Category: Life Issues

by Sara Scheler

My plan = A. God’s plan = Z. Faith = everything in between.

I am not exactly what you would call spontaneous. I plan, prepare and schedule every hour of my day, sometimes down to the last minute. I know exactly what I’m going to wear tomorrow and what I’m going to eat for breakfast (Cheerios with a banana and some milk, in case you’re curious). I may or may not color-coordinate my closet.

This aspect of my personality makes it very difficult for me to trust in God’s plan for my life. Often, my prayers end up sounding like a petulant child:
Are you sure that’s going to work?
I don’t know if I can do that.
I have a better idea…
What’s taking so long?!
However, Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow.”

I am famous for designing elaborate, multi-faceted plans for my life, only to have them dashed to pieces when something goes wrong. Looking back at these instances, however, I realize that it eventually worked out even better than I could have possibly imagined. No, this isn’t a coincidence. It isn’t crazy, random happenstance. It isn’t karma or luck or good fortune (although that fortune cookie did say something about the lucky number 7…), it’s God. It’s funny but Jesus says over and over that He’s got us covered; even better than the lilies and the sparrows. Sometimes, I learn that! I like to call these “God moments.”

After experiencing so many of these awe-inspiring moments, I become frustrated with myself. I know our Lord’s plan is ten thousand times better than anything I could ever invent. So why can’t I trust, wholeheartedly, in His plan for my life? Why can’t I be still and know that He is God? Why is that so hard for me?

Well, it’s sin. It ruins everything. It caused the downfall of the human race many, many years ago and it is still working (and strongly, I might add) in my life and in the lives of every human on the planet. Even though I know that it will turn out splendidly if I simply trust Jesus, my sinful self ruins everything. Doubt creeps in like a disease that infects and destroys. When only moments before, I was all set to go with the Lord’s plan, now I hesitate. I reason with myself and make excuses.

You don’t really know that He’s going to follow through, do you?
He’s taking too long.
It’s time to take matters into your own hands.

If I eventually cave in to my sinful nature and stop trusting God, my situation worsens. Now I am frustrated and tired and confused and afraid. I desperately try to strategize and make my plan work but it never does.

When my human plans fail, as they so often do, Christ doesn’t bail on me. He brings me back from my self-absorbed state and comforts me with forgiveness, gentleness and peace. Rather than punish me for my puny faith or abandon me with the problems I tried so hard to solve, He welcomes me back with open arms. He takes my burdens upon His shoulders and carries my load while I stare in awe at His forgiveness and generosity.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11. My Baptism and the Lord’s Supper remind me that whatever my plans are, the Lord’s plans are forgiveness, life and salvation for me.

Not only is He a God who promises to prosper and bless His people, He fixes our lives when we mess up. During all the moments of life when our silly plans fail, 
we find Jesus there, in our midst, fixing what we have broken, and always forgiving us, renewing us and keeping us in Him.

Sara Scheler frequently worries about petty things like the weather and what’s for lunch. Occasionally, she worries about larger things like what she’s going to do after college. Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. She would love to hear from you and can be reached at sarascheler@hotmail.com.

Sara Scheler

What do an art student from Chicago, a mom from Rhode Island and a college student from South Carolina have in common? They all took a week out of their busy summer schedules and volunteered their time to make the From Above Scranton conference a success.

If you are attending one of the conferences this summer, you will see the college conference volunteers (CCVs) and numerous staff members running around in their snazzy blue shirt giving lost Lutherans directions around campus, answering questions, cleaning, organizing, and delivering water to pastors’ plenaries.

What you probably won’t see is all the behind-the-scenes work that the staff does to make the conferences a time of fellowship, learning and lots of fun for thousands of Lutheran youth.

Before the conference week is out, sustained by lots of prayer and lots of coffee, the staff will return to their “normal” lives (or, in many cases, gear up for the next conference), exhausted but energized by eager young Lutherans pumped to learn more about their faith.

Sara Scheler is a student at Dominican University and a CCV at From Above – Scranton

by Bethany Woelmer

You know who you are: the musician fervently practicing in your room when no one else is listening. The musician fighting to perfect those precious sounds and finding new ways to set them free. The musician whose talent is a bit rusty and unfortunately neglected, yet still there. There is something for every musician—a secret that we musicians must acknowledge.

And you, yes, you—the reader whose music skills are lacking and who are now considering turning the page with the assumption that this article provides no clear implications for your life whatsoever—you are part of the secret, too, so don’t feel left out!

There is a musician inside each of you. You’ve been caught tapping your pencil in the library to the beat of the music streaming through your headphones. You’ve sung those famous pop songs in the shower, in the car, and in web-cam videos with friends. You’ve picked up a harmonica or ukulele to discover that inner voice of harmony and rhythm. Don’t deny it. You are a musician. And that’s a good thing!

However, music is misused when the world teaches us its own theology apart from God’s Word. Too often are we swayed by the princes of this age and swept away with the passions of our flesh. Too often do we trust in the music that teaches us false notions apart from the truth and that honors self-worth apart from Christ. Too often do we neglect the beauty of music found in the liturgy and hymns that proclaim the words of Christ and carry them to our ears.

And what about you, the well-known musician, seeking glory for yourself through your talents? What about you, the musician who would rather boldly sing in the car yet utter no song of praise in church? As sinners we develop pride through our efforts and glorify the means that help us attain self-gratification and accomplishment. As sinners we fall short of the glory of God by our vain measures to succeed, and we fail once again by satisfying ourselves instead of serving the neighbor.

But here’s where the real secret comes out. There is a church musician inside every single one of you, struggling to be present in the community of believers centered around God’s Word. As God’s child, it is a natural response to sing about what He has done. When the Israelites safely crossed the Red Sea, they responded with a song of thanksgiving to God. Zachariah sang what is known as the “Benedictus,” and Mary sang what is known as the “Magnificat,” both of which proclaimed what God has done and continues to do for our salvation. The liturgy and hymns that present the Gospel to us also beckon us as God’s baptized children to sing the faith, whether we are a young child confessing “Jesus Loves Me this I Know,” or an adult seeking comfort in the words “Salvation Unto Us Has Come.”

The Gospel comes to us extra nos, meaning “from outside of us,” just as music enters our ears to calm our sadness and turn it into joy. Luther said that next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. It comes to us as a gift, just like the Gospel. Through faith, music is our prayer for peace, our bold confession, and our desperate plea for mercy that cries out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross for our salvation, we are free to serve our neighbor in our many vocations. Just as God has given us the vocations in the workforce and at home, He has offered many possibilities in the church to use our talents for His glory and for our neighbor. As musicians, the possibilities are endless. We are free to bring out that dusty violin, warm up that glorious voice for the choir, ring some bells, or even utilize our keyboard skills to learn the organ. There is no stage or spotlight for musicians in the church. Our humble abode is in the back, from which God’s music is directed toward the message of Christ on the cross.

Even if you are in the pew, you have the vocation to sing God’s Word that the musicians in the back, specifically the organist, do not always have the chance of singing. The words sung by the congregation of believers enter the ears of musicians and proclaim to them God’s love through Christ.

We are all part of the Body of Christ, partaking in the gifts of God and singing as a witness in faith to one another. With the whole company of the heavenly host, we can join together with our voices and instruments, praising God and saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.” May God bless you as you sing and play music to His Holy Name.

Bethany Woelmer is a freshman at Concordia University Wisconsin and is studying Parish Music. She can be reached at piano_1130@yahoo.com

By Heidi Bliese

Right now life feels a little like a childhood game I used to play called “Mother May I?” One person was “mother” and would stand at the end of a long sidewalk and grant requests for how far participants could move forward towards the finish line. My siblings and I enjoyed playing this game and did so all the time, but on occasion (probably more often than we’d like to admit) the frustration of the competition got the better of us and it ended in a not-so-pretty display of complaining that it “wasn’t fair” and “you were choosing a favorite.” As Christians, we can take a different approach and see it as “Father May I?” with the participants being God’s children spread out around Him on their journey to the finish line: Heaven.

In hard times, my sinful nature causes me to view this earthly life as a competition, and return to the views of my 6-year-old self who believes because I am not “winning” God doesn’t love me as much as He must love everyone else. Thanks to social media, comparing ourselves is fairly easy, for instead of only experiencing the joys and sorrows of our own lives, sites like Facebook allow us to now be a witness to every-day events in the lives of others whom we would classify as acquaintances, friends of friends, or even strangers. It is at these times that Satan starts to whisper lies of discontent into my heart, seeking to draw my attention away from the Father. But even as I am browsing someone’s status or pictures and am feeling unsure about my own future, something always happens in my life that awakens me to my sin of coveting and sends me running back to the Father. Instead of seeing myself in competition with those around me, I need to keep my eyes focused on my Lord and Savior, for “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). My life is unique and most importantly, every step has been planned by my Father, for “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). Instead of viewing the events of others’ lives as a reason to lose contentment with my own, I strive to remember that the dreams I hold so dear to my heart and pray about every day were put there by Him, and He will fulfill them in His time.

Some days will be harder than others, because we are human and will continue to sin (Romans 3:23). But after a long night of weeping, nothing is more comforting than returning to His word and reciting the words of Psalm 116:7, which states “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” And He has. It doesn’t take long to look around at my room, friends, and family, and be reminded that I have been blessed beyond measure. It is also a reminder of what our prayer life should look like; to have a humble heart in prayer is to remember that our Heavenly Father hears all prayers, and answers them, as we are reminded in 1 Peter 5:7, which states, “Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” True, these answers may not always be what we want, but in the hardest of times, continue to seek your heavenly Father in prayer, asking Him to give you peace and whisper the words of Psalm 46:10 into your heart, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Although it can sometimes be so easy to play the comparison game, God sees each one of us as individuals, and holds our lives in His loving and more than capable hands. He may not be granting you that one giant step that you’ve been waiting and longing for—but our loving Father will never deny you any kind of movement that takes you closer to Him. Whether it is a baby step in the form of a whispered thank you to Him, or a giant leap into His arms during your most desperate moments of prayer, God, our Heavenly Father, will always be there waiting with the promise of love, grace, and compassion. And you can be certain of that love and forgiveness by the sure promises of your baptism, His absolution, and His Supper. This message is so clearly stated in verse two of the hymn “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” which states, “Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear, for You, the Rock of Ages, are always near. Close by Your side abiding, I fear no foe, for when Your hand is guiding, in peace I go.”

Heidi Bliese is a graduate student at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois and sometimes wishes she had never heard the word “thesis.” In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing scholarly articles and promoting a Christian worldview while debating social issues. You can email her with questions at Heidi.bliese@gmail.com.

By Megan Hammond

It wasn’t your normal day at the mall. At this mall—the National Mall in Washington, DC—more than half a half million people gathered on Friday, January 25, not to shop, but to march. I joined hundreds of Lutherans, including LCMS President Matthew Harrison, at the National March for Life. We united on behalf of the weak, the defenseless, and the unborn on the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in the United States.

At the March for Life, I met people from all over the United States who made the trip to DC and braved the bone-chilling cold of that January day. We heard speakers from both political parties and many faiths, of whom shared a common cause: to preserve and protect God’s gift of life. Some were women who told us of the terrible regret they experienced following their choice to have an abortion; others shared stories of hope in the face of tragedy. One speaker I’ll never forget was a young man who was conceived as the result of rape. This young man’s mother courageously gave birth to him; he now speaks out to defend life, even “unwanted” life.

As I listened to each story, I watched as the National Mall began to fill with people. It wasn’t just me and my fellow Lutherans. Soon we were surrounded by people standing shoulder to shoulder as far as my eyes could see. They were young, middle-aged, and old from almost every religion and nationality. Many were high school or college students who spoke about the devastating effects of abortion on our generation and carried signs like mine, “I am the pro-life generation.” After the speeches ended, we began to make our way toward the United States Supreme Court building—the site of the Roe v. Wade decision forty years ago. We slowly and prayerfully walked past the museums and Senate office buildings along Constitution Avenue. As snow started to fall, we sang hymns like “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “Beautiful Savior,” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” Our group included LCMS pastors, synod officials, and seminary professors, but most were concerned people like me and my mom who traveled a long way to march for life.

During the two-hour walk to the steps of the Supreme Court, I could not stop thinking about the babies whose lives have been taken since losing their legal protection in 1973. Although the enormous crowd assembled for the march seemed almost infinite to me, I realized we were miniscule compared to the more than 55 million babies whose lives have ended since Roe v. Wade. The march concluded at the steps of the United States Supreme Court where we joined together in the Lord’s Prayer and silently prayed for an end to abortion.

After we had a chance to thaw out, my mom and I joined my sisters (who work in DC) at the LCMS Life Conference, which was the first one ever. At the conference, I had the opportunity to meet fellow Lutherans, worship with them, and learn from them. The conference speakers shared stories about their involvement in life issues: how Jesus’ love enables them to value and defend life from conception to natural death and how we can share God’s forgiveness with those who have had an abortion.

My sister, Stephanie, who works for the United States Congress to promote and defend international religious freedom, spoke on a panel at the conference. She told us about cases of religious persecution happening around the world, how she has been involved and, most importantly, why she has been involved. “My faith has shaped my concern for human dignity,” Stephanie said. “All life has value.”

That was the message I heard again and again throughout the March for Life and LCMS Life Conference: All life has value. Every single life is precious because it is precious to God. He creates human life in His image, He preserves life—and He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem and give eternal life to sinners like you and me. There is no life, not even one, beyond His love and care.

My march for life may have started at the mall, but it won’t end there. I am praying that you will join me in Washington, DC next year as we march for life—all life—with the LCMS!

To see more photos of the March for Life, the Life Conference, or learn about LCMS Life ministries, please visit www.lcms.org/life.

Megan Hammond is a high school junior from Weldon Spring, Missouri. In college, she plans to continue advocating for life while pursuing a major in history and a minor in music. Megan also enjoys tennis, piano, choir, and duct-tape crafts. She can be reached at Megan@hammond.net

Is America a Christian Nation? Pastor Buetow says no. Find out why in the latest article featured from our FREE Church and State Issue of Higher Things Magazine. To see the whole issue, click here.

Rev. Mark Buetow

America is not a Christian nation. There. I said it. Because it’s not. It never has been. That’s because by “Christian” we can only mean what Christ means: a kingdom not of this world which He rules and in which He “daily and richly forgives all my sins.” That’s the church.

Now sure, the church exists alongside the state, most of the time in a particular state and nation. Sometimes as a part of the state. Sometimes cooperating with the state. Sometimes trying to avoid the state. Sometimes being persecuted by the state. But she’s always praying for the State and its leaders and citizens. Church and state are not the same things. America was not founded on the idea that sinners are justified by grace through faith for the sake of Jesus Christ. That’s the Gospel. The Good News. The center and substance of the Christian faith.

Some might argue that at least the United States was founded upon “Judeo-Christian” principles, except that lots of things, like adultery and trash-talking, are legal under the laws of our land. So, the United States isn’t even just founded on the Law. Think about it. Where does it say in the Constitution that you must love God and your neighbor as yourself? Do you see the point? Calling any particular nation a “Christian” one doesn’t really make sense.

Well, how about this? America was at least founded by Christians. That’s debatable. The pilgrims who came in search of “religious freedom” as the story goes, were pretty hardcore strict and legalistic. There’s a lot in what they said and did and about how they lived but not so much about Jesus for sinners. And early Puritan settlements were a good example of what happens when you combine church and state: One person’s view of church runs everyone else’s life. So that’s not really about Jesus either.

Another comparison that is made is that the United States is a new “Israel.” Like Israel in the Old Testament, the United States was to be a beacon of godliness for all nations. Often times, when disaster strikes, the Lord’s Word to King Solomon gets hauled out and plastered everywhere: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14). But that’s not it either. The Lord chose Israel specifically and the Scriptures are clear that Israel’s purpose was to be a light for the nations in being the people from whom the Savior of all nations would be born. The Israel of the Old Testament is a type and picture of the church as Paul makes clear in Romans 9-11. Israel is NOT a model for America to follow.

So that’s it, then? America’s not a Christian nation so just forget about trying to figure out church and state? Well, not quite. America, like every nation, has Christians. The church lives here. Those who are baptized dwell in this particular land as they dwell in particular lands everywhere. Christians live in the hope that because our sins are forgiven, we have, as Jesus promises, victory over death. “Our citizenship,” as St. Paul writes, “is in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior.” That means that no matter what earthly nation we were born in or live in, our real “country” is Christ’s kingdom. That kingdom lasts long after the Roman Empire or the United States of America or any other nation will have ceased to exist. In fact, that kingdom shall outlast the earth which will go away and a new heaven and earth will be made.

But Christians do live in America. And we live by faith in the Son of God and He lives in us, carrying out those good works that benefit even our nation: praying for our leaders and for peace, and loving and serving those around us in our many different callings. America may not be a Christian nation but a part of the body of Christ is American and that means we who live by the mercy of God and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ here in America are to live godly lives as citizens of this particular country.

You wouldn’t go to the driver’s license office to receive absolution for your sins, just as you wouldn’t go to church to file your taxes. Church and state are not the same. It’s a good thing to remember this as we trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation in a world that is daily passing away. After all, our hope is never in “America” or “things getting better,” but in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, who promises to raise us to life everlasting with a great multitude from EVERY tribe, tongue and nation. So live as a citizen of America or in whatever country you live. And live as a citizen of heaven—the kingdom of Christ which is above all others and is forever.

Rev. Mark Buetow is pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in DuQuoin, Illinois and serves as Media Services Executive for Higher Things. He can be reached at buetowmt@gmail.com.

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe versus Wade decision legalizing abortion. How might Christians respond and react to these decisions? What voice do we have? Mrs. Maggie Karner addresses how Christians can participate in the public square in her article, featured this week as part of our FREE Church and State issue of Higher Things.
You can check out the whole issue here.

By Maggie Karner

I vividly remember my first time in the voting booth. Even to this day I still get a little choked up with patriotism as I wait in line to vote every Election Day. Like me, most Christians understand the blessing of our representative form of government and exercise their God-given responsibility as citizens to vote. But many Christians feel there should be a clear separation between their secular life and their Christian life. They were told never to discuss the controversial topics of religion or politics at the dinner table and, if one was socially considerate, never to tackle the two topics together. They see passages such as John 17:16 and Romans 12:2, which tell us that Christians are in this world, but not of this world, as a signal that Christians, and likewise the Church, need to butt out of the public arena. In light of these passages, what role, if any, should the Church and individuals play in the political arena?

Dr. Robert Benne, author and Director of the Roanoke College Center for Religion and Society, argues in his book Good and Bad Ways to Think About Religion and Politics, that our founding fathers determined that the free exercise of religion was our “first freedom” because they recognized that true and active religious practice would shape our culture with good morals and virtuous citizens. In fact, this “free exercise” has been a catalyst for Christian activism throughout American history; religiously motivated people and churches fueled the fight for the abolition of slavery, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and our contemporary pro-life movement.

In today’s society, Christians are faced with serious issues that require our utmost attention—and sometimes our activism. Unfortunately, our government has created legislation that threatens the church’s ability to preach the Gospel. Consider the following: 1) The repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” puts our military chaplains in difficult positions. 2) The U.S. Department of Justice is refusing to uphold DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act, a U.S. federal law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman). 3) Religious organizations and employers are being forced to comply with a U.S. Health and Human Services mandate on supplying abortifacient contraceptives to employees or face a steep fine if they refuse. If the church doesn’t speak out on these issues today, we may not have the ability to do so tomorrow.

Martin Luther brought a unique clarity to this discussion which was just as volatile a topic in his world as it is today. As both a theologian and a student of the law, Luther was uniquely qualified to understand and explain God’s providential purpose for both the secular and the religious functions of our society through his doctrine of the two kingdoms (or realms). Luther explained that God works through the kingdom of the left (or civic and government functions) to maintain civil order and a just society so that the kingdom of the right (the body of Christ and His church) can operate more effectively in a free society where the freedom to proclaim the Gospel is maintained. Likewise, when the Church is given the freedom to demonstrate Christian compassion toward our neighbor (mercy work), it supports and promotes a just and effective social society.

This teaching stands in sharp contrast to other Christian groups who either shun civic work altogether or believe that their purpose is to “Christianize” our government and political system. To the contrary, Luther says that we should not confuse the two kingdoms and that each kingdom has been ordained by God for a specific purpose on earth.

So can a Lutheran Christian be active in both kingdoms? “Absolutely,” says Rev. Bart Day, Executive Director of LCMS Office of National Mission, “as long as we recognize and understand within which kingdom we are working.” He notes that the Scriptures speak clearly on moral issues, which fall under the left-hand kingdom of the law. Civil society and the government should help put parameters on morality in a civil society. However, in a sinful world our society often fails to do so. Abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage are examples. The church encounters these questions frequently and must have the freedom to speak on them within the church and society. Pastor Day explains that when politics shape and form or change the moral fiber and ethos of the society in which the church lives, then the church has a clear responsibility to speak out.

In fact, Luther would advocate for Christians to be very involved in the moral discussions found within the civic realm. “Though we be active in the battle,” Luther said, “if we are not fighting where the battle is the hottest, we are traitors to the cause.” He understood that Christians must exercise bold leadership in bringing about a just and compassionate order to society. Luther recognized that in such a moral and just society, the church is best able to provide mercy and care for our neighbor and enjoy the freedom to preach the saving and forgiving Gospel of the forgiveness of sins for Jesus’ sake. To be sure, both of these can be done when the culture is hostile to Christ’s church, but it is a great joy and blessing when the church can do so in peace.

Maggie Karner is the Director of Life and Health Ministries at the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Her work with the LCMS involves directing the church body’s strategy for international and national health and pro-life projects.She can be reached at maggie.karner@lcms.org

Next week, Barack Obama will be inaugurated into his second term as President of the United States. Whether you voted for him or not, Pastor Borghardt reminds us that all election results are a gift from our Lord. This article is one of many in the Winter 2012 Topical Issue of Higher Things Magazine entitled “Church and State.” To read more articles from this issue, check out its webpage here.

By Rev. George F. Borghardt

I voted for Mitt Romney. I didn’t like all of his policies, but the more I listened to him, the more I thought that he was the right man for the job. I even donated to his presidential campaign—something that I had never done before.

I pored over every article I could find. I yelled at my TV during the debates like they were sporting events. I obsessed over the news shows. I started DVRing them. I know, really? Yeah, I was that guy.

As we got closer to Election Day, I couldn’t sleep. I wanted so much for Mitt Romney to win. I prayed for him. Prayed for our country. I prayed for everything but the Lord’s will to be done.

We elect our leaders in America. It’s one of the things that makes our country great. We decide. We choose. We select every part of our government—from the city councilman to the president of the whole United States of America.

And so, I voted early. I would have voted often, if that were possible. I didn’t because that would have been wrong. Then, election night was finally upon us and I was glued to the TV as the returns came in. And I was just stunned. My guy, my prayers, lost.

Our Lord gives us our leaders. He appoints them. He’s the One who puts them in their places as His servants. Sometimes He gives us what we want and what we would choose for ourselves. Other times, He evaluates us justly and places authorities over us to carry out His judgment.

The entire government, every leader—from the sheriff in our community to our congressman and our president—He gives to us as a gift. And because it’s a gift, that means that He’s going to work it all out for maximum Gospel-ness for us and those around us.

Our guy wins and it’s a gift. Our guy doesn’t and it’s a gift, too. How can it not be? The Father sent His Son to be crucified by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, for our sins and the sins of all creation.

This is not some concession speech by someone who is trying to comfort himself in defeat, nor am I writing these things begrudgingly like a young child forced to eat his Brussels sprouts.

No, this is the rock-certain confession that God is good to us in all things. Good in victory. Good in defeat. Good when our guy wins. Good when he loses. Christ took the defeat of the Cross and used it to save us. He must work this out for our good and the good of our country.

We are given to receive these things from our Father as a gift. Pray for our country, our leaders, and for President Obama. Be good citizens and pay your taxes. For no leader is our leader, no president is our president, no senator our senator apart from the Father’s putting them there. Our guy loses in His love and mercy. Our guy wins in that same goodness. That’s the good news! The Father who didn’t spare His own Son in doing good for us certainly will work out all things for our good. He is working all of this out for the good of His people. You’ll see. I will, too.

Rev. George F. Borghardt is the senior pastor at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in McHenry, Illinois, and serves as the Deputy and Conference Executives of Higher Things.

Rev. Mark Buetow

Sure, we’re a week into 2013. By now, most people are probably already failing at keeping their New Year’s resolutions. The problem with such resolutions, is that they try to accomplish something with the Law. Sure, it may not be in the Ten Commandments that you should exercise more or give up sugary drinks, but the same idea applies. If you try to change your life by telling yourself you have to change your life, chances are you won’t last long on the improvement circuit. This is because the Old Adam, our sinful flesh, loves to ignore what it’s told to do. He loves to be contrary and do the opposite of what he is told to do. The same thing is even more true when it comes to God’s law. The Old Adam doesn’t deal well with that. Love God? Love neighbor? No way!

So for this new year, I’m going to give you a different plan. One that doesn’t involve you doing anything but does involve putting that Old Adam to death. That plan is your baptism. Remember what the Catechism says about it. “What does such baptizing with water indicate? it indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

But watch out! You’ll be tempted to think that this is some kind of instruction for you. You know, figure out a way to overcome your sin and live for Jesus or something like that. But that’s not it at all! These words are not a description of you doing something but of what Christ does for you in and through your baptism into Him. This is Jesus’ work in you!

How does it happen? Repentance is only something that the Holy Spirit can work in you. He does this by the Word. So, where the Word is, there the Holy Spirit is working repentance in you. From the absolution you are given every Divine Service, from the preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you, from the very body and blood of Jesus by which He forgives you and lives in you, the Spirit is at work putting that nasty Old Adam to death and raising up that New Man in you.

Try this. When you get up in the morning, make the sign of the holy cross and say, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” With those words of Jesus, the Old Adam gets his morning dunking, drowning him so that he will leave you alone. Of course he will come dragging himself back like the zombie he is to try to grab your throat and lead you into all kinds of mischief and sin. He might even get you to fall into sin. So, when you go to bed every night, make the sign of the holy cross and say, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” That dunks that Old Adam once again. And, since you’ve got Jesus living in you through His Word and body and blood, whatever wrong you do each day is wiped out and forgiven. Whatever else you do is holy and precious in the Father’s sight since it is His Son Jesus living in you and doing it through you.

So, no worries this new year. The Old Adam will indeed be up to his same old tricks as always. And the answer to him is the same: Jesus crucified and risen for you, drowning the Old Adam and giving you new life, forgiving your sins every day and filling you with joy at the hope of the life to come. All that He does shall rescue you from the slavery of being bound by the Law, rescue you from trying to change or improve yourself or fix your own sin. No, Jesus has done that. His Spirit is working in you so that you will be free of that burden and live trusting only in Jesus to accomplish and do all these things. So there’s your plan for 2013: same as 2012. No longer you living but Christ living in you. And that means even when the new year is just the same old year again, you’re still new every day in Jesus.

Registration is open for the 2013 FROM ABOVE Conferences. In this week’s spotlight article Caitlyn Baker tells us about her first conference this past summer at TWELVE, in Irvine, CA.

by Caitlyn Baker

The day my mother told me she wanted to take my brother and me to Irvine for the Higher Things Twelve conference, my heart began its journey from my ribcage to my throat. Conference? That meant people—lots of them! Group work? Ugh, don’t even bring it up! And my worst fear was that I would be bored out of my mind! Placing a socially intimidated girl like me in the midst of a gathering like that spelled trouble. Gently, my mother reassured me that I would be on a college campus and that it would give me a taste of what my upcoming freshman year would be like. Plus, this was our last family vacation before I started college. How could I refuse?

Finally, the day came when we started our voyage from the valley of the sun and I braced myself for my challenge that was to come.

We checked in smoothly. Mom introduced us to her co-workers and friends, and we began to get settled into our dorm rooms. I had a day to relax before the mass of teenagers arrived to check in. Cleaning up my space, I prepared a homey environment for whatever roommate I would have, for I wanted her to be extremely comfortable. Sadly, I found out that no roommate was assigned to me. However, my silence was interrupted by a buzz at my door, and that was when I welcomed in my suite mates—more like sweet mates—who went out of their way to introduce themselves to me.

And with that, we all headed to the first item on the schedule: Divine Service. One of the best elements of Higher Things Twelve was definitely the worship. For the first time, I experienced pure enthusiasm without the aid of a rock band, which is what many of my non-Lutheran peers experience. Because we sang so loudly at each worship time, it was quite the adjustment returning to our more reserved group at my home church. Singing my favorite hymns beside fellow Lutherans was rather powerful, often bringing tears to my eyes.

Okay, so at this point, I had to admit that my time at Twelve was going well. I relished the freedom of attending the breakaway sessions. After services and lessons on theology, my nights were filled with mini-adventures, consisting of a trip to a beach beneath the moonless sky, running for my life amidst a water-balloon battle, giggling over chalk-drawn troll faces, creating memes in class with Matt, and even winning second place in a karaoke contest.

My best memory was made the day before the conference ended. When the light rain stopped, I decided to take a walk through the campus. In my hand was a snail (yes, the snail is important) and he kept me company in the dark. Suddenly, my foot slipped on a puddle and I flew forward, losing my grip on the snail, and launched it into the air. A group of three behind me quickly expressed their concern for me, yet I was more worried about my snail (he was okay). Christina, the youngest of the group, remarked about Jacob’s “wishful abomination” of snails. Liz, the leader, laughed with her, and Jacob, the middle, was quite indignant. This group of three had no planned destination, and since I did not either, they let me join them. As we passed the Dippin’ Dots machine, I remarked I had yet to try them, which elicited a response from my newfound friends, “YOU’VE NEVER HAD DIPPIN’ DOTS?!” Thus, my new friends bought me ice cream. The night concluded with a game of Taboo hours past curfew (my apologies, Higher Things staff). During breakfast and lunch the next day, I felt included as if I had been part of their group for ages. Honestly, I have never felt so welcomed by just a few people in such a short period of time.

So the reality is my first Higher Things conference was not the culture shock I expected. Never ever was I awkwardly standing in a corner with nothing to do, I wasn’t bored, and I felt comfortable interacting with kids my age. In fact, I was constantly on my toes, I discovered more about my Lord and Savior, delved deep within the community of Christ, and burrowed myself within a niche of fellow Lutherans. “Twelve” was a very preferable way to get a taste of college life. As I start my college career, I am seriously considering the temporary vocation of CCV (College Conference Volunteer) for a conference next summer. Higher Things has given 
me the opportunity to 
“Dare To Be Lutheran.”

Caitlyn Baker is embarking on her freshman year at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. She is a member of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler. Feel free to drop her a line at halfbloodwalrus@yahoo.com.