More to come. ‘Nuff said.

PAYPAL
In the interest of making everything convenient for those who support us, Higher Things has opened an account with PayPal to handle online magazine subscriptions as well as to accept direct donations.  Higher Things operates and exists on the generosity of people like you, this is will make financial transactions not only easier for everyone involved.

HT – BLOGS
Breaking into the world of blogging, Higher Things has asked a few people who we think have interesting things to say to say them on a blog:

The Confessional Cowboyhttp://blog.higherthings.org/zill/
by Rev. Marcus Zill, Chair of Higher Things Campus Ministry.

The Lutheran Logomaniachttp://blog.higherthings.org/peperkorn/
by Rev. Todd Peperkorn, Executive Editor of Higher Things Magazine.

Madre’s Missiveshttp://blog.higherthings.org/madre/by
Sandra Ostapowich, Secretary of Higher Things.

Bloghardt’s Reflectorhttp://blog.higherthings.org/borghardt/  by Rev. George Borghardt, author of the Higher Things Reflections, and member of the Higher Things Magazine Editorial Board.

That about does it for now.  Watch for more developments in the future.  We still have lots of ideas to implement in the future.  If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact me at ostapowich@higherthings.org.

Sandra Ostapowich
Higher Things, Web Committee Chair

Categories
News

DTBL Waiting List has Begun

Dear friends,

As of today we have received 1150 registrations for the Dare to be Lutheran Conference this summer in St. Louis. Our capacity is 1100, which means that 50 are on a waiting list. Everyone whose registrations were post marked on March 7 or before are registered.

As I said earlier, there is a possibility that we can add 40-50 spots.  We will also, without doubt, have a few cancellations.

If you have not registered yet, you may still do so to get on the waiting list. If you don’t get in, your deposits will be returned to you, so there isn’t anything to lose.  We will maintain the waiting list until May 1.

If your group is already registered, and you know of a cancellation, or if someone decides to give away their spot, and you do so by April 29th, we will refund your deposit for those spots as long as there are still people on our waiting list. Usually, we never refund this deposit, but we are doing so this year in order to give some others the possibility of attending. But we need to know by April 28, otherwise you will forfeit your deposit if you have a cancellation for which you are unable to find a substitute. In other words, not only will you be saving money, but you’ll give someone the opportunity to attend the conference.

If you have any questions about this, email Pr. Woodring at woodring@higherthings.org.

Categories
Life Issues

Books Every College Student Should Read

Recommended books for group or individual study. These books may be available at your church or see the links on the right of each entry for online ordering, reviews, or additional book details.

Introduction to the Christian Faith

  • Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster, rev. ed., first published in 1952, 1996). Amazon
  • On Being a Christian: A Personal Confession, Henry Hamann (Northwestern Pub. House, 1996). NPH | Amazon
  • What Do You Think of Jesus?, David Scaer (Concordia Theological Seminary Press, reprint, 1999). CTSFW | Amazon
  • Why I Am a Lutheran: Jesus at the Center, Daniel Preus (CPH, 2004). CPH | Amazon

Christian Instruction

  • Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions – A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord (CPH, 2005). CPH
  • Didache, John T. Pless CTSFW
  • Holy Bible ESV | Biblegateway.com
  • Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (CPH, 2005). CPH
  • The Book of Concord (Online) BOC

Spirituality

  • Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification, Donald L. Alexander (InterVarsity Press, 1988). Amazon
  • Dying to Live: The Power of Forgiveness, Harold L. Senkbeil (CPH, 1994). CPH | Amazon
  • The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals, Gene E. Veith (CPH, 1999). CPH | Amazon
  • Sanctification, Christ in Action, Harold L. Senkbeil (Northwestern Publishing House, 1990). Amazon
    (Look for the new CPH series on Lutheran Spirituality beginning in 2006!)

The Defense of the Christian Faith

  • God on the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics, C. S. Lewis (Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.; Reprint edition, 1994). Amazon
  • History, Law and Christianity, John W. Montgomery (CILTPP, 2002). CILTPP | Amazon
  • Miracles, C. S. Lewis (HarperSanFrancisco, 2001). Amazon
  • The Defense Never Rests: A Lawyer’s Quest for the Gospel, Craig A. Parton (CPH, 2003). CPH | Amazon
  • The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?, F. F. Bruce (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003). Amazon
  • The Testimony of the Evangelists, Simon Greenleaf (Kregel Publications, 1995). Amazon
  • The Whimsical Christian: 18 Essays, Dorothy L. Sayers (Collier Books; Reissue edition, 1987). Amazon
    (See also Mere Christianity above)

Biblical Worldview Today

  • Above All Earthly Pow’rs: Christ In A Postmodern World, David F. Wells (Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2005). Amazon
  • Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church, D. A. Carson (Zondervan, 2005). Amazon
  • Christianity in an Age of Terrorism. Gene E. Veith, (CPH, 2002). CPH | Amazon
  • Christians in a .Com World: Getting Connected Without Being Consumed, Gene E. Veith, Christopher L. Stamper (Crossway Books, 2000). Amazon
  • Discovering the Plain Truth: How the Worldwide Church of God Encountered the Gospel of Grace, Larry Nichols & George Mather (Intevarsity Press, 1998). Amazon
  • Loving God With All Your Mind: Thinking as a Christian in the Postmodern World, Gene E. Veith (Crossway Books, 2003). Amazon
  • Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture, Gene E. Veith (Crossway Books, 1994). Amazon
  • Reading Between the Lines, Gene E. Veith (Crossway Books, 1990). Amazon
  • Testing the Claims of Church Growth, Rodney E. Zwonitzer (CPH, 2002). Amazon
  • The Anonymous God, David L. Adams, Ken Schurb, eds. (Arch Books, 2005). Amazon

Prayer & Devotion

  • A Devotional Companion: Blessings & Prayers for College Students, (CPH, 2005). CPH | Amazon
  • Day by Day We Magnify Thee: Daily Readings for the Entire Year, Martin Luther (Fortress Press, 1982). Amazon
  • Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Augsburg Publishing House, 1970). Augsburg | Amazon

Ethics

  • Holy People Holy Lives: Law and Gospel in Bioethics, by Richard C. Eyer (CPH, 2000). CPH | Amazon
  • Letter to the Christian Nobility, Martin Luther
  • Losing Our Virtue: Why the Church Must Recover Its Moral Vision, David F. Wells (Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1999). Amazon
  • On Christian Liberty, Martin Luther (Augsburg Fortress, 2003). Augsburg Fortress | Amazon

Christian Fiction

  • The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes, Illustrator (HarperTrophy, Boxed edition, 1994). Amazon
  • The Hammer of God, Bo Giertz (Augsburg Books, Revised edition, 2005). Amazon
  • The Hammer of God (DVD), Bo Giertz Lutheran Visiuals
  • The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien (Del Rey Books, Boxed Rei edition, 2001). Amazon
  • The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis (Various editions, 1961). Amazon

Theology for College Students

  • Handling the Word of Truth, John T. Pless (CPH, 2004). CPH | Amazon
  • On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, 1518, Gerhard O. Forde (Eerdmans, 1997). Amazon
  • Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton (Various editions, 1908). Amazon
  • Here We Stand: Nature and Character of the Lutheran Faith. Hermann, Sasse (CPH, reprint, 2003). CPH | Amazon
  • Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Harper and Row, 1954). Amazon
  • Luther’s Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
  • Luther’s Letters of Spiritual Counsel, Theodore Tappert (Regent, 1995). Amazon
  • Praying for Reform, William Russel (Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2005). Amazon 
  • The Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther (Revell, reprint, 1990) Amazon
  • The Fire And The Staff: Lutheran Theology In Practice, Klemet I. Preus (Arch Books, 2005). Amazon
  • The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, C. F. W. Walther (CPH, 1986). CPH | Amazon

About Luther

  • Luther: Biography of a Reformer, Frederick Nohl (CPH, reprint, 2003). CPH | Amazon
  • Luther the Reformer, James Kittleson (Augsburg Fortress Publishers, reprint, 1986). Amazon
  • Martin Luther: A Life, James Arne Nestingen (Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2003). Amazon

Vocation: the lost doctrine recovered

  • Faith Active in Love, George W. Forell (Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1954). Amazon
  • God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, Gene E. Veith (Crossway Books, 2002). Amazon
  • Love Taking Shape: Sermons on the Christian Life, Gilbert Meilaender (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002). Amazon
  • Luther on Vocation, Gustaf Wingren (Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2004). Amazon

Science and Religion

  • Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution, Michael Behe (Free Press, 1998). Amazon
  • Darwin on Trial, Phillip E. Johnson (InterVarsity Press, 1993). Amazon
  • Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution is Wrong, Jonathan Wells (Regnery Publishing, 2002). Amazon
  • Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science & Theology, William A. Dembski (InterVarsity Press, 2002). Amazon
  • The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism, Phillip E. Johnson (InterVarsity Press, 2000). Amazon

Editors’ Picks

Dive into these twelve short, powerful, recent (or classic) books that make a good study in college. Come up for air long enough to dive into the longer list (see Books Every College Student Should Read). These resources may be available at your church or see the links on the right of each entry for online ordering, reviews, or additional book details.

  • Christians in a .Com World: Getting Connected Without Being Consumed, Gene E. Veith, Christopher L. Stamper (Crossway Books, 2000). Amazon
  • God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life. Gene E. Veith (Crossway Books, 2002). Amazon
  • Handling the Word of Truth, John T. Pless (CPH, 2004). CPH | Amazon
  • Loving God With All Your Mind: Thinking as a Christian in the Postmodern World, Gene E. Veith (Crossway Books, 2003). Amazon
  • Martin Luther: A Life, James Arne Nestingen (Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2003). Amazon
  • Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster, rev. ed., first published in 1952, 1996). Amazon
  • On Being a Christian: A Personal Confession, Henry Hamann (Northwestern Pub. House, 1996). NPH | Amazon
  • On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, 1518, Gerhard O. Forde (Eerdmans, 1997). Amazon
  • The Defense Never Rests: A Lawyer’s Quest for the Gospel, Craig A. Parton (CPH, 2003). CPH | Amazon
  • The Hammer of God, Bo Giertz (Augsburg Books, Revised edition, 2005). Amazon
  • The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis (Various editions, 1961). Amazon
  • The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals, Gene E. Veith (CPH, 1999). CPH | Amazon

Note: A good study life is one balanced by a healthy devotional life (not to mention the life continually in communion with Christ and the saints). Devotional books were intentionly left out above, but not for de-emphasis. Your pastor can point you to appropriate devotional and worship literature.

Categories
News

Dare to Be Lutheran Nearly Full!

Dear Friends,

As of this afternoon, we are at 90% of conference capacity.  We have  slightly more than 1000 registrants for the Dare to Be Lutheran conference next July.  This means that we only have roughly 100 spots remaining.  We may be able to exceed the total of 1100 by around 50-60 registrants.

I realize that over the past month I gave various and sundry estimations of how much time groups have to register before we are full.  In these conversations, I have stressed that I really have no way to predict.  Two weeks ago we were less than 50%.

At any rate, I am estimating now that we will reach our capacity of 1100 within 7-10 days. This is only a guess. We could fill up completely with tomorrows mail, or it could be another month.  But I definitely would urge groups who still want to attend to move quickly.

We will create a waiting list of groups after we reach 1100 in case we are able to find more space, and in the event that we have some cancellations (which we always do).

Thank you all for your support toward Higher Things, your encouragement, and prayers.

Pr. Daniel Woodring
Executive Director
Higher Things, Inc.
www.higherthings.org

Higher Things serves the Lutheran Church by providing resources for congregations to use in ministry toward youth.

Would you like to make a donation to Higher Things?  You may do so at our website using your credit card, or by writing to the following address:

Higher Things
1615 E Buffalo St
New Buffalo, MI 49117

Categories
News

Lenten Reflections are Here!

Oh, come, 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.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Once again, just in time for your Lenten preparations, Higher Things is pleased to provide daily Lenten Reflections for personal or congregational use!

The Reflections will also be emailed daily during Lent to the Reflections e-mail list. If you are not yet signed up to receive Higher Things Reflections via email, send any message to Reflections-on@lists.higherthings.org.

You can also download all of the Reflections here or view them as they are posted daily here.

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News

New Web Site!

The web site might not look too different, but the entire site has been reworked and is now on a new web host. This will allow Higher Things to expand more and provide even better services to those who Dare to be Lutheran!

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News

Special Christmas E-Preview

Merry Christmas! The winter issue of Higher Things is in the final stages of going to press, but we wanted to give you a little Christmas cheer as our Lord prepares you for His arrival! You will find linked below electronic (PDF) versions of the following articles that will be featured in the winter issue, to be released in early January:

Special Christmas e-Preview Issue

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News

Higher Things News

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News

From Above VBS in Pensacola, FL

Check out these great pics of kids from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pensacola, Florida, as they participate in the 2013 Higher Things “From Above” Vacation Bible School. The “From Above” theme, echoing the 2013 Higher Things conferences theme, teaches children how God comes to us “from above” in Jesus to bring us life and salvation through our new birth in holy baptism. Bible, Catechism, Music, Crafts and even the Snacks and Games all tie together the theme and dare even the little ones to be Lutheran and have a blast while they do. For more information about the Higher Things VBS material and to download a free sample of the materials, go to higherthings.org/vbs. Have a great week at “From Above,” Immanuel!