Reclaiming Our Heritage

Issue 12, Sep 2008

This month we begin two new series of articles. The first is a short series by a newcomer to our ezine, Lee Franklin. Lee has developed a series of articles on Christian stewardship for his congregation. He shares them with us this month and for the next three.

In the second I am doing something new as well. Instead of a short series, I am bold to give you a series of chapters of a book I have written on the Biblical teaching on time. This is a manuscript I am publishing for the first time online. Each month I'll be adding another chapter. At the end, I'll provide study guides for those who want to use the material for group study. Eventually I hope to develop a separate website to track life before the multitudinous changes of the last half of century 20 and now century 21.

In turn, I continue a series of Biblical studies on the role of women in the church, especially looking at the issue of women ordained to the pastoral ministry. In this article I invite you to look carefully at the reasons why Jesus chose to come among us as a man and not as a woman. This truth impacts seriously upon the question of women's ordination.

Rev. Dobberfuhl brings us another of his delightful and very popular meditations. In this one he reflects upon the events of the recent Olympics in China and the importance of caring and being involved in the lives of others.

Rev. Richter concludes this month's edition with yet another of his insightful articles about the basic differences between the Christian and Muslim faiths.

If you have registered you have access to the many fine archived articles prepared by our contributors in earlier editions. You may also subscribe in order to receive our monthly newsletter announcing the newest editions. When you register or subscribe you receive a special bonus gift with our thanks. There is no charge for either registering or subscribing. And we promise never to share your information with anyone else.

In the name of Jesus,

Dr. Al Franzmeier, editor

Article Category List

Christian Teachings

Christian Worship

Christians and the Arts

Confronting Other Faiths

Contemporary Events

End Times

Marriage and Family

The Day of Rest - Biblical Teaching About Time

By E-Zine Admin on 9/6/2008 7:59 PM

Issue 12, Sep 2008

Prologue

How It All Began

This is a manuscript I am publishing for the first time online. Each month I'll be adding another chapter. At the end, I'll provide study guides for those who want to use the material for group study. Eventually I hope to develop a separate website tracking life before the multitudinous changes of the last half of century 20 and now century 21.

This current work is from a project I started when a pastor asked me to help him and his congregation explore the meaning of the Biblical concept of Sabbath while he was on a sabbatical, a term derived from the Sabbath, the seventh day of rest. The Third Commandment in the numbering by Roman Catholics and Lutherans reads: R ... Read More »

Who Cares?

By E-Zine Admin on 9/6/2008 7:52 PM

Issue 12, Sep 2008
The air this morning is kind of fresh, not ‘heavy’ or humid enough to notice. The paper, however, is full of Olympic Games news. The US Girls softball team, that had won some 22 games in a row going back several Olympics,, lost to Japan and had to settle for silver. A US relay team dropped a baton, and Laura Wilkerson, gold medal diver from other games, came in ninth in her specialty in the finals, her final appearance in these games.

Who Cares?

Oh, yes, the Olympics committee is investigating the age of one Chinese gymnast rumored to be 14, not the required 16 years old.

And he ... Read More »

The Importance of Family Gatherings and Family History

By E-Zine Admin on 8/7/2008 7:56 AM

Issue 11, Aug 2008
The wind was still this morning, so the air is heavy and harder to breathe. But it was 103 in Killeen, TX. That makes our 97 degree weather seem less 97-ish.

It is human nature to rejoice at the misfortune of another though we seem to sympathize. Schadenfreude the Germans called it. Literally the word means joy over the harm or pain of another. It is that perverse pleasure from others' misfortune that we try to hide under a coat of empathy. And the more we enjoy their mishap, the more syrupy our sympathy gets. No, never happened to you. OK.

Wife Ruth’s side of the family has held an annual family reunion since she was a little girl. Back then her brothers decided it would be nice to spend some time together as a family each year. ... Read More »

Eat that Frog!

By E-Zine Admin on 7/9/2008 3:43 PM

Issue 10, Jul 2008
Most of us have some regrets. We know well the word, “If only I had “ or “I wish I did”, and “if I had only chosen that direction”. That’s why we memorized the John Greenleaf Whittier lines,

“For all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these,
It might have been."

Regrets can weigh us down, make our life sad, or cause us to end up with bitterness and even hatred.

In a gathering of local pastors several months ago, one pastor me ... Read More »

Going With the Crowd

By E-Zine Admin on 6/13/2008 10:42 AM

Issue 9, Jun 2008
Nice breeze this morning, so the walking was pleasant, cool, invigorating. And the school year ends tomorrow.

Graduation time. Once again, it is time for celebrations, offering of best wishes and words of advice for the newly minted graduates.

So, this morning one column in our local newspaper suggested paying attention to the handshake. Did you look the principal in the eye when you shook his or her hand and smile?

Funny, we take handshakes for granted, and yet this columnist claimed studies show it can give people impressions about a person. If the handshake is firm and direct, and the person makes eye contact and smiles directly, it means sincerity and makes a fine first stat ... Read More »

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