Parenting in God’s Kingdom
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (3 John 1:4). Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord (Ps. 127:3). But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). These portions of God’s Word signify how important a job we as pare ..
It Is Good for Us to Learn from the Past
In October 2019 the SRK, our sister organization in Finland, published Myrskyjen keskellä, Suomen Rauhanyhdistysten Keskusyhdistyksen historia 3 (1962–1980). This title in English is In the Midst of Storms, History of Central Association of Finnish Associations of Peace (i.e. SRK), Vol. 3 ( ..
Final Events
Installment 16 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) In my article I will discuss the Bible’s teachings on eternity, human life, death and final events. Peter wro ..
The Christian Congregation and the Kingdom of God
Installment 15 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) The Visible and Invisible Congregation The New Testament congregation means the congregation of G ..
Courtship Prepares for Marriage
Courtship has a clear purpose and goal. It aims toward the upcoming marriage of the two that are courting. Courtship is wonderful, but it is also a serious matter. The time of courtship is meant to be a time when the future spouses get to know each other’s background, personality, values an ..
Tender Care and Commitment
Marriages don’t survive on their own; even long marriages require care, tending and commitment. We cannot place love into another person’s heart, but we can tend to the love that we hold for one another. After many years of married life, it’s apparent to me that love in marriage is ..
God Will Never Forsake Us!
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a sobering effect on the entire world. During this pandemic, as in all times, we can say, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). We turn to God in prayer for ourselves and our communities. We pray for local authorities, nat ..
Being a Godparent Is an Old Practice
The Bible does not mention godparents, but the concept of godparents has existed since the time of the early Christian Church. At that time, it was mostly adults who were baptized, and one person was chosen to support the newly baptized in his or her Christian life and orient him or her to the d ..
The Law and the Gospel
Installment 14 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) The law and the gospel are two central concepts in the Bible. The law declares God’s righteous will, and ..
Work of the Holy Spirit
Installment 13 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) The Word and the Sacraments According to Lutheran understanding, the Word and sacraments are instruments o ..