Forward in Christ

May 2012

smattes — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:54:00 +0000

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Issue Date:

05/2012

Ascension Day is a Christian festival that often can be overlooked. It falls on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter - just far enough away that the glow of Jesus' resurrection may be starting to grow dim in our minds and hearts.

But that's all the more reason to celebrate the physical departure of Jesus from this world.

April 2012

smattes — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:07:42 +0000

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Issue Date:

04/2012

Spring is a time for new life. Trees bud, grass turns green, flowers bloom. We hear our first robinâ€™s song and rejoice that winter is finally over.

Yet Spring has nothing on Easter. Our authors this month remind us of the new life we Christians now have because of that first resurrection morning.

March 2012

smattes — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:26:05 +0000

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Issue Date:

03/2012

There's no question about it. The descriptions of Jesus' suffering and death are graphic. The Bible uses words like afflicted, pierced, crushed, betrayed, slapped, accused, condemned, mocked, forsaken, and crucified to describe the agony the Son of God went through for us sinners.

February 2012

smattes — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:21:24 +0000

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Issue Date:

02/2012

It's hard to talk about sin. We all know that we are guilty, but that doesn't mean we want to talk about our specific sins or even about sin in general. If anything, it's easier to talk about others and how far they have fallen so we don't have to think about our own transgressions.

But the start of the Lenten season is a good time to think about our own sinfulness and what God has done about it.

January 2012

smattes — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:56:56 +0000

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Issue Date:

12/2011

It's a new year. A great time to try different things and discover new opportunities.

We at Forward in Christ are starting some things ourselves, including two new series. One will discuss sacramental living, with the first article concentrating on the saving power of Baptism. The other is exploring who Jesus is, both true God and true man.

December 2011

smattes — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:53:19 +0000

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Issue Date:

11/2011

Do you ever have one of <img style="float: left; border: 0; margin: 10px;" src="http://www.wels.net/sites/wels/files/images/December2011FICcover.jpg" alt="cover" width="145" height="215"> Do you ever have one of those days? You know, the kind where you just don't want to get out of bed in the morning and face the trials and temptations that you know your day will bring. I know I have.

November 2011

smattes — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:25:44 +0000

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Issue Date:

10/2011

While we are thankful to God all year long for all that he has given us, Thanksgiving offers us an added opportunity to reflect on our blessings:

Thank you, God, for your promise to be with us in times of trial here on this earth and for your promise to take us home to heaven to be with you forever. Your promises give us much about which to sing, no matter what our circumstances.

October 2011

smattes — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:53:44 +0000

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Issue Date:

09/2011

God's Word is our great heritage. Those words of a hymn that is often sung around Reformation time really show me God's grace in giving us the true Word. Several articles this month focus on that grace and that Word.

Our cover story highlights the importance of the Bible to several different "reformations," including our own through study of the Book.

September 2011

smattes — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:27:23 +0000

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Issue Date:

08/2011

Both of my grandmas lived until they were 97 years old, so I got to know them well. Time spent with them was precious, whether it was playing cards after school or celebrating holidays at their homes. They weren't afraid to talk to me about church or their faith. I still remember interviewing one of them for a history paper in college.

August 2011

smattes — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:17:55 +0000

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Issue Date:

07/2011

Sometimes being a Christian is hard. Not only do we have our ongoing internal battles with the devil and our sinful flesh, but we also often struggle against the world and its views of life and religion.

Even though it can be difficult, Pastor Jeff Bovee reminds us of the importance of letting our lights shine in our communities. This will hopefully give us chances to share the message of Christ.

July 2011

smattes — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:46:05 +0000

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Issue Date:

06/2011

This month in "What's inside" I am going to ask for your help. Please keep the following people in your prayers:

* The 2011 graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Forty-three men graduated and received their first calls into the ministry. Pray that God will guide and keep them as they begin their full-time service to the Lord and ask for blessings on their ministry efforts.

June 2011

smattes — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:09:16 +0000

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Issue Date:

05/2011

It's been 50 years since WELS began its medical mission work in Africa. The Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) started with a clinic on the Sala Reserve near Lumano, Zambia. Our cover picture this month shows the first baby that was delivered at that clinic in 1961.

May 2011

smattes — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:39:54 +0000

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Issue Date:

04/2011

This month many Americans will be calling or visiting a special person in their lifeâ€”someone who fed them, clothed them, disciplined them, protected them, loved themâ€”their mom. May 8 is Motherâ€™s Day, a time when we remember and celebrate our moms and what they have done and are doing for us. (Thanks, Mom!)

April 2011

smattes — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:45:34 +0000

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Issue Date:

03/2011

Happy Easter! It is at this time of year that we remember and celebrate what our Savior has done for us through his perfect life, innocent death, and amazing resurrection. He has given us lifeâ€”here on earth and forever in heaven.

Two articles this month discuss the livesâ€”both physical and spiritualâ€”of two very different women.

March 2011

smattes — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:16 +0000

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Issue Date:

02/2011

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. That is a phrase I can definitely understand from working daily on a magazine. While words are important to explain ideas, provide inspiration, and share news, pictures can help bring those words to life and even further our interest in a story.

February 2011

smattes — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:57:58 +0000

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Issue Date:

01/2011

The emotion of love is often talked about during the month of February, and Forward in Christ is no exception. Love in action can be seen throughout the pages of the magazine this month including the love of a husband for his wife, the love of a son for his father, and the love of adoptive parents for their children in a faraway land.

Every month in <img class="img" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.wels.net/sites/wels/files/Feb2011FICcover.jpg" alt="" width="145" height="215">The emotion of love is often talked about during the month of February, and Forward in Christ is no exception. Love in action can be seen throughout the pages of the magazine this month including the love of a husband for his wife, the love of a son for his father, and the love of adoptive parents for their children in a faraway land. Every month in Forward in Christ

January 2011

smattes — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:42:04 +0000

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Issue Date:

12/2010

Around this time of year, light is a precious commodity. Often it's dark when I get up in the morning and dark when I return home from work at night.

But darkness doesn't only refer to the physical lack of light; it also describes the spiritual gloom this world was in before God's promise of a Son.

ABOUT DAILY DEVOTION

December 2010

aklemp — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0000

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Issue Date:

12/2010

Do you make out lists for Christmas? You know, one list of what you want to buy for others and another with ideas of gifts for you. For me, it's always somewhat of a struggle to come up with meaningful ideas and not just to list a bunch of stuff.

Pastor Wayne Laitinen talks about how easy it is to become attached to all kinds of earthly "stuff" and the need for us to let go.

November 2010

smattes — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:05:20 +0000

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Issue Date:

10/2010

I apologize to the bird lovers out there, but living in Wisconsin, I have to admit that every year around this time I thank God when the geese decide to stop chasing after people and fly south for the winter.

Even though I'm not a big fan of geese, I thank God that he watches over all the birds—even the geese.

October 2010

smattes — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:28:20 +0000

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Issue Date:

10/2010

October and its celebration of the Reformation is when we as Lutherans examine our spiritual history and what our faith is rooted in—Jesus and what he has done for us. Pastor Wayne Mueller reminds us even more about our roots and how these roots can shape our future.

Many of us have been rooted in the Lutheran faith since we were born. What a blessing!

September 2010

smattes — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:58:12 +0000

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Issue Date:

08/2010

Ever wonder where the Bible comes from? We all know the basics—that it was inspired by God and written by various authors. But how did it get from those authors to the book that we read today? Many people in the Milwaukee area were discussing that topic earlier this year because of an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the public museum, but the subject reaches much further than the scrolls.

August 2010

aklemp — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:44:13 +0000

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Issue Date:

08/2010

For more than two years For more than two years Forward in Christ has been running a series called "Confessions of Faith," in which WELS members share their personal journeys of faith. We have heard from former Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics, and others and learned why they became WELS.

July 2010

smattes — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:33:04 +0000

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Issue Date:

07/2010

More and more WELS congregations are incorporating Christian artwork—whether in stained-glass windows, altar furnishings, architecture, or paintings—into their churches. But what does this mean in the worship of our Lord? What messages does it send? Last month we shared the meaning of the art and architecture at the new Chapel of the Christ at Martin Luther College.

June 2010

smattes — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:25:49 +0000

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Issue Date:

06/2010

Do you consider yourself "different"? You should. As Christians we know something that sets us apart from the world. We know about our Savior and the salvation he won for us.

But being Christians—and being different—isn't always easy. Pastor Richard Lauersdorf reminds us about how we differ from the world and why it's important that we stand out and not hide because of our differences.

May 2010

smattes — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:58:19 +0000

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Issue Date:

05/2010

With school graduations coming right around the corner, the month of May can be looked at as a time of endings . . . and beginnings. Students are excited to finish old phases and start news ones in their lives.

The graduating classes at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary couldn't agree more.

April 2010

smattes — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:24:57 +0000

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Issue Date:

04/2010

As Christians, we can see God’s hands directing our lives (though sometimes we do forget to look). Our cover story this month takes an even closer look at the hands of Jesus and what those hands have done to bring us salvation and peace.

Sometimes we question the direction that God takes. Why does God allow certain events to happen around the world or even in our lives?

March 2010

aklemp — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:48:35 +0000

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Issue Date:

03/2010

Love is a word that is thrown around almost cavalierly. You probably heard it hundreds of times last month when the United States celebrated its national holiday, Valentine’s Day. But what does love really mean? And how far will people really go today in the name of love?

Pastor John Vieths tells us about one man who went all the way to the grave to show his love for us and for all people.

February 2010

smattes — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:17:56 +0000

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Issue Date:

02/2010

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the "Heroes of faith" chapter. In it, the writer to the Hebrews defines faith and then highlights Old Testament individuals as examples. In a new Bible study, Pastor David Sternhagen relates these peoples' stories, especially focusing on their expectation of the coming of the Messiah.

January 2010

aklemp — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:43:41 +0000

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Issue Date:

01/2010

It's a new year, and you'll notice some new things in Forward in Christ.

Probably the most obvious change is the new look. We've updated the inside pages as well as the cover with new styles, fonts, and photos.

DAILY DEVOTION

December 2009

aklemp — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:28:01 +0000

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Issue Date:

12/2009

A new life is something to behold. Ten little fingers and ten little toes. A tiny bundle of joy for parents to love and take care of.

Can you imagine Jesus as that small bundle? What a miracleâ€”a miracle that we get to celebrate again this Christmas. Executive editor John Braun reminds us that celebrating this birthdayâ€”this lifeâ€”is the true essence of Christmas.

Joy to the World

November 2009

aklemp — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:47:10 +0000

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Issue Date:

11/2009

We often use the Thanksgiving season to reflect on and thank God for our blessings from the past year. So what are you thankful for?

Maybe you are having a hard time coming up with a list of material blessings this year. Stocks are down, unemployment is high—there's just not as much money to go around.

October 2009

WELS — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:53:01 +0000

Issue Date:

10/2009

The staff of Forward in Christ spent the last week of July at the synod convention in Saginaw, Mich. Because we all wear other hats besides working on the magazine, we were busy and time went quickly. But one of my favorite parts of the convention was being able to talk personally to some of our readers. Thank you for all your kudos, comments, and suggestions.

September 2009

WELS — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:52:58 +0000

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09/2009

August 2009

jduran — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0000

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08/2009

WHAT'S INSIDE

A staple in my refrigerator at home is a large jug of orange juice. I always have one, and I never wonder if someday orange juice won't be available anymore. But I don't thank God for it every day.

Perhaps I should.

July 2009

WELS — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

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07/2009

June 2009

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May 2009

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April 2009

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04/2009

March 2009

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February 2009

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January 2009

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December 2008

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November 2008

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October 2008

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September 2008

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August 2008

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July 2008

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June 2008

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May 2008

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April 2008

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04/2008