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Happy Birthday, Katie Luther!
By Rebecca DeGarmeaux Today is the day that history records as Katharina Von Bora Luther’s birthday. Who exactly was Katie Luther and why do we want to be counted as her sisters? In many ways Katie was a very ordinary woman who lived a very ordinary life. As best as we can tell, she was born January 29, 1499 to Hans and Katharina von Bora near the town of Lippendorf near Leipzig, Germany. When she was five years old, her mother died. Her father remarried soon after and, at about the same time, Katie was sent to live in a convent in Brehna. At the age of ten…
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Are you a Good Christian?
By Mary Abrahamson First let’s answer what makes a person Christian? Well, that’s an easy answer. Belief in one’s total sin and depravity, and further belief that Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death cleanses one from all that sin. Somehow though, when we apply the adjective, Christian, to life or another noun, or when we put an adjective such as good or true in front of the noun, Christian, it’s easy to mix up the Law and the Gospel. Or to confuse Sanctification and Moral Living. We hear quite often phrases like Christian living or Christian life or Christian home, good Christian, true Christian, etc. These conjure up images…
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Can Doctrine Become an Idol?
By Vanessa Rasanen Now, I’m a fairly new Lutheran, and certainly no expert or authority on our beliefs, but I at least know we hold our confessions in high esteem. We are often passionate and perhaps a bit stubborn. I, personally, don’t see this as bad. I think this fervor has helped to keep us rooted in scriptural truth for centuries. Yet I have often heard the warning: “Doctrine can become an idol”. And typically from folks who have left the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, actually. For months, I pondered this, weighing it for any possible validity. Were my friends right? Was my church, were my pastors, were all the historical theologians possibly making an…
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To the Mother of Little Boys
By Allison Hull Coming back from my parent’s house I’ve come to realize that the life of a mom with boys is infinitely different from others. Now that I have 4 and my littlest is getting more of a personality I feel like I’ve surpassed Expert level and am in Mastery level with a few insights to give. So this is my Top 10 Guide to Living with a Multitude of Boys, or rather My DON’TS. Flashing and streaking are an everyday occurrence. You will always have at least one younger child who is “Porky Pigging it”. Reasons range from it just being easier to go to the…
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Offering Forgiveness When You Would Rather Not
By Vanessa Rasanen This Spring was hard. Well, about 6 months of this year was hard. I’d like to say that was solely due to our losing three babies early into the pregnancies, but to be honest, peace for our lost little ones came somewhat quickly. Much quicker than I expected. Yes, even after the first loss. Instead, I traded grief and mourning for bitterness and frustration. Okay, frustration is a lie. I was pissed. Hurt, angry, enraged. Seething, might be a good word. Someone’s words regarding that first miscarriage had hit hard and cut deep just a day or two after we found out. The initial shock and disbelief soon…
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Better to Eat Bacon Than Listen to Christian Music
By Vanessa Rasanen Imagine for a second that you are offered two plates. One piled high with bacon. The other with brightly colored vegetables. Which do you choose? Bacon, we’re told, is bad for us. While I think that’s rather debatable, I wouldn’t dare call it a health food. As such, I eat it rather sparingly — even if the 10 packs in my cart this last shopping trip suggested otherwise. I eat bacon, because I like it — not because I expect it to make me healthy or fit or improve my physique. So naturally those veggies seem like a better option. But what if they’re not regular veggies?…
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I’m Pregnant! Should I still take the Lord’s Supper?
By Vanessa Rasanen “Dear Katie Luther Sisters, I’m pregnant, and I just read newer guidelines that say no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Can I still partake in the Lord’s Supper?” Yes, you can, and you should. It’s good for you and the baby. Next question… I’m just kidding, of course. Not about my answer, but about that being all that needs to be said on the matter. The Truth is the Lord’s Supper is good — for both you and your unborn little one. It is there in the bread and wine that Christ our Lord comes to us personally, physically, and substantially to give us the very forgiveness…
