The Shepherd Restores a Soul: A Look at Caregiving and Alzheimer’s Disease
Linda Lawrence Editor’s Note: This is the sixth and final installment in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. My mother was like a lost lamb, struggling…
Fatal Flaw
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources The tenets of evolution and creation conflict on many points but none as significantly as on the reality of original sin. The Lutheran Catechism defines original sin as: “The guilt…
The Complexities of Charlie Gard
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources Background Charlie Gard was born in England on August 4, 2016, to Chris Gard and Connie Yates. A few weeks after his birth Charlie was diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion…
Q&A on IVF and Genetic Embryo Testing
QUESTION: I am inquiring about information on IVF and embryo genetic testing. What is the Christian stance on both of these and how can I do IVF treatments and still uphold God’s Truth? ANSWER: Scripture teaches that life exists already at…
Faith and Planned Parenthood
By Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources In 2015 The Center for Medical Progress secretly video recorded conversations with executives from Planned Parenthood. The topic was the gruesome practice of selling fetal body parts to researchers. The expose made national…
Looking Down the Road
In the Old Testament, Adam and Eve demonstrated shortsightedness when they ate the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). When Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4), he failed to consider the consequence of his action. Lot never considered…
Pro-Life Bible References
God is the creator of life Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God has made me;…
January 22: A Sad Milestone
On this date in 1666 Emperor Shah Jahan, a descendant of Genghis Khan died. Not a big deal for most of us except Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his third wife, Arjumand Banu Begum. Despite having…
CLR Resolution on Abortion Adopted by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)
CLR Resolution on Abortion (Memorial 2011-01U) Adopted by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod – July 28, 2011 WHEREAS 1) the Holy Scriptures clearly testify to a reverence for the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child…
It Depends How You Say It
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources When the United States legalized abortion on January 22, 1973, the language changed. No longer was a little one growing and kicking in the womb referred to as a “baby.” Rather, the…
Q&A on Friend Considering Abortion
QUESTION: A friend of mine is unmarried and pregnant. She confided in me that she is considering an abortion. She gave me a long list of reasons why, but I didn’t know how to answer her. Do you have any…
A Trimester of Prayer // Pro-Life Prayer Suggestions
You can make a meaningful difference by including these thoughts in your daily devotion and prayer time. Week 1 – This week, pray for the unborn and their mothers. With the dawning of this day, thousands of women in America…
The Logic is Painfully Clear – A Look at Fetal Pain
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director In the August 24, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association researchers concluded that an unborn child’s pain is not realized until 29 or 30 weeks into the pregnancy. Therefore, pain…
A Chronology of Life in the Womb [Fetal Development]
Human Life Alliance Day 1 Fertilization The sperm joins with the ovum to form one cell. This one cell contains the complex genetic makeup for every detail of a new human life – the child’s sex, hair and eye color,…
The Abortion Pill and the Morning-After Pill: Are They the Same?
There is much confusion about the two drugs which are often called “The Abortion Pill” and “The Morning-After Pill.” Surveys have shown that a majority of respondents are either misinformed or unaware of the differences between these two drugs.1 The…
Psalm 139 Says What Needs Saying
Pastor Joel C. Gerlach A noted Scottish churchman, Erskine of Linlathen, once said that Psalm 139 was one bit of writing he would choose to have on hand on his deathbed. Perhaps not your choice, nor mine either for that…
Who Needs the Counseling Here?
Sometimes It Is Not Just the Pregnant Woman Many of the women who come to the Pregnancy Care Center need a lot of sound Christian help. But sometimes they bring with them someone who is in much greater need of…
The Father and Issues of Life and Death
When abortion is marketed to the general public its advocates emphasize the autonomous right of the woman to make this decision. Society has so bought into that notion that in 1976 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the father of…
Abortion – Men Hurt in Silence
Karen Fifer, Pregnancy Crisis Center of Wichita, Inc. “I’m pregnant.” These are powerful words that can evoke fear, anxiety, joy, and confusion in men. An unplanned pregnancy puts men in a peculiar place; on one side he is supposed to…
What to Do With Baby?
Rev. Wayne Mueller Competent and sympathetic counselors understand that guiding an expectant mother to a God-pleasing decision is a complex job. There is always more to deal with in the heart of the soon-to-be mother than the basic ethical-moral question…
‘I Knew You’ [God as the Author of Life] // Bible Study
The year was 628 B.C. The great Assyrian empire which had carried the northern kingdom of Israel into captivity was soon to be replaced by the Babylonian empire. Meanwhile, the days were fast approaching in which the Lord would send…
Fetal Pain: OK, What’s the Point?
Pastor Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director Researchers claim they found a dramatic rise in fetal stress hormones when they inserted a needle into fetuses for blood transfusions. Already I hear some of my peers exclaiming, “I told you so!” The…
Inconvenient People and the Quality of Life
Rev. Thomas Trapp An interview with Kenneth Schleef, a Christian with cerebral palsy. Q: Your appearance at a Life Chain told me you’re concerned about life issues. I also know you have cerebral palsy. Tell me about your cerebral palsy…
Unborn Child’s Soul from Abortion or Miscarriage
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Question: What has become of the souls of the millions of babies that have died through miscarriage and abortion? Answer: The fact of an unborn child’s soul is always in question. The…
What Does God Say About the Beginning of Life? // Bible Study
What Does God Say About the Beginning of Life? // Bible Study (Student’s Guide) READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES: A. Life Comes from God Genesis 2:7 The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into…
A Challenge to Our Article: “A Christian’s Questions and Answers about IVF”
A challenge to our article here. “A Christian’s Questions and Answers about IVF” On April 12, 2017, a reader contacted us with the following comment: “‘In general, of those who enter IVF programs, success rate is 8 percent.’ <- that…
Adopting a Snowflake
What should be done with 400,000 frozen embryos that are cryo-preserve after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures? In some cases, those embryos are waiting to be thawed and transferred to their biological mothers with the hope they will implant…
Withheld Blessings – A Look at Childlessness
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, Christian Life Resources, National Director She grew up in a family with three sisters and one brother. He grew up with just a sister. When they married they never imagined they would not be able to have…
The Facts Behind Assisted Reproductive Technology
An infertile couple is often tempted to consider assisted reproductive technology (ART) as a means to bear a child. Not surprising considering all of the publicity the procedure receives since the birth of the first “test tube baby” in 1978….
Barren – A Look at Infertility
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Barren: not reproducing as incapable of producing offspring A “desire” is not, in and of itself, wrong. When, however, someone is willing to commit sin in order to fulfill a desire, that…
Birth Control Series [Part 3]: Controlling Birth and Christian Life
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources This is the third installment of the Clearly Caring series addressing the Christian viewpoint of birth control and contraception. In 1998, I first tackled the subject of birth control in the pages…
Birth Control Series [Part 2]: Marriage and Children
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources This is the second installment of the CLR series addressing the Christian viewpoint of birth control and contraception. Married couples have at their disposal the ability to control childbearing. To some degree…
Birth Control Series [Part 1]: The Paramount Value of Human Life
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The following is the first in a series of articles exploring the topic of birth control and contraception from the Christian perspective. Christian Life Resources ran a similar series in 1998-1999 which…
Q&A on Miscarriage and the Childless Couple
QUESTION: Friends of ours have been married for a number of years and continue having miscarriages. Why doesn’t God bless them with children? I’m sure they would be excellent parents, and they are strong and faithful Christians. ANSWER: Let’s handle…
The Hidden Dangers of In Vitro Fertilization
Bradley Mattes, MBS, Life Issues Institute In vitro fertilization (IVF) is viewed as controversial technology within the pro-life community. Many have an ethical problem with how human life is created. The primary reason though is that most doctors who perform…
New Embryonic Stem Cell Research Method
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources I have been asked to comment on the latest news that scientists are now able to harvest embryonic stem cells without killing the embryo. Specifically, two new procedures are being reported in…
A Scriptural Approach to Family Planning
Family Planning Decisions Should Be in Harmony with God’s Revealed Will Concerning Marriage and Children God desires to bless those who enter marriage in three ways (not prioritized): Companionship Genesis 2:18 – “The LORD God said, It is not…
A Biblical Look at Sperm Donation
Rev. Robert Fleischmann National Director, Christian Life Resources A common method of sperm retrieval (masturbation with the assistance of pornography) involves a violation of the sixth commandment (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5; Exodus 20:14). Many ethical and practical issues are the…
Bible Study: Surrogate Parenting
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Correct decision-making is determined by Scriptural principles. Some decisions are easy because some principles explicitly address a particular application. For example, it is easy to decide that not stealing is a proper…
As God Wills: Understanding God’s Plan for Childless Couples
Mrs. Mary Schmal, Author, Christ-Light Curriculum Somewhere a young man longs to play for a professional football team. Another just hopes to see a live NFL game. Somewhere a young woman longs to be a star in the theaters of…
When Life Seems to Have No Meaning
Pastor Bruce Wietzke Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? We know such a question is not uncommon in our world. We live among a people who not only may ask such…
Family Planning
Rev. Wayne D. Mueller Children seem to be an impediment to happiness these days. They are often the pawns of occupational pursuits. When children don’t fit in, they are aborted, abandoned, or divided by divorce. Parents try to prevent their…
I Will Never Forget You: Finding Hope and Healing Following Miscarriage or Stillbirth
I will never forget you, my precious child. Just weeks ago, you were living inside me. I was more than a mere woman; I had tasted the sweet joy of motherhood. I had held the miracle of life in my…
A Christian’s Questions and Answers about IVF
Christian Life Resources QUESTION: Does in vitro fertilization ALWAYS result in discarding (aborting) some embryos? Is this something a couple who had used this process would be aware of? ANSWER: No, the process doesn’t always result in embryos being discarded…
Terminology of Assisted Reproduction Procedures
Abortion for Sex Selection: Abortion of a male or female unborn child solely because of its gender. Artificial Insemination – Donor (AID): Intravaginal or intraeuterine insemination of a woman with her husband’s sperm (though intrauterine insemination is usually referred to…
Is Sperm Bank Use Permissible?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources 1. A common method of sperm retrieval involves a violation of the sixth commandment (masturbation with the assistance of pornography). 2. Many ethical and practical issues are the same here as with…
Motive // The Christian and Birth Control
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. For years the national office of Christian…
Is There a Place Within Christian Marriage to Use Birth Control?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Yes, but an explanation is in order. God is the author of human life (Deuteronomy 32:39), and man is a steward, caretaker, and guardian of human life (Genesis 9:5). A Christian may…
Q&A on Abstinence/Teaching Teens about Birth Control
QUESTION: I’ve heard that teen pregnancy rates have increased. Is it time to teach our kids about birth control? ANSWER: The teen birth rate has been on a steep decline since the early 1990s. Yet, teaching about birth control is…
Is An Objection on Religious Grounds Enough?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources “The path of least resistance is the path of the loser.” [attributed to H.G. Wells, 1866-1946] We have done it before, and it appears we are poised to do it again….
Q&A on the Beginning of Life
QUESTION: When does life begin? I know that life begins at the time of conception. I say with the Psalmist, “Truly I was sinful from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived.” But when does conception take place? Is…
Q&A on the Morning-After Pill
QUESTION: I’ve heard conflicting stories about the morning-after pill possibly causing abortions. Can you please clarify? ANSWER: The morning-after pill, also marketed as Plan B, is similar to typical birth control pills but contains a higher level of synthetic hormones….
The Pill
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. It is more than coincidental that this…
Q&A on Birth Control Pills
QUESTION: I have heard that birth control pills do not prevent conception but really cause early abortions? Is this true? ANSWER: The history of the birth control pill has been controversial for several reasons. One point of debate has been…
Barrier Methods and Spermicides
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. Don’t read this chapter! If you haven’t…
Mifeprex, Methotrexate, Misoprostol
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. There is a certain arbitrariness in our…
Emergency Contraception and the IUD
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. This chapter brings us to the halfway…
Depo-Provera, Cyclo-Provera, Norplant
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. Until now, this book dealt with what…
Natural Family Planning and Sterilization
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book, click on the link at the bottom of this page. The “ends-justify-the-means” mentality permeates the world and…
Vaccines, Quinacrine, Other Birth Control Methods
This is an overview of the information in The Christian and Birth Control book, published by Christian Life Resources. To purchase the book click on the link at the bottom of this page. When the Christian considers the possible use…
Adopted by My Parents… and God
Rev. Paul Prange Before a couple adopts a child, they may wonder how to tell the child that he or she is adopted. Do you wait until you think the child can understand the concept? What words do you use…
A Model Family – Lessons Learned about an Adoptees Reunion with Her Birth Parents
Larissa Fasthorse I was brought to my parents’ home when I was 11 months old. My birth father delivered me to the house, and my birth mother was already long gone. After he left, my parents say they sat and…
Blood Is Thicker Than Water – A Look at Arguments Against Adoption
Mr. Tim Snyder, Media Services Coordinator for Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI No doubt you have heard this old saying before – and maybe you’ve even used it yourself. It’s a way of conveying that the ties that bind us…
The Discovery – A Look at Unexpected Pregnancy and Adoption
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The discovery of Ashley’s pregnancy came more as a disappointment than a shock. Despite all of the warnings to the contrary, Ashley’s relationship with her boyfriend became increasingly intimate so when the…
Children Need You – A Look at Caring for Youngsters in Less Fortunate Circumstances
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James…
Q&A on Adoption Options
QUESTION: My 16-year old niece announced recently that she is pregnant. Her boyfriend and parents are unwilling to step in to help. She has come to me for advice. I don’t want to encourage her to abort the baby, but…
Adopted Into God’s Family
Rev. Paul Prange When I was born, my parents could not take care of my spiritual needs. They certainly had faith of their own. But they knew that they could not pass salvation on to me by being my physical…
An Adopted Child’s Perspective
Rev. Paul Prange, Michigan Lutheran Seminary President I was born to a single mother at an age when she was either a senior in high school or a freshman in college. She placed me with a Christian adoption agency, which…
God Sets the Lonely in Families – A Look at Spiritual Adoption
Adopt: to take by choice into a relationship; especially: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one’s own child (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) The thought of voluntarily taking the child of other parents as their own can be pretty…
Q&A on Pregnancy Options
QUESTION: A friend of mine faced an unwanted pregnancy but didn’t want to abort her baby. She didn’t know all of her options, and I’m not sure she made the right decision. Does CLR help with available options for these…
Well, At Least I Wasn’t Adopted
Diane E. Schroeder, President, National Lutherans For Life This column is dedicated to the birth parents of my children and all the millions more who sacrificed to give life and love to their children through adoption. “Well, at least I’m…
Open Adoption
Gloria Hochman and Anna Huston, National Adoption Center What is Open Adoption? The Origins of Open Adoption Experiences with Open Adoption Conclusion What is Open Adoption? Open adoption means that birthparents and adoptive parents have some knowledge about one another….
Adopted from China
Krista Preston The government of China wanted my baby dead. Was it because she was second born or because she was a girl? Because a political directive in China allows only one child per family, she could have been aborted…
Adoption: Bringing Children and Parents Together
Thinking about adoption for your child? Here are a few things to clarify how adoption works. First, you can decide whether you want an agency to help you with the adoption process, or if you would rather do it yourself….
Adoption: A Pro-Life Response to Families in Need
Jean Garton, Litt.D. In a classroom of six-year-olds, the teacher was discussing a picture of a family. One of the children featured had a different hair color than did the other family members. A little girl in the class said…
I’m Your Child
The following was written by Justin, a ten-year-old born in 1986 in Korea, who was adopted by Roger and Lynne Tews of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, when he was seven-months-old. To My Birth Mom and Dad, I hope you remember me. I’m…
Lord, Why Have You Been So Good to Us? – The Gift of Adoption
FATHER: Two questions point to my major feelings about the adoption. Before the adoption, the big question was, ‘Will I love an adopted child as I love my primary school age child?’ After the adoption the big question has been,…
Q&A on Pornography and Divorce
QUESTION: I have been married nearly 30 years. Over those years I have caught my husband buying porn magazines. I told him I don’t like it. I pay the bills and this past week I found a charge on our…
Tell the Truth
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources Why Are We Here? Christian Life Resources (CLR) was never a ministry about convincing pro-life people to be pro-life. Though we serve all people, we are doctrinally aligned with the…
Defending Traditional Marriage Is an Act of Love
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources [The following is an adaptation of a bulletin insert created by Christian Life Resources for use by congregations everywhere. The insert can be downloaded here.] I offer the following arguments in defense…
Managing the Tough Decisions – Discussing End-of-Life Options with Loved Ones
Julie rushed to the hospital after hearing about her Dad’s stroke. Upon her arrival, Julie was greeted by David, the social worker, who immediately escorted her into a private room. David gave Julie a full update about her father’s condition…
A Family with Just Two – A Look at Marriage and Infertility
Mr. Tim Snyder, Christian Life Resources Director of Media Services There are numerous reasons why a married couple may be a family of just two. Either one or both may be unable or unlikely to have children for physiological reasons….
Understanding the Distinction Between ‘Agape’ and ‘Philo’ Love
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources The Bible speaks of love in two ways. There is the family and friend type of love. It is the word translated in the Greek language as “philo.” You perhaps know it…
Pursuing the Marriage You Thought Was Only a Fairy Tale
Pastor David Thompson, Audubon, MN Once upon a time, as the story goes, a beautiful maiden was held captive by an evil sorcerer. A most daring man seeks to rescue her. Three times he falls; three times he rises again….
Lessons from the Lawnmower – A Look at Parenting
Mr. Thad Jahns, Marriage and Family Therapist I have to admit it. I am one of those guys who takes great pride in keeping his lawn in pristine condition. Not that it is a total obsession with me. I don’t…
Behind Every Athlete
Dan Peterson A friend of mine once said that coaching is teaching children to be the best they can be. Setting the Focus In both the public and private school settings, I have found an enormous advantage to coach athletes…
‘From Generation to Generation’ – Parents Nurturing Their Children’s Faith
Laurie Biedenbender We’re always passing the baton of faith — sharing the promise — to the next generation. It’s been compared to a relay race. The most critical moment is when both runners are in the passing zone, and the…
We Live Together as a Family
Rev. David J. Valleskey, Former President of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI We Live Together as a Family… To the Glory of God As a family, the first thing we do is love one another. We were not a family….
Divorce and Remarriage
Rev. John F. Brug QUESTION: In light of Mark 10:11,12, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery,” why do WELS pastors officiate at…
The Head of the Home
Rev. Wayne D. Mueller Men should follow Jesus’ lead and head their families with love, sacrifice, and the Word Politically correct pundits are changing their tune. Well, maybe it’s the same tune, but at least it’s set to a different…
Divorce is Not an Option
Rev. Walter F. Beckmann I just finished reading a book my family gave me for Christmas — Tom Brokaw’s best seller, The Greatest Generation. It’s a series of interviews with members of that generation called to fight World War II….
Helping Your Teen Say No to Sex
Josh D. McDowell Dear Mr. McDowell, Having premarital sex was the most horrifying experience of my life. It wasn’t at all the emotionally satisfying experience the world deceived me into believing. I felt as lf my insides were being exposed…
Keep ‘Em Talkin’ – A Look at Family Communication
Thad Jahns, M.S. Cutting wood was never my favorite thing to do. After all, there were better things for a pre-teen boy to do on a Saturday afternoontelevision shows to watch, friends to hang out with, midday naps to take….
Is He The One?
Laurie Biedenbender Mom gives advice on what to look for when searching for “Mr. Right.” Dear Daughter, Since you were a tiny baby, I’ve prayed for you: that you grow in your love for Jesus, that you find your niche…
The Joy of Being a Christian Mother
Bonnie L. Wasser The kids tell me there are certain statements I make with definite regularity: “Whoever washed the dishes, get back down here!” “What happened to all of the food I bought yesterday?” They have even dared to suggest…
Today’s Media: Righteous Indignation
Mr. Timothy Snyder, Media Production Coordinator, Christian Life Resources Righteous indignation. You know the feeling. You find something so offensive you start to seethe inside. It’s a jumbled mix of emotions and souls are at stake. You hate the sin…
Love and Respect in Ephesians 5
Christianity Today, the largest evangelical Protestant periodical in our country recently conducted a major survey of 1,250 subscribers who were chosen at random. Close to 750 subscribers and/or their spouses (divided almost equally between the sexes) completed questionnaires on male…
The Purity Ring
Michael and Judith Hayes Most little girls dream of the day they will meet their Prince Charming. A young woman begins preparing to meet the real love of her life when she is still harboring her Barbie dolls, dress-up clothes…
Empty Nesting Is for the Birds
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources This issue of Clearly Caring is arriving in the mail between Mothers Day and Fathers Day two really big family holidays. My writing assignment for this commentary came to me the morning…
Our Marriage Mechanic
Pastor James Aderman, Fairview Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI Determining, “Who’s to blame?” requires spouses to be on opposing teams. Husbands and wives become teammates when they ask, “What exactly is wrong, and how do we fix it?” “You’re late. We…
Depression That Leads to Death
True or False? 1) Most people trying to cope with depression simply don’t have strong enough faith. FALSE. People in the church may jump to this conclusion because many depressed people push God away. They really suffer from a treatable…
Sympathy: Feeling With Others, Not For Them
Pastor Fredric E. Piepenbrink When we sympathize with others, we are led into action, following Jesus’ command to love one another as he loved us. “Sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery,” wrote Edward Gibbon. In contrast to…
A Model for Marriage
Rev. Wayne D. Mueller A marriage based on the Bible will help couples fulfill their God-given roles and experience true and complete oneness. The bride did everything wrong. Again and again, she brought grief to her husband. He was the…
Parenting When Your Child Goes Down the Wrong Path
Susan Bondow When Things Go Wrong: What to do, and not to do, when your child goes down the wrong path. David and Dennis are brothers. They share the same Mom and Dad and grew up in the same household,…
Gay Marriage Commentary
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Gay marriage is the moral issue “flavor of the month.” We have had a few: abortion, assisted suicide (euthanasia), promiscuity, divorce, embryo destruction, cloning, gay rights, drug abuse, etc. For the most…
‘Til Death Us Do Part
Armin J. Panning Marriage has been instituted by God, and he continues to regulate it. The dream of many a young girl is to be a June bride. For reasons not entirely clear, June remains a popular wedding month. A…
Breaking The Silence of Adam
Mark Clifford Brunner Some life statistics about men: (From the National Center on Health Statistics) 66% of all heart attacks occurring in the U.S. annually are suffered by men. Every 12 minutes a man dies of prostate cancer. 54% of…
Two Halves of a Complementary Whole
Professor Mary L. Heins, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI What our God-given gender differences are and how understanding them can help you communicate better with the opposite sex. We don’t have to read very far into Genesis before we learn…
Children Belong in Church
Laurie Biedenbender Is the sound of children disturbing or delightful? How children and adults benefit from children attending worship. “I wonder if it’s worth it to bring him to church at all.” Steve Bilitz, family ministry director at Christ, North…
Reserving Sex for Marriage
Pastor Fredric Piepenbrink God’s precious gift of sex is only for those who publicly promise faithfulness to one another for life. Since the sexual revolution of the 1960s, the idea of reserving sexual relations for married couples has become utterly…
WANTED: A Truly Beautiful Wife
Pastor Mark A. Paustian What to look for when choosing the woman you want to marry. I married the most beautiful woman I ever met. She was charming and funny, lively and loved by all. Her greatest personal gifts were…
Children in Church: Trial-by-Diaper
Rachel Mendell One woman encourages those who brave the terrors of worship with children. I look around and count babies, and I feel a little envy. My youngest is four now. I look around and see the young, fussy children…
Decent Sex [5-Part Series]
Part 1: Man’s Word on Sex The words people use to describe sex and sexual activity already betray much about the way they feel. On the one hand are words that reveal ignorance, confusion and hurt. We hear words like…
Saved Sex Is the Only Safe Sex
Ryan MacPherson As a teenager, I hear the media telling my peers and me about sex more than any other topic. I have to ask myself two questions: What are they telling us? And, are we listening? Overwhelmingly, they are…
When Dad Hits Mom
Victor Vieth, Assistant County Attorney, Cottonwood County, MN Seven suggestions to make your congregation safe for victims of domestic violence. In my career as a prosecutor, I have worked with hundreds of victims of domestic violence. I have seen the…
Choosing a Doctor Who Shares Your Faith
Janet C. Lindemann, M.D. In a Christian doctor-patient relationship, faith is the common bond. How good it is for patient and doctor to share the same faith. I love caring for patients of my own church – so many barriers…
Human Sexuality
Rev. Wayne Mueller What do the words crime, innuendo, molestation, bias, misconduct, discrimination, overtones, violence, and perversion have in common? They all follow the adjective “sexual” in today’s news reports. There is something especially repulsive about sexual sins. St. Paul…
Saying ‘Yes’ to Sex
Pastor Rolfe Westendorf Society has always had trouble with the subject of sex. Some societies like the Victorian have hidden the topic in a closet as if it did not exist. Sex went on as usual, including its rankest forms…
Sharing the Facts of Life
Pastor James A. Aderman I trusted him when he told me, “I love you.” He trusted me when I said the same. We trusted our emotions when they said, “It’s OK. Show each other how much you care.” When our…
Caution: Bumps Ahead (Preparing for Adolescence)
James Dobson, Ph.D. A team of doctors decided to conduct an experiment to study the ways in which group pressure influences young people. To accomplish this, they invited 10 teenagers into a room and told them they were going to…
Family Values
Rev. Gary P. Baumler, Editor of Forward/NL “God sets the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:6) We have the challenge to promote the family and help build solid Christian families in our midst. Here is one inescapable fact: We all come…
The Crisis of Fatherhood: Has It Become a Biological Burden?
What does it take to be a father today? Biologically, it simply takes fertilizing an egg. Practically, being a father is so much more! Advances in reproductive technology are robbing fathers of an awesome responsibility and privilege. We cannot deny…
Father in Alcohol Recovery Gives Perspective to Those With Other Addictions
John Cook, Marriage and Family Counselor at Wisconsin Lutheran Christian Counseling, Milwaukee, WI A father in recovery writes to his wife and children. His perspective can be applied to those involved with other addictions. To My Family, Whom I Love……
Gay Marriage and the Christian Response
Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Homosexual Practices Condemned Within the Jewish and Christian teachings, there have been strong judgments against homosexual activity. In the Old Testament, we have the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. Of pertinence to…
God’s Life and Death Principle
Rev. Wayne D. Mueller May a Christian couple consider in vitro fertilization a God-pleasing way to relieve their childlessness? Is it ever ethical to pull the plug on respiratory equipment attached to a lifetime faithful spouse? To what lengths must…
How Small Is Too Small? – Issues Surrounding the Low-Birth-Weight Infant
Linda L. Bellig, RN, BSN My first job as a new RN in 1969 was in the special care nursery at Babies Hospital in New York City. The environment was cutting-edge. We rigged adult ventilators for babies, grappled with the…
Postpartum Reflections of a Struggling, Surviving, and Saved Mother
Julie Straseske, LCSW Nestled among the many comforting promises in scripture is one of my favorites: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit…
Q&A on Ectopic Pregnancy
QUESTION: The doctor said I may have a tubal pregnancy. Is that human life? Is it possible to move it to the uterus? Or do they just have to kill off the egg in the tube? ANSWER: An “ectopic pregnancy” is when…
Returning Home
Written by Rachel The Parable of the Lost Son 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after…
Let Us Not Love With Words or Speech but with Actions and in Truth
By Pastor James Hein, Lead Pastor at St. Marcus Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1 John 3:11-18 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered…
What Should I Do?
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources As life and family issues continue to expand, it’s often difficult to sort them out. Even church bodies differ on a particular issue though they claim to have the same Bible….
Q&A on Donating Eggs
QUESTION: I’m interested in donating my eggs and I’m wondering if there is any way to ensure that they will not be discarded or used for science in a way that would not be God-pleasing. Do we have a Christian…
Focus // Women’s Bible Study
Study Passage: 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet…
Q&A on Egg Donation
QUESTION: One of my friends is considering using an egg donor, so she and her husband can have a baby. (She has no eggs due to pre-menopause). Do you have suggestions for how I can help them understand more about this…
Embryo Adoption
What is Embryo Adoption? When couples use in vitro fertilization to achieve pregnancy, they will often have embryos remaining after they complete their family. One option available to them is to donate those embryos to another couple. Embryo adoption allows…
Transformed
By Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources “I sure miss kindergarten.” I know you have heard or read these words from me before. The older I get the more I miss the simplicity of life that I enjoyed…
Servant-Leadership in the Family [3-Part Series for Christian Fathers] // Bible Study
Bible Study [3-Part Series for Christian Fathers]: Servant-Leadership in the Family – Part 1 [Student’s Guide] This is a 3-part Bible study series for fathers. In this series, we will examine what God says in his Word about a father’s…
It Begins with Ants in the Pants – A Look at Christian Parenting
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, CLR The late humorist and author, Erma Bombeck, once wrote: “The inside of a house of worship must be the most confusing place ever to a child. There’s water that you can’t play with, books…
Today’s Media: Parental Discernment
Mr. Timothy Snyder dis-cern-ment [noun]: keenly selective judgment, good taste and judgment “Parents, it’s 11:00 P.M. … Do you know where your children are?” Are you old enough to remember local television stations broadcasting this public service announcement every evening?…
The Skinny on Kids and TV
Mr. Timothy Snyder The number one incentive for taking control of your youngsters’ television habits is their spiritual health. Doing it for the sake of their physical health is also very compelling. Studies have shown the amount of time kids…
Shepherding Your Teens to Adulthood
Mark Clifford Brunner Teen dating? Perhaps, it’s time to assign these words to the dustbin of outmoded phrases. At least, if most 15 year-olds had their way, they would be happy never to hear these words again. We “get together”…
Would You Like to Go to a Movie?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Solomon Wrote (Ecclesiastes 1:9): “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” I think of this passage often as…
Q&A on Genetic Testing of Preborn Children
QUESTION: Is genetic testing of preborn children acceptable for Christians? ANSWER: The answer to your question requires some clarification, because there are many variables that come into consideration. Some parents are concerned about a genetic disease that could be passed…
God’s Life-Giving Love Is Active at Conception
Prof. Ryan MacPherson, Bioethics Professor at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN When does human life begin? This question has perplexed our generation and divided our nation. The stakes are quite high. If a human embryo is a person, then abortion…
Drifting: A Look at Parenting and Alzheimer’s Disease
Linda Lawrence Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. Mom’s pinched face and fidgeting fingers catch my attention as…
Hug Your Mother: A Look at Caregiving and Alzheimer’s Disease
Linda Lawrence Editor’s Note: This is second in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. When Dad died, my husband and I invited my mother, who…
How Can I Be A Caregiver?: A Look at Caregiving and Alzheimer’s Disease
Linda Lawrence Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. I love my Lord, and I love solitude. But now…
Alzheimer’s Became a Blessing? – A Look at Caregiving and Alzheimer’s Disease
Linda Lawrence Editor’s Note: This is fourth in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. When asked what I most feared, I always answered: “Having my…
Treasured: A Look at Caregiving and Alzheimer’s Disease
Linda Lawrence Editor’s Note: This is fifth in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. Mom has lived in a nursing home since her Alzheimer’s progressed…
The Vaccination Quandary
Almost immediately after birth, the subject of vaccinations arises. Today, a multitude of vaccinations are available for a variety of illnesses. Along with those vaccinations come questions of safety, side effects, necessity, and the origins of the vaccine. Christian parents…
Meet The First Snowflake! (Embryo Adoption)
Marlene Strege, First Adoptive Mother of a Snowflake Baby “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” — Dr. Seuss Horton Hears A Who is among our daughter Hannah’s favorite books, and she revels in reciting its recurring theme, that…
Ways to Handle Peer Pressure
Walk away from a bad/dangerous situation Make the decision for yourself as to what you do Think ahead about the outcome of your actions — can you live with the consequences? Avoid those people who might lead you to do…
He’s Always There
Pastor Mark Cordes He’s Always There – or – Thou, God, Seest Me In the name of Christ our Life, my dear Christian friends: I once received a postcard which read, Dear Clergy, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day present a…
The Value of Self-Esteem
Pastor Rolfe F. Westendorf We want to reject the misuse and the distortions of self-esteem, not waste the value that the concept provides. Some years ago, social scientists recognized what most have known for a long time people who are…
The Value of a Thanksgiving Tradition
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Thanksgiving is a great time of year for my family. First of all, it takes place in the fall. There is something warm and inviting about the colors of fall and the…
Well, At Least I Wasn’t Adopted
Diane E. Schroeder, President, National Lutherans For Life This column is dedicated to the birth parents of my children and all the millions more who sacrificed to give life and love to their children through adoption. “Well, at least I’m…
The Crisis at Hand: HIV/AIDS
Mr. Larry Dilgard One would hope that after all the years spent attempting to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, the year 2004 would bring some good news. Unfortunately, the news is not good. Things are not getting better: in fact,…
Living Large in Your Christian Home Life
By Mr. Tim Snyder, Media Services Coordinator for Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI Living Large – To live an extravagant or self-indulgent lifestyle. (Dictionary.com) Is your family living large? I’m not talking about a life of luxury. This is about…
The Legacy of Love
By Mrs. Lynn Klammer One of the simplest, yet most profound, interactions I ever had with another human being came during the afternoon of an otherwise uneventful day. I had only been married for about a year, and my mother-in-law…
Sarah’s Story – A Look at a New Beginning After a Crisis Pregnancy
It was the day of my 18th birthday that I found out I was pregnant. At a time when I should have been young and hopeful and happy and free, I was terrified and lonely and angry and sad. And…
Samuel’s Hand Continues to Reach Out to People Around the World
Liz Townsend While partial-birth abortion is being debated in the Supreme Court, Congress, and state legislatures, the tiny fist of a baby the same age as many of those killed in the gruesome procedure continues to grab the consciences of…
‘On Eagles’ Wings’ – A Look at Support During A Difficult Pregnancy
It all began innocuously enough. A phone call, a cry for help. That’s what this ministry is all about. Help, love, support. Usually the call is from a distant place. The faces remain anonymous, the problems obscured by distance. But…
Calling All Parents! – A Look at Christian Parenting
Thad Jahns, M.S. Certain moments in life profoundly change us. Such moments redefine who we are and why we exist. For me, one such instance began on a warm, sunny day in July of 1994. That was the day that…
Just Hold My Hand: Offering Support to a Loved One Who is Going Through Miscarriage or Stillbirth
Mrs. Amy Schultz When I was going through my first miscarriage some close friends sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. For a while they lit up my kitchen table while I wandered around the house in a saddened daze….
Should I Baptize My Baby?
Christian Life Resources Why Baptize Babies? The Bible doesn’t tell us anywhere how old a person must be at the time of baptism. Jesus commanded us to baptize “all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and doesn’t make any mention of an individual’s…
How You Can Parent Your Teen
Gerald F. Kastens, former administrator of the Commission on Youth Discipleship Nine tips you can use to strengthen your family. Twenty years ago, being a father seemed rather easy–challenging, but not terribly complicated. Fairly regular devotions, rules about finishing broccoli…
Prenatal Testing
1. Reasons for Testing (Motive) Enhance life to provide life-saving information and treatment Enhance death to eliminate children affected by physical deformity, wrong sex, or maternal preference 2. The Truth about Prenatal Testing (the search for the perfect baby) It cannot prevent birth defects…
In Utero Tour
Month-by-Month Fetal Development In Utero Tour: Presented by StandUpGirl.com. Gives concise, useful fetal development and pregnancy information along with quick facts. Check it out!
How to Raise Godly Daughters
Mrs. Laurie Biedenbender Tips to help you raise a unique Christian women Raising godly daughters today is like flying a kite in a hurricane. The mighty winds of the world keep battering against us. Looking for examples Read the teen…
Take the Child to Your Home (A Christmas Message)
Rev. Wayne Mueller Children have become increasingly offensive to the ego-driven American who is in hot pursuit of personal happiness. Frankly, children just cost money and get in the way. Like pets and loud noise, children are categorically banned from…
Q&A on Miscarriage
QUESTION: A friend of mine just had a miscarriage. She seems okay on the outside, but I know she is hurting. What can I do to help her? ANSWER: Miscarriage is often overlooked as a painful event. You are very…
Rose’s Story (A Pro-Life Story of Hope Against the Odds)
Jean Cross In January of 2004, a woman named Rose called the Alameda Pregnancy Counseling Center in San Jose, CA, and asked if she could share her life’s story to help the pro-life cause. I had the opportunity to meet…
Comfort for Parents Grieving a Miscarriage or Stillbirth [A Pastoral Theology Brief]
John D. Schuetze, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI In his care of souls, the pastor faces many difficult situations, which like a sword can often pierce his own soul also. Few are as heart-wrenching as ministering to the mother or…
The Value of Ultrasound
Dr. Peggy Hartshorn How is ultrasound done? Sound waves are bounced off the developing child using a hand-held device (trasducer) rubbed across the mother’s belly. Echoes from the waves are converted to an image (sonogram) on a TV monitor. For…
The Youngest Surviving Preemie
J.C. Willke, MD Recently there has been considerable worldwide publicity announcing the birth of “the world’s most premature baby.” Little Amillia Taylor, of Miami, Florida, was born in October, 21 weeks and 6 days after conception. In multiple press reports,…
The Scriptural View on When Human Life Begins // Bible Study
A Brief Study on Psalm 51:5 The Background of the Verse The title: A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. (This incident is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:1-14.) A penitential psalm,…
Sarah Palin and the Lessons She Has Taught Her Children
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources By the time you read this commentary, Sarah Palin may or may not have been elected Vice President of the United States. There is and will be a great deal written about…
Witnessing a Miracle – A Look at Pregnancy and Life in the Womb
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13,14) This is a familiar passage in pro-life…
The Preborn Child and Faith
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) The biological argument for protecting preborn human life should be compelling enough….
The Preborn Child and Biology
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full…
Waiting for Baby Taeh – A Look at the Providence of God During a Premature Pregnancy
Mrs. Ellen Kuber, Volunteer at Christian Life Resources When my daughter, Johanna, suspected that she was pregnant, she went to a newly-degreed medical doctor. The doctor performed an ultrasound to determine how far along she was in the pregnancy. After…
Our Baby’s Life Begins (Fetal Development)
Day 1: Today your life began. The egg from your mother was fertilized by the father’s sperm within one of your mother’s two fallopian tubes. You received 23 chromosomes from each parent. You are unique and individual. Days 5-9: From…
What Does the Bible Say About the Beginning of Life?
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, CLR National Director Whether one talks about pregnancy, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization or miscarriage, one question becomes pivotal, “When does life begin?” Because the question regarding the beginning of life is generally rooted…
Lily-Beth’s Miracle // A Look at Pregnancy Complications and God’s Love
Trey and I wanted to take the time to try to inspire others the way the Lord has inspired us. We are writing this to give credit where credit is due, show thanks to God, and to help others realize…
He Came to Share Our Vulnerability – A Look at the Humanity of Jesus Christ
Rev. Mark Braun, Wisconsin Lutheran College Professor of Theology For centuries Christians have celebrated the miracle of the Virgin birth of Jesus in late December or early January—and it is good and right for us so to do. Yet the…
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – The Stages of Life in the Womb By Week
The miracle of life – more amazing and awe-inspiring than any other part of God’s creation. What we have been able to discern from research in chronicling precious life in the womb is remarkable. The pictures of babies still in…
Competing to Get Ahead
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources “They eat their young” is one phrase used to explain the ruthless nature of some people as they strive to get ahead in the world. Parents remind their children that it is…
My Wife, the Multi-Parent
Captain LeRoy Kiecker, North Mankato, MN Being deployed is hard on the family. I have been here in the sand now since mid-October 2004. Like almost everyone here, I left behind family members, including my wife and two small boys,…
A Family Tradition of Pro-Life Activism
Traditions create treasured practices in families. They tend to play a very important role in creating family ties and give family members special memories to carry throughout life and are passed on to the next generation. Here is a family…
The Internet Predator
Pop quiz: Where would your child be safer? a) In a dark alley in a questionable part of town late at night. b) At home in front of the family computer in the middle of the day. The logical answer seems to be…
A Glimpse at a Blended Family
Let’s talk about blended families. A blended family is what occurs when a man and woman marry, and one or both bring with them children from a previous marriage or relationship. An untimely death, divorce, or children being born out…
Parenting Tips
Raising a child brings countless benefits, and many parents report that it is the most rewarding job they ever have. However, parenting also presents unique and very stressful situations which can be difficult to properly deal with. It can often…
Q&A on Questionable Clothing
QUESTION: Many of my daughter’s friends are wearing outfits that I feel are inappropriate. I am very disappointed that my daughter is now wearing some of the same styles. How can I address this with her so she understands the…
A Culture of Caring | A Look at Teaching Children to Care for Others
Tim Snyder, Media Services Coordinator, Wisconsin Lutheran College It’s been more than one year since “Mrs. Marge” sold her home and moved in with her son. “Mrs. Marge,” an elderly widow who lived alone, used to be our next-door neighbor….
A Product of Their Upbringing – A Look at Children’s Values Reflective of Parents’ Attitudes
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” This proverb is quoted twice in Scripture (Jeremiah 9:14 and Ezekiel 16:44). It is modernized in such phrases as,…
Baby Talk – Teaching Children About the Value of Life as a Gift from God
Mr. Tim Snyder “Can you believe it? The Smith’s are pregnant again!” “That makes five. What are they thinking!?” “I know. They can barely take care of the ones they already have.” Does this conversation sound familiar? Perhaps you have…
Heaven Talk: A Parent’s Discussion about Death with Their Child
Many mothers and fathers who will do almost anything to avoid discussing death with their children. Perhaps they fear upsetting them, or worse, leaving them emotionally scarred. It can even be argued that an even more powerful deterrent is the…
Q&A on Aging Parents and Resistance to Living with Their Children
Q: My husband and I have talked about caring for our parents when they are unable to care for themselves. We have offered that they stay with us in our home rather than move to an assisted living facility, but…
Bridging the Generations
“No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet.” – Author Unknown There is probably no image more heartwarming than a beaming grandmother tenderly holding her newborn grandchild. Equally appealing…
Making the Most of Family Time
Rev. James A. Aderman Expect that friends will not understand that you won’t play softball every Tuesday night, in order to be at home with the kids. “I just don’t have the time,” I sighed in exasperation. “I dearly want…
Family Traditions That Cherish Life
Wonderful aromas are wafting in from the kitchen. A juicy turkey continues to roast in the oven, and the spicy scent of a baked pumpkin pie still lingers in the air. In the living room, the lights are dimmed, and…
Profound Thoughts About Mothers
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from…
Charlie Gard Is Us
By Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources, July 18, 2017 Charles (Charlie) Gard was born on August 4, 2016. He was diagnosed with infantile-onset encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (also known as MDDS). Simply stated, Charlie’s brain is…