Higher Things
SUMMER
Now if you were raised with Christ, be eager for the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right of God.
2
Keep
your mind on things
L U T H E R A N
above, not on earthly things.
3
You see, you
have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
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When
Christ, your Life, appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.
D A R E
T O
B E
Colossians 3:1-4
/ 2001
from
the
editor-in-chief
dare to be lutheran Being a Lutheran can be lonely. In high school, I always felt like I was the only one in the world who had Lutheran beliefs. I had friends, but none of them quite understood who I was as a Lutheran Christian. If you ever feel this way, remember you're a Christian just like the baby Christians newly baptized and the mature,elderly Christians ready to be called home.There is no real difference,for the faith we all hold is the same. Yet, many adults believe the only way young people will be saved and stay in that faith is if the Church gives them empty theology. We, at Higher Things, believe differently. We’ll tell you the truth. You can handle it.
H I G H E R T H I N G S __ 2
On the following pages, you will read about how Jesus Christ came into this world to free us from the bondage of sin, death, and the power of the Devil. These are not dead words you learned from the Catechism, but living words that flow from the voice of God Himself. Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us this life through His Word, Preaching, Baptism, Holy Absolution and the Lord’s Supper. These “Higher Things”, provide you with the knowledge that Christ is in you and you in Him. And it is the “Higher Things” of Christ that change who you are and how you look at the world. Read these pages and learn who you are in Christ Jesus. Dare to be Lutheran. You will not be disappointed. Pastor Todd Peperkorn Editor-in-Chief Peperkorn@higherthings.org
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FEATURES
HigherThings
Clouds and Gutters
Editor-in-Chief REV. TODD PEPERKORN
by the Rev. James Winsor Pastor of Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Arvada, CO
T A B L E
O F
CONTENTS
What do we mean when we say “Higher Things”? Learn about how Christ comes down to us and raises us up to Him.
Volume 1/Number 1 Summer 2001
Managing Editor PAM KNEPPER
Assistant Editor JULIE STIEGEMEYER
Editorial Associate REV. DAVID PETERSEN Art Director STEVE BLAKEY
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Dying to Live by the Rev. Harold Senkbeil Pastor of Elm Grove Lutheran Church, Elm Grove, WI
A poem to the youth of the church. Word pictures from the Dying to Live Youth Conference, Laramie, WY, July 2000.
11 Soul Searching by Julie Stiegemeyer Freelance Writer, Pittsburgh, PA
Have you ever had your faith shaken to its very core? Julie Stiegemeyer has. Read how this former Methodist Christian found Lutheranism and the clearly proclaimed message of Christ crucified.
12 Going to Hell at the Happiest Place on Earth by the Rev. Grant A. Knepper Pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA
Disneyland is called the happiest place on earth because inside its gates reality is masqueraded to portray fantasy and even a trip to hell. But for Lutheran
Business Manager LYNN FREDERICKSEN
HIGHER THINGS, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS President REV. DANIEL Vice President REV. TODD
Secretary REV. SCOTT
WOODRING
PEPERKORN
STIEGEMEYER
REV. KLEMET PREUS DR. GENE EDWARD VEITH REV. JAMES WINSOR REV. MARCUS ZILL Higher Things Magazine is published quarterly by Higher Things Inc., 2026 22nd Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the editorin-chief of Higher Things Magazine. Copyright 2001. Printed in the United States. Postage paid at Fort Wayne, Indiana. For subscription information, write to: Higher Things Magazine, P.O. Box 580111, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158-8011 or e-mail to Subscriptions@higherthings.org. Higher Things Magazine is mailed to most pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the United States and Canada.
Christians, reality is found inside the church. The reality of font, pulpit and altar. The reality of the words,“given
The HIGHER THINGS of God define
and shed for you.” Inside the doors of the church we
and shape who we are as Christians.
find THE ANSWER that is just as real and true inside as
Because of Christ’s forgiving
it is outside.
presence in our lives, we are free to live in Him.
13 Catechism by the Rev. David Petersen Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN
You have probably memorized the Catechism, but can't quite recite it anymore. Pick it up again. Look at it anew. It is not simply a book of instruction, it also is a book of prayer and faith.
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The Summer 2001 issue of
Higher Things Magazine is sponsored by
Horizon Conferences
, an organization
dedicated to providing information about conferences and publications that address issues facing the For more information, visit the Horizon Conferences web site at
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
www.horizonconferences.org. If you would like to be a sponsor, make a donation, or place an ad in Higher Things Magazine, contact Pam Knepper, Managing Editor at H I G H E R T H I N G S __ 10
Magazine@higherthings.org.
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S U M M E R
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