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in the current issue"Pastors need self-care too." Nate Larsen shares how pastors need special care from the congregation for themselves and their families. Also check out convention coverage and reports from each region about their regional meetings.

Cover Story

Christmas and Culture: Seeing the Giver Behind the Gifts

Christmas and Culture: Seeing the Giver Behind the Gifts

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Our stores set up Christmas displays even before Halloween in hopes of encouraging a head start on Christmas shopping. We have Christmas specials on television. We have Christmas outfits and Christmas pictures, Christmas decorations and Christmas dishes, Christmas music and Christmas traditions and, of course, everyone's favorite: Christmas gifts! So as Christians, how do we handle our culture's obsession with Christmas? Do we embrace this Culture of Christmas? Do we hide from it? Do we fight it? What is the appropriate response?

Full Story

Caught Between Two Worlds: Memories of Missionary Kids

Caught Between Two Worlds: Memories of Missionary Kids

by Cheryl Olsen

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

It was breakfast time at Dan and Rachel's home when I arrived to ask about Christmas in Chad. I sipped tea while the kids wolfed down pancakes and warmed to the conversation. Because an early Minnesota snow had fallen that October morning, it seemed natural to me to talk about Christmas.

Full Story

The Christmas King

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

We live in a culture that, on a yearly basis, tries to flatten the remembrance of Christ's birth to the horizontal world of gift giving. But St. Luke reminds us that Christmas first had a vertical dimension - God came down to us. This fact makes the horizontal world all the more meaningful.

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Church & Synod News

Ordination of Evan Langlois

Ordination of Evan Langlois

Sun, Nov 29, 2009

Evan Langlois was ordained into the Christian ministry on September 20 at Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in East Hartland, Connecticut.

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Youth Ministry Opening in Taiwan

Youth Ministry Opening in Taiwan

Sun, Nov 29, 2009

Victory Church English Department in Hsinchu, Taiwan is in need of a young man or woman to work with our youth and to help with other aspects of the English ministry.

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Transitions & Changes

Transitions & Changes

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Pastor transitions and changes.

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Snap Shot!

The Lord is My Healer and Sustainer!

The Lord is My Healer and Sustainer!

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

In the spring of 1988, doctors at Mayo Clinic diagnosed me with a rare and chronic autoimmune inflammation of the skeletal muscles and blood vessels called Polymyositis. I was then a pastor at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church in Minot, North Dakota. Receiving this diagnosis, I remember saying to God, "My life has been yours since I was a teenager. Whatever you choose to do in my life, it's OK with me." On the amazing journey since that day, I've learned so much about our awesome God. He's shown me he heals spiritually, emotionally, relationally, physically and financially.

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Do You Innovate?

Card Ministry

Card Ministry

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

It’s Christmas card time again! Most people send Christmas cards to greet to their friends, to share family information and to encourage people with a reminder of Christ’s birth. But this lady makes and sends cards all year long! Read about Vonnie Draxten, who shares her gift of card making with myriads of people, teaching others to do the same. If Barnabas was a “son of encouragement,” Vonnie is a “daughter of encouragement.”

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RE:Think

Culture of Christmas

Culture of Christmas

by Randy Mortenson

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Every year when the Christmas season rolls around (in mid October or so, when Christmas displays begin swallowing Halloween costumes at Walmart, Target, etc.), I see and hear reminders from well-meaning Christians that "Jesus is the reason for the season" and that we Christians ought to "take back" Christmas. Well, a) I'm not fooled by the slogan, and b) I don't believe there's anything to "take back." In fact, I believe it's time we give Christmas back to the pagans. Frankly, we don't need Christmas. The world doesn't need Christmas. What we need, and what the world needs, is Jesus Christ.

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Glimpse

Contribution Report

Contribution Report

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Actual Received: $716,787 (31%) as of October 31, 2009. Open article to see a graph.

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Prayer

Prayer

by CLB Prayer Team

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Disruption: anything that messes with my routine. Today's economic downturn - a massive disruption. Many of us have felt the pain of being told, "Your job has been terminated." Or maybe you're a young person completing your schooling only to find out that the career opportunity you had worked so hard to prepare for no longer exists. Dreams and plans disrupted. Where do we turn?

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Stewardship

Stewardship

by Tim Mathiesen

Sun, Nov 29, 2009

My three year old daughter feels the need to constantly remind me about her needs as if she's worried that I won't provide for her. Shouting "Daddy, I need milk!" as I am pouring her a glass. Asking me for the third time, "Daddy, help me with my shoes," even though I'm in the process of bending over to help her. Am I doing the same thing to God when I worry about what I will "eat or drink"?

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