Directions is sent quarterly to all state federations, local chapters, Life Ministry Coordinators (LMCs), Life Teams, and Life Advocates (LAs). Each issue of Directions features articles of special interest to LFL’s grassroots. Articles are divided into five categories: Bible Study, Leadership, Faith in Action, Fundraising, Facts and Stats.
We thank God for the freedom He gives us in our country. We thank Him for those who paid such a high cost to protect and preserve this freedom. We thank Him for the freedom of religion and the freedom to exercise our religious beliefs. Given recent events, please join Lutherans For Life (LFL) this Fourth of July in praying particularly for the preservation of this latter freedom.
It’s dark in Iowa today, overcast and rainy. Nothing though like the dark clouds over our nation. They got even darker today.
The 2012 National Lutherans For Life Conference is coming up in August! Here are 10 reasons you should join us!
The Life Legacy Society was established in 2011. It recognizes all supporters who have notified us that they have put LFL into their will or estate. We currently have 46 individuals/families that have notified us they have put Lutherans For Life into their will or estate. If ou have done this, but have not let us know, please do so. We encourage LFL donors to prayerfully consider putting LFL into your will or estate. If you need help with your will or estate, let us know—we can assist you.
For the Christian, citizenship in one’s country means more than passive obedience to the command to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1a). People who belong to Jesus Christ live their lives in, and in response to, their baptisms. We obey the laws of the land because that is how people redeemed in the blood of Jesus live.
Tara had been raped. She had been violated by a man who had no respect for her personhood or for her physical or emotional well-being. She felt dirty. Degraded and filthy. A sense of uncleanness rose up from the very core of her being. Was she to blame? No.
When my wife took her life, I wasn’t as straightforward as I might be. I’d rather say something about her depression than mention that disturbing word that starts with an “s.” I was affected in a major way by suicide’s stigma. Most people regard suicide as inconceivable. “How could he do such a thing?” they ask. The stigma of suicide does not operate by a sense of understanding or compassion. Rather it targets those who have committed suicide and those who have had thoughts of suicide.
I mean no offense to any other group, but my two favorite groups to speak with are little children and seminarians. Most of the time I am able to tell the difference. (Seminarians are taller!) Recently my travels have blessed me with many opportunities to speak with—and listen to—little children.
This past March, our wonderful state presidents had the opportunity to be “equipped and encouraged” through a Gospel-motivated workshop: two days in St. Louis (see below) of excellent training with Churches for Life president Pastor Doug Merkey. Pastor Merkey emphasized “ministry flows from relationships” and that first and foremost is our “relationship with Jesus.” He explained how walking in the Gospel is vital to a healthy ministry. “When grace and truth balance, ‘fruit happens’ as a result of being Gospel-motivated.”