Higher Things - Where Christian Freedom meets the Internet

Amen: Celebrity Catechists

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

by the Rev. Rich Heinz

A new sectional topic at Amen has been leaked. We have just confirmed that Anakin Skywalker (the former Darth Vader) will host a catechesis sectional entitled: “What is Thy Bidding, My Master: Genuflection and the Art of Body Language in Prayer.”

Pentecost 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Feast of Pentecost
May 11, 2008
St. John 14:23-31

God always works through means. He never just does stuff "out of the blue." He always deals with us and comes to us and blesses us through earthly things that have His Word and promises and gifts attached. One of the ways in which this is most obvious is that of mothers. Many of you are mothers. All of you have a mother. It is through your Mom that God gives you life and brings you into this world. Babies don't just fall out of the sky. Moms have to give birth! And when you get hurt playing at the park, God doesn't just thunder an "It'll be OK" at you from the clouds. It is through Moms that cuts and scrapes are taken care of. When you need clothes, does God just drop you a pair of pants from the sky? No, it is through Mom's hard at work that God provides for us our clothing and food and so on. Sometimes, of course, Moms don't do their job. But the Lord still takes care of us with Grandmothers who take over the job of Mom. Sometimes, when Dad's don't do their job, Mom takes over that job, too. In any case, it is through Moms that the Lord accomplishes a whole lot in our lives. So take the time to celebrate your Mom today. But not for her own sake. Let her know that you recognize that she is the one that God Himself gives in His place to raise and care for you. And Moms, don't just indulge that you get a day for yourself, learn and believe that you are in the place of God Himself as the one who is given for the care and nurture of your children. You see? God works through means.

Joyous Generousity? A Commentary on Oprah’s “Big Give”

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

by Kimberly Grams

The Big Give is now given. You have had time to ponder the show, if you watched it. And now, the Big Questions: Was it “big?” Was it “giving?” Is giving always good – or does it depend on motive? What about those so-called “good works” that are not done out of faith in the true God?

Kim Grams comes to some harsh conclusions, with Christian reasoning on why the show was not that great. We invite you to read further, and let us know if you agree or if you feel quite differently!

The Earth Shook on Friday

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

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

Mothers: Changing the World, Starting at Home

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

by Glenda Mumme

Lately my husband, David, and I have been watching HGTV’s “House Hunters” show in the evenings after our children go to bed. Many of the commercials are various HGTV stars promoting and encouraging viewers to “change the world…start at home.” Of course they want me to do this by changing my light bulb, turning off unused appliances (or buy new, more efficient ones), or some other such “green” thing. But I change the world more by being a mother who stays home, fulfilling my role as a woman.

Glenda Mumme, a pastor’s wife in Minnesota, finds great fulfillment in her vocation of motherhood. On this national holiday, we reflect on the gift of this vocation which is often overlooked or degraded by society.

The Spirit Comes For You

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

by the Rev. Rich Heinz

Pentecost. It is the Israelite Festival of Weeks – a “week” of weeks since the Passover. Pentecost is when God was thanked for the gift of processed grain. Yet now it took on a whole new meaning.

Just over a week earlier, Jesus had ascended. He had promised to send the “Helper” – the “Counselor”/“Comforter” – the Holy Spirit. Indeed, He would process the “grain” that He harvested through the ministry of the apostles!

Pastor Rich Heinz reminds us of the reality that the Holy Spirit really does not work in mysterious ways. Rather, He works through the Lord’s Mysteries – His Holy Sacraments!