Welcome to Higher Things!

Dear Reflections readers,

Glory be to Jesus! This is the refrain of the Lenten Reflections from Higher Things as we hear of the glory of Jesus in His suffering and death for sinners. The Lenten Reflections begin with Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and carry us through Holy Week (and an Easter surprise), April 8, 2012. We are also pleased to offer an additional format. Try the new "in line" PDF file, great for reading the Reflections on your computer or mobile device. As always, a printable booklet is available.

To download the Reflections as a PRINTABLE BOOKLET, click here.

To download the Reflections as an IN LINE PDF file, click here.

In Christ,
Pastor Mark Buetow
HT Media Services

In the weeks preceding our youth conferences each summer, we often hear the question, "What color will the shirts be this year?" And when the crowds of Lutheran youth, chaperones, and pastors arrive at a college campus and check in at the Higher Things registration table, they receive a bag full of conference materials, which includes the greatly-anticipated conference t-shirt.

This year, in honor of Higher Things' 12th birthday and the Twelve conference theme, we are offering a special opportunity: We are looking for 12 groups and/or individuals to sponsor conference t-shirts. For a minimum $1200 donation, your logo will be printed on the back of the conference t-shirts, which every attendee at all four conferences will receive, wear throughout the week, and take home as a great souvenir to be seen by lots of other people too! This year's donation amount is drastically reduced from previous years, and we hope that more of you will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

Please email exhibitors@higherthings.org to reserve your spot on the Twelve conference t-shirts. Our conference attendees will appreciate you!

We Lutherans talk a lot about the difference between Law and Gospel. You know the terms. But what difference does it make? You’ve heard about C. F. W. Walther, too, but what’s he got to say about this for us today? We’ll open up our Bibles, ask each other lots of questions, and find out. Yeah, it makes a difference – in like everything we do: knowing Christ, hearing and sharing God’s Word, living every day. It’s one of the highest things!

Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II is Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Prior to coming to the seminary, he served two congregations in Texas for a total of fifteen years.

When: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Cost: $25/person
Where: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church / 7611 Park Lane / Dallas, TX 75225
For more information contact: Rev. Michael Schuermann, (972) 638-7652 or revschuermann@orlcs.com
or
Sandra Ostapowich at retreats@higherthings.org - Higher Things Retreat Coordinator

Download the information packet here!

Click here to register online!

Higher Things presents the 2012 Reflections for Epiphany and Pre-Lent. These Reflections take us from January 8th, 2012 through February 21st, 2012. To download the Reflections as a printable booklet, click here.

In Christ,
Rev. Mark Buetow
Media Executive - Higher Things, Inc.
reflections@higherthings.org

Just a reminder about HT events and deadlines coming up soon!

• January 14-15 - Carlisle, Iowa - Higher Things Retreat with Rev. Brent Kuhlman teaching!
• December 31 - Last day of early bird registration for the Higher Things Retreat in Sheboygan, WI on February 17-19.

More information about upcoming Higher Things retreats this winter and spring is available at www.higherthings.org/retreats.

• December 31 - Last day of early registration for the Twelve Higher Things conferences this summer. Get your group registered and balance paid in full to secure the lowest possible rate!

Check out www.twelveHT.org for more conference information and registration details.

In Christ,
Sandra Ostapwich
ostapowich@higherthings.org
Conference and Retreat Coordinator

 

For those of you who didn't read the fine print in the latest Higher Things Conference FAQ, there have been a couple of exciting changes made to the CCV program this year.

1. CCV applicants need only be 18 and graduated from high school.
2. Registrations for accepted CCVs will be ***FREE*** this year.

Potential CCVs may apply online at http://dtbl.org/1145. A HT Account is needed to complete the online form. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2012 and all applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 15. If traveling with a group, young adults should register with that group and any fees paid will be reimbursed upon acceptance. More information about the responsibilities of CCVs is in the Conference FAQ.

Merry Christmas!
Sandra Ostapowich
ostapowich@higherthings.org
Conference Coordinator

Has Science replaced Religion? Does Evolution disprove Creation? Has Science disproved the existence of God? If there is a God why is there so much suffering in the world? Is faith contrary to reason? Is the Bible reliable? Why do we believe what we believe? Feel challenged by atheism and skepticism? Are you skeptical yourself? Let's talk.

Rev. William M. Cwirla is the pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, California. He is also the President of Higher Things and a regular speaker at Higher Things conferences. Pastor Cwirla studied chemistry in college and worked in scientific research and development prior to going to seminary. One of his many interests is in the intersection of science and faith.

When: March 16, 2012
Cost: $25/person
Where: St. John’s Lutheran Church / 146 Sligo Road West / Mount Forest, Ontario
For more information contact: Pr. David Saar, 519-323-4844 or prsaar@wightman.ca or
Sandra Ostapowich at retreats@higherthings.org - Higher Things Retreat Coordinator

Download the information packet here!

Click here to register online!

World famous celebs! Big time world famous problems too! Lindsay Lohan, Life with the Kardashians, Wacko Jacko! TigerGate! The Man in Black! Are you like one or all of these world famous superstars? Well, are you? Of course you are! You have the same problems. But God has good news for you. We’ll explore what the Scriptures say about the big time problems that we share with these famous sinners and most of all the good news that God has for you. Along the way we’ll also watch some videos from these folks to illustrate the big-time problems as well as God’s bigger, big time solution – the good news of the gospel revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Rev. Brent W. Kuhlman, S.T.M., is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Murdock, NE, a member of the board of directors for Higher Things, co-host of the radio program “Table Talk” heard in McCook, NE and St. Louis, MO, substitute bus driver, substitute teacher, part-time roofer, the husband to Robin and the parental unit of three.

When: January 13-14, 2012
Cost: $30/person ($25 for Saturday ONLY)
Where:Holy Cross Lutheran Church / 1100 Market Street / Carlisle, Iowa / (515) 989-3841
For more information contact: Pastor Kevin Johnson at johnsonknc@aol.com
or
Sandra Ostapowich at retreats@higherthings.org - Higher Things Retreat Coordinator

Download the information packet here!

Click here to register online!

Rev. Mark Buetow

As you move up out of middle school and into high school and from high school into college, the Lord has given you, beside your parents, teachers, and other adults to help you, a very important person: your pastor. This week, the church celebrates the festivals of three pastors (St. Timothy on January 24 and St. Titus on January 26, with St. Paul’s Conversion in between). It’s a good time to stop and remember why you need a pastor more than ever as you face the challenges of going from youth to adult.

Let’s start with your Baptism. The pastor you have now may or may not be the one who baptized you. But the pastor whom the Lord has given you now has the job of reminding you whose child you are even when it seems like you’re a wandering orphan. Your pastor will remind you that when you were washed with water and the Word, you were made a child of God. Right now, there are a lot of influences around that want to force their identity on you. Be cool. Be bad. Be yourself. Be whatever you want. When all those confusing voices make you uncertain, your pastor will remind you who you are and to whom you belong. In Jesus, by your Baptism, you are a child of God. You are His dear and precious child because His dear and precious Son died and rose for you. When you doubt your identity, ask your pastor. He’ll tell you!

Holy Absolution. Your pastor knows you. He knows what you do even if you don’t tell him. He was a kid once. He was in high school. He went to college. He knows the temptations that are out there. And so it is that your pastor may gently take you aside and remind you that you might not be acting like a child of God. That there might be some repentance needed there. Yet your pastor would only do that so that He can absolve you. Forgive you! Declare to you the Good News that even though you’ve messed up, pulled a whopper, done something stupid, in short, you sinned--for Jesus’ sake those sins are gone. Wiped out. Bled for by Jesus. Died for by Jesus. Left in the empty tomb by Jesus. Forgiven. Forgotten by God. Your pastor’s job is to remind you of that. When you are burdened in a way that you can share with no one else, go see your pastor. He’ll lead you to the cross and the font and the altar and pronounce forgiveness so that you can go in peace!

The Word. Your pastor is there to help you face the challenges to your faith that the devil, world and your own sinful nature throw at it. Especially in high school and college, those around you are good at challenging what you believe, calling it into question, trying to prove to you that it’s wrong and foolish. Sometimes even your close friends who belong to other denominations and religions will try to show you that what you believe is wrong. Your pastor is ready to strengthen you with God’s Word. With the comfort of the scriptures. With the Good News of Jesus. Along with reminding you of God’s promises, your pastor can help you sort out the arguments and issues you have to deal with and understand them with the wisdom of God’s holy Word at your disposal. Your pastor is trained to help you give a ready defense of your faith and confess Jesus boldly in a world that wants to ridicule and laugh at your believing in Jesus. When you have questions you can’t answer, go see your pastor. He’ll help you sort them out and answer them with God’s unfailing Word!

Holy Communion. Your parents try to keep up with your appetite by keeping the fridge full. Your health teacher tells you to watch what you eat so you stay healthy. And there’s always the appeal of grabbing some fast food with your friends. The Lord has given you a pastor to make sure you also eat regularly the food that gives eternal life. Your pastor wants to make sure you don’t miss out on the gift of eating and drinking Christ’s body and blood. Even when you’re young you can experience death. It might be a grandparent or younger family member. A friend dies from cancer or is killed in a car accident. Even if you think you are invincible you know that death is out there. And only one thing can overcome it, beat it, and defeat it. That’s Jesus who rose from the dead and who promises that in eating His body and blood He will live in you and you in Him and He will raise you up from the Last Day. In an uncertain world where anything can happen, when you worry about what your future holds, go see your pastor! He’ll give you the body and blood of Jesus as God’s own promise that you are taken care of now and forever.

There’s too many attacks on you from the devil, the world and your sinful nature for you not to need your pastor! He’s the one guy out there who isn’t there to judge you or condemn you but help and comfort you. He doesn’t do it with worldly wisdom or cheap psychology aimed at teenagers. No, he’s got something much better to help you. He’s got God’s Word. As a steward of Jesus’ gifts, your pastor is Jesus’ connection to you your whole life long and right now, too. So go and put your pastor to work. He’ll be glad you did. For after all, the Lord has called him to be a pastor for you!

Rev. Mark Buetow is pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, IL. He is also the Media Executive of Higher things.

by Jonathan Kohlmeier

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matt. 2:11

“When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it  and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” Lev. 2:1-2

Discussions of using incense in worship always tend to come up much more around The Feast of Our Lord’s Epiphany  (one of the magi’s gifts being frankincense and all). Unfortunately, the discussions are usually missing something. They’re missing something big. They’re missing the gift of incense! They miss how it points to Jesus.

Now, of course, there are many who really, really don’t like incense. Maybe they associate all smoke with the smell of not-so-good smelling smoke. Maybe they have trouble breathing when there is too much incense smoke or countless other reasons. On the other hand, there are people who love the smell of incense, they love burning incense and end up burning too much for the space that they are in and what the ventilation is like. That certainly isn’t very helpful for those who already don’t like incense.

But let’s put all of that aside and assume that everyone can sit (in good health) in a sanctuary where an appropriate amount of incense was burned before the service or during select points of the liturgy (like the singing of Psalm 141). Now what? Why should we use incense?

Here are the answers you usually tend to get: “Shouldn’t church smell like church?” “Incense visualizes our prayer before God.” Along with that, “It’s biblical! The Psalms say, ‘Let my prayer rise before You as incense.’” “No one was ever allergic to incense before - People just don’t like it because they think it’s too Roman Catholic.” I’m sure you’ve heard some of those before. None of those are completely terrible answers but they still miss the gift of incense. Some of them get close but just don’t get to it.

Those answers miss the gift of incense because they have nothing to do with Jesus! If you ask someone why they do what they do during the liturgy and their answer has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus, they’re probably better off not doing it. There are times when incense is burned for the sake of having incense without even a passing thought of what it confesses about Jesus. When incense is burned because that’s how the liturgy is really SUPPOSED to be done, there’s no gift there. No gift at all!

Then comes the Feast of Our Lord’s Epiphany. The magi bring Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We always hear a lot of about the gold and myrrh - how they are fitting gifts for Jesus. What about the gift of frankincense?

What was frankincense used for? It was used with sacrifices to make the aroma, the smell, of the sacrifice pleasing to the Lord. Pastors who have studied Biblical Hebrew usually mention that in the Old Testament when God was angry with Israel the text literally talks about His nose burning. The incense was meant to soothe the nose of God so that the Israelites might once again be in His favor.

That’s where the gift of incense lies. The magi bring frankincense to Jesus which point us to why He is born in the first place. He’s born to be the ultimate sacrifice, the final sacrifice, for them, and for you!

So, now what? What purpose does incense serve? How does it point us to Jesus? The gift of incense is that it reminds us that God is angry with His people no more! Incense proclaims that there has been a sacrifice whose aroma was pleasing to God. Jesus, on the cross, taking upon Himself the sin of the world, for you! No longer will God’s nose burn against you because the sweet fragrance of Christ’s sacrifice has soothed it! Jesus has taken the full blow of God’s anger, so that you might have forgiveness and everlasting life!

That’s the gift of incense. It’s always pointing to Jesus, who makes you smell good to God! Happy Epiphany!

Jonathan Kohlmeier is a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Greenfield, WI. He is also the IT Assistant for Higher Things.

By Sandra Ostapowich

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2011 issue of Higher Things Magazine.

Everyone focuses on Mary as being the mother of our Lord, especially at Christmas time, and for good reason! God thought so much of women, so much of motherhood that He created us with the ability to bear children. He gave His Son a mother who would carry Him in her body, nurse Him at her breasts, change his dirty diapers, and protect and love Him as only a mother can. Pretty amazing!

Mary’s faith is what has always astounded me. If some strange guy appeared out of nowhere and started talking to me, telling me that I’d suddenly be pregnant, but not by any man–by the Holy Spirit; that my son would be the Son of God, and reign forever on the throne of David, “Amen, may it be to me as you have said,” would hardly be my response.

But Mary is utterly unflappable! No matter what comes her way, she takes it all in stride. If a doubt crosses her mind, if she’s ever worried or scared, she doesn’t text all her friends and vent all her fears to them. I doubt she’d even put it on her Facebook status.

Pregnant outside of marriage? No fun, but no problem either. The rumors about what kind of girl she was have been flying for a while now. They still continue today with some modern scholars. But God won’t have Joseph dump her or scandalize her any more than she already has been. He’s going to be good to her–especially in this. He’s going to do great things for her. He has to. Holy is His Name.

Just when she’s getting used to it all and getting ready for the big day, there’s a new twist. Joseph has to go to Bethlehem and Mary has to go with him even though she’s literally about ready to give birth. It’s a really long journey, even if Joseph finds a donkey for her to ride on, like in the Christmas card pictures. Either way, her doctor wouldn’t approve.

Of course, that’s when things really start to get crazy! Her water breaks while they’re in Bethlehem. And all the hotels are completely booked because everyone and their uncle is in town for Caesar’s census. The best Joseph can find for them is a stall in a barn. Seriously? But not even so much as a tweet from Mary to complain about her incompetent husband, the less than 5-star accommodations, or the pain of having to deal with it all during the throes of labor.

No doctor, no nurses, no latex gloves, no anti-bacterial soap, not even a reasonably clean bed to put the Baby in once He’s born. She has to lay Him in a manger. It’s a good thing she packed extra swaddling cloths! Just when she’s about to catch some rest after a really long, hard day, visitors show up. Dirty, smelly, low-class shepherds from the hills outside of Bethlehem. Come on, God! Can’t she even get a decent nap?

The shepherds tell Joseph and Mary about the miraculous visit from the angels and how they were told where to find the Baby. The whole heavenly host had shown up in the skies to announce the birth of God incarnate to the shepherds, continuing their praises of Him on earth just like they do without ceasing in heaven.

Wait a second. These filthy men get the big angelic show and Mary gets the stinky shepherds? That’s so not fair! “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (St. Luke 2:19 ESV)

Mary just takes it all in. She treasures it all up–each precious moment. She doesn’t get negative. She doesn’t complain or whine. She doesn’t even get pouty. She’s not ungrateful or ungracious, for even a second. Why would she be? Mary actually believes what the angel told her.

She receives it all–that’s faith! She believes that she is one of God’s favorites! She knows without a doubt that everything that happens, no matter how unbelievable and unexpected, is a gift from her heavenly Father who loves her and only has good things for her. How could He not? He’s given this little Baby, cooing and gurgling in her arms, to save her from everything that could possibly harm her.

The thing about Mary is that it’s never really about Mary. Her faith is in Jesus, her receiving is from Jesus. Her salvation has been accomplished by Jesus. Yours, too. So be at peace. Trust that, in Christ, you are also one of God’s favorites and He has nothing but good for you. How could He not? He’s given you His Son.

Pause for just a brief moment as you think about Jesus and contemplate Mary. She is the epitome of femininity, but not simply because she gives birth to Christ and is His mother. She is a miraculous example of faith, of receiving, of trusting, of submitting. On her own she’s just as full of doubts as the rest of us, but in Christ she is quiet and full of peace. Mary is an example, not just for women, but for all of us who are the Bride of Christ.

Sandra Ostapowich is the Conference and Retreat Coordinator for Higher Things and served for nine years on the Higher Things Board of Directors. She lives with her son in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she is also studying for her PhD in Missiology at Concordia Theological Seminary.

HT-Online Subscribers get access to all Magazine articles and Bible Studies including archives of past issues.

 

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. - Galatians 3:27

It DOESN’T matter what you wear to church. It DOES matter what you wear to church. Well, which is it? It doesn’t matter to Jesus what you wear to church, but it does matter to your neighbor.

Every so often the topic comes up about how we should dress for worship. In the “olden days” (like when your grandparents and maybe your parents were your age) women wore dresses to church and men wore suits. After all, they reasoned, how can you not dress your best for the Lord? It shows reverence and respect. Fast forward to today. In many churches, people come dressed pretty casually: flip flops, tank tops, shorts and jeans. Older members who look at the kids dressed this way often remark, “Well someone ought to say something! How can their parents let them dress that way!” The kids, of course, have mastered the art of appealing to some generic love of God: “God doesn’t care what you wear because He just wants you there!” So what to wear to church?

It really doesn’t matter to Jesus. St. Paul writes that Jesus gave Himself up for the church, washing her and making her spotless and presenting her to Himself in splendor as a pure bride with no spots or blemishes or wrinkles. (Ephesian 5:26-27) Paul also says that to be baptized with Christ is to be clothed with Jesus. When you go to church, you are actually wearing Jesus, no matter what clothes you put on that morning. In fact, you are wearing Him every day. Every moment and every day of your life, your Father in heaven looks at you and sees not jeans or suits or dresses or flip flops. He sees Jesus. Perfect, holy, spotless, righteous, Jesus. When you sin, your sins are forgiven. God doesn’t see them either. What clothes you wear doesn’t bother God because you’re wearing Jesus.

At the cross, Jesus was hung naked and in shame for your sins. What happened to his clothes? They were taken by the sinful soldiers who nailed Him there. What a picture! Jesus dies naked, a reminder of sin and shame; you get His clothes! So no worries about how you appear before Jesus! He’s made you look great. He’s covered you with Himself. It doesn’t matter to Jesus what outfit you’ve got on since it’s all covered by Him!

But it does matter to your neighbor what you wear. If what you’re wearing in church or what you’re doing while you should be paying attention to God’s Word is a distraction and hindrance to others, then we need to repent and rethink what we’re doing. Young ladies: if the clothing you wear is a distraction to the young men around you, perhaps you should rethink your choice of outfits. Maybe the Lord’s house isn’t the best place for that low cut top if it takes someone’s mind off of God’s Word! Young men: if your dressing like a slob makes people shake their head at you instead of paying attention to Pastor, perhaps it’s time to rethink what you throw on for a Sunday Morning. Maybe the Lord’s house isn’t the best place for that death-metal t-shirt with the bloody skull on it! Again, it’s not as if the Lord is offended, but these things distract your brothers and sisters in Christ who, like you, should be in church to hear the Lord’s Word and receive His gifts.

The same goes with cell phones and texting. With whispering and chatting. With going in and out during the worship service. There’s nothing you can do to irritate the Lord. He has His Word and gifts for you! But it might drive your neighbor nuts. So there is room for some repentance. Repent of doing things that take your own mind and heart away from paying attention to the gifts Jesus has for you. Repent of doing things that tempt your neighbors’ minds and hearts away from God’s Word. The Lord knows our flesh has enough distractions in church without us adding to them for ourselves or others!

To those who say it matters how you dress for the Lord, you can confidently answer, “No it doesn’t! To those who say that it doesn’t matter how you show up for church you can say, “Oh yes it does!” Doesn’t matter for Jesus. Matters for your neighbor.

When the Lord sees you, He sees no sins. No spots. No blemishes. No wrinkles. No stains. He sees the righteousness which he earned for you on Calvary and in which He has wrapped you up in your Baptism. When your neighbor sees you, well, they should see the same thing: a redeemed child of God who is perfect in God’s sight. But in case they don’t, let’s not give them a reason to think something else! And all together with them, with the suits and the jeans, the flip flops and the dress shoes, the young and the old, the stodgy and the carefree, we can rejoice to be the holy and beautiful bride of Christ. That’s exactly what Jesus has made us and how He sees us. And His righteousness is clothing that looks amazing no matter what the fashion trends or season, whether we are in His house or out in the world. My, but don’t you look great dressed in Jesus!

 

Happy New Year! New Church Year, that is. This Sunday begins the season of Advent in the Church Year. Advent is a season of waiting and preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It’s also a time of waiting and preparation for the Second Coming of Christ in all His glory with the holy angels on the Last Day. Advent is a season in the church that seems to fight a losing battle to compete with the “Christmas rush” and the “Holiday Season” of the world around us. While Christians are waiting to burst out with the joyous hymns of Christmas until Christmas is actually here, the Christmas music has already been blaring on store speakers since before Thanksgiving! Often there is a sort of tug-o-war between the church and the world over when to start celebrating. So which is it? Do we put off our Christmas shopping until December 23rd and let no Christmas music fill our ears until Christmas Eve? Or do we just forget about Advent and dive headlong into the glitz and glitter of the commercial holiday shopping season?

Well the truth is that Advent is like every other season of the Church Year. Advent is about Jesus. So even if we sneak a listen to some Christmas carols or were standing in line early on Black Friday, Advent is still about Jesus. Christmas is about Jesus. Advent is about “Jesus is coming.” (Advent means “coming.”) Christmas celebrates “Jesus is here.” But the Church Year isn’t meant to put a “Bah! Humbug!” on us. The Church points us to Jesus. And Advent is all about Jesus coming, arriving and showing up. There are three ways we look for His coming.

Jesus’ first Advent, His first coming, was in the flesh. That began with Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the Mother of God. And so on Christmas we celebrate His birth. (And whether Jesus was actually born on December 25 or not doesn’t really matter; we don’t make laws about such things or get worked up over them!) In Advent, we get to remember that for many centuries, God’s people were longing for the Savior He promised. And since we know that Jesus was in fact born and died for our sins and rose again, Advent is a reminder that the longing of God’s people was not disappointed. God was faithful and kept His promise to send the Savior!

Jesus’ second Advent will be in glory on the clouds of heaven with the holy angels and the blast of trumpets on the Last Day. That will be the day when every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. It will be the day the sheep inherit their kingdom and the goats are sent away. The day the wise virgins enter into the wedding feast while the foolish virgins are left out. It will be the day when the Lord will wipe away all your tears and take away all sin and sorrow and dwell with us forever and ever. It will be the beginning of our paradise and everlasting life with our Lord. Advent reminds us that just as Jesus came the first time, He will come again in glory. We can count on it.

So is Advent just reminding us of the past and pointing us to the future? Not at all. For in between His first Advent in the manger and His second Advent in glory, Jesus still has Advents. He Advents everywhere His Word is preached and people are baptized and His Body and Blood are given to His people to eat and drink. And as He gathers us in His church, as we take a break from counting the shopping days left to buy presents, we hear preached in His church the Good News that Jesus has already done His Christmas shopping. For He bought you. Purchased and won you from all sin, death and the power of the devil. And He didn’t do it with gold or silver or gifts cards. He did it with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. For all its “coming” emphases, Advent is still all about that.

Some churches use purple in Advent. Some use blue. Some pastors are picky about not singing any Christmas hymns until it’s actually Christmas eve. Some folks are already rockin’ their Christmas playlists. Some people fast in Advent. Some do extra baking for Christmas parties. Many churches have an extra service in the week during Advent. Some don’t. But here’s the thing: Advent is about Jesus. All of those practices and customs teach us about Jesus in one way or another. Ask your pastor what your church’s customs are and what they mean. Go to that extra service and have another opportunity to hear God’s Word call you to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Get ready to celebrate Christmas! Get ready to celebrate the Lord’s return! But throughout the Advent season, remember the most important thing of all: When Jesus came the first time, when He comes now in His Word and gifts, and when He comes again in glory, it is for one reason: to save you from your sins and give you everlasting life. Merry Advent in Jesus’ name!

Rev. Todd Wilken

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2011 issue of Higher Things Magazine.

It is Judgment Day, and Jesus is separating the sheep from the goats:

He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me’ (Matthew 25:33-36).

The sheep are surprised. They don’t remember doing any of these things. They ask, “When did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?” How could the sheep get to Judgment Day unaware that their earthly lives had been filled with good works?

Keep-Track Christianity
If you had been a Christian in the years leading up to the Reformation, your life would have been all about keeping track of your good works. You would have been taught that your salvation depended on it.

At the time, Martin Luther made a bold statement in the Heidelberg Disputation:

Although the works of man always seem attractive and good, they are nevertheless likely to be mortal sins… they appear to the doer and others good and beautiful, yet God does not judge according to appearances but searches the minds and hearts.

Luther was saying that your good works may not be good at all. And if you couldn’t tell if your works were really good, then how could you keep track of your good works? Even today, many churches teach that, as a Christian, you need to keep track of your good works. They are wrong.

What Is a Good Work?
God doesn’t grade on a curve. With God, good means perfect. God says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). All means all, and anything less than all is sin.

You see, your good works aren’t measured by comparing yourself with your past, with others, or with your own moral goals. Your good works are measured by God’s perfect standard.

If God’s standard is perfection, are any of your good works good enough? No.

Whose Good Works?
Don’t get me wrong, Christians do good works. But I am saying that you don’t need to keep track of your good works.

First, your good works aren’t the result of your effort; they are God’s doing. Paul tells the Philippians: ”I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1: 6) and, “It is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Good works are a promise of God. And as with every promise of God, we walk by faith and not by sight.

Second, your good works aren’t good because they are perfect. They are good for another reason. Scripture says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). But with faith in the perfect good works of Jesus Christ, it is impossible not to please Him.

What pleases God is Jesus. You are pleasing to God because of what Jesus did for you. Jesus met God’s perfect standard. Jesus’ perfect good works substitute for your life of sin and less-than-perfect good works. This is why you don’t need to keep track of your good works.

What Are Good Works Good For?
You may ask, “What good are my good works, if I can’t use them to keep track of my moral progress?”

The truth is your good works aren’t for you; your good works are for your neighbor.

This brings us back to the surprised sheep in Jesus’ parable. They are surprised when Jesus tells them about their good works. They don’t remember doing any of them. Why not?

The sheep didn’t spend their lives keeping track of their good works. The sheep spent their lives trusting in the perfect good works of Jesus. Therefore, they were free to do good works for “the least of these my brothers.”

But the sheep aren’t the only ones surprised on Judgment Day. The goats are also surprised, but for a different reason. The goats were careful to keep track of their good works. They were certain that if they had seen Jesus hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick or in prison, they would have helped Him.

Think about it: Some of the greatest philanthropists and humanitarians will be among the goats on Judgment Day. They will be able to recite long lists of their good works. They will ask, “When did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not minister to you?”

Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matthew 25:45-46).

So much for keeping track of your good works. On Judgment Day the goats will have their works, but that is all they will have.

But sheep don’t keep track.

So remember, you’re a sheep, not a goat. Don’t waste your time and effort keeping track of your good works. Instead, trust in Jesus; live for your neighbor. Spend your time, effort and works on your neighbor in need. Sheep don’t keep track, because they know they don’t need to. They’re already sheep in Jesus.

Todd Wilken is host of the radio show, Issues, Etc. He is also the assistant pastor of Trinity Lutheran- Millstadt, Illinois, and believes that he can hug every cat.

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Witches, wizards, skeletons, devils, and superheroes? Never mind that. Let’s get to the candy! As Halloween approaches, many calling themselves Christians will get all worked up about this supposedly satanic holiday. With emphases on witches and devils and violent horror, these folks get upset and say that Christians have no business observing this holiday and ought to do something better, something more godly and pious. Thus all over “Halloween” celebrations are replaced with “Fall Festivals.” There’s even a group who invented a new holiday on October 31 called “Jesus Ween.” (Does anyone else think that just sounds odd and creepy all at once?) So can you be a Christian and celebrate Halloween? Can you dress up and go to a party? Go trick-or-treating? Have fun? The fact is, a Christian CAN celebrate and enjoy Halloween. Read on to find out why.

First, a little bit of history. Halloween is taken from the old English “All Hallows Eve.” “All Hallows” refers to “All Saints” which is the festival on November 1 on which the church remembers all her baptized saints and especially those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Since Christian festivals begin at sundown on the day before, October 31 is the Eve of All Saints (just like December 24 is Christmas Eve) or All Hallows Eve, shortened and smushed together over time to “Halloween.” So, at its root, Halloween was just the Eve of the day when all Christian saints were remembered. And when we’re talking about saints, we’re talking baptism! And how can a day which reminds us of our baptism be bad?

On Good Friday, Jesus destroyed the power of the devil. He died for the sins of the world. He died for your sins. St. Paul writes that on the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers of hell (Colossians 2:15). That means when Halloween rolls around and little ghosts and goblins are running around they’re nothing more than jokes and mockeries of the devil. He has no power. He can’t harm you. The devil has no claim on those who have been buried and raised with Jesus and clothed with Christ in their baptism. Those upon whom the blood of the Lamb of God has been sprinkled cannot be snatched out of their Father’s hand! That means when we go out on Halloween, costume or not, we look like Jesus. That’s what your heavenly Father sees when He looks at you. You may be a ghoul or a superhero for trick-or-treating or a party but to your Father in heaven you’ll always look like His Son, dearly beloved and precious.

But isn’t October 31st also a traditional time for pagans to do their thing? Sure. That’s because whenever the church has a holy day, the devil tries to copy it and mock it and lead others astray. So the end of October has long been a time when pagan religions carried on rituals and other weird practices. But let’s face it. Halloween in America has become nothing more than a day to have some fun. Go and get loads of candy. Go to a party and bob for apples. Dress up and act a bit silly. As Christians, we’re so free, having been rescued by Christ from sin and death, that we can laugh at inflatable tombstones and dress like zombies. Perhaps, in some small way, Halloween is the world’s way of trying to pretend death is something to laugh at. But for those who are in Christ, we know that’s all death is. Something to be laughed at. Mocked. Because death has been defeated by Jesus. Your death has been overcome. We know we don’t come back as vampires or zombies. Rather on the Last Day, Jesus will come again and raise us up and there will be no more death.

So live on Halloween the way you live every other day. Make the sign of the cross in the morning to remember that you are a child of God, marked by the Lord has His own child. Go and enjoy your day and eat your candy with a clean conscience, knowing that your robe of righteousness is no dress-up but true clothing whereby you have been covered in Jesus. Serve your neighbor and avoid anything that will harm or be a bother to them. (Not EVERY Halloween activity is a good idea!) And at the end of the day, make the sign of the cross again and know that you are still the Lord’s because of Jesus. And dare to be Lutheran too, remembering that October 31 is also the day that the Reformation began, the time when Martin Luther reminded the church that Christ was the big deal and that superstitions, even if they’re in the church, are still silly and useless. And who needs to be afraid of such things when we have such a Savior who has redeemed us, purchased and won us from all sin, death and the power of the devil? So Happy Halloween! Happy because you are a baptized saint in Jesus.

Rev. William Cwirla

You don’t have to know me well to know that I’m a huge fan of Apple. I have an Apple decal on my study door to make the point. My first computer was a 512K “Fat Mac” purchased in 1984. I’ve owned Apple computers my entire working life. I operate three today. I’m also the proud owner of two iPods and a first generation iPad. I don’t have an iPhone, though. I prefer my phones to be phones and my cell phone to be off. Don't call me; I'll call you.

Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, died Wednesday. His accomplishments are legendary. A fiercely competitive businessman, a culture-defining designer, an innovator, a showman to the end, Steve Jobs epitomized a generation. My generation. For my parents’ generation, the defining company was General Electric, the giant industrial conglomerate that made everything from washing machines to MRI machines to jet engines. For my generation, the iconic company is Apple, joining form and function, engineering and art, making technology an integral part of our lives. Others invented computers, cell phones, music players, and tablets. Steve Jobs put his unique signature on them and changed the way we use them. He made technology fun.

What many people don’t know is that Steve Jobs was baptized in a Lutheran church. He was catechized in the same Lutheran congregation my brother now attends by a pastor I knew before he died. He is named in the famous “Lutheran Song” that lists many prominent people as Lutherans, though most are not actually Lutheran any more.

I’m sad that Steve Jobs died at a fairly young age. He was just two years older than I am. I don’t know if Apple will continue to be an innovative force without him. We’ll see. But what makes me really sad is that he didn’t stick with being Lutheran. That would have been so cool. Imagine, Steve Jobs as a Lutheran going to the same church as my brother. I might have met him. Truthfully I don’t know what he believed at the end of his life. I know he dabbled in Buddhism and was a vegetarian. Neither philosophical contemplations or vegetables will do you any good at the end of your life.

I don’t understand falling from faith. I understand that we do not come to faith by our own reason or strength or decision. I know that the Holy Spirit calls us to faith by the Gospel and that faith is a gift from God. I understand that and believe it. What I don’t understand is how someone falls from faith. This is a great mystery to me. How is it that someone can be baptized and catechized and then turn away from Christ and His Church? In 19 years of ministry, this is what puzzles me the most. There are many sons and daughters of our congregation who have gone that way. I grieve over them much more than I do the death of Steve Jobs. I baptized and taught them. And I will have to give an account for their souls. And what about me? What makes me immune from falling in the same way?

I think falling from faith happens slowly and imperceptibly. It begins with that Sunday soccer game or basketball tournament, the boy scout event, the part-time job that forces you to work on Sunday morning and then the next time, you volunteer. The late night party on Saturday that leaves you too tired to get up for church. The hectic calendar. Family concerns, the business, the house, the investments.

You discover that you can skip church for weeks, maybe even months, and nothing bad happens. Your hair doesn’t fall out. Your teeth don’t turn green. Your children are no worse and maybe even a little better now that you don’t have to fight them in the pews. And you get a little more “me time.” You might even get promoted, or start your own company, or invent the iPod. Pretty soon, you cease to worry about how it is with you and the Lord, like a relative you’ve long forgotten. Maybe you read a few books challenging religion in general and Christianity in particular and they cause you to wonder if it’s all a big waste of time. You find some unpleasant stuff about Lutherans on the internet. You have a squabble with a congregation member. No one from church seems to care or call.

One day the dimly flickering light of faith simply goes out, like a little candle in a puff of wind, and you don’t even notice. Faith doesn’t die with a shout of protest or a clenched fist of defiance. It takes faith to be angry with God. When faith dies, it simply withers away like a dry untended plant.

The rich man and Lazarus both died and were buried. Death is the great leveler of humanity. The rich may have better health plans and access to the marvels of medicine, but sooner or later that runs out too. Two days after his resignation from Apple, Steve Jobs looked like any other 56 year-old man near the end of his life. I know the look well. His many achievements and contributions to technology and culture were behind him. His days were numbered. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

God is merciful and gracious. He justifies the ungodly in His Son. He forgives sinners for Jesus’ sake. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Him, God the Father reconciled all the world to Himself and does not count men’s sins against them. I don’t know how it is between the dying and the Lord of life in their last moments. I’ve attended many deaths, but I haven’t been privy to the private conversation. Like the beginning of life, the end remains a great mystery, hidden entirely in the hands of Jesus, whose hands were wounded to save the world, including men like Steve Jobs, and all those other Lutherans who no longer are.

I sincerely hope that everyone at their last hour gets to hear, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” from the Savior who died for them. That's what all of us sinners, great and small, clever and dull, extraordinary and ordinary, need to hear.

Rev. William Cwirla is pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, CA. He is also the President of the Board of Directors of Higher Things, Inc. This article originally appeared at his blog.