Current Events

Rev. George F. Borghardt III

So, he's dead. Finally. We got him. We may or may not see the pictures everywhere. But, everyone who is anyone believes that he is dead. The 9-11 victims and their families have some closure – even if it's ten years later. Thank God.

Did you feel a twinge a guilt while you were celebrating? Maybe you started feeling not-so-hot about it. After all, isn’t it kinda awkward? We're rejoicing over someone’s death. Should we? Shouldn't we? What about forgiveness? What about mercy? Aren’t we Christians?

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

In the Name of Jesus.  Amen. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercies endure forever.”

Sinners love Thanksgiving – for sinners are on the receiving end of all the things from God to be thankful for.

So, we know one thing about this man, besides being a Samaritan, a leper, a foreigner.  This man simply MUST BE a sinner!  That’s why he’s on his face, thanking Jesus.

We give thanks to God for the birth of Lucille Rose Lemon, born November 6, to Stan (our Webmaster!) and Sara Lemon. We also celebrate and give thanks to God for Lucy's second birth from above by the waters of Holy Baptism on Sunday, November 15, 2009. Congratulations, Stan and Sara! Welcome, Lucy, to the Higher Things family! 

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

The rally cry of Higher Things is “Dare to be Lutheran!” In October, Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day , the day when Dr. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg to call the church back to preaching God's grace through Jesus Christ. Martin Luther was ready to give his life for the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins for Jesus' sake alone, just as many more martyrs before him had given their lives for confessing Jesus. Today, however, we live in a world where it is unacceptable to say that one religion is right and others are wrong. 

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

This year several people found joy in quoting Pastor Mark Buetow, saying that at Higher Things, we emphasize the “Three W’s”: Worship, Word, and … Fun (?) No matter how you look at a Higher Things conference, these are the clearest and best way to describe our four days together. But for now, let’s look at these in reverse order.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

So long to Sola! The Conferences are over. School looms on the horizon. You're back at home and you miss all the friends you saw and met at the Higher Things Conference this summer. Let's face it: you've probably suffering from the Post-Conference Blues, that sad syndrome that means the Conference is over and you miss all the fun and learning that was going on. But while you had a chance to have the Gospel poured upon you in many ways at the Conference, that same Gospel isn't just at the Conference! The Lord gives it out to you right where you are in your home church too! So here's our prescription for those Post-Conference Blues

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Scientists this week announced that they've found what they call the "missing link." No, it's not a problem on our website. It's a cute little animal fossil named "Ida" that is supposedly 47 million years old and shows very clearly a specific branch in the human evolutionary tree. At some point, little mammaly things split, one branch becoming lemur-like creature...

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Friends, Romans and Youth, “Lent me your ear.” Today, Ash Wednesday begins the Holy Season of Lent. What is Lent? Lent is a Holy Season of the Church Year lasting 40 days. But what is Lent about? Well, it's not about things people borrowed from  you and it's not about that fuzzy stuff that sticks to your pockets. No, Lent is a season in which Christians pay close attention to Jesus going to the cross for sinners and taking the opportunity to receive even more of Christ's gifts to us in Word and Sacraments. (Usually with the Supplemental Church Lenten Wednesday Service).

by The Rev. William Cwirla

Philipp Melanchthon was born this day in the year 1497 at Bretten near Karlsruhe, the son of Georg Schwarzerd, armorer to Count Palatine Philip.   At the age of ten he was sent to the Latin school of Pforzheim where he studied the Latin and Greek poets and the philosophy of Aristotle.  At the age of 13, he entered the University of Heidelberg where he studied philosophy, rhetoric, and astronomy.  Refused the master's degree on account of his tender age, Philipp went to the University of Tübingen where he studied law, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.  After receiving his master's in 1516, he began to study theology under Reuchlin and Erasmus.  He went on to the University of Wittenberg where he taught alongside Martin Luther.

by The Rev. William Cwirla

So who was Valentine?  Well, you actually have three guys to choose from.  According to the New Advent Encyclopedia, my on-line source for all things Roman Catholic, there are at least three different St. Valentines in the martyrologies.  One was a priest at Rome, another the bishop of Interamna (modern Terni, in case you haven’t made summer vacation plans yet), and the third some guy in Africa that no one knows much about.  As the story goes, Valentine got in trouble with Emperor Claudius II, allegedly over Claudius’ prohibition of marriage for young men because he needed more soldiers.

President-elect Barack Obama recently made what many consider to be a controversial choice to say the invocation at his inauguration. His choice was the very popular pastor and author Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. You might have heard of the guy, he wrote a book entitled “The Purpose Driven Life”.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Some of you may be voting for the first time this year. But even if you cannot vote in this year's election, you should still take some time to think about our heavenly Father's gift of government. The Small Catechism reminds us of these particular bits of "daily bread" that we pray for in the Lord's Prayer: "devout and faithful rulers, and good government." It might seem strange to say that "government" is part of our daily bread. But the people who are in positions of authority around us--mayors, governors, presidents, congressmen, judges, etc.--are given to us by our heavenly Father for the support of our body and life.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Hurricanes are full of water. That means that when they come barreling down on top of us, we are reminded of our Baptism! It was in Baptism, after all that the “Storm Surge” of the forgiveness of sins washed over us by water and the Word of God! And that means that we are the Lord's. Even if a hurricane huffs and puffs and blows our house down!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Three years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. People faced massive hardships and loss of property. While the media focused mainly on New Orleans, a sizeable region of our nation was hurting. Chaos and violence arose in various flooded and damaged neighborhoods. While our government was “getting its ducks in a row” to respond, many said it was too little, too late. It appeared to many news interviewees that the President and other officials did not have their priorities straight.

by Sandra Ostapowich

Having just coordinated three Higher Things Amen conferences this summer, I have a few post-conference reflections to share...

by Aaron Fenker

Recently we truly saw how our world is passing away – there was an earthquake in southern California.  It wasn’t a big earthquake (I’m not sure how that’s possible), but there was still some damage done, nerves shaken, and a reality check given.

by the Rev. Rich Heinz

“Paul Hamm won't be going to the Beijing Olympics, after all,” reported Fox News on Monday.  Hamm suffered a broken hand on May 22 at the national championships, and despite surgery his recovery will not be swift enough to compete.  In his effort to accelerate recovery, Hamm also hurt his rotator cuff.

by The Rev. William Cwirla

The Amen-Irvine youth conference came to its worshipful ending yesterday afternoon, and what a week it was!  Though smaller in numbers than Amen-Scranton and St. Louis, the worship at Amen-Irvine was no less joyful and exuberant.  Dare I say, it was fun.  Did I just say that?  Well, if you were there to hear my last liturgical catechesis, you know what I mean.  Fun.  It goes without saying that play is fun.  And it’s a pretty sad thing when work isn’t fun, at least some of the time.  But worship?  Yes, worship too.

by The Rev. Dr. Rick Stuckwisch

Pastor Rick Stuckwisch led over 800 youth and their pastors & chaperones in receiving Christ’s Gifts, and responding in prayer and praise, during Amen: Saint Louis. His expertise, precision, and humility were a shining example to all. Read on to hear what Pastor Stuckwisch experienced as chaplain for a Higher Things conference.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

“All good things must come to an end,” the expression goes. Yet it is not entirely true.

The best thing, that your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born, suffered, rose, and lives for you, can never end! “Tetelestai!” -- “It is finished!” -- “Amen!” Pastor Borghardt reminded us on Tuesday. The saving work of Jesus stands completed and cannot be undone!
 

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Today I had a high privilege and honor: preaching for Matins at a Higher Things conference! I have to admit: preaching for a Higher Things conference gives more pressure than a typical Sunday. There are great preachers of Christ’s Gospel here, and youth whom they have catechized well. A “Higher” standard is expected. Because of that, I scrapped my first homily about one-third of the way through writing it. And boy! Am I glad I did.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Over 800 youth, pastors, and adult chaperones blended their voices in singing Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress, in St. Francis Xavier College Church on the campus of Saint Louis University. The soaring gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass, statues of our Lord, and of course Higher Things’ processional crucifix were a feast for the eyes, while the organ, trumpet, and voices carried the Word into our ears. Thus began our four days of worship, work, and play at Amen, the 2008 HT conference.

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

A construction crane falls and two die in New York. That's two deaths too many. Cranes are used in every city to do work every day. We see them without thinking that they are dangerous. They aren't supposed to fall. They just aren't. What happens when they do? Why did this one fall?

Sin. Fall. Adam. Eve. That blasted fruit that they ate and shouldn't have eaten. That's where sin and death originated. They took what wasn't given to them. Today, we sin too – daily and much.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

“Ignorant.” “Pathetic.” “Self-absorbed.” A New Albany, Indiana Kindergarten teacher has made national news with such nasty names for one of her students. After telling his parents for some time that his teacher was mean to him, Gabriel Ross’ family recorded the hateful remarks that he was receiving. The teacher has been suspended, however the teachers’ union is challenging that decision. In the end, there is no justification for such berating of a 5-year-old, and turning classmates against him, as has been recorded.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Last week, the Supreme Court of California legalized gay marriage. Homosexual men and women may now actually get a marriage license. The world pretty much welcomed this decision as a wonderful thing, allowing the “love” that exists between two men or two women to be given the same “right” of marriage that was only allowed to a man and woman before. This is a pretty sad decision because it highlights our world and society's continual advance away from God's Word.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

The earth shook! But it was not the first time. It trembled as in the day of Elijah. “And he said, “And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

I can still remember as a child, every Palm Sunday evening, one of the major networks would air The Ten Commandments. Even then, in the 1970’s, I knew the film was old. Not understanding the “magic” of stage make-up, I thought the actor might already be dead. I was happy to discover my misunderstanding.

by The Rev. George Borghardt III

As many of you know, the popular radio program “Issues Etc” was removed from the programming of KFUO yesterday without warning. And for whatever reason they were taken off the air, you can take it back to Jesus. Jesus for you. Jesus for me. For no program more put the focus on what Christ did for you on the Cross more than Issues Etc. tried do and did.

by The Rev. Mark E. Sell

In a few months, the citizens of the United States will elect a new president. Are you afraid? Does the idea of a close race make you worry about your home being burnt down? Will protesters murder anyone in your family because they voted the wrong way, or are the wrong ethnicity or race? Thanks be to God, this isn’t something we usually have to worry about after elections in our country.

Why do these things happen? Why do college students die? What motivates someone to do something so horrific? And on Valentine's Day too! We cry out to God for an answer, and He is silent. He says nothing. What then? What do you do when something hits you so hard that you have no clue why God did that or even allowed for that to happen?

by Jon Kohlmeier

We worshiped! We got to pray such offices at Matins, Vespers, Evening Prayer and Compline. Another great gift that those in attendance received was the opportunity for both Private Confession and Absolution and also a service of Corporate Confession and Absolution. Many who were at “Watermarked” had never gotten to experience this. The Pastors laid their hands on our foreheads and said, “In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

by Darrell Wacker

The BCS Championship game between Ohio State and LSU was played last night and what a performance by the “Bayou Bengals.” While taking Ohio State’s best shot in the opening minutes, LSU remained steady, stayed true to their game plan, and ultimately dominated the Buckeyes. As a long-suffering University of Kentucky football fan (I know, I know!) I am always in a distinct minority here in southwestern Ohio, where they think that “The Ohio State University” reigns supreme. I must admit my sinful nature feels a sense of satisfaction in seeing LSU manhandle the Buckeyes, if for no other reason than to say “I told you so” to all these Buckeye fans I live and work with.

by Darrell Wacker

Another year has come and gone, and with the passing of Christmas, it is not unusual for us to look at the upcoming year as a new beginning or a fresh start. The passing of a year can be a useful place for us to take stock of our lives and think about ways to do better.

by Glenda Mumme

"On November 1st, 2007 three LCMS pastors lead a group of fifty people on a ten day tour of Germany. The three pastors, brothers Mark, Paul, and David Mumme, had discussed taking such a trip since their seminary years. Those dreams were fulfilled as they led their wives, relatives, and members from each of their congregations and their childhood congregation to the Lands of Luther.

by Darrell Wacker

Surrounded by complete darkness, you begin to doubt the clues you left behind, and the precautions you had taken. Along with two friends, you begin to worry that this crawl space the size of a sewer pipe could end up being the place where you starve to death. Cold and hungry, you are experiencing darkness as few people ever have.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

The need was even more apparent for the FOR YOU conferences: something was needed to give an ecclesial sense – a churchly feel – to the concert hall in Minneapolis and the facility in Asheville. Something was necessary to transform the space. The ideal of Higher Things conferences is to have sacred space set aside, not used for plenaries, announcements, and the business of the conference. Something was desired that would proclaim: “Work and play take place in other settings; this space is for worship.”

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

This whole "global warming" thing is starting to bother me. Not because the earth is getting warmer, which I suppose it is, but because "global warming" is being turned into a horrible deception which blames people for causing it and then preys on their fears about the future.

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt

It's the HT-wake or HT-afterglow. It goes like this...  The Lord takes His Word and flings it haphazardly at 2200 kids and their counselors. He gives them the FOR YOU delivering faith where and when He pleases in those who hear the Gospel (AC V).

by Mrs. Lynea Sander

It’s the end of another wonderful conference, and things are winding down quickly. Yawns abound as the late nights and early mornings finally catch up to everyone. It’s difficult to stay awake at this point in the week, despite every effort to pay attention to the excellent catechesis!

by “Luvable Lutheran”

With some 1200 youth and adults from our Higher Things community having been there, blocks away from an eminent disaster, we thank the Lord for preserving our conference from such harm and danger. At the same time, our hearts go out to those who have been forever affected by this trauma. We ask the Lord of Life to console, strengthen, and bind up wounds with the oil and wine of His Word and Sacrament.

Luvable Lutheran is a regular HT blogger, a student, and works for a Twin Cities hospital. She also recently served at a FOR YOU and was a member of the conference planning staff for FOR YOU MN. She shares her experience from the first evening of the disaster on her HT blog, which we pass on to you here.

by Mrs. Lynea Sander

Matins, Vespers, Evening Prayer and Compline continue to bring us all together at their appointed times. I always find it very encouraging to see that the Word, preaching and worship are held in such high esteem by so many youth from across the country - attendance hasn't wavered all week!

by Mrs. Lynea Sander

Today started out, as it has for us at every conference, with Matins. Baptism was sung, read and preached to us - a wonderful way to start the day! My group, unfortunately, missed Vespers (though I heard it was just as good as the previous services) due to an adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains (see that story below). Evening Prayer was beautiful as always, accompanied this evening by a procession and incense. Compline was offered tonight, as well, in three places: first, in the smaller Rutland chapel, second, in the Prayer Garden; third, at the Mountain Laurel Fire Ring, where the participants chanted Compline around a campfire.

by Mrs. Lynea Sander

I made it! After much planning and preparation, I survived the 23-hour bus trip from Conroe, Texas to beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. For me, this involves months of fundraising with two youth groups in Texas, making it through preparations for my July 7th wedding, adjusting to a new life in a new town and then hopping on a bus three weeks later with my new husband and 37 other excited Lutherans. We arrived at the Ridgecrest Conference Center on Monday afternoon having snatched only a couple hours of sleep - and this, I've discovered after attending four HT conferences, is just the beginning!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

The end of the conference is upon us, just as the end of the Harry Potter series has been released, and the end of the Star Wars trilogies has come and gone. Yet, even as the Lord’s earthly pilgrimage is also over, He continues to come FOR YOU. Now, we hear a foretaste of next year’s conference, and I can’t wait!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Daily Matins continues to be our starting point. I can’t go on enough about the amazing worship that the Lord gives here! We are truly invigorated by Christ’s Word, and the musical responses to that Gift are of the highest caliber –and youth recognize that!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

We began our day following breakfast with Matins. It is amazing; even after everyone had a late night, the vast majority are all gathering for services. The chapel is practically filled to capacity, including the multiple balconies. Have you ever experienced well over 1,000 people singing their hearts out for the Te Deum? A splendid gift!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Here I am, at my first Higher Things conference! Am I crazy? I woke up at 3:15 this morning to have enough time for the TSA line after less than four hours of sleep, got on a little jet from Louisville to O’Hare, and then switched planes to get to Minneapolis. So…is it worth it? Oh, yes!

by Frederick S. Durbin

Imagine that you are Japanese and a member of the Nihon Ruteru Kyoudan (NRK), the LC-MS’s partner church in Japan. Here are some ways in which your life would be different from that of a young Lutheran in the U.S.A. First, if your parents are Christians, they were probably not born into Christian homes. Most likely, they encountered the Gospel as adults and were led by the Spirit to take those difficult steps to the baptismal font—especially difficult in a country where, for the last half-century, the Christian population has hovered around one percent of the nation’s citizens.

by Rachel Soyk

How did a sci-fi movie have this much impact? Even those who have never seen the movies recognize the name of Darth Vader. What makes a story so powerful that it sticks in viewers' minds long after the credits roll? What causes people to return to a tale over and over? It's certainly more than engaging characters and flashy special effects!

by Kelsey Fischer

I can honestly say that I never thought such tragedy could happen in this world as the one yesterday. Then I realized what a sheltered world I live in. But it wasn't from a lack of knowing, but a lack of not wanting to know, that I could be in such disbelief over the attacks at Virginia Tech. I was quite young when the events happened at Columbine, and I was only a bit older during September 11th. It's funny how you can look back on these events and compare your point of view on death – how when you’re young and innocent, that the idea of death doesn't have much of an effect on you.